The recall covers vehicles that are currently, or have ever been registered, in what Subaru calls the "20 salt belt states" - where salt is used to melt ice and snow in the winter months.
The Japanese automaker said brake lines in some vehicles run the risk of corrosion and may affect the driver's ability to stop.
The models affected are 2005 through 2009 Legacys and Outbacks, 2008 through 2011 Imprezas, 2008 through 2014 Impreza WRX/STIs, and 2009 through 2013 Foresters.
Subaru says it discovered the potential problems in its own testing. Brake lines could perforate after exposure to seven or more winter driving seasons. In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the automaker says the perforations could cause brake fluid to leak and that in turn could cause the "driver to misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance."
Top 10 High Tech Stocks To Buy For 2015: Sandstorm Gold Ltd (SAND)
Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (Sandstorm Gold), formerly Sandstorm Resources Ltd., is a gold streaming company. The Company provides financing to gold mining companies that are looking for capital and in return, receives a gold streaming agreement. It is a non-operating gold mining company with seven gold streams in the portfolio, five of which are producing gold. The Company�� projects include the Aurizona Gold project, the Santa Elena project, the Summit Mine project, the Ming Mine project, the Black Fox Mine project, Bracemac-McLeod project and the Bachelor Lake Mine. It holds 17% interest in the mine gold production from Aurizona. Santa Elena Project, in which the Company holds 20% interest. It holds 12% interest in the mine gold production from Black fox mine project. The Summit Mine project, in which it has 50% interest, 25% interest in Ming mine project and 17.5% interest in Bracemac-McLeod project. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tony Daltorio]
The chief executive officers (CEOs) of both Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW) and Sandstorm Gold (NYSE MKT: SAND) told the Forum now was a great time to bolster their gold streams at a nice discount in price.
- [By Rich Duprey]
Still a glittering opportunity?
While virtually every name in the precious metal fell yesterday in line with gold's percentage drop, or worse, gold streamer Sandstorm Gold (NYSEMKT: SAND ) really took it on the chin, falling more than 8% despite reporting a few days earlier a sharp jump in proven and probable reserves at its Aurizona Gold Mine in Brazil. It represents one of the streamer's best opportunities for the future, as it has the opportunity to buy 17% of the gold produced for the life of mine at $400 an ounce on an inflation-adjusted basis. - [By The Investment Doctor]
Another, less likely possibility to raise equity is through selling a part of the precious metals in a streaming deal. I can imagine Sandstorm Gold (SAND) and Silver Wheaton (SLW) would be very interested in a substantial precious metals streaming agreement. At the current gold and silver prices NGEX wouldn't even have to sell its entire precious metals production under a streaming arrangement.
Top 5 Japanese Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Plantronics Inc.(PLT)
Plantronics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of lightweight communications headsets, telephone headset systems, and accessories for the business and consumer markets under the Plantronics name worldwide. It also offers specialty telephone products, such as telephones for the hearing impaired and other related products for people with special communication needs under the Clarity brand name. The company?s products are designed for specific markets and applications, such as offices; contact centers; mobile devices comprising mobile phones and smart phones; computer and gaming; and residential applications, as well as for other specialty applications. It sells its products through a network of distributors, retailers, wireless carriers, original equipment manufacturers, and telephony service providers. The company was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lee Jackson]
Plantronics Inc. (NYSE: PLT) is a global leader in audio communications for businesses and consumers. It has pioneered new trends in audio technology, creating innovative products that allow people to simply communicate. From unified communication to Bluetooth headsets to gaming solutions, it delivers uncompromising quality, an ideal experience and extraordinary service. Plantronics is used by every company in the Fortune 100, as well as 911 dispatch, air traffic control and various mission critical applications for those on the frontline. Investors are paid a small 0.9% dividend. The J.P. Morgan target price is $49, and the consensus is set higher at $54.14. Plantronics closed Tuesday at $45.79.
- [By Sean Williams]
Can you hear me now?
Unlike YRC, which I consider to be in awful shape, audio communication solutions maker Plantronics (NYSE: PLT ) is merely a sell in my book based on its recent share price appreciation.
Top 5 Japanese Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Church & Dwight Co Inc (CHD)
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a range of household, personal care and specialty products. The Company�� brands include ARM & HAMMER, (used in multiple product categories, such as baking soda, carpet deodorization and laundry detergent), TROJAN Condoms, XTRA laundry detergent, OXICLEAN pre-wash laundry additive, NAIR depilatories, FIRST RESPONSE home pregnancy and ovulation test kits, ORAJEL oral analgesics and SPINBRUSH battery-operated toothbrushes. The Company operates in three segments: Consumer Domestic, Consumer International and Specialty Products. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Consumer Domestic, Consumer International and Specialty Products segments represented approximately 72%, 19% and 9%, respectively, of the Company�� net sales. On June 28, 2011, the Company acquired the BATISTE dry shampoo brand from Vivalis, Limited. The BATISTE brand is managed principally within the Consumer International segment. On September 22, 2011, the Company, together with FMC Corporation and TATA Chemicals, formed an operating joint venture, Natronx Technologies LLC. In October 2012, it acquired Avid Health, Inc. (Avid).
The Consumer Domestic segment includes eight brands and other household and personal care products, such as SCRUB FREE, KABOOM and ORANGE GLO cleaning products, ANSWER home pregnancy and ovulation test kits, ARRID antiperspirant, and CLOSE-UP and AIM toothpastes. The Consumer International segment primarily sells a range of personal care products, some of which use the same brands as its domestic product lines, in international markets, including Canada, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil and China. The Specialty Products segment is a producer of sodium bicarbonate, which it sells together with other specialty inorganic chemicals for a variety of industrial, institutional, medical and food applications. This segment also sells a range of animal nutrition and specialty cleaning products.
Consumer Domes! tic
The Company specializes in baking soda-based products, as well as other products. In addition, this segment includes other deodorizing and household cleaning products, as well as laundry and personal care products. The Company�� household products include ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda, ARM & HAMMER and XTRA Powder and Liquid Laundry Detergents, ARM & HAMMER Carpet & Room Deodorizers, ARM & HAMMER Cat Litter Deodorizer, ARM & HAMMER Clumping Cat Litters, ARM & HAMMER, FRESH�� SOFT Fabric Softeners, ARM & HAMMER Total 2-in-1 Dryer Cloths, ARM & HAMMER Super Washing Soda, SCRUB FREE Bathroom Cleaners, CLEAN SHOWER Daily Shower Cleaner, CAMEO Aluminum & Stainless Steel Cleaner, SNO BOL Toilet Bowl Cleaner, XTRA and NICE�� FLUFFY Fabric Softeners and FELINE PINE Cat Litter. The Company�� personal care products include ARM & HAMMER Toothpastes, SPINBRUSH Battery-operated Toothbrushes, MENTADENT Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, AIM Toothpaste, PEPSODENT Toothpaste, CLOSE-UP Toothpaste, RIGIDENT Denture Adhesive, ARM & HAMMER Deodorants & Antiperspirants, ARRID Antiperspirants, LADY�� CHOICE Antiperspirants, TROJAN Condoms and Vibrating Products, FIRST RESPONSE Home Pregnancy and Ovulation Test Kits, ANSWER Home Pregnancy and Ovulation Test Kits, NAIR Depilatories, Lotions, Creams and Waxes and ORAJEL Oral Analgesics.
In 2011, household products constituted approximately 65% of the Company�� Domestic Consumer sales and approximately 47% of the Company�� total sales. The Company markets its ARM & HAMMER brand laundry detergents, in both powder and liquid forms. The Company markets its XTRA laundry detergent in both powder and liquid. The Company also markets XTRA SCENTSATIONS, a concentrated liquid laundry detergent, and OXICLEAN pre-wash laundry additive. The Company markets ARM & HAMMER Power Gel Laundry Detergent and ARM & HAMMER plus OXICLEAN liquid and powder laundry detergents. In 2011 the Company launched the scented liquid detergent clinically tested safe for sensiti! ve skin u! nder the ARM & HAMMER name. The Company�� laundry products also include fabric softener sheets.
The Company markets ARM & HAMMER FRESH �� SOFT liquid fabric softener and offers another liquid fabric softener, NICE�� FLUFFY. The Company markets ARM & HAMMER Total 2-in-1 Dryer Cloths, a fabric softener sheet used in the clothes dryer. The Company also markets a line of cat litter products, including ARM & HAMMER Super Scoop clumping cat litter. Line extensions of Super Scoop include ARM & HAMMER Multi-Cat cat litter, designed for households with more than one cat, ARM & HAMMER Odor Alert cat litter, with crystals that change color when activated, ARM & HAMMER Essentials clumping cat litter, a corn-based scoopable litter, and ARM & HAMMER Double Duty cat litter, which eliminates both urine and feces odors on contact. In addition, the Company markets a line of household cleaning products, including CLEAN SHOWER daily shower cleaner, SCRUB FREE bathroom cleaners and SNO BOL toilet bowl cleaner. The Company also markets KABOOM bathroom cleaner and ORANGE GLO household cleaning products.
In 2011, Personal Care Products constituted approximately 35% of the Company�� Consumer Domestic sales and approximately 25% of the Company�� total sales. ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, when used as a dentifrice, whitens and polishes teeth. The Company also manufactures in the United States and markets in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada, CLOSE-UP, PEPSODENT and AIM toothpastes, and the MENTADENT brand of toothpaste and toothbrushes. The Company markets ORAJEL oral analgesics, which includes products for adults, as well as Baby ORAJEL Cooling Cucumber Teething Gel and Baby ORAJEL Tooth and Gum Cleanser. The Company markets SPINBRUSH battery-operated toothbrushes in the United States (including Puerto Rico), the United Kingdom, Canada, China and Australia. The Company also markets SPINBRUSH Pro-Select toothbrushes; SPINBRUSH Pro-Recharge, a rechargeable toothbrush offering up ! to one we! ek of power brushes between charges, and SPINBRUSH Sonic. The Company�� deodorant and antiperspirant products are marketed under the ARM & HAMMER, ARRID and LADY�� CHOICE brand names.
TROJAN is the Company�� condom brand. Its other brands in this category include ECSTASY, TROJAN Ultra Thin condoms and TROJAN Fire and Ice Condoms. The Company also markets a series of vibrating products under the TROJAN name. The Company also markets ANSWER in the home pregnancy and ovulation test kit market. The Company also markets a home female fertility test under the FIRST RESPONSE brand name. The Company offers a range of depilatory products for women, men and teens under the NAIR brand name. In 2011 and 2012, new NAIR variants were launched. These included Cool Gel, Roll-On Milk and Honey, and Brazilian Spa Clay products. The Company markets the SIMPLY SALINE brand of nasal saline moisturizers in Europe and other parts of the world.
Consumer International
The Consumer International segment markets a variety of personal care products, household and over-the-counter products in international markets, including Canada, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil and China. Total Consumer International net sales represented approximately 19% of the Company�� consolidated net sales in 2011. Net sales of the subsidiaries located in Canada, France, the United Kingdom and Australia accounted for 36%, 17%, 17% and 12%, respectively, of the Company�� 2011 international net sales in this segment. The Company markets depilatories and waxes, home pregnancy and ovulation test kits and oral care products in most of its international markets. The Company markets waxes and depilatory products in international locations, and TROJAN condoms in Canada and Mexico. The Company also markets SPINBRUSH battery-operated toothbrushes, primarily in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, China and Australia, and OXICLEAN, KABOOM and ORANGE GLO products primarily in Mexico and Canada. T! he Compan! y sells PEARL DROPS products in Europe, Canada and Australia, STERIMAR nasal hygiene products in a number of markets in Europe, Latin America, China and Australia, and BATISTE dry shampoo principally in the United Kingdom.
Specialty Products
The Company�� Specialty Products (SPD) segment focuses on sales to businesses and participates in three product areas: Specialty Chemicals, Animal Nutrition and Specialty Cleaners. The Company�� 99.2%-owned Brazilian subsidiary, Quimica Geral do Nordeste (QGN), is a provider of sodium bicarbonate. The Company and Occidental Petroleum Corporation are equal partners in a joint venture, Armand Products Company, which manufactures and markets potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate for sale in domestic and international markets. The potassium-based products are used in a range of applications, including agricultural products, specialty glass and ceramics, and potassium silicates. Armand Products also manufactures for the Company a potassium carbonate-based animal feed additive for sale in the dairy industry. A special grade of sodium bicarbonate, as well as sodium sesquicarbonate, is sold to the animal feed market as a feed additive for use by the dairy industry as a buffer, or antacid, for dairy cattle. The Company also markets DCAD Plus feed grade potassium carbonate, which is manufactured by the Armand Products Company as a feed additive into the animal feed market.
The Company markets MEGALAC rumen bypass fat, a nutritional supplement made from natural oils. The Company also markets BIO-CHLOR and FERMENTEN, a range of specialty feed ingredients for dairy cows. The Company also provides a line of cleaning and deodorizing products for use in commercial and industrial applications, such as office buildings, hotels, restaurants and other facilities. The Company and Safety-Kleen Corporation are equal partners in a joint venture. In North America, this joint venture distributes the Company�� product line of aqueous clea! ners alon! g with the Company�� ARMEX blast media line, which is designed for the removal of a variety of surface coatings.
The Company competes with The Procter & Gamble Company, Sun Products Corporation, The Clorox Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Johnson & Johnson, Ansell Limited and Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Newman]
Still, with a pure play in female condoms, the company achieves a staggering double-digit net profit margin: 44% for 2012. This dwarfs the conglomerate and Trojan condom maker�Church & Dwight's (NYSE: CHD ) 12% net margin, even though Church & Dwight is more expensive on a P/E basis and offers a lower dividend yield than Female Health.
- [By Morgan Housel]
James R. Craigie, CEO, Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD )
I think the whole thing about the 2% extra payroll tax wasn't helpful. Don't forget, in America, the average household makes $50,000. 2% is $1,000 a year. I mean, after tax, that's a hurt in their pocketbook. Gas prices have been going up. I -- and you've seen the retailer results, the Walmarts, Kmarts, Targets, Costcos of the world had, had results less than they expected, not very good. So it's weak. I don't think it's -- I'm not ready to declare it's a permanent decline or a second dip on the�recession�there, but it's a little nervous as far as what's going on up there.
- [By Mani]
Management commentary of Church & Dwight Co. Inc. (NYSE:CHD) clearly suggests another accretive deal is forthcoming, with debt capacity, rising cash balance, halted share repurchase in the fourth quarter and lower capex signaling management is poised to strike while conditions are favorable.
- [By Sean Williams]
First and foremost, while recessions don't necessitate that P&G lower its pricing on its consumer goods, since we know demand will stay relatively the same, that doesn't stop cash-strapped consumers who are taking home less per paycheck from trading down to non-name-brand products to save money. This was actually the culprit for weaker earnings in recent quarters for both P&G and Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD ) , which were basically forced into a pricing war in the detergent aisle to attract consumers at the detriment of their gross margin.
Top 5 Japanese Stocks To Invest In Right Now: SourcingLink.net Inc (SNET)
SourcingLink.net, Inc., incorporated in 1994, was involved in developing and deploying merchandise-sourcing solutions for the retail industry prior to its operating assets sale in March 2004. The Company's Internet-based, hosted solutions for the pre-order phase of business-to-business merchandise procurement enabled retailers to organize, automate and reduce the cost of their merchandise-sourcing activities by locating and connecting directly with their retail merchandise suppliers around the globe. Its solution, branded MySourcingCenter, provided an online location for search, display and comparison functions, and linked and managed the data and communications between retailers and merchandise suppliers in industry-specific private environments, organizing and automating sourcing or pre-order merchandise procurement activities over the Internet. The majority of the Company's revenue through the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 (fiscal 2001) to 2003 (fiscal 2003) was generated from a contract entered into, in March 2000, with Carrefour S.A. After completion of the Carrefour agreement, SourcingLink.net, Inc. was unable to procure additional contracts to replace the revenue generated by the Carrefour agreement.
SourcingLink.net sold its operating assets and intellectual property, and its two customer contracts in two separate transactions, in March 2004, (collectively, the operating assets sale), and ceased its operating business at that time. Its fixed assets, software, intellectual property and customer contracts related to Internet-based merchandise sourcing solution were sold to a third party in Europe. The Company's list of potential customers and certain Lotus Notes templates related to its professional services business were sold to a separate foreign company.
Prior to the operating assets sale in March 2004, the Company also performed professional services that accounted for the majority of its revenue since fiscal 2001. Its professional services enabled customers to ! implement Internet-based electronic negotiations (eSourcing) solutions. SourcingLink.net's service offering was buyer auction programs, which encompassed assessment, savings delivery and training aimed at optimizing auction processes within the buying organization.
MySourcingCenter is an online sourcing solution for finding, displaying, comparing and negotiating the purchase of products. The Company provided customers with a turnkey solution, including project management for buyer rollout and both online and global helpdesk support for buyers and suppliers. Reporting and forms were standardized for suppliers and standard forms were also available for retailers. In addition, SourcingLink.net mapped standard supplier data to any forms specification the retailer may have had, providing a customized display to meet retailer requirements. All of the underlying software resided outside of customer firewalls in a third party co-location facility.
The Company's only customer for MySourcingCenter was the international purchasing department of France-based Leroy Merlin. It also signed a contract with a United States-based customer, for which initial planning had occurred prior to the operating assets sale in March 2004.
SourcingLink.net provided professional services in the area of Internet-based, pre-order merchandise procurement. It assisted retailers in the conduct of online real-time negotiation events and trained buying organizations to become autonomous in conducting such events. Related to the Company's Internet solution, it provided project management for retailer implementations of MySourcingCenter. SourcingLink.net provided services to Carrefour, from April 2000, through mid-fiscal 2004, under a three-year contract. This contract provided the majority of the Company's revenues during the prior three fiscal years. It also provided services to the WorldWide Retail Exchange and certain of its members. One such contract provided about one-third of its services revenue ! during fi! scal year 2004. The Company's professional services customers included Carrefour, under the Carrefour contract, and members of several industry exchanges, including the WorldWide Retail Exchange, a retail industry exchange with 60 members around the globe, and CPGmarkets, an exchange for manufacturers of consumer packaged goods, whose members are in Europe.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks IDGlobal Corp (OTCMKTS: IDGC), Embarr Downs Inc (OTCMKTS: EMBR) and SourcingLink.net, Inc (OTCMKTS: SNET) have been getting some extra attention in various investment newsletters or investor alerts lately as at least two of these stocks have been the subject of paid promotions or other types of investor relations activities. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotions or investor relations activities. But just how hot are these two small cap stocks? Here is a closer look and a quick reality check:
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