Top 5 Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now

Food industry is one of the safest options to invest in since food can never be out of vogue. Moreover, even snack making industry is quite a lucrative one with some of the prominent players being Kellogg (K), Mondelez International (MDLZ) and J&J Snack Foods (JJSF). However, it is important to understand which among these will be the best pick for any investor.

Stock price comparison of industry players

When stock price performance is compared for all the three players, J&J Snack Foods proves to be the best performer, providing the highest return to its investors.

With a stock price appreciation of 28.6%, J&J has outpaced its peers. Mondelez, too, has performed well with a return of 10.2% in the last one year. The company has not been able to live up to investors' expectations in its last quarter, missing on the top line estimates. This is mainly because of decrease in coffee prices, which hampered the retailer's sales. Also, it has been witnessing lower demand for gum in the developing nations. However, coffee prices are expected to increase in the future, which should lead to higher revenue.

Best Stocks To Buy: ING Prime Rate Trust (PPR)

ING Prime Rate Trust (the Trust) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Trust seeks to provide a high a level of current income together with the preservation of capital. It invests least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in United States dollar-denominated, floating-rate secured senior loans. It also invests a substantial portion of its assets in below investment-grade senior loans and other below investment-grade assets.

The Trust invests in sectors, such as healthcare, education and childcare; cable; chemicals, plastics and rubber; utilities; printing and publishing; leisure, amusement and entertainment; oil and gas; retail stores; data and Internet services, and beverage, food and tobacco. The Trust�� investment advisor is ING Investments, LLC. ING Prime Rate Trust�� sub-advisor is ING Investment Management Co. and its administrator is ING Funds Services, LLC. ING Investments, LLC, ING Investment Management Co. and ING Funds Services, LLC are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of ING Groep N.V.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Dowdee]

  The following 10 funds satisfied all of these conditions:

  BlackRock Float Rate Strategies (FRA). This CEF sells at a discount of 3%, which is low compared to an average premium of 2% over the past year. The distribution has been managed at 6.1% and a small amount (less than 10%) has been return of capital (ROC). However, this has not negatively affected net asset value (NAV) so has not been destructive. The fund holds 447 securities, with 90% in floating rate loans. FRA utilizes 27% leverage and has an expense ratio of 1.7%, including interest payments. Eaton Vance Floating Rate (EFR). This CEF sells at a 1% premium, which is low compared to an average premium of 5% over the past year. The distribution is 6.2%, none of which was ROC. The fund holds 800 securities, with 90% in floating rate loans. About 85% of the securities are from U.S. companies. EFR utilizes 35% leverage and has an expense ratio of 1.8% including interest payments. ING Prime Rate Trust (PPR). This CEF sells for a premium of 2%, which is below the average premium of 5%. It has a distribution of 6.8%, none of which was ROC. The fund has 350 holdings, virtually all in senior loans and from US companies. PPR utilizes 29% leverage and has a high expense ratio of 2.1%, including interest payments. Invesco VK Dynamic Credit Opportunities (VTA). This CEF sells for a discount of 5%, which is below the average discount of 1%. It has a distribution of 7.1%, none of which was ROC. The fund has 495 holdings, with 76% in floating rate loans. About 25% of the loans are from non-US companies. VTA utilizes a relatively low 20% leverage but still has a high expense ratio of 2.1%, including interest payments. Invesco VK Senior Income (VVR). This CEF sells for a discount of 1%, which is below the average premium of 3%. It has a distribution of 7.1%, none of which was ROC. The fund has over 500 holdings, with 89% in floating rate loans. Almost all (95%) securities are from US companies. VVR ut
• [By Aaron Levitt]

  The main reason why investors fled bounds during the taper tantrum is that bond prices have a negative correlation with rising interest rates. The ING Prime Rate Trust (PPR) avoids some of those problems.

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Ituran Location and Control Ltd (ITRN)

Ituran Location and Control Ltd. (Ituran), incorporated in February 1994, is engaged in the provision of location-based services and machine-to-machine wireless communications products for use in stolen vehicle recovery, fleet management and other applications. The Company operates in two segments: location-based services and wireless communication products. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 76.2% of its revenues were attributable to its location-based services. As of December 31, 2012, Ituran provided its services in Israel, Brazil, Argentina and the United States to approximately 276,000, 238,000, 131,000 and 22,000 subscribers, respectively. In 2012, 23.8% of its revenues were attributable to the sale of its wireless communications products.

Location-Based Services

The Company�� stolen vehicle recovery and tracking services, which it refer to as SVR services, enable it to locate, track and recover stolen vehicles for its subscribers. The Company�� customers include both individual vehicle owners who subscribe to its services directly and insurance companies that either require their customers to install a security system or offer their customers financial incentives to subscribe to SVR services, such as its. In certain countries, insurance companies directly subscribe to its SVR services and purchase automatic vehicle location (AVL) products supporting these SVR services from us on behalf of their customers. The Company�� fleet management services enable corporate customers to track and manage their vehicle. It markets and sells its services to a range of vehicle fleet operators in different geographic locations and industries. As of December 31, 2012, the Company provided its services to approximately 81,000 end-users through 21,000 corporate customers in Israel, Brazil, Argentina and the United States.

Personal locator services, which it offers allow customers to protect merchandise and equipment. In addition, through a call center it provides ! 24-hour round the clock on-demand navigation guidance, information and assistance to its customers. As of December 31, 2012, the Company provided personal locator services in Israel, Brazil and Argentina and, as of December 31, 2012, it had approximately 7,500 subscribers to this service. The Company�� call center services include the provision of traffic reports, help with directions and information on the location gas stations, car repair shops, post offices, hospitals and other facilities. The Company provides its concierge services to its subscribers in Israel, Argentina and Brazil. As of December 31, 2012, it had approximately 128,000 subscribers to its concierge service

Wireless Communications Products

The Company�� wireless communications products employ short- and medium-range communication between two-way wireless modems and are used for various applications, including AVL. Its AVL products enable the location and tracking of vehicles, as well as assets and persons, and are used by it primarily to provide SVR and fleet management services to its customers. Each subscriber to its SVR services has its AVL end-unit installed in his or her vehicle. Subscribers to services for locating equipment and merchandise will use its SMART products. The Company�� wireless communications products for AVL applications include: Base Site, Control Center, global positioning systems/ beneral packet radio service (GPS/GPRS)-based products and SMART. Base Site is a radio receiver, which includes a processor and a data computation unit to collect and send data to and from transponders and send that data to control centers as part of the terrestrial infrastructure of the location system. Control Center is a center, which consists of software used to collect data from various base sites, conduct location calculations and transmit location data to various customers and law enforcement agencies.

Global positioning systems/ beneral packet radio service (GPS/GPRS)-based products! include ! navigation and tracking devices installed in vehicles. SMART is a portable transmitter installed in vehicles (including motorcycles) that sends a signal to the base site, enabling the location of vehicles, equipment or an individual. The Company maintains 103 base stations in Israel. The provides radio frequency (RF) based products and services only in the metropolitan areas of Sao Paulo, Campinas, Americans and Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. It operates throughout Brazil in providing GPS/GPRS based products and services. The Company operates only in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires with the RF technology, in Argentina. The Company operates throughout Argentina in providing GPS/GPRS based products and services for fleet management. It provides GPS/GPRS products and services throughout the United States.

The Company competes with Eden Telecom Ltd. (Pointer), Skylock Ltd, LoJack Corporation, Car System, Megatrans, Pointer Localizacion y Asistencia S.A, OnStar Corporation, Sky Link Corporation, Spireon, Air Cept Corporation, SysLocate, GoldStar, PassTime, Guide Point, Sky Patrol, Sky Guard, I-Metrik, GPS Insight, Trimble, Network Fleet, Street Eagle, FleetMatics , Navtrack, Teletrac, Trim Track, FleetBoss, Sascar, Omnilink and Hawk Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matthew Indyke and Brian Zen]

  Four of Klarman�� stocks include PDLBioPharma (PDLI), Ituran Location and Control (ITRN), BP (BP), and Microsoft (MSFT). What these companies have in common are annually increasing total revenues, annually increasing cash flows, and gradually decreasing operating expenses and debt. Additionally, they show a clear value focus with P/E ratios no greater than 15. And even when stocks like these go through a troubling period brought on by a sagging economy or major scandal, they have an ability to bounce back.

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Middlesex Water Co (MSEX)

Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex), incorporated in 1897, is a water utility company. The Company owns and operates regulated water utility and wastewater systems in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Middlesex also operates water and wastewater systems under contract on behalf of municipal and private clients in New Jersey and Delaware. It operates in two segments: Regulated and Non-Regulated. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its Regulated segment contributed approximately 90% of total revenues. The Regulated segment consists of collecting, treating and distributing water on a retail and wholesale basis to residential, commercial, industrial and fire protection customers in parts of New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. This segment also includes regulated wastewater systems in New Jersey and Delaware. The Non-Regulated segment consists of non-regulated contract services for the operation and maintenance of municipal and private water and wastewater systems in New Jersey and Delaware.

The Company�� subsidiaries include Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater) and Tidewater�� wholly owned subsidiaries, Southern Shores Water Company, LLC (Southern Shores) and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. (White Marsh). Its other subsidiaries are Pinelands Water Company (Pinelands Water) and Pinelands Wastewater Company (Pinelands Wastewater) (collectively, Pinelands), Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA), Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc., (USA-PA), Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. (TESI) and Twin Lakes Utilities, Inc. (Twin Lakes).

Middlesex System

The Middlesex System in New Jersey provides water services to approximately 60,000 retail customers, primarily in eastern Middlesex County, New Jersey and provides water under wholesale contracts to the City of Rahway, Townships of Edison and Marlboro, the Boroughs of Highland Park and Sayreville and the Old Bridge Municipal Utilities Authority. The Middlesex System treats, stores and dis! tributes water for residential, commercial, industrial and fire prevention purposes. The Middlesex System also provides water treatment and pumping services to the Township of East Brunswick under contract. The Middlesex System produced approximately 64% of its 2011 consolidated operating revenues.

The Middlesex System�� retail customers are located in an area of approximately 55 square miles in Woodbridge Township, the City of South Amboy, the Boroughs of Metuchen and Carteret, portions of the Township of Edison and the Borough of South Plainfield in Middlesex County and, to a minor extent, a portion of the Township of Clark in Union County. Retail customers include a mix of residential customers, industrial concerns and commercial and light industrial facilities.

The contract customers of the Middlesex System comprise an area of approximately 146 square miles with a population of approximately 303,000. Contract sales to Edison, Sayreville, Old Bridge, Marlboro and Rahway are supplemental to the existing water systems of these customers. The Middlesex System provides treated surface water under long-term agreements to East Brunswick, Marlboro, Old Bridge and Sayreville. Middlesex provides water service to approximately 300 customers in Cumberland County, New Jersey. Its Middlesex System, which produced approximately 15.6 billion gallons in 2011, obtains water from surface sources and wells, or groundwater sources.

Tidewater System

Tidewater, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, Southern Shores, provides water services to approximately 36,000 retail customers for domestic, commercial and fire protection purposes in over 300 separate community water systems in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. White Marsh is an additional wholly owned subsidiary that is unregulated as to rates and operates water and wastewater systems under contract for approximately 4,700 residential customers. White Marsh also owns the office buildings that Tid! ewater us! es as its central business office campus. The Tidewater System produced approximately 25% of its 2011 consolidated operating revenues. Its Tidewater System produced approximately 2 billion gallons in 2011 from 159 wells.

Utility Service Affiliates-Perth Amboy

Utility Service Affiliates-Perth Amboy (USA-PA) operates the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey�� water and wastewater systems under a 20-year agreement, which expires in 2018. USA-PA serves approximately 11,000 homes and businesses, most of which are served by both the water and wastewater systems. USA-PA produced approximately 9% of its 2011 consolidated operating revenues.

Pinelands System

Pinelands Water provides water services to approximately 2,500 residential customers in Burlington County, New Jersey. Pinelands Water produced less than 1% of its 2011 consolidated operating revenues. Pinelands Water is not physically interconnected with the Middlesex System. Pinelands Wastewater provides wastewater services to approximately 2,400 residential customers. Under contract, it also services one municipal wastewater system in Burlington County, New Jersey with approximately 200 residential customers. Water supply to its Pinelands System is derived from four wells, which produced approximately 159.1 million gallons in 2011.

Utility Service Affiliates, Inc.

Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA) offers residential customers in New Jersey and Delaware water service line and sewer lateral maintenance programs (LineCare). USA produced less than 1% of its 2011 consolidated operating revenues.

TESI System

TESI provides wastewater services to approximately 2,200 residential retail customers in Delaware. TESI produced approximately 1% of its 2011 consolidated operating revenues. The TESI System treated approximately 76.8 million gallons in 2011. The TESI System consists of seven wastewater treatment systems in Southern Delaware.

Twin Lakes Sys! tem

Twin Lakes provides water services to approximately 120 residential customers in Shohola, Pennsylvania. Twin Lakes produced less than 1% of its 2011 consolidated operating revenues. Water supply to Twin Lakes��customers is derived from two wells, which delivered approximately 26.6 million gallons in 2011.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Utility operator Middlesex Water (MSEX) raised its quarterly dividend 1.3% to 18 cents per share, payable on Dec. 2 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 15. The increase marks the 41st consecutive annual dividend increase.
  MSEX Dividend Yield:�3.53%

• [By Dividends4Life]

  Starting in 2013 the federal tax rates on qualified dividends are 0%, 15% and 20%. The 20% rate is for taxpayers in the 39.6% tax bracket. For those in the 10% and 15% brackets, there is no tax on qualified dividends. In contrast, ordinary income is taxed at rates up to up to 39.6%. Below are several stocks that have consistently paid dividends through depressions, recessions, world wars, and other political and economic upheavals:WGL Holdings Inc. (WGL) provides natural gas service in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and surrounding regions, including Maryland and Virginia. Yield: 4.1% | Paid Dividends Since: 1852Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), formed through the merger of Exxon and Mobil in late 1999, is the world's largest publicly owned integrated oil company. Yield: 2.7% | Paid Dividends Since: 1882Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) is an electric and gas utility holding company serves parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Yield: 4.4% | Paid Dividends Since: 1885The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is a leading consumer products company that markets household and personal care products in more than 180 countries. Yield: 3.2% | Paid Dividends Since: 1891The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the world's largest soft drink company, KO also has a sizable fruit juice business. Yield: 2.9% | Paid Dividends Since: 1893General Mills, Inc. (GIS) is a major producer of packaged consumer food products, include cereal, yogurt and Betty Crocker desserts/baking mixes. Yield: 3.0% | Paid Dividends Since: 1898Avista Corp. (AVA) generates, transmits and distributes energy as well as engages in energy-related businesses in the United States and Canada. Yield: 3.0% | Paid Dividends Since: 1899MGE Energy Inc. (MGEE) is a public utility holding company that supplies electric service to apx. 140,000 customers; and natural gas service to apx. 145,000 customers in Wisconsin (as of December 2012). Yield: 2.8% | Paid Dividends Since: 1909Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) offers energy-related prod

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  WGL serves about 170,000 customers in the Mid-Atlantic. So as you can see, it�� a broadly diversified dividend stock, and that�� one reason it has paid a dividend for 37 years. The dividend yield for WGL stock is presently at 4.4%.

  Middlesex Water Company (MSEX)

  Dividend yield: 3.7%

Top 5 Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. (MMC)

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a professional services company, provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital. It operates in two segments, Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting. The Risk and Insurance Services segment provides risk management and insurance broking, reinsurance broking, and insurance program management services for businesses, public entities, insurance companies, associations, professional services organizations, and private clients. The Consulting segment offers advice and services to the managements of organizations in the area of human resource consulting, comprising retirement and investments, health and benefits, outsourcing and talent; and strategy and risk management consulting, such as management, economic, and brand consulting. The company also provides investment consulting services for endowments and foundations in the United States; health and benefit recordkeeping, and employee enrollment technology; human resource knowledge, data, and solutions for professionals in various industries; and Medicaid policy consulting services. It principally serves customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Asia Pacific, and Continental Europe. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) held its annual meeting of shareholders, at which the Company announced that its Board of Directors has voted to increase the Company�� quarterly cash dividend by 5 percent to $.23 per share on outstanding common stock.