10 Best Gas Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now

For a consumption based economy to grow, the median family spending money must continue to grow. The disposable income headlines misleadingly infer income is growing.

There are facts, and then there are facts. The headline numbers from the U.S. Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis are either gross numbers for the entire economy or the gross number divided by the population (per capita). When you view this headline data, either you believe the average person is doing better - or you feel the government is lying because you and everyone around you are worse off.

Chart 1 - Per Capita Real Disposable Income

(click to enlarge)

In a consumption based economy, the amount of money in the hands of the consumer is the economic driver. If consumers are flooded with money, often they will buy the best car. If the consumers are poor, they will buy the cheapest car and only when necessary.

10 Best Income Stocks To Own Right Now: Swift Energy Company(SFY)

Swift Energy Company engages in acquiring, exploring, developing, and operating oil and natural gas properties. It focuses on inland waters and onshore oil and natural gas reserves in Louisiana and Texas. As of December 31, 2010, the company had estimated proved reserves of 132.8 million barrels of oil equivalent. Swift Energy Company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  Right now I know that silver miners like Pan American Silver (PAAS) and Coeur Mining (CDE) are very cheap on an asset basis. I know that oil and gas producers like Swift Energy (SFY) and WPX Energy (WPX) are priced as if no one will ever use the stuff again. I know that small banks like Cape Bancorp (CBNJ) and Essa Bancorp (ESSA) are crazy-cheap — and if the world does not end, those stocks will be a lot higher in a few years.

10 Best Gas Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: EQT Corporation(EQT)

EQT Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated energy company in the United States. It operates in three segments: EQT Production, EQT Midstream, and Distribution. The EQT Production segment engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil in the Appalachian Basin. This segment?s properties are located primarily in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2010, it had 5.2 trillion cubic feet of proved reserves across 3.5 million acres. The EQT Midstream segment provides gathering, processing, transmission, and storage services for the independent third parties in the Appalachian Basin. It has approximately 10,900 miles of gathering lines and 770 miles of transmission lines. The Distribution segment distributes and sells natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in southwestern Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. It also operates a gathering system in Pennsylvania; and purchases and delivers gas to customers. This segment serves approximately 276,500 customers consisting of 257,900 residential customers, and 18,600 commercial and industrial customers. The company was formerly known as Equitable Resources, Inc. and changed its name to EQT Corporation in February 2009. EQT Corporation was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joel South and Taylor Muckerman]

  In today's segment, Joel South talks about an intriguing development from EQT Corp. (NYSE: EQT  ) and Green Field Services, where the companies drilled a multistage fracked natural gas well in the Marcellus shale using 100% field natural gas. Using natural gas from close wells instead of�diesel�to power rigs could be another game changer as oil and gas companies continue to increase drilling efficiencies and thereby significantly lower costs.���

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Penn Virginia have gained 6.2% to $15.02 today at 3:03. p.m., while Sanchez Energy (SN) has risen 5.6% to $30.92, EQT Corp (EQT) has advanced 1.1% to $101.94 and EOG Resources (EOG) is up 1.7% at $180.99.

10 Best Gas Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT)

John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II (the Fund) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide high current income together with capital growth. The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying preferred and common stocks. It invests at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying securities. The Fund will normally invest more than 65% of its total assets in securities of companies in the utilities industry. Preferred stocks and debt obligations in which the Fund invests are rated investment grade (at least BBB by Standard & Poor�� or Baa by Moody�� Investors Service) at the time of investment, or will be preferred stocks of issuers of investment-grade senior debt, or if not rated, will be of comparable quality as determined by the Fund�� investment advisor. The Fund will invest in common stocks of issuers, whose senior debt is rated investment grade, or in the case of issuers that have no rated senior debt outstanding, whose senior debt is considered by its advisor to be of comparable quality. Its portfolio includes common stocks, preferred securities and short-term investments.

In May 2007, the Fund completed the acquisition of John Hancock Patriot Preferred Dividend Fund. In June 2007, the Fund acquired Hancock John Patriot Global Dividend Fund and John Hancock Patriot Premium Div Fund I. On October 10, 2007, the Fund completed the acquisition of John Hancock Patriot Select Dividend Trust Fund.

The Fund invests in industries, such as multi-utilities, electric utilities, investment banking and brokerage, other diversified financial services, oil and gas exploration and production, gas utilities, consumer finance, life and health insurance, and integrated telecommunication services. John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II�� investment advisor is John Hancock Advisers, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Manulife Fina! ncial Corporation. The Fund�� sub-advisor is MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ari Charney]

  John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT) tends to allocate roughly 30% to 40% of the portfolio to equities and 60% to 70% to preferred stock, with the utilities and financial sectors as its main focus.

10 Best Gas Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Geospace Technologies Corp (GEOS)

Geospace Technologies Corporation, formerly OYO Geospace Corporation, incorporated on September 13, 1997, designs and manufactures instruments and equipment used in the acquisition and processing of seismic data, as well as in the characterization and monitoring of producing oil and gas reservoirs. The Company also manufactures and distributes thermal imaging equipment and dry thermal film products to a variety of markets including the screenprint, point of sale, signage and textile markets. As of September 30, 2011, OYO Corporation U.S.A. (OYO USA) owned approximately 20.3% of the Company�� common stock. The Company operates in two segments: Seismic and Thermal Solutions. The seismic segment of its business accounts for the majority of its sales. Its thermal solutions product technologies were developed for seismic data processing applications.

Seismic Products

Geoscientists use seismic data primarily in connection with the exploration, development and production of oil and gas reserves to map hydrocarbon bearing formations and the geologic structures that surround them. The Company provides many of the components of seismic data recording systems, including data acquisition systems, geophones, hydrophones, multi-component sensors, seismic leader wire, geophone strings, connectors, seismic telemetry cables and other seismic related products. Its marine seismic products help steer streamers while being towed and help recover streamers if they become disconnected from the vessel.

The Company has developed permanently installed high-definition reservoir characterization products for ocean-bottom applications in producing oil and gas fields. It also produces a retrievable version of this ocean-bottom system for use on fields where permanently installed systems are not appropriate or economical. Seismic surveys repeated over selected time intervals show dynamic changes within the reservoir and can be used to monitor the effects of production. In addition, it produc! es seismic borehole acquisition systems which employ a fiber optic augmented wireline capable of high data transmission rates. These systems are used for several reservoir characterization applications, including an application pioneered by it allowing operators and service companies to monitor and measure the results of fracturing operations.

The Company designs and manufactures power and communication transmission cable products for offshore applications and market these products to the offshore oil and gas and offshore construction industries. These products include a variety of specialized cables, primarily used in deepwater applications, such as remotely operated vehicle (ROV) tethers, umbilicals and electrical control cables. These products also include specially designed and manufactured cables, including armored cables, engineered to withstand harsh offshore operating environments. In addition, it designs and manufactures industrial sensors for the vibration monitoring, security and earthquake detection markets. The Company also design and manufacture other specialty cable and connector products, such as those used in connection with global positioning products and water meter applications.

Its seismic product lines consists of land and marine nodal seismic data acquisition systems, high-definition reservoir characterization products and services, geophones and hydrophones, including multi-component geophones and hydrophones, seismic leader wire, geophone string and acquisition system connectors, seismic telemetry cables, marine seismic cable retrieval and steering devices and specialized data acquisition systems targeted at conventional and niche markets.

The Company�� high-definition reservoir characterization products include the HDSeis product line and a suite of borehole and reservoir characterization products and services. Its HDSeis System is a high-definition seismic data acquisition system with architecture that allows it to be configured as a bo! rehole se! ismic system or as a subsurface system for both land and marine reservoir-monitoring projects. Its multi-component seismic product developments include an omni-directional geophone for use in reservoir monitoring, a compact marine three-component or four-component gimbaled sensor and special-purpose connectors, connector arrays and cases. Its products used in marine seismic data acquisition include its marine seismic streamer retrieval devices (SRDs). Its SRDs, which are attached to the streamer cables, contain air bags which are designed to inflate automatically at a given depth, bringing the severed streamer cables to the surface. It also produces seismic streamer steering devices, or birds, which are finlike devices that attach to the streamer cable. These birds help maintain the streamer cable at a certain desired depth as it is being towed through the water.

The Company competes with CGGVeritas, ION Geophysical, INOVA, Amphenol Corporation, Fairfield Industries, Petroleum Geo-Services ASA, Avalon, Mitcham Industries, Inc. and Seismic Equipment Solutions.

Thermal Solutions Products

The Company thermal printers include both thermal imagesetters for graphics applications and thermal plotters for seismic applications. In addition, its thermal solutions products include direct-to-screen systems, thermal printheads, dry thermal film, thermal transfer ribbons and other thermal media. Its thermal imaging solutions produce images ranging in size from 12 to 54 inches wide and in resolution from 400 to 1,200 dots per inch. It markets its thermal imaging solutions to a variety of industries, including the screen printing, point-of-sale, signage, flexographic and textile markets. It also distributes private label dry thermal media for use in its thermal printers and direct-to-screen systems. In addition, the Company is engaged in efforts to develop new lines of dry thermal film and ribbon in order to improve the image quality of its media for use with printheads.

The! Company thermal solutions products include thermal imagesetters for graphics applications and thermal plotters for seismic applications. In addition, its thermal solution products include thermal printheads and thermal media products. It markets these products to a variety of industries, including the screen print, point of sale, signage and textile markets. It also sells these products to seismic customers.

The Company competes with KIWO USA, Inc., Colour Scanned Technology and iSys Group.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Geospace Technologies (Nasdaq: GEOS  ) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q2), Geospace Technologies whiffed on revenues and whiffed on earnings per share.

10 Best Gas Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Netflix Inc.(NFLX)

Netflix, Inc. provides Internet subscription services for TV shows and movies in the United States and internationally. The company offers its subscribers to watch unlimited TV shows and movies streamed over the Internet to their TVs, computers, and mobile devices. It also provides standard definition DVDs and Blu-ray discs to its subscribers. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  Netflix Inc.(NFLX) is the king of the S&P 500 this year, a feat that hasn’t gone unnoticed by CEO Reed Hastings.

  “In calendar year 2003 we were the highest performing stock on Nasdaq,” Mr. Reed wrote in a quarterly letter to investors. “We had solid results compounded by momentum-investor-fueled euphoria.”

• [By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos]

  Streaming back
  Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) started the year at less than $100 a share. That was before it announced a huge fourth quarter that sent the stock soaring toward a 200% return over the last 52 weeks. Despite worries about rising content spending and a new debt offering's potential as a "red flag," Netflix hasn't looked back.

• [By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos]

  So, why is streaming giant Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) paying up for the rights to such a well-exposed show?

  Creating binge-viewers
  It's useful to think about the company's TV content strategy in three big categories. In the first we have original series. That includes shows like House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, and BoJack Horseman. These hits generate strong viewing, but their bigger benefits come from elevating the Netflix brand and boosting subscriber growth due to their exclusivity. In fact, one key reason why management said they failed to hit their subscriber target last quarter was the overwhelming (but temporary) kick that OITNB provided at the launch of season 2.�

• [By John Maxfield]

  He invested in Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) when it was trading below $100 a share at the end of last year; the video-streaming company is now selling for $215 a share -- that's a 210% increase versus the S&P 500's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) 13%. He's going toe-to-toe with hedge fund manager Bill Ackman over Herbalife (NYSE: HLF  ) ; Ackman claims the multilevel marketing company is a Ponzi scheme, while Icahn's amassed a 15.8% long stake in it. He purchased shares of Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK  ) , after the natural gas company's chief executive officer was exposed for a variety of misdeeds. And Icahn has now thrown himself into the middle of the proposed buyout of personal-computer maker Dell (NASDAQ: DELL  ) . Indeed, like the G.I. Joe theme song, wherever there's trouble, Carl Icahn is there.

10 Best Gas Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: LRR Energy LP (LRE)

LRR Energy, L.P (LRR Energy) is a limited partnership formed by affiliates of Lime Rock Resources to operate, acquire, exploit and develop producing oil and natural gas properties in North America. The Company�� properties are located in the Permian Basin region in West Texas and southeast New Mexico, the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma and East Texas and the Gulf Coast region in Texas. As of March 31, 2011, the Company�� total estimated proved reserves were approximately 30.3 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe), of which approximately 84% were proved developed reserves. During the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately 55% of its pro forma revenues were from oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) and approximately 37% of its total estimated proved reserves were oil and NGLs. As of March 31, 2011, the Company operated 93% of its proved reserves. Based on its pro forma average net production of 6,503 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) for December 31, 2010, the Company�� total estimated proved reserves as of March 31, 2011 had a reserve-to-production ratio of approximately 12.8 years. In January 2013, the Company acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma from its sponsor, Lime Rock Resources. In April 2013, it announced that it closed its acquisition of oil and natural gas properties in the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma.

The Company�� general partner, LRE GP, LLC, is controlled by Lime Rock Management LP. The Company�� general partner has sole responsibility for conducting its business and for managing its operations. The Company�� properties consist of mature, low-risk onshore oil and natural gas reservoirs with long-lived, predictable production profiles located across three diverse producing regions: the permian basin region in west texas and southeast new mexico, the mid-continent region in oklahoma and east texas, and the gulf coast region in texas. As of March 31, 2011, the Company�� estimated proved developed non-! producing reserves included 192 gross (158 net) recompletion, refracture stimulation and workover projects. In addition, as of March 31, 2011, the Company�� proved undeveloped reserves included 213 gross (140 net) identified drilling locations.

As of March 31, 2011, approximately 55% of the Company�� estimated proved reserves and approximately 44% of its pro forma average daily net production for the three months ended December 31, 2010, were located in the Permian Basin region. Approximately 60% of the Company�� estimated net proved reserves in the Permian Basin region are oil and NGLs. The Permian Basin is one of the oil and natural gas producing basins in the United States, extending over 100,000 square miles in West Texas and southeast New Mexico, and has produced over 24 billion barrels of oil. The Company owns an 83% average working interest across 665 gross (552 net) wells and operates approximately 92% of its properties in the Permian Basin. The Company�� estimated proved reserves for its Permian Basin properties as of March 31, 2011 totaled 16.6 MMBoe and had a standardized measure of $237.7 million, which represented 69% of the total standardized measure for all of its estimated proved reserves.

The Company�� properties in the Red Lake area is an oil-weighted field located in Eddy County, New Mexico. The Red Lake properties have produced approximately 4.9 MMBoe. The primary producing formations are the San Andres and Yeso at a depth of approximately 2,000 to 5,000 feet. The Company operates approximately 99% of its proved reserves in the Red Lake area, including 157 gross (144 net) producing wells in the field with an average working interest of 92%, and own a non-operated working interest in 10 gross (3 net) additional wells in the area with an average working interest of 31%. The Company�� properties in the field contained 9.6 MMBoe of estimated net proved reserves as of March 31, 2011, approximately 86% of which are oil and NGLs, and generated average n! et produc! tion of 1,410 Boe/d for December 31, 2010. These properties represented 32% of its total estimated proved reserves as of March 31, 2011 and 22% of the Company�� pro forma average net production for December 31, 2010. In addition, these properties had a standardized measure of $163.3 million as of March 31, 2011, which represented 48% of the total standardized measure for all of the Company�� estimated proved reserves.

The Company�� properties in the Pecos Slope area is a gas-weighted field located in Eddy, Chaves, Lea and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico. The Company operates approximately 100% of its proved reserves in the Pecos Slope area, including 434 gross (382 net) producing wells in the field with an average working interest of 88%. The Company�� Willow Lake field is an oil-weighted field located in Eddy County, New Mexico. There are 41 gross (8 net) producing wells in this area with an average non-operated working interest of 19%. The Cowden Ranch area is an oil-weighted field located in Crane County, Texas. The Company operate s100% of its proved reserves in the Cowden Ranch area, including 8 gross (approximately 5 net) producing wells in the field with an average working interest of 71%. The Company�� properties in the Corbin and Vacuum have produced approximately 3.0 MMBoe. The Company operates 100% of its proved reserves in the Corbin and Vacuum areas, including 8 gross (8 net) producing wells with an average working interest of 100%.

As of December 31, 2010, approximately 33% of the Company�� estimated proved reserves and approximately 38% of its pro forma average daily net production for December 31, 2010 were located in the Mid-Continent region. The Company�� Potato Hills Area is an Arkoma Basin natural gas property located in Latimer and Pushmataha Counties in Southeast Oklahoma. The Company�� Reklaw properties have produced approximately 5.6 MMBoe. The Company operates 100% of its proved reserves in the Reklaw area, including 63 gross (61 net) pro! ducing we! lls in the field with an average working interest of 97%. Its properties in the Black Bayou-Doyle Creek area is a natural gas-weighted field located in Angelina, Cherokee and Nacogdoches Counties, Texas, in close proximity to the Reklaw area. The Company�� non-operated interest in 43 gross (approximately 12 net) producing wells in the field with an average non-operated working interest of 26%.

As of March 31, 2011, approximately 12% of the Company�� estimated proved reserves and approximately 18% of its pro forma average daily net production for December 31, 2010 were located in the Gulf Coast region. Approximately 31% of the Company�� estimated net proved reserves in the Gulf Coast region are oil and NGLs. The Company owns an 82% average working interest across 42 gross (35 net) wells and operates 100% of its properties in the Gulf Coast region. The Company�� property New Years Ridge area is a natural gas-weighted field located in DeWitt County, Texas. The Company�� George West-Stratton areas consist of natural gas-weighted fields located in Live Oak and Hidalgo Counties, Texas. The Company�� operates 100% of its proved reserves in the George West-Stratton areas, including 23 gross (17 net) producing wells in the George West-Stratton areas with an average working interest of 73%.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of LRR Energy (NYSE: LRE  ) dropped as much as 10% today after the company released earnings.

  So what: Revenue dropped nearly 50%, to $15.8 million, and the company swung to a loss of $7.5 million, or $0.32 per share. Analysts had expected $28.4 million in revenue, and earnings of $0.13 per share.�

• [By Robert Rapier]

  LRR Energy (NYSE: LRE) was another name I covered in the article Upstream Turbulence Yields Bargains. LRE is an upstream MLP focused on acquiring and developing oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin, the Mid-Continent region, and the Gulf Coast region in Texas. Total proved reserves at the end of 2012 were 31.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), of which 50 percent were liquids. The partnership is ~85 percent hedged through 2017 at average prices of $92.73/barrel for oil, $37.04/bbl for NGLs, and $5.06 per MMBtu for natural gas.

• [By Robert Rapier]

  LRR Energy (NYSE: LRE) is an upstream MLP focused on acquiring and developing oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin, the Mid-Continent region, and the Gulf Coast region in Texas. Total proved reserves at the end of 2012 were 31.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), of which 50 percent were liquids. The partnership is ~85 percent hedged through 2017 at average prices of $92.73/barrel for oil, $37.04/bbl for NGLs, and $5.06 per MMBtu for natural gas.

• [By Lee Jackson]

  LRR Energy L.P. (NYSE: LRE) is another top stock to buy that has seen significant insider buying. CEO and Chairman of the Board Eric Mullins recently purchased 16,750 shares of the stock. It always looks good when the top management is buying the stock of the company they work for. Oppenheimer has an $18 price target, and the consensus is pegged at $16.75. Shareholders are receiving a huge 12.9% distribution.

10 Best Gas Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Nuance Communications Inc.(NUAN)

Nuance Communications, Inc. provides voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. It offers dictation and transcription solutions and services, which automate the input and management of medical information; and speech recognition solutions for radiology, cardiology, pathology, and related specialties that help healthcare providers dictate, edit, and sign reports without manual transcription. The company also offers mobile and consumer solutions and services comprising an integrated suite of voice control and text-to-speech solutions, desktop and portable computer dictation applications, predictive text technologies, mobile messaging services, and emerging services, such as dictation, Web search, and voicemail-to-text for manufacturers and suppliers of mobile phones, automotive products, personal navigation devices, computers, and other consumer electronics. In addition, it provides customer service business intelligence and authentication solutions for enterprises in the telecommunications, financial services, travel, entertainment, and government sectors to support, understand, and communicate with their customers. Further, the company offers document imaging, print management, and PDF solutions to multifunction printer manufacturers, home offices, small businesses, and enterprise customers; software development toolkits for independent software vendors; and licenses its software to multifunction printer manufacturers. Nuance Communications, Inc. markets and sells its products through direct sales force; its e-commerce Web site; and a network of resellers, including system integrators, independent software vendors, value-added resellers, hardware vendors, telecommunications carriers, and distributors. The company was formerly known as ScanSoft, Inc. and changed its name to Nuance Communications, Inc. in November 2005. Nuance Communications, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoffrey Seiler]

  Our newest Recommended List selection, Nuance (NUAN), $13.51, is one such falling stock.

  However, Nuance did find a fan in Standpoint analyst Ronnie Moas, who stepped in during the carnage and initiated coverage of the stock with a buy rating and $18 price target.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN) shares gained 7.19% to $15.96 in the pre-market after the company lifted its first-quarter forecast.

  ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ: ASML) shares jumped 6.40% to $92.75 in pre-market trading following Q4 results. Commerzbank upgraded the stock from Reduce to Hold.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  The biggest new holdings are Herbalife (NYSE: HLF  ) and CVR Refining, L.P.�Other new holdings of interest include Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN  ) and Dell (NASDAQ: DELL  ) . Herbalife, up 10% over the past year, has some high-profile critics, such as David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital and Bill Ackman of Pershing Square Capital Management. The company has been reporting solid results, with its first quarter featuring revenue up 17%, net profit up 10%, and expectations for double-digit near-term growth. It sports an attractive 2.7% dividend yield, but some worry about its multilevel-marketing strategy, and others are waiting for the dust to settle.

Top Low Price Stocks To Watch Right Now

Dan Wiener has edited a newsletter about Vanguard�� mutual funds for 23 years. But here�� a surprise: He doesn�� think much of index funds. Instead, he invests almost exclusively in Vanguard�� actively managed funds.

TOOL: Kiplinger's Mutual Fund Finder

Here�� how he puts it. ��or all the arguments about why indexing is better, low cost is the only one that means anything. And Vanguard offers very low prices on actively managed funds. I use active managers because I think I can pick funds that will do better than the indexes.��/p>

Wiener has delivered for his subscribers. Over the past ten years through February 28, his newsletter, The Independent Adviser for Vanguard Investors, has returned an annualized 8.3%, compared with 7.7% for Standard & Poor�� 500-stock index, according to the authoritative Hulbert Financial Digest. Wiener has also achieved market-beating returns over other time periods. What�� more, Wiener�� portfolios have exhibited 15% less volatility, on average, than the overall stock market. That�� important because lower volatility almost always translates into smaller losses in bear markets.

Hot Safest Companies To Own For 2016: Saks Incorporated(SKS)

Saks Incorporated operates retail stores in the United States. Its stores offer an assortment of fashion apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, and gifts. The company operates stores under the brand name of Saks Fifth Avenue (SFA) that are principally free-standing stores in shopping destinations or anchor stores in upscale regional malls. It also operates Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH (OFF 5TH) stores, which are primarily located in upscale mixed-use and off-price centers. As of January 28, 2012, the company operated 46 SFA stores; and 60 OFF 5TH stores. Saks Incorporated also sells its products online at saks.com, as well as through catalogs. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  The own of upscale retailer Lord & Taylor is adding another luxury nameplate to its portfolio. Canadian shop Hudson's Bay will buy Saks (NYSE: SKS  ) , the two retailers jointly announced, in a deal valued at about $2.9 billion, including debt.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  During the year we made a number of portfolio changes. In addition to Forest Oil Corp., positions in Carters, Inc., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A shares, and General Communication, Inc., Class A shares were eliminated and Saks, Inc. (SKS) was sold due to the company's acquisition by Hudson's Bay Company (TSX:HBC) (the $16 takeover price compared to our cost of approximately $4 .25 per share). One new position, Radian Group, Inc. (RDN), was established. One of the largest private mortgage insurance companies, Radian Group, Inc. should benefit from a recovery in the housing industry and from the Federal Housing Administration's gradual pull-back from the mortgage insurance market.

• [By Andrew Marder]

  For a company that is putting up solid sales growth, has a great brand, and has seen its stock price rise more than 40% in the last 12 months, Saks (NYSE: SKS  ) didn't demand much of a premium. Hudson's Bay, the operator behind Lord & Taylor, picked up Saks for just $16 per share, representing a 4.5% bump to Friday's closing price.

• [By Andrew Marder]

  The 1% has seen phenomenal income growth recently, and that's spurred growth at companies like Saks (NYSE: SKS  ) and Nordstom (NYSE: JWN  ) , both of which managed 5% increases in revenue in the last quarter.

Top Low Price Stocks To Watch Right Now: SPDR S&P Midcap 400 ETF (MDY)

MidCap SPDRS, Standard & Poor's Depository Receipts, represent ownership interests in the MidCap SPDR Trust, Series 1 (the Trust), which is a unit investment trust that seeks to match the total return of the Standard & Poor's Midcap 400 Composite Price Index (the S&P MidCap Index). To accomplish this, the Trust utilizes a full replication approach.

The Trust's holdings comprise 400 stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index, which is designed to capture the price performance of the middle capitalization segment of the United States publicly traded stock market. All 400 securities of the S&P MidCap 400 Index are owned by the Trust in their approximate market capitalization weight.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By BENZINGA]

  So, for those who pay attention to such things, imagine the excitement coming into Monday's session as the DJIA was flirting with 16,000, the S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) was closing in on 1,800, the NASDAQ (NYSE: QQQ) was flirting with 4,000 (something it hasn't done in at least a decade) and while, considerably less important, the S&P Midcap (NYSE: MDY) was just above 1,300. In short, if a big, round number is important, then four of them must be monumental, right?

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Similarly, diversification within stocks didn't work well. The performance of iShares Russell 2000 (NYSEMKT: IWM  ) and SPDR S&P MidCap 400 (NYSEMKT: MDY  ) showed that there wasn't shelter available in small- and mid-cap stocks. International stocks often help protect against losses, but massive capital flight from emerging markets socked popular ETFs Vanguard Emerging Market (NYSEMKT: VWO  ) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (NYSEMKT: EEM  ) for single-day percentage losses that were nearly double the Dow's decline. Even developed markets suffered more than the U.S., as iShares MSCI EAFE (NYSEMKT: EFA  ) posted losses 50% greater than the U.S. market's.

Top Low Price Stocks To Watch Right Now: Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc. (KW)

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment and services company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and Japan. The company operates in two segments, KW Investments and KW Services. The KW Investments segment invests in real estate related assets, including multifamily, residential, and office properties, as well as loans secured by real estate. It invests in real estate assets and loans secured by real estate through joint ventures, separate accounts, commingled funds, and wholly owned investments. The KW Services segment provides a line of real estate services for the life cycle of real estate ownership and investment to clients, such as financial institutions, developers, builders, and government agencies. This segment offers auction and conventional sales, property management, investment management, asset management, leasing, construction management, acquisitions, dispositions, and trust services; property management services to real estate owners; and brokerage and marketing services. The company, principally through joint venture investments, also engages in acquiring, renovating, and reselling commercial and residential real estate, as well as investing in loan pools and discounted loan portfolios. As of December 31, 2012, its real estate and real estate related assets under management consisted of approximately 61 million square feet of properties, including ownership in 14,764 multifamily apartment units. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Midcaps CBRE Group Inc (NYSE: CBG) and Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE: JLL) are probably the better known real estate services stocks with the latter surging 12.36% yesterday on impressive earnings, but small cap stocks Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc (NYSE: KW) and FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV) are also important real estate services providers that you may have overlooked. After all, real estate services stocks like the following would offer exposure to real estate by being invested in property as well as generating revenue from transactions, property management and other services: ��

Top Low Price Stocks To Watch Right Now: Murphy Oil Corp (MUR)

Murphy Oil Corporation, incorporated on June 29, 1964, is a worldwide oil and gas exploration and production company with retail and wholesale gasoline marketing operations in the United States and refining and marketing operations in the United Kingdom. In August 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the spin-off of its United States retail marketing business into an independent public company called Murphy USA Inc.

Murphy's exploration and production activities are subdivided into five geographic segments, including the United States, Canada, Malaysia, the Republic of the Congo and all other countries. Murphy's refining and marketing activities are subdivided into segments for the United States and the United Kingdom.

Exploration and Production

During the year ended December 31, 2012, Murphy's principal exploration and production activities were conducted in the United States by wholly owned Murphy Exploration & Production Company - USA (Murphy Expro USA), in Malaysia, Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Suriname, Australia, Brunei, the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Cameroon, Vietnam and Equatorial Guinea by wholly owned Murphy Exploration & Production Company - International (Murphy Expro International) and its subsidiaries, in Western Canada and offshore Eastern Canada by wholly owned Murphy Oil Company Ltd. (MOCL) and its subsidiaries, and in the U.K. North Sea and the Atlantic Margin by wholly owned Murphy Petroleum Limited.

Murphy's crude oil and natural gas liquids production in 2012 was in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, the Republic of the Congo and the United Kingdom; its natural gas was produced and sold in the United States, Canada, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. MOCL owns a 5% undivided interest in Syncrude Canada Ltd. in northern Alberta, one of the producers of synthetic crude oil. Murphy's worldwide crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids production in 2012, averaged 112,591 barrels per day. The Company's worldwi! de sales volume of natural gas averaged 490 million cubic feet per day in 2012.

In the United States, Murphy primarily has production of oil and/or natural gas from fields in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas and onshore in South Louisiana. The Company produced approximately 26,100 barrels of oil per day and 53 million cubic feet of natural gas per day in the U.S. in 2012. During 2012, approximately 54% of total U.S. hydrocarbon production was produced at fields in the Gulf of Mexico. The Company holds a 60% interest at Medusa in Mississippi Canyon Blocks 538/582, which produced total daily oil and natural gas of about 4,300 barrels and for million cubic feet, respectively, in 2012. At December 31, 2012, the Medusa field had total proved oil and natural gas reserves of approximately 9.2 million barrels and 9.4 billion cubic feet, respectively. Murphy has a 62.5% working interest in the Front Runner field in Green Canyon Blocks 338/339. Oil and natural gas production at Front Runner averaged about 3,900 barrels of oil per day and four million cubic feet per day in 2012. The Company also acquired additional working interests in the Thunder Hawk field in Mississippi Canyon Block 734 in 2012 and holds 62.5% of this field. In 2012 oil production from this field averaged 2,800 barrels per day and 1.7 million cubic feet per day and 3.2 million cubic feet per day due to a new well completed in 2012.

The Company is primarily concentrating drilling efforts in the areas of the Eagle Ford where oil is the primary hydrocarbon produced. Totals for 2012 oil and natural gas production in the Eagle Ford area were approximately 13,300 barrels per day and 13 MMCF per day, respectively. On a barrel of oil equivalent basis, Eagle Ford production accounted for 44% of total U.S. production volumes in 2012. At December 31, 2012, the Company's proved reserves in the Eagle Ford Shale area totaled 113.6 million barrels of oil and 108.7 billion cubic feet of natural! gas. Tot! al proved U.S. oil and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2012 were 142.6 million barrels and 209.7 billion cubic feet, respectively. The Company is developing the Dalmatian field located in DeSoto Canyon Blocks 4 and 48 in the Gulf of Mexico.

In Canada, the Company owns an interest in three non-operated assets - the Hibernia and Terra Nova fields offshore Newfoundland in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin and Syncrude Canada Ltd. in northern Alberta. In addition, the Company owns interests in one heavy oil area, two natural gas areas and light oil prospective acreage in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). Murphy has a 6.5% working interest in Hibernia, while at Terra Nova the Company's working interest is 10.475%. Oil production in 2012 was about 5,300 barrels of oil per day at Hibernia and 1,700 barrels per day at Terra Nova. Total proved oil reserves at December 31, 2012 at Hibernia and Terra Nova were approximately 10.6 million barrels and 5.9 million barrels, respectively.

Murphy owns a 5% undivided interest in Syncrude Canada Ltd., a joint venture located about 25 miles north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Syncrude utilizes its assets, which include three coking units, to extract bitumen from oil sand deposits and to upgrade this bitumen into a synthetic crude oil. Production in 2012 was about 13,800 barrels of synthetic crude oil per day. Total proved reserves for Syncrude at year-end 2012 were 119.1 million barrels. Daily production in 2012 in the WCSB averaged about 7,500 barrels of mostly heavy oil and about 217 million cubic feet of natural gas. Through 2012, the Company has acquired approximately 144 thousand net acres of mineral rights in the Montney area, including Tupper and Tupper West.

In Malaysia, the Company has majority interests in six separate production sharing contracts (PSCs). The Company serves as the operator of all these areas other than the Kakap field. The production sharing contracts cover approximately 2.79 million gross acres. Murphy h! as an 85%! interest in discoveries made in two shallow-water blocks, SK 309 and SK 311, offshore Sarawak. About 7,400 barrels of oil per day were produced in 2012 at Blocks SK 309/311, with almost 75% of this at the West Patricia field and the remainder mostly associated with gas liquids produced at other Sarawak fields. Total net natural gas sales volume offshore Sarawak was about 174 million cubic feet per day during 2012 . Total proved reserves of oil and natural gas at December 31, 2012 for Blocks SK 309/311 were 10.3 million barrels and 284.7 billion cubic feet, respectively.

The Company made a discovery at the Kikeh field in deepwater Block K, offshore Sabah, Malaysia. Total gross acreage held by the Company in Block K as of December 31, 2012 was 80,000 acres. Production volumes at Kikeh averaged 44,900 barrels of oil per day during 2012. Total proved reserves booked in Block K as of year-end 2012 were 85.4 million barrels of oil and 72.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas.Total proved reserves booked in Block K in 2012, were 85.4 million barrels of oil and 72.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Total gross acreage held by the Company at year-end 2012 in Block H was 1.40 million acres. Murphy has a 75% interest in gas holding agreements for Kenarong and Pertang discoveries made in Block PM 311, located offshore peninsular Malaysia.

The Company had interests in Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) covering two offshore blocks in Republic of the Congo - Mer Profonde Sud (MPS) and Mer Profonde Nord (MPN) during 2012. These interests covered approximately 1.33 million gross acres with water depths ranging from 490 to 6,900 feet, and the Company operated both blocks. Total oil production in 2012 averaged 2,100 barrels per day at Azurite for the Company's 50% interest. Anticipated production in 2013 is 1,500 barrels per day.

The Company holds six exploration permits in Australia and serves as operator of four of them. Block NT/P80 in the Bonaparte Basin, offshore northwester! n Austral! ia, was acquired in June 2009 and covers approximately 1.20 million gross acres. In May 2012, Murphy was awarded permit WA-476-P in the Carnarvon Basin, offshore Western Australia. The Company holds 100% working interest in the permit which covers 177,000 gross acres. In August 2012, Murphy was awarded permit WA-481-P in the Perth Basin, offshore Western Australia. The permit covers approximately 4.30 million gross acres, with water depths ranging from 20 to 300 meters. The Company holds a 40% working interest. The work commitment calls for tw0- dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) seismic acquisition and processing, geophysical work and three exploration wells. In November 2012, Murphy acquired a 20% non-operated working interest in permit WA-408-P in the Browse Basin. This block is adjacent to AC/P36 and is in the midst of a two-well exploration campaign. The permit comprises approximately 417,000 gross acres.

The Company has interests in four exploration licenses in Indonesia and serves as operator of all these concessions. . Following contractually mandated acreage relinquishment in 2012, the block covers approximately 745 thousand gross acres. The Company has a 28.3% interest in the block which covers about 543 thousand gross acres after a required partial relinquishment of acreage during 2012. The permit calls for a 3D seismic program and three exploration wells. Murphy has a 100% interest in the block which covers 1.22 million gross acres. In November 2012, the Company signed a production sharing contract with Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group and PetroVietnam Exploration Production Company, whereby it acquired 65% interest and operatorship of Blocks 144 and 145. The blocks cover approximately 4.42 million gross acres and are located in the outer Phu Khanh Basin. In late 2012, the Company was granted Vietnam's government approval to acquire a 60% working interest and operatorship of Block 11-2/11.

The Company operates and holds a 50% interest in the block. The Ce! ntral Doh! uk block covers approximately 153 thousand gross acres and is located in the Dohuk area of the Kurdistan region in Iraq. The Company shot seismic in 2011 and drilled an unsuccessful exploration well in 2012.The Company acquired a 100% working interest and operatorship of Block 48 offshore Suriname. The block encompasses 794 thousand gross acres with water depths ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Murphy relinquished Block 37 in July 2012.

Murphy was granted government approval to acquire a 50% working interest and operatorship of the NTEM concession. The working interest was acquired from Sterling Cameroon Limited (Sterling) via a farm-out agreement of the existing production sharing contract. Sterling retained a 50% non-operated interest in the block. The NTEM block, situated in the Douala Basin offshore Cameroon, encompasses 573 thousand gross acres, with water depths ranging from 300 to 1,900 meters. In October 2012, Murphy signed an agreement with Perenco Cameroon to acquire a 50% interest in the Elombo production sharing contract, immediately adjacent to the NTEM concession. The Company received government approval to acquire the acreage in December 2012. Perenco retained a 50% operating interest in the block. The Elombo block, situated in the Douala Basin offshore Cameroon, between the shoreline and the NTEM block, encompasses 594 thousand gross acres with water depths ranging up to 1,100 meters.

In December 2012, Murphy signed a production sharing contract for block W offshore Equatorial Guinea. Murphy has a 45% working interest and has been designated the operator. The government is expected to ratify the contract early in 2013. The block is located offshore mainland Equatorial Guinea and encompasses 557 thousand gross acres with water depths ranging from 60 to 2,000 meters. The initial exploration period of five years is divided into two sub-periods, a sub-period of three years and a second sub-period of two years. The sub-period may be extended one year and with this! extensio! n is the obligation to drill one well. Murphy has produced oil and natural gas in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea for many years. In 2012, Murphy entered into several contracts to sell all of its oil and gas properties in the United Kingdom.

Murphy's total proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2012 increased 42.0 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) from a year earlier. Approximately 44.0 MMBOE of proved undeveloped reserves were converted to proved developed reserves during 2012. During 2012, there were 26.6 million barrels of oil per day of positive revisions for proved undeveloped reserves. At December 31, 2012, proved reserves are included for several development projects that are ongoing, including natural gas developments at the Tupper West area in British Columbia and offshore Sarawak Malaysia, and an oil development at Kakap, offshore Sabah Malaysia. Total proved undeveloped reserves associated with various development projects at December 31, 2012 were approximately 219 million barrels of oil per day, which is 36% of the Company's total proved reserves.

Murphy Oil USA, Inc. (MOUSA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corporation and markets its refined products through a network of Company stations, unbranded wholesale customers and bulk products customers in a 30-state area, primarily in the Southern and Midwestern United States. Murphy's Company stations are located in 23 states and are primarily located in the parking lots of Walmart Supercenters using the brand name Murphy USA. The Company stations also include stand-alone locations using the Murphy Express brand. During 2012, Company stations sold over 3.8 billion gallons of motor fuel. At December 31, 2012, the Company marketed fuel and convenience merchandise through 1,165 Company stations. Of these Company stations, 1,015 are located on parking lots of Walmart Supercenters or other Walmart stores and 150 are stand-alone Murphy Express locations.

The Company owns land und! erlying 9! 08 of the Company stations on Walmart parking lots. No rent is payable to Walmart for the owned locations. For the remaining 104 Company stations located on Walmart property that are not owned, Murphy has master agreements that allow the Company to rent land from Walmart. The master agreements contain general terms applicable to all rental sites on Walmart property in the United States. In addition to the motor fuel sold at the Company's Company stations, its stores carry a broad selection of snacks, beverages, tobacco products, and other non-food merchandise. The Company's merchandise offerings include two private label products, an isotonic drink offered in several flavors and a private label energy drink. In 2012, the Company purchased more than 88% of its merchandise from a single vendor, McLane's Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

Murphy owns an interest in a crude oil pipeline that connects storage at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) at Clovelly, Louisiana, to the formerly owned Meraux refinery. Murphy owns a 40.1% interest in its 22 miles of this pipeline from Clovelly to Alliance, Louisiana, and 100% of the remaining 24 miles from Alliance to Meraux. Murco Petroleum Limited (Murco), a wholly owned U.K. subsidiary, owns 100% interest in a refinery at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The refinery is located on a 938 acre site owned by the Company; 430 acres are used by the refinery and the remainder is rented for agricultural use. The refinery consistently performed near nameplate capacity during 2012. Murphy has announced its intention to sell the Milford Haven refinery and United Kingdom marketing assets.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Sometime in the second half of this year, Murphy Oil� (NYSE: MUR  ) will split in two. When that happens, the company announced today, its current president and CEO, Steve Cosse, will be leaving Murphy proper to join the spun-off business running the firm's current downstream operations, Murphy USA.

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  Right along the border between Namibia and Angola lies the Owambo Basin. On the Namibia side of the basis is a 5.3 million acre concession that's sitting on an estimated 1.1 billion barrels of oil, with nearly 300 million barrels of that oil deemed recoverable. More, however, may be uncovered or determined to be recoverable with more seismic exploration. And to the extent that other oil companies being interested in exploring the area matters, Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) are both revving up their E&P efforts in the region. Murphy Oil has a 50% working interest in the Azurite Field in the Congo, just north of Angola. And, Exxon Mobil is working on a $16 billion offshore project just off the coast of Angola. Point being, if the big boys are poking around, there must be something to it.��

• [By Joshua Bondy]

  Murphy Oil (NYSE: MUR  ) has already spun off its US retail operations into Murphy Oil USA�and�is exploring the possibility of spinning off its U.K. refining operations. Divesting its refineries will help direct excess cash to developing new fields.�

Top Low Price Stocks To Watch Right Now: Sama Resources Inc (SME)

Sama Resources Inc./Ressources Sama Inc., formerly Sama Resources Inc., is a Canada-based, exploration-stage company. The Company is engaged in mineral exploration and development business. The Company�� property includes Samapleu Property and Lola Property. The Lola Project is 100% owned by the Company and is located in eastern Guinea, adjacent to the Company's Samapleu project, which is just across the border in Cote d'Ivoire. The Samapleu poroject is located approximately 600 kilometer northwest of Abidjan and encompasses approximately 446 square kilometer. On December 11, 2012, the Company commenced a 3,300 line/kilometer airborne helicopter time domain electromagnetic and magnetic survey over the Company�� Samapleu Property. In April 2012, the Company commenced a 1,500 meter drilling program at its newly discovered Gogota Deposit. As of September 30, 2012, the Company�� subsidiaries include Sama Nickel Corporation, Sama Nickel Cote d��voire SARL and Sama Resources Guinee. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  
  Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd. (HKSE:00268) appreciated 56% during the third quarter. Kingdee is a leading provider of enterprise management software and cloud and e-commerce platforms in China, with a focus on the small/medium enterprise (SME) sector. During the third quarter, the company announced financial results, suggesting that the reorganization of its sales priorities was beginning to bear fruit. We also believe the stock's performance was aided by anticipated government reforms, which are likely to support the software sector, as well as the company's SME clients. (Michael Kass)

Top Low Price Stocks To Watch Right Now: Lattice Inc (LTTC)

Lattice Inc., incorporated on October 31, 1994, develops and delivers secure telecommunication solutions. The Company provides products and services, such as Nexus Call Control system, wholesale services, direct services, government services, Aquifer software, SensorView software, and The OneVoice system. The Company derives its revenues from three primary resources, such as providing telecommunications services to correctional facilities and service providers who provide telecommunication services within the industry, selling or licensing the Company's technology, and providing engineering services to other technology companies and government agencies. The Company continues to wholesale call control technology and services to service providers offering communication services to inmates of correctional institutions. In September 2013, Lattice Incorporated established Lattice Communications Inc. in Canada. In November 2013, the Company purchased InnoVisit's video conferencing technology.

Nexus Call Control System (Nexus)

The Company�� Nexus Call Control system is built on the Company's BubbleLink software architecture. BubbleLink is a transaction processing platform that is used to develop and enhance a variety of customizable communications applications. This open source platform is a combination of integrated computer telephony hardware and software. The Nexus Call Control system is capable of handling thousands of call transactions per hour and provides telecom service providers with tools to manage telephone calls. The Nexus Call Control system can manage small to facilities without sacrificing features or performance. Nexus provides call control and management tools targeted at investigation and law enforcement in the inmate telephone control industry.

Nexus includes live monitoring, debit, video visitation, kiosk integration, and recording features. The Nexus system can be structured to use pre-paid collect and pre-paid debit cards that support specialized tarif! fs and call timing. With pre-paid services, Nexus provides complete control and security. Nexus call control systems are supported by an integrated array of administrative and investigative programs that provide a management solution suite. All programs interact in real-time with Nexus calls and databases via an Ethernet local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

Wholesale Services

The Company provides transaction based services to other service providers based on the feature set of the Nexus platform. Service providers utilize the Company's services to provide telecommunication services to facilities that require a secure call management solution. The features the Company offers vary based on the specific needs of the service provider. With the scalability of the Nexus system, the Company is able to provide services across the country without requiring a capital deployment for new facilities.

Direct Services

The Company's Nexus platform allows the Company to provide correctional facilities with a feature rich secure call control service that enables inmates to make phone calls while providing the security and investigative features required in correctional facilities. In addition to telecommunications services the Nexus based system provides capabilities to provide services, such as video visitation, kiosk management, e-mail, and other inmate services not readily available through less advanced systems. With the Nexus based platform, because it is centrally located, the Company is able to provide a suite of features to smaller facilities, enabling the Company to provide services traditionally unavailable to this section of the market.

Government Services

The Company�� government services division provides engineering services coupled with technology solutions to agencies of the federal government. The Company has developed data management applications, Internet server technology, and information systems within! federal ! agencies.. The Company's technology and services helps the Company's customers reduce development time for projects, manage the deployment of applications across the Internet to desktops around the world and implement military grade security on all systems where the applications are deployed. The Company has designed, developed and implemented advanced business management applications, integration technologies and enterprise geospatial systems.

The Company supports several operational systems in all of these categories for organizations and defense commands using Web-based technologies and the consolidation of custom and commercial off-the-shelf software to unite dissimilar applications into integrated systems. In addition, the Company provides network engineering, architectural guidance, database management, programming, and functional area analysis to its department of defense clients. The government services division derives approximately 90% of its revenues from the department of defense. The Company's contracts with the federal government consist of three contract types: time and materials, fixed price, and cost plus. In addition, the Company has a mix of prime contracts, where the contract is awarded to the Company, and subcontracts where the Company is a sub on another organization's prime contract. The Company has approximately 90% of its revenues being generated from prime contracts.

Aquifer Software

The Company develops and markets the Aquifer application services platforms, a software product embedded in the applications developed for its customers. Aquifer is an out-of-the-box application framework for secure, Web-enabled, multi-platform applications. It implements application and data security that exceeds military and commercial standards. Built on Web services, Aquifer provides developers with a simplified, clear path to implement applications in a service oriented architecture (SOA). Using Aquifer, developers accelerate the creation, conversion, d! eployment,! and maintenance of next generation, Internet-ready, multi-tiered business applications.

SensorView Software (SensorView)

The Company�� SensorView is a command, control, and monitoring system that provides a secure plug and play (SPnP) backbone for the integration of numerous CBRNE, weather, navigation, video, motion, and other sensor types using a variety of standard wired and wireless interfaces. It can be used with both fixed and mobile units to provide real time monitoring and protection. SensorView software is microsoft windows and Internet browser based for ease of use with a customizable interface that is easy to learn and modify to the specific display needs of the user. SensorView can be used with or without encryption and can be exported for use by Allied Coalition partner nations.

The OneVoice System (OneVoice)

The Company�� OneVoice system, also known as the JWARN Component Interface Device (JCID) on a Chip, or JoaC, is a universal network card that allows non-standard CBRNE or other sensor types to communicate with JWARN and other standardized command and control sensor platforms. OneVoice acts as a protocol translator for legacy sensors, allowing connectivity through both the JWARN JCID interface (JJI) and the common chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRN) sensor interface (CCSI). The system can be integrated directly with a sensor, or hung externally as a dongle to provide the needed connectivity. The OneVoice network card also contains onboard RAM and Flash memory, as well as an integrated global positioning system (GPS), providing the ability to perform data fusion and computation at the node itself, which delivers added power to mesh network sensor configurations.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Timios National Corp (OTCMKTS: HOMS) and Lattice Inc (OTCMKTS: LTTC) surged 54.29% and 20.83%, respectively, while Unique Pizza & Subs Corp (OTCMKTS: UPZS) sank 27.27% last Friday. But today is a new trading week with the last two trading days for the year. So what will these three small caps do today, tomorrow and after New Years�� Here is a closer look:

Hot Sliver Companies To Invest In 2015

After pulling back from the hot nontraded-REIT market this year, legendary real estate investor Leo Wells is exiting the wholesaling-broker-dealer business.

Wells Investment Securities Inc. filed its termination request, or “broker-dealer withdrawal,” with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. last week, marking the end of Mr. Wells' time in the securities business.

The broker-dealer industry continues to shrink, with Mr. Wells' firm only the latest to be part of a wide, steady contraction since the credit crisis.

Hot Gas Companies To Invest In Right Now: Moog Inc (MOGA)

Moog Inc. (Moog), incorporated on August 1, 1951, is a designer, manufacturer and integrator of precision motion and fluid controls and systems for a range of applications in aerospace and defense and industrial markets. The Company operates in five segments: Aircraft Controls, Space and Defense Controls, Industrial Systems, Components and Medical Devices. Within the aerospace and defense market, its products and systems include military and commercial aircraft flight controls, thrust vector controls for space launch vehicles, controls for gun aiming, stabilization and automatic ammunition loading for armored combat vehicles, satellite positioning controls and controls for steering tactical and strategic missiles. In July 2012, it acquired American Pacific Corporation's In-Space Propulsion business. In August 2012, the Company acquired Tritech International Limited. In January 2013, the Company acquired Broad Reach Engineering Company. Effective March 21, 2013, the Company acquired Aspen Motion Technologies Inc. In July 2013, Moog Inc completed the sale of its Buffalo, New York operations of Ethox Medical to Dempsey Ventures.

Aircraft Controls

The Company designs, manufactures and integrates primary and secondary flight controls for military and commercial aircraft and provide aftermarket support. The Company systems are used in commercial transports, supersonic fighters, multi-role military aircraft, business jets and rotorcraft. The Company also supply ground-based navigation aids. During the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012 (fiscal 2012). The Company is working on several development programs, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, COMAC C919, Airbus A350XWB, several business jet programs and a new military air refueling tanker KC-46. The F-35 flight test phase has expanded covering three variants and initial production is increasing with aircraft being delivered to international partners. The Company�� military production programs include th! e F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, the Black Hawk/Seahawk helicopter and the F-35. The Company�� commercial production programs include the full line of Boeing 7-series aircraft, Airbus A330 and a range of business jets.

The Company competes with Parker Hannifin, UTC (Goodrich, Hamilton Sundstrand), Liebherr, Nabtesco, Woodward Governor and Curtiss-Wright.

Space and Defense Controls

Space and Defense Controls provides controls for satellites and space vehicles, launch vehicles, armored combat vehicles, tactical and strategic missiles, security and surveillance and other defense applications. For commercial and military satellites, The Company design, manufacture and integrate propulsion systems and components (attitude control and orbit insertion) and actuation systems and components for deploying solar panels and antennae pointing. The Atlas, Delta and Ariane launch vehicle programs use its steering and propulsion controls. The Company is also developing products for NASA�� new Space Launch System.

The Company designs and builds steering and propulsion controls for tactical and strategic missile programs, including Hellfire, TOW and Trident. The Company supply valves and steering controls on the U.S. National Missile Defense Agency's Ballistic Missile Defense initiative. The Company designs and manufactures systems for gun aiming, stabilization, turrets, automatic ammunition loading and driver vision enhancement on armored combat vehicles for a range of international and United States customers. The Company designs, builds and integrate stores management systems for light attack aerial reconnaissance platforms. The Company also designs and builds high power, quiet controls for naval surface ship and submarine applications.

The Company competes with Honeywell, Parker Hannifin, Vacco, Valvetech, Marotta, SABCA, ESW, Aerojet, Snecma, Valcor, Aeroflex, UTC (Hamilton Sundstrand), Limitorque, Sargeant Industries, RVision! , Directe! d Perception, ATA Engineering, CDA InterCorp, RUAG, Rockwell Collins, Woodward Governor, Sierra-Nevada, Vicon, Videotec and Lord Corp.

Industrial Systems

Industrial Systems serves a global customer base across a range of markets. For wind energy, Industrial Systems serves a global customer base across a variety of markets. For wind energy, The Company designs and manufactures electric pitch controls and blade monitoring systems for wind turbines. The Company supply electromechanical motion simulation bases for the flight simulation and training markets. For the plastics making machinery market, the Company designs, manufactures and integrates systems for all axes of injection and blow molding machines. For the test markets, the Company supply controls for automotive, structural and fatigue testing.

The Company supply electromechanical motion simulation bases for the flight simulation and training markets. In the power generation market, the Company designs, manufactures and integrates complete control assemblies for fuel, steam and variable geometry control applications. For the test markets, the Company supply controls for automotive, structural and fatigue testing. Metal forming markets use its systems to provide precise control of position, velocity, force, pressure, acceleration and other critical parameters. Heavy industry uses its high precision electrical and hydraulic servovalves for steel and aluminum mill equipment. Other markets include oil exploration, material handling, auto racing, carpet tufting, paper and lumber mills.

The Company competes with Bosch Rexroth, Danaher, Baumueller, Siemens, SSB, Parker Hannifin, Suzhou ReEnergy, MTS Systems Corp., Exlar and Hydraudyne.

Components

The Components segment�� product categories are slip rings, fiber optic rotary joints and motors. Slip rings and fiber optic rotary joints use sliding contacts and optical technology to allow unimpeded rotation while delivering power ! and data ! through a rotating interface. They come in a range of sizes that allow them to be used in many applications, including diagnostic imaging computed tomography (CT) scan medical equipment featuring high-speed data communications, de-icing and data transfer for rotorcraft, forward-looking infrared camera installations, radar pedestals, satellites, missiles, wind turbines, surveillance cameras and remotely operated vehicles and floating platforms for offshore oil exploration.

The Company�� motors are used in an equally range of markets, many of which are the same as for slip rings. Components designs and manufactures a series of fractional horsepower brushless motors that provide extremely low acoustic noise and reliable long life operation, with the market being sleep apnea equipment. Industrial markets use its motors for material handling and electric pumps. Military applications use its motors for gimbals, missiles and radar pedestals. Components��other product lines include electromechanical actuators for military, aerospace and commercial applications, fiber optic modems that provide electrical-to-optical conversion of communication and data signals, avionic instrumentation, optical switches and resolvers.

The Company competes with Danaher, Allied Motion, Ametek, Woodward MPC, Axsys, Schleifring, Airflyte, Smiths, Kearfott and Stemmann.

Medical Devices

Medical Devices segment operates within four medical devices market areas: infusion therapy, enteral clinical nutrition, sensors and surgical hand pieces. For infusion therapy, its primary products are electronic ambulatory infusion pumps along with the associated administration sets. Applications of these products include hydration, nutrition, patient-controlled analgesia, local anesthesia, chemotherapy and antibiotics. The Company manufactures and distributes a complete line of portable pumps, stationary pumps and disposable sets that are used in the delivery of enteral nutrition for patients in ! their own! homes, hospitals and long-term care facilities. The Company manufactures and distributes ultrasonic and optical sensors used to detect air bubbles in infusion pump lines and ensure accurate fluid delivery. The Company�� surgical hand pieces are used to safely fragment and aspirate tissue in common medical procedures such as cataract removal.

The Company competes with B. Braun, CareFusion, Smiths Medical, Hospira, Alcon, Baxter International, CME, I-Flow, Covidien, Etalon, Introtek and Ross (Abbott).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Moog (NYSE: MOGA  ) reported earnings on April 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 30 (Q2), Moog met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Hot Sliver Companies To Invest In 2015: ConAgra Foods Inc.(CAG)

ConAgra Foods, Inc. operates as a food company primarily in North America. It operates in two segments, Consumer Foods and Commercial Foods. The Consumer Foods segment provides branded, private label, and customized food products, which are sold in various retail and foodservice channels. It offers products in various categories, such as meals, entrees, condiments, sides, snacks, and desserts in frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable temperature classes. This segment?s principal brands include Alexia, ACT II, Banquet, Blue Bonnet, Chef Boyardee, DAVID, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt?s, Marie Callender?s, Orville Redenbacher?s, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Snack Pack, Swiss Miss, Van Camp?s, and Wesson. The Commercial Foods segment provides commercially branded foods and ingredients that are sold to foodservice, food manufacturing, and industrial customers. Its primary products consist of specialty potato products, milled grain ingredients, a ran ge of vegetable products, seasonings, blends, and flavors. This segment sells products under brands, such as ConAgra Mills, Lamb Weston, and Spicetec Flavors & Seasonings. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  But the consumer side of the business is much more profitable, and there,�McCormick has faced more competitive issues. The rise of private-label brands has taken the retail food industry by storm, with ConAgra's (NYSE: CAG  ) purchase of Ralcorp Holdings giving the food company a big edge in private-label area and showing its margin-boosting value. For McCormick, however, its success in helping customers build their own store brand spices arguably comes at its own expense, although retaining customers in some capacity is obviously better than losing them entirely.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Post's results were also affected by higher interest expenses as a result of last year's spinoff from Ralcorp, which ended up getting acquired by ConAgra (NYSE: CAG  ) earlier this year. It carries a load of debt due to breaking away from its former parent, and last October the cereal maker issued $250 million in senior notes, sending interest expense this quarter up to $21.6 million, up 43% from the $15.1 million expense recorded a year ago.

• [By Dividends4Life]

  Memberships and Peers: HRL is a member of the S&P 500, a Dividend Aristocrat and a member of the Broad Dividend Achievers��Index and a Dividend Champion. The company's peer group includes: Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (CALM) with a 3.3% yield, Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ) with a 1.6% yield and ConAgra Foods, Inc. (CAG) with a 2.7% yield.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  ConAgra�Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

  E*TRADE Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: ETFC) was reiterated as Buy, but the price target was raised to $19.50 from $16.50, at Sterne Agee, making the third or fourth such price target upgrade in as many days, but what stands out here is that this appears to now be a “street-high” price target.

Hot Sliver Companies To Invest In 2015: US Ecology Inc.(ECOL)

US Ecology, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides waste treatment, disposal, recycling, and transportation services to commercial and government entities in the United States. The company offers treatment and disposal services for radioactive, hazardous, polychlorinated biphenyl, and non-hazardous industrial wastes. Its customers include oil refineries, chemical production facilities, manufacturers, electric utilities, steel mills, biotechnology companies, military installations, waste brokers/aggregators, and medical and academic institutions. The company was formerly known as American Ecology Corporation and changed its name to US Ecology, Inc. in February 2010. US Ecology, Inc. was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Boise, Idaho.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Among the stocks to watch in Monday’s session are US Ecology Inc.(ECOL), Akamai, and Dow Chemical Co.(DOW)

  US Ecology again raised its earnings guidance for the year, pointing to strong volumes and accelerated project shipments, but warned its results for next year may take a hit as a result. The company, which provides waste- management and recycling services, also outlined plans to offer about $100 million in stock. Shares dropped 10% to $34.51 premarket.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  US Ecology (Nasdaq: ECOL  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 25. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

  The 10-second takeaway
  Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict US Ecology's revenues will increase 20.4% and EPS will grow 19.0%.

Hot Sliver Companies To Invest In 2015: Tile Shop Holdings Inc (TTS)

Tile Shop Holdings, Inc., incorporated on June 21, 2012, is a specialty retailer of manufactured and natural stone tiles, setting and maintenance materials, and related accessories in the United States. The Company sells over 4,500 products from around the world, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stainless steel manufactured tiles and, marble, granite, quartz, sandstone, travertine, slate, and onyx natural tiles. It purchases its tile products and accessories directly from producers. The Company manufactures its own setting and maintenance materials, such as thinset, grout, and sealers under its brand name. The Company operates 70 stores in 22 states, with an average size of 23,000 square feet. It also sells its products on its Website. In January 2014 Tile Shop Holdings Inc launched its first retail store in Oklahoma City.

The Company offers a complete assortment of tile products, generally sourced directly from producers, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stainless steel manufactured tiles, and marble, granite, quartz, sandstone, travertine, slate, and onyx natural tiles. The Company also offers a range of setting and maintenance materials, such as thinset, grout and sealers, and accessories, including installation tools, shower and bath caddies, drains, and similar products.

The Company competes with Home Depot, Tile America, World of Tile, Century Tile, and Floor and Decor, Dal-Tile and Florida Tile.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  One home improvement stores player that insiders are active in here is Tile Shop (TTS), which operates as a specialty retailer of manufactured and natural stone tiles, setting and maintenance materials, and related accessories in the U.S. Insiders are buying this stock into major weakness, since shares are off by 38% so far in 2014.

  Tile Shop has a market cap of $573 million and an enterprise value of $652 million. This stock trades at a premium valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 45 and a forward price-to-earnings of 26. Its estimated growth rate for this year is -20.5%, and for next year it's pegged at 35.5%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $3.53 million and its total debt is $96.15 million.

  A director just bought 70,000 shares, or about $683,000 worth of stock, at $9.77 per share.

  From a technical perspective, TTS is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock has been uptrending over the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $9.06 to its recent high of $11.58 a share. During that uptrend, shares of TTS have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of TTS within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

  If you're bullish on TTS, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above some near-term support at $10.50 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance at $11.58 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 688,592 shares. If that breakout materializes soon, then TTS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $12 to its 50-day moving average of $12.99. Any high-volume move above $12.99 will then gi

Hot Sliver Companies To Invest In 2015: Helios Advantage Income Fund Inc. (HAV)

Helios Advantage Income Fund, Inc. is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It invests a majority of its assets in below investment grade debt securities, which are bonds rated Ba1 or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index and the Barclays Capital Ba U.S. High Yield Index. It was formerly known as RMK Advantage Income Fund, Inc. Helios Advantage Income Fund, Inc. was formed on November 8, 2004 and is domiciled in the United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  Havas SA (HAV) lost 1.6 percent to 5.78 euros. Barclays Plc downgraded the French advertising company to equal weight, similar to neutral, from overweight, citing the need to ��ause for breath��after its strong performance over the past three months. Havas climbed 28 percent from a June 24 low through yesterday�� close.

• [By Tom Stoukas]

  Havas SA (HAV) surged 6 percent to 5.82 euros, its largest rally in 14 months. The French advertising company reported first-half profit of 58 million euros ($77 million), beating the average analyst estimate of 55.9 million euros.

Hot Sliver Companies To Invest In 2015: Verifone Systems Inc.(PAY)

Verifone Systems, Inc. designs, markets, and services electronic payment solutions in North America and internationally. It provides system solutions, including countertop electronic payment systems that accepts magnetic, smart card, contactless/ radio frequency identification(RFID) cards, and near field communication(NFC) enabled mobile phones; secure PIN pads that support credit and debit transactions; and wireless system solutions that support Internet protocol-based code division multiple access, general packet radio service, bluetooth, and wireless fidelity technologies. The company also offers products for consumer-activated functionality at the point of sale; contactless/NFC payment solutions consisting of contactless readers primarily for consumer-activated transactions with contactless cards, tokens, and NFC-enabled mobile phones; and Gemstone family of products comprising integrated electronic payment systems for petroleum companies. In addition, it provides serv er-based payment processing software and middleware; unattended and self-service payments hardware and software integration modules, such as vending machines, ATMs, ticketing kiosks, petroleum dispensers, public transportation turnstiles and buses, self-checkout, bill payment, and photo finishing kiosks; retail bank branch solutions; mass transportation solutions; and network access solutions. Further, the company offers client services, customized application development, advertising publishing, taxi payments and advertising, cardholder data security, annual software maintenance program, and repair services. It serves financial institutions, payment processors, petroleum companies, large retailers, taxi fleets, government organizations, healthcare companies, independent sales organizations, and advertisers. The company was formerly known as VeriFone Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to VeriFone Systems, Inc in May 2010. VeriFone Systems, Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roland Head]

  VeriFone (NYSE: PAY  ) may fall this morning after the firm revealed a second-quarter loss of $0.54 per share after markets closed last night, down from a $0.03 per-share profit for the same period last year. The firm blamed high legal costs for the loss, but its shares closed down by 5% last night and are down by almost 15% in premarket trading this morning. Vera Bradley may also fall after reporting a 27% fall in first-quarter profit and cutting its full-year guidance; the handbag designer's share price is down 11% in premarket trading this morning.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Among holdings in which Douglas C. Lane increased its stake were VeriFone Systems (NYSE: PAY  ) and American Tower (NYSE: AMT  ) . VeriFone has seen its stock nearly halved over the past year, as it has repeatedly posted disappointing quarterly results and weak guidance. Indeed, results reported in June sent shares down some 20%. A board member recently bought about half a million dollars worth of shares though, signaling confidence, and bulls like a recent deal with China. With a single-digit forward P/E ratio, VerFone is seen as attractive by some, and as a possible acquisition target. Others, though, are wary, fearing that competitors will eat VeriFone's lunch.

Hot Sliver Companies To Invest In 2015: Methode Electronics Inc (MEI)

Methode Electronics, Inc., incorporated on April 27, 1966, is a manufacturer of component and subsystem devices with manufacturing, designs and testing facilities in China, Egypt, Germany, India, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company operates in four segments: automotive, interconnect, power products, and other. The Company designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, radio remote controls, electronic, wireless and sensing technologies. The Company's components are found in the primary end markets of the aerospace, appliance, automotive, construction, consumer and industrial equipment, communications, including information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems, rail and other transportation industries.

Automotive

The Company�� automotive segment supplies electronic and electro-mechanical devices and related products to automobile original equipment manufacturers, (OEMs), either directly or through their tiered suppliers. The Company's products include control switches for electrical power and signals, connectors for electrical devices, integrated control components, switches and sensors that monitor the operation or status of a component or system, and packaging of electrical components.

Interconnect

The interconnect segment provides a variety of copper and fiber-optic interconnect and interface solutions for the aerospace, appliance, commercial, computer, construction, consumer, material handling, medical, military, mining, networking, storage, and telecommunications markets. Solutions include conductive polymers, connectors, custom cable assemblies, industrial safety radio remote controls, optical and copper transceivers, personal computer and express card packaging and terminators, solid-state field effect interface panels, and thick film inks. Services include the design and installation of f! iber optic and copper infrastructure systems, and manufacturing active and passive optical components.

Power products

The power products segment manufactures braided flexible cables, current-carrying laminated bus devices, custom power-product assemblies, high-current low voltage flexible power cabling systems and powder coated bus bars that are used in various markets and applications, including aerospace, computers, industrial and power conversion, inverters and battery systems, insulated gate bipolar transistor solutions, military, telecommunications, and transportation.

Other

The other segment includes a designer and manufacturer of magnetic torque sensing products, and independent laboratories that provide services for qualification testing and certification, and analysis of electronic and optical components.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  On Thursday, small cap electronics stock Methode Electronics Inc (NYSE: MEI) soared 43.07% after beating earnings expectations and boasting its guidance. However, the stock sank around 10.5% the day before the Thursday morning earnings report came out. So was the earnings report and guidance the start of a rally or just a dead cat bounce for investors?

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy For 2015

On Tuesday, small cap biotech stock Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: KYTH) surged around 25% after announcing that its ATX-101 REFINE-1 and REFINE-2 Phase III trials met all primary and secondary endpoints for the reduction of so-called double chins; but if investors missed out on that rally, small caps Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc (NASDAQ: ZLTQ), Solta Medical Inc (NASDAQ: SLTM) and Cynosure, Inc (NASDAQ: CYNO) each have a piece of the aesthetic market as well. In the case of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, its ATX-101 can be injected to deal with double chins���meaning its less invasive than liposuction as the drug dissolves fat cells but leaves other tissue alone. JP Morgan has noted:

With positive data now in-hand,we see a very high probability of a 2015 approval for ATX101 in the US and Europe in what we see as a $500+ million annual sales opportunity to Kythera.We reiterate our Overweight rating and our raising our price target to $45 from $34.

Best Regional Bank Companies To Own For 2016: DENTSPLY International Inc.(XRAY)

DENTSPLY International Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and markets dental consumable products, dental laboratory products, and dental specialty products worldwide. The company?s dental consumable products include dental sundries, such as dental anesthetics, prophylaxis pastes, dental sealants, impression materials, restorative materials, tooth whiteners, and topical fluoride; and small equipment, including high and low speed handpieces, intraoral curing light systems, dental diagnostic systems, and ultrasonic scalers and polishers used in dental offices for the treatment of patients. Its dental laboratory products comprise dental prosthetics, including artificial teeth, precious metal dental alloys, dental ceramics, and crown and bridge materials, as well as equipment, such as computer aided machining ceramic systems and porcelain furnaces used in the preparation of dental appliances by dental laboratories. The company?s dental specialty products consist of endodonti c instruments and materials, implants and related products, bone grafting materials, 3D digital implantology, and orthodontic appliances and accessories. Its customers include dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratories, and dental schools. The company distributes its dental products directly to dental laboratories and dental professionals, as well as through distributors, dealers, and importers. DENTSPLY International Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in York, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sue Chang and William L. Watts]

  Dentsply International Inc. (XRAY) �shares rose 3%. The stock was raised to buy from underperform at Bank of America, according to Benzinga.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  DENTSPLY International (NASDAQ: XRAY) shares touched a new 52-week high of $47.65. DENTSPLY's trailing-twelve-month ROE is 15.95%.

  Sun Life Financial (NYSE: SLF) shares gained 2.47% to create a new 52-week high of $34.80 on Q3 results. Sun Life reported its Q3 operating net income from continuing operations of $422 million.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Align have surged 24% to $57 at 12:37 p.m. Sirona Dental Systems (SIRO) has risen 0.8% to $69.61, Dentsply International (XRAY) is up 0.1% at $45.44, Integra Lifesciences (IART) has� gained 0.4% to $44.23 and Danaher (DHR) has fallen 0.3% to $72.13.

• [By John Udovich]

  Yesterday, small cap dental stock BIOLASE Inc (NASDAQ: BIOL) surged 17.69% after announcing it had received a license from the Health Canada-Medical Device Bureau to sell its EPIC dental soft-tissue diode laser systems throughout Canada, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of mid cap dental stocks like Sirona Dental Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: SIRO), DENTSPLY International Inc (NASDAQ: XRAY) and Align Technology, Inc (NASDAQ: ALGN).

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy For 2015: Prima BioMed Ltd (PBMD)

Prima BioMed Ltd is a biotechnology company is engaged in the development and commercialization of medical therapies with a focus on oncology. Its product candidates in development include Cvac, an autologous dendritic cell vaccine for ovarian cancer, monoclonal antibodies for multiple tumour types, and an oral formulation for the human papilloma virus (HPV), vaccine. Its product candidate Cvac is a dendritic cell therapy, for which it is conducting a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Cvac is designed to target the tumour antigen mucin-1, which is expressed at high levels on different tumour types. It also has two preclinical product development programs. In May 2011, Prima BioMed GmbH, a 100 % owned subsidiary of Prima BioMed Ltd, was incorporated in Germany. In May 2011, Prima BioMed Middle East FZLLC, a 100 % owned subsidiary of Prima BioMed Ltd, was incorporated in the United Arab Emirates. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Prima Biomed (NASDAQ: PBMD) dropped 38.17% to $1.45 after the company reported top-line analysis of CVac Phase 2 trial.

  Tower Group International (NASDAQ: TWGP) plummeted 24.31% to $10.49. Tower Group announced its plans to release its Q2 results during the week of October 7, 2013. FBR Capital downgraded the stock from Outperform to Market Perform.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy For 2015: Guided Therapeutics Inc (GTHP)

Guided Therapeutics, Inc., incorporated on October 27, 1992, is a medical technology company focused on developing medical devices. The Company�� primary focus is the development of its LuViva non-invasive cervical cancer detection device and extension of its cancer detection technology into other cancers, especially esophageal. Its technology, including products in research and development, primarily relate to biophotonics technology for the non-invasive detection of cancers. LuViva is a non-invasive cervical cancer detection product, based on the Company's biophotonic technology. The device is designed to identify cervical cancers and precancers painlessly, non-invasively and at the point-of-care by scanning the cervix with light, then analyzing the light reflected or emanating from the cervix.

The Company's product, in addition to detecting the structural changes attributed to cervical cancer, is also designed to detect the biochemical changes that precede the development of visual lesions. The product is expected to incorporate a single-use, disposable calibration and alignment component.

The Company competes with Qiagen, MediSpectra, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., and GlaxoSmithKline PLC.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Last Friday, GTHP had shed (-2.16%) down -0.015 at $.679 with 39,538 shares in play at the close (ref. google finance August 23, 2013 ��Close).

  Guided Therapeutics, Inc. previously reported its operating results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013.

  Revenue and other income for the second quarter of 2013 was approximately $338,000, including $116,000 in sales of LuViva庐 devices and disposables associated with its European launch, with the remainder of revenue representing contract and grant income. This compares to revenue of approximately $944,000 in the second quarter of 2012, which was comprised almost solely of contract and grant income. Revenue for the first six months of 2013 was $637,000, including $248,000 in sales of LuViva device and disposables. Revenue in the first six months of 2012 was $1.6 million, which was comprised almost solely of contract and grant income. The year over year decline in contract and grant income for both periods was primarily due to bringing the worldwide rights to the Company�� esophageal cancer detection technology back in house.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, GTHP remains (0.00%) +0.000 at $.710 with 44,700 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:42AM EDT August 21, 2013).

  Guided Therapeutics, Inc. previously reported its operating results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013.

  Revenue and other income for the second quarter of 2013 was approximately $338,000, including $116,000 in sales of LuViva庐 devices and disposables associated with its European launch, with the remainder of revenue representing contract and grant income. This compares to revenue of approximately $944,000 in the second quarter of 2012, which was comprised almost solely of contract and grant income. Revenue for the first six months of 2013 was $637,000, including $248,000 in sales of LuViva device and disposables. Revenue in the first six months of 2012 was $1.6 million, which was comprised almost solely of contract and grant income. The year over year decline in contract and grant income for both periods was primarily due to bringing the worldwide rights to the Company�� esophageal cancer detection technology back in house.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy For 2015: Johnson & Johnson(JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of various products in the health care field worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Consumer, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices and Diagnostics. The Consumer segment provides products used in baby care, skin care, oral care, wound care, and women?s health care fields, as well as nutritional, over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, and wellness and prevention platforms under the brands of JOHNSON?S, AVEENO, CLEAN & CLEAR, JOHNSON?S Adult, NEUTROGENA, RoC, LUBRIDERM, DABAO, LISTERINE, REACH, BAND-AID, CAREFREE, STAYFREE, SPLENDA, TYLENOL, SUDAFED, ZYRTEC, MOTRIN IB, and PEPCID AC. The Pharmaceutical segment offers products in various therapeutic areas, such as anti-infective, antipsychotic, contraceptive, dermatology, gastrointestinal, hematology, immunology, neurology, oncology, pain management, and virology. Its principal products include REMICADE for the treatment of immune me diated inflammatory diseases; STELARA for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis; SIMPONI, a treatment for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis; VELCADE for the treatment of multiple myeloma; PREZISTA and INTELENCE for treating HIV/AIDS patients; NUCYNTA for moderate to severe acute pain; INVEGA SUSTENNAtm for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adults; RISPERDAL CONSTA for the management of bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia; and PROCRIT to stimulate red blood cell production. The Medical Devices and Diagnostics segment primarily offers circulatory disease management products; orthopaedic joint reconstruction, spinal care, and sports medicine products; surgical care, aesthetics, and women?s health products; blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery products; professional diagnostic products; and disposable contact lenses. The company was founded in 1886 and is based in Ne w Brunswick, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jared Cummans]

  It was revealed today that Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) will pay $2.2 billion to end civil and criminal investigations; this sum is one of the largest healthcare fraud settlements in history.

  The charges were related to the marketing of several drugs, which were allegedly promoted for unapproved uses. These included the drugs Risperdal, Invega, and Natrecor, and their advertising over a multiple year period. The drugs were marketed through a J&J subsidiary named Janssen, which pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for its promotion of Risperdal.

  On top of that, the company had also allegedly been paying out large sums in kickbacks to doctors and institutions that pushed the drugs onto patients. It should be noted that J&J released a statement saying that the settlement is in no way an admission of liability or wrongdoing and that it denies the government’s allegations.

  Investors seemed to have a muted reaction, as JNJ was only down 0.37% on the day. The company is currently sitting on over $25 billion in cash, which likely helped to alleviate some of the concerns as to how the settlement would hit the company.