Best Chemical Companies To Invest In 2015

Oil and gas companies' overzealous production of natural gas, and natural gas liquids, has restored the fortunes of domestic chemical producers, an energy-intensive industry that relies on these commodities to generate power, and as feedstock, explains Peter Staas, editor of Capitalist Times.

Within this space, olefin producers have benefited the most from trends in the energy patch. The two most prominent olefins, ethylene and propylene, serve as the basic building blocks for three-quarters of all chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers.

Not only do shares of well-positioned US olefin producers stand to benefit from depressed ethane prices and near-term investments in capacity expansions, but, more importantly, the group also enjoys a substantial cost advantage over peers with production facilities in Asia and Europe.

Holland-based petrochemical outfit LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) remains the best bet for income-seeking investors to profit from persistently weak ethane prices in North America.

Best Chemical Companies To Invest In 2015: PetroLogistics LP (PDH)

PetroLogistics LP owns and operates propane dehydrogenation (PDH) facility. The Company is located in the vicinity of the Houston Ship Channel. As of April 23, 2012, the Company had an annual production capacity of approximately 1.45 billion pounds of propylene. Its PDH facility uses a CATOFIN dehydrogenation technology pursuant to a fully-paid license from CB&I Lummus. It derives its sales from three different sources: propylene sales, hydrogen sales, and mixed stream of butane and butylenes (C4 mix stream) and heavier hydrocarbons (C5+ stream) sales.

Contracted Propylene Sales

The Company has propylene sales contracts with The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Total Petrochemicals USA, Inc. (Total), and INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA (INEOS), each of which use the propylene it supplies in the acrylic acid, polypropylene and acrylonitrile plants. Effective January 1, 2012, it added BASF Corporation (BASF) and LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LyondellBasell) as additional contracted customers. It delivers propylene to these customers through its integrated pipeline system, which connects its facility to the Dow and Total plants and the LyondellBasell system, and through interconnected third-party pipelines, which connect its facility to INEOS and BASF and to other potential propylene customers.

Spot-Market Propylene Sales

Through the Company�� integrated pipeline system, the Company accesses other consumers of propylene, which it is able to supply on a spot basis with its excess production capacity. It manages its contract and spot portfolio.

Hydrogen Gas Sales

As part of the PDH process, the Company produces commercial quantities of hydrogen. Hydrogen is consumed in refinery processes, including fuel desulphurization.

C4 Mix/C5+ Streams Sales

The Company produces commercial quantities of C4 mix/C5+ streams. It sells the C4 mix stream to specialty chemical consumers or refiners and these customers tran! sport the purchased volumes from its facility by truck. The C5+ stream, which is heavy in aromatics, is transported by its pipeline to a Kinder Morgan terminal, and then sold to Texas Aromatics for use in the chemical or gasoline markets.

The Company competes with Enterprise, Chevron Phillips, ExxonMobil Chemical, Shell Chemical, Flint Hills and the Williams Companies.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  PetroLogistics (NYSE: PDH  ) reported earnings on July 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.

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

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on PetroLogistics (NYSE: PDH  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Best Chemical Companies To Invest In 2015: Naturalnano Inc (NNAN)

NaturalNano, Inc. (NaturalNano), incorporated on February 18, 2000, is engaged in the development and commercialization of material science technologies with an emphasis on additives to polymers and other industrial and consumer products by taking advantage of technology advances developed in-house. During the year ended December 31, 2011,the Company�� activities are directed toward research, development, production and marketing of its technologies relating to the treatment and separation of nanotubes from halloysite clay and the development of related commercial applications for cosmetics, health and beauty products, and polymers, plastics and composites.

The company�� halloysite natural tube (HNT) products involve filling HNTs with active agents for use in the polymer composites, health and beauty, household product, and agrichemical industries. The filled tube product contains a material of interest within the tubes, such as an antimicrobial compound to provide antimicrobial properties to the resulting polymer composite material. The filled-tube products will focus on the utilization of the tubular nature of the halloysite nanotubes, by filling or adsorbing the tubes with active agents for the polymer nanocomposites, household products, cosmetics, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries. The Company designs, manufactures and sells custom designed error prevention/safety checklist boards.

The Company competes with Air Products and Chemicals, BASF, Dow, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Applied Minerals, Davis International and Imagexpress.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Naturalnano Inc (OTCMKTS: NNAN), Global Payout, Inc (OTCMKTS: GOHE) and Blue Water Global Group Inc (OTCBB: BLUU) were either jumping higher or diving lower yesterday. To complicate matters for investors, two of these small cap stocks have been subjects of disclosures about paid promotion or investor relation campaigns. So what will these three small caps do for the rest of this week? Here is a closer look to help you decide on a trading or investing strategy:

10 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Buy Right Now: K&S AG (KPLUY.PK)

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

• [By Chris Damas]

  Other players, such as K+S (KPLUY.PK), Israel Chemicals and APC, Belaruskali and Soquimich (SQM) maintained their world shares at Uralkali's expense.

Best Chemical Companies To Invest In 2015: Givaudan SA (GIVN)

Givaudan SA is a Switzerland-based holding company engaged in the fragrance and flavor industry. The Company has two business divisions: Fragrances and Flavors. The Fragrances business segment comprises the manufacture and sale of fragrances into three global business units: Fine Fragrances, comprising signature fragrances and line extensions, Consumer Products, comprising fabric and personal care, hair and skin care, household and air care, as well as oral care, and Fragrance Ingredients. The Flavors business division comprises the manufacture and sale of flavors into four business units: Beverages, comprising flavors for soft drinks, fruit juices and instant beverages; Dairy, comprising ice cream, yoghurt, desserts and yellow fats; Savory, covering soups and sauces, among others; and Confectionery. The Company is also engaged in research and development activities, which comprises the development of a palette of perfumery raw materials, both synthetic and natural. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Berkeley Group Holdings Plc (BKG) surged 8.3 percent after saying first-half profit rose 22 percent. London Stock Exchange Group Plc (LSE) climbed 2.4 percent after Bank of America Corp.�� Merrill Lynch unit recommended buying the stock. Givaudan SA (GIVN) lost 1.3 percent after Nestle SA said it will sell $1.27 billion of shares in the world�� largest flavorings maker.

Best Chemical Companies To Invest In 2015: Cytec Industries Inc (CYT)

Cytec Industries Inc/De/, formerly Cytec Industries Inc., incorporated on December 17, 1993, is a specialty chemicals and materials company focused on developing, manufacturing and selling value-added products. Its products serve a diverse range of end markets, including aerospace and industrial materials, mining and plastics. The Company has four business segments: Engineered Materials, Umeco, In-Process Separation and Additive Technologies. Engineered Materials segment principally includes advanced composites, carbon fiber, and structural film adhesives. The Umeco segment includes composite and process materials, primarily for the aerospace and defense, wind energy, automotive, recreation and other industrial segments. The In Process Separation segment includes mining chemicals and phosphines. The Additive Technologies segment includes polymer additives, specialty additives and formulated resins. On July 20, 2012, the Company acquired Umeco plc.

Engineered Materials

The Engineered Materials segment is a global provider of technologically advanced materials for aerospace, high-performance industrial and other extreme-demand markets. Its primary product lines are advanced aerospace composites and structural adhesives, High performance industrial materials and Carbon fibers. Its major products in the advanced aerospace composites include aerospace- qualified prepregs, resin infusion systems and structural/surfacing adhesives. Its principal applications include commercial airliners, regional and business jets, military aircraft, including rotorcraft, satellites and launch vehicles. The products in the high performance industrial materials include Industrial-grade prepregs, resin infusion systems and structural/surfacing adhesives. Its applications include high performance automotive, defense, tooling and alternative energy. The products in carbon fibers include high performance fiber carbon fibers. Its applications include reinforcements for advanced aerospace and industrial c! omposites.

The Company is a supplier to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-18 fighter jet programs. It is also a supplier for the business and regional jet market, supporting programs, such as Bombardier�� CSeries and LearJet85. It also manufactures specialty adhesive forms for complex composites assemblies, such as honeycomb and sandwich structures and special surfacing films to provide aircraft lightning strike protection. It manufactures and sells various high-performance grades of both polyacrylonitrile (PAN) type and pitch type carbon fibers used as a reinforcement material for aerospace and other extreme-demand and high-performance composites.

The Company�� High Performance Industrial Materials (HPIM) product line strategy is to leverage its composites, adhesives and resin technologies across multiple industrial markets. The Company supplies composites and adhesives to a spectrum of markets, such as high performance and luxury low-rate serial automotive, defense, and alternative energy.

Umeco

Umeco�� primary product lines are High performance composites structural materials/solutions and Composite process materials/solutions. Its major products in the High performance composites structural materials/solutions include Aerospace-qualified prepregs, Industrial-grade prepreg. Its principal applications include large commercial airliners, military aircraft, high performance automotive, defense, tooling, recreation, industrial and alternative energy. The products in Composite process materials/solutions include Process materials/solutions including vacuum bagging, release films and sealant tapes. Its principal applications include large commercial airliners, military aircraft, high performance automotive, defense, tooling, recreation, industrial and alternative energy and Process materials for the forming, infusion, curing of composite structures.

The Company�� structural materials product line includes the development, manufa! cturing a! nd supply of advanced composite materials. It specializes in the manufacture of composite materials for a range of industries such as aerospace and defense, marine, motor sport and automotive, construction, wind energy, and recreation.

In-Process Separation

The In-Process Separation segment includes mining chemicals and phosphines. The Company�� mining chemicals product line include flotation promoters, collectors, frothers, dispersants and depressants, solvent extractants, flocculants, filter and dewatering aids, antiscalants, and defoamers . Its principal applications include mineral separation and processing for copper, alumina, cobalt, nickel, and other minerals. Its Phosphines include flame retardants, catalyst ligands, high purity phosphine gas and biocides.

Its phospine based specialty products are used primarily in the pharmaceutical, chemical and electronic manufacturing, and fumigation. Its patented MaxHT antiscalant is sold for suppressing sodalite scale formation. Its phosphine specialties are utilized for a variety of applications. It is a supplier of ultra- high purity phosphine gas, used in semiconductor manufacturing and light emitting diode applications, various phosphine derivative products, including phosphonium salts used in pharmaceutical catalysts and biocides. Included in the phosphine line are organo phosphorus compounds. The compounds are used primarily as intermediates and catalyst ligands for organic and chemical synthesis in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Additive Technologies

The Additive Technologies segment includes polymer additives specialty additives and Formulated resins. Polymer additives include ultraviolet light stabilizers and absorbers, high performance antioxidants and antistatic agents. Its applications include plastics, coatings, and fibers for: agricultural films, automotive parts, architectural lighting, housewares, packaging, outdoor furniture, sporting goods, toys and apparel.! Specialt! y additives include surfactants, specialty monomers, resin amines, and PTZ Phenothiazine. Its Formulated resins are used in for bonding or sealing of electrical and electronic components.

The Company markets its Additive Technologies chemicals through specialized sales and technical service staffs for each of its product lines. Sales are usually made directly to customers and through distributors to smaller customers. The Company is a global supplier to the plastics industry of specialty additives, which protect plastics from the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and from oxidation. It is a global supplier of sulfosuccinate surfactants, Docusate sodium, and PTZ phenothiazine. Sulfosuccinate surfactants and acrylamide-based specialty monomers products are used in emulsion polymers, paints, paper coatings, printing inks, and other diverse customer applications. Docusate is a pharmaceutical grade product used as both an active ingredient and excipient/formulating aid. PTZ phenothiazine is primarily used as an acrylic acid, acrylic ester and methacrylate monomer stabilizer.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By alicet236]

  Vice President and CFO of Cytec Industries Inc. (CYT) David Drillock sold 49,038 shares on July 21 at an average price of $107.06. The total transaction amount was $5,250,008.

Best Promising Stocks To Buy Right Now

Among news that Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) is dumping the Silverlight software that Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) relies on, and that Netflix is switching to HTML5, Mr. Softy has started having problems in its relationship with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) . With the Xbox set to be released later this month, the video streaming industry has never been more competitive. Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) Prime and Redbox Instant are challenging Netflix like never before, and grabbing even a piece of the market is attractive to anyone who can get involved.

In the following video, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses the circumstances in the market that suggest that Microsoft may be considering its own offering in this promising industry.

The tumultuous performance of Netflix shares since the summer of 2011 has caused headaches for many devoted shareholders. While the company's first-mover status is often viewed as a competitive advantage, the opportunities in streaming media have brought some new, deep-pocketed rivals looking for their piece of a growing pie. Can Netflix fend off this burgeoning competition, and will its international growth aspirations really pay off? These are must-know issues for investors, which is why The Motley Fool has released a premium report on Netflix. Inside, you'll learn about the key opportunities and risks facing the company, as well as reasons to buy or sell the stock. The report includes a full year of updates to cover critical new developments, so make sure to click here and claim a copy today.

Top 10 Gas Utility Companies To Invest In 2015: Alliance Data Systems Corporation (ADS)

Alliance Data Systems Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides data-driven and transaction-based marketing, and customer loyalty solutions primarily in the United States and Canada. The company operates in three segments: LoyaltyOne, Epsilon, and Private Label Services and Credit. The LoyaltyOne segment includes AIR MILES Reward Program that enables consumers to earn AIR MILES reward miles as they shop within a range of retailers and other sponsors participating in the AIR MILES Reward Program; and offers loyalty services, including loyalty consulting, customer analytics, and creative services. The Epsilon segment provides integrated direct marketing solutions, which combine database marketing technology and analytics with a range of direct marketing services comprising email marketing campaigns. This segment's products and services consist of marketing database services, analytical services, strategic consulting and creative services, proprietary data service s, and digital communications. The Private Label Services and Credit segment encompasses credit card processing, billing and payment processing, customer care and collections services for private label retailers, as well as private label retail credit card receivables financing, including securitization of the credit card receivables that it underwrites from its private label retail credit card programs. The company serves financial services, specialty retail, grocery and drugstore chains, petroleum retail, technology, hospitality and travel, media, and pharmaceuticals end markets. Alliance Data Systems Corporation was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Alliance Data Systems (ADS) is in the business of helping other companies build customer loyalty. The company operates three main segments: LoyaltyOne, Epsilon and Private Label Services.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Breaking news

  Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) reported a strong rise in its third-quarter earnings. For the year, Whirlpool lifted its earnings forecast to $9.90 to $10.10 per share, versus its July outlook of $9.50 to $10 per share. To read the full news, click here. Questcor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: QCOR) announced today that it will commence a Phase 2 study to explore the efficacy and safety of H.P. Acthar庐 Gel (repository corticotropin injection) for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). To read the full news, click here. Centene (NYSE: CNC) reported a stronger-than-expected third-quarter profit. Centene's quarterly net earnings surged to $49.4 million, or $0.87 per share, up from $3.8 million, or $0.07 per share, in the year-ago period. To read the full news, click here. Dwolla and Alliance Data Systems (NYSE: ADS) today announced they have signed a new, multi-year agreement for Alliance Data's Retail Services business to provide a cardless private label credit product for the Dwolla payment network. To read the full news, click here.

  Posted-In: Morgan Stanley US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Global Pre-Market Outlook Markets

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Loyalty and marketing specialist Alliance Data Systems (NYSE: ADS  ) grabbed a tiger by the tail with a multiyear agreement to�provide private label credit card services�to�Systemax (NYSE: SYX  ) subsidiary TigerDirect.

• [By Tom Taulli]

  A key to Facebook�� monetization success has been the company�� aggressive investments in ad technologies. For example, by leveraging third-party data sources — such as from Datalogix, Acxiom (ACXM) and Alliance Data Systems (ADS) — it has been able to provide analytics on the performance of ad campaigns. On the Q4 earnings call, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg said the average return on News Feed ads was an incredible 8x.

Best Promising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Morvest Business Group Ltd (MOR)

Morvest Business Group Limited (Morvest) is a South Africa-based company. The company is an outsourcing and technology services and solutions company. The Company operates in three segments: Business Support Services focuses on consulting professional services and outsourcing services; ICT Solutions focuses on the application implementation and infrastructure services and Retail and Consumer Services, which is engaged in renders management services to the Company. As of May 31, 2012, the Company�� subsidiaries include, Morvest Shared Services (Pty) Limited, Foster Melliar (Pty) Limited, Morvest Human Capital Management (Pty) Limited, Morvest Professional Services (Pty) Limited, ITQ Business Solutions Group (Pty) Limited, Morvest Information Communication and Technology Limited and Morvest Mithratech (Pty) Limited. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  MorphoSys (MOR) is a German biotechnology company with proprietary technology to develop human antibodies for specific diseases. Over the quarter, the company signed two licensing deals (with GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Celgene Corp., not held by the fund) for its proprietary compounds, providing outside validation for its technology as well as upfront cash and future royalty payments.

Best Promising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Rising India Inc (RSII)

Rising India, Inc., incorporated on April 29, 1998, is a holding company. The Company is engaged in the developing independent living, assisted living and memory center communities. In May of 2013 Rising India, Inc. has acquired ownership of Mayer Luce Corp.

Rising India has researched acquisition and land-banking opportunities throughout Southern California based on new home developers like: D.R. Horton, Lennar, Ryland Homes, Standard Pacific and many others left fully entitled, development projects and planned communities vacant, unsold and basically guarded by private security services. These projects are in demand due to the Baby Boomers.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd (OTCMKTS: DKAM), 7 Star Entertainment Inc (OTCMKTS: SAEE), Rising India Inc (OTCMKTS: RSII) and Big Tree Group Inc (OTCMKTS: BIGG) have all been attracting attention thanks to paid promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed and paid for promotions or investor relation activities, but they can backfire on unwary investors and traders alike. So are stock promoters blowing a bunch of hot air regarding these four small cap stocks or are they actually potential winners? Here is a quick reality check to help you decide:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Rising India Inc (OTCMKTS: RSII), Innocap, Inc (OTCBB: INNO) and Amplitech Group Inc (OTCBB: AMPG) have all been the subject of recent paid for promotions or investor relation campaigns. And while there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotions, investors who aren�� traders and are looking for a long term investment need to be careful. With that said, do these three small caps have what it takes to succeed for the long haul? Here is a quick reality check before you jump in:

Best Promising Stocks To Buy Right Now: Esco Technologies Inc (ESE)

ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESCO), incorporated in August 1990, is a producer of engineered products and systems sold to customers worldwide, primarily for utility, industrial, aerospace and commercial applications. ESCO operates in three segments: Utility Solutions Group (Utility Solutions), RF Shielding and Test (Test) and Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration). On July 31, 2010, the Company acquired the capital stock of Crissair, Inc. On September 3, 2010, the Company acquired the capital stock of Xtensible Solutions, Inc. its subsidiaries include Aclara Power-Line Systems Inc. (Aclara PLS), Aclara RF Systems Inc. (Aclara RF), Aclara Software Inc., Doble Engineering Company, Doble Lemke AG, Doble Lemke GmbH, Doble PowerTest Limited, Doble TransiNor AS, Crissair, Inc., PTI Technologies Inc., TekPackaging LLC, VACCO Industries, Beijing Lindgren ElectronMagnetic Technology Co., Ltd., ETS-Lindgren L.P., ETS-Lindgren OY, ETS Lindgren Limited and ETS Lindgren Japan, Inc. In January 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Metrum Technologies LLC. In June 2013, ESCO Technologies Inc announced that it has acquired Canyon Engineering Products Inc.

UTILITY SOLUTIONS

The Utility Solutions segment accounted for approximately 57% of the Company�� total revenue during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (fiscal 2010). Aclara PLS is a manufacturer of two-way power line communication systems for the electric utility industry (the TWACS systems), which are composed of equipment (meter modules and equipment for central stations and substations), software and support services. The TWACS systems provide electric utilities with a communication technology for automatic meter reading, load control, interval data, outage assessment/restoration monitoring, remote service disconnect/connect, time-of-use data for critical peak pricing, tamper/theft detection and pre-paid metering. Revenue from the TWACS systems accounted for approximately 22% of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010. Aclara R! F provides, through its STAR network, wireless radio frequency (RF) data communications systems to gas, water and electric utilities for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) applications. In fiscal 2010, total revenue received by the Company from PG&E for all sales was 9.2% of the Company�� consolidated revenue. Revenue from STAR network products, accounted for approximately 17%, of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010.

Aclara Software Inc. provides utilities with software systems for energy and water information, delivering a scalable meter data management system (MDMS), AMI/meter device records and asset management, business applications addressing areas, such as revenue assurance and distribution asset analysis. Aclara�� analytics-based software applications are used by over 100 energy organizations worldwide. Doble provides electric utility customers with products and services to achieve the reliability and sustainability of electric power infrastructure. It combines three elements for customers: diagnostic test instruments, expert consulting and testing services. Revenue from Doble�� products and services, accounted for approximately 15%, of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010.

TEST

The Test segment accounted for approximately 23% of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010. ETS-Lindgren designs and manufactures products to measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. It supplies customers with a range of isolated environments including RF test enclosures, acoustic test enclosures, RF and magnetically shielded rooms, secure communication facilities and broadcast and recording studios. these facilities include shielded doors and windows. ETS-Lindgren also provides the design, program management, installation and integration services required to complete these types of facilities. ETS-Lindgren also supplies customers with a range of components, including RF absorptive materials, RF filters, active compensatio! n systems! , antennas, antenna masts, turntables and electric and magnetic probes, RF test cells, measurement software and other test accessories required to perform a variety of tests. ETS-Lindgren also offers a variety of services, including calibration for antennas and field probes, chamber certification, field surveys, customer training and a variety of product tests.

FILTRATION

The Filtration segment accounted for approximately 20%, of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010. PTI is a supplier of filtration products serving the commercial aerospace, military aerospace and various industrial markets. The industrial markets include chemical processing, automotive and mobile equipment. Products include filter elements, assemblies, modules, indicators and other related components. VACCO supplies flow control products, valves and filters to the space, defense and commercial industries for use in aircraft, satellite propulsion systems, satellite launch vehicles and other space transportation systems, such as the Space Shuttle and its successor. VACCO also uses its etched disc technology to produce quiet valves and manifolds for the United States Navy applications. Crissair, Inc. supplies a variety of custom and standard valves and other various components to the aerospace, defense and commercial industries. Platform applications include fixed and rotary wing aircraft, air transport and business jets, and defense systems. TekPackaging LLC produces thermoformed products and packaging materials for medical, retail, food and electronic applications.

The Company competes with Itron, Inc., Silver Spring Networks, Landis+Gyr, Cannon Technologies Inc., Sensus Metering Systems Inc., Trilliant Inc., Elster Electricity, L.L.C., Comverge, Inc., Neptune Technology Group, e-Meter Corporation, Oracle Corporation, APOGEE Interactive Inc., Opower, Inc., Ecologic Analytics, LLC, SmartSynch, Inc.,Tantalus Systems Corp, OMICRON Electronics Corp. USA, OMICRON, Megger Group Limited, EM shiel! ding mark! et, TDK RF Solutions Inc., Albatross GmbH, IMEDCO AG, Cuming Corporation, Pall Corporation, Moog, Inc., SoFrance and Clarcor Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of engineered product maker ESCO Technologies (NYSE: ESE  ) dropped 10% today after a disappointing earnings report.

  So what: Net sales dropped 4.4% in the fiscal second quarter to $166.2 million, short of the $170.5 million estimate. Earnings per share after adjusting for non-operating charges were $0.28, still below the $0.34 estimate. �

• [By James Miller Phd]

  Pall Corporation (PLL) is a supplier of filtration, separation and purification technologies, principally made by the company, for the removal of solid, liquid and gaseous contaminants from a range of liquids and gases. The company serves customers through two businesses globally: Life Sciences and Industrial. While Pall competes with many companies in the Life Sciences markets and Industrial, few companies operate in both, like ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESE) and Danaher Corp. (DHR).

Hot Stocks To Invest In 2014

Far too often, investors and advisors alike are guilty of falling prey to the allure of high returns. The rationale being, investing is all about clocking the highest return, hence any avenue that can deliver on this front gets the thumbs up. Don�� get us wrong. We are not suggesting that returns aren�� important or that there is necessarily something wrong with an avenue simply because it can deliver a better showing on the returns front vis-�-vis other avenues. However, selecting an investment avenue based solely on its performance is a flawed approach.

In the first place, such an approach erroneously assumes that the investment avenue (say a mutual fund for instance) is an end, rather than a means to achieve an end. While investing, the end should be a tangible goal like providing for one�� retirement , buying a car or simply wealth accumulation, expressed in monetary terms. And once the target sum has been established, appropriate avenues to achieve that end should be chosen. Conversely, if the investment process begins with the selection of the investment avenue, the investor ends up investing in an aimless manner and may never achieve his goals.

Best Value Stocks To Own Right Now: First Citizens BancShares Inc.(FCNCA)

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. operates as the holding company for First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company that provides various banking products and services to retail and commercial customers in the United States. It offers transaction and savings deposit accounts, commercial and consumer loans, deposit and treasury services and products, cardholder and merchant services, wealth management services, and other commercial banking services. The company also operates as a broker-dealer in securities that provides investment services, including the sale of annuities and third party mutual funds, as well as title insurance agency services. In addition, it owns and leases real estate properties. The company provides its services through branch, telephone and online banking, and automated teller machine network. It operates branches in 17 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in 1893 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  First Citizens Bank and Trust (FCNCA) is another bank that has seen its returns slipping in the past year. The return on assets and return on equity have both dropping for three consecutive quarters. The tangible equity-to-assets ratio is improving, and now stands at 9.46 but is still below the national averages.

Hot Stocks To Invest In 2014: Martin Midstream Partners L.P.(MMLP)

Martin Midstream Partners L.P. collects, transports, stores, and markets petroleum products and by-products in the United States Gulf Coast region. The company?s Terminalling and Storage segment owns or operates 27 marine shore based terminal facilities and 12 specialty terminal facilities that provide storage, processing, and handling services for producers and suppliers of petroleum products and by-products, lubricants, and other liquids, including the refining of various grades and quantities of naphthenic lubricants and related products. This segment also offers land rental services to oil and gas companies, and storage and handling services for lubricants and fuel oil. The Natural Gas Services segment is involved in the gathering and processing of natural gas, and distribution of natural gas liquids (NGLs). This segment owns 1 NGL pipeline; and 3 NGL supply and storage facilities, as well as has ownership interests in approximately 719 miles of gathering and transmis sion pipelines located in the natural gas producing regions of east Texas, Northwest Louisiana, the Texas Gulf Coast and offshore Texas and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. The Sulfur Services segment processes and distributes sulfur produced by oil refineries that is primarily used in the production of fertilizers and industrial chemicals. This segment own and operates 6 sulfur-based fertilizer production plants, and 1 emulsified sulfur blending plant that manufacture sulfur-based fertilizer products for wholesale distributors and industrial users; 1 sulfuric acid production plant that processes molten sulfur into sulfuric acid; and 1 ammonium sulfate production plant that processes sulfuric acid into ammonium sulfate. The Marine Transportation segment utilizes a fleet of 41 inland marine tank barges, 20 inland push boats, and 4 offshore tug barge units that transport petroleum products and by-products. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Kilgore, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  The index includes everything from behemoths like Enterprise Product Partners (NYSE: EPD) and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP) down to a pair with market capitalizations under $1 billion in Martin Midstream Partners (NASDAQ: MMLP) and Navios Maritime Partners (NYSE: NMM). The total market cap of the index is $328 billion, and its one-, three- and five-year total returns are 20 percent, 48 percent and 194 percent. The index yield is 6 percent.

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

  Today, we're starting small with Martin Midstream Partners (MMLP), a $1.2 billion firm that transports and stores natural gas and sulfur. Shares of MMLP have had a stellar year in 2013, rallying more than 47% since the calendar flipped over to January -- and this stock's technicals point to even higher ground in the second half.

  That's because MMLP is currently forming an ascending triangle pattern, a technical setup that's formed by horizontal resistance above shares at $46 and uptrending support to the downside. Basically, as MMLP bounces in between those two technical price levels, it's getting squeezed closer and closer to a breakout above that $46 resistance level. When that breakout happens, we've got a buy signal for shares.

  Confirmation is going to be important to watch in MMLP. This stock has popped above $46 intraday in the past, only to fall back down to close within the pattern. Waiting for a close above $46 followed by a consecutive open above it greatly reduces the possibility of a bull trap in this stock.

• [By Aimee Duffy]

  The role of the barge can't be underestimated. Barge receipts increased more than two percentage points year over year, and this is a great place for investors to look for opportunity. Companies with maritime resources benefit from this trend, as well as growth in exports. Three such companies that are worth a look are:

  Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX  ) , which operates 30% of the coastal tank barges in the U.S.� Oiltanking Partners (NYSE: OILT  ) , which has storage capacity of 12.1 million barrels and six deepwater docks on the Houston Ship Channel Martin Midstream Partners (NASDAQ: MMLP  ) , which operates a large fleet of inland barges and controls 31 marine terminals�

  These companies won't be the only winners, but they are a good place to start your research.

Hot Stocks To Invest In 2014: Cytori Therapeutics Inc(CYTX)

Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of medical products and devices to enable the practice of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicines focus on repairing or restoring lost or damaged tissue and cell function. Its principal products include the Celution family of products, which processes patients' adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) at the point of care. The Celution family of products consists of a central device, a related single-use consumable used for each patient procedure, proprietary enzyme reagents, and related instrumentation. Its core product, the Celution System, provides physicians with clinical grade stem and regenerative cells for use in the cosmetic and reconstructive surgery market. The company also provides PureGraft, a consumable product that provides grafts for use in aesthetic body contouring procedures. In addition, it sells the StemSource family of products worldwide, including in the United States, for research, as well as for the cryopreservation and storage of ADRCs. It offers the StemSource System as a standalone product, or as a part of a comprehensive suite of systems, equipment, and protocols collectively referred to as a StemSource Cell Bank. Further, the company develops Celution System, which has completed two clinical trials for applications in cardiovascular disease, wound healing, gastrointestinal disorders, stress urinary incontinence, liver and renal disease, spinal disc degeneration, and pelvic health conditions. It has strategic development and manufacturing joint venture agreement, and other related agreements with Olympus Corporation. The company was formerly known as MacroPore Biosurgery, Inc. Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  If you're reading this, then odds are you already know that Cytori Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:CYTX) is up a whopping 8% today. In some ways that's encouraging, as it proves there's a lot of trade-worthy momentum to be tapped. In other ways, however, it's bad, because CYTX is overbought and ripe for a pullback. No matter how you're seeing Cytori Therapeutics in the short run, though, when you take a step back and look at the longer-term picture, there's a lot to like.

• [By Tom Rojas var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(func]

  Cytori Therapeutics Inc.(CYTX) on Tuesday said it is putting a clinical hold on enrollment in two chronic-heart-failure clinical trials, citing safety concerns. Shares sank 32.9% to $1.41 premarket.

Hot Stocks To Invest In 2014: Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc (RNN)

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Rexahn) is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on the development of cures for cancer to patients worldwide. The Company�� pipeline features one drug candidate in Phase II clinical trials. The Company also has several other drug candidates in pre-clinical development. In addition, the Company has two renal cell carcinoma (CNS) candidates, Serdaxin, CNS Disorders drug for depression and neurodegenerative diseases and Zoraxel, which is a erectile dysfunction (ED) and sexual dysfunction drug that are in clinical stages and the Company is are exploring options for further development . The Company�� drug candidate, Archexin is an anticancer Akt inhibitor.

Archexin

Archexin is potent inhibitor of the Akt protein kinase (Akt) in cancer cells. Archexin has FDA orphan drug designations for five cancers (RCC, glioblastoma, and cancers of the ovary, stomach and pancreas). Multiple indications for other solid tumors can also be pursued. Archexin inhibit both activated and inactivated forms of Akt, and to reverse the drug resistance observed with the protein kinase inhibitors. Archexin is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) compound that is complementary to Akt mRNA, and selective for inhibiting mRNA expression and production of Akt protein. As of December 31, 2011, Archexin was in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer with enrollment completed in September, 2011.

Serdaxin

Serdaxin is an extended release formulation of clavulanic acid, which is an ingredient present in antibiotics approved by the FDA. The Company had been developing Serdaxin for the treatment of depression and neurodegenerative disorders. From January to September, 2011, the Company conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared two doses of Serdaxin, 0.5 milligram and 5 milligram, to placebo over an eight-week treatment period for major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. As of Dec! ember 31, 2011, the Company had not made a determination of Serdaxin�� future paths or resource allocations to further develop Serdaxin to treat MDD.

Zoraxel

Zoraxel is an orally administered, on-demand tablet to treat sexual dysfunction. Zoraxel is a dual enhancer of neurotransmitters in the brain that play a key role in sexual activity phases of motivation and arousal, erection and release, and may be the ED drug to affect all three of these phases of sexual activity. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was evaluating how to proceed with the Phase IIb study of Zoraxel.

The Company�� Pre-clinical Pipeline Drug Candidates includes RX-1792, which is a small molecule anticancer EGFR inhibitor; RX-5902, which is a small molecule anticancer ribonucleic acid (RNA) helicase regulator; RX-3117, which is a Small molecule anticancer deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis Inhibitor; RX-8243, which is a small molecule anticancer aurora kinase inhibitor; RX-0201-Nano, which is a nanoliposomal anticancer Akt inhibitor; RX-0047-Nano, which is an nanoliposomal anticancer HIF-1 alpha inhibitor and RX-21101, which is a nano-polymer Anticancer.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  So far this year, Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NYSEMKT: RNN), Imprimis Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: IMMY) and Arrowhead Research Corp (NASDAQ: ARWR) are up 186.3%, 157.2% and 142.5%, respectively, since the start of the year���making them the best performing small cap biotech stocks for 2014. But given their lackluster performance over the past few years, what is the secret behind their phenomenal 2014 rise and will they keep rising? For starters, none of these small caps have really produced anything in the way of blockbuster news:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  If you were lucky enough to step into Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEMKT:RNN) when your truly suggested it was a budding buy back on December 23rd, then congratulations - you're now up a little more than 60% (assuming you bought into RNN after the break above a key resistance line on the 27th). Now get out. Instead, use your profits from the Rexahn to take on a stake in GTx, Inc. (NASDAQ:GTXI). No, GTXI may not look like much at first, but when you take a step back and look at a chart of GTx, Inc. through a longer-term lens, the upside potential becomes clear.

Hot Stocks To Invest In 2014: Celldex Therapeutics Inc(CLDX)

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for human health care primarily in the United States. The company markets Rotarix to treat rotavirus infection. Its lead drug candidate, rindopepimut (CDX-110), is an immunotherapeutic vaccine in Phase III clinical trial to target the tumor-specific molecule, epidermal growth factor receptor variant III, as well as in Phase II clinical trial for the indication of recurrent glioblastoma. The company?s other lead drug candidates comprise CDX-011, an antibody-drug conjugate in Phase IIb clinical trial for metastatic breast cancer and melanoma indication; and CDX-1127, a human monoclonal antibody in Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of lymphoma/leukemia and solid tumors. Its additional clinical and preclinical programs consist of CDX-1401, an Antigen Presenting Cells Targeting Technology program in Phase I/II clinical trial to tr eat multiple solid tumors; and CDX-301, an immune cell mobilizing agent and dendritic cell growth factor in Phase I clinical for treating cancer, autoimmune disease, and transplant. The company?s preclinical products include CDX-1135, a molecule for treating renal disease; and CDX-014, a human monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate for the treatment of ovarian and renal cancer. It has research collaboration and license agreements with Medarex, Inc.; Rockefeller University; Duke University Brain Tumor Cancer Center; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research; Alteris Therapeutics, Inc.; Thomas Jefferson University; 3M Company; University of Southampton; Amgen Inc.; Amgen Fremont; and Seattle Genetics, Inc. Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Celldex Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CLDX) shares tumbled 2.79 percent to $27.52 after the company reported positive Phase 2 rindopepimut data in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Hot Stocks To Invest In 2014: Spirit Airlines Inc.(SAVE)

Spirit Airlines, Inc. provides passenger airline services. It provides travel opportunities principally to and from south Florida, the northeast United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The company also offers optional travel-related products or services. As of December 31, 2011, it had a fleet of 37 Airbus single-aisle aircrafts. The company was formerly known as Charter One and changed its name to Spirit Airlines, Inc. in 1992. Spirit Airlines, Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Miramar, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Spirit Airlines (SAVE) is quickly becoming a favorite of budget travelers. Spirit is a no-frills airline that allows customer to take advantage of very low fares and then pay for any upgrades they may desire. Consumers seem to like it, as earnings are up more than 60% so far this year. The company is doing better than Wall Street was expecting and earnings estimates have been raised several times in the past month. Spirit Airlines just announced a bunch of seasonal routes for summer travel to places like Atlantic City and Myrtle Beach — that move should help drive profits all summer long. The stock is rated ����by Portfolio Grader and remains a ��trong Buy.��/p>

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now

This is a chart of US banks' overdraft revenue over the past 13 years. It was growing steadily until the Dodd-Frank Act passed in 2010, at which point it dropped for a couple of years, but now it's back on its upward path, and it's projected to hit a new all-time high by 2016. (The source is Moebs, here and here.)
(click to enlarge)

This chart is not what I expected to see when I wrote an NYT op-ed last year, talking about the way in which the new rules governing overdrafts were resulting in banks charging monthly fees for checking accounts instead. I said in that piece that the standard checking-account business model had been "upended" by Dodd-Frank broadly and by the end of automatic overdraft protection in particular. No longer, I said, could big banks count on a steady source of income from relatively poor Americans paying $30 in charges for a $4 cup of coffee.

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: Gen-Probe Incorporated(GPRO)

Gen-Probe Incorporated engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of molecular diagnostic products and services that are used primarily to diagnose human diseases and screen donated human blood. Its women?s health product line includes APTIMA Combo 2 assay, APTIMA CT, APTIMA GC assays, and PACE family of assays to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea; APTIMA Trichomonas ASRs to detect trichomonas; APTIMA HPV assay to detect 14 sub-types of high-risk HPV associated with cervical cancer; and AccuProbe Group B Streptococcus (GBS) assay to detect GBS from culture. The company?s infectious diseases product line comprises ProFlu+ to detect influenza A, B, and Respiratory syncytial virus; ProFAST+ to detect and differentiate seasonal H1, seasonal H3, and H1N1pdm09; ProGastro Cd to detect toxigenic strains of clostridium difficile; AMPLIFIED MTD to detect mycobacterium tuberculosis; GAS Direct to detect gas directly from a throat swab; APTIMA HIV-1 and APTIMA HCV assays to detect RNA from HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus; and ASRs for quantitative HCV testing. Its blood screening products include Procleix HIV-1/HCV, Procleix Ultrio, Procleix Ultrio Plus, and Procleix WNV assays to detect HIV-1, HCV, HBV, and west nile virus in donated blood, plasma, organs, and tissues. The company?s transplant diagnostics products comprise LIFECODES HLA DNA typing kits; LIFECODES HLA antibody kits; LIFECODES PF4 assay to detect PF4 heparin-dependent antibodies; and LIFECODES PAK products for platelet antibody screening and detection. It also provides instrumentation and software for performing NAT assays; and genetic testing products, such as PROGENSA PCA3 and PCA3 ASRs to detect the PCA3 genes. The company serves reference laboratories, public health institutions, and hospitals through its direct sales force in United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as through distributors internationally. Gen-Probe Incorporated was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in S an Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Leo Sun]

  GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO  ) has loomed large in headlines recently -- the company recently introduced a $60 dog harness to let canines capture video, and fans are buzzing about its upcoming HERO4 camera.

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Analysts at JMP Securities initiated coverage of GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO) with a Market Outperform rating and $60 price target. Shares gained 13.0 percent, closing at $41.63.

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: Astec Industries Inc.(ASTE)

Astec Industries, Inc. engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of equipment and components for road building, utility, and related construction activities worldwide. The company?s Asphalt Group segment offers hot-mix asphalt plants, concrete mixing plants, and related components; heating and heat transfer processing equipment; and thermal fluid storage tanks for asphalt paving and other non-related industries. Its Aggregate and Mining Group segment provides jaw, cone, and impact crushers; vibrating feeders; inclined and horizontal screens; various crushing plants; digital crusher controllers; aggregate and ore processing equipment; mobile screening plants; screen structures; vibrating screens; stationary rockbreaker systems; articulated production and utility vehicles; hydraulic breakers; compactors; demolition attachments; and bulk material handling and minerals processing equipment primarily for the aggregate, metallic mining, and recycling market s. The company?s Mobile Asphalt Paving Group segment provides asphalt pavers, asphalt material transfer vehicles, milling machines, and asphalt reclaiming and soil stabilizing machinery; asphalt paver screeds; windrow pickup machines; asphalt rollers and screeds primarily for road construction markets; and dirt and asphalt compaction equipment. Its Underground Group segment produces heavy-duty trenchers, compact horizontal directional drills, high pressure diesel powered pump trailers; maxi drills, auger boring machines, and down-hole tooling for these units; and vertical drills, water well drills, oil and gas drilling rigs, material handling trailers, and tools for the oil and gas, geothermal, and water well industries. The company also offers whole-tree pulpwood chippers, biomass chippers, horizontal grinders, and blower trucks. Astec Industries, Inc. sells its products through sales agents, distributors, and dealers. The company was founded in 1972 and is based in Chatta nooga, Tennessee.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  What do Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEC), Astec Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTE), and First Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:THFF) have in common? Not much, on the surface. In fact, were it not for something very specific to one particular person (me), they'd have nothing in common at all. This week though, THFF, ASTE, and PSEC all have at least one thing in common, and that's the fact that they're all going into my mental/hypothetical portfolio.

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  
  John Maynard Keyes once opined: ��uccessful Investing is anticipating the anticipation of others.��That notion applies in spades when it comes to theme investing. Typically, a stock moves upwards long before its improvement in earnings comes to fruition. Warren Buffett colorfully observed: ��f you wait for the robins, spring will be over.��Should an investor wait for an earnings confirmation to validate his/her theory, then the time to invest will have already passed. I will end today�� discussion by profiling two successful investments I made in high quality cyclical companies during the period of the mid-2000s. The companies are: Maverick Tube (formerly MVK) and Astec (ASTE).

Top Semiconductor Companies For 2015: Arkema SA (AKE)

Arkema SA is a France-based company which specializes in the manufacture and marketing of chemical products. The Company operates through its two business segments: Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products. The Industrial Chemicals division offers the production of acrylics, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), hydrogen peroxide, fluorochemicals and thiochemicals, and includes such brands as Forane, Albone, Norsocryl, Altuglas and Sarbio. The Performance Products include the production of technical polymers, specialty chemicals and functional additives. The Company's products are used in the construction, automotive and transportation, health, electrical and electronics, agricultural and packaging industries, among others. In April 2013, it acquired a majority stake in AEC Polymers. In October 2013, it inaugurated the new Sumitomo Seika superabsorbent plant on the Carling site, which makes the overall superabsorbent production capacity of the Carling facility up to 47,000 ton/year. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Arkema SA (AKE) added 4.7 percent to 83.93 euros. UBS AG raised its rating on the French chemicals maker to a buy from neutral, saying the stock is undervalued. The firm also boosted its price target to 100 euros from 80 euros.

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: Courier Corporation(CRRC)

Courier Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in printing, publishing, and selling books. It operates in two segments, Book Manufacturing and Specialty Book Publishing. The Book Manufacturing segment produces hard and softcover books, as well as offers related services involved in managing the process of creating and distributing these products for publishers, religious organizations, and other information providers. The Specialty Book Publishing segment publishes books in approximately 30 specialty categories, including fine and commercial arts, children?s books, crafts, music scores, graphic design, mathematics, physics and other areas of science, puzzles, games, social science, stationery items, and classics of literature for juvenile and adult markets in the United States. This segment also publishes approximately 900 test preparation and study guide titles for teachers and other consumers; and 130 titles comprising books on home decoration, design, and improvement, as well as gardening and landscaping for the home and garden retail book market. This segment sells its products through its specialty catalogs and through the Internet at doverpublications.com, REA.com, and creativehomeowner.com; and maintains DoverDirect.com, which is a business-to-business site for its retailers and distributors. This segment also sells its products through bookstore chains, independent booksellers, mass merchandisers, children?s stores, craft stores, gift shops, college bookstores, teachers? supply stores, and home and garden centers, as well as through a range of distributors in the United States and internationally. The company was founded in 1824 and is headquartered in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  CPLP reaffirmed its commitment to paying the dividend of 93 cents per share going forward, and at that level the shares yield 8.65%. The F score is 7, so conditions are improving for the company and the stock is actually trading at a more than a 35% discount to its Graham number valuation of $16.

  Courier Corporation (CRRC)

  Courier Corporation (CRRC) publishes and prints books that are distributed through a variety of retail outlets. It publishes books on things like landscaping, gardening and home improvement that are found in many of the leading home and garden stores. Courier also publishes more than 700 test preparation and study guides for teachers and students as well books for religious institutions.

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: Antofagasta PLC (ANTO)

Antofagasta plc (Antofagasta) is a Chile-based copper mining company with interests in transport and water distribution. The Company operates in three segments: Mining, Transport and Water. Antofagasta is a holding company that operates through its subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. The principal activities of the Company are copper mining (including exploration and development), the transportation of freight by rail and road and the distribution of water. Its mining operations produce copper with by-products of gold, molybdenum and silver. Its activities are mainly concentrated in Chile. The Company�� segments include Los Pelambres, Esperanza, El Tesoro, Michilla, Antucoya, Exploration and evaluation, Railway and other transport services, Water concession, and Corporate and other items. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sarah Jones]

  Vedanta Resources slumped 6.5 percent to 1,026 pence as copper tumbled on the London Metal Exchange to its lowest price since July 2010. Antofagasta Plc (ANTO), the copper producer controlled by Chile�� Luksic family, slid 3 percent to 813 pence and Anglo American Plc (AAL) lost 4 percent to 1,297.5 pence.

• [By Sarah Jones]

  Rio Tinto, the world�� second-largest mining company, fell 2.7 percent to 2,959.5 pence. Anglo American dropped 2.6 percent to 1,606 pence and Antofagasta Plc (ANTO), which mines for copper in Chile, retreated 3.9 percent to 916 pence.

• [By Sarah Jones]

  Among commodity producers, Antofagasta (ANTO) Plc rose 1.4 percent to 904 pence as base metals advanced in London. Glencore Xstrata added 3.2 percent to 315.9 pence and Rio Tinto Group increased 1 percent to 2,786 pence.

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  British American Tobacco Plc and Imperial Tobacco Group Plc (IMT) each lost at least 1.5 percent as American peer Philip Morris International Inc. forecast 2014 profit growth below its long-term target. Antofagasta Plc (ANTO) and Vedanta Resources Plc (VED) followed miners lower, sliding at least 2 percent. Johnson Matthey Plc (JMAT) gained 3.9 percent after posting better-than-forecast profit and raising its dividend.

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: Jones Soda Co.(JSDA)

Jones Soda Co., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, markets, distributes, and licenses premium beverages primarily in the United States and Canada. The company provides Jones Soda, a carbonated soft drink; Jones Zilch, a zero calories product in black cherry, pomegranate, and vanilla bean flavors; WhoopAss Energy Drink, an energy supplement drink; and WhoopAss Zero Energy Drink, an energy supplement drink with zero sugar. It also offers various products, including soda with customized labels, wearables, candy, and other items online. The company sells and distributes its products through its network of independent distributors and national retail accounts. Jones Soda Co. was founded in 1986 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Monster Beverage Corp (NASDAQ: MNST), a mid cap marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages, has been a monster of a performer since the end of the financial crisis as the stock is up around 308% over the past five years, but could new or overlooked players like small cap beverage stocks�Jones Soda Co (OTCMKTS: JSDA), Celsius Holdings, Inc (OTCMKTS: CELH) and Konared Corp (OTCBB: KRED) repeat that performance? A look strictly at the long term performance of all three small caps might have you thinking otherwise. After all, none of these small cap beverage stocks are profitable while�the beverage industry can be a long hard expensive slog just to increase market share by one or two points when you are competing for shelf space with industry giants like Pepsi and Coke. But past performance is just that���the past and only part of the story as there is much more to consider about these small cap beverage stocks which could also make them potential acquisition targets by larger beverage players seeking to expand their product line up with innovative products:

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc (RSI)

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., incorporated on July 19, 1996, is engaged in the designing, development, engineering, manufacturing and marketing of laser-based products used for cutting, welding and marking a range of materials. The Company offers a range of laser products and related services for three material processing applications: cutting, welding, and surface treatment (macro applications); marking, and fine cutting, fine welding, micro drilling, and micro structuring (micro applications). It provides a range of laser sources and laser-based system solutions to markets, such as the machine tool, automotive, semiconductor, electronics, and photovoltaic industries. Its product categories include Laser macro products, Laser marking products, Laser micro products and Components. The products are sold directly to end-users and to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had over 4,000 customers (including multinational companies with multiple facilities purchasing from the Company). During the year ended September 30, 2013 (fiscal 2013), approximately 38%, of the Company�� revenues related to sales of laser products for macro applications, approximately 13%, related to sales of components, and approximately 49%, related to sales of laser products for marking and micro applications.

LASER MACRO PRODUCTS

The Company�� carbon dioxide laser products for macro applications consist of DC Slab Series, SC Series, XL Series, STS Series, FH Series and SM Series. Its XL, STS, FH and SM Series fast-axial flow carbon dioxide lasers are used for both cutting and welding applications and are marketed under the PRC and NELC brand. XL, STS, FH, SM, FA, and PLS Series products are used primarily by the machine tool industry. Its SC Series diffusion cooled, wave-guide carbon dioxide lasers are developed and produced by Rofin-Sinar UK Ltd. The SC Series are sealed-off lasers, used for cutting and structuring applications. Markets for the! se include machine tool, electronics, and packaging industries. The Company�� DQ Series of Q switched, solid-state lasers are designed for applications, such as removal, cleaning and insulation of various materials in the automotive, consumer electronics and photovoltaic markets. The Company�� FL Series of high-brightness single or multi-mode fiber lasers use fiber optics as the active medium. These fiber lasers are used for cutting and welding applications, as well as for new applications, such as remote cutting. Its diode lasers are designed to meet the requirements of a range of welding, soldering and surface treatment applications.

LASER MARKING PRODUCTS

Rofin offers standardized and customized laser marking systems in different power ranges and wavelengths for use in various industrial segments. The Company�� standard PowerLine marking products consist of a range of lasers with output power from 2 watts to 100 watts with a galvo-head, a personal computer with processor, and Rofin�� VisualLaserMarker software. Special options and accessories include a double marking head allowing speeds of up to 1,600 characters per second in certain applications, as well as beam-switching and -splitting options for marking of products in multiple production lines using a single laser. It is used in the semiconductor and electronics industries. MultiScan vector scanning marker utilizes a 100 watts sealed-off carbon dioxide laser. It is used in marking of consumer goods in the packaging industry. LabelMarker Advanced is a laser-based system is Rofin�� solution. This laser system is used in any production area without additional safety requirements. The EasyMark is a transportable desktop device. The EasyMark offers a program-controlled z-axis and a rotary axis, which can optionally be integrated. An aluminum T-slot plate facilitates mounting of customer-specific work piece carriers. The EasyJewel is a transportable desktop device developed to mark jewellery. CombiLine Cube/CombiLi! ne Advanc! ed compact laser workstations have been designed for small and medium-size batches. NuQ pulsed fiber laser sources are produced and marketed under the Nufern brand and are designed for OEM customers and integrators.

LASER MICRO PRODUCTS

The Company markets and sells a range of laser products, including, pulsed, fiber and other solid-state lasers for various spot welding and fine cutting applications; carbon dioxide Slab lasers for perforating applications; Q switched, solid-state lasers for surface structuring, and diode lasers for soldering and plastic welding applications. The Company's manual welders for micro applications, which are sold under the name Performance Tool Open and Internal, consist of pulsed, solid-state lasers in the range of 60 watts to 200 watts, which are primarily used for fine welding applications in the medical device, jewelry and mold making industries. The StarPulse Series consists of pulsed Nd:YAG rod lasers with power ratings from 40 to 500 watts. These are designed for use in fine welding applications, such as laser welding of reflective materials in the medical device and electronics industry.

The StarFiber Series achieve nominal powers of 100 watts up to 600 watts. The lasers can be operated in either pulse-modulated or continuous wave mode. The StarFiber Series is designed for a range of applications for fine welding and fine cutting, such as welding of electromechanic components or fine cutting. The X-Lase Series consists of picosecond pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems with an output power of upto 24 watts. Markets are in the semiconductor, electronics and display industries. In these industries, the X-Lase products can be used for thin film patterning, ablation and scribing applications. Its StarFemto Series consists of femtosecond pulse mode-locked laser systems with a maximal output power of 5 watts. Main markets are medical implants and other fine cutting or structuring applications. The PerfoLas Systems consist of a carbo! n dioxide! laser in combination with a galvo scanning head and is used for precise cutting, drilling, and surface structuring.

The Universal Workstation (UW) and Modular Processing System (MPS) Series are modular laser-based systems that are designed to meet a variety of applications, including welding, cutting, surface modification and ablation. Depending on the application, the UW and MPS Systems can be equipped with different laser sources (femtosecond, fiber, diode, or solid-state laser) and modified for specific handlings. Series 800 are flash-lamp pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers, and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDP and LEP are diode pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDPP are diode pulse-pumped Nd:YAG lasers that are designed to cut thin metals. Market is the medical devices industry. Series LFP are hybrid diode pumped, solid state, picosecond lasers that are produced and marketed under the Lee Laser brand and are sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro applications.

The COMPACT and MINI Diode Laser System Series are laser systems are available in a range of output powers and wavelengths, including fiber-coupled direct beam or line source solutions, and are engineered for utilization in industrial laser materials processing, mainly for plastic welding, soldering and brazing applications in the automotive, medical device and electronic industries. The KLS Series lasers are pulsed solid-state lasers which are used for fine cutting, drilling and scribing applications. The FLS Series are lamp pumped, pulsed, solid-state lasers with high peak power for deep penetration cutting, welding and drilling. SLS CL Series are pulsed Nd:YAG solid-state lasers with output powers in the range of 5 to 250 watts. The KLS 246, FLS, LFS and SLS CL Series are all manufactured by the Company's Switzerland-based subsidiary LASAG.

COMP! ONENT PRODUCTS

The Company offers power supplies for pulsed and continuous wave solid-state lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, diode lasers, as well as radio frequency (RF) generators for acousto-optic Q-switches through its wholly owned subsidiary PMB Elektronik GmbH. Fiber and Optics Technology are special fiber lasers, fiber coupling products and optical engines, for use in fiber lasers are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� Finland-based subsidiary Corelase Oy. Laser Diodes and Modules are high-power semiconductor components, such as high power, high-brightness laser diodes and modules are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� subsidiaries Dilas Diodenlaser GmbH, Dilas Diodelaser Inc., Dilas Diodelaser China and m2k-laser GmbH. Fibers, fiber components, beam splitters or switches and beam combiners designed for use in industrial lasers or as beam delivery systems are manufactured and marketed by Optoskand AB. Fibers and fiber laser technology components are developed, manufactured and marketed by Nufern, East Granby. The Company�� high-technology components are either integrated by other laser manufacturers into their products or are used for the Company�� own product portfolio.

The Company competes with Trumpf, GSI Group, Unitek Miyachi, Han's Laser, Fanuc, Synrad, Coherent, IPG, Laserline and Jenoptik.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joon Choi]

  Currently, the monthly relative strength indicator (RSI) reading is 83.7. (A reading over 70 is considered to be overbought.) To put this figure in perspective, the monthly RSI of the Nasdaq Composite was 85.9 on March of 2000 (the index peak), and we know what happened afterwards.

• [By Greg Harmon]

  The Fresh Market (TFM), has been rising off of a bottom in March. It recently went through a 'W' consolidation and jumped higher, but is now retesting the top of the 'W'. The relative strength index (RSI) has held the mid line during the pullback and remains bullish while the moving average convergence divergence indicator (MACD) is not as positive. A turn higher, back over 53.50 could be a catalyst for a long entry, but a fall under 52 sets a target for a measured move (MM) lower to 50. This stock does not report earnings until late August.

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp (WMC)

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation is focused on investing in, financing and managing primarily residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), which are not issued or guaranteed by a United States Government agency or federally chartered corporation, or non-Agency RMBS. The Company also focuses on investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), and other asset-backed securities (ABS), as well as RMBS for which a United States Government agency or federally chartered corporation guarantees payments of principal and interest on the securities, or Agency RMBS.

The Company is managed and advised by Western Asset Management Company. As of June 12, 2009, the Company had not made any investments.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  Today, we’re looking at three dividend stocks with sky-high dividend yields to see whether they’re safe.

  Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation (WMC)

  Dividend Yield: 19.8%

Top Income Companies To Own In Right Now: 3M Company(MMM)

3M Company, together with subsidiaries, operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. The company?s Industrial and Transportation segment offers tapes, coated and non-woven abrasives, adhesives, specialty materials, filtration products, energy control products, closure systems for personal hygiene products, acoustic systems products, and components and products that are used in the manufacture, repair, and maintenance of automotive, marine, aircraft, and specialty vehicles. Its Health Care segment provides medical and surgical supplies, skin health and infection prevention products, inhalation and transdermal drug delivery systems, dental and orthodontic products, health information systems, and food safety products. The company?s Display and Graphics offers optical film solutions for LCD electronic displays; computer screen filters; reflective sheeting for transportation safety; commercial graphics sheeting and systems; and mobile interactive solutions, includin g mobile display technology, visual systems products, and computer privacy filters. The company?s Consumer and Office segment provides office supply products, stationery products, construction and home improvement products, home care products, protective material products, certain consumer retail personal safety products, and consumer health care products. Its Safety, Security and Protection Services segment offers personal protection products, safety and security products, cleaning and protection products for commercial establishments, track and trace solutions, and roofing granules for asphalt shingles. The company?s Electro and Communications segment provides packaging and interconnection devices; fluids that are used in the manufacture of computer chips, and for cooling electronics and lubricating computer hard disk drives; high-temperature and display tapes; insulating materials, including tapes and resins; and related items. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Companies ramped up for the holiday this week with a slew of dividend increases, as we headed into what is a traditionally a slow period between Christmas and New Year’s. Blue-Chip stocks in particular started handing out dividend sweets early, with aerospace and defense giant Boeing (BA) upping its dividend 50%, while manufacturing conglomerate 3M (MMM) raised its payout by 35%.

• [By gurujx]

  3M Co (MMM) Reached the 52-Week High of $133.51

  3M Co has a market cap of $89.89 billion; its shares were traded at around $133.51 with a P/E ratio of 20.40 and P/S ratio of 3.04. The dividend yield of 3M Co stocks is 1.90%. 3M Co had an annual average earnings growth of 6.00% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated 3m Co the business predictability rank of 2.5-star.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  If January’s selloff was all about the emerging markets, February’s is all about the U.S, as fears of a weaker economy have helped drag down 3M (MMM), United Technologies (UTX), General Electric (GE), Whirlpool (WHR) and Kansas City Southern (KSU).

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now

A recent article on Benzinga detailed how to use sniper tactics to buy stocks when the dividend yields are higher.

The method involved setting a dividend yield as the target, and then buying at that price. From that, the stock has a lower price and a higher dividend yield.

There are many blue chip stocks with high dividends and high betas such as BP PLC (NYSE: BP), the major oil firm, and Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) -- the world's largest heavy equipment maker and a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Another one to consider is Cohen & Steers Inc (NYSE: CNS), an asset manager based in New York City.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Visa Inc.(V)

Visa Inc., a payments technology company, engages in the operation of retail electronic payments network worldwide. It facilitates commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company owns and operates VisaNet, a global processing platform that provides transaction processing services. It also offers a range of payments platforms, which enable credit, charge, deferred debit, debit, and prepaid payments, as well as cash access for consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company provides its payment platforms under the Visa, Visa Electron, PLUS, and Interlink brand names. In addition, it offers value-added services, including risk management, issuer processing, loyalty, dispute management, value-added information, and CyberSource-branded services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  The Fed minutes suggested a dovish course for monetary policy, helping to boost stocks as Visa (V), Boeing (BA), Facebook (FB), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) and International Business Machines (IBM) rose.

  Bloomberg News

  The S&P 500 gained 1.1% to 1,872.18 today, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 140.35 points, or 0.9%, to 16,396.30. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.7% to 4,183.90, its biggest gain in more than a month.

  The price-weighted Dow got a boost from Visa, which rose 2.4% to $207.54, Boeing, which advanced 2.2% to $126.88, and International Business Machines, which gained 1.7% to $196.64. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq got a lift from Facebook, which jumped 7.3% to $62.41, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, which climbed 7% to $69.95.

  Remember: The Federal Reserve’s last meeting spooked investors when its forecasts suggested that the timing to a hike had accelerated. Today, the minutes from that meeting suggest that the Fed is not as hawkish as it might have seemed. Among the headlines: “Several Fed Officials Said Forecast Overstated Rate Rise Pace.”

  Jefferies’ Thomas Simons ponders the disconnect between the Fed’s forecasts and its minutes:

  One wonders why the forecasts are what they are if FOMC members think that they overstate the likely pace of rates.

  Nonetheless, the Minutes appear to be trying to soften the hawkish interpretation of the March 18-19th FOMC statement and Chair Yellen’s post-meeting press conference comments.� The headlines reiterate the “slack” in the labor market and acknowledge some risk that the weakness in Q1 came as a result of a fundamental breakdown as opposed to just poor weather.

  On a quick read, the Minutes appear to be quite dovish.

  Interactive Brokers’ Andrew Wilkinson explains why the market likes the minutes:

  The minutes revealed that the FOMC held a video conference two weeks prior to the schedul

• [By Sue Chang and Ben Eisen]

  American Express Co. (AXP) �shares gained 3.6% while its competitor Visa Inc. (V) �rose 4.7%. American Express said late Thursday its fourth-quarter earnings jumped to $1.31 billion, or $1.21 a share, from $637 million, or 56 cents a share, a year ago. Excluding expenses, AmEx would have earned $1.25 a share. Revenue increased to $8.55 billion from $8.14 billion a year earlier.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: International Business Machines Corporation(IBM)

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides information technology (IT) products and services worldwide. Its Global Technology Services segment provides IT infrastructure and business process services, including strategic outsourcing, process, integrated technology, and maintenance services, as well as technology-based support services. The company?s Global Business Services segment offers consulting and systems integration, and application management services. Its Software segment offers middleware and operating systems software, such as WebSphere software to integrate and manage business processes; information management software for database and enterprise content management, information integration, data warehousing, business analytics and intelligence, performance management, and predictive analytics; Tivoli software for identity management, data security, storage management, and datacenter automation; Lotus software for collaboration, messaging, and so cial networking; rational software to support software development for IT and embedded systems; business intelligence software, which provides querying and forecasting tools; SPSS predictive analytics software to predict outcomes and act on that insight; and operating systems software. Its Systems and Technology segment provides computing and storage solutions, including servers, disk and tape storage systems and software, point-of-sale retail systems, and microelectronics. The company?s Global Financing segment provides lease and loan financing to end users and internal clients; commercial financing to dealers and remarketers of IT products; and remanufacturing and remarketing services. It serves financial services, public, industrial, distribution, communications, and general business sectors. The company was formerly known as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. and changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation in 1924. IBM was founded in 1910 and is based in Armonk, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Stocks moving in the pre-market included:

  Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) gained 1.29 percent in premarket trade after rising 1.64 percent on Monday First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) rose 0.41 percent in premarket trade after gaining 21.46 percent over the past week International Business Machines Inc. (NYSE: IBM) gained 0.39 percent in premarket trade after dropping 7.55 percent over the past five days.

  Earnings

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  IBM is a global technology company that provides essential products and services to companies and consumers worldwide. Chinese PC maker Lenovo Group agreed to buy IBM Corp’s low-end server business for $2.3 billion. The stock has been struggling over the last couple of years and is currently trading sideways. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been rising while revenues have been declining, which has left investors optimistic about IBM�� earnings announcements. Relative to its peers and sector, IBM has been an average year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what IBM does the rest of the quarter.

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  IBM is a technology company that provides valuable and essential products and services to consumers and companies around the world. The stock has been on a strong run extending back several years but has been in consolidation as of late. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been increasing while revenue figures have been decreasing, overall producing mixed feelings among investors. Relative to its peers and sector, IBM has been a poor year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what IBM does in coming quarters.

Hot Oil Service Stocks To Invest In 2015: Chevron Corporation(CVX)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. It operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment involves in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as holds interest in a gas-to-liquids project. The Downstream segment engages in the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil and refined products primarily under the Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex brand names; transportation of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufacture and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. It a lso produces and markets coal and molybdenum; and holds interests in 13 power assets with a total operating capacity of approximately 3,100 megawatts, as well as involves in cash management and debt financing activities, insurance operations, real estate activities, energy services, and alternative fuels and technology business. Chevron Corporation has a joint venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corp. and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in May 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is based in San Ramon, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt Thalman]

  Last week's big losers
  Oil giant Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) lost 2.13% this past week, after the company reported its third-quarter earnings that had declined from the same quarter last year. The company did report slightly higher sales figures, but profit fell on weaker margins from the refining business. Still, management and some investors still believe the company has a bright future. Two projects that should boost revenue and profits are Gulf of Mexico deepwater wells and the plan to move natural gas from Australia to Asia, where demand continues to increase and push prices higher. �

• [By Tyler Crowe]

  Even in the world of commodities, brand can mean a lot. Since oil is part of our everyday lives, companies like ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM  ) and Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) have become two of the most recognized brands around the world. With natural gas looking to have its day in the sun, perhaps there are a few companies that could become household names as well.�

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  Talisman's and Marathon's decision to retrench from their Polish operations comes not too long after ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM  ) announced last year that it would stop exploring for natural gas in Poland after initial tests failed to yield commercial quantities of gas. Of the remaining energy majors, only Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) , ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP  ) and Eni still have operations in Poland.

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX), in addition to benefiting from Syria-related higher oil prices, announced last week that it will make large investments in Argentina�� shale oil and gas fields. The UBS price target for the stock is $125. The Thomson/First Call estimate is at $135. Investors are paid a solid 3.3% dividend.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Colgate-Palmolive Company(CL)

Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. It offers oral care products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouth rinses, as well as dental floss and pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health professionals; personal care products, such as liquid hand soap, shower gels, bar soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, and conditioners; and home care products comprising laundry and dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, bleaches, dishwashing liquids, and oil soaps. The company offers its oral, personal, and home care products under the Colgate Total, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate 360 Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dividend Growth Investor]

  In a previous article, I outlined that it is getting more difficult to find quality dividend paying stocks to buy. Most of the usual suspects like Kimberly-Clark (KMB) or Colgate-Palmolive (CL) are very overvalued today, which prevents me from adding to my positions there. Other companies like Chevron (CVX) are attractively valued today, but unfortunately my portfolio is overweight in them. Currently I find the oil sector to be cheap and have some of the lowest P/E ratios in the market. However, I would hate to be concentrated in one sector which is exposed to the fluctuating prices in its commodity products.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Colgate-Palmolive Co (NYSE: CL) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.73 per share on revenue of $4.46 billion.

  Precision Castparts (NYSE: PCP) is projected to report its Q2 earnings at $2.83 per share on revenue of $2.36 billion.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Philip Morris International Inc(PM)

Philip Morris International Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States. Its international product brand line comprises Marlboro, Merit, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M, Chesterfield, Bond Street, Lark, Muratti, Next, Philip Morris, and Red & White. The company also offers its products under the A Mild, Dji Sam Soe, and A Hijau in Indonesia; Diana in Italy; Optima and Apollo-Soyuz in the Russian Federation; Morven Gold in Pakistan; Boston in Colombia; Belmont, Canadian Classics, and Number 7 in Canada; Best and Classic in Serbia; f6 in Germany; Delicados in Mexico; Assos in Greece; and Petra in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It operates primarily in the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. The company is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  There are definitely concerns for Phillip Morris, which include decreased market share in many areas and poor debt management. However, up until this point, Phillip Morris has done a good job rewarding its shareholders. While history usually repeats itself, that�� not necessarily an all-positive in this case. Phillip Morris didn�� hold up well in 2008/early 2009. If a similar environment were to present itself again, then Phillip Morris wouldn�� be a top option ��regardless of the impressive yield. In the meantime, Phillip Morris is an OUTPERFORM.

• [By Rich Smith]

  The commonly accepted wisdom in the cigarette industry goes something like this: Smoking is in decline in the United States. Therefore, if you want to make money on tobacco, you must look abroad. You must buy Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM  ) stock.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Lorillard have jumped 4.6% to $51.29 at 1:32 p.m. today, while Reynolds American has gained 2.5% to $52.12 and British American Tobacco has dropped 1.1% to $107.62. Altria Group (MO), meanwhile, has risen 0.4% to $36.43 and Philip Morris International (PM) has declined 0.9% to $80.21.

• [By Kelley Wright]

  Tobacco is a controversial business; but for Philip Morris International (PM), it's a market basically unaffected by economic slowdowns or rising commodity prices, which means it is stable and defensive; a combination we can live with. We also like the $3.76 dividend, outstanding growth, and a five-year average return on equity of over 160.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Apple Inc.(AAPL)

Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) is reportedly willing to pay big to become a player in streaming television, hoping to upend the cable industry. This could change the monopoly market conditions Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA  ) and Time Warner (NYSE: TWC  ) have built in cable and it may open up the industry for streaming companies like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) as well. Fool contributor Travis Hoium tell investors what he thinks of Intel's big bet in the video below.�

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: McDonald's Corporation(MCD)

McDonald?s Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a worldwide foodservice retailer. It franchises and operates McDonald?s restaurants that offer various food items, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages. As of December 31, 2009, the company operated 32,478 restaurants in 117 countries, of which 26,216 were operated by franchisees; and 6,262 were operated by the company. McDonald?s Corporation was founded in 1948 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  )
  The fast-food king has generated almost 30% in annual dividend increases on average since 2003, with a yield of 3%. International growth has been the factor that led to its big payouts, as the Golden Arches can now be seen around the world in growing numbers. Recently, concerns about a slowdown in its international expansion have weighed on McDonald's shares, but with a payout ratio of just 55%, McDonald's has more room to push its dividend higher in the future even if earnings growth flags temporarily.

• [By BubbleBustInvesting]

  It is hard to say. What we can say, however, is that Starbucks is a good bet for value investors, as is McDonald's (MCD) which reported Q1 earnings last week, while Panera Bread and Dunkin' Brands are better bets for growth investors.

• [By Chris Hill]

  Last Friday, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) CEO Bob Thompson told CNBC that McDonald's may consider serving breakfast throughout the day. Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX  ) and Panera (NASDAQ: PNRA  ) have racked success with their breakfast offerings. Will McDonald's be able to take a bite out of the competition with all-day breakfast offerings? In this installment of MarketFoolery, our analysts talk about the business of breakfast.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Alamy McDonald's (MCD) is not in a good place these days, with sales slumping, quality concerns rising, and activists pushing for it to start paying its employees a living wage. It's against this backdrop of McDespair that a radical tech-fueled test may be the ticket to giving customers and some -- but not all -- employees what they want. The world's largest burger chain is expanding a test that started in two stores in California's Orange County where patrons could build customized gourmet burgers using tablets -- but still heading to the cashier to ring up the sale. The test is expanding this month in geography -- to two stores in San Diego -- and in scope. According to U-T San Diego, the new experience is upscale and convenient. Customers use the touch-screen devices to assemble gourmet burgers with 20 toppings like guacamole and garlic aioli and two roll choices (artisan or brioche). The cost? $5.49 plus tax. "Bacon, the only extra that costs extra, adds 80 cents," U-T San Diego reported. But, wait, there's more: The tablets now allow customers to scan credit and debit cards so orders are processed right away. Guests don't have to wait by the counter. Employees bring orders to the table on metal baskets. Employees bus the table afterward. In short, this tablet test finds McDonald's behaving more like a fast-casual chain or gourmet burger shop than the struggling fast-food behemoth that it is today. Take Two Tablets and Call Me in the Morning Folks who want to order meals outside of the custom-built upscale sandwiches still have to hit up a cashier. However, it's not much of a stretch to see these tablets eventually being able to handle the entire menu. A single person troubleshooting questions or tech issues can replace an army of cashiers. If McDonald's is able to run efficiently with fewer employees, couldn't it take these savings and give "Fight for $15" activists what they want: better wages for the folks whom they do keep around? In its present