Lampert Out at Big Lots, Outlook Remains Iffy

Discount big-box retailer Big Lots (NYSE: BIG  ) managed to satisfy the Street in its recent earnings announcement, even though the numbers shrunk year over year. Moreover, beleaguered retail investor Eddie Lampert dumped his stake in the company, according to the fund's latest SEC filings. Valuation metrics look cheap compared to those of some peers, but what are you buying for the price? To make the call, let's take a look at the company's recent earnings and what lies ahead.

Earnings recap 
For the first quarter, net sales at Big Lots actually ticked up a little more than 1% to $1.31 billion. This came in just a hair shy of research firm Zacks' consensus estimate of $1.32 billion. Despite higher sales, same-store growth turned negative by 2.9%. Management cited the oft-employed delayed tax refund and unseasonable weather as the culprits for lower store traffic. On the bottom line, the company beat analyst estimates with EPS of $0.61 per share. The number came in near the high end of management's earlier guidance of $0.53 to $0.65 yet still represents a more than 10% decline from the prior year's earnings.

Big Lots ventured into the north with its acquisition of Canadian retailer Liquidation World. Margins shrank slightly, with operating income suffering a 17% decline from the prior year's quarter to $61.7 million. Management sees growth in the Canadian business, and believes it will be a long-term accretive move for the top line. The investment has yet to show evidence of this, though. So what lies ahead?

The future of Big Lots 
For the rest of the fiscal year, management expects $2.87 to $3.12 in earnings per share. Earlier, the company had expected $3.05 to $3.25. Net sales are set to increase roughly in line with this quarter's gains, while comparables are set to remain flat or down a point.

In the short term, investors should not be expecting much in the way of good news. Management sees comparables down 2% to 4%. Expenses as percentage of sales is likely to increase, as well.

Despite polarizing investors and analysts, Eddie Lampert is a strong judge of retail character, and his ESL fund is officially out of Big Lots after holding the stock since 2011. This, in my opinion, is a rough sign for the company and should signal investors to remain cautious.

If you're looking for a turnaround retail play, there are plenty to choose from that have more attractive economics than Big Lots. The company has already adjusted down its near-term expectations of just-purchased Canadian operations, and management is not convincing us of its capital-allocation prowess. Lampert is known to take active roles in mismanaged retail operations, but clearly this one is no longer on his list.

Valuation remains low, but this one may be a case of the market accurately looking down its nose at a troubled retail play.

Rulers of the retail realm
The retail space is in the midst of the biggest paradigm shift since mail order took off at the turn of last century. Only those most forward-looking and capable companies will survive, and they'll handsomely reward those investors who understand the landscape. You can read about the 3 Companies Ready to Rule Retail in The Motley Fool's special report. Uncovering these top picks is free today; just click here to read more.

Why Clearwire Shares Popped

The Easy Guide to Where Stocks Are Headed Next

An entire industry is devoted to guessing where the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) is headed next. And an entire industry almost always gets it wrong.

As I wrote last week, future market returns are not hard to calculate. They'll equal the dividend yield plus earnings growth, plus or minus the change in valuation multiples.

The problem, of course, is that earnings growth is hard to predict, and the change in valuations is totally impossible to know. But while we can't know exactly how the future will play out, we can make reasonable estimates within ranges.

Take the matrix below. It shows where the S&P 500 will be 10 years from now given various assumptions. For reference, the index currently trades at about 1,650.

Source: Robert Shiller; author's calculations.

Now, this doesn't include dividends, but it also doesn't adjust for inflation. It's reasonable to assume that those two factors cancel each other out, so what we're looking at here is likely close to total real returns.

Since 1950, S&P 500 earnings growth has averaged 5.9% per year, and the P/E ratio has averaged 16.7. Of course, the "average" doesn't tell us much when looking at a span of history that bounces around between crushing lows and epic highs. "History doesn't crawl; it leaps," the saying goes.

But the next time you hear a market forecast, remember this table. The most honest forecast anyone can give for where stocks will be in 10 years is somewhere in there.

More from the Motley Fool
If you're interested in individual companies, check out The Motley Fool's free report on our top stock for 2013. Just click here to grab a copy.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014

In this video, Matt Koppenheffer makes the case for Bank of America as a good investment. While the media has focused on Bank of America's increased expenses and revenue uncertainty, what's missing is the progress Bank of America has made over the years. In 2010, Bank of America took loan�charges of 4.4%, a huge number -- but this past quarter, it's down to 1.4%.�The bank's balance sheet has improved significantly, and Matt believes Bank of America is a long-term investment story.

Check out the video for more details.

Bank of America's stock doubled in 2012. Is there more yet to come? With significant challenges still ahead, it's critical to have a solid understanding of this megabank before adding it to your portfolio. In The Motley Fool's premium research report on B of A, analysts Anand Chokkavelu, CFA, and Matt Koppenheffer, financials bureau chief, lift the veil on the bank's operations, including detailing three reasons to buy and three reasons to sell. Click here now to claim your copy.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Peter Hambro Mining Ord 1p(POG.L)

Petropavlovsk PLC engages in the exploration, development, and production of gold deposits in the Pokrovskiy, Pioneer, and Malomir properties in the Russian Federation. The company also involves in the acquisition, exploration, and development of reserves and resources in the Amur north-east belt, Yamal, and Krasnoyarsk regions; and iron-related reserves and resources, which include the Kuranakh, Garinskoye, and Bolshoi Seym deposits in the Amur region, as well as the Kimkanskoye and Sutarskoye deposits in Evreyskaya Avtonomnaya Oblast (EAO). In addition, it engages in the development of related infrastructural opportunities comprising the Nizhneleninskoye-Tongjiang bridge project in the EAO and the Sovertskaya Gavan seaport project in the Khabarovsk Krai region. The company was formerly known as Peter Hambro Mining Plc and changed its name to Petropavlovsk PLC in September 2009. Petropavlovsk PLC was founded in 1994 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Cass Information Systems Inc(CASS)

Cass Information Systems, Inc. provides payment and information processing services to large manufacturing, distribution, and retail enterprises in the United States. The company provides transportation invoice rating, payment, audit, accounting, and transportation information services. It also processes and pays utility invoices, including electricity, gas, and other facility related expenses, as well as offers bill processing, audit, and payment services for telephone, data line, cellular, and communication equipment expense to the telecommunications expense management market. In addition, Cass Information Systems, through its banking subsidiary, Cass Commercial Bank, provides a range of commercial banking products and services, such as checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; commercial and commercial real estate loans; and cash management services to privately owned businesses, and churches and church-related ministries. It operates through five branches, includin g four in the St. Louis metropolitan area; and one in southern California. The company was formerly known as Cass Commercial Corporation and changed its name to Cass Information Systems, Inc. in January 2001. Cass Information Systems, Inc. was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Bridgeton, Missouri.

5 Best Undervalued Stocks For 2014: United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG)

United States Natural Gas Fund, LP (USNG) is a limited partnership. The Company is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership interests (units) traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the NYSE Arca). The investment objective of USNG is for the changes in percentage terms of its units��net asset value (NAV) to reflect the changes in percentage terms of the spot price of natural gas delivered at the Henry Hub, Louisiana as measured by the changes in the Futures Contract on natural gas traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) that is the near month contract to expire, except when the near month contract is within two weeks of expiration, in which case the futures contract will be the next month contract to expire. The Company�� general partner is United States Commodity Funds LLC (the General Partner) and is responsible for the management of USNG.

USNG invests in futures contracts for natural gas, crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, and other petroleum-based fuels that are traded on the NYMEX, ICE Futures or other United States and foreign exchanges (collectively, Futures Contracts). USNG also invests in other natural gas-related investments, such as cash-settled options on Futures Contracts, forward contracts for natural gas, cleared swap contracts, and over-the-counter transactions that are based on the price of natural gas, oil and other petroleum-based fuels, Futures Contracts and indices based on the foregoing (collectively, Other Natural Gas-Related Investments). USNG invests in Natural Gas Interests to the fullest extent possible. In pursuing this objective, the primary focus of the General Partner is the investment in Futures Contracts and the management of USNG�� investments in short-term obligations of the United States of two years or less (Treasuries), cash and/or cash equivalents for margining purposes and as collateral.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Compass Group(CPG.L)

Compass Group PLC, through its subsidiaries, provides contract foodservice and support services to its clients. It offers various foodservice solutions ranging from free-flow restaurants to formal dining, grab and go deli and caf�outlets to hospitality services, and vending; and a range of support services, such as cleaning, building operations and maintenance, business and office, logistics and transport, outdoor, project management, and security. The company also operates fine dining facilities. It provides its services under the Eurest, Eurest Services, Restaurant Associates, Bon App�it Management, and FLIK International, as well as Chartwells, Scolarest, MEDIREST, MORRISON, Crothall, All Leisure, and ESS brand names. Compass Group PLC serves business and industry; healthcare and seniors; education; sports and leisure; and defense, offshore, and remote sectors. The company serves approximately 4 billion meals a year in 45,000 client locations. It offers its services in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Continental Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, central Asia, and the Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1941 and is based in Chertsey, the United Kingdom.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Paramount Gold And Com Stk Usd0 (PZG.TO)

Paramount Gold and Silver Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold, silver, and precious metal properties in Mexico and the United States. The company owns a 100% interest in the San Miguel property located in southwestern Chihuahua, northern Mexico. Its projects also include the Sleeper Gold project located in Humboldt County; the Mill Creek property located to the south of Battle Mountain; the Reese River/Horse Mountain Window project located in Lander County; and the Spring Valley property located in the Spring Valley area in Pershing County, Nevada. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Winnemucca, Nevada.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Charter Communications Inc.(CHTR)

Charter Communications, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers cable video programming services, such as basic and digital video, premium channels, OnDemand, pay-per-view, high definition television, digital video recorder, and online video services; Internet services; Charter.net, which provides multiple e-mail addresses, as well as various entertainment, games, news, and sports content; and telephone services. It also provides broadband communications solutions, such as Internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cellular towers and office buildings, video entertainment services, and business telephone services under the Charter Business brand name to business and carrier organizations. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4.1 million video customers; approximately 3.5 million Internet customers; appr oximately 1.7 million telephone customers; and approximately 476,200 commercial primary service units. Charter Communications, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Panterra Resources Corp (PRC.V)

PanTerra Resource Corp., a junior oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of conventional and unconventional oil and gas properties in western Canada. The company owns two oil producing properties and two gas producing properties in Alberta, as well as a shale gas resource project in Saskatchewan. PanTerra Resource Corp. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Luxking Group Holdings Limited (L34.SI)

Luxking Group Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the manufacture and distribution of general purpose and industrial specialty adhesive tapes. It offers general purpose adhesive tapes, such as stationary tapes, masking tapes, and double-sided tapes for industrial, commercial, and customer uses; and industrial adhesive tapes for manufacturing and/or assembly processes, primarily used for mobile and electronic appliances. The company also offers biaxially oriented polypropylene films for packaging applications in food, pharmaceutical, medical, and electrical industries. Its products include PET spacers used in consumer electronics, such as mobile phones; aluminum foil tapes that protect gas, exhaust, water, and oil pipes against corrosion; high performance double-sided tapes used in mounting of metal or plastic name plates and in foam and film lamination; general purpose double-sided tapes used in offices and homes; and PVC double sided tapes used in bonding applications. The company sells its products primarily in the People�s Republic of China and Hong Kong. Luxking Group Holdings Limited was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Zhongshan City, the People�s Republic of China.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: Becton Dickinson and Company(BDX)

Becton, Dickinson and Company, a medical technology company, develops, manufactures, and sells medical devices, instrument systems, and reagents worldwide. The company?s BD Medical segment produces medical devices that are used in various healthcare settings. This segment?s products include needles, syringes, and intravenous catheters for medication delivery; prefilled IV flush syringes; syringes, pen needles, and other drugs to treat diabetes; prefillable drug delivery systems; anesthesia needles and trays; sharps disposal containers; and closed-system transfer devices. Its BD Diagnostics segment provides products for the safe collection and transport of diagnostics specimens, as well as instrument systems and reagents to detect various infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections, and cancers. This segment?s products consist of integrated systems for specimen collection; safety-engineered blood collection products and systems; automated blood culturing systems; molecular testing systems; microorganism identification and drug susceptibility systems; liquid-based cytology systems for cervical cancer screening; rapid diagnostic assays; and plated media. The company?s BD Biosciences segment produces research and clinical tools that facilitate the study of cells and their components. This segment?s products comprise fluorescence-activated cell sorters and analyzers; monoclonal antibodies and kits for performing cell analysis; reagent systems for life science research; cell imaging systems; laboratory products for tissue culture and fluid handling; diagnostic assays; and cell culture media supplements for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. It markets its products through independent distribution channels and independent sales representatives to healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry, and the general public. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rahemtulla]

  A relatively new position for Warren Buffett, this company makes all sorts of medical supplies. Buffett has been making an across-the-board bet on medical companies. He owns Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Sanofi Aventis (SNY). And now the smallest company among the medical stocks he invests in is Becton Dickison. The company just recently increased its dividend, making it the 37th year in a row that it increased its payout. At 14 times earnings, this one has room to grow, particularly with an aging Baby Boomer population requiring more me dical care.

• [By Pat Racaniello]

  Beckton, Dicksinson and Co (BDX) is a leading medical device manufacturer, primarily in the healthcare and diagnostics segments. The company sells worldwide and has a solid reputation in major markets. Shares last traded at $78.16, within a 52 week range of $68.07 to $89.75. The price-earnings ratio is currently at 13.14 times, with one of the highest dividend payout across the market, not just the industry. Dividend growth is nearly 13% for the last 20 years. the price-earnings ratio is well below the industry average of nearly 23 times, with the price to sales near industry par.

  The company has recently acquired Carmel Pharma, while at the same time, it sold off some of its own businesses, including the ophthalmology and dwell catheter platforms, which we believe is a a step in the right direction, given the current market conditions as well as healthcare demands.

• [By Martin]

  In Q4 2010, he sold the remainder of his stake of 1,889,889 shares at an average price of $78.81.

  In FY 2010 through September, the company generated revenues of $7.37 billion (+2.95%), and GAAP EPS rose by 10.02% to $5.49. The EBT margin held steady at 22.53% from 22.89% in FY 2009. Q1 2011 produced revenues of $1.84% or -1% from Q1 2010 with non-GAAP EPS of $1.36 vs. $1.30 in Q1 2010. The next earnings release is on April 28, with the consensus non-GAAP EPS estimate at $1.30, an increase of 5.07% over Q2 2010, and revenues of $1.9 billion, an increase of 3.21% over Q2 2010.

  We expect revenues to grow in the low single digits, buoyed by global demand for diabetes products. Given a P/E ratio of 16.3, we believe that BDX shares ought to be trading more closer to 17 times earnings. Internal modeling places a price target of $95. This is a buy for those looking to add a biotech flavor to their portfolio.

  The company is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. It is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. On March 18, the company completed its acquisition of Accuri Cytometers, Inc., an Ann Arbor, MI-based company that develops and manufactures personal flow cytometers for researchers.

10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2014: ViewPoint Financial Group Inc.(VPFG)

ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc. operates as the holding company for ViewPoint Bank, which provides financial services for consumers and businesses. Its deposit products include checking, savings, money market, demand accounts, and certificates of deposit. The company?s loan portfolio comprises real estate loans, such as one-to four-family, commercial construction, and home equity loans, as well as commercial real estate loans for office buildings, retail centers, light industrial facilities, warehouses, and multifamily properties; consumer loans, including new and used automobile loans, recreational vehicle loans, loans secured by savings deposits, and unsecured consumer loans; and commercial non-mortgage loans, including loans to finance business working capital, commercial vehicles, and equipment, as well as lines of credit. It also offers brokerage services for the purchase and sale of non-deposit investment and insurance products through a third party brokerage arrang ement. As of March 31, 2011, the company operated 23 community bank offices in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and 13 loan production offices located in Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio. ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas.

Top 5 Dow Dividend Companies To Invest In Right Now

This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, our headlines include upgrades for both J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP  ) and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA  ) . But the news isn't all good, so before we get to those two, let's take a quick look at why...

ValueClick got toggled off
Google's�mini-rival in the market for online ads, ValueClick (NASDAQ: VCLK  ) , beat earnings by a couple of cents in yesterday's earnings report. Unfortunately, this good news isn't translating into good grades on Wall Street, as a whole series of analysts cut their ratings on the stock to various flavors of "hold." Stephens and Cantor Fitzgerald, Craig-Hallum and Raymond James -- one and all, the analysts are downgrading ValueClick today -- but why?

Top 5 Dow Dividend Companies To Invest In Right Now: Britton & Koontz Capital Corporation(BKBK)

Britton & Koontz Capital Corporation operates as the holding company for Britton & Koontz Bank, National Association that provides commercial and consumer banking services in Adams and Warren Counties, Mississippi, and East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, as well as in the adjoining counties and parishes in Mississippi and Louisiana. The company offers various deposit products, including personal and commercial checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, non-interest bearing deposits, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; real estate construction, residential, and other loans; installment loans; consumer loans; and overdrafts. In addition, the company provides automated clearinghouse services; safe deposit box facilities; brokerage services; automated teller machines; cash management services, including remote deposit, money transfer, direct de posit payroll, and sweep accounts; VISA credit cards; and letters of credit. As of May 17, 2011, it operated three full service offices in Natchez, two in Vicksburg, Mississippi; three in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and a loan production office in Central, Louisiana. The company was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Natchez, Mississippi.

Top 5 Dow Dividend Companies To Invest In Right Now: Investors Title Company(ITIC)

Investors Title Company, through its subsidiaries, provides title insurance to residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial properties. It underwrites land title insurance for owners and mortgagees as a primary insurer; and offers the reinsurance of title insurance risks to other title insurance companies. The company also provides tax-deferred real property exchange services, as well as serves as an exchange accommodation titleholder and holds property for exchangers in reverse exchange transactions; offers investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks, and trusts; and provides consulting services to title insurance agencies. Investors Title Company serves various customers in the residential and commercial market sectors of the real estate industry. It issues title insurance policies primarily through approved attorneys from underwriting offices, as well as through independent issuing agents in 24 states and the District of Columbia, the United States. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Hot Financial Companies For 2014: Analytica Ltd(ALT.AX)

Analytica Limited focuses on the development and commercialization of a range of medical devices and pharmaceutical implants. It is developing Autostart burette, a solution to regular monitoring and refilling of burettes in intravenous fluid infusion; perineometer device to assist women and their clinicians in treatment of stress urinary incontinence; and Naltrexone implant for the treatment of drug and alcohol addictions. Analytica Limited is based in Eight Mile Plains, Australia.

Top 5 Dow Dividend Companies To Invest In Right Now: Caribou Coffee Company Inc.(CBOU)

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. owns and operates coffeehouses. The company offers premium coffee and espresso-based beverages, as well as specialty teas, handcrafted beverages, foods, coffee lifestyle items, branded merchandise, and related products. It also sells whole bean and ground coffee to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, office coffee providers, airlines, hotels, sports and entertainment venues, college campuses, and online customers. In addition, the company sells blended coffees and licenses its Caribou Coffee brand to Keurig, Inc. for sale and use in its K-Cup single serve line of business. Further, Caribou Coffee Company franchises its brand to partners to operate Caribou Coffee branded kiosks and coffeehouses, as well as sells Caribou Coffee branded products to partners for resale in these franchised locations. As of July 3, 2011, it operated 407 company-owned coffeehouses located in 16 states and the District of Columbia; and 147 franchised coffeehouses in th e United States and international markets. The company was founded in 1992 and is based in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Toby]

  In comparison to Starbucks, Caribou Coffee is but a blip on the radar screen in the coffee shop business. That said, the company is well established in its various markets, and its stores are doing brisk business. Like Starbucks, shares of Caribou are doing very well in 2011. The stock is up 41% year to date.

  That impressive performance has been fueled by growth in operating profits. The company has beaten analyst estimates in each of the last 2 quarters and shows no sign of slowing. Wall Street expects profits to grow by an impressive 24% from the current year to 2012.

  Shares trade for a premium valuation of 35 times earnings as investors rush to stocks that are working in this environment. Caribou’s future prospects are compelling, so that P/E ratio might not be a sign of disaster. With its core business stabilized, look for the company to go frontal in its competition with Starbucks and grow substantially.

• [By James K. Glassman]

  Bridgeway Ultra-Small Company is a superb fund (it has an annualized return of 13.4% over the past ten years) that is closed to new investors. But we can still poach ideas from its portfolio. One of the best is Caribou Coffee (CBOU), a Starbucks competitor (with a better product, in this coffee drinker's opinion) whose sales have held up well. Analysts, on average, forecast that the company, which has nearly 500 stores, will boost its earnings by 30% in 2011. And the company has no debt.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  One stock in the restaurant complex that has started to break out is Caribou Coffee(CBOU_). This company is engaged in operating coffeehouse in the U.S. The stock is off to a hot start in 2011, with shares up by over 35%.

  If you look at the chart for Caribou Coffee, you'll notice that this stock was hammered by the sellers from its August high of $17.40 to a recent low of $10.32 a share. Since marking that low, the stock has spiked big and now trades at just over $14 a share. What's even more noteworthy is that now the stock is starting to break out above some past overhead resistance at around $13.50 and above its 50-day moving average of $13.32 a share. This should easily set the stock up to make a run at its next significant r esistance level of $15 a share, or possibly much higher.

  If you're bullish on this stock, you could simply get long on off any noticeable weakness. I would place a stop just below $13.50 a share in case this breakout fails. I would add to this position only if the stock takes out $15 a share with heavy volume. Look for volume that's tracking in close to or above its three-month average action of 672,400 shares.

  This stock has a decent short interest -- around 6% of the tradable float is currently sold short by the bears. Caribou only has 18.35 million shares in its float, so this breakout could easily spark a massive short squeeze in the coming days or weeks. Keep this name on your trading radar.

  Caribou is one of TheStreet Ratings' top-rated restaurant and hotel stocks.

Top 5 Dow Dividend Companies To Invest In Right Now: Ansell Capital Corp (ACP.V)

Ansell Capital Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It primarily explores for gold, silver, copper, and other metals. The company holds interests in the Kuyakuz Mountain project located in British Columbia, Canada; and the Charlotte property located in the Yukon Territory, Canada. It also holds an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Dal, the Discovery Creek, and the Etzel properties located in the Yukon Territory, Canada. Ansell Capital Corp. was incorporated in 2006 and is based in West Vancouver, Canada.

The Dawn of the Dow and the Rise of the Middle East

On this day in economic and business history ...

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) was first published on May 26, 1896. Charles Dow, working in partnership with Edward Jones and Charles Bergstresser, was a pioneering financial journalist who began creating stock indexes (primarily composed of railroad companies) in 1884 to flesh out his daily news bulletins. These quick briefs would be hand-delivered to traders on the New York exchange floor throughout the day and would later be aggregated into a close-of-business news recap called the "Customer's Afternoon Letter" -- the progenitor of The Wall Street Journal, which was originally only four pages long and cost its stock-loving readers a mere two cents.

Charles Dow's early forays into stock indexing coincided with a massive boom in railroad investments, an echo of the explosion of railroad companies that followed the construction and completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. However, a massive financial panic struck in 1893, crushing many railroads and causing a multiyear recession. Three years later, Dow created his first "Industrial Average," which contained only one railroad company -- and this company was actually a diversified materials enterprise as well. The Dow Jones Industrials became a symbol of American business durability while also showing the ability to adapt when necessary.

Few of the Dow's first 12 components (read more about them by clicking on the link) remained on the index for very long, but one -- General Electric (NYSE: GE  ) -- proved too important to the American economy to keep out. GE left the Dow in 1898 but would return in 1907, and it has been an important part of the Dow ever since.

OPEC's origins
Early in the morning on May 26, 1908, an oil well drilling more than 1,000 feet beneath the sands of Persia (now Iran) at Masjid-i-Suleiman struck oil, and a gusher shot up 75 feet into the sky. It was the first successful oil well drilled in the Middle East, and its discovery would change the region and the world.

The well was the first success in a seven-year partnership between financier William D'Arcy and oil explorer George Reynolds, who had searched Persia fruitlessly since the former had obtained a drilling license in 1901. The situation was dire in 1908 -- Masjid-i-Suleiman was quite literally D'Arcy's last chance. Wired tells the tale of the discovery in greater detail:

The site was so remote that it took five days before D'Arcy got word by telegram in England. "If this is true," he replied, "all our troubles are over." It was indeed true, and more wells hit oil elsewhere in Persia, including a huge one in September.

D'Arcy and Burmah reorganized their holdings in 1909 as the Anglo-Persian Oil Co. (which became the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. in 1935, British Petroleum in 1954, and BP (NYSE: BP  ) in 2000). Its initial public offering of stock shares sold out in 30 minutes in London. People stood five deep around the tellers' cages to buy shares in Glasgow. The race for oil accelerated throughout the Middle East.

BP retained a major presence in Iran until 1951, by which point the value of Iranian oil reserves was beyond doubt. Other oil discoveries took place in the years that followed the gusher at Masjid-i-Suleiman, after the close of World War I. British drillers struck oil in Iraq, near Mosul, in 1927, and Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) , then operating as Standard Oil of California, tapped Saudi Arabian oil in 1938, on the eve of World War II. Other discoveries made around the time of the first Saudi gusher established a number of smaller Middle Eastern nations as legitimate major oil producers as well.

Today, the Middle East produces roughly 30% of the world's total oil output, with Iran responsible for roughly 5% of the global total. That's more than 26 million barrels of oil every day, as it's been for years. Billions upon billions of barrels have flowed out of the rock and sand of the Middle East, and it all began on that fateful morning in 1908, when Reynolds and D'Arcy uncovered something so much larger than they could have ever imagined.

If you're on the lookout for some currently intriguing energy plays, check out The Motley Fool's "3 Stocks for $100 Oil." For free access to this special report, simply click here now.

Top 5 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now

LONDON --�BAE Systems� (LSE: BA  ) (NASDAQOTH: BAESY  ) �is a leading member of the consortium building the Royal Navy's next aircraft carrier at Rosyth dockyard.

The shares appear to be a better value than the average FTSE 100 share on both price-to-earnings (P/E) and dividend measures. Last year's earnings per share (EPS) came in at 30.0 pence, and the dividend was increased by 3.7% to 19.5 pence -- equal to a historic P/E and yield of 12.7, and 5.1%. That's better than the average FTSE 100 P/E of 17.1 and historic yield of just 2.9%.

Significant earnings growth is expected this year, and the dividend will likely show a similar increase. This puts the shares today on a 2013 P/E of 9.1, with an expected dividend yield of 5.3%.

BT Group
Telecoms provider�BT Group� (LSE: BT-A  ) (NYSE: BT  ) caused a stir this week on two fronts. On Thursday, BT announced that it would be taking on�Sky�by offering free Premier League football. This was followed by today's final results that revealed an 11% increase in pre-tax profits and a 14% dividend hike.

Top 5 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

Schlumberger Limited, together with its subsidiaries, supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide. The company?s Oilfield Services segment provides exploration and production services; wireline technology that offers open-hole and cased-hole services; supplies engineering support, directional-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, and logging-while-drilling services; and testing services. This segment also offers well services; supplies well completion services and equipment; artificial lift; data and consulting services; geo services; and information solutions, such as consulting, software, information management system, and IT infrastructure services that support oil and gas industry. Its WesternGeco segment provides reservoir imaging, monitoring, and development services; and operates data processing centers and multiclient seismic library. This segment also offers variou s services include 3D and time-lapse (4D) seismic surveys to multi-component surveys for delineating prospects and reservoir management. The company?s M-I SWACO segment supplies drilling fluid systems to improve drilling performance; fluid systems and specialty tools to optimize wellbore productivity; production technology solutions to maximize production rates; and environmental solutions that manages waste volumes generated in drilling and production operations. Its Smith Oilfield segment designs, manufactures, and markets drill bits and borehole enlargement tools; and supplies drilling tools and services, tubular, completion services, and other related downhole solutions. The company?s Distribution segment markets pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as mill, safety, and other maintenance products. This segment also provides warehouse management, vendor integration, and inventory management services. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Stoffel]

  This company has been a pick of both Jordan DiPietro and Bryan White. And both analysts have pointed to the company's opportunity for oil exploration abroad -- which is where much of the demand will soon be coming from as well.

  Bryan points out that three-fourths of the company's revenue comes from abroad, with "Brazil, the Middle East, and Africa [as] key regions where activity is expected to be robust and growing."

  Jordan adds, "[Schlumberger] has an important presence in high-growth regions of the world such as Iraq, Mexico, and Russia, and has the competitive advantage to be able to offer full services, from managing entire oil fields to drilling wells."

• [By Michael]

  Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB): Cramer also had more than $100,000 invested in SLB. As of Feb. 15, his charitable trust owns 1,300 shares for a total of about $100,724. SLB is also quite popular among hedge funds. At the end of last September, there were 42 hedge funds with SLB positions in their 13F portfolios. Ken Fisher was the most bullish hedge fund manager about SLB -- Fisher Asset Management had nearly $500 million invested in SLB at the end of the third quarter. Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies also invested nearly $200 million in this stock.

  Schlumberger has reasonable debt levels, growing net income and revenue, and healthy cash flow from operations. It is relatively expensive compared with its competitors though. SLB has a forward P/E ratio of 13.6. Its expected annual EPS growth rate is 21.82% on the average for the next five years, which means that its P/E ratio for 2014 will be around 9.2. This is quite low compared with the market, but not so versus its peers.

• [By Robert Holmes]

   Schlumberger has the most potential upside of any stock in this group of 50 that also makes the firm's Best Ideas list. Analyst Ole Slorer says Schlumberger has "what we consider the most advanced technology portfolio in the industry."

  "Its fundamentals are impressive, with what we think are some of the best field personnel, a pristine service and performance reputation, and leading market share in most of its product lines," Slorer writes.

  Though Slorer's price target is 42% above current levels, his most bullish scenario for Schlumberger over the next year would see shares climb a whopping 116%. On the downside, his most bearish scenario for the company would see shares slide 38% over the next 12 months.

• [By Dug]

  Schlumberger(SLB) continues to lead the sector, particularly outside the U.S. in the growing markets for vertical drilling. Schlumberger remains my favorite. Another smaller company to look at with growing work in complex procedures is Helmerich & Payne(HP).

Top 5 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Caterpillar (CAT) is staging a textbook breakout in May. Shares of heavy equipment maker haven't exactly been kind to investors year-to-date; CAT has barely broken even during a time when the broad market has been in a historic rally. But a textbook breakout should change that.

  CAT started forming an inverse head and shoulders pattern back in early April. The inverse head and shoulders is formed by two swing lows that bottom out around the same level (the shoulders), separated by a lower low called the head; the buy signal comes on the breakout above the pattern's "neckline" level, which was just below $86 for CAT. That puts this stock's upside target right around $92.

  Even though CAT has nearly hit its upside target already (the post-breakout buying has been very quick), the longer-term implication for investors is a break of the downtrend that had been haranguing shares this year. Now, with that downtrend broken, CAT should have more room to move higher. I'd just expect some consolidation first.

Hot Airline Stocks For 2014: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

Dollar Tree, Inc. operates discount variety stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores offer merchandise primarily at the fixed price of $1.00. The company operates its stores under the names of Dollar Tree, Deal$, Dollar Tree Deal$, Dollar Giant, and Dollar Bills. Its stores offer consumable merchandise, including candy and food, and health and beauty care, as well as household consumables, such as paper, plastics, household chemicals, in select stores, and frozen and refrigerated food; variety merchandise, which includes toys, durable housewares, gifts, party goods, greeting cards, softlines, and other items; and seasonal goods, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas merchandise. As of April 30, 2011, it operated 4,089 stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 88 stores in Canada. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sam Collins]

  Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) is a leading operator of discount variety stores. The stock has hugged its 50-day moving average since mid-February. But a recent minor revision of earnings for this year by several analysts and the recent market sell-off have resulted in a fall from its high of the year at over $70 to under $66. However, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) increased its price target to $73 from $69.

  Technically DLTR is oversold, according to MACD. A break below its 50-day moving average could result in a pullback to $64, but positions could be taken at the current market price. The trading target for DLTR is $72.

Top 5 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

Tupperware Brands Corporation operates as a direct seller of various products across a range of brands and categories through an independent sales force. The company engages in the manufacture and sale of kitchen and home products, and beauty and personal care products. It offers preparation, storage, and serving solutions for the kitchen and home, as well as kitchen cookware and tools, children?s educational toys, microwave products, and gifts under the Tupperware brand name primarily in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and North America. The company provides beauty and personal care products, which include skin care products, cosmetics, bath and body care, toiletries, fragrances, nutritional products, apparel, and related products principally in Mexico, South Africa, the Philippines, Australia, and Uruguay. It offers beauty and personal care products under the Armand Dupree, Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo, and Swissgar de brand names. The company sells its Tupperware products directly to distributors, directors, managers, and dealers; and beauty products primarily through consultants and directors. As of December 26, 2009, the Tupperware distribution system had approximately 1,800 distributors, 61,300 managers, and 1.3 million dealers; and the sales force representing the Beauty businesses approximately 1.1 million. The company was formerly known as Tupperware Corporation and changed its name to Tupperware Brands Corporation in December 2005. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sam Collins]

  Household name Tupperware Brands Corp. (NYSE:TUP) is a global direct seller of products with multiple brands through an independent sales force of 2.4 million people. Its product line focuses on kitchen storage and serving solutions, as well as personal-care products. Over 60% of sales in 2011 are expected to come from Europe and Asia, and the stock has appeal as an emerging markets story.

  S&P estimates that 2011 earnings will increase to $4.54 versus $3.53 in 2010, and it increased its rating to a “five-star strong buy” with a recently revised 12-month target of $81, up from $73. The 2005 purchase of Sara Lee’s (NYSE:SLE) direct-sales business, which has a high growth rate, should be a long-term benefit. TUP’s annual dividend yield is 1.92%.

  Technically TUP had a pullback following a new high at over $70 and is currently oversold. Buy TUP at the current market price with a trading target of $70, but longer term a much higher target will likely be attained.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014

Some folks believe if a fast-growing company pays out a dividend, it will signal to investors that the stock is no longer a growth stock, and it will lose its growth premium. Arguably, however, some fast-growing companies simply generate too much cash to hoard it all -- companies like Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) .

What should Google do with its idle cash? Fool contributor Daniel Sparks thinks Google should return some of it to shareholders. He explains that some businesses simply deserve a premium valuation because they are excellent businesses. Additionally, he gives investors three concrete reasons why Google should pay a dividend.

As one of the most dominant Internet companies ever, Google has made a habit of driving strong returns for its shareholders. However, like many other web companies, it's also struggling to adapt to an increasingly mobile world. Despite gaining an enviable lead with its Android operating system, the market isn't sold. That's why it's more important than ever to understand each piece of Google's sprawling empire. In The Motley Fool's new premium research report on Google, we break down the risks and potential rewards for Google investors. Simply click here now to unlock your copy of this invaluable resource.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.(BWLD)

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. engages in the ownership, operation, and franchise of restaurants in the United States. The company provides quick casual and casual dining services, as well as serves bottled beers, wines, and liquor. As of July 26, 2011, it had 773 Buffalo Wild Wings locations in 45 states in the United States, as well as in Canada. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Fabian]  

  While Chipotle has captured most of the attention among the restaurant stocks, Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD: 56.62 0.00%) could be 2011’s big winner. Wall Street is expecting 19% earnings growth from Buffalo Wild Wings in 2011 which is only slightly lower than Chipotle’s 20% growth rate. However, BWLD trades at only 18x consensus 2011 estimates while CMG trades at a pricey 40x. On an EBITDA basis, Chipotle trades at over 20x, while Buffalo Wild Wings trades at less than 9x.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Thoratec Corporation(THOR)

Thoratec Corporation engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of proprietary medical devices used for circulatory support. The company?s primary product lines include ventricular assist devices, such as HeartMate II, an implantable left ventricular assist device consisting of a rotary blood pump to provide intermediate and long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS); and HeartMate XVE, an implantable and pulsatile left ventricular assist device for intermediate and longer-term MCS. Its ventricular assist devices also comprise Paracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device, an external pulsatile ventricular assist device, which provides left, right, and biventricular MCS approved for bridge-to-transplantation (BTT), including home discharge, and post-cardiotomy myocardial recovery; and Implantable Ventricular Assist Device, an implantable and pulsatile ventricular assist device designed to provide left, right, and biventricular MCS approved for BTT comprising hom e discharge, and post-cardiotomy myocardial recovery. The company also provides CentriMag, an extracorporeal full-flow acute surgical support platform that offers support up to 30 days for cardiac and respiratory failure. In addition, it offers PediMag and PediVAS extracorporeal full-flow acute surgical support platforms designed to provide acute surgical support to pediatric patients. The company sells its products through direct sales force in the United States, as well as through a network of distributors internationally. Thoratec Corporation was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By McWillams]

  Wall Street is expecting Thoratec’s (THOR: 30.70 0.00%) growth rate to accelerate to 15% next year with earnings growth of over 20%. That type of growth has Wall Street analysts bullish on the medical device stock. The stock has a consensus price target of $38 and some analysts think THOR could go to $50.

Best Semiconductor Stocks For 2014: Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc.(EIHI)

Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides workers compensation insurance and reinsurance products in the United States. The company?s Workers Compensation Insurance segment provides traditional workers compensation insurance coverage products, including guaranteed cost policies, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively-rated policies, deductible policies, and alternative market products to employers. This segment distributes its workers? compensation products and services through its independent insurance agents primarily in Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, Maryland, Indiana, and Virginia. Its Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment offers alternative market workers compensation solutions comprising program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, segregated portfolio cell rental, asset management, and segregated portfolio management services to individual companies, groups, and associations. Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Sara Lee Corporation(SLE)

Sara Lee Corporation engages in the manufacture and marketing of a range of branded packaged meat, bakery, and beverage products worldwide. Its packaged meat products include hot dogs and corn dogs, breakfast sausages, sandwiches and bowls, smoked and dinner sausages, premium deli and luncheon meats, bacon, beef, turkey, and cooked ham. It also offers frozen baked products, which comprise frozen pies, cakes, cheesecakes, pastries, and other desserts. In addition, Sara Lee provides roast, ground, and liquid coffee; cappuccinos; lattes; and hot and iced teas, as well as refrigerated dough products. The company sells its products under Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee, State Fair, Douwe Egberts, Senseo, Maison du Caf Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Carlson]

  Director of Sara Lee Corp., James S Crown, bought 37,500 shares on 9/12/2011 at an average price of $17.5. Sara Lee Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. Sara Lee Corp. has a market cap of $10.24 billion; its shares were traded at around $17.5 with a P/E ratio of 19.9 and P/S ratio of 1.2. The dividend yield of Sara Lee Corp. stocks is 2.7%.
  
  On August 11, Sara Lee Corp. reported earnings for the fourth quarter 2011. The fourth quarter included an 8% increase in adjusted net sales from continuing operations to $2.3 billion; 9% reported net sales increase, 40% increase in adjusted operating income to $189 million; and reported operating income increase of 19%.
  
  Last week, Director James S Crown bought 37,500 shares of SLE stock. Executive Chairman Jan Bennink bought 58,400 shares in August.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Waste Management Inc.(WM)

Waste Management, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides waste management services to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in North America. It offers collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services. The company also owns, develops, and operates waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. Its collection services involves in picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility, or disposal site; and recycling operations include collection and materials processing, plastics materials recycling, and commodities recycling. In addition, it provides recycling brokerage, which includes managing the marketing of recyclable materials for third parties; and electronic recycling services, such as collection, sorting, and disassembling of discarded computers, communications equipment, and other electronic equipment. Further, the company e ngages in renting and servicing portable restroom facilities to municipalities and commercial customers under the Port-o-Let name; and involves in landfill gas-to-energy operations comprising recovering and processing the methane gas produced naturally by landfills into a renewable energy source, as well as provides street and parking lot sweeping services. Additionally, it offers portable self-storage, fluorescent lamp recycling, and medical waste services for healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and individuals, as well as provides services on behalf of third parties to construct waste facilities. The company was formerly known as USA Waste Services, Inc. and changed its name to Waste Management, Inc. in 1998. Waste Management, Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sam Collins]

  Houston-based Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM) is the largest trash hauling/disposal company in the United States. This company is a model for steady growth with earnings increasing steadily over many years.?

  S&P has a “four-star buy” on WM with a 12-month target of $42. WM pays an annual dividend of $1.36 for a yield of 3.7%.?

  Technically, the stock is in a powerful bull channel with support at $36 and resistance at $39. Buy WM as a long-term growth opportunity.

• [By Tom Konrad]

  The only household name in this year's list, Waste Management is coming back for an encore performance in 2013.  WM is the North American leader in recycling and renewable biogas among waste and environmental services companies.  The industry has been in a cyclical downturn, and WM's well-covered 4.2% dividend makes it a solid anchor for this portfolio of small and micro-cap clean energy stocks.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Intuitive Surgical Inc.(ISRG)

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets da Vinci surgical systems for various surgical procedures, including urologic, gynecologic, cardiothoracic, general, and head and neck surgeries. Its da Vinci surgical system consists of a surgeon?s console or consoles, a patient-side cart, a 3-D vision system, and proprietary ?wristed? instruments. The company?s da Vinci surgical system translates the surgeon?s natural hand movements on instrument controls at the console into corresponding micro-movements of instruments positioned inside the patient through small puncture incisions, or ports. It also manufactures a range of EndoWrist instruments, which incorporate wrist joints for natural dexterity for various surgical procedures. Its EndoWrist instruments consist of forceps, scissors, electrocautery, scalpels, and other surgical tools. In addition, it sells various vision and accessory products for use in conjunction with the da Vinci Surgical System as surgical procedures are performed. The company?s accessory products include sterile drapes used to ensure a sterile field during surgery; vision products, such as replacement 3-D stereo endoscopes, camera heads, light guides, and other items. It markets its products through sales representatives in the United States, and through sales representatives and distributors in international markets. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jim Lowell]

  Intuitive Surgical (ISRG: 329.49 0.00%) is an expensive stock and their stock price is currently well below the $400 level that it flirted with in April. However, the stock is a compelling growth story with revenues and earnings expected to climb 19% in 2011. The company faces little competitive pressure and 2011 is likely the year that consumers opt for procedures that they delayed in 2009-10. That could produce some blowout earnings results for ISRG in 2011.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Checkpoint Systms Inc.(CKP)

Checkpoint Systems, Inc. manufactures and markets identification, tracking, security, and merchandising solutions for the retail and apparel industry worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Shrink Management Solutions, Apparel Labeling Solutions, and Retail Merchandising Solutions. The Shrink Management Solutions segment provides shrink management and merchandise visibility solutions. It offers electronic article surveillance systems, such as EVOLVE, a suite of RF and RFID-enabled products that act as a deterrent to prevent merchandise theft in retail stores; and electronic article surveillance consumables, including EAS-RF and EAS-EM labels that work in combination with EAS systems to reduce merchandise theft in retail stores. This segment also provides keepers, spider wraps, bottle security, and hard tags, as well as Showsafe, a line alarm system for protecting display merchandise. In addition, it offers physical and electronic store monitoring solutions, incl uding fire alarms, intrusion alarms, and digital video recording systems for retail environments; and RFID tags and labels. The Apparel Labeling Solutions segment provides apparel labeling solutions to apparel retailers, brand owners, and manufacturers. It has Web-enabled apparel labeling solutions platform and network of 28 service bureaus located in 22 countries that supplies customers with customized apparel tags and labels. The Retail Merchandising Solutions segment offers hand-held label applicators and tags, promotional displays, and queuing systems. The company serves retailers in the supermarket, drug store, hypermarket, and mass merchandiser markets through direct distribution and reseller channels. Checkpoint Systems was founded in 1969 and is based in Thorofare, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael]

  OK, so Checkpoint (CKP: 13.80 0.00%) probably isn’t going to see its stock price double in 2011. However, the stock gained 35% in 2010 with earnings expected to climb 13%. Next year, Wall Street sees earnings growth accelerating to 25%. Despite the impressive growth rate, the stock trades at only 16x next year’s earnings estimates and analysts have a $25 price target for CKP.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: MEDIFAST INC(MED)

Medifast, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of weight management and disease management products, and other consumable health and diet products in the United States. The company?s product lines include weight and disease management, meal replacement, and vitamins. It also operates weight control centers that offer Medifast programs for weight loss and maintenance, customized patient counseling, and inbody composition analysis. The company markets its products under the Medifast and Essential brand names, including shakes, appetite suppression shakes, women?s health shakes, diabetics shakes, joint health shakes, coronary health shakes, calorie burn drinks, calorie burn flavor infusers, antioxidant shakes, antioxidant flavor infusers, bars, crunch bars, soups, chili, oatmeal, pudding, scrambled eggs, hot cocoa, cappuccino, chai latte, iced teas, fruit drinks, pretzels, puffs, brownie, pancakes, soy crisps, crackers, and omega 3 and digestive health products. Medifast Inc. sells its products through various channels of distribution comprising Web, call center, independent health advisors, medical professionals, weight loss clinics, and direct consumer marketing supported via the phone and the Web; Take Shape for Life, a physician led network of independent health coaches; and weight control centers. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mark]

  Revenues are expected to grow 27% next year and yet MEDIFAST (MED: 15.68 0.00%) trades at only 16x consensus 2011 earnings. The company continues to gain market share in the competitive weight management sector and provides investors with the double benefit of both a growth stock and a potential acquisition target.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Crocs Inc.(CROX)

Crocs, Inc. and its subsidiaries engage in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and children. The company primarily offers casual and athletic shoes, and shoe charms. It also designs and sells a range of footwear and accessories that utilize its proprietary closed cell-resin, called Croslite. The company?s footwear products include boots, sandals, sneakers, mules, and flats. In addition, it provides footwear products for the hospital, restaurant, hotel, and hospitality markets, as well as general foot care and diabetic-needs markets. Further, the company offers leather and ethylene vinyl acetate based footwear, sandals, and printed apparels principally for the beach, adventure, and action sports markets; and accessories comprising snap-on charms. The company sells its products through the United States and international retailers and distributors, as well as directly to end-user consumers th rough its company-operated retail stores, outlets, kiosks, and Web stores primarily under the Crocs Work, Crocs Rx, Jibbitz, Ocean Minded, and YOU by Crocs brand names. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 164 retail kiosks located in malls and other high foot traffic areas; 138 retail stores; 76 outlet stores; and 46 Web stores. Crocs, Inc. operates in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company was formerly known as Western Brands, LLC and changed its name to Crocs, Inc. in January 2005. Crocs, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Niwot, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul]  

  They’re back! Two years ago everyone was convinced that Crocs (CROX: 23.33 0.00%) was just a fad, but their stock price exploded in 2010 gaining 206%. Revenues are expected to climb 20% this year and analysts are looking for 27% earnings growth in 2011. That type of growth could make Crocs a hot item again in 2011, especially if they can continue to top Wall Street’s estimates each quarter.

Top 10 Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Nordstrom Inc.(JWN)

Nordstrom, Inc., a fashion specialty retailer, offers apparel, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories for women, men, and children in the United States. It offers a selection of brand name and private label merchandise. The company sells its products through various channels, including Nordstrom full-line stores, off-price Nordstrom Rack stores, Jeffrey? boutiques, treasure & bond, and Last Chance clearance stores; and its online store, nordstrom.com, as well as through catalog. Nordstrom also provides a private label card, two Nordstrom VISA credit cards, and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases. The company?s credit and debit cards feature a shopping-based loyalty program. As of September 30, 2011, it operated 222 stores, including 117 full-line stores, 101 Nordstrom Racks, 2 Jeffrey boutiques, 1 treasure & bond store, and 1 clearance store in 30 states. The company was founded in 1901 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Kevin1977]

  Director of Nordstrom Inc., Felicia D Thornton, bought 1,140 shares on 9/09/2011 at an average price of $47.89. Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's fashion specialty retailers, with stores located in a number of states, including full-line stores, Nordstrom Racks, Faconnable boutiques, and free-standing shoe stores. Nordstrom Inc. has a market cap of $10.44 billion; its shares were traded at around $47.89 with a P/E ratio of 15.7 and P/S ratio of 1.1. The dividend yield of Nordstrom Inc. stocks is 2% Nordstrom Inc. had an annual average earnings growth of 27.3% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Nordstrom Inc. the business predictability rank of 3.5-star.
  
  On August 11, Nordstrom Inc. reported net earnings of $175 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended July 30, 2011. This represented an increase of 20 percent compared with net earnings of $146 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, for the same quarter last year.Second quarter same-store sales increased 7.3 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2010. Net sales in the second quarter were $2.72 billion, an increase of 12.4 percent compared with net sales of $2.42 billion during the same period in fiscal 2010.
  
  Last week, Director Felicia D Thornton bought 1,140 shares of JWN stock.
  
  Executive Vice President Ken Worzel and Director Philip G Satre bought shares in August.

German Banks Fall as Slowdown Fears Intensify

Top Up And Coming Stocks To Buy For 2014

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) and the narrower, price-weighted Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) just recorded their best weekly performances of the year. The S&P 500 is now up 11.4% on the year.

Not surprisingly, then, the VIX (VOLATILITYINDICES: ^VIX  ) , Wall Street's fear gauge, plumbed its lowest level since March 15 on Friday, even dipping below 12 on an intraday basis. (The VIX is calculated from S&P 500 option prices and reflects investor expectations for stock market volatility over the coming 30 days.)

The earnings drum is beating
As I've argued several times in this column, the rally that began off last year's June low is being driven by valuation, rather than earnings, with the market willing to pay a higher multiple for a dollar of earnings, as investor risk aversion continues to dissipate. There are good reasons for this -- to a certain extent -- as fears of global macro dislocations have receded. However, I think it's worth sounding a few words of caution.

Top Up And Coming Stocks To Buy For 2014: (DYMTF)

Dynamotive Energy Systems Corporation engages in the development and commercialization of energy solutions for biomass-to-liquid fuel conversion based on its fast pyrolysis technology. The company?s fast pyrolysis technology uses biomass or biomass waste feedstock to produce BioOil as a fuel and char. BioOil is a renewable fuel, which could be replaced with natural gas, diesel, and other fossil fuels to produce power, mechanical energy, and heat in industrial boilers, fuel gas turbines, and fuel reciprocating engines. The company has a strategic alliance with Tecna S.A. of Argentina to develop commercial energy systems based on Dynamotive?s pyrolysis technology in Latin America and other markets on a non-exclusive basis. It has operations in Canada, the United States, Argentina, and the United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as Dynamotive Technologies Corporation and changed its name to Dynamotive Energy Systems Corporation in June 2001. The company was founded i n 1991 and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul]

  Although Dynamotive Energy Systems stock has lost value in 2012, so did a lot of green biotech and biofuel companies, and it has held its own since September, hovering around the $0.25 mark. The bio-oil company continues to grow and signed a new agreement, for project development in China, on December 1, 2012, generating a burst of excitement and growth for DYMTF shares.

Top Up And Coming Stocks To Buy For 2014: Penns Woods Bancorp Inc.(PWOD)

Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Jersey Shore State Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services to individuals, partnerships, non-profit organizations, and corporations in Pennsylvania. It accepts various time, demand, and savings deposits, including Super NOW accounts, statement savings accounts, money market accounts, fixed rate certificates of deposit, club accounts, checking accounts, and individual retirement accounts. The company also offers loan products, such as secured and unsecured business and consumer loans that include financing commercial transactions, as well as construction and residential mortgage loans, and revolving credit loans with overdraft protection. Its loan products comprise agricultural loans; commercial loans; real estate loans, including construction and land development, farmland, one-to-four family residential, multi-family, and commercial or industrial loans; and consumer loan products consisting of second mortgages, automobile financing, small loan requests, overdraft check lines, and PHEAA referral loans. In addition, the company provides insurance, securities brokerage, financial planning, safe deposit, automated teller machine, Internet, and telephone banking services, as well as annuity and mutual fund investment products. Penns Woods Bancorp operates 12 branch offices in Lycoming, Clinton, and Centre counties in Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1934 and is based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

5 Best Freight Stocks To Own Right Now: Ass Br Engineering(ASBE.L)

Associated British Engineering plc, through its subsidiary, British Polar Engines Limited, engages in diesel and related engineering activities in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company involves in the manufacture and supply of diesel engines and spare parts. It also provides repair works for diesel engines. The company is based in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.

Top Up And Coming Stocks To Buy For 2014: Tidewater Inc.(TDW)

Tidewater Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides offshore service vessels and marine support services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of a fleet of marine service vessels. It provides services in support of offshore exploration, field development, and production, including towing of and anchor handling for mobile offshore drilling units; transporting supplies and personnel necessary to sustain drilling, workover, and production activities; offshore construction and seismic support; and various specialized services, such as pipe and cable laying. The company?s vessels include platform supply vessels, and anchor handling towing supply vessels that are used in transporting supplies and equipment from shore bases to deepwater and intermediate water depth offshore drilling rigs, platforms, and other installations; towing-supply and supply vessels used in intermediate and shallow waters; and crewboats and utility vessels that are chartered for transporti ng personnel and supplies from shore bases to offshore drilling rigs, platforms, and other installations. It also operates offshore tugs used for towing floating drilling rigs; assisting in the docking of tankers; towing barges; assisting in pipe laying, cable laying, and construction barges; and commercial towing operations, including towing barges carrying various bulk cargoes and containerized cargo. In addition, the company operates inshore tugs; production, line-handling, and various other special purpose vessels. Further, it operates two shipyards, which construct, modify, and repair vessels. As of March 31, 2011, the company had 378 vessels serving the global offshore energy industry. The company has operations in the United States, Gulf of Mexico, the Persian/Arabian Gulf, and areas offshore Australia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Trinidad, Venezuela, and West Africa. Tidewater Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisi ana.

Best Information Technology Stocks To Own For 2014

In 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which included approximately $19 billion in funding over a 10-year period for health information technology.

Founded in 1979, Computer Programs and Systems (CPSI) is a leading provider of healthcare information solutions for community hospitals with over 650 client hospitals in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

In addition, Medicare and Medicaid incentives encourage doctors, hospitals and other providers to use information technology to electronically maintain and exchange patients��health information through the development of health information exchanges and the adoption of electronic health records.

Best Information Technology Stocks To Own For 2014: Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Inc.(SOMX)

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on the in-licensing, development, and commercialization of proprietary branded products and late-stage product candidates for the treatment medical conditions in the central nervous system therapeutic area. Its product includes Silenor for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors in the United States. Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Best Information Technology Stocks To Own For 2014: Phos (FOS.TO)

PhosCan Chemical Corp., a development stage company, engages in acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral and natural resource properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Martison Phosphate project consisting of phosphate deposits located in north of Hearst, Ontario. The company was formerly known as MCK Mining Corp. and changed its name to PhosCan Chemical Corp. in July 2006. PhosCan Chemical Corp. was founded in 1994 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Top 10 Services Companies For 2014: Vrx Worldwide Inc (VRW.V)

VRX Worldwide Inc., through its subsidiary VRX Studios Inc., provides content production, management, hosting, and licensing services for the online travel industry. It licenses Destination Content, a tool that helps consumers in comparing various destinations to determine their vacation desires; Hotel Content, which addresses the content demands of online travel agencies, as well as those of individual hotels and hotel chains; and Cruise Content that includes interactive maps of participating cruise line's ships along with virtual tours and still images of the staterooms and amenities available. The company also provides custom content solutions. It serves online travel intermediaries, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, and tourism boards. The company was formerly known as Cambridge Ventures Ltd. and changed its name to VRX Worldwide Inc. in December 2000. VRX Worldwide Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Websense Agrees to $24.75-a-Share Acquisition

Websense (NASDAQ: WBSN  ) has agreed to be acquired by private equity investment firm Vista Equity Partners in a deal that values the company at $902.88 million, Websense announced today.

The deal offers Websense shareholders $24.75 per share, a 28.7% premium above Websense's May 17 closing price of $19.23. Based on the shares outstanding, the transaction values Websense at $902.88 million.

Vista Equity Partners specializes in companies focused on software, data, and technology. Websense protects organizations from cyber attacks and data theft. Under terms of the arrangement, the existing executive management team of Websense is expected to retain their positions, and will remain in the company's San Diego headquarters.

Websense Cairman of the Board John Carrington said in a statement that Vista's offer "provides [Websense] stockholders with immediate and substantial cash value that reflects our assessment of the fair value of the company." Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert Smith added, "We are impressed with Websense's market-leading product suite and the compelling value proposition it offers to its customers."

The transaction is subject to closing conditions, and Websense expects it will close before the end of the third quarter 2013.

 

 

link

Ford's 2015 F-150 Will Be a Game-Changer

Ford Atlas concept. Source: Ford. 

If you told Detroit's Big Three they could dominate only one segment out of the entire U.S. market, they would choose the full-sized truck segment -- 100% guaranteed. That's where the money is. And that's what makes the next two years -- when the segment's market share could be up for grabs -- very interesting for Ford (NYSE: F  ) , General Motors (NYSE: GM  ) , and Chrysler.

Among those automakers, Ford's next generation F-150 is going to strike the right balance of fuel efficiency, design/innovation, and raw towing power. That's why I believe it will be a clear winner against its competition. Sorry to disappoint you loyal GM and Chrysler fans. Here's a quick breakdown of the details.

Fuel efficiency
All three companies are taking the recent fuel-efficiency trends to heart, and using them well. The Ram 1500 sports the best-in-class miles per gallon, while the Ford EcoBoost engine has won over the American public. GM is fighting with the argument that its trucks require the least cost to own over a lifetime.

The kicker there is that GM's new EcoTec V8 option for the 2014 Silverado will be getting only 1 more MPG than the current F-150. That can't even match this year's version of the Ram 1500. In contrast, Ford's next-generation F-150 is expected to use lighter materials to reduce enough weight that it could boost fuel efficiency by as much as 20%. That could be enough to reach CAFE standards out as far as 2025 -- an impressive leap ahead. 

Innovation
For 65 years, Ford's F-Series has been a continuous success story, and its model in 2015 will be no different. Its aggressive new look will draw you in as a consumer, and its interior and innovative features will seal the deal. Here's a glance at the interior and a couple of features to consider.

Ford Atlas concept. Source: Ford.

It offers a trailer backup assist to park a trailer like a pro. It has hidden cargo ramps and integrated tie-downs in the cargo box floor. Its tailgate step turns into a cradle to carry longer pieces of cargo. It has a high-power outlet in the cargo box to recharge tools. It includes lane-keeping and blind-spot information systems.

You get the idea. This truck is fully loaded. Click the link to get the rest of the 65 points of innovation.

Silverado vs F-150
The battle lines have been drawn between these two trucks competing for America's best-selling vehicle. GM does have a couple of advantages going for it. It has a one-year head start before the next-generation F-150 hits the road. In addition, GM is reintroducing two midsize trucks, essentially rebranded versions of the Canyon and Colorado, which could take away some F-150 consumers who no longer have a smaller option from Ford. 

Bottom line
Let's also keep in mind that the truck segment is extremely loyal and that Ford recently placed No. 1 in Polk Automotive research. I don't think those two advantages will be enough for GM, although they will make things competitive. GM is certainly going to need every second of that yearlong head start if it wants to get a leg up on Ford's next-generation truck.

I think the new F-150 will be a heck of a work truck -- it will look mean while doing it -- and its MPG will be improved enough that it could remain a viable daily vehicle. If Ford executes the finished product as I expect, it's going to be a game-changer and could drastically increase Ford's market share in the full-size truck segment.

The best investing approach is to choose great companies and stick with them for the long term. Ford has been that for me over the last few years, and I believe the great story will continue. The Motley Fool's free report "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich" names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy Right Now

Investors have always been interested in stocks that pay dividends, but lately, low interest rates on bonds and other fixed-income investments have made solid dividend payers even more valuable. Among the most promising dividend stocks in the market is McCormick (NYSE: MKC  ) , and one big reason is that it is one of the few exclusive companies to make the list of Dividend Aristocrats. In order to become a member of this elite group, a company must have raised its dividend payouts to shareholders every single year for at least a quarter-century. Only a few dozen stocks manage to make the cut, and those that do tend to stay there for a long time.

As the king of the spice industry, McCormick provides its well-known products both to consumers through grocery-retail channels and to the food business through its institutional sales. Both segments have been extremely lucrative for McCormick over the years, but will changing trends endanger the company's core business? Let's take a closer look at McCormick to see whether it can sustain its long streak of rewarding dividend payouts to investors.

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy Right Now: Ralcorp Holdings Inc.(RAH)

Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. engages in manufacturing, distributing, and marketing private-brand food products, ready-to-eat cereal products, and other regional and value-brand food products. Its products include ready-to-eat and hot cereals; nutritional and cereal bars; snack mixes, corn-based chips, and extruded corn snack products; crackers and cookies; snack nuts; chocolate candy; salad dressings; mayonnaise; peanut butter; jams and jellies; syrups; sauces; frozen griddle products, including pancakes, waffles, and French toast; frozen biscuits and other frozen pre-baked products, such as breads and rolls; frozen and refrigerated doughs; and dry pasta. The company offers its products under various brands, including Post, Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, Post Selects, Great Grains, Spoon Size, Grape-Nuts, Honeycomb, 3 Minute Brand, Ralston, Parco, Lofthouse, Krusteaz, Panne Provincio, Major Peters?, Medallion, Ry Krisp, Champagne, Monet, Rippin? Good, Hoody?s, Linette, JERO, Flavor House, Nutcracker, Pennsylvania Dutch, Heartland, Golden Grain, Anthony?s, Pasta Lensi, Ronco, and Mueller?s. It also develops, manufactures, and markets emulations of various types of branded food products to retailers, mass merchandisers, and drug stores to sell under their own store brands or under value-brands. Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. sells its products to retail chains, mass merchandisers, grocery wholesalers, warehouse club stores, drugstores, restaurant chains, and foodservice distributors in the United States, as well as in Canada, Europe, and southeast Asia. It offers its products through a broker network, internal sales staff, independent sales agency, a network of third party warehouses, and independent truck lines. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy Right Now: Nestle SA (NESN)

Nestle SA is a Swiss Company engaged in the nutrition, health and wellness sectors. It is the holding company of the Nestle Group, which comprises subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures throughout the world. It has such business units as Food and Beverage, Nestle Waters and Nestle Nutrition. It is also active in the pharmaceutical sector. It divides its products into Powdered and liquid beverages, Water, Milk products and Ice cream, Nutrition, Prepared dishes and cooking aids, Confectionery, PetCare and Pharmaceutical products. In February 2011, the Company acquired CM&D Pharma Ltd.

5 Best Industrial Disributor Stocks To Buy For 2014: Sara Lee Corporation(SLE)

Sara Lee Corporation engages in the manufacture and marketing of a range of branded packaged meat, bakery, and beverage products worldwide. Its packaged meat products include hot dogs and corn dogs, breakfast sausages, sandwiches and bowls, smoked and dinner sausages, premium deli and luncheon meats, bacon, beef, turkey, and cooked ham. It also offers frozen baked products, which comprise frozen pies, cakes, cheesecakes, pastries, and other desserts. In addition, Sara Lee provides roast, ground, and liquid coffee; cappuccinos; lattes; and hot and iced teas, as well as refrigerated dough products. The company sells its products under Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee, State Fair, Douwe Egberts, Senseo, Maison du Caf Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Carlson]

  Director of Sara Lee Corp., James S Crown, bought 37,500 shares on 9/12/2011 at an average price of $17.5. Sara Lee Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. Sara Lee Corp. has a market cap of $10.24 billion; its shares were traded at around $17.5 with a P/E ratio of 19.9 and P/S ratio of 1.2. The dividend yield of Sara Lee Corp. stocks is 2.7%.
  
  On August 11, Sara Lee Corp. reported earnings for the fourth quarter 2011. The fourth quarter included an 8% increase in adjusted net sales from continuing operations to $2.3 billion; 9% reported net sales increase, 40% increase in adjusted operating income to $189 million; and reported operating income increase of 19%.
  
  Last week, Director James S Crown bought 37,500 shares of SLE stock. Executive Chairman Jan Bennink bought 58,400 shares in August.

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy Right Now: Pinnacle Foods Inc (PF)

Pinnacle Foods Inc., incorporated on July 28, 2003, is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded food products in North America. The Company operates in three segments: the Birds Eye Frozen Division, the Duncan Hines Grocery Division and the Specialty Foods Division. The Birds Eye Frozen Division and the Duncan Hines Grocery Division, which collectively represent its North America Retail operations, include the brands. Its brand portfolio enjoys household penetration in the United States, where its products can be found in approximately 85% of U.S. households. Its products are sold through supermarkets, grocery wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, super centers, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores and warehouse clubs in the United States and Canada, as well as in military channels and foodservice locations. On June 24, 2011, the Company completed the sale of its Watsonville, California facility which had been recorded as an asset held for sale.

Birds Eye Frozen Division

The Company�� Birds Eye Frozen Division includes its steamed and non-steamed product offerings, with a 27.0% market share, making Birds Eye the recognized frozen vegetables brand in the United States. Birds Eye was the Company to capture a nationwide market share with a product that enables consumers to conveniently steam vegetables in microwaveable packaging.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division

Duncan Hines is the division�� brand and includes cake mixes, ready-to-serve frostings, brownie mixes, muffin mixes, and cookie mixes. During the fiscal year ended September 23, 2012, the Company added two additional items to the line. In February 2012, the Company introduced a line of frosting products, Duncan Hines Frosting Creations, which uses a patent pending frosting system to allow consumers to customize their frosting into one of 12 different flavors. The Company also offers a complete line of shelf-stable pickle products that we market and distribute n! ationally, primarily under the Vlasic brand, and regionally under the Milwaukee�� and Wiejske Wyroby brands. In 2012, the Company introduced Vlasic Farmers Garden, artisan-quality pickle line.

Specialty Foods Division

The Company�� snack products primarily consist of Tim�� Cascade, Snyder of Berlin and Husman��. These direct store delivery brands have local awareness and hold market share positions in their regional markets. The Company also manufactures and distributes certain products, mainly in the frozen breakfast, canned meat, and pie and pastry fruit filling categories, through food service channels. The Company also manufactures and distributes certain private label products in the canned meat, shelf-stable pickles and frozen seafood. As part of its ongoing strategic focus over the last several years, the Company has deemphasized the food service and private label businesses for the benefit of its higher margin branded food products.

5 Best Food Stocks To Buy Right Now: McCormick & Company Inc (MKC)

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (McCormick) manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the food industry, retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. The Company�� sales, distribution and production facilities are located in North America and Europe. Additional facilities are based in China, Australia, Mexico, India, Singapore, Central America, Thailand and South Africa. The Company operates in two business segments: consumer and industrial. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, the Company�� consumer business contributed 59% of sales and 79% of operating income and the industrial business contributed 41% of sales and 21% of operating income.

McCormick�� products are sold directly to customers and also through brokers, wholesalers, and distributors. In the consumer segment, products are resold to consumers through a range of retail outlets, including grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount, and drug stores under a range of brands. In the industrial segment, products are used by food and beverage manufacturers as ingredients for their finished goods and by food service customers as ingredients for menu items to enhance the flavor of their foods. Customers for the industrial segment include food manufacturers and the foodservice industry supplied both directly and indirectly through distributors.

Consumer Business

The Company�� brands in the Americas include McCormick, Lawry�� and Club House. The Company also markets brands, such as Zatarain��, Thai Kitchen and Simply Asia. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) its brands include the Ducros, Schwartz and Kamis brands of spices, herbs and seasonings and a line of Vahine brand dessert items. In the Asia/Pacific region its primary brand is McCormick, with the exception of India where its joint venture owns and trades under the Kohinoor brand. The Company�� customers span a variety of retail o! utlets that include grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount and drug stores, served directly and indirectly through distributors or wholesalers. In addition to marketing its products to these customers, the Company is also a supplier of private label items, also known as store brands. More than 250 other brands are sold in the United States with additional brands in international markets.

Industrial Business

In its industrial business, the Company provides a range of products to multinational food manufacturers and foodservice customers. The foodservice customers are supplied both directly and indirectly through distributors. Its range of products include seasoning blends, natural spices and herbs, wet flavors, coating systems and compound flavors. In addition to a broad range of flavor solutions, we strive to achieve customer intimacy.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Portfolio Grader]

  This week, McCormick & Co. (NYSE:MKC) pushes up from a B to an A rating. McCormick & Company makes and distributes spices, herbs, seasonings, and specialty foods to the food industry.