Today's Market: We Correctly Predicted Fed Decision, Now What Stocks To Buy

We were not surprised by the Fed's decision yesterday and had stated numerous times that we thought the Fed would not taper. We blatantly stated this in Monday's article (see here) and continued to discuss the idea in this week's morning updates. The talking heads this morning are dismayed, saying the Fed should have lowered their monthly buying program because they had a free pass, etc, etc. The reality of it is that they sound like a bunch of angry old men. They were caught on the wrong side of the trade and we continue to believe that it is because of their piling on that the Fed decided to inflict some pain. The Fed did not lose credibility with this move, in fact they probably gained even more respect and will be able to control markets a little better moving forward.

Chart of the Day:

The Federal Reserve caught many off guard and forced a rebalancing of many people's investment outlook with their delay of tapering. The chart of yesterday's 10 year Treasury shows the huge move we had as the market was surprised, which is a move in size that one does not see very often.

(Click to enlarge)

Source: Yahoo Finance

We have economic news today and it is as follows:

Initial Claims (8:30 a.m. ET): Est: 340k Actual: 309k Continuing Claims (8:30 a.m. ET): Est: 2880k Actual: 2787k Current Acct Balance (8:30 a.m. ET): Est:-$100B Actual:-$98.9 Existing Home Sales (10:00 a.m. ET): Est: 5.30 Million Philadelphia Fed (10:00 a.m. ET): Est: 9.0 Leading Indicators (10:00 a.m. ET): Est: 0.6% Natural Gas Inventories (10:30 a.m. ET): Est: N/A

Asian markets finished higher today:

All Ordinaries -- up 1.11%% Shanghai Composite -- up 0.29% Nikkei 225 -- up 1.80% NZSE 50 -- up 1.05% Seoul Composite -- CLOSED

In Europe, markets are also higher this morning:

CAC 40 -- up 0.96% DAX -- up 1.11% FTSE 100 -- up 1.43% OSE -- down 0.97%

! Financials

Although we were not surprised by the move yesterday we did not take an overly aggressive stance in positioning the portfolio to benefit from the Fed not tapering. We were long, but we did not initiate any trades solely for the purpose to benefit from the announcement. We are more interested in the long-term wealth building of portfolios right now and as such believe that readers should look to our recent winners that had pullbacks yesterday as buying opportunities. Specifically, we like Ameritrade (AMTD), Charles Schwab (SCHW) and MetLife (MET) which all saw pullbacks ranging from 2.5% to a bit over 5.5% in yesterday's session. We highlighted the discount brokers as a sector to watch right before the latest takeoff and our belief is that although rates remain unchanged the brokerage business will continue to perform strongly. The next big move up will be as rates rise, but even if one has to wait for this move it will be well worth it for one's portfolio.

We are probably in for some sideways movement in the discount brokers we like, however there is upside down the road as rates rise. Buy on the dips to profit on the rips.

(Click to enlarge)

Source: Yahoo Finance

We also think that Regions Financial (RF) should be bought on the weakness in their share price right now. The shares trade roughly $1/share below their 52-week high right now but with what we see happening in the financial space over the next few months and few years we think that this name is a deal under $10/share. Like the discount brokers, as the yield curve steepens the company's profits shall increase and with that taking place and the continued improvement in the company's balance sheet we think share buybacks and dividends will be carried out and even raised.

Hot Bank C! ompanies ! To Buy For 2014

Technology

It has been a great year for internet companies across the board, but the Chinese internet names have fared especially well during this latest run.

(Click to enlarge)

Source: Yahoo Finance

Shares in Sohu.com (SOHU) continued their rapid rise, hitting yet another fresh 52-week high during the session, as the company announced the special dividend from Sohou yesterday (press release located here). Sohu.com will receive nearly $161.2 million in the transaction which is part of the overall $400 million deal with Tencent (TCEHY.PK) which was announced not too long ago. These are exciting times in the internet space as we move from computers to mobile devices, but China's internet landscape looks like the 'Wild West' right now and we expect to see further deals as companies jockey for position in their respective niches and consolidation begins as the larger players look to step up growth and gain exposure to new business segments.

Source: Today's Market: We Correctly Predicted Fed Decision, Now What Stocks To Buy

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)

5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Short-sellers hate being caught short a stock that reports a blowout quarter. When this happens, we often see a tradable short squeeze develop as the bears rush to cover their positions to avoid big losses. Even the best short-sellers know that it's never a great idea to stay short once a bullish earnings report sparks a big short-covering rally.

This is why I scan the market for heavily shorted stocks that are about to report earnings. You only need to find a few of these stocks in a year to help enhance your portfolio returns -- the gains become so outsized in such a short time frame that your profits add up quickly.

That said, let's not forget that stocks are heavily shorted for a reason, so you have to use trading discipline and sound money management when playing earnings short-squeeze candidates. It's important that you don't go betting the farm on these plays and that you manage your risk accordingly. Sometimes the best play is to wait for the stock to break out following the report before you jump in to profit off a short squeeze. This way, you're letting the trend emerge after the market has digested all of the news.

Of course, sometimes the stock is going to be in such high demand that you risk missing a lot of the move by waiting. That's why it can be worth betting prior to the report -- but only if the stock is acting technically very bullish and you have a very strong conviction that it is going to rip higher. Just remember that even when you have that conviction and have done your due diligence, the stock can still get hammered if The Street doesn't like the numbers or guidance.

If you do decide to bet ahead of a quarter, then you might want to use options to limit your capital exposure. Heavily shorted stocks are usually the names that make the biggest post-earnings moves and have the most volatility. I personally prefer to wait until all the earnings-related news is out for a heavily shorted stock and then jump in and trade the prevailing trend.

With that in mind, here's a look at several stocks that could experience big short squeezes when they report earnings this week.

Pier 1 Imports

My first earnings short-squeeze trade idea is Pier 1 Imports (PIR), a global importer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts, which is set to release numbers on Thursday before the market opens. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Pier 1 Imports to report revenue of $404.64 million on earnings of 21 cents per share.

Just recently, Argus said the recent pullback in shares of Pier 1 Imports is providing an attractive entry point, and the firm reiterated its buy rating on the stock with a $27 per share price target. The firm believes that Pier 1 Imports should hold up well in a promotional and competitive environment.

The current short interest as a percentage of the float Pier 1 Imports stands at 5%. That means that out of the 97.51 million shares in the tradable float, 4.90 million shares are sold short by the bears. If the bulls get the earnings news they're looking for, then shares of PIR could jump sharply higher post-earnings as the bears rush to cover some of their bets.

From a technical perspective, PIR is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending for the last month, with shares moving higher from its low of $20.59 to its intraday high of $23.23 a share. During that uptrend, shares of PIR have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of PIR within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade post-earnings.

If you're bullish on PIR, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $23.50 to $24 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.25 million shares. If that breakout hits, then PIR will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $25.28 a share. Any high-volume move above $25.28 could push PIR towards $30 a share.

I would simply avoid PIR or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below its 200-day at $22.44 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then PIR will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels at $21.64 to $20.59 a share.

Scholastic

Another potential earnings short-squeeze trade idea is children''s publishing, education, and media company Scholastic (SCHL), which is set to release its numbers on Thursday before the market open. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Scholastic to report revenue $299.70 million on a loss of 68 cents per share.

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Scholastic is very high at 13.3%. That means that out of the 27.7 million shares in the tradable float, 3.41 million shares are sold short by the bears. The bears have also been increasing their bets from the last reporting period by 12.9%, or by about 388,000 shares. If the bears get caught pressing their bets into a strong quarter, then shares of SCHL could rip sharply higher post-earnings as the bears rush to cover some of their short bets.

From a technical perspective, SCHL is currently trending above its 200-day moving average and just below its 50-day moving average, which is neutral trendwise. This stock has been trending sideways for the last two months, with shares moving between $28.68 on the downside and $31.44 on the upside. Any high-volume move above the upper-end of its recent range could trigger a near-term breakout trade for shares of SCHL post-earnings.

If you're in the bull camp on SCHL, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this manages to break out above its 50-day moving average at $30.43 a share and then once it takes out more resistance at $31.44 a share high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 170,081 shares. If that breakout hits, then SCHL will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $33 to its 52-week high at $34.55 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give SCHL a chance to tag $40 a share.

I would simply avoid SCHL or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout, and then drops back below its 200-day at $29.15 a share and then once it takes out more key near-term support levels at $28.68 to $28.08 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then SCHL will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels at $27 to $26 a share.

Rite Aid

One potential earnings short-squeeze candidate is retail drugstore chain operator Rite Aid (RAD), which is set to release numbers on Thursday before the market open. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Rite Aid to report revenue of $6.27 billion on a loss of 4 cents per share.

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Rite Aid is notable at 3.7%. That means that out of the 896 million shares in the tradable float, 33.54 million shares are sold short by the bears. The bears have also been increasing their bets from the last reporting period by 32%, or by about 8.13 million shares. If the bears get caught pressing their bets into a bullish quarter, then shares of RAD could easily explode higher post-earnings as the bears rush to cover some of their short bets.

From a technical perspective, RAD is currently trending above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last six months, with shares moving higher from its low of $1.65 to its recent high of $3.75 a share. During that uptrend, shares of RAD have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of RAD within range of triggering a major breakout trade post-earnings.

If you're bullish on RAD, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above its 52-week high at $3.75 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 20.36 million shares. If that breakout hits, then RAD will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $5 to $6 a share.

I would avoid RAD or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout, and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at $3.53 a share to its 50-day moving average of $3.25 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then RAD will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels at $3.08 to $2.80 a share.

Cintas

Another earnings short-squeeze prospect is business support services player Cintas (CTAS), which is set to release numbers on Thursday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Cintas to report revenue of $1.10 billion on earnings of 63 cents per share.

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Cintas stands at 5.6%. That means that out of the 102.38 million shares in the tradable float, 5.70 million shares are sold short by the bears. The bears have also been increasing their bets from the last reporting period by 2.5%, or by about 136,000 shares. If the bears get caught pressing their bets into a strong quarter, then shares of CTAS could move up sharply higher post-earnings as the bears move to cover some of those bets.

From a technical perspective, CTAS is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last six months, with shares moving higher from its low of $42.35 to its recent high of $50.80 a share. During that uptrend, shares of CTAS have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of CTAS within range of triggering a big breakout trade post-earnings.

If you're bullish on CTAS, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $61 to $62.27 a share and then once it takes its 52-week high at $50.80 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 458,136 shares. If that breakout hits, then CTAS will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $60 to $65 a share.

I would simply avoid CTAS or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below some key near-term support at $49.50 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then CTAS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 50-day at $48.32 share to more near-term support levels at $47.64 to $47 a share.

Darden Restaurants

My final earnings short-squeeze play is full-service restaurant operator Darden Restaurants (DRI), which is set to release numbers on Friday before the market open. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Darden Restaurants to report revenue of $2.20 billion on earnings of 70 cents per share.

Just recently, Wunderlich issued a hold rating on shares of Darden Restaurants with a $50 per share price target. The firm said internal investments will take time to bear fruit.

The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Darden Restaurants is pretty high at 7.3%. That means that out of the 129.22 million shares in the tradable float, 9.47 million shares are sold short by the bears. The bears have also been increasing their bets from the last reporting period by 8.1%, or by about 705,000 shares. If the bears get caught pressing their bets into a bullish quarter, then shares of DRI could spike sharply higher post-earnings as the bears jump to cover some of those bets.

From a technical perspective, DRI is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending for the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $45.71 a share to its intraday high of $49.50 a share. During that uptrend, shares of DRI have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of DRI within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade post-earnings.

If you're in the bull camp on DRI, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $50.15 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 1.44 million shares. If that breakout hits, then DRI will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $52.24 to $54.66 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give DRI a chance to tag its 52-week high at $57.93 a share.

I would avoid DRI or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below both its 50-day at $48.62 a share and its 200-day at $48.27 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then DRI will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels at $45.71 to $42.75 a share.

To see more potential earnings short squeeze plays, check out the Earnings Short-Squeeze Plays portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE  ) �stock surpassed $30 per share earlier this month. I remember when it was just a teenager.

It wasn't that long ago.

For most of 2011, Pfizer stock traded for less than $20 per share. Since then, it's up 40%, more than doubling the Dow. That's downright amazing for a large drugmaker with a market cap of nearly $24 billion.

Let's take a look at a few reasons for the increase.

It's a drugmaker
Or put another way, rising tides lift all boats.

Lately, investors have been willing to take on risk. Pfizer isn't as risky as a biotech -- the Nasdaq biotech index is up more than 70% since the beginning of 2012 -- but it still has some of the risks inherent with drug development.

Someone that was really good at timing the market -- do they exist? -- could make a bundle jumping into the biotech sector when the overall stock market was doing well and jump out when it was on the decline.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Deltek Inc.(PROJ)

Deltek, Inc. provides enterprise software and information solutions for project-focused organizations in the professional services and government contracting markets worldwide. The company offers Deltek Costpoint, a financial management solution that tracks, manages, and reports on key aspects of a project, including planning, estimating, proposals, budgets, expenses, indirect costs, purchasing, billing, regulatory compliance, and materials management; and Deltek First Essentials, an accounting and project management solution. It also provides Deltek IPM, a command center that offers integrated project management and reporting tools; and GovWin IQ and GovWin CRM solutions that provide a suite of business development solutions, and proposal automation and opportunity management capabilities to government contractors. In addition, the company offers Deltek Maconomy, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, which manages and streamlines the key business processes of pr ofessional services organizations; Deltek Vision, an integrated ERP solution that incorporates critical business functions, project accounting, customer relationship management, resource and cost/schedule management, integrated financial management, time and expense capture, and billing; and GovWin IQ solutions, which provide architecture and engineering firms with information on approximately 2,500 federal government contracting opportunities. Further, it offers various consulting services, such as solution architecture, application implementation, technology architecture design and optimization, and after-implementation consulting services, as well as offers project team and end-user training. The company sells its products through its direct sales force; and through a network of alliance partners. The company was formerly known as Deltek Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Deltek, Inc. in April 2007. Deltek, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Herndon, Virg inia.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Progress Software Corporation(PRGS)

Progress Software Corporation operates as an enterprise software company worldwide. Its products include Progress OpenEdge platform, which offers development tools, application servers, application management tools, and an embedded database; Progress Orbix to address enterprise integration problems with standards-based solutions; and Progress ObjectStore, an object data management system to store data faster than relational database management system or file-based storage system. The company?s products also comprise Progress Responsiveness Process Management suite for business users; Progress Control Tower, an interactive business control panel; Progress Sonic, which comprises an enterprise messaging system and the enterprise service buses; Progress Actional that provides operational and business visibility, root cause analysis, and policy-based security and control of services; Progress Apama, which offers tools for creating, testing, and deploying strategies for applicat ions, including algorithmic trading, market aggregation, smart order routing, market surveillance and monitoring, and risk management; Progress Savvion BusinessManager, a business process management software; and Fuse products that provide customers with access to professional open source integration and messaging software. In addition, it offers Progress DataDirect Connect products, which provide data connectivity components; Progress DataDirect Shadow to provide foundation architecture for standards-based mainframe integration; and Progress Data Services product set that offers data integration for distributed applications. Further, the company provides maintenance, consulting, training, and customer support services. Progress Software Corporation sells its products to independent software vendors, original equipment manufacturers, and system integrators through direct sales force and independent distributors. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Bedford, Massac husetts.

Top Energy Companies To Watch For 2014: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.(KTOS)

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, services, and solutions in the United States. The company?s Kratos Government Solutions segment offers various services comprising weapon systems sustainment, lifecycle support, and extension; command, control, communications, computing, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services, including cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, information assurance, and situational awareness solutions; military range operations and technical services; missile, rocket, and weapons systems test and evaluation; mission launch services; modeling and simulation; unmanned aerial vehicle products and technology; advanced network engineering and information technology services; and public safety, security, and surveillance systems integration. Its Public Safety & Security segment provides independent integrated solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical information, and security and su rveillance systems. This segment?s solutions consists of designing, installing, and servicing building technologies that protect people, critical infrastructure, assets, information, and property in various areas, such as the design, engineering, and operation of command and control centers; design, engineering, deployment, and integration of access control; building automation and control; communications; digital and closed circuit television security and surveillance; fire and life safety; maintenance services; and product support services. The company primarily serves the United States government agencies, including the department of defense, classified agencies, intelligence agencies, other national security agencies, and homeland security related agencies. The company was formerly known as Wireless Facilities, Inc. and changed its name to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. in September 2007. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, Cali fornia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By William Patalon III]

  Since we recommended Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) back on June 6, the stock has soared nearly 40%.

  And we believe there's more to come.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Aehr Test Systems(AEHR)

Aehr Test Systems designs, engineers, and manufactures test and burn-in equipment for use in the semiconductor industry. The company primarily offers the advanced burn-in and test systems for performing tests during burn-in on logic and memory packaged ICs; the FOX full wafer contact parallel test and burn-in systems for making contact with pads of a wafer simultaneously to enable full wafer parallel test and burn-in; the MAX burn-in systems for burn-in and functionally testing of devices, such as digital signal processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and systems-on-a-chip; WaferPak cartridges for use in testing wafers in FOX systems; the DiePak carriers, a reusable, temporary package that enables IC manufacturers to perform final test and burn-in of bare die; and test fixtures, which hold the devices undergoing test or burn-in and electrically connect the devices under test to the system electronics. It also offers customer service and support programs, including s ystem installation, system repair, applications engineering support, spare parts inventories, customer training, and documentation. The company markets and sells its products through a network of distributors and sales representatives to semiconductor manufacturers, semiconductor contract assemblers, electronics manufacturers, and burn-in and test service companies. It has operations in the United States, Asia, and Europe. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Ibm(IBM.L)

International Business Machines Corporation provides information technology (IT) products and services worldwide. The company operates in five segments: Global Technology Services, Global Business Services, Software, Systems and Technology, and Global Financing. The Global Technology Services segment provides IT infrastructure and business process services, including strategic outsourcing, process, integrated technology, and maintenance services, as well as technology- and process-based services. The Global Business Services segment offers consulting and systems integration, and application management services. The Software segment offers middleware and operating systems software, such as WebSphere software to integrate and manage business processes; information management software for database and enterprise content management, information integration, data warehousing, performance management business analytics, intelligence, and data analytics; Tivoli software for identi ty management, data security, storage management, cloud computing, enterprise mobility, and automation and provisioning of the datacenter; Lotus Software to connect people and processes for communication; rational software to support software development for IT and embedded systems; security systems software; and operating systems software. The Systems and Technology segment provides computing power and storage solutions; and semiconductor technology products and packaging solutions. The company?s Global Financing segment provides lease and loan financing to end users; commercial financing to dealers and remarketers of IT products; and remanufacturing and remarketing of equipment. The company was formerly known as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. and changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation in 1924. International Business Machines Corporation was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Armonk, New York.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Merck & Company Inc.(MRK)

Merck & Co., Inc. provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. The company?s Pharmaceutical segment provides human health pharmaceutical products, such as therapeutic and preventive agents for the treatment of human disorders in the areas of bone, respiratory, immunology, dermatology, cardiovascular, diabetes and obesity, infectious diseases, neurosciences and ophthalmology, oncology, vaccines, and women's health and endocrine. This segment also offers human health vaccines, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines. Its Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets animal health products. This segment offers antibiotics, anti-inflammatory products, vaccines, products for the treatment of fertility disorders, and parasiticides for cattle, swine, horses, poultry, dogs, cats, salmons, and fish. The Consumer Care segment develops, manufac tures, and markets over-the-counter, foot care, and sun care products. Its over-the-counter product line includes non-drowsy antihistamines; treatment for occasional constipation; decongestant-free cold/flu medicine for people with high blood pressure; nasal decongestant spray; and treatment for frequent heartburn. This segment?s foot care products comprise topical antifungal, and foot and sneaker odor/wetness products; and sun care products include sun care lotions, sprays and dry oils; and sunburn relief products. The company serves drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies, physicians, physician distributors, veterinarians, animal producers, and managed health care providers, as well as food chain and mass merchandiser outlets in the United States and Canada. Merck & Co., Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoff Gannon]

  The company my mom worked for made dust control systems. Dust control systems are used in the tissue paper and pharmaceutical industries. So their customers were mostly huge public companies like: Procter & Gamble (PG), Kimberly Clark (KMB),Georgia Pacific, Scott, Pfizer (PFE), Merck (MRK), Upjohn, Pharmacia, etc.

• [By Pharma Reports]

  Back in June, we published an article titled "Bristol-Myers Squibb: The Untold Story Of Led Zeppelin" where we detailed Bristol-Myers' product portfolio, highlighted potential risks due to loss of patent exclusivity and benchmarked its valuation ratios to a couple of its peers. We opined that Bristol-Myers might be richly valued. Share price trended slightly lower, hovered around $42 for a while and, since last week, started rising back again.

  CompanyP/EP/SYieldCap.Bristol-Myers & PeersBristol-Myers53.14.13.2$72BEli Lilly - (LLY)11.92.73.7$60BMerck - (MRK)28.533.6$140BPfizer - (PFE)19.33.23.4$189B

  When revisiting the benchmarks, three month on, Bristol-Myers still does not fare well in terms of price-to-earnings and price-to-sales ratios. Although it is the lowest in the group in terms of current dividend yield, 3.2 yield is still respectable. The question is whether the company will be able to maintain it going forward.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: VirnetX Holding Corp(VHC)

VirnetX Holding Corporation engages in developing and commercializing software and technology solutions for securing real-time communications over the Internet. Its software and technology solutions, which include secure domain name registry and GABRIEL Connection Technology, facilitate secure communications and create a secure environment for real-time communication applications, such as instant messaging, voice over Internet protocol, smart phones, eReaders, and video conferencing. The company focuses on commercializing its technology to original equipment manufacturers within the IP-telephony, mobility, fixed-mobile convergence, and unified communications markets. VirnetX Holding Corporation was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Teradata Corporation(TDC)

Teradata Corporation provides analytic data solutions worldwide. The company offers various data warehousing solutions that comprise software, hardware, and related business consulting and support services. Its solutions integrate an organization?s departmental and enterprise-wide data about customers, financials, operations, and others into a single enterprise-wide data warehouse. The company also provides various software and hardware products, including Teradata Analytic Database Software, which delivers near real-time intelligence; Teradata Platform Family for the hardware component; Teradata Logical Data Models that are blueprints for designing an integrated data warehouse; Teradata Aster MapReduce Platform, a platform for analyzing new multi-structured data sources and data types; and Teradata Integrated Analytics to convert traditional data warehouse into an analytic services environment. In addition, it offers Teradata Analytic Applications and Tools comprising da ta mining, master data management, integrated marketing management, enterprise risk management, finance and performance management, demand and supply chain management, and profitability analytics to solve business problems. Further, the company provides consulting services, such as data warehousing business impact modeling, design, architecture, installation, implementation, and optimization consulting services, as well as enterprise analytics consulting, data management, and managed services; customer support services; and training services. It serves various companies in banking/financial services, media and entertainment, government, insurance and healthcare, manufacturing, retail, telecommunications, transportation, and travel industries. The company has strategic partnerships with Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, Computer Sciences Corporation, Deloitte, IBM Global Business Services, and Wipro Limited. Teradata Corporation was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Dayt on, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  TDC dropped 3.1 percent to 46.41 kroner as a group of private-equity firms sold its stake in the company for 4.17 billion-krone ($743 million). NTC sold 90 million shares at 46.30 kroner apiece. That amounted to an 11 percent stake in TDC, (TDC) according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. which managed the sale.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Local.com Corporation(LOCM)

Local.com Corporation operates as an Internet search advertising company that enables businesses and consumers to find each other and connect locally. Its Owned and Operated business unit manages its flagship online property Local.com and a proprietary network of approximately 20,000 local Websites that reach approximately 15 million monthly unique visitors. The company places various display, performance, and subscription advertisement products on its Local.com and proprietary network. Its Network business unit operates a private label local syndication network of approximately 1,000 U.S. regional media Websites; 80,000 third-party local Websites; and its own organic feed of local businesses plus third-party advertising feeds that focus primarily on local consumers to a distribution network of hundreds of Websites. The company?s Sales and Ad Services business unit provides approximately 45,000 direct monthly subscribers with Web hosting or Web listing products. The compan y was formerly known as Interchange Corporation and changed its name to Local.com Corporation in November 2006. Local.com Corporation was founded in 1999 and is headquarters in Irvine, California.

10 Best Tech Stocks To Buy Right Now: Anaren Inc.(ANEN)

Anaren, Inc. engages in the design, development, and manufacture of components, assemblies, and subsystems primarily for the wireless communications, satellite communications, and space and defense electronics markets worldwide. The company?s products receive, process, and transmit microwave and radio frequency (RF) signals. It provides Xinger line of products that consist of off-the-shelf surface mount microwave components for use in equipment for cellular base stations, wireless local area network, Bluetooth, and satellite television; and resistive products, such as resistors, power terminations, and attenuators for use in high power wireless, industrial, and medical applications. The company also custom splitting and combining products comprising RF backplanes, ferrite based power combiners, low-power radio receive splitter assemblies, and custom ferrite components for distribution of signals in wireless base station applications. In addition, it designs and manufactur es microwave-based hardware consisting of radar countermeasure subsystems, beamformers, switch matrices, radar feed networks, analog hybrid modules, and mixed signal printed circuit boards for use in radar systems, jamming systems, smart munitions, electronic surveillance systems, and satellite and ground based communication systems. The company markets its products to original equipment manufacturers and other industry participants. Anaren, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is based in East Syracuse, New York

The Deal: Umpqua Pays $2B for Sterling Financial

NEW YORK (The Deal) -- Umpqua Holdings (UMPQ) said Thursday, Sept. 12, it would acquire private equity-backed Sterling Financial (STSA) in a $2 billion deal that would create a massive West Coast regional bank.

Terms of the deal call for Portland, Ore.-based Umpqua to pay 1.671 shares and $2.18 in cash for each share of Sterling for total consideration of $30.52 a share, a premium of 26% over Sterling's price on Aug. 30, prior to word of a potential deal going public.

Private-equity firms Thomas H. Lee Partners LP and Warburg Pincus LLC, who each own about 20.8% of Sterling, have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the deal.

The deal would create a banking franchise with $22 billion in assets, $15 billion in loans and $16 billion in deposits and 394 branches spread across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and Nevada. It continues the aggressive expansion strategy of the one-time South Umpqua State Bank under the direction of CEO Ray Davis, which has included a number of deals for institutions that were battered by the downturn. Spokane, Wash.-based Sterling turned to private equity in 2010 to raise capital, raising $442 million from Thomas H. Lee and Warburg Pincus. The bank in the years since has done a series of buys and sales to revamp its branch network, establishing itself as an attractive target in the process. Josh Bresler, a managing director at THL, called the deal "the logical next step for Sterling," saying the merger "pairs two companies with exceptional management teams and franchises." Umpqua's Davis, who will remain CEO post-deal, said the merger will create a lender with the scale necessary to compete with banking giants. "With our size, shared cultures and financial strength, our combined organization will be uniquely positioned to deliver value for our associates, customers, communities and shareholders," Davis said. "We look forward to starting the process of bringing our companies together." Post-deal Sterling CEO Greg Seibly will join Umpqua as co-president, and Sterling representatives will take four seats on Umpqua's 13 director board. Umpqua was advised by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, while Sandler O'Neill + Partners LP and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advised Sterling. A Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP team of Michael Aiello and Heath Tarbert advised THL Partners, while Warburg Pincus tapped a Kirkland & Ellis LLP team of Eunu Chun, William Sorabella, Sergio Urias and Christian Nagler.

--Written by Lou Whiteman

Money Manager Survey: Where the Pros are Investing Right Now

By Hal M. Bundrick

NEW YORK (MainStreet)--The money pros are going overweight overseas with high holdings of European equities. A record 12% of institutional money managers have above-normal allocations to U.K. equities, and 36% are placing firm bets on eurozone equities, the highest level since May 2007, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Fund Manager Survey for September.

For the global money managers surveyed, Europe will remain a priority allocation for the coming year as 27% expect to remain overweighted to the region. This represents a rapid reversal from just two months ago, when only 2% expressed a desire to overweight investment allocations to the eurozone.

"Belief in Europe's economy is robust and though eurozone equities have come back strongly, value remains the best on offer in developed world markets," says John Bilton, BofA Merrill Lynch European investment strategist. Investors are still shying away from emerging market equities with 18% of survey respondents remaining underweight in the sector. Some caution remains, as global money runners continue to stash cash. Liquidity has risen to an average of 4.6% of portfolio holdings. Eight out of 10 money managers believe the global economy will experience sub-par growth in the coming 12 months. "Investor cash levels remain high because the fear of bond markets is greater than the appetite in equity markets," says Michael Hartnett, chief investment strategist at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research. Sentiment regarding China's economy has turned on a one jiao (dime) as 28% of respondents from Japan, Asia Pacific Rim and global emerging markets now believe China's economy will strengthen in the year ahead. That's in sharp contrast with the 32% forecasting a weakening economy just one month ago - a monthly swing of 60 percentage points. Emerging markets have been hammered recently, to a point where 36% of the panel now says global emerging market equities are the most undervalued - cheapest - of all the regions. This is the strongest undervalued reading since January 2004. The number of investors saying that emerging markets is the region they most want to underweight has fallen to 21% in September from 29% a month ago.

Commodities are slowly dripping back into portfolios as only 16% of the panel is underweight the sector this month, a 10% drop from July. Meanwhile, institutional money managers are still bothered by bonds. The allocation gap between equities and bonds is at its widest since February 2011, and the second-widest in the history of the survey. Fully 68% of investors are underweight bonds, the greatest underweight position recorded since April 2006.

A total of 236 panelists with $689 billion of assets under management participated in the survey.

--Written by Hal M. Bundrick for MainStreet

This Retailer Has Exited the Express Lane

In most economic environments, it would make sense to invest in an apparel company that targets twenty-somethings. This age group often dresses to impress, whether at work, in a social setting, or attending a special event. One of the top names in this slice of the retail sector is Express (NYSE: EXPR  ) , which largely owes its success to this key demographic. However, there is one big problem.

Recent results
If you look back to earlier in the year, to the first quarter, then you will see that Express had a moderate year-over-year sales increase of 3%, and a diluted earnings-per-share of $0.38, which was lower than the year-ago quarter's $0.47. Express pointed to external headwinds that have led to lower foot traffic in malls. By reading the 10-Q, you might be able to tell the company felt the outlook was bleak. Then, Express' second quarter report seemed a lot more optimistic.

In the second quarter, net sales jumped 7%, comps increased 6%, and diluted EPS improved 11% to $0.20. Express attributed this success to growth in e-commerce and trend-right products. The only real negative for the quarter was a decline in gross margin to 31.4% from 32.2% due to increased promotional activity and increased rental expenses for two new flagship stores in New York City and San Francisco.

Looking ahead, Express expects fiscal year comps to come in at the low to mid-single digits. This would be an improvement over last year when comps were flat. Fiscal year EPS guidance is for $1.52-$1.60. This isn't overly exciting, as the top end of this range would match last year's results.

Now ... getting to that one big problem. 

Twenty-somethings and the economy
This key demographic for retailers like Express has been hit particularly hard by the stagnant job market. The unemployment rate for ages 20-24 is approximately 13.3%. And in 2011, approximately 67% of college seniors had student loan debt of $26,600. It's no secret that this age group faces many headwinds. In some cases, these consumers must deal with college debt, which can take many years, if not decades, to pay off. College tuition prices have increased tremendously through the years, which has made this burden larger than in the past. As long as this debt exists, these consumers are less likely to spend extra on discretionary items.

Then there's underemployment. In the current economic environment, employers only pay skilled professionals well. The only way to become a skilled professional is via experience, so you're not going to find many twenty-somethings with a lot of industry experience, regardless of the industry. Therefore, they're not likely to be paid well. Of course, there will be exceptions to the rule, but it's not the norm. Most companies pay less than in the past because job seekers realize that jobs are difficult to come by and they will take whatever they can get.

The two above factors are headwinds for Express, and these headwinds need to be mitigated if Express is to build on the success it has had over the last few years

Express vs. peers
Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF  ) targets a similar consumer, perhaps slightly younger. Unlike Express, Abercrombie & Fitch is suffering from declining comps. In the second quarter, comps declined 11%, mostly due to competition. 

However, I would think that the brand's decline due to a recent social-media nightmare regarding what type of people the company caters to would also have something to do with it. I have been bearish on this stock for months since that incident. Regardless of the reason, Abercrombie & Fitch has disappointed in six consecutive quarters. Therefore, this is like an open-book test -- it's not likely to outperform its peers at any point in the near future.

Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN  ) is another similar player. However, it targets a wider array of consumers through its various brand stores, including Urban Outfitters (18-28 demographic), Free People (25-30), and Anthropologie (28-45). Like Express, Urban Outfitters is slowly expanding its store base. Also like Express, Urban Outfitters saw an impressive earnings improvement in the second quarter. In this case, EPS increased 21% to $0.51 thanks to optimized inventory and lower merchandise markdowns.

Conclusion
Express might have seen some recent improvements, and comps are expected to improve on a full-year basis. However, mall traffic isn't likely to improve, and Express' target demographic isn't suddenly going to turn around and begin buying discretionary items more aggressively. The American consumer needs wage gains and decent jobs for retailers like Express to see sustainable stock price appreciation. While Urban Outfitters isn't likely to be resilient either, it at least offers a little more diversification since it caters to a broader range of consumers.

 

Invest in winners
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.

Jefferies Upgrades Federal Realty Investment Trust to “Buy”; Lowers Outlook (FRT)

Jefferies reported on Wednesday that it has upgraded real estate investment trust Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT).

The firm has raised its rating on FRT from “Hold” to “Buy,” and has increased the company’s price target from $112 to $116. This price target suggests a 13% upside from the stock’s current price of $100.75.

Analyst Omotayo Okusanya noted: “Based on our recent tour of Assembly Row, we are now convinced about the long term value of this development project. Our recent management meetings on Sept 4th also indicate that: 1) development projects at Pike and Rose as well as Santana Row remain on track and 2) FRT remains on track to keep generating industry leading SS NOI growth. With FRT also well positioned for rising rates, we find the story compelling and upgrade the stock to Buy from Hold.”

Looking ahead, the firm has cut its estimates for FY2013 from $4.64 to $4.62 per share. FY2014 estimates have also been lowered from $4.97 to $4.96 per share.

Federal Realty Investment Trust shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Wednesday. The stock has been mostly flat YTD.

Dollar General Earnings Due Tuesday; Dollar Stores’ Last Hurrah?

The last, and largest, of the discount variety stores reports second quarter earnings tomorrow. Dollar General Corp. (NYSE: DG) is expected to post earnings per share (EPS) of $0.74 on revenues of $4.36 billion. That is an EPS improvement of 6.8% and a revenue increase of year-over-year more than 10% year-over-year.

Dollar General's share price is up less than 6% in the past 12 months, but since the beginning of the year shares have risen more than 22%. And even then, Dollar General trails Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR) in share price growth since January 1. Dollar Tree stock is up 30%.

Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) reported earnings last Thursday night, turning in adjusted EPS of $0.31 on revenue of $1.23 billion, beating the consensus EPS estimate but slightly low on revenue. Big Lots lowered its full-year earnings and revenue guidance. Third-quarter guidance was lowered from an expected EPS loss of $0.01 to a loss of $0.05 to $0.13 and same-store sales to be flat to down 2% as the stores build inventory for the holiday season. Still, the stock price rose 2.25% on Friday.

Dollar Tree reported second-quarter earnings a week ahead of Big Lots, and the company's stock price jumped about 2.5% after the store raised the low end of its outlook for full-year earnings and revenues.

Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE: FDO) ended its fourth quarter and 2013 fiscal year on August 30 and will report results on September 30. Analysts expect quarterly EPS of $0.84 and full-year EPS of $3.78, up 12% over the fourth quarter a year ago and about 3.7% over last year's fiscal year earnings. Family Dollar's share price performance has been weaker than its peers, up just 12% year to date. The stock was downgraded by one analyst on valuation, and the company has said that discretionary purchases have been pressured.

Top Performing Stocks To Buy Right Now

Once these stocks were all considered to be growth plays, and to some extent they still are. But only Big Lots and Family Dollar have posted 12-month share price gains of more than 10%.

Over the past five years, Dollar Tree stock has risen more than 220%, while Dollar General and Family Dollar are up about 140%. Big Lots is up 39%, and at its peak in the past five years was up just 80%. In fact, Big Lots' share-price growth over five years is only slightly better than the share-price growth for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT). That is not the profile of a growth stock.

Growth spurts, not sustained growth of more than 10% a year, seems to be where share prices are headed in this group. When consumer sentiment is positive, these stores simply do less well — and consumer confidence has been rising slowly. Whether that rise in sentiment continues remains to be seen.

See also: America’s Fastest-Growing Retailers

Will Netflix Stock Continue This Bull Run?

With shares of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) trading around $250, is NFLX an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Netflix is an Internet subscription service that streams television shows and movies. The company's subscribers can watch unlimited television shows and movies streamed over the Internet to their televisions, computers, and mobile devices. In the United States, subscribers can also receive DVDs delivered to their homes. Netflix has revolutionized the television and movie industry with its services.

Just recently, the company struck a deal with Dreamworks Animation (NASDAQ:DWA) that is fueling demand for Netflix stock. Netflix is ramping-up its original programming menu with popular choices from the maker of Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda. On another note, Netflix shares fell on Tuesday after the company released an earnings report. The company beat analyst earnings and revenue expectations, however, it managed to only increase U.S. subscribers by 630,000. Investors had hoped that figure would be larger, especially because of Netflix's new original programming.

T = Technicals on the Stock Chart are Strong

After a bad last couple of years, Netflix stock has been experiencing a euphoric rise. The stock is now trading near highs for the year and looks poised to continue this path. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Netflix is trading above its rising key averages which signal neutral to bullish price action in the near-term.

(Source: Thinkorswim)

Taking a look at the implied volatility (red) and implied volatility skew levels of Netflix options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
Netflix Options	46.54%	20%	17%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a very minimal amount of call and put options contracts, as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
August Options	Flat	Average
September Options	Flat	Average

As of today, there is an average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a very minimal amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.

On the next page, let’s take a look at the earnings and revenue growth rates and the conclusion.

E = Earnings Are Improving Quarter-Over-Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Netflix’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Netflix look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

	2013 Q2	2013 Q1	2012 Q4	2012 Q3
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	345.45%	162.50%	-78.96%	-88.79%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	20.23%	17.72%	7.96%	10.13%
Earnings Reaction	-4.47%*	24.28%	42.22%	-11.87%

Netflix has seen improving earnings and rising revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have had mixed feelings about Netflix’s recent earnings announcements.

* As of this writing

P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has Netflix stock done relative to its peers, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA), Outerwall (NASDAQ:OUTR), and sector?

	Netflix	Amazon	Comcast	Outerwall	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	172.63%	20.60%	20.58%	21.57%	24.37%

Netflix has been a relative performance leader, year-to-date.

Conclusion

Netflix is a streaming services that provides video entertainment to consumers in the United States. A recent deal with Dreamworks Animation has the company buzzing, however, a recent earnings report does not. The stock has been on a euphoric rise in recent months and looks poised to continue. Over the last four quarters, investors in the company have had mixed feelings about recent earnings reports, although, earnings have been improving while revenue figures have been rising. Relative to its peers and sector, Netflix has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Netflix to continue to OUTPERFORM.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Own Right Now

How do investors play the LNG boom that is still in the early stages in Canada?

Many investors believe the opportunity is far off. After all, most of the projects are still in the application phase -- it will be years before they get built and start selling cargos.

But National Bank energy analyst Greg Colman sees profits from LNG coming much sooner -- right now, in fact.

He estimates there is $55 billion in capital coming into the Canadian LNG sector over the next few years... and the spending spree in western Canada is starting now.

And he laid it all out for investors in his 29-page research report on July 9, "Quantifying the LNG Impact."

In order, he told investors:

1. First buy the drillers and the frackers

Hot Canadian Stocks To Own Right Now: Cornerstone Progressive Return Fund(CFP)

Cornerstone Progressive Return Fund is a closed-ended equity fund of fund launched and managed by Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. The fund invests funds investing in the public equity markets of the United States. It invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Cornerstone Progressive Return Fund was formed on April 26, 2007 and is domiciled in the United States.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Own Right Now: (AUQ)

AuRico Gold Inc. engages in the exploration, development, and production of gold and silver projects and properties in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Its principal property includes the Ocampo mine covering approximately 15,000 hectares located in Chihuahua State. The company was formerly known as Gammon Gold Inc. and changed its name to AuRico Gold Inc. in June 2011. AuRico Gold Inc. was founded in 1986 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Top 5 Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Sun Life Financial Inc.(SLF)

Sun Life Financial Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides various life and health insurance, savings, investment management, retirement, and pension products and services to individuals and corporate customers. It offers individual life insurance policies, including individual term life, universal life, critical illness, disability, accident, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies; and group life insurance policies. The company also provides individual health insurance, long-term care insurance, group health benefits, dental benefits, and group insurance; and various individual and group annuity, retirement, and investment income products and services, such as mutual and pooled funds, variable and fixed annuities, savings, retirement and pension plans, and education savings. In addition, it offers asset management services for corporate retirement plans, separate accounts, public or government funds, and insurance company assets to institutional clients; and advisory services to individual investors. Further, the company provides run-off reinsurance services. Sun Life Financial Inc. distributes its products through direct sales agents, independent and managing general agents, financial intermediaries, broker-dealers, banks, pension and benefit consultants, and other third-party marketing organizations. The company operates primarily in Bermuda, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, the Philippines, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Sun Life Financial Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Own Right Now: Aercap Holdings N.V. (AER)

AerCap Holdings N.V., through its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated aviation company worldwide. It engages in leasing and trading aircraft and engines; and selling parts. The company also provides aircraft management services, as well as aircraft and limited engine MRO services, and aircraft disassembly services through its repair stations. In addition, it offers aircraft services, including remarketing aircraft; collecting rental and maintenance payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft; conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews; inspecting the leased aircraft; coordinating technical modifications to aircraft to meet new lessee requirements; conducting restructurings negotiations in connection with lease defaults; repossessing aircraft; arranging and monitoring insurance coverage; registering and de-registering aircraft; arranging for aircraft and aircraft engine valuations; and providing market research. The company?s management services include leasing and remarketing, cash management and treasury, technical advisory, and accounting and administrative services. As of March 31, 2011, it owned 272 aircraft and 95 engines, which it leased under operating leases to 118 lessees in 53 countries. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Schiphol, the Netherlands.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  AerCap (AER) provides aircraft leasing and aviation finance services. This stock closed up 3.3% at $18 in Wednesday's trading session.

  Wednesday's Volume: 740,000
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 318,589
  
  Volume % Change: 85%

  From a technical perspective, AER jumped higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $17.27 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last five months, with shares moving higher from its low of $14.84 to its recent high of $18.16. During that uptrend, shares of AER have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of AER within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if AER manages to take out its 52-week high at $18.16 with high volume.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in AER as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $17.27 or above more near-term support at $17.17 and then once it sustains a move or close above its 52-week high at $18.16 with volume that's near or above 318,589 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then AER will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $20 to $23.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Own Right Now: Mad Catz Interactive Inc(MCZ)

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets, sells, and distributes accessories for videogame platforms and personal computers (PC), as well as for iPod and other audio devices. Its products include videogame, PC, and audio accessories, such as control pads, video cables, steering wheels, joysticks, memory cards, light guns, flight sticks, dance pads, microphones, car adapters, carry cases, mice, keyboards, and headsets. It markets its products primarily under the Mad Catz, Saitek, Cyborg, Eclipse, Joytech, GameShark, Tritton, and AirDrives brands. The company also develops flight simulation software; operates flight simulation centers under its Saitek brand; operates a videogame content Website under its GameShark brand; publishes games under its Mad Catz brand; and distributes games and videogame products for third parties. It distributes its products through retailers in the United States, Europe, and Canada, as well as in Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zeal and, and Singapore. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in San Diego, California

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Video game accessory developer and manufacturer Mad Catz Interactive Inc. (AMEX: MCZ) has been the biggest winner on this list. Since last May, MCZ has climbed 321%, and this penny stock is up 51% year to date. Last quarter, MCZ posted year-over-year quarterly revenue growth of 91%. Buy this stock with a 52-week range of 34 cents to $2.39.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Own Right Now: Research in Motion Limited(RIMM)

Research In Motion Limited (RIM) designs, manufactures, and markets wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. The company, through the development of integrated hardware, software, and services, provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information, including email, phone, short messaging service, and Internet and Intranet-based applications and browsing. Its products and services principally comprise the BlackBerry wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld product line, software development tools, and other software and hardware. The company?s BlackBerry smartphones use wireless, push-based technology that delivers data to mobile users? business and consumer applications. Its BlackBerry smartphone portfolio includes BlackBerry Bold series, the BlackBerry Torch, BlackBerry Curve series, the BlackBerry Style, BlackBerry Storm series, the BlackBerry Tour, BlackBerry Pearl series, and the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. T he company?s BlackBerry enterprise solutions comprise BlackBerry enterprise server, BlackBerry enterprise server express, BlackBerry mobile voice system, and hosted BlackBerry services. Its technology also enables third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services through software development kits, wireless connectivity to data, and third-party support programs. In addition, the company offers BlackBerry technical support services, non-warranty repairs, and nonrecurring engineering services. Further, it provides BlackBerry App World that offers BlackBerry smartphone users an electronic catalogue that aids in the discovery and download/purchase of applications directly from their BlackBerry smartphone. The company markets and sells its BlackBerry wireless solutions primarily through global wireless communications carriers, and third party distribution channels. Research In Motion Limited was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Waterloo, Canad a.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Kevin M. O'Brien]

  Research In Motion (RIMM) will go private. The stock, rightfully so, has been completely crushed in 2011. The negative sentiment surrounding this company makes it hard to envision the stock price recovering anytime soon. Their two-CEO structure has been a major problem. Concerns with Research In Motion are plentiful. This was once a great and innovative company. It actually makes sense to take it private sooner rather than later as the stock price looks to be headed to the single digits unless a buyout could happen, which I do not see taking place.

• [By Geoff Gannon] The least loved of these is ��of course ��RIMM. Einhorn already has a paper loss in that stock. His average cost was $18.88 a share. Today�� price is $15.05. That�� a 20% loss. And Einhorn only started buying Research In Motion in the last three months of 2011.
  
  But Research In Motion is a pretty small position ��0.81% of Einhorn�� total portfolio ��compared to one of his other new buys: Dell.
  
  Einhorn already owns $255 million of Dell shares. He paid $15.36 a share. The stock is now at $18.08 a share. That�� an 18% gain. And Dell will mean a lot more to Einhorn�� performance than Research In Motion. Dell is a 3.9% position for Einhorn. That�� almost five times the size of his investment in Research In Motion. So ��for now at least ��Einhorn�� paper gain on Dell will more than make up for his paper loss on RIMM.
  
  Finally, there�� Yahoo.
  
  This is a quasi-new buy for Einhorn. He actually bought a 8.5 million shares of Yahoo in the first quarter of 2011 only to sell them for a 2% loss the next quarter. Einhorn was out of Yahoo completely for the third quarter of 2011. And now he�� back in with about 3 million shares bought in the fourth quarter of 2011. Einhorn�� average price is a wee bit lower this time. His original purchase price ��back in first quarter 2011 ��was $16.64 a share. He got his Yahoo shares about 6% cheaper this time around. Einhorn paid $15.66 a share for his 3 million shares of Yahoo. The stock is down a smidge from there. Around $15.25 a share.
  
  There have been reports of a breakdown in Yahoo�� buyout talks. But that�� par for the course in a situation like this where a company is shopping itself around. There will be lots of people leaking stories for lots of different reasons. Don�� believe everything you read about Yahoo. And certainly don�� try to trade on everything you read about Yahoo.
  
  Why is Einhorn buying Yahoo?
  
  Probably on a sum of the parts basis. As everybody knows, Yahoo has some ver! y valuable Asian assets. Unfortunately, they also have a history of mismanaging their U.S. business and losing the trust of their shareholders.
  
  Einhorn owns just 0.24% of Yahoo. Much less than the more than 5.6% owned by Daniel Loeb. Not surprisingly, Loeb is not a fan of Yahoo�� board. Loeb had this to say to Yahoo:
  
  ���Recent press reports (indicate) that the Board�� current strategic direction is to emphasize the technology aspects of (Yahoo��) business at the expense of advertising and media, which accounts for the vast majority of (Yahoo��) revenues. (We) believe that this approach places (Yahoo��) core revenue generating capability at substantial risk, fails to recognize the tremendous growth opportunity in video, and directly results from a dearth of essential expertise in media and entertainment at the Board level.
  
  ��he reluctance of the Board to prioritize shareholder value to date ��evidenced by years of deferring and delaying comprehensive strategic initiatives and missing out on myriad accretive transactions and strategic opportunities ��will no longer be tolerated or endorsed by investors. Shareholders deserve earnest representation and oversight as (Yahoo) confronts the critical investment and capital allocation decisions it expects to face in the next few months.��br>
  Is Einhorn content to ride Daniel Loeb�� coattails at Yahoo? Who knows? But we do know t

Samsung: Tech Powerhouse

Top 10 Companies To Own For 2014

This South Korean stock is a technology powerhouse that I think every long term investor should own, says Jim Powell, editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report.

Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) is not only South Korea's most successful tech company, it is also a global trendsetter. Its list of cutting edge products includes HDTVs, Blu-rays, digital cameras, computers, and Android-based devices.

The company's Galaxy smartphones and tablets are taking sales away from Apple, an accomplishment that few analysts thought was possible.

Larry Ellison, founder and CEO of Oracle, said recently that Samsung "may be the number one technology company in the world." I concur.

Samsung also makes advanced home appliances including high-end washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and so on. Less well known, but also very profitable, is Samsung's line of digital imaging equipment for hospitals.

In addition, the company is a leading manufacturer of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and chemicals.

Alas, there is a catch with Samsung. At the present time, the company is only available in the US through the Over The Counter (OTC) market, known as the Pink Sheets.

Although the OTC market has come under tighter regulation in recent years, it's still not a place for most investors. So few shares, of even large companies, are often traded each day, therefore big price swings are common.

If you make the mistake of placing a market order (you pay whatever the price happens to be when your order is filled), you could be hit with an astronomical bill. With a market sale you could suffer a huge loss.

I think you should steer clear of the OTC market, which is why I didn't suggest buying Samsung via the Pink Sheets.

However, Samsung is available in the German and the UK stock markets, which are available to US investors. (The symbols are (GR:SSUN) and (LSE:BC94) respectively.)

Prices on these exchanges are easy to follow—but trades are more expensive than for US listed stocks, and not all brokers offer them.

The bottom line is, I think long-term investors should have Samsung Electronics in their long-term accounts. This should be a particularly good time to invest, because prices have dropped, due to concerns about the global economy.

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Earnings Preview: Six Major Retailers on Tap for This Week

So far this earnings season U.S. retailers haven't put up a very good show. Retailers that have already reported results said that customers had become cautious again during the quarter and same-store sales reports for July did not show a lot of improvement.

Among retailers reporting earnings this week we've selected six to preview: The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD), Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW), Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT), Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY), Gap Stores Inc. (NYSE: GPS), and J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP).

Home Depot is touted to post earnings per share (EPS) of $1.21 on revenues of $21.8 billion on Tuesday. After a better-than-expected showing in its first quarter, Home Depot revised its 2013 guidance higher, projecting revenue growth of 2.8%, same-store sales growth of 4%, and diluted EPS of $3.52 for the full year. The consensus analysts' estimates now call for full-year EPS of $3.64 on revenues of $77.57 billion. Shares are trading in the early afternoon Monday at $76.06, up about 0.9%, in a 52-week range of $55.98 to $81.56.

Lowe's, which reports on Wednesday, is expected to post EPS of $0.79 on revenues of $15.06 billion. The company missed the consensus EPS target last quarter, and the quarterly EPS estimate is 16% higher than what the company actually earned in the same period a year ago. Lowe's shares are trading down 0.2% today, at $43.86 in a 52-week range of $25.97 to $46.25.

The consensus estimates for Target call for EPS of $0.98 on revenues of $17.29 billion when the retailer reports results on Wednesday. The big-box store has missed EPS estimates for the past two quarters and at the end of last quarter Target lowered its forecast for full-year EPS to a range of $4.70 to $4.90. The consensus estimate from analysts calls for full-year EPS of just $4.33, and the estimate from Retail Metrics for same-store sales growth in August is 2.3%. Shares are trading up about 0.5% today at $68.39 in a 52-week range of $58.01 to $73.50.

Best Stocks For 2014

Best Buy beat the consensus earnings estimate last quarter and the estimate for the July quarter is considerably lower at $0.12 a share on $9.13 billion in revenues. The company did say that it expected expenses to be higher in the second quarter, yet the consensus estimate has added a penny in the past 90 days. The company reports results before markets open on Tuesday, and shares are trading up 1.5% at $30.83 in a 52-week range of $11.20 to $32.17.

Research firm Retail Metrics expects Gap Stores to post August same-store sales up 2.3% from August of 2012. Last year same-store sales jumped 9% year-over-year and Gap stock had been on a roll until the beginning of August, losing more than 7%. The consensus estimates call for EPS of $0.64 on revenues of $3.83 billion when the company reports results on Thursday. Shares are trading down about 1.1% on Monday at $42.63 in a 52-week range of $29.84 to $46.56.

J.C. Penney's unbroken string of quarterly losses is expected to continue, with consensus estimates calling for an EPS loss of $1.06 on revenues of $2.76 billion. The departure of investor William Ackman from the company's board won't be enough to turn the company around as long as sales continue to dip. Retail Metrics projects a same-store sales drop of 8.3% for August and the bad news just keeps on coming for the venerable retailer. Shares are down about 1.5% at $13.21 in a 52-week range of $12.34 to $32.55.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Macy's Inc. (NYSE: M), Kohl's Corp. (NYSE: KSS), and Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) have all already reported poor quarterly results that barely met expectations in most cases. There's no reason to expect anything substantially different this week, except perhaps from Home Depot, which has history of being cautious with its estimates.

Top 5 Growth Companies To Buy For 2014

With the stock market having set new highs all year, it was only reasonable for traders to expect that May would finally provide a long-awaited reversal in the four-year-old bull market. Yet once again, the market defied those expectations, and even with an ugly day yesterday, the Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) closed out May with a gain of nearly 2% for the month.

When you look more closely at the Dow's month, you'll find that the rally was fairly broad-based, with 20 of the average's 30 components posting gains. Four of those stocks picked up 11% or more on the month. Let's look at those companies to see what we can glean from their strong performances.

Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ  ) , up 18.5%
Most of HP's gains came in the wake of its earnings report last week, in which the stock gained 17%. Although investors expected to see concrete signs of progress in HP's turnaround, they didn't expect to see the resiliency that the company's results exhibited. Earnings and net income predictably fell because of weakness in the PC market, but promising prospects in areas like networking, cloud services, and software have investors believing that the company is moving more quickly toward recovering profit growth than they previously thought. HP still has a long way to go, but arguably, regaining the confidence of shareholders was the key obstacle for the company to overcome.

Top 5 Growth Companies To Buy 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 5 Growth Companies To Buy For 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.

Top 5 High Tech Stocks 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.

Top 5 Growth Companies To Buy For 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.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) is an owner, operator and franchiser of restaurants featuring a variety of boldly-flavored, craveable menu items. This stock closed up 6% to $103.58 in Wednesday's trading session.

  Wednesday's Volume: 1.55 million
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 402,120
  
  Volume % Change: 319%

  From a technical perspective, BWLD ripped higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $98.38 with heavy upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of BWLD within range of triggering major breakout trade. That trade will hit if BWLD manages to take out its intraday high on Wednesday of $105.32 and then once it clears is 52-week high at $106.03 with high volume.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BWLD as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $98.38 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 402,120 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then BWLD will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $110 to $120.

Top 5 Growth Companies To Buy For 2014: CNO Financial Group Inc. (CNO)

CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, marketing, and administration of health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. The company markets and distributes Medicare supplement insurance, interest-sensitive and traditional life insurance, fixed annuities, and long-term care insurance products; Medicare advantage plans through a distribution arrangement with Humana Inc.; and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans through a distribution and reinsurance arrangement with Coventry Health Care. It also markets and distributes supplemental health, including specified disease, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance products; and life insurance to middle-income consumers at home and the worksite through independent marketing organizations and insurance agencies. In addition, the company markets primarily graded benefit and simplified issue life insurance products directly to customers through television advertising, direct mail, Internet, and telemarketing. It sells its products through career agents, independent producers, direct marketing, and sales managers. CNO Financial Group, Inc. has strategic alliances with Coventry and Humana. The company was formerly known as Conseco, Inc. and changed its name to CNO Financial Group, Inc. in May 2010. CNO Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Invest In Right Now

The following video is from Tuesday's MarketFoolery podcast, in which host Chris Hill and analysts Matt Argersinger and Jason Moser discuss the top business and investing stories of the day.

Shares of Coach (NYSE: COH  ) rose on Tuesday after the retailer reported a 6% increase in third-quarter profits. Coach also increased its dividend by 13%. Does Coach have even more upside? To what extent is�Michael Kors (NYSE: KORS  ) a threat to Coach? In this installment of MarketFoolery, our analysts discuss the future of Coach.

The relevant video segment can be found between 10:24 and 13:44.

Michael Kors is one of today's hottest high-end fashion brands, and that's translated into one of the best-performing stocks in retail. Since its debut on the market in late 2011, the share price has more than doubled. But with all that growth, has the stock finally become too expensive or is there still room left to run? The Motley Fool's premium report on Michael Kors gives investors all the information they need to make the right decision. We cover the key must-watch areas, opportunities, and threats to the company that investors need to know. To claim your copy, simply click here now for instant access.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Invest In Right Now: OceanFirst Financial Corp.(OCFC)

OceanFirst Financial Corp. operates as the holding company for OceanFirst Bank that provides community banking services to retail, government, and business customers primarily in Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties in New Jersey. Its deposit products include money market accounts, savings accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, non-interest bearing accounts, and time deposits. The company?s loan portfolio comprises conventional first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residences, residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, multi-family and land loans, and real estate construction loans; consumer loans, such as home equity loans and lines of credit; and commercial loans. In addition, it offers trust and asset management, and merchant check card services; and sells alternative investment products, including mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance. The company operates 22 branches, as well as a loan production office and a trust and weal th management office. OceanFirst Financial Corp. was founded in 1902 and is based in Toms River, New Jersey.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Desert Energy Ltd(DSN.AX)

Desert Mines and Metals Limited engages in the exploration of uranium, iron ore, copper, gold, and nickel in Australia. It holds interest in the Camel Hills project through a joint venture with Aurora Minerals located in Western Australia. The company was formerly known as Desert Energy Limited and changed its name to Desert Mines and Metals Limited in December 2011. Desert Mines and Metals Limited is based in Belmont, Australia.

Hot Performing Stocks To Invest In 2014: Regis Resources Ltd (RRL)

Regis Resources Limited is principally engaged in the production of gold from the Moolart Well gold mine, construction of the Garden Well gold mine and exploration, evaluation and development of gold projects in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The Company operates in two segments: Duketon Gold Project (being the Moolart Well Gold Mine) and the Garden Well Gold Project. The Company�� Duketon Gold project is located in the Laverton region 350 kilometers north-northeast of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The project consists a tenement packaging covering over 2,000 square kilometers of ground. Its Moolart Well Gold Mine is located within the Duketon Gold Project. Its Garden Well is a shear hosted Archaean orogenic gold deposit located 100 kilometers north of Laverton in the Duketon Greenstone Belt in Western Australia. On August 9, 2012, it announced that it had executed a letter of agreement to acquire the McPhillamys Gold Project in the Bathurst region of New South Wales.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Hanmi Financial Corporation(HAFC)

Hanmi Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for Hanmi Bank that provides general business banking products and services in the United States. Its deposit product line comprises business and personal checking accounts, savings accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. The company?s loan portfolio includes real estate loans, such as commercial property, construction, and residential property loans; commercial and industrial loans comprising commercial term loans, commercial lines of credit, small business administration loans, and international trade finance; and consumer loans consisting of automobile loans, secured and unsecured personal loans, home improvement loans, home equity lines of credit, overdraft protection loans, and unsecured lines of credit and credit cards. It also offers various insurance products, such as life, commercial, automobile, health, and property and casualty. The company serves the Korean-American community, as well as other communities in the multi-ethnic populations of Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, the San Francisco Bay area, and the Silicon Valley area in Santa Clara County. As of December 31, 2010, it operates a branch network of 27 full-service branch offices in California and one loan production office in Washington. Hanmi Financial Corporation was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

5 Best Performing Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Unico American Corporation(UNAM)

Unico American Corporation, an insurance holding company, underwrites property and casualty insurance. The company provides property, casualty, and health insurance products, as well as insurance premium financing and membership association services. Its commercial property coverage insures against loss or damage to buildings, inventory, and equipment from natural disasters, including hurricanes, windstorms, hail, water, explosions, and severe winter weather, as well as other events, such as theft and vandalism, fires, storms, and financial loss due to business interruption resulting from covered property damage. The company also provides commercial liability coverage against third party liability from accidents occurring on the insured's premises or arising out of its operation, as well as writes separate policies to insure commercial property and commercial liability risk on a mono-line basis. In addition, it offers sells and services automobile rental policies; and medi cal and dental policies. The company markets its insurance products primarily through independent insurance agents and brokers. It operates primarily in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in Woodland Hills, California.