The spread of estimates of how holiday sales did over the period from Black Friday through Cyber Monday is wide.� NRF�reported that�Thanksgiving Holiday spending reached $57.4 billion, which was a slight disappointment. Comscore reported that online spending from the start of November through December 11 was higher by 9% to $31.5 billion. (The research firm added that the number of weekends in 2013 was��different from last year, so perhaps online spending was really up 25%). Individual retailers have reported numbers which range from fantastic to horrible. Whatever the correct data are, the holiday retail sales season has gone from a marathon which started on November 1 to a sprint with only 10 days to go.
If the level of discounts offered by Walmart�(NYSE: WMT) is any indication, the largest retailer in the world has decided to continue to�use free shipping, which�can be�costly for the retailer, as a means to�gain customers. Its most attractive offer, at least for people who do not want to wait until the very last moment, is free shipping on any order of $35 or more. The catch, and there are several,�is that it will take 6 to 9 business days for those orders to arrive–which means they may barely make it before sundown on the 24th. Walmart�does not say what it costs to get orders as fast as it can deliver them–1 to 2 business days, Customers have to check directly with the retailer. The�cost may be too shockingly high for most Walmart�shoppers. So, does Walmart�really take much of a financial risk on shipping? Maybe not, when the fees are broken down by category.
Top 5 Clean Energy Companies To Invest In 2016: ABM Industries Incorporated (ABM)
ABM Industries Incorporated provides integrated facility solutions services in the United States and internationally. It offers floor cleaning and finishing, window washing, furniture polishing, carpet cleaning and dusting, and other building cleaning services for commercial office and industrial buildings, retail stores, shopping centers, warehouses, airport terminals, health facilities, educational institutions, stadiums and arenas, and government buildings. The company also provides mobile and onsite services comprising mechanical engineering and technical services and solutions for infrastructure systems, including maintenance, retro-commissioning, mechanical retrofits and upgrades, electric vehicle charging stations, electrical service, systems start-ups, performance testing, and energy audits to government facilities, military installations, commercial infrastructure, airports/transportation centers, healthcare centers and hospitals, data centers, manufacturing facil ities, educational campuses, corporate office buildings, resorts, shopping malls, museums, and residences. In addition, it offers support programs to government, such as leadership development, education and training, language support, medical support, and construction management services; and food and facility solutions services to hospitals, healthcare systems, long-term care facilities, and retirement communities. Further, the company operates parking lots and garages at office buildings, hotels, medical centers, retail centers, sports and entertainment arenas, educational institutions, municipalities, and airports; and provides transportation services. Additionally, it offers security services comprising staffing of security officers, mobile patrol services, investigative services, electronic monitoring of fire, life safety systems, access control devices, and security consulting services to various facilities. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dividends4Life]
ABM Industries Incorporated (ABM) offers floor cleaning and finishing, window washing, furniture polishing, carpet cleaning and dusting, and other building cleaning services. December 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.3% to $0.155 per share. The dividend is payable February 3, 2014, to stockholders of record on January 2, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.3%.
- [By Dan Caplinger]
Next Monday, ABM Industries (NYSE: ABM ) will release its latest quarterly results. With the stock having recently hit 52-week highs, can the company keep delivering the growth that investors want to see?
Best Shipping Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Baltic Trading Limited (BALT)
Baltic Trading Limited engages in shipping business in the dry bulk industry spot market worldwide. The company operates a fleet of dry bulk ships that transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel products, and other dry bulk cargoes. Its fleet consists of 2 Capesize vessels, 4 Supramax vessels, and 3 Handysize vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 672,000 deadweight tons. The company charters its vessels to trading houses, including commodities traders, as well as producers and government-owned entities. Baltic Trading Limited was founded in 2009 and is based in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By GuruFocus]
George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) just reported his first quarter portfolio. He buys Citrix Systems Inc, Baker Hughes Inc, Comcast Corp, Spansion Inc, etc during the 3-months ended 03/31/2014, according to the most recent filings of his investment company, Soros Fund Management LLC. As of 03/31/2014, Soros Fund Management LLC owns 305 stocks with a total value of $10.1 billion. These are the details of the buys and sells.New Purchases: BHI, CODE, CTRP, CLI, AVB, COMM, CNQ, AGO, AUY, ATML, ASH, BXMT, CSTM, AEM, CMA, ARE, CHKP, AUQ, BEAV, CX, ADSK, AALCP, BLK, AIG, BIIB, ADEP, AMRI, ARWR, ATHX, BALT, BCRX, BEAT, CFX, CLFD, CUR, CODE,Added Positions: CTXS, CMCSA, CNP, ALTR, BRCD, CBS, CRM, CHTR, CCJ, CIEN, BIDU, ALLE, ABT, CDNS, ACT,Reduced Positions: AAPL, CCI, AMT, ABBV, AAL, BITA, AL, ANGI, ARIA, CBST, BA, BIRT, EXAR,Sold Out: C, BAC, CRI, AMZN, AGN, CF, BRCM, COTY, BMY, AMCX, CAR, A, ADBE, AFL,For the details of George Soros (Trades, Portfolio)'s stock buys and sells, go to http://www.gurufocus.com/StockBuy.php?GuruName=George+SorosThis is the sector weightings of his portfolio:Technology18.9%Energy14%Healthcare8.3%Consumer Defensive8.2%Communication Services8.1%Consumer Cyclical5.4%Industrials5.1%Basic Materials4.9%Financial Services2.5%Real Estate1.9%Utilities0.5%These are the top 5 holdings of George Soros (Trades, Portfolio)1. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA) - 10,310,041 shares, 5.4% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 10.67%2. Herbalife Ltd (HLF) - 4,901,337 shares, 2.8% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 52.9%3. EQT Corp (EQT) - 2,573,814 shares, 2.5% of the total portfolio. Shares added by 3.27%4. Adecoagro SA (AGRO) - 25,915,076 shares, 2.1% of the total portfolio.5. Halliburton Co (HAL) - 3,596,353 shares, 2.1% of the total portfolio. Shares reduced by 20.73%New Purchase: Baker Hughes Inc (BHI)George Soros (Trades, Portfolio) initiated holdings in Baker Hughes Inc. His purchase prices were between $51.82 and $65.27, with an estimated
Best Shipping Stocks To Invest In Right Now: IFM Investments Ltd (CTC)
IFM Investments Limited, incorporated on November 30, 2005, is a real estate services provider with the network of real estate sales offices in People�� Republic of China. The Company is the exclusive franchisor in People�� Republic of China for the CENTURY 21 brand As of December 31, 2012, its CENTURY 21 China network covered 27 cities. The Company operates under four business lines: Company-owned brokerage services, Primary and commercial services, mortgage management services and franchise services. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 321 Company-owned sales offices, representing approximately 34.7% of its CENTURY 21 China network. Its Company-owned brokerage services business owns and operates regional sub-franchisors and sales offices in the CENTURY 21 China network. The Company�� mortgage management services business provides mortgage advisory services to home buyers and home owners and interim guarantee services to commercial banks.
Company-owned Brokerage Services
As of December 31, 2012, the Company directly owns 318 CENTURY 21 sales offices located in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, cities in People�� Republic of China with a number of secondary market real estate transactions per year. Through its Company-owned brokerage services business, the Company participates in sales and leasing transactions primarily with respect to middle to high grade residential properties in the secondary real estate market. Its services include property listing, advisory services and transaction negotiation and documentation. The Company also promotes its mortgage management services to its customers to provide real estate brokerage services. It also participates in real estate sales and leasing transactions with respect to properties in the primary and commercial real estate markets. The Company operates its Company-owned brokerage services business under the CENTURY 21franchise network.
The Company competes with Centaline (China) Property Cons! ultants Limited Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu.
Primary and commercial services
The Company�� primary and commercial services business consists of two business units, one that provides agency services to primary residential real estate developers and one that provides planning, consulting and brokerage services to commercial property developers. The Company generates revenues from its primary services by earning sales commissions from primary residential property developer clients, and it generate revenues from its commercial services by collecting service fees for consultancy services provided to commercial property developers.
The Company competes with World Union Properties Consulting Co., Limited and Syswin Inc., E-House (China) Holdings Limited, CB Richard Ellis and Jones Lang Lasalle.
Mortgage Management Services
The Company operates its mortgage management services as a separate segment under the brand of Kaisheng. Its mortgage management services include advisory services in connection with the selection and procurement of mortgage products offered by commercial banks. Its mortgage consultants promote and introduce various mortgage products, and advise home buyers or home owners in the selection of the appropriate mortgage product based on each mortgagor�� individual needs. The Company also has a call center in Shanghai to promote its mortgage management services business directly to its customers. The Company also provides mortgage management services to customers outside of its CENTURY 21 China network.
The Company competes with Beijing Houze Investment, Guarantee Company Limited and Shanghai Haoyonghang Investment Management Company Limited.
Franchise Services
The Company�� franchise network consists of three levels of franchise rights. First, through IFM Company Limited (IFM Co.), its wholly owned subsidiary, the Company is the exclusive franchisor for the CENTURY 21 brand in China. ! IFM Co. i! n-turn grants the right to franchise the CENTURY 21 brand within specific geographical regions to sub-franchisors whom the Company refers to as regional sub-franchisors. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 25 regional sub-franchisors with franchise networks in 27 cities in People�� Republic of China with a total of 924 franchised sales offices. Second, each regional sub-franchisor pays the Company ongoing service fees based on its revenue from the sales offices within its respective region, subject to minimum service fee requirements. In addition to generating revenue from its regional sub-franchisors, the Company leverages the geographic breadth and local market expertise of its CENTURY 21 franchise network.
The Company competes with Coldwell Banker.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Lam]
With 12 REIT IPOs in Canada since the beginning of 2012 and at least another coming from retailer Canadian Tire Corp. (CTC) in the near future, Taylor said the market has become saturated.
Best Shipping Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Stewart Enterprises Inc.(STEI)
Stewart Enterprises, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides funeral and cemetery products and services in the death care industry in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company also offers a range of funeral merchandise and services, as well as cemetery property, cremation, merchandise, and services. Its funeral homes provide various services and products, including the family consultation, removal and preparation of remains, usage of funeral home facilities for visitation, worship and funeral services, transportation services, flowers, and caskets. The company also sells cemetery property and related merchandise, which includes lots, lawn crypts, family and community mausoleums, monuments, markers, and burial vaults; and provides burial site openings and closings and inscriptions. In addition, it maintains cemetery grounds under cemetery perpetual care contracts and local laws. As of January 31, 2011, the company owned and operated 218 funeral homes and 141 cemeterie s. Stewart Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1910 and is based in Jefferson, Louisiana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Chris Katje]
Service Corporation (SCI), the largest funeral home operator in the United States, made news last week with its large acquisition of Stewart Enterprises (STEI). The acquisition was well received by investors, as shares rose 8% on the day of the announcement. Together, the two companies will see huge cost savings advantages and a backlog that is currently undervalued.
- [By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of funeral-home operator Stewart Enterprises (NASDAQ: STEI ) soared 34% today, after larger rival Service Corp. International (NYSE: SCI ) agreed to acquire it in a deal worth about $1.4 billion.
Best Shipping Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Northeast Utilities(NU)
Northeast Utilities, a public utility holding company, provides electric and natural gas energy delivery services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts. The company engages in the purchase, delivery, and sale of electricity; and owns and operates approximately 1,200 megawatts of primarily fossil-fueled electricity generation assets. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns in Connecticut; 497,000 retail customers in 211 cities and towns in New Hampshire; and 206,000 retail customers in 59 cities and towns in western Massachusetts. The company also operates a natural gas distribution system in Connecticut and serves approximately 206,000 customers in 71 cities and towns. It offers gas supply to commercial and industrial customers; and to residential customers for heating, hot water, and cooking needs, as well as provides gas transportation services t o commercial and industrial customers. In addition, the company offers electric transmission services. Northeast Utilities was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By David Dittman]
Answer: Growth: Magna International, Ag Growth International Inc (TSX: AFN, OTC: AGGZF), NextEra Energy Inc (NYSE: NEE), Aqua America Inc (NYSE: WTR) and, at these levels, Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX). I like Verizon too.
Income: Brookfield Renewable Energy, Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU), Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE: EPD), Plains All American Pipeline Partners LP (NYSE: PAA), Pembina Pipeline. - [By David Dittman]
Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) is New England�� largest utility system, serving more than 1.7 million electricity customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
- [By Richard Stavros]
Meanwhile, the companies that are projected to be spending more in 2015 than they are presently include The AES Corp (NYSE: AES), Ameren Corp (NYSE: AEE), American Electric Power Co Inc (NYSE: AEP), CMS Energy Corp (NYSE: CMS), and Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU).
- [By David Dittman]
Utilities in regions with better-than-average growth will also do well on this front. Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU), a recent addition to the UF Portfolio, has significant FERC regulated transmission investments in line that will support dividend growth for years.
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