Gov't shutdown might cut 4Q economic growth by 1.4 points

A shutdown of the U.S. government would reduce fourth-quarter economic growth by as much as 1.4 percentage points depending on its length, economists say, as government workers from park rangers to telephone receptionists are furloughed.

Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics Inc. estimates a three-to-four week shutdown would cut growth by 1.4 points. Moody's projects a 3 percent rate of growth in the fourth quarter without a closure. A two-week shutdown starting Oct. 1 could cut growth by 0.3 percentage point to an annualized 2.3 percent rate, according to St. Louis-based Macroeconomic Advisers LLC.

A shutdown would slow the expansion because output lost when workers are furloughed subtracts from gross domestic product. The combined prospect of a budget standoff between the White House and Congress and haggling over the debt ceiling could have a bigger impact on the economy as businesses hold off on investment and households delay spending.

“What we have is a political and not economic maelstrom,” said Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist at Economic Outlook Group LLC in Princeton, New Jersey. “What everyone is watching right now is if the uncertainty is affecting consumer and business psychology, that they are postponing spending until they get more clarity about what's going to happen in Washington.”

The Republican-controlled House has passed a measure that would deny funding for President Barack Obama's health-care law as part of a bill to pay for government operations after the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. The Democratic-controlled Senate will vote today on a stopgap spending bill, which party leaders said will exclude the Republican language ending funds for the law.Clinton-Gingrich

A shutdown wouldn't be unprecedented: 17 funding gaps happened between 1977 and 1996, based on a Congressional Research Service analysis. In 1995 and 1996, interruptions lasted from Nov. 14 to Nov. 19 and from Dec. 16 to Jan. 6, as Republicans led by then-House speaker Newt Gingrich clashed with President Bill Clinton's administration.

Those back-to-back shutdowns cut GDP by 0.25 percentage point in the fourth quarter of 1995, almost entirely because federal employees were furloughed, according to an analysis by Joel Prakken, senior managing director at Macroeconomic Advisers.

Prakken, in his estimate of the impact on GDP this time, assumes that 36 percent of the federal government's 2.1 million civilian employees would be furloughed. Non-essential employees may include park rangers and most workers at the Internal Revenue Service. Zandi, on the other hand, assumes that about half of government employees would be furloughed.Back pay

Spending by government workers is unlikely to be affected because they will expect to receive back pay after returning to work, according to Macroeconomic Advisers.

A shutdown of just a few days would have little impact on the economy, analysts say. On the other hand, a closure of more than two months would “likely precipitate another recession,” Zandi said Sept. 24 in testimony to the Senate Budget Committee. Even a three- or four-week gap would “do significant economic damage.”

Haggling over a continuing resolution to fund the government past the end of the month comes as House Republican leaders prepare for what Speaker John Boehner last month called a “whale of a fight” over the nation's $16.7 trillion debt limit.

The leaders are banking on winning public support for a strategy of pairing their goals of spending cuts, looser environmental regulations and an Obamacare delay with the increase in the debt cap, rather than using the possibility of a government shutdown as leverage to win their objectives.Quick Agreement

A quick agreement on a continuing resolution might bode well for talks on raising the debt ceiling, said Millan Mulraine, director of U.S. rates research at TD Securities USA LLC in New York.

“The initial cue for markets will come from how easily we are able to resolve the discussion on the government shutdown,” Mulraine said.

Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said this week the government probably would exhaust extraordinary measures it has been using to keep under the debt ceiling no later than Oct. 17 and will have about $30 billion cash on hand. That's down from a projection of $50 billion last month.

The U.S. was stripped of its AAA credit ranking by Standard & Poor's in August 2011, a move that partly reflected an impasse in Congress over raising the debt ceiling as well as the government's lack of a plan to rein in its debt load.

While the downgrade didn't result in investors charging the U.S. more to borrow, as 10-year Treasury yields slipped to record lows in July 2012, the move contributed to a global stock-market rout that erased about $6 trillion in value from July 26 to Aug. 12, 2011.

“A shutdown of non-essential services is inconvenient for a while. If we hit the debt ceiling, we're in unchartered territory,” Prakken said. “If you miss an interest payment on the national debt, that's a sovereign default of sorts, and I think it would s

Top Canadian Stocks To Buy For 2014

Canadian gold miner Nevsun Resources Ltd. (NSU) has unveiled second-quarter 2013 production results from its Bisha mine in Eritrea, East Africa. The company produced 34,900 ounces of gold in the quarter, at par with its expectations. Nevsun expects to produce 110,000 ounces of gold from the mine in 2013.

Nevsun mined 425,000 tons of ore during the second quarter. Waste mined was 1,647,000 tons. Moreover, Nevsun milled 455,000 tons of ore at 2.75 g/t (grams per ton) gold. The results include 56,000 tons of the transitional pyrite sand ore processed starting Jun 15, 2013.

During the quarter, an additional 2,700 ounces of gold and 277,000 ounces of silver were produced in concentrate starting June 15. Nevsun also achieved safety milestone at Bisha, clocking 12 million man hours without a lost time injury.

Nevsun is a high grade, low cost gold producer. The company has a 60% interest in the Bisha mine, which ranks as one of the highest grade open pit mines in the world.

Top Canadian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Celadon Group Inc.(CGI)

Celadon Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides transportation services between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It offers a range of truckload transportation services, including long-haul, regional, less-than-truckload, intermodal, and logistics services. The company transports various types of freight comprising tobacco, consumer goods, automotive parts, home products and fixtures, lawn tractors and assorted equipment, light bulbs, and various parts for engines. It also operates an e-commerce business that provides discounted fuel, tires, insurance, and other products and services to small and medium-sized trucking companies through its website, www.truckersb2b.com. In addition, the company provides warehousing and trucking services, as well as freight brokerage services. Celadon Group, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Top Canadian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Silvercorp Metals Inc(SVM)

Silvercorp Metals Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of silver mineral properties in China and Canada. The company holds interests in four silver, lead, and zinc mines, including the Ying Project, the HPG Project, the TLP Project, and the LM Project at the Ying Mining Camp in the Henan Province of China. It also holds interests in the GC Project, a silver, lead, and zinc mine in the Guangdong Province; and the BYP gold, lead, and zinc mine project in Hunan province, as well as the Silvertip silver, lead, and zinc mine project in northern British Columbia, Canada. The company was formerly known as SKN Resources Ltd. and changed its name to Silvercorp Metals Inc. in May 2005. Silvercorp Metals Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks To Watch For 2014: Encana Corporation(ECA)

Encana Corporation and its subsidiaries engage in the exploration for, development, production, and marketing of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids. The company owns interests in resource plays that primarily include the Greater Sierra, Cutbank Ridge, Bighorn, and Coalbed Methane resource plays located in British Columbia and Alberta, as well as the Deep Panuke natural gas project offshore Nova Scotia in Canada. It also holds interests in resource plays comprising the Jonah in southwest Wyoming, Piceance in northwest Colorado, Haynesville in Louisiana, and Texas resource play, including east Texas and north Texas. The company serves primarily local distribution companies, industrials, energy marketing companies, and other producers. Encana Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeremy van Loon]

  Encana Corp. (ECA), the natural gas producer selling assets after losing half its value since 2010, is being urged by investors to cut its dividend and focus on profitable projects in the U.S. and Canada.

• [By Richard Zeits]

  Earlier this year, after almost a year of active but unsuccessful marketing of a Mississippian Lime Joint Venture and following several mixed test results, Encana Corporation (ECA) designated its ~320,000 net Mississippian Lime acres in Kansas for sale. In July, Encana followed with a decision to divest its remaining acreage in Osage County in Oklahoma, including seven producing wells.

Top Canadian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Great Basin Gold Ltd.(GBG)

Great Basin Gold Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal deposits. It explores for gold, silver, and aggregate. The company has two material projects, including the Hollister gold project consisting of a total of 950 unpatented, federal mining claims, covering approximately 69 square kilometers located in Ivanhoe Mining District, Elko County, Nevada; and the Burnstone gold mine comprising mineral rights covering approximately 35,000 hectares located in the Witwatersrand Basin goldfields in South Africa. It also holds interests in early stage mineral prospects, such as the Tsetsera Property in Mozambique; and properties in Tanzania and the island of Kurils in eastern Russia. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Sandton, South Africa.

Top Canadian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Apollo Gold Corporation(BRD)

Brigus Gold Corp. engages in the extraction, processing, refining, and production of gold and other by-product metals primarily in North America. The company principally produces gold and silver. It primarily owns the Black Fox Complex and Black Fox Mill properties located in the Timmins Mining District in the Province of Ontario, Canada; the Goldfields project located in the Lake Athabasca region of Saskatchewan, Canada; and the Ixhuatan property located in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Brigus Gold Corp., through its joint venture, holds interests in the Ampliacion Pueblo Viejo and Loma El Mate gold exploration projects located in the Dominican Republic. The company was formerly known as Apollo Gold Corporation and changed its name to Brigus Gold Corp. in June 2010. Brigus Gold Corp. was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Standard Register (SR): Is Bigger Better for This Small Cap Printing and Communications Stock? RRD & VPRT

Printing and the various forms of marketing communications that need to be printed (like business cards and stationary) are fundamental to the needs of every business, meaning the recent share surge of small cap Standard Register Co (NYSE: SR) after it announced an acquisition along with its long-term performance against better known peers like RR Donnelley & Sons Co (NASDAQ: RRD) and VistaPrint Limited (NASDAQ: VPRT) is worth taking a closer look at. After all, Standard Register is up 363.2% since the start of the year verses a return of 113.4% for RR Donnelley & Sons Co and 75.9% for VistaPrint Limited.

What is the Standard Register Co?

Founded in 1912, small cap Standard Register is a recognized leader in the healthcare, financial services, commercial business and industrial markets whose core solutions consist of combinations of print, labels, services and software while legacy solutions primarily support common business transaction processing needs and consist mainly of printed products and distribution services. Basically, Standard Register is a printing company that manages and executes "mission-critical communications."

For reference, RR Donnelley & Sons Co is a global provider of integrated communications and more specifically premedia, printing, logistics and business process outsourcing services to clients in virtually every private and public sector while Netherlands based VistaPrint Limited is focused on giving the 50 million micro businesses professional marketing products and services at an affordable price.

What You Need to Know About Standard Register

Last Thursday, Standard Register announced it would acquire WorkflowOne, which provides printing, document management, distribution and marketing services to a large customer base, in a deal valued at $218 million in equity and assumed debt. The deal is being financed by assuming $210 million of long-term debt and through the issuance of warrants with an estimated value of $8 million. When the integration of both companies is completed, Standard Register expects to achieve $1 billion in annual revenue and $40 million in annual savings. However, it's a big deal for Standard Register because it had just $1 million in cash on its balance sheet as of March 31 and a market share of just $60 million – meaning financing and no major integration surprises will be critical to pull it off.

Standard Register also reported earnings which included $136.8 million in revenue and a net loss of $4.8 million verses $155.1 million in revenue and a net loss of $1.1 million for the same period last year. The company's CEO noted:

"Although we still face the volatility of a declining market for our traditional printing products, the investments we have made in technology-enabled solutions have created a portfolio with increasing relevance in the market. We are particularly enthused with the near-term and long-term value creation benefits of the acquisition announced this morning."

He ended his comments by saying:

"This is a bold move at the right time with the right financial structure. It makes our pension obligation more manageable, and gives us additional resources to execute within our strategy."

Of course, bold moves have a habit of backfiring; but then again, Standard Register probably needs some bold moves to succeed and this acquisition might just be it if the integration is done right. Moreover, Standard Register has also been working for several years to transition itself away from a traditional printing company into a provider of communications and marketing solutions. The stock was also surging back in March when the company announced it was investing $10 million into a new national hub for digital printing, kitting and distribution in Jeffersonville, Indiana as part of this transition effort and its recent earnings reports have all shone signs of improvement.

Share Performance: Standard Register Co vs. RRD and VPRT

On Wednesday, small cap Standard Register rose 1.80% to $14.15 (SR has a 52 week trading range of $2.25 to $16.75 a share) for a market cap of $83.7 million plus the stock is up 363.2% since the start of the year, up 236.9% over the past year and down 67.9% over the past year. RR Donnelley & Sons Co is up 113.4% since the start of the year, up 48.9% over the past year and up 22% since August 2009 while VistaPrint Limited is up 75.9% since the start of the year, up 51.4% over the past year and up 78.2% over the past five years.

As you can see from the above chart, Standard Register has not exactly been a winner over the long term while the performance of RR Donnelley & Sons Co and VistaPrint Limited have also been mixed.

Finally, here is a look at the latest technical charts for all three printing or communications stocks:

The Bottom Line. Despite the run up in share price and any uncertainty with the WorkflowOne acquisition, small cap Standard Register could be another turnaround story while the recent performance of peers RR Donnelley & Sons Co and VistaPrint Limited might ease the concerns of some investors.

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy Right Now

 DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- There isn't a day that goes by on Wall Street when certain stocks trading for $10 a share or less don't experience massive spikes higher. Traders savvy enough to follow the low-priced names and trade them with discipline and sound risk management are banking ridiculous coin on a regular basis.

Just take a look at some of the hot movers in the under-$10 complex from Wednesday, including Skystar Bio-Pharmaceuticals (SKBI), which skyrocketed higher by 82.5%; NF Energy Saving (NFEC), which soared higher by 37.9%; Dataram (DRAM), which ripped higher by 20.4%; and Pointer Telocation (PNTR), which jumped higher by 18.3%. You don't even have to catch the entire move in lower-priced stocks such as these to make outsized returns when trading.

One low-priced stock that recently exploded higher was biotechnology player Anacor Pharmaceuticals (ANAC), which I highlighted in July 17's "5 Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar" at around $6.80 per share. I mentioned in that piece that shares of ANAC were uptrending for the last two months, with the stock pushing higher from its low of $4.83 to its high at that time of $6.93 a share. That move was quickly pushing ANAC within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade above some key resistance levels at $6.93 to $7.09 a share.

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy Right Now: Navidea Biopharmaceuticals Inc (NAVB)

Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Navidea), formerly Neoprobe Corporation, incorporated in 1983, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of precision diagnostic agents. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� radiopharmaceutical development programs included Lymphoseek (Lymphoseek, Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m for Injection), a radiopharmaceutical agent for lymph node mapping; AZD4694, an imaging agent, and RIGScan, a tumor antigen-specific targeting agent. In January 2012, the Company executed an option agreement with Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alseres) to license [123I]-E-IACFT Injection, also called Altropane, an Iodine-123 radiolabeled imaging agent, being developed as an aid in the diagnosis of Parkinson�� disease, movement disorders and dementia. In August 2011, the Company sold its gamma detection device line of business (the GDS Business) to Devicor Medical Products, Inc.

Lymphoseek

Navidea�� pipeline includes clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical agents used to identify the presence and status of disease. Lymphoseek (Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m for Injection) is a lymph node targeting agent intended for use in intraoperative lymphatic mapping (ILM) procedures and lymphoscintigraphy employed in the overall diagnostic assessment of certain solid tumor cancers. The lymph system is a component of the body�� immune system. The key components of the lymph system are lymph nodes-small anatomic structures that contain disease-fighting lymphocytes, filter lymph of bacteria and cancer cells, and signal infection in response to heightened levels of pathogens. In Navidea�� Phase III clinical studies of Lymphoseek, it detected over 99% of positive nodes identified by vital blue dye (VBD). As of December 31, 2011, Navidea, in co-operation with UC, San Diego affiliate (UCSD), completed or initiated five Phase I clinical trials, one multi-center Phase II trial and three multi-center Phase II trials inv! olving Lymphoseek. Two Phase III studies were completed in subjects with breast cancer and melanoma. During the year ended December 31, 2011, data from NEO3-09 were released, which indicated that all primary and secondary endpoints for the study were met. As of December 31, 2011, third Phase III clinical trial for Lymphoseek in subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (NEO3-06) was in progress.

AZD4694

AZD4694 is a Fluorine-18 labeled precision radiopharmaceutical candidate for use in the imaging and evaluation of patients with signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). It binds to beta-amyloid deposits in the brain that can then be imaged in positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Amyloid plaque pathology is a required feature of AD and the presence of amyloid pathology is a supportive feature for diagnosis of probable AD. Patients who are negative for amyloid pathology do not have AD. AZD4694 has been studied in several clinical trials. Clinical studies through Phase IIa have included more than 80 patients to date, both suspected AD patients and healthy volunteers. No significant adverse events have been observed. Results suggest that AZD4694 has the ability to image patients quickly and safely with high sensitivity.

RadioImmunoGuided Surgery

As of December 31, 2011, RIGScan had been studied in a number of clinical trials, including Phase III studies. Navidea has conducted two Phase III studies, NEO2-13 and NEO2-14, of RIGScan in patients with primary and metastatic colorectal cancer, respectively. Both studies were multi-institutional involving cancer treatment institutions in the United States, Israel, and the European Union.

The Company competes with Pharmalucence, Eli Lilly, Bayer Schering, General Electric and GE Healthcare.

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy Right Now: CEL-SCI Corp (CVM)

CEL-SCI Corporation (CEL-SCI), incorporated on March 22, 1983, is engaged in the business of Multikine cancer therapy; New cold fill manufacturing service to the pharmaceutical industry, and ligand epitope antigen presentation System (LEAPS) technology, with two products, hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1 (H1N1) swine flu treatment for H1N1 hospitalized patients and CEL-2000, a rheumatoid arthritis treatment vaccine.

Multikine

CEL-SCI's Multikine, is being developed for the treatment of cancer. It is a cancer immunotherapy drugs called Combination Immunotherapy because it combines active and passive immunity in one product. It is the only cancer immunotherapy that both kills cancer cells and activates the general immune system to destroy the cancer. Multikine target the tumor micro-metastases for treatment failure. Multikine is also applicable in many other solid tumors.

New Manufacturing Facility

CEL-SCI's facility manufactures Multikine for CEL-SCI's Phase III clinical trial. CEL-SCI offers the use of the facility as a service to pharmaceutical companies and others, particularly those that need to fill and finish their drugs in a cold environment. Fill and finish is the process of filling injectable drugs in a sterile manner.

LEAPS

CEL-SCI's patented T-cell Modulation Process uses heteroconjugates to direct the body to choose a specific immune response. The heteroconjugate technology, referred to as LEAPS, is intended to stimulate the human immune system to fight bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, as well as autoimmune, allergies, transplantation rejection and cancer. Administered like vaccines, LEAPS combines T-cell binding ligands with small, disease associated and peptide antigens.

Using the LEAPS technology, CEL-SCI has created a peptide treatment for H1N1 (swine flu) hospitalized patients. This LEAPS flu treatment is designed to focus on the conserved, non-changing epitopes of the di! fferent strains of Type A Influenza viruses, including swine, avian or bird, and Spanish Influenza. CEL-SCI's LEAPS flu treatment contains epitopes.

Top 5 Safest Companies For 2014: Dendreon Corporation(DNDN)

Dendreon Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics to enhance cancer treatment options for patients. The company offers active cellular immunotherapy and small molecule product candidates to treat various cancers. Its product candidates comprise Provenge (sipuleucel-T), an active cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer; DN24-02, an investigational active immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with bladder, breast, ovarian, and other solid tumors expressing HER2/neu; and TRPM8, a small molecule agonist to transient receptor potential ion channel, for multiple cancers. The company also has a range of products in preclinical studies, which include Carcinoembryonic antigen for the treatment of lung, colon, and breast cancer; and Carbonic AnhydraseIX for the treatment of kidney cancer. Dendreon Corporation was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in S eattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Dendreon Corp. (NASDAQ: DNDN) is hitting 52-week lows as Deutsche Bank has downgraded the maker of Provenge to Sell from Hold. Shares are down 5% at $3.03, against a prior 52-week range of $3.10 to $7.22.

• [By Dimitra DeFotis]

  There are two cancer vaccines on the market: Provenge, a prostate-cancer treatment from Seattle-based Dendreon�(DNDN), and Yervoy, a melanoma treatment from Bristol-Myers Squibb�(BMY), according to Dow Jones Newswires. In May, Roche�Holding (RHHBY) said its experimental cancer vaccine, called MPDL3280A, shrank tumors in 21% of 140 patients participating in a trial. It is now performing tests in lung cancer patients.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Stocks on the move: Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) is up 5.2% at $40.63, a new 52-week high, on a positive note from analysts at J.P. Morgan. Dendreon Corp. (NASDAQ: DNDN) down 9.1% at $2.90 after posting a new 52-week low of $2.85.

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy Right Now: Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc (Q)

Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. is a provider of biopharmaceutical development services and commercial outsourcing services. The Company operates in two segments: Product Development and Integrated Healthcare Services. The Company�� Product Development segment operates as a contract research organization (CRO) focused primarily on Phase II-IV clinical trials and associated laboratory and analytical activities. The Company�� Integrated Healthcare Services segment is a global commercial pharmaceutical sales and service organizations and Integrated Healthcare Services provides a range of services, including commercial services, such as providing contract pharmaceutical sales forces in geographic markets, as well as healthcare business services for the healthcare sector, such as outcome-based and payer and provider services. In August 2012, it acquired Expression Analysis, Inc.

Product Development

Product Development provides services and that allow biopharmaceutical companies to outsource the clinical development process from first in man trials to post-launch monitoring. The Company�� service offering provides the support and functional necessary at each stage of development, as well as the systems and analytical capabilities. Product Development consists of clinical solutions and services and consulting. Clinical solutions and services provides services necessary to develop biopharmaceutical products, including project management and clinical monitoring functions for conducting multi-site trials (generally Phase II-IV) (core clinical) and clinical trial support services that improve clinical trial decision making and include global laboratories, data management, biostatistical, safety and pharmacovigilance, and early clinical development trials, and strategic planning and design services that improve decisions and performance. Consulting provides strategy and management consulting services based on life science and advanced analytics, as well as regulatory and comp! liance consulting services.

The Company competes with Covance, Inc., Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc., PAREXEL International Corporation, ICON plc, inVentiv Health, Inc. (inVentive), INC Research and PRA International.

Integrated Healthcare Services

Integrated Healthcare Services provides the healthcare industry with both geographic presence and commercial capabilities. The Company�� commercialization services are designed to accelerate the commercial of biopharmaceutical and other health-related products. Service offerings include commercial services (sales representatives, strategy, marketing communications and other areas related to commercialization), outcome research (drug therapy analysis, real-world research and evidence-based medicine, including research studies to prove a drug�� value) and payer and provider services comparative and cost-effectiveness research capabilities, clinical management analytics, decision support services, medication adherence and health outcome optimization services, and Web-based systems for measuring quality improvement.

The Company competes with inVentiv, PDI, Inc., Publicis Selling Solutions, United Drug plc, EPS Corporation and CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.

Top 5 Biotech Companies To Buy Right Now: Medivation Inc.(MDVN)

Medivation, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of small molecule drugs for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer, Alzheimer?s disease, and Huntington disease. The company?s product candidates under clinical development include MDV3100, which is in Phase 3 development for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer; and dimebon, which is in Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of Alzheimer?s disease and Huntington disease. It has collaboration agreements with Pfizer Inc. to develop and commercialize dimebon; and Astellas Pharma Inc. to develop and commercialize MDV3100. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Medivation Inc. (NASDAQ: MDVN) is a top stock to buy and makes the UBS Key Call list as well. The company expects to present top line phase 3 data from the crucial PREVAIL trial of Xtandi in castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. UBS is highly confident the trials will prove successful. Its price target for the stock is $74, and the consensus target is $69.50.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  While we lean positive on the large cap names across the board, including Neutral-rated names [Biogen (BIIB)] and [Celgene (CELG)], we single out [Gilead Sciences (GILD)] as our favourite into YE13e and into 2014. Among mid caps, we favor…[Medivation (MDVN).]

Edible Profits: Grocery Stores

Low customer confidence due to an adverse economic environment has affected supermarket operators, and tighter market competition over pricing has further eroded margins. However, as the economy slowly recovers, grocery stores are presented with an opportunity to improve performance and deliver profits. Let us look at the Safeway (SWY) and Kroger (KR), two supermarket operators, in order to discern which one offers better investment prospects.

Improvements Continue

The second largest supermarket operator in the U.S., Safeway, has sold its operations in Canada. To support its stores, the firm has developed an integrated network of manufacturing, processing and distribution network. The latest news indicates the firm has had a weak second quarter due to soft fuel sales, and ID sales remain weak.

Right now, Safeway has improved its performance thanks to the introduction of the loyalty program Just for U. The program has allowed the company to increase market share and total sales. Also, the firm has invested significant capital in the Lifestyle upgrade, given another push to market share growth. The upgrade means less capital investment and the opportunity to generate a higher cash flow. Additionally, the company has made increasing efforts to reduce cost with a focus on cost of goods sold and supply chain efficiencies, which is expected to improve its margins in the upcoming quarters.

Safeway's sale of its Canadian operations has been mildly accepted by analysts due to the lack of clarity on management plans to gain momentum in the domestic market. At the same time, given the nature of the industry, constructing an economic moat is very difficult if not impossible. Hence, today's market share winnings can quickly turn into tomorrow's loss. At last, analysts are concerned about the generous cash flow and lack of debt reduction.

The balance sheet for Safeway is moderate. Revenue entered an upward trend but so has debt. Trading at 12.5 times its earnings, carrying a 44%! discount to the industry average, the stock is undervalued. Among the 10 gurus who made moves within their holdings, there are two increments and a new buy. The rest has shrunk their positions by over 30%, among them Charles Brandes the guru with the largest holding, while Joel Greenblatt opted out completely. I share the pessimism displayed by these last two gurus because management has not proposed a long-term strategy for growth.

Improvements on the Way

5 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now

Operating more than 3,500 stores nationwide, Kroger is the largest grocery store operator in the U.S. Additionally, the firm manufactures and processes food while managing drug, department, jewelry and convenience stores. Lately, the company has recently caught the analyst's attention due to a change in high management, expected to be completed Jan. 1, 2014. The announcement has been well received since it is expected to continue performing above average.

At the moment, Kroger`s attention is on higher competition. Analysts, however, remain very optimistic about the company's strength to confront price competition from rival who go at a loss in order to increase store traffic. Also, management sat clear guidelines for opening new stores, expansion and relocation of existing assets, and remodeling of over 100 branches. At the same time, private-label products have penetrated the market above the industry average, allowing for greater margins.

On another note, Kroger's Customer 1st business strategy augmented identical supermarket sales, while alleviating gross margin pressure, at the same time that operating margin and return on invested capital improves. Management expects to continue growing through the acquisitions of Axium Pharmacy Holdings Inc. and Harris Teeter Supermarkets. The acquisitions mean a strengthening of the drug offered and geographical expansion into high-growth markets.!

Th! e balance sheet for Kroger is strong. Revenue continues to improve, debt levels are on the downtrend, and cash flow remains high. Currently trading at 14 times its earnings, packing a 37% discount to the industry average, the stock is undervalued. At last, the largest guru, Charles Brandes has reduced his holding. But John Hussman and Jeremy Grantham have taken important new positions below Brandes. I share their optimism because the firm holds a dominant position, is well prepared to counter the race-to-the-bottom proposed by competitors, and amid high management changes, the successful business strategy will remain in place.

Hungry for profits

I prefer Kroger for several reasons aside from the ones mentioned above. Although it offers a lower yield and dividend than Safeway, the investment is sure to be safe. Also, the firm holds a history for customer care and improving shareholders' positions.

Disclosure: Vanina Egea holds no position in any of the mentioned stocks.

Top 5 Medical Stocks To Own For 2014

Jiangsu Hengru Medicine Co. shares fell the most in three months as drugmakers declined after the official Xinhua News Agency reported China is starting a campaign to crack down on illegal competition in the industry.

Jiangsu Hengru dropped 4.4 percent to 33.31 yuan at the 11:30 a.m. local-time break, poised for the biggest loss since May 20. Beijing SL Pharmaceutical Co. slid 4.1 percent to 56.57 yuan. A gauge of health-care companies fell 2 percent, the most among 10 industry groups on the CSI 300 index. The Shanghai Composite index and CSI 300 index were little changed.

��he crackdown on irregularities in the medical sector has undermined confidence among some investors and they expect drug prices to fall,��said Wu Kan, a Shanghai-based fund manager at Dragon Life Insurance Co., which oversees $3.3 billion in assets.

Top 5 Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: Boston Scientific Corp (BSX)

Boston Scientific Corporation is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a range of interventional medical specialties. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its products were offered for sale by seven core businesses: Interventional Cardiology, CRM, Endoscopy, Peripheral Interventions, Urology/Women�� Health, Neuromodulation, and Electrophysiology. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Intelect Medical, Inc. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Sadra Medical, Inc. In March 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Atritech, Inc. In February 2011, it announced the acquisitions of S.I. Therapies and ReVascular Therapeutics, Inc. In January 2011, the Company sold its Neurovascular business to Stryker Corporation. In June 2012, the Company acquired Cameron Health, Inc. of San Clemente, California and, as a result, added to its product portfolio subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, called the S-ICD System.

Interventional Cardiology

The Company offers coronary stent product. Coronary stents are tiny, mesh tubes used in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which are implanted in patients to prop open arteries and facilitate blood flow to and from the heart. The Company offers a two-drug platform strategy with its paclitaxel-eluting and everolimus-eluting stent system offerings, and it offers a range of stent sizes. The Company markets its next-generation internally-developed and self-manufactured PROMUS Element stent system in the United States, its Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) region and certain Inter-Continental countries, including China and India. It markets the PROMUS everolimus-eluting stent system, supplied to the Company by Abbott Laboratories, in Japan. It also markets its TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stent line, including its third-generation TAXUS Element paclitaxel-eluting stent system in the U.nited States, Japan, EMEA and certain Inter-Continental countries.

The Compa! ny markets a line of products used to treat patients with atherosclerosis, a principal cause of coronary artery obstructive disease. Its product offerings include balloon catheters, rotational atherectomy systems, guide wires, guide catheters, embolic protection devices, and diagnostic catheters used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The Company markets a family of intraluminal catheter-directed ultrasound imaging catheters and systems for use in coronary arteries and heart chambers, as well as certain peripheral vessels. The iLab Ultrasound Imaging System continues as its flagship console and is compatible with its line of imaging catheters. The system is designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of blocked vessels and heart disorders. Sadra is developing a repositionable and retrievable device for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis. The Lotus Valve System consists of a stent-mounted tissue valve prosthesis and catheter delivery system for guidance and placement of the valve. Atritech has developed a device designed to close the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk for ischemic stroke. The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology, developed by Atritech, is the first device proven in a randomized clinical trial to offer an alternative to anticoagulant drugs, and is approved for use in CE Mark countries.

Cardiac Rhythm Management

The Company develops, manufactures and markets a variety of implantable devices that monitor the heart and deliver electricity to treat cardiac abnormalities, including Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) systems used to detect and treat abnormally fast heart rhythms (tachycardia) that could result in sudden cardiac death, including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) systems used to treat heart failure, and implantable pacemaker systems used to manage slow or irregular heart rhyth! ms (brady! cardia), including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) systems used to treat heart failure. Its product offerings include its COGNIS cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D), its TELIGEN ICD systems and its ALTRUA family of pacemaker systems. During 2011, it began the United States launch of its next-generation line of defibrillators, INCEPTA, ENERGEN and PUNCTUA.

Endoscopy

The Company markets a range of products to diagnose, treat and ease a variety of digestive diseases, including those affecting the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, and colon. Common disease states include esophagitis, portal hypertension, peptic ulcers as well as esophageal, biliary, pancreatic and colonic cancer. The Company offers the Radial Jaw 4 Single-Use Biopsy Forceps, which are designed to enable collection of large high-quality tissue specimens without the need to use large channel therapeutic endoscopes. Its exclusive line of RX Biliary System devices are designed to provide greater access and control for physicians to diagnose and treat challenging conditions of the bile ducts, such as removing gallstones, opening obstructed bile ducts and obtaining biopsies in suspected tumors. The Company also markets the Spyglass Direct Visualization System for direct imaging of the pancreatico-biliary system. The Spyglass System is a single-operator cholangioscopy device that offers clinicians a direct visualization of the pancreatico-biliary system and includes supporting devices for tissue acquisition, stone management and lithotripsy. Its products also include the WallFlex family of stents, in particular, the WallFlex Biliary line and WallFlex Esophageal line; and in 2011, the Company launched its Advanix Biliary Plastic Stent System and the Expect Endoscopic Ultrasound Aspiration Needle in the United States and certain international markets. Its Resolution Clip Device is an endoscopic mechanical clip designed to treat gastrointestinal bleeding.

T! he Company markets devices to diagnose, treat and ease pulmonary disease systems within the airway and lungs. Its products are designed to help perform biopsies, retrieve foreign bodies from the airway, open narrowings of an airway, stop internal bleeding, and ease symptoms of some types of airway cancers. Its product line includes pulmonary biopsy forceps, transbronchial aspiration needles, cytology brushes and tracheobronchial stents used to dilate narrowed airway passages or for tumor management. Asthmatx, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets a less-invasive, catheter-based bronchial thermoplasty procedure for the treatment of severe persistent asthma. The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System, developed by Asthmatx, has both CE Mark and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and is the first device-based asthma treatment approved by the FDA.

Peripheral Interventions

The Company sells various products designed to treat patients with peripheral disease, including a line of medical devices used in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and peripheral vascular stenting. Its peripheral product offerings include stents, balloon catheters, wires, peripheral embolization devices and vena cava filters. In 2010 and 2011, it launched several of its products internationally, including the EPIC self-expanding nitinol stent system in certain international markets, and the Carotid WALLSTENT stent system in Japan. The Company launched three new peripheral angioplasty balloons in 2011, including its next-generation Mustang percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon, its Coyote balloon catheter, a highly deliverable and ultra-low profile balloon dilatation catheter designed for a range of peripheral angioplasty procedures and its Charger PTA Balloon Catheter, a 0.035 inch percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon catheter designed for post-stent dilatation, as well as conventional balloon angioplasty to open blocked peripheral arteries. The Company has commenced a limited ma! rket rele! ase of its OFFROAD re-entry catheter system in certain international markets, and in February 2012, it launched its TRUEPATH intraluminal CTO device in the United States.

The Company sells products designed to treat patients with non-vascular disease. Its non-vascular suite of products include biliary stents, drainage catheters and micro-puncture sets designed to treat, diagnose and ease various forms of benign and malignant tumors. The Company continues to market its extensive line of Interventional Oncology product solutions, including the Renegade HI-FLO Fathom microcatheter and guidewire system and Interlock - 35 Fibered IDC Occlusion System for peripheral embolization. The Company�� FilterWire EZ Embolic Protection System is a filter designed to capture embolic material that may become dislodged during a procedure, which could otherwise travel into the microvasculature where it could cause a heart attack or stroke. It is commercially available in the United States, its EMEA region and certain Inter-Continental countries for multiple indications, including the treatment of disease in peripheral, coronary and carotid vessels. It is also available in the United States for the treatment of saphenous vein grafts and carotid artery stenting procedures.

Urology/Women�� Health

The Company�� Urology/Women�� Health division develops, manufactures and sells devices to treat various urological and gynecological disorders. The Company sells a variety of products designed to treat patients with urinary stone disease, stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and excessive uterine bleeding. The Company offers a line of stone management products, including ureteral stents, wires, lithotripsy devices, stone retrieval devices, sheaths, balloons and catheters.

The Company markets a range of devices for the treatment of conditions, such as female urinary incontinence, pelvic floor reconstruction (rebuilding of the anatomy to its original state), and ! menorrhag! ia (excessive menstrual bleeding). It offers a breadth of mid-urethral sling products, sling materials, graft materials, pelvic floor reconstruction kits, and suturing devices. The Company markets its Genesys Hydro ThermAblator (HTA) system, a next-generation endometrial ablation system designed to ablate the endometrial lining of the uterus in premenopausal women with menorrhagia. The Genesys HTA System features a smaller and lighter console, simplified set-up requirements, and an enhanced graphic user interface and is designed to improve operating performance.

Neuromodulation

The Company within its Neuromodulation business markets the Precision Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system, used for the management of chronic pain. In 2011, the Company launched its Clik Anchor for its Precision Plus SCS System, a rechargeable SCS device for chronic pain management. During 2011, it received FDA approval for and launched the Infinion 16 Percutaneous Lead, a 16-contact percutaneous lead. The Company also markets the Linear 3-4 and Linear 3-6 Percutaneous Leads for use with its SCS systems, which are designed to provide physicians more treatment options for their chronic pain patients. Intelect Medical, Inc. is a development-stage company developing advanced visualization and programming for the Vercise system.

Electrophysiology

The Company within its Electrophysiology business develops less-invasive medical technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of rate and rhythm disorders of the heart. Included in its product offerings are radio frequency (RF) generators, steerable RF ablation catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, diagnostic catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories. Its products include the Blazer and Blazer Prime line of temperature ablation catheters, designed to deliver enhanced performance, responsiveness, and durability. Its cooled ablation portfolio includes the closed-loop irrigated catheter on the market, the Chilli II cooled! ablation! catheter, and the newly launched Blazer Open-Irrigated ablation catheter with a Total Tip Cooling Design.

The Company competes with Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.

Top 5 Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp (RXII.PK)

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (RXi), incorporated on September 8, 2011, is a development-stage company. The Company is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies addressing medical needs using RNA interference (RNAi)-targeted technologies. As of July 12, 2012, RXi was focusing on its internal therapeutic development efforts in fibrosis. RXI-109 is its RNAi product candidate, which is a dermal anti-scarring therapy that targets connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The Company�� therapeutic platform consists of two main components: RNAi Compounds (rxRNA) and Advanced Delivery Technologies. RNAi compounds include rxRNAori, rxRNAsolo and sd-rxRNA, or self-delivering RNA. On April 26, 2012, it completed the spin-off transaction from Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Galena).

In January 2011, the Company announced research results in collaboration with Generex Biotechnology Corporation, and RXi�� wholly owned subsidia ry Antigen Express, Inc., in developing vaccine formulations for immunotherapy. In January 2011, it announced initial results as part of its collaboration with miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. in creating microRNA mimics, or artificial copies of microRNAs, using the Company�� sd-rxRNA technology. In February 2011, it announced the initiation of RXi�� development program for RXI-109.

5 Best Biotech Stocks To Own Right Now: Fuse Science Inc (DROP)

Fuse Science, Inc. ( Fuse Science), incorporated on September 21, 1988, is a consumer products holding company. The Company maintains the rights to sublingual and transdermal delivery systems for bioactive agents that can effectively encapsulate and charge many varying molecules in order to produce complete product formulations which can be consumed orally, applied topically or delivered otherwise sublingually or transdermally, thereby bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and entering the blood stream directly. The Fuse Science technology is designed to accelerate conveyance of medicines or nutrients relative to traditional pills and liquids and can enhance how consumers receive these products. In December 2012, the Company launched its initial DROP products, PowerFuse, an energy formulation in a concentrated drop and ElectroFuse, an electrolyte formula in a concentrated drop, online, with the expansion into targeted retail distribution channels.

The Company is developing formulations and devices, which are compatible with alternative delivery systems for energy, medicines, vitamins and minerals, among other bioactives. These alternative systems include, but are not limited to, sublingual, transdermal and buccal drug delivery methods. use Science has developed and continues to advance, in conjunction with its scientific team, sublingual and transdermal delivery systems for bioactives that can effectively encapsulate and charge varying molecules in order to produce product formulations which can be consumed orally, applied topically or otherwise delivered sublingually or transdermally, thereby bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and entering the blood stream directly. The delivery technology is consists of encapsulation vesicles and ion exchange permeation enhancers. This technology utilizes a gradient across the mucosa membrane to help deliver the bioactive more efficiently through the mucosa.

The Company�� products consist of EnerJel, PowerFuse and ElectroFuse. Ene! rJel is a topical product leveraging some of its technology, which is designed to address muscle fatigue and soreness, before, during and after physical activity. The product contains a natural anti-inflammatory and energy source which is directly applied to the problem area. PowerFuse contains natural ingredients, causes no sugar crash with zero calories and less than half the caffeine of an eight ounce cup of premium coffee. It is available in a great tasting Berry Blast Flavor. ElectroFuse contains natural ingredients, causes no sugar crash with zero calories, is easily portable and is available in a great tasting Salty-Sweet flavor.

Top 5 Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: Celgene Corp (CELG)

Celgene Corporation is a global biopharmaceutical company primarily engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory related diseases. The Company is engaged in the research and development, which is designed to bring new therapies to market, and is engaged in research in several scientific areas that may deliver therapies, focusing areas, such as intracellular signaling pathways in cancer and immune cells, immunomodulation in cancer and autoimmune diseases, and therapeutic application of cell therapies. The Company�� primary commercial stage products include REVLIMID, VIDAZA, THALOMID, ABRAXANE and ISTODAX. Additional sources of revenue include a licensing agreement with Novartis, which entitles it to royalties on FOCALIN XR and the entire RITALIN family of drugs, the sale of services through its Cellular Therapeutics subsidiary and other miscellaneous licensing agreements. In March 2012, it acquired Avila Therapeutics.

The Company invests in research and development, and the drug candidates in its pipeline at various stages of preclinical and clinical development. These candidates include pomalidomide and apremilast, its oral anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agents, PDA-001, its cellular therapy, oral azacitidine, CC-223 and CC-115 for hematological and solid tumor malignancies, CC-122, its anti-cancer pleiotropic pathway modifier, and ACE-011 and ACE-536 biological products for anemia in several clinical settings of unmet need. Celgene product candidates include Pomalidomide (CC-4047), Oral Anti-Inflammatory: Apremilast (CC-10004), CC-11050, Kinase Inhibitors:Tanzisertib (CC-930), Cellular Therapies: PDA-001, Activin Biology: Sotatercept (ACE-011) ACE-536, and Anti-tumor Agents: CC-22, CC-115, CC-122 and Oral Azacitidine. It owns and operates a manufacturing facility in Zofingen, Switzerland. The Company also owns and operates a drug product manufacturing facility in Boudry, Switzerland.

Commercial! Stage Products

REVLIMID (lenalidomide) is an oral immunomodulatory drug marketed in the United States and many international markets, in combination with dexamethasone, for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. It is also marketed in the United States and certain international markets for the treatment of transfusion-dependent anemia due to low- or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities. REVLIMID is distributed in the United States through contracted pharmacies under the RevAssist program, which is a risk-management distribution program. Internationally, REVLIMID is distributed under mandatory risk-management distribution programs.

REVLIMID continues to be evaluated in numerous clinical trials worldwide either alone or in combination with one or more other therapies in the treatment of a range of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MDS) various lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) other cancers and other diseases. VIDAZA (azacitidine for injection) is a pyrimidine nucleoside. VIDAZA is a Category 1 recommended treatment for patients with intermediate-2 and high-risk MDS and is marketed in the United States for the treatment of all subtypes of MDS. In Europe, VIDAZA is marketed for the treatment of intermediate-2 and high-risk MDS, as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with 30% blasts and has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of MDS and AML.

THALOMID (thalidomide) is marketed for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and for the acute treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) an inflammatory complication of leprosy and as maintenance therapy for prevention and suppression of the cutaneous manifestation of ENL recurrence. THALOMID is distributed in the United States under its System f! or Thalid! omide Education and Prescribing Safety (S.T.E.P.S.) program. Internationally, THALOMID is also distributed under mandatory risk-management distribution programs. ABRAXANE (paclitaxel albumin-bound particles for injectable suspension) is a solvent-free chemotherapy treatment option for metastatic breast cancer, which was developed using its nab technology platform. This protein-bound chemotherapy agent combines paclitaxel with albumin. As of December 31, 2011, ABRAXANE was in various stages of investigation for the treatment of expanded applications for metastatic breast; non-small cell lung; malignant melanoma; pancreatic; bladder and ovarian.

ISTODAX (romidepsin) has received orphan drug designation for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphomas, which includes CTCL and PTCL. The Company has licensed the worldwide rights (excluding Canada) regarding certain chirally pure forms of methylphenidate for FOCALIN and FOCALIN XR to Novartis. It also licensed to Novartis the rights related to long-acting formulations of methylphenidate and dex-methylphenidate products which are used in FOCALIN XR and RITALIN LA.

Preclinical and Clinical-Stage Pipeline

The product candidates in the Company�� pipeline are at various stages of preclinical and clinical development. Pomalidomide is a small molecule that is orally available and modulates the immune system and other biologically important targets. Pomalidomide is being evaluated in a phase III clinical trial for the treatment of myelofibrosis and a phase III clinical trial evaluating pomalidomide as a treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma is accruing patients.

The Company is developing a product, ORAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS, which is orally available small molecules that target PDE4, an intracellular enzyme that modulates the production of multiple pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-10, IL-12, IL-23, INF-gamma, TNF-a, leukotrienes,! and nitr! ic oxide synthase. Its investigational drug, apremilast (CC-10004), is used for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and active psoriatic arthritis and is being evaluated in a phase II trial for rheumatoid arthritis and six phase III multi-center international clinical trials. In addition, it is investigating its oral PDE4 inhibitor, CC-11050, which is an anti-inflammatory compound that treat a variety of chronic inflammatory conditions, such as Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE).

The Company�� oral kinase inhibitor platform includes inhibitors of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mTOR kinase, spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) c-fms tyrosine kinase (c-FMS) and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNAPK). Its oral Syk, c-FMS and DNAPK kinase inhibitors are being investigated in pre-clinical studies. The Company�� new second generation JNK inhibitor, tanzisertib (CC-930), is being evaluated in a phase II trial for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and a phase II trial for the treatment of discoid lupus is accruing patients. Amrubicin is a third-generation fully synthetic anthracycline molecule with potent topoisomerase II inhibition.

At Celgene Cellular Therapeutics (CCT), it is researching stem cells derived from the human placenta, as well as from the umbilical cord. CCT is the Company�� research and development division. Stem cell based therapies provide disease-modifying outcomes for serious diseases, which lack adequate therapy. It has developed technology for collecting, processing and storing placental stem cells with broad therapeutic applications in cancer, auto-immune diseases, including Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, neurological disorders, including stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), graft-versus-host disease, and other immunological / anti-inflammatory, rheumatologic and bone disorders.

The Company has collaborated with Acceleron Pharma, Inc. (Acceleron) to develop sotatercept. Two phase I clinical studies have been co! mpleted. ! An additional phase II clinical study has been initiated and is ongoing related to treatments for end-stage renal anemia and to evaluate effects on red blood cell mass and plasma volume.

The Company competes with Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc. (Amgen), AstraZeneca PLC., Biogen Idec Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Eisai Co., Ltd., F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd., Johnson and Johnson, Merck and Co., Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer, Sanofi and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Takeda).

Top 5 Medical Stocks To Own For 2014: Cannabis Science Inc (CBIS)

Cannabis Science, Inc., incorporated on May 4, 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company is engaged in the creation of cannabis-based medicines, both with and without psychoactive properties, to treats disease and the symptoms of disease, as well as for general health maintenance. On February 9, 2012, the Company acquired GGECO University, Inc. (GGECO). On March 21, 2012, the Company acquired Cannabis Consulting Inc. (CCI Group).

The Company is engaged in medical marijuana research and development. The Company works with world authorities on phytocannabinoid science targeting critical illnesses, and adheres to scientific methodologies to develop, produce, and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products.

Why It Can Be Good to Take Blame in the Office

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- When troubles arise at the office, it's a pretty good bet someone in management will want to know "what went wrong." While blaming others can make you look bad, taking too much responsibility for a problem can make you look weak. The reality is that failures at work are bound to happen. Our experts weigh in on how to handle them without looking like a tattletale or a pushover.

"You don't want to be the fall guy, but don't want to be a snitch," says Robert Hosking, executive director at staffing firm OfficeTeam. "If you're the manager of a group project that failed, you need to be ready to own up to it and step up to the plate to resolve the issue."

Almost one third -- 30% -- of senior managers said they have accepted the blame at work for something they didn't do, according to an OfficeTeam survey. Out of those, 34% said they took the fall because they felt "indirectly responsible" for the problem, while 28% said they "just didn't want to get others in trouble."

"You can't look like you're trying to deflect," Hosking says. "With that said, if there are 10 people on a project, it wasn't your entire fault -- in most cases it's not cut and dried as to who's most responsible." When a problem needs answers, Ben Dattner, organizational psychologist and author of The Blame Game: How the Hidden Rules of Credit and Blame Determine Our Success or Failure, says it's best to be honest about what went wrong without directly saying "It was her fault," or "It was his fault." If your supervisor continually demands names of responsible parties, Dattner says it's important to answer questions honestly without intentionally throwing your colleagues under the bus. "It's about your intention," Dattner says. "If your boss asks you to describe a series of events, you have to tell the truth. If your colleague didn't get you a report on time and you needed that report to do your job, then you have to simply say, 'No, he didn't send it.'" If you're unsure of the difference between conveying facts and conveying blame, Dattner says to imagine that your co-workers are all listening in as you describe what happened to your supervisor. Also see: Not Every Office Lets Fans Fly Their Team Colors>>

"Imagine all of your colleagues are in the room with you as you answer these questions," he says. "Don't betray them, but do give an honest account of what happened. Keep stressing to your supervisor the big picture of what went wrong and how you're going prevent it from happening again."

Keep in mind that if a manager wants to know who is responsible, they may not be seeking confrontation -- many times they just want to have a dialogue with whoever made the mistake to ensure the problem doesn't happen again, Dattner says.

"What enlightened managers do is overcome the tendency to rush to judgment and take a mindful, deliberate process to figure out what's going on," he says. "Sometimes they're not looking for someone to blame; it's really more of a good faith effort to figure out what went wrong and how we can fix it moving forward."

Unfortunately, many employees are too quick to place blame on others because they're scared, says Joseph Grenny, co-author of the national best-seller Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. "When a mistake is made we all go back to when we were 4 years old and we screwed up in kindergarten -- we feel threatened that we're about the be shamed, but this isn't about shame, it's about results," Grenny says. "Forget about who is bad -- shine the light on how we get better results next time." When you're speaking to your supervisor about what went wrong, Grenny says to try something disarming that will help your boss feel more secure that the team can get back on track easily. It may be the best course of action to say something like, "Wow. This didn't work, and it's not acceptable. We're going to make changes next time that ensure we can achieve our mission." Also see: How to Keep the Work Party From Getting Too Crazy>> "That sends the message to your boss that you believe this is about results -- not shame," Grenny says. Even if you're tempted to blame someone to resolve a situation, Grenny says the fallout can potentially be damaging to your career and create unnecessary hardships with co-workers.

"The real threat is that the people you blame and others you work with can really lose trust in you, so then you have to recover both from the original problem and the damaged trust," Grenny says. "Now it's a question of 'Can I trust your competence, and can I trust your motives?'"

Don't be fooled by a "quick fix" of blaming others, Dattner stresses, even if it seems appealing at the moment.

"It's tempting in the short term, but problematic in the long term," he says. "If you are constantly taking credit for the good things and none of the bad, you will never be able to adequately assess room for improvement, and employees are not going to trust you or want to work with you."

In most cases, the best option for employees and managers is to accept blame and take steps to ensure the problem never arises again, says Joe Utecht, crisis response manager with Ceridian LifeWorks. "Managers need to share responsibility for mistakes," Utecht says. "As a manager you want to people to accept responsibility, grow and learn from mistakes. When you concentrate on behavioral change rather than making a situation personal, you are on the road to creating a great workplace environment. You want your employees to feel good about themselves, feel encouraged and feel empowered so they can help your company improve and succeed and move forward."

Microsoft to Debut Next Gen Tablet (MSFT)

Keeping pace with its competition, tech giant Microsoft (MSFT) will detail its newest product on September 23rd.

The meeting is largely expected to unveil the newest Surface tablet, which is expected to feature a built-in battery as well as new processors. Unconfirmed rumors also suggest that the firm will be releasing multiple tablets, with a smaller version of its Surface tablet possibly making a debut.

Microsoft’s newest release will go head-t0-head with Apple (AAPL), which will be debuting the latest iPhone model at a meeting tomorrow. As Microsoft continues to battle to take away Apple’s market share, the unveiling and reception of its latest surface will be a key factor moving forward.

10 Best Low Price Stocks To Own For 2014

Microsoft shares were up 51 cents, or 1.61%, at Monday’s close. The stock is up more than 18% this year.

Technical Forecast for USD/JPY

 

USDJPY recovered above support at 98.76/70 & has beaten resistance at 99.15 as we look to 99.45/50 for a selling opportunity with stops above 99.75. We can then try shorts again at 99.95/100.05 with stops above 100.20.

Top 10 Tech Companies For 2014

 

Below 99.15 however keeps the market under pressure for a retest of 98.76/70. A low for the day is likely at this good support but longs need stops below yesterday’s low at 98.43. Just be aware that if we continue lower perhaps later in the week we should test support at 98.25/20. Any longs here need stops below 4 month trend line support at 98.05.

The following article is from one of our external contributors. It does not represent the opinion of Benzinga and has not been edited.

Top 10 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now

LONNDON -- To me, capital growth and dividend income are equally important. Together, they provide the total return from any share investment and, as you might expect, my aim is to invest in companies that can beat the total return delivered by the wider market.

To put that aim into perspective, the FTSE 100 has provided investors with a total return of around 3% per annum since January 2008.

Quality and value
If my investments are to outperform, I need to back companies that score well on several quality indicators and buy at prices that offer decent value.

So this series aims to identify appealing FTSE 100 investment opportunities and today I'm looking at�WPP� (LSE: WPP  ) (NASDAQ: WPPGY  ) , which provides marketing communications services such as advertising and public relations.

Top 10 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Is Caterpillar (CAT) really in the Dow? The beaten down industrial stock has gained 3.1% to $89.95 today, more than one percentage point more than Alcoa (AA), the next biggest winner with a 1.9% gain. The Travelers Companies (TRV) has gained 1.9% to $81.99, and 3M (MMM) has climbed 1.5% to $116.78. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen 0.9%.

  To put Caterpillar’s gain in perspective, its the stock’s largest jump since May 3, when it rose 3.2%. And with time still remaining today, it could advance even higher.

  We’ll chalk the big move up to the better economic news out of China last night, as well as sentiment that the global economy is picking up steam. The Caterpillar is also an industrial stock, and those are pretty popular right now.

  I wouldn’t make too much of the move just yet, however. For starters, Caterpillar has been stuck in a range since March, as the following chart shows:

  And, as Morgan Stanley reminded investors last week, the market might be expecting too much from Caterpillar. On Sept 5, analyst�Nicole DeBlase and team wrote:

  While we agree that Mining destocking activity should cease, we see risk to Construction restocking based on our survey work ��41% of both US and China Construction dealers still think inventory is too high, and plan to reduce throughout the remainder of 2013e. Should Construction activity not pick up materially in early 2014e, we see the potential for this to remain a headwind next year ��but we do still give CAT credit for 5ppts of top-line Construction benefit from restock in 2014e. We are more bearish on Mining CapEx as we do not expect the second derivative of cuts to turn positive until 2016e.

  Mogran Stanley initiated the stock as an Equal Weight with an $89 price target.

• [By Victor Mora]

  Caterpillar is a provider of construction and related industrial products and services during a time where countries around the world are seeing expansion. The stock has not done so well in the last year as it trades at the low-end of an established price range. Over the last four quarters, earnings and revenue figures have been mixed which has surprisingly sat well with investors in the company. Relative to its peers and sector, Caterpillar has been a poor year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what Caterpillar does in coming quarters.

Top 10 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Stoffel]

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

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

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

• [By Dan Moskowitz]

  Schlumberger is best of breed in its industry, but the industry�� potential might not be as strong as advertised. There is a theory that decreasing energy prices will lead to increased demand, but that�� like saying someone flushed the toilet and then went to the bathroom. The truth is that global demand is on shaky ground, and if it falters, it will lead to a chain reaction that won�� benefit Schlumberger. In a somewhat related matter of importance, Schlumberger�� stock was hit hard during the financial crisis. The fact that it was deemed the financial crisis isn�� important in this case. What�� important is that it was a deflationary environment and Schlumberger couldn�� maintain its strength in that�environment. If the Federal Reserve removed all monetary stimulus, would a deflationary environment present itself once again? Nobody knows for sure, but it�� a possibility. In the meantime, potential rewards outweigh downside risks for Schlumberger. Therefore, Schlumberger is an OUTPERFORM.

• [By Robert Holmes]

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

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

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

Hot Blue Chip Stocks To Invest In 2014: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sam Collins]

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

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

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

Top 10 Value Stocks To Watch Right Now: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sam Collins]

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

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

Just What The Doctor Ordered For Amgen

Amgen (AMGN) has been in the news primarily due to the dilly-dally that kept going on for months on the acquisition of Onyx (ONXX). Now that it is a done deal, the focus has shifted to discussions on the company's entry into the blood cancer market. The acquisition is a good opportunity in a new market not only because it marks the entry of Amgen into the blood cancer space, but also because Amgen needed it badly.

Amgen's entry into the multiple myeloma market

Amgen paid $10.4 billion primarily for Onyx's main, and the only fully-owned multiple myeloma (MM) drug, Kyprolis. MM is a cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Amgen has ten products in the market for treatment of various diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, but none in the blood cancer space. The company is currently evaluating candidates in four modalities - antibody, cancer immunotherapy, small molecules and protein/peptibody (a flexible alternative format to antibodies).

The disease remains incurable as nearly all patients suffer a relapse or develop resistance to the medicine. The MM market has seen great advancement in the last ten years with a number of new drugs being approved by the FDA. Still, Kyprolis had a dream launch after approval in July last year.

The drug was able to capture 10% market share with sales of $18.6 million in the quarter it was launched. This was way above $7-15 million that the analysts had forecast. In the first six months of 2013, sales touched $125 million. Net sales for Q2 2013 were $61 million, plus $10 million deferred revenue on account of inventory at distributors waiting to be shipped to physicians and hospitals.

Best Heal Care Stocks To Watch For 2014

Competition

Kyprolis was approved with a specific condition that it is to be a third line treatment, meaning it can be given only to patients who do not r! espond to other MM drugs - Velcade of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Revlimid from Celgene (CELG). Additionally, the disease must have progressed after a therapy had been stopped within the last 60 days.

Kyprolis is expected to get stiff competition from Celgene's Pomalyst, approved for MM in February 2013, and which, like Kyprolis, is also a third line treatment.

The strong launch of Pomalyst - Q2 sales of $66 million - prompted the company to raise the sales estimates for 2013 by 25% to $115 million.

Financials

Amgen is the world's largest biotechnology company with $17.27 billion annual revenue and a net income of $4.35 billion or $5.93 per share. The Onyx deal is the fifth largest in the history of M&As in the biotechnology industry, and despite a strong balance showing more than $22 billion in cash and cash equivalents, Amgen had to borrow $8.1 billion in 5-year loans on an average interest rate of 1.3%. Actually, it makes sense and is in line with what most cash rich companies with overseas presence normally do. Most of Amgen's cash reserves are stacked abroad with its overseas subsidiaries and it will have to pay tax if the money is brought back to the U.S.

Investors' take

The Onyx acquisition is a big plus and marks Amgen's first foray in treatment of MM, the second most common blood cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that there are roughly 21,700 MM patients in the U.S. and nearly 10,710 deaths every year from the disease.

Cancer drugs command a high price in the market. At the recommended dose for an average sized patient, Kyprolis costs $10,000 per 28-day cycle. That makes Kyprolis the most expensive MM drug. Depending upon the frequency of dosage, Velcade costs anything between $4,000 and $8,000. Revlimid, on the other hand, costs $7,900.

Along with Kyprolis, Amgen also gets Onyx's two other cancer drugs - Nexavar and Stivarga - where Onyx partners with Bayer. Together, both partnership agreements contributed nearly $92 millio! n to Onyx! 's revenue in the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

Just what the doctor ordered for Amgen

Over the years, Amgen has grown through M&As. In 2001 it acquired Immunex and through it the rheumatoid arthritis drug Enbrel. Currently, Enbrel is among Amgen's topline products.

Amgen needed an Onyx-like acquisition badly. For one, sales of Aranesp and Epogen, its flagship drugs for anemia, are dropping on concerns of safety, and loss of monopoly in 2012 to Affymax (AFFY), which received FDA approval for a rival anemia drug. Secondly, four of its top selling products go off patent in 2015.

My take

Amgen deserves inclusion in every biotech portfolio. It is a dividend paying company, yielding 1.69% at CMP, with a fair potential for growth due to the Onyx acquisition and its pipeline drugs.

Source: Just What The Doctor Ordered For Amgen

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, but may initiate a long position in AMGN over 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...)

Why Do Investors Love Panera?

With shares of Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ:PNRA) trading at around $187.50, is PNRA an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

C = Catalyst for the Stock's Movement

To answer the question in the title, it's because consumers love Panera. Yes, the food is good, but the real appeal for Panera is the atmosphere. The only other place that offers a similar atmosphere is Starbucks. However, Panera is bigger in regards to space offered, which often means more comfort. The WiFi is the key draw at Panera. Other restaurants have attempted to match Panera's approach, but in most cases, it's just not the same. There is something warm about Panera that is difficult to match.

As far as numbers go, Q1 same-store sales increased 3.3 percent year-over-year. Check growth increased 5.7 percent, but transactions declined 2.4 percent. That being the case, there is more than one way to look at this situation. However, let's keep it simple. Revenue increased 13 percent year-over-year. Therefore, whatever Panera is doing is successful.

Panera has a stellar balance sheet, and operating margin increased 10 bps in Q1. The latter was mostly thanks to lower operating expenses. This is a tribute to Panera’s consistent focus on efficiency.

Looking forward, a big positive is a strong product pipeline. Chairman and CEO Ron Shaich understands that the industry is an ever-changing landscape, and that he must adapt to future trends before it's too late. Another important note about Ron Shaich is that he's passionate about what he does, which is an important trait for a leader. It filters down.

On the negative side, Panera has reduced its guidance for same-store sales to 4.0 to 5.0 percent from 4.5 to 5.5 percent. Some analysts are worried about the decline in transactions over the past two quarters. This is a justifiable concern. If Panera can continue to increase the average sale, then it won't matter, but the consumer isn't in the best of health at the moment. Perhaps Panera would be wise to sell a few smaller and more affordable items as snacks and/or deserts in order to get more people through the door. That said, Panera has proven time and time again that it knows what it's doing. It doesn't need outside advice.

Other negatives include increased competition and more consumers eating at home to save money. The latter relates to the decline in transactions. This also might be one of the reasons why there is a 6.60 percent short position on the stock. Another potential reason for the relatively high short position is that Panera is trading at 31 times earnings. This will be visited further soon.

The following can be looked at as a positive and a negative. Panera is investing heavily in IT. This investment isn't likely to pay off for at least one year. Therefore, it could impact earnings over the short term, but it should pay off in the long run.

NEW! Discover a new stock idea each week for less than the cost of 1 trade. CLICK HERE for your Weekly Stock Cheat Sheets NOW!

The chart below takes a look at some basic fundamentals for Panera, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), and Einstein Noah Restaurant Group (NASDAQ:BAGL).

	PNRA	SBUX	BAGL
Trailing P/E	30.59	31.68	20.25
Forward P/E	23.03	23.79	13.43
Profit Margin	8.22%	10.80%	2.78%
ROE	23.18%	28.97%	19.84%
Operating Cash Flow	298.51M	2.55B	38.51M
Dividend Yield	N/A	1.30%	3.60%
Short Position	6.60%	1.30%	2.40%

Let's take a look at some more important numbers prior to forming an opinion on this stock.

T = Technicals Are Strong

Panera has been a strong performer over the past three years. There have been no sustainable downturns during this time frame.

	1 Month	Year-To-Date	1 Year	3 Year
PNRA	3.68%	18.05%	33.27%	132.4%
SBUX	1.44%	17.47%	21.17%	150.5%
BAGL	3.71%	16.53%	-15.43%	23.38%

At $187.50, Panera is trading above its averages.

NEW! Discover a new stock idea each week for less than the cost of 1 trade. CLICK HERE for your Weekly Stock Cheat Sheets NOW!

50-Day SMA	184.12
200-Day SMA	168.76

E = Equity to Debt Ratio Is Strong

The debt-to-equity ratio for Panera is stronger than the industry average of 0.90.

	Debt-To-Equity	Cash	Long-Term Debt
PNRA	0.00	323.32M	0.00
SBUX	0.10	1.70B	549.60M
BAGL	4.34	7.47M	130.75M

E = Earnings Have Been Strong

Earnings and revenue have consistently improved on an annual basis. This factor alone separates Panera from most stocks throughout the broader market.

Fiscal Year	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Revenue ($) in millions	1,299	1,353	1,542	1,822	2,130
Diluted EPS ($)	2.22	2.78	3.62	4.55	5.89

Looking at the last quarter on a year-over-year basis, revenue and earnings both improved.

Quarter	Mar. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenue ($) in millions	498.58	530.59	529.34	571.55	561.78
Diluted EPS ($)	1.40	1.50	1.24	1.75	1.64

Now let's take a look at the next page for the Trends and Conclusion. Is this stock an OUTPERFORM, a WAIT AND SEE, or a STAY AWAY?

T = Trends Might Support the Industry             

The industry has been holding up well considering the weakness being seen on Main Street. Factors such as declining fuel prices and food costs have helped a great deal. Barring an unexpected geopolitical event, fuel costs should continue to decline. Demand is weak and supply has increased.

Aside from the consumer, other industry concerns include health care changes and the potential for oversupply.

NEW! Discover a new stock idea each week for less than the cost of 1 trade. CLICK HERE for your Weekly Stock Cheat Sheets NOW!

Conclusion

Panera has defied the odds and proven skeptics wrong for many years. The stock also held up much better than its peers during the financial crisis. This doesn't mean Panera is as resilient now as it was at that time, but this should at least offer some comfort. On the other hand, it's nice to own a stock that pays a dividend during difficult times, which can help ease the pain.