Cuts coming for Medicare Advantage plans?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cuts are on the table next year for Medicare Advantage plans, the Obama administration said Friday. The politically dicey move affecting a private insurance alternative highly popular with seniors immediately touched off an election-year fight.

The announcement gave new ammunition to Republican critics of President Obama's health care law, while disappointing some Democratic senators who had called on the administration to hold rates steady. Insurers are still hoping to whittle back the cuts or dodge them altogether.

Late Friday after financial markets closed, Medicare issued a 148-page assessment of cost factors for the private plans next year. It included multiple variables, some moving in different directions, but analyst Matthew Eyles of Avalere Health estimated it would translate to a cut of 1.9% for 2015, a figure also cited by congressional staffers briefed on the proposal.

"There's nothing to like here if you're one of the plans," said Eyles.

Administration officials say the plans don't need to be paid as much to turn a profit, because the growth of health care spending has slowed dramatically. They see the cuts as a dividend for taxpayers.

But the political clout of the plans is growing as seniors flock to them seeking better health care value. Medicare Advantage plans now serve nearly 16 million people, or about 30% of Medicare beneficiaries. They can offer lower out-of-pocket costs and broader benefits than traditional Medicare, but often restrict choice.

Insurers say they will be forced to pass on higher costs to seniors or cut benefits if their rates are reduced, and some plans may drop out altogether. The impact could vary significantly around the country.

The industry says the cuts come as Medicare Advantage reductions programmed under the health care law are ramping up. The law sought to compensate for prior years in which the plans were overpaid. But it also includes a new tax on insurers, so industry officials fear the combin! ed impact will be much higher.

The largest insurer trade group, America's Health Insurance Plans, is sparing no effort to head off cuts, with an extensive advertising and lobbying campaign.

It has won the support of 40 senators from both parties who, in a Feb. 14 letter, called on the administration to essentially hold Medicare Advantage rates steady. Among the signers were six Democratic senators in contested races whose outcome will determine whether Obama faces a Congress next year that's completely controlled by Republicans.

Final rates won't be released until April 7, so the lobbying will get even more intense. In prior years, Medicare has sometimes pulled back from proposed cuts.

Friday's announcement will help the government decide basic rates for the Medicare Advantage plans. But the actual change individual plans and customers eventually see will vary, depending on factors like a plan's quality rating or where the plan is located.

Top 5 Penny Stocks To Own For 2015

The plans have become a key source of revenue growth for insurers who sell and administer the subsidized coverage. They offer basic Medicare coverage topped with extras like vision or dental coverage or premiums lower than standard Medicare rates. There are hundreds of different plans around the country, each with its own set of variables like different deductibles, premiums and co-insurance.

UnitedHealth Group and Humana are the two largest Medicare Advantage providers. Health insurance stocks that soared in 2013 slipped at the start of this year after Humana, the second-largest in the market, said rate cuts could be deeper than expected.

AP Writer Tom Murphy in Indianapolis contributed to this report

[video] Gold Hits Highest Level in a Month, Searches for Direction

The video this transcript is based on appeared on January 14.

New York (TheStreet) -- Gold (GLD) is searching for direction in midday trading after touching its highest level in a month. Gold has been on the rise as equities have fallen following Friday's disappointing non-farm payrolls report that showed U.S. employers added jobs at much slower pace than expected in December.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Gold is searching for direction in midday trading after touching its highest level in a month.

Gold has been on the rise as equities have fallen following Friday's disappointing non-farm payrolls report that showed U.S. employers added jobs at much slower pace than expected in December. The precious metal hit its highest level since December 12 at $1,255 an ounce.  At last check, spot gold was slipping 0.2% to $1,251 an ounce while U.S. gold futures for February delivery were gaining 0.2% to $1,253 an ounce.

Meanwhile, Goldcorp (GG) announced that it has begun its formal offer to acquire Osisko Mining for $2.4 billion.  The move will give the company control of Osisko's Malartic gold mine in Quebec.  At last check, shares of Goldcorp were falling about 2.5% to $22.48.

In New York, I'm Brittany Umar for TheStreet.

Written by Brittany Umar in New York.

Top Small Cap Stocks To Invest In 2015

Stock quotes in this article: GLD, GG 

These 3 Sky-High Plays Are Still Value Stocks

Popular Posts: 3 Death-Defying Dividend Stocks to Buy Now3 Dividend Stocks to Sell Before It's Too LateNaked Puts: Make a Grand This Month With Options Recent Posts: 3 Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever These 3 Sky-High Plays Are Still Value Stocks 3 Death-Defying Dividend Stocks to Buy Now View All Posts

I admit it. After the dot-com bubble burst and I got my head handed to me on a silver brokerage platter, I have diligently avoided momentum stocks.

The closest I'll get is to sell naked puts that are way out of the money to try and capture a few bucks from their soaring prices.

But what happens when you find a stock that not only has a head of steam behind it … but remain attractive on a value basis? Here’s a look at three such value stocks that have moved up big in the past year or so and still aren’t overpriced.

Value Stock #1: Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

I have really gone back and forth on Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) as a value stock. I thought it was once outrageously overvalued and considered shorting. Then it seemed fairly priced. And now?

I have to admit that Chipotle is executing incredibly well, and I think it's actually a value stock despite having almost doubled off its 52-week low of $307.

Take a look at CMG stock's recent earnings. In Q4, revenue increased 21% to $844 million. Net income was up 29.8%. Same-store sales were up 9.3%. That last stat in particular is just outrageous for any industry, much less restaurants. For all of 2013, EPS was up by 19.7%, revenue by 17.7% and comps by 5.6%.

These numbers are fantastic.

With $30 a share in cash, CMG stock effectively trades at $515. I tend to do quick-and-dirty PEG ratio valuations, so here’s one for CMG. With $12.91 expected EPS in FY14, and a 22% long-term growth rate, I might normally put fair value at $286. However, a company in the midst of sustainable hyper-growth, with no debt, fantastic FCF and investors that continue to bid up the stock … that number frankly goes out the window.

It becomes an issue of what the market will pay, and the market is paying a premium, as it always has for CMG stock. I consider Chipotle a value stock until something truly awful happens.

Value Stock #2: Amazon (AMZN)

I view Amazon (AMZN) a bit differently as a value stock. While AMZN stock has struggled in past weeks, it’s still about 40% above its 52-week low and 14% below its 52-week-high. All told, Amazon was up 60% in 2013, so it had a bit of steam to give off anyway.

With AMZN stock, traditional valuation also goes out the window. Amazon is, quite simply, the greatest retailer on the face of the earth with a model nobody can beat. Everything can be purchased at Amazon. If you have Amazon Prime, you get it in two days with free shipping. The number of Amazon Prime customers is in the millions, and the company is going to raise the price for the service — and while surveys are showing that not all customers are happy about the potential change, I think you’ll find things to be much different when push comes to shove.

Amazon is single-handedly going to be the downfall of Best Buy (BBY) and Sears (SHLD) … although the latter is doing itself no favors in execution, and Amazon will be here forever. The company is willing to grow revenues without concern for profitability, and it can do this because it has nearly $9 billion in net cash and can enter virtually any market.

With $18 in cash on hand, AMZN stock is trading at an effective price of $335. But it’s really less the actual price that makes Amazon a long-term value stock, and instead the way it conducts business and the way investors view it.

Value Stock #3: Priceline.com (PCLN)

Now we come to Priceline.com (PCLN), maybe the best value stock of the lot.

It seems hard to believe that a few years ago, PCLN stock was trading for next to nothing. It did a reverse split, and its business took off around the same time. PCLN stock was up 80% in 2013 and is ahead another 8% this year.

PCLN is all about cash, cash, cash. It has $6.6 billion in cash and short-term investments, or about $128 per share. It has almost no capex, so free cash flow is crazy good, with about $1.7 billion in the trailing 12 months. Plus, PCLN continues to grow earnings at 20% per year.

On $51.56 in FY14 earnings, a 20x estimate gets PCLN fair value to $1,031. But I add a 20% premium for stocks with cash hoards and lots of FCF, so to me, at the effective cash-included price of $1,160, it’s still undervalued.

As a note: Priceline reports earnings after the bell Thursday.

As of this writing, Lawrence Meyers owned shares of AMZN and has sold naked puts against PCLN. He is president of PDL Broker, Inc., which brokers financing, strategic investments and distressed asset purchases between private equity firms and businesses. He also has written two books and blogs about public policy, journalistic integrity, popular culture, and world affairs. Contact him at pdlcapital66@gmail.com and follow his tweets @ichabodscranium.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now

Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index extending its advance from a five-month high, amid speculation the Federal Reserve will delay stimulus cuts.

Canon Inc., the world�� biggest camera maker, gained 1.1 percent as a weaker yen boosted the earnings outlook for Japanese exporters. Naver Corp. advanced 5 percent to a record in Seoul after KB Investment & Securities Co. raised its price target for the Internet company. Qantas Airways Ltd. slipped 4.6 percent, extending losses for a second day, after Australia�� largest carrier said last week it expects the lowest yields in more than a decade for passenger flights.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index added 0.2 percent to 143.76 as of 12:10 p.m. in Tokyo, with about five shares rising for every three that fell. The gauge climbed 1.8 percent last week after China�� economic growth accelerated and as investors shifted their focus from the resolution of the U.S. fiscal showdown to the timeline for the Fed reducing bond buying.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cml Microsystems(CML.L)

CML Microsystems Plc, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets a range of semiconductor products, primarily for the communications and data storage markets worldwide. It provides flash controller integrated circuits (ICs) for solid state drive products and removable memory cards; and RISC/DSP processor ICs for industrial networking, automation, security, and biometrics and building automation markets. The company also offers ICs that cover voice, data, signaling, and radio frequency for military communications, professional radio, marine radio, leisure radio, paging, and voice security applications. In addition, it provides voice, data, and signaling ICs for wired telephony and gateway applications. The company offers its products for industrial, professional, and consumer applications within wireless and wireline communications, storage, and networking market areas in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Americas, and the Far East. CML Microsystems Plc was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Maldon, the United Kingdom.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: UTi Worldwide Inc.(UTIW)

UTi Worldwide Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a supply chain services and solutions company worldwide. Its supply chain planning and optimization services help its clients in designing and implementing solutions for their supply chains. The company operates in two segments, Freight Forwarding, and Contract Logistics and Distribution. The Freight Forwarding segment offers air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and other related services. This segment operates as an indirect carrier for its clients or as an authorized agent for airlines and ocean carriers by providing pick-up and delivery service between the carrier and the location of the shipper or recipient. Its customs brokerage services include preparing and filing formal documentation required for clearance through customs agencies, obtaining customs bonds, facilitating payment of import duties on behalf of the importer, arranging for payment of collect freight charges, assisting with determin ing and obtaining the commodity classifications for shipments, and performing other related services. The Contract Logistics and Distribution segment offers various services, which comprise receiving, deconsolidation and decontainerization, sorting, put away, consolidation, assembly, cargo loading and unloading, assembly of freight and protective packaging, warehousing, order management, and customized distribution and inventory management services, as well as outsourced services, such as inspection services, quality centers, and manufacturing support. This segment also provides various distribution, consultation, outsourced management services, planning and optimization services, coordination of purchase orders, and customized management services. The company serves various industries, such as pharmaceutical, retail, apparel, chemical, automotive, high technology, and electronics industries. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Road Town, the British Virg in Islands.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anna Prior]

  UTi Worldwide Inc.(UTIW) swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss as higher expenses related to its transformation efforts and other items more than offset improved freight-forwarding volume and strength in the logistics and distribution business.

Best Undervalued Companies To Watch For 2015: Farmers Capital Bank Corporation(FFKT)

Farmers Capital Bank Corporation, a bank holding company, provides financial services to individual, business, agriculture, government, and educational customers. The company?s deposit products include checking, savings, and term certificate accounts. Its lending products comprise residential mortgage, commercial lending and leasing, and installment loans. The company also offers other services, such as cash management, issuing letters of credit, safe deposit box rental, and funds transfer. In addition, it acts as a trustee of personal trusts; an executor of estates; a trustee for employee benefit trusts; and a registrar, a transfer agent, and a paying agent for bond issues. Further, the company serves as an agent in providing credit card loans; offers investments and other services; and performs data processing services for nonaffiliated entities. As of December 31, 2009, it had 36 banking locations in 23 communities in central and northern Kentucky. The company was foun ded in 1850 and is headquartered in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: New York Community Bancorp Inc (NYCB)

New York Community Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company and a producer of multi-family mortgage loans in New York City, with an emphasis on apartment buildings that feature below-market rents. It has two bank subsidiaries: New York Community Bank (the Community Bank),New York Commercial Bank (the Commercial Bank. The Community Bank has 241 branches and operates through seven divisional banks. The Commercial Bank has 34 branches in Manhattan and operates 17 of its branches under the divisional name Atlantic Bank.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, all of the one-to-four family loans the Company originated was sold to government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs). In New York, the Company serves its Community Bank customers through Roslyn Savings Bank, with 55 branches on Long Island; Queens County Savings Bank, with 34 branches in the New York City borough of Queens; Richmond County Savings Bank, with 22 branches in the borough of Staten Island, and Roosevelt Savings Bank, with eight branches in the borough of Brooklyn. As of December 31, 2011, in the Bronx and neighboring Westchester County, the Company had four branches that operated directly under the name New York Community Bank.

In New Jersey, the Company serves its Community Bank customers through 51 branches that operate under the name Garden State Community Bank. In Florida and Arizona, where it has 25 and 14 branches, respectively, the Company serves its customers through the AmTrust Bank (AmTrust) division of the Community Bank. In Ohio, the Company serves its Community Bank customers through 28 branches of Ohio Savings Bank. Customers of the Community Bank and the Commercial Bank have access to their accounts through 261 of its 285 automatic teller machines (ATMs) locations in five states. The Company also serves its customers through three Websites, which include www.myNYCB.com, www.NewYorkCommercialBank.com and www.NYCBfamily.com.

Lending Activities

The Company�� principal asset is l! oans. Its loan portfolio consists of three components: covered loans, non-covered loans held for sale and non-covered loans held for investment. As of December 31, 2011, the balance of covered loans was $3.8 billion, of which $3.4 billion were one-to-four family loans. Non-covered loans held for sale consists of the one-to-four family loans that are originated for sale, primarily to GSEs. At December 31, 2011, the held-for-sale loan portfolio totaled $1.0 billion

As of December 31, 2011, loans held for investment consisted of loans that it originates for its own portfolio, and totaled $ 25.5 billion.

In addition to multi-family loans, loans held for investment include commercial real estate loans (CRE); acquisition, development and construction (ADC) loans; commercial and industrial loans (C&I), and one-to-four family loans. As of December 31, 2011, its multi-family loans represented $17.4 billion, or 68.3%, of total loans held for investment, and represented $5.8 billion, or 64.1%, of the total loans that it originated for investment. The multi-family loans it originates are typically secured by non-luxury apartment buildings in New York City. It also makes multi-family loans to property owners who are seeking to expand their real estate holdings by purchasing additional properties.

As of December 31, 2011, CRE loans represented $6.9 billion, or 26.9%, of total held for investment; ADC loans represented $445.7 million, or 1.7%, of total loans held for investment. Its ADC loan portfolio consists of loans that were originated for land acquisition, development, and construction of multi-family and residential tract projects in New York City and Long Island.

C&I loans represented $600.0 million, or 2.4%, of total held for investment. It also offers a range of loans to small and mid-size businesses for working capital (including inventory and receivables), business expansion, and the purchase of equipment and machinery. Non-covered one-to-four family loans totaled $127! .4 millio! n at December 31, 2011.

Investment Activities

The Company�� securities portfolio primarily consists of mortgage-related securities, and debt and equity (other) securities. Its investments include GSE certificates, GSE collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and GSE debentures. The Community Bank and the Commercial Bank are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLB-NY), one of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) consisting of the FHLB system. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� securities represented $4.5 billion, or 10.8%, of total assets. As of December 31, 2011, 93.7% of its securities portfolio consisted of GSE obligations; held-to-maturity securities represented $3.8 billion, or 84.0%, of total securities, and its investment in bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) was $769.0 million.

Source of Funds

The Company has four primary funding sources. These include the deposits that it added through its acquisitions or gathered through its branch network, and brokered deposits; wholesale borrowings, primarily in the form of FHLB advances and repurchase agreements with the FHLB and various brokerage firms; cash flows produced by the repayment and sale of loans, and cash flows produced by securities repayments and sales. As of December 31, 2011, deposits totaled $ 22.3 billion, which included certificates of deposit (CDs) of $7.4 billion; negotiable order withdrawal (NOW) and money market accounts of $8.8 billion; savings accounts of $ 4.0 billion, and non-interest-bearing accounts of $2.2 billion. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� borrowed funds totaled $14.0 billion, loan repayments and sales generated cash flows of $15.0 billion, and securities sales and repayments generated cash flows of $4.2 billion.

Subsidiary Activities

As of December 31, 2011, Community Bank had 34 subsidiary corporations. Of these, 22 are direct subsidiaries of the Community Bank and 12 are subsidiaries of Community Bank! -owned en! tities. The 22 direct subsidiaries of the Community Bank include DHB Real Estate, LLC, Mt. Sinai Ventures, LLC, NYCB Community Development Corp., NYCB Mortgage Company, LLC, Eagle Rock Investment Corp., Pacific Urban Renewal, Inc., Somerset Manor Holding Corp., Synergy Capital Investments, Inc., 1400 Corp., BSR 1400 Corp., Bellingham Corp., Blizzard Realty Corp., CFS Investments, Inc., Main Omni Realty Corp., NYB Realty Holding Company, LLC, O.B. Ventures, LLC, RCBK Mortgage Corp., RCSB Corporation, RSB Agency, Inc., Richmond Enterprises, Inc. and Roslyn National Mortgage Corporation.

The 12 subsidiaries of Community Bank-owned entities include Bronx Realty Funding Company, LLC, Columbia Preferred Capital Corporation, Ferry Development Holding Company, Peter B. Cannell & Co., Inc., Roslyn Real Estate Asset Corp., Walnut Realty Funding Company, LLC, Woodhaven Investments Inc, Your New REO, LLC, Ironbound Investment Company, Inc.,The Hamlet at Olde Oyster Bay, LLC, The Hamlet at Willow Creek, LLC and Richmond County Capital Corporation.

The two direct subsidiaries of the Commercial Bank include Beta Investments, Inc., and Gramercy Leasing Services, Inc. The two subsidiaries of Commercial Bank-owned entities include Omega Commercial Mortgage Corp. and Long Island Commercial Capital Corp.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Among holdings in which Barrow, Hanley increased its stake were New York Community Bancorp (NYSE: NYCB  ) and Seadrill (NYSE: SDRL  ) . New York Community Bancorp, with a whopping 7.5% dividend yield, has been growing via acquisitions lately. Its CEO has been with the company for decades, and is heavily invested in it ��literally. In addition, the bank's management is known for prudent management of credit risk.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: Nexen Inc Com Npv(NXY.TO)

Nexen Inc. operates as an independent energy company worldwide. The company?s Conventional Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces crude oil and natural gas from conventional sources. This segment operates in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, and offshore West Africa, Colombia, and Yemen. Nexen?s Oil Sands segment develops and produces synthetic crude oil from the Athabasca oil sands in northern Alberta. The company?s Shale Gas segment explores for and produces unconventional gas from shale formations in northeastern British Columbia. Nexen Inc. was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: Bluefly Inc.(BFLY)

Bluefly, Inc. operates as an Internet retailer. The company, through its e-commerce Web site, Bluefly.com, sells approximately 350 brands of men?s and women?s designer apparel, and accessories at discount prices in the United States. It also focuses on selling fashionable prescription eyewear through an e-commerce Web site. The company was formerly known as Pivot Rules Inc. and changed its name to Bluefly, Inc. in October 1998. Bluefly, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is based in New York, New York.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: AXT Inc(AXTI)

AXT, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes compound and single element semiconductor substrates for use in wireless communications, lighting display applications, fiber optic communications, and solar cell. It offers semi-insulating substrates made from gallium arsenide, which are used in power amplifiers and radio frequency integrated circuits of wireless handsets, direct broadcast televisions, high-performance transistors, and satellite communications applications. The company also provides semi-conducting substrates made from gallium arsenide that are used for applications in light emitting diodes, lasers, and optical couplers; substrates made from indium phosphide used in broadband and fiber optic communications; and substrates made from germanium used in satellite and terrestrial solar cells, and for optical applications. It manufactures its semiconductor substrates using its proprietary vertical gradient freeze technol ogy. In addition, the company, through its joint venture agreements, manufactures and sells gallium, arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, paralytic boron nitride crucibles, and boron oxide. AXT, Inc. sells its products through direct sales force in the United States, as well as through independent sales representatives in France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as American Xtal Technology, Inc. and changed its name to AXT, Inc. in July 2000. AXT, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  SciClone (NASDAQ: SCLN  ) has a new man leading its finance team. The company announced that it hired Wilson Cheung to be its new CFO. Cheung is a longtime executive who most recently served as chief compliance officer, Asia Pacific, at digital marketing agency Velti, following a stint as that company's CFO. Before that, he was CFO and corporate secretary at AXT (NASDAQ: AXTI  ) and served in various managerial positions in firms such as KPMG and Yahoo!

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: Sempra Energy(SRE)

Sempra Energy, together with its subsidiaries, develops new energy infrastructure, operates utilities, and provides energy-related products and services worldwide. It operates in six segments: SDG&E, SoCalGas, Sempra Generation, Sempra Pipelines & Storage, Sempra LNG (liquefied natural gas), and Sempra Commodities. The SDG&E segment has electric and natural gas franchises that locate, operate, and maintain facilities for the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, street and highway lighting, and direct access customers. The SoCalGas segment has natural gas franchises that locate, operate, and maintain facilities for the transmission and distribution of natural gas to electric generation, wholesale, large commercial, industrial, and enhanced oil recovery customers. The Sempra Generation segment involves in the generation and wholesale distribution of electricity through a fleet of natural gas-fired power generati on facilities in Arizona, Nevada, and Indiana, as well as Mexico with a total capacity of 2,513 megawatts. The Sempra Pipelines & Storage segment operates 1,883 miles of distribution pipelines, 224 miles of transmission pipelines, and 3 compressor stations in Mexico; operates Mobile Gas, a natural gas distribution utility located in Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama; and operates natural gas storage facilities in Washington County of Alabama and Simpson County of Mississippi. The Sempra LNG segment involves in the receipt, storage, and vaporization of LNG, as well as the purchase and sale of natural gas. It operates Energia Costa Azul LNG receipt terminal in Baja California, Mexico, as well as Cameron LNG receipt terminal in Hackberry, Louisiana. The Sempra Commodities segment engages in the commodities-marketing business. Sempra Energy has operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered i n San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  According to the press release, Southern's newest solar farm will be built, operated, and maintained by First Solar. Generated electricity is slotted for Sempra Energy's (NYSE: SRE  ) San Diego Gas & Electric Company through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  Entergy (NYSE: ETR  ) announced today that its Gulf States Louisiana business has successfully won a contract with Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE  ) to power its proposed LNG export facility.

• [By Richard Stavros]

  The Top Low-Carbon Utilities

  PG&E Corp (NYSE: PCG) Exelon Corp (NYSE: EXC) Entergy Corp (NYSE: ETR) Public Service Enterprise Group Inc (NYSE: PEG) NextEra Energy Inc (NYSE: NEE) Dominion Resources Inc (NYSE: D) Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE)

  But that is not to say that, over the long term, high-carbon utilities might not be able to crack the technology and cost issues that would make “clean coal” competitive with other low-carbon energy sources. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz has said, “No discussion of US energy security and reducing global CO2 emissions is complete without talking about coal and the technologies that will allow us to use this resource more efficiently and with fewer greenhouse gas emissions.”

• [By Richard Stavros]

  Created with YCharts

  
  In addition to beating the market since the beginning of the year, diversified energy utilities, such as MDU Resources Group Inc (NYSE: MDU), Dominion Resources Inc (NYSE: D) and Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), significantly outperformed pure-play or predominantly all-electric utilities, such as Duke Energy Corp (NYSE: DUK) and Entergy Corp (NYSE: ETR), by as much as several percentage points (See Chart B).
  
  Interestingly, among top performers, there was no dominant strategy for exploiting natural gas demand, as these firms were involved in all aspects of the value chain–from exploration and production to distribution and storage. These companies have not only been benefiting from a natural gas surplus, but also from the pressing need to expand US energy infrastructure to deliver this newfound bounty to businesses and households.
  
  

  Chart B: Diversified Energy Utilities Outperformed Electric-Only Peers

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: Nuvista Energy Com Npv (NVA.TO)

NuVista Energy Ltd., an independent oil and natural gas company, engages in the exploration for and the development and production of oil and natural gas reserves in Canada. The company's properties are located in the three regions of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, including Alberta Deep Basin, eastern Alberta and Saskatchewan, and northwest Alberta and British Columbia. As of December 31, 2011, it had proved reserves of 69.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe) and proved plus probable reserves of 110.1 MMBoe. The company was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: AmTrust Financial Services Inc (AFSI.O)

Amtrust Financial Services, Inc., incorporated on November 7, 1990, is a holding company. The Company is a multinational specialty property and casualty insurer focused on generating consistent underwriting profits. The Company operates in four business segments: small commercial business, specialty program and personal lines reinsurance. The Company transacts business through 11 insurance company subsidiaries: Technology Insurance Company, Inc. (TIC), Rochdale Insurance Company (RIC), Wesco Insurance Company (WIC), Associated Industries Insurance Company, Inc. (AIIC), Milwaukee Casualty Insurance Company (MCIC), Security National Insurance Company (SNIC), AmTrust Insurance Company of Kansas, Inc. (AICK) and AmTrust Lloyd�� Insurance Company of Texas (ALIC). In January 2013, the Company acquired First Nonprofit Companies, Inc. In February 2013, the Company's subsidiary acquired Car Care Plan (Holdings) Limited (CCPH) from Ally Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Sma ll Commercial Business

Small Commercial Business segment provides workers��compensation to small businesses that operate in low and medium hazard classes, such as restaurants, retail stores, physicians and other professional offices, and commercial package and other property and casualty insurance products to small businesses. The Company is authorized to write its Small Commercial Business products in all 50 states. The Company distributes its policies through a network of over 8,100 select retail and wholesale agents who are paid commissions based on the annual policy premiums written. Commercial package products provide a range of insurance to small businesses, including commercial property, general liability, inland marine, automobile, workers��compensation, and umbrella coverage.

The Company maintains Small Commercial Business property and casualty claims operations in several of its domestic offices and the commercial package claims opera tion is separated into four processing units: casualty, pr! op! erty, cost-containment/recovery and a fast-track physical damage unit. As of December 31, 2012, its Small Commercial Business property and casualty claims were approximately 61% automobile and 13% property and inland marine with the remaining 26% involving general liability and umbrella losses.

Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty

The Company��Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty segment provides coverage for consumer and commercial goods and custom designed coverages, such as accidental damage plans and payment protection plans offered in connection with the sale of consumer and commercial goods in the United States and Europe, and certain niche property, casualty and specialty liability risks in the United States and Europe, including general liability, employers��liability and professional and medical liability. specialty risk business primarily covers, such as legal expenses in the event of unsuccessful litigation; property damage for resid ential properties; home emergency repairs caused by incidents affecting systems, such as plumbing, wiring or central heating; latent defects that materialize on real property after building or completion; payment protection to insureds if they become unable to meet financial obligations under finance contracts; guaranteed asset protection (GAP) to cover the difference between an insurer�� settlement and the asset value in the event of a total loss, and general liability, employers��liability, public liability, negligence of advisors and liability of health care providers and medical facilities.

The Company's extended warranty business covers selected consumer and commercial goods and other risks, including personal computers; consumer electronics, such as televisions and home theater components; consumer appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines; automobiles (excluding liability coverage); furniture, and heavy equipment. The Company also serve a s a third party administrator to provide claims handli! ng and! c! all cen! ter services to the consumer products and automotive industries in the United States and Canada. It underwrites the specialty risk coverage on a coverage plan-level basis, which involves substantial data collection and actuarial analysis, as well as analysis of applicable laws governing policy coverage language and exclusions.

Specialty Program

The Company�� Specialty Program segment provides workers��compensation, package products, general liability, commercial auto liability, excess and surplus lines programs and other specialty commercial property and casualty insurance to a narrowly defined, homogeneous group of small and middle market companies. The type of risk covered by this segment is similar to the type of risk in Small Commercial Business but also covers, to a small extent, certain higher risk businesses. The coverage is offered through accounts with various agents to multiple insureds. Policyholders in this segment primarily include industries, such as retail, wholesale, service operations, artisan contracting, trucking, light and medium manufacturing, habitational and professional employer organizations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company underwrote 77 programs through 44 independent wholesale and managing general agents. Workers��compensation insurance consists approximately 33% of this business during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Personal Lines Reinsurance

The Company�� Personal Lines Reinsurance Segment has a 20% participation in the Personal Lines Quota Share, by which it receive 10% of the net premiums of the personal lines business. The Personal Lines Quota Share provides that the reinsurers, severally, in accordance with their participation percentages, will receive 50% of the net premium of the GMACI Insurers and assume 50% of the related net losses.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: MetroPCS Communications Inc.(PCS)

MetroPCS Communications, Inc., a wireless telecommunications carrier, together with its subsidiaries, provides wireless broadband mobile services in the United States. Its services include voice services, such as local, domestic long distance, and international call services; and data services, including domestic and international text messaging, multimedia messaging, mobile Internet access, mobile instant messaging, location based services, social networking services, push e-mail, and multimedia streaming and downloads, as well as services provided through the binary runtime environment for wireless (BREW), Blackberry, Windows, and the Android platforms, including ringtones, ring back tones, games, and content applications. The company also offers custom calling features consisting of caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, and voicemail services. In addition, it sells mobile handsets. The company offers its products and services under the MetroPCS brand name, directl y through the company-operated retail stores and indirectly through independent retail outlets, as well as through Internet. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 8.1 million subscribers, as well as operated 159 retail stores primarily in the metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Tampa/Sarasota. The company is headquartered in Richardson, Texas.

Hot Japanese Stocks To Watch Right Now: Tasman Metals Ltd (TSM.V)

Tasman Metals Ltd., a junior resource company, engages in the acquisition and exploration of rare earth elements in Scandinavia. The company owns 100% interest in 124 claims and claim applications for strategic metals, including rare earth elements in Sweden, Finland, and Norway; and various interests in 4 iron ore exploration claims in the Kiruna district of Sweden. Its flagship project is the Norra K盲rr project located in southern Sweden. Tasman Metals Ltd. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015

An investor bought $16.6 million in call options on the Standard & Poor�� 500 Index, a strategy that will be profitable if the U.S. equity benchmark rallies in the next five months.

The trader purchased 17,800 March calls with a strike price of 1,925 on the S&P 500, making it the most-traded contract on the index, according to data compiled by New York-based Trade Alert LLC. The person, who picked up three other bullish options on the stock gauge, will make money on all the contracts should the S&P 500 advance more than 9 percent by March.

��t�� such a huge trade,��Frederic Ruffy, a Chicago-based senior options strategist at Trade Alert, said in a phone interview. ��t�� hard to say what the motivation is. It could be an outright bullish bet on stocks or someone who is massively bearish and uses options as a hedge.��

Stocks have soared this year, putting the S&P 500 on track for the biggest gain since 2003, after companies reported higher-than-estimated earnings and the Federal Reserve kept its stimulus plan. Instead of selling shares to lock in profits during rallies, investors almost always add them in the final quarter. The S&P 500�� return has been positive over November and December every year since the bull market started in 2009.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LYG)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, incorporated on October 21, 1985, is a holding company. The Company is a financial services group providing a range of banking and financial services, primarily in the United Kingdom, to personal and corporate customers. The Company operates in four segments: Retail, Commercial Banking, Wealth, Asset Finance and International and Insurance. Retail provides banking, mortgages and other financial services to personal customers in the United Kingdom. Commercial Banking provides banking and related services to business clients, from small businesses to large corporate. Wealth, Asset Finance and International provides private banking and asset management and asset finance in the United Kingdom and overseas and operates the Company�� international retail businesses. Insurance provides long term savings, protection and investment products in the United Kingdom and Europe and provides general insurance to personal customers in the United Kingdom.

Retail

The Retail division operates the retail bank in the United Kingdom and is a provider of current accounts, savings, personal loans, credit cards and mortgages. This includes a range of current accounts including packaged accounts and basic banking accounts. It is also the provider of personal loans in the United Kingdom, as well as being the United Kingdom�� credit card issuer. Retail is the private sector savings provider in the United Kingdom. It is also a general insurance and bancassurance distributor, offering a range of long-term savings, investment and general insurance products.

Commercial Banking

The Commercial Banking division supports the Company�� business clients from small businesses to corporate. Commercial Banking provides support to corporate clients through the provision of core banking products, such as lending, deposits and transaction banking services whilst also offering clients expertise in capital markets (private placements, bonds and syndicated loans), ! financial markets (foreign exchange, interest rate management, money market and credit) and private equity.

Wealth, Asset Finance and International

Wealth, Asset Finance and International consists of the Company�� the United Kingdom and international wealth businesses, the Company�� the United Kingdom and international asset finance and online deposit businesses along with its international retail businesses. The Wealth business consists of private banking and asset management. Wealth�� private banking operations cater to the range of wealth clients from affluent to Ultra High Net Worth within the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, and internationally. Asset Finance consists of a number of leasing and speciality lending businesses in the United Kingdom, including Lex Autolease and Black Horse Motor and Personal Finance along with its leasing and specialty lending businesses in Australia and its European online deposit business. The international business comprises its non-core banking business outside the United Kingdom, with the exception of corporate business written through the Commercial Banking division. This primarily consists of Ireland, Retail Europe and Asia.

Insurance

The Insurance division provides long-term savings, protection and investment products and general insurance products to customers in the United Kingdom and Europe. The United Kingdom Life, Pensions and Investments business provides long-term savings, protection and investment products distributed through the bancassurance, intermediary and direct channels of the Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows brands. The European Life, Pensions and Investments business distributes products primarily in the German market under the Heidelberger Leben and Clerical Medical brands. The General Insurance business is a distributor of home insurance in the United Kingdom, with products sold through the branch network, direct channels and strategic corporate! partners! . It operates primarily under the Lloyds TSB, Halifax and Bank of Scotland brands.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Owain Bennallack]

  In this video, Owain Bennallack casts an eye over the recent results from�Lloyds� (LSE: LLOY  ) (NYSE: LYG  ) �and what they may mean for investors...

• [By Andrew Marder]

  Barclays fell into the capital shortfall trap along with RBS and Lloyds (NYSE: LYG  ) . Lloyds, especially, is going to be watching how smoothly Barclays' new issuance goes. The bank reported stronger than expected earnings last week, and the success has opened up the possibility that the U.K. government may be able to start selling off its stake. The Barclays' issuance could provide a good temperature check of the market, and help move that action along.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: AER LINGUS GROUP PLC ORD EUR0.05(AERL.L)

Aer Lingus Group plc, an Irish airline, provides air travel services. It offers passenger and cargo transportation services; and runs a single economy class service on its short-haul route network operating approximately 80 routes to and from the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, as well as a two class service on its long haul network to 6 destinations in the United States. The company also involves in the provision of ancillary services, such as in-flight sale of merchandise, beverages, and hot and cold meals; car rentals; hotel accommodation and travel insurance; access to airport lounges; online currency conversion; and advertising in its in-flight magazine Cara. In addition, it provides mail transportation services between Ireland and the United Kingdom; cargo handling services; and aircraft financing services. The company operates a short haul fleet to 36 aircraft; and a long haul fleet of 8 A330 aircraft. Aer Lingus Group plc was founded in 1936 and is headquart ered in Dublin, Ireland.

Top 5 Growth Stocks To Own For 2015: Bitauto Holdings Limited (BITA)

Bitauto Holdings Limited provides Internet content and marketing services for the automotive industry primarily in the People?s Republic of China. The company offers subscription services to new automobile dealers that enable them to list pricing and promotional information on its bitauto.com Website and partner Websites, and to interact with consumers through its virtual call center, as well as provides advertising service to dealers and automakers on its bitauto.com Website. It also offers listing services to used automobile dealers, which enable them to display used automobile inventory information through its ucar.cn Website and partner Websites; and advertising services to used automobile dealers and automakers with certified pre-owned automobile programs on its ucar.cn Website. In addition, the company provides digital marketing solutions, including Website creation and maintenance, online public relationship, online marketing campaigns, and advertising agent service s. Bitauto Holdings Limited was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Kevin Marder]

  Chinese company Bitauto Holdings (BITA) offers car pricing and reviews on its www.bitauto.com site. The consensus of Wall Street analysts look for earnings growth of 71% in 2013 and another 30% in 2014. These estimates have been most recently revised upward. Revenue growth has come in at 36% or more in each of the last eight quarters.

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  What: Shares of Bitauto (NYSE: BITA  ) have plunged today by as much as 18% after the company reported first-quarter earnings.

  So what: Revenue in the first quarter added up to $38.6 million, which translated into non-GAAP profits of $3.7 million. The top and bottom lines were up 34.6% and 29.1% relative to a year ago, but investors were still left wanting more. The results were in line with Bitauto's guidance.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: Sterling Bancorp(STL)

Sterling Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for Sterling National Bank that provides a range of banking and financial products and services in the Untied States primarily in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. It accepts various deposit products, including checking accounts, money market accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, savings accounts, rent security accounts, retirement accounts, and certificates of deposits; and deposit services comprising account management and information, disbursement, reconciliation, collection and concentration, ACH, and others. The company also provides business and consumer lending, asset-based financing, factoring/accounts receivable management services, equipment leasing, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, and trade financing services for commercial, industrial and financial companies, and government and non-profit entities. In addition, it offers financing and human resource business process outsourcing support services for the temporary staffing industry, which comprise full back-office, computer, tax, and accounting services, as well as financing to independently-owned staffing companies. The company operates 12 offices, including 9 offices in New York City, two branches in Nassau County, and 1 branch in Yonkers, New York. Sterling Bancorp was founded in 1929 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  Statoil ASA (STL) rose 4.2 percent to 137.60 kroner. Norway�� biggest energy company made its third oil discovery off the coast of Canada in the Flemish Pass basin. Bank of America Corp. raised the stock to buy from neutral.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  The M&T Bank Corp. (NYSE: MTB) and Hudson City Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: HCBK) transaction is the only pending deal of 2012 vintage due to various regulatory concerns. MTB currently has 9% short interest outstanding and PACW 15%. Another merger covered is the deal between Provident New York Bancorp (NASDAQ: PBNY) and Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL), and the balance are simply too small for us to warrant effort.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: CPB Inc. (CPF)

Central Pacific Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Central Pacific Bank that provides commercial banking services to businesses, professionals, and individuals in Hawaii. Its deposit products include non-interest bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, savings and money market deposits, time deposits, time certificates of deposit, and checking accounts. The company�s loan portfolio comprises residential, commercial, commercial mortgage, and construction loans to small and medium-sized companies, business professionals, and real estate developers, as well as consumer loans. It also offers debit cards, Internet banking, cash management services, traveler�s checks, safe deposit boxes, international banking services, night depository facilities, and wire transfers. In addition, the company offers wealth management products and services, such as non-deposit investment products, annuities, insurance, investment management, asset custody, and general consultation and planning services; and trust and retail brokerage services. It operates 34 branches and 120 ATMs in the state of Hawaii. The company was founded in 1954 and is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: China Unicom (CHU)

China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited (Unicom), incorporated on February 8, 2000, is an integrated telecommunications operator in China providing mobile voice and value-added, fixed-line voice and fixed-line broadband, data communications and other telecommunications services to its customers. The Company operates in two business segments consisting of mobile services and fixed-line services. The Company is engaged in global system for mobile communications (GSM) and wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) cellular business in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China, the provision of fixedline voice, broadband and other Internet-related services, information and communications technology services, business and data communications services, and other related telecommunication value-added businesses. As of 30 June 2011, Unicom Group held 57.81% of the shares in the Company through China United Network Communications Limited (A Share Company), China Unicom (BVI) Limited and China Netcom Group Corporation (BVI) Limited, and Telefonica Internacional S.A.U. held 9.01% of the shares in the Company.

Mobile Business

Unicom�� mobile business consists of GSM and third generation (3G) mobile business. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had a total of 167.43 million mobile subscribers. As of December 31, 2010, its total number of mobile subscribers included 167.43 million. Unicom operates the 3G business based on the WCDMA technology nationwide in China. As of December 31, 2010, the total number of its 3G subscribers included 14.06 million, and had 1.35 million wireless data card subscribers, 2.41 million mobile television (TV) subscribers and over seven million mobile reading subscribers. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the total 3G voice usage was 55.47 billion minutes and the average data usage per subscriber per month was 178M. GSM mobile business primarily consists of GSM voice business and value-added business.

The Company�� mobile ! voice business enables its subscribers to make and receive phone calls with a mobile handset at any point within the coverage area of its mobile telecommunications networks. Its mobile voice business includes local calls, domestic long distance calls, international long distance calls, intra-provincial roaming, inter-provincial roaming and international roaming. As of December 31, 2010, the Company�� total number of GSM mobile subscribers was 153.37 million. Unicom offers a range of GSM value-added services nationwide, including short message service (SMS), Cool Ringtone (a personalized ring-back tone service), mobile Internet and other wireless information services. During 2010, a total of 78.31 billion SMSs were transmitted by its GSM mobile subscribers. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had a total number of 67.26 million subscribers to its Cool Ringtone service. In addition, as of December 31, 2010, it had a total number of 55.81 million mobile Internet subscribers.

Fixed-Line Business

Unicom is a fixed-line broadband and communications operator in northern China. The Company offers a range of fixed-line services nationwide in China, including fixed-line broadband services and data communications services; fixed-line voice services, include local and long distance fixed-line voice services and value-added services, and other services. The Company is a provider of fixed-line broadband services in its fixed-line northern service region. Unicom is a provider of data communications services in its fixed-line northern service region. It offers managed data products, such as those based on digital data networks (DDN), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and Internet protocol-virtual private network (IP-VPN). The Company also offers leased line products, including domestic and international leased circuits. Its customers for these services include government entities, large financial institutions and other domestic and multinational businesses, Internet service prov! iders and! other telecommunications operators.

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had established business cooperation relationships with more than 160 overseas operators to provide various international data communications products and services, such as international voice and data services. During 2010, it continued to offer full-scale data communications services to international operators and domestic and international corporate customers. The Company�� fixed-line voice services consist of local voice, domestic long distance, international long distance, value-added, interconnection and personal handyphone system (PHS) services. In addition to fixed-line telephone voice services, it offers a range of value-added services on its fixed-line networks. The Company�� fixed-line, value-added services include Personalized Ring and caller identification services. Personalized Ring services enable its fixed-line subscribers to personalize the ring-back tone for incoming calls. As of December 31, 2010, the number of its Personalized Ring subscribers reached 23.79 million.

Interconnection and Roaming Arrangements

The Company earns interconnection fees for terminating or transiting calls that originate from other domestic telecommunications operators��networks and pay interconnection fees to other operators for calls originating from its networks that are terminated on their networks. It earns and pays such fees in respect of mobile calls, local and domestic and international long distance calls and Internet services, except for the interconnection by fixed-line subscribers calling its mobile subscribers in the same region where no interconnection fee will be charged.

The Company provides roaming services, which allow its subscribers to access its mobile services while they are physically outside of their registered service area or in the coverage areas of other mobile networks in other countries and regions with which it has roaming arrangements. As of April 30! , 2011, U! nicom had roaming arrangements for GSM international voice and SMS services with 242 operators in 521 countries and regions; GPRS international inbound data services with 179 operators in 400 countries and regions and for international GPRS outbound data services with 164 operators in 357 countries and regions, and 3G services with 104 WCDMA operators in 245 countries and regions.

Mobile Networks

The Company�� mobile network consists of cell sites, which are physical locations, each equipped with a base station that houses transmitters, receivers and other equipment used to communicate through radio channels with subscribers��mobile handsets within the range of a cell; base station controllers, which connect to, and control, the base stations, and mobile switching centers, which control the base station controllers and the routing of telephone calls. Its mobile network also consists of a transmission network, which links the mobile switching centers, base station controllers, base stations and the public switched telephone network. It has deployed GSM and WCDMA mobile networks. The Company�� GSM mobile network mainly operates at 900 megahertz. It has also deployed GSM technology that operates at 1,800 megahertz in metropolitan areas to supplement the capacity of its existing mobile network. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had approximately 329,000 GSM base stations.

The Company competes with China Mobile and China Telecom.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Goldman]

  Until now, Apple had sold the iPhone there through China Mobile's much-smaller competitors, China Unicom (CHU)and China Telecom (CHA), which have about 425 million subscribers between them.

• [By WWW.MARKETWATCH.COM]

  HONG KONG (MarketWatch)-- Hong Kong stocks rose early Thursday, as China Mobile Ltd. shined on news of iPhone pre-orders hitting 1 million units. The Hang Seng Index (HK:HSI) added 0.6% to 23,032.09. Market heavyweight China Mobile (HK:941) (CHL) rallied 0.9%, as the world's largest mobile carrier said it has received more than 1 million pre-orders for the iPhone before it goes on sale in the carrier's stores on Friday, at a time when Apple Inc. (AAPL) Chief Executive Tim Cook visited Beijing for future cooperation between the two giants. Telecom equipment shares also advanced, with ZTE Corp. (HK:763) (ZTCOF) rising 1.2%. Meanwhile, China Mobile's smaller rivals slipped, as China Unicom (HK:762) (CHU) dropped 0.7%, and China Telecom (HK:738) (CNCT) fell 0.5%. China South City Holdings (HK:1668) , a developer of logistics and trade centers, surged 56%, after the company announced that Internet giant Tencent Holdings (HK:700) (TCTZF) would invest about 1.5 billion Hong Kong dollars ($195 million) for an almost 10% stake in the developer in order to expand their business online, including e-commerce and online payment services. Tencent Holdings (HK:700)

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: Aetrium Incorporated(ATRM)

Aetrium Incorporated designs, manufactures, and markets electromechanical equipment for the semiconductor industry to handle and test integrated circuits (ICs). The company provides test handler products, which incorporates thermal conditioning, contacting, and automated handling technologies to provide automated handling of ICs during production of test cycles; change kits to adapt test handlers to various IC package configurations or to upgrade installed equipment; and gravity feed test handlers. It also offers reliability test equipment, which provides structural performance data to aid in the evaluation and improvement of IC designs and manufacturing processes. The company sells its products to semiconductor manufacturers, and their assembly and test subcontractors through direct salespeople, independent sales representatives, and distributors in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, a nd the Philippines. Aetrium Incorporated was founded in 1982 and is based in North St. Paul, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Stocks on the Move: Aetrium Inc. (NASDAQ: ATRM) is up 156.2% at $12.40 following a positive report based on a recent management change and new products. Mediabistro Inc. (NASDAQ: MBIS) is down 17.4% at $3.41 as the stock gives back some of the 87% gain it scored yesterday. J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) is up 7.7% at $10.08 on momentum from an insider stock purchase earlier this week.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: Riverbed Technology Inc.(RVBD)

Riverbed Technology, Inc. provides solutions to the fundamental problems associated with information technology performance across wide area networks (WANs) in the United States and internationally. It primarily offers Steelhead products, which enable its customers to improve the performance of their applications and access to their data across WANs, as well as supports the riverbed services platform. The company's Steelhead product family includes the Steelhead Mobile client software application that provides mobile workers with LAN-like access to corporate files and applications; Virtual Steelhead appliance to extend the reach of WAN optimization; Cloud Steelhead, a solution that is purpose-built for public cloud computing environments; Central Management Console that provides centralized configuration, monitoring, and control for simplifying the process of deploying and managing Steelhead products distributed across a WAN; and Interceptor appliance, which allows organiz ations to scale their WAN optimization solutions. It sells Steelhead appliances to customers ranging from small office deployments to large headquarters and data center locations. The company also offers Cascade product line, which help organizations manage, secure, and optimize the availability and performance of global applications; Stingray product line, which provides virtual application delivery control; and Whitewater gateways, designed to accelerate, de-duplicate, secure, and store backup data sets in the public cloud. It serves customers in manufacturing, finance, technology, government, architecture, engineering and construction, professional services, utilities, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, media, and retail industries. The company sells its products directly through value-added resellers and distributors, service providers, and systems integrators, as well as through its sales force. Riverbed Technology, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in San Fran cisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By George Acs]

  Finally, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) is a repeat of last week's earnings related selection. I did not sell puts in anticipation of the August 7, 2013 earnings report as I thought that I might, instead selecting Coach and Riverbed Technology (RVBD) as earnings related trades. Inexplicably, Green Mountain shares rose even higher during the past week, which would have been ideal in the event of a put sale.

• [By Victor Nguyen]

  (c) 2014 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

    Most Popular 9 One-Time Penny Stocks Didn't Stay That Way Ford's Alan Mulally Talks Aluminum, His Future & His Favorite Ride #PreMarket Primer: Thursday, January 16: Another Triple-Digit Day Elon Musk: $35,000 Tesla Coming In Three Years #PreMarket Primer: Wednesday, January 15: Big Earnings Day Earnings Scheduled For January 16, 2014 Related Articles (RVBD) UPDATE: Citigroup Raises Price Target After Riverbed Tech Rejects Elliot Offer UPDATE: Bank of America Merill Lynch Initiates Coverage on Riverbed Technology Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Wednesday January 15, 2014 Market Wrap For January 15: Bulls Take Over As Economic Growth Remains Healthy Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Thursday January 9, 2014 Analysts React to Elliott Associates $19 Offer to Acquire Riverbed Technology Around the Web, We're Loving... Lightspeed Trading Presents:

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2015: GUESTLOGIX INC. (GXI.TO)

GuestLogix Inc. provides transaction-based onboard retail software solutions for the passenger travel and entertainment industries. It offers onboard store technology and merchandising solutions, which help airlines and other operators to create, manage, and control onboard retail environments tailored to the needs of passengers. The company also provides OnTouch Ground Connections that offers a portfolio of ground transportation providers; OnTouch Shopping & More, a catalogue shopping solution; OnTouch Box Office for transacting theatre, concert, and theme park tickets; OnTouch Minutes on the Go that offers access to prepaid phone cards, voice and Web connection, and phone rentals; OnTouch Concierge Everywhere to manage personal itineraries and provide travel updates and offers; and OnTouch Ads to deliver advertising on transaction receipts. It serves customers located in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific. The company is headquartered in Toronto , Canada.

Coty Inc Sees Net Income Fall on Holiday Struggles

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Coty Inc  (COTY), like its peers in the retail space, suffered from the challenge of enticing customers not to just spend on them, but to spend at all.

Second-quarter net income fell 33% to $82.5 million as the perfume and beauty retailer was hit hard by softness in fragrance and nailcare segments and an aggressively promotional holiday season.

In the three months to December, per-share earnings of 28 cents a share were a penny shy of consensus, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Revenue of $1.32 billion, though 4% lower than a year earlier, beat estimates by $20 million. "We faced a challenging second quarter, as expected. U.S. market softness particularly in the mass fragrance and nail categories, and the high level of promotional activity through the holiday season, have impacted our performance in mature markets," said CEO Michele Scannavini in a statement. Emerging market growth showed resilience, increasing 6% over the quarter. "On a more positive note, our investment in the emerging markets is starting to yield positive results, with solid growth driven by Brazil, Southeast Asia, and South Africa," said Scannavini. The board approved the repurchase of up to $200 million of common shares. Investors might have been expecting worse. By midafternoon, shares had surged 7.5% to $14.75. Also See: Avon Products Reports Quarterly Results

Stock quotes in this article: COTY 

Later, Waiter: A Tablet Revolution Will Displace Scads of Servers - Soon

AP/Jae C. Hong For all the talk about drones replacing parcel carriers or self-driving cars disrupting the taxi industry, there's a bigger tech revolution happening in the restaurant industry right now that may displace workers far sooner than anything futurists foresee in those other industries. The arrival of tablets and smartphone apps that detail menu items, take orders, and let you settle up your tab at the en of the meal will be a big theme among casual dining chains and even a few independent foodie haunts this year. Brinker International's (EAT) Chili's, DineEquity's (DIN) Applebee's, and a handful of San Francisco fine dining establishments are leading the push to add the technology, which will make waiters and waitresses less necessary. None of the chains have said that these tech initiatives will lead them to reduce waitstaff headcount -- but it doesn't take a lot of foresight to connect the dots. If folks are using table-side tablets to place orders and ask for drink refills, or firing up a smartphone app to pay at the end of a meal, that naturally translates into fewer front-of-house employees needed to keep an eatery going. Order Up In fact, some industry leaders outright deny that mobile tech will displace staff. "This really isn't a labor play," DineEquity CEO Julia Stewart said on CNBC late last year, explaining Applebee's move to deploy 100,000 tablets this year -- one at every table. "It's not about saving labor. This is really about creating an opportunity to talk to our guest, have an interactive conversation with our guest, and give our guest a lot more opportunities." At first, a waitstaff will be instrumental in assisting customers as they use the tablets to place orders or pay their bills. There will also be patrons who are apprehensive about embracing the technology, and Applebee's will still have waiters taking orders the old-fashioned way for people who prefer talking to a person. Chili's is going with a less-comprehensive tabletop tablet solution that enhances the traditional process. Diners will still place their meal orders from a waiter, but the tablets will be there to request drink refills, order desserts, or pay for their food at the end of the meal. Customers won't be forced to embrace the new technology; Applebee's and Chili's will clearly be sensitive to traditional patrons. However, as those customers see the folks who use restaurant-provided tablets being served faster (because they could order as soon as they were ready) and being able to settle up quickly as soon as they were done, the lure of convenience will likely draw more of them as well. Sooner than you'd think, there will be fewer people ordering their meals from human servers, or leaning on them for tech support. Foodies Just Want to Have Fun It's not just the casual dining chains trying to use technology to speed up the process. Online reservations specialist OpenTable (OPEN) revealed this past weekend that it's testing a new mobile payment feature with nearly a dozen San Francisco restaurants. It's inviting a few San Francisco users of its popular smartphone app to add a credit card to the account that will allow for mobile payments to be processed. At the end of the meal, they can view their bill and pay it without having to call for a waiter. That could save servers as many as four trips to the table: one each for the bill request, delivering the bill, picking it up, and returning it after it's processed. The upside to these tech initiatives is that tables will rotate faster, allowing restaurants to serve more customers. The company providing the tablet technology to Applebee's claims that tables turn seven minutes faster once the gadgets are deployed. This will likely lead restaurants to increase staffing among cooks, food runners, and bussers. But don't be surprised if soon, it starts getting a lot harder to find a waiter at your local eatery -- and that it doesn't bother you at all.

Euro wins, yen loses against dollar in 2013

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The euro netted the biggest gains against the U.S. dollar among major currencies in 2013, a year dominated by expectations of changing monetary policy around the globe.

Bloomberg

The euro gained 4.3% against the greenback in 2013. In recent trade, the euro (EURUSD)  edged down to $1.3758 from $1.3800 late Monday.

For most of the year, currency trading revolved around the Federal Reserve's anticipated step-back in monetary easing, which grew more likely as U.S. economic data improved. At its December meeting, the Fed said it would reduce its monthly asset purchases to $75 billion in January from $85 billion.

But the $10 billion reduction in monthly bond buys still leaves the central bank with an expanding balance sheet, which contrasts with the shrinking balance sheet of the European Central Bank, said Kathleen Brooks, research director at Forex.com in London.

/quotes/zigman/4868099/realtime/sampled USDJPY 105.2850, -0.0265, -0.0251% Yen got battered this year

Continued euro strength could depend on the pace of the Fed's reduction in bond buys and potential for a rate hike, she added.

"Once the Fed's balance sheet starts to contract then we could see the dollar strengthen sharply, although this is unlikely to happen at all next year," said Brooks.

Similarly, the British pound gained 2% against the greenback this year as the Bank of England has kept its balance sheet steady, she said. In recent trade, the pound (GBPUSD)  rose to $1.6560 from $1.6515 late Monday.

The biggest losses against the U.S. currency came from the yen amid proactive policies from Japan's government and central bank. The yen dropped sharply in 2013, with dollar up 21% for the year. That is the biggest annual dollar gain against the yen since 1979, according to FactSet data.

"The yen's broadly negative performance this year (and the Nikkei's historic 50% gains) was thanks in large part to the Bank of Japan's massive monetary easing campaign and the government's aggressive fiscal expansion, aimed at snapping Japan's decade long-battle with deflation," said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange, Inc., in a note.

In recent trade, the dollar (USDJPY)  rose to ¥105.28 from ¥105.10 late Monday.

The Australian dollar also had a losing 2013, surrendering about 14% of its value against the greenback. On Tuesday, the Aussie (AUDUSD)  inched higher to 89.23 U.S. cents from 89.11 U.S. cents.

The ICE dollar index (DXY) , which tracks the greenback against six other major currencies, rose to 80.155 from 80.009 late Monday.

Click to Play New Year's Eve party: The $375 Applebee's dinner

What if you could join the Times Square New Year's Eve party without waiting out in the cold? Charles Passy looks at what one dinner in a prime Times Square location costs. Photo: Getty Images.

The index's level marked a mere 0.5% gain for the year, according to FactSet. At this time in 2012, the dollar was on an uptrend on news of a deal to avoid the U.S. "fiscal cliff," with the ICE dollar index breaking back above 80 on Jan. 3.

Since then, the dollar gauge has risen as high as 84 in July, and has fallen to the low-79 range in February and again in late October.

The WSJ Dollar Index (XX:BUXX)  — an alternate measure of U.S. currency strength using a slightly larger comparison basket — was at 73.77 versus 73.68.

Data released Tuesday showed a resurgence in U.S. consumer confidence in December and home prices as measured by the Case-Shiller index rose 13.6% in the 12 months ended in October.

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Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now

Before the opening bell on Tuesday, aerospace and industrial components manufacturer Barnes Group Inc. (B) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire M盲nner, a privately held, Germany-based company that is a leader in high precision mold-making, valve gate hot runner systems, and system solutions for the medical/pharmaceutical, packaging, and personal care/health care industries.

Barnes Group has agreed to purchase all of the capital stocks of M盲nner�operating companies for ��75 million, or about $372.6 million. Following the closing of the deal, which is expected to occur in October or November of 2013, M盲nner�will operate as a business unit within Barnes Group’s Industrial Segment.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Medtronic Inc (MDT)

Medtronic, Inc. (Medtronic), incorporated on April 23, 1957, is engaged in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people worldwide. As of April, 27, 2012, the Company functions in two operating segments that manufacture and sells device-based medical therapies. The Company's operating segments include Cardiac and Vascular Group, which consists of Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CRDM) and CardioVascular, and Restorative Therapies Group, which consists of Spinal, Neuromodulation, Diabetes and Surgical Technologies. Medtronic serves hospitals, physicians, clinicians, and patients in more than 120 countries worldwide. The Company's primary customers include hospitals, clinics, third-party health care providers, distributors, and other institutions, including governmental health care programs and group purchasing organizations. In August 2013, Medtronic, Inc. announced the closing of the acquisition of Cardiocom. Effective September 3, 2013, Medtronic Inc acquired a 30% stake in NGC Medical SpA.

Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management

CRDM develops, manufactures, and markets products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of heart rhythm disorders and heart failure, including implantable devices, leads and delivery systems, products for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), and information systems for the management of patients with CRDM devices. The Company's principal products offered by CRDM business include Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers (Pacemakers), Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs), Implantable Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices (CRT-Ds and CRT-Ps), AF Products, Diagnostics and Monitoring Devices and Patient Management Tools. The Company's pacemaker systems are compatible with certain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. This includes the Revo MRI SureScan with United States Food and Drug Administration approval and the Advisa and Ensura MRI SureScan models with Conformite Europeene (CE)! Mark approval. Medtronic also continues to market the Adapta product family, which includes the Adapta, Versa, Sensia, and Relia models.

The Medtronic ICDs is the Protecta family with SmartShock technology, including the Lead Integrity Alert, a technology designed to improve the detection of lead fractures. Devices in the ICD family are the Protecta XT, Protecta, Cardia, and Egida models. Medtronic also continues to market the Secura and Maximo II devices. The Medtronic CRT-Ds is the Protecta family with SmartShock technology, including Protecta XT and Protecta, and the CRT-P devices are Consulta and Syncra. Medtronic also continues to market the Consulta, Cardia, Egida, and Maximo II CRT-D devices. In addition to these devices, Medtronic has an offering of left heart leads and delivery catheters with its Attain family of products. The Company's portfolio of AF products includes the Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter designed to treat paroxysmal AF by performing pulmonary vein isolation. The Company also offers the Reveal XT Insertable Cardiac Monitor, which is designed to identify and quantify episodes of AF. The Reveal DX and Reveal XT Insertable Cardiac Monitors devices are used to record the heart's electrical activity before, during, and after transient symptoms such as syncope and palpitations to help provide a diagnosis. It has a number of patient management tools, such as CareLink, Paceart, and CardioSight Service. CareLink enables patients to transmit data from their pacemaker, ICD, CRT-D, or Insertable Cardiac Monitors using a portable monitor that is connected to a standard telephone line or cellular network using the Medtronic M-Link accessory.

The Company competes with St. Jude Medical, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Biotronik, Inc. and Sorin Group.

CardioVascular

CardioVascular is comprised of three businesses: Coronary, Endovascular and Peripheral, and Structural Heart. The Coronary business includes therapies to treat ! coronary ! artery disease (CAD) and hypertension. The products contained within this business include coronary stents and related delivery systems, along with a broad line of balloon angioplasty catheters, guide catheters, guidewires, diagnostic catheters, and accessories. The products offered by its Coronary business include Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) and Renal Denervation. The Endovascular and Peripheral business is comprised of a range of products and therapies to treat abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The Company's products include endovascular stent graft systems, embolic protection systems, and stent systems for the treatment of narrowed iliac arteries. The products offered by the Company's Endovascular and Peripheral business include Endovascular Stent Grafts and Peripheral Vascular Intervention (PVI). The Structural Heart business offers a range of products and therapies to treat a variety of heart valve disorders. The Company's products include products for the repair and replacement of heart valves, perfusion systems, positioning and stabilization systems for beating heart revascularization surgery, and surgical ablation products. The Company's principal products offered by its Structural Heart business include Heart Valves, Transcatheter Heart Valves, Arrested Heart Surgery, Beating Heart Surgery and Surgical Ablation.

The Company competes with Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific, and Johnson & Johnson, Cook, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Endologix, Inc., C.R. Bard, Inc., Edwards LifeSciences Corporation, St. Jude, Terumo Medical Corporation and Sorin Group.

Spinal

The Company's Spinal business develops, manufactures, and markets a range of medical devices and implants used in the treatment of the spine and musculoskeletal system. The Company's products and therapies treat a range of conditions affecting the spine, including degenerative disc disease, spinal deformity, spinal tumours, fractures ! of the sp! ine, and stenosis. The Company's Spinal business also provides biologic solutions for the dental and orthopedic markets. The Company's Spinal products are used in spinal fusion of both the thoracolumbar region, referring to the mid to lower vertebrae, as well as of the cervical region, or upper spine and neck vertebrae. Products used to treat spinal conditions include rods, pedicle screws, hooks, plates, and interbody devices, as well as biologics products, primarily bone growth substitutes including bone graft extenders and structural allografts such as dowels and wedges. The products offered by the Company's Spinal business include Thoracolumbar Products, Cervical Products and Biologics Products.

The Company competes with DePuy Spine, Inc., Synthes, Inc., Stryker Corporation, NuVasive, Inc., Globus Medical, Inc., Zimmer, Inc., Alphatec Spine, Inc., Orthofix International N.V., Biomet, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.

Neuromodulation

The Company's Neuromodulation business develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for the treatment of chronic pain, movement disorders, psychological disorders, and urological, fecal, and gastroenterological disorders. The l products offered by the Company's Neuromodulation business includes Neurostimulators for Chronic Pain, Implantable Drug Delivery Systems, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems and Urology, Fecal, & Gastroenterology Devices. The Company's portfolio of products includes the RestoreSensor (rechargeable), with the Company's AdaptiveStim technology, as well as the RestoreULTRA (rechargeable), RestoreADVANCED (rechargeable), and PrimeADVANCED (non-rechargeable) neurostimulation systems. The SynchroMed II Programmable Infusion System delivers small quantities of drug directly into the intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord. These devices are used to treat chronic, intractable pain and severe spasticity associated with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, and stroke.

DBS uses a surgically implanted medical device, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, to deliver carefully controlled electrical stimulation to precisely targeted areas in the brain. The Company's family of Activa Neurostimulators for DBS includes Activa SC (single-channel primary cell), Activa PC (dual channel primary cell), and Activa RC (dual channel rechargeable). The Company's therapeutic portfolio for urology and gastroenterology includes the InterStim Therapy System, which treats the symptoms of overactive bladder, urinary retention, and chronic fecal incontinence, and the Enterra Therapy System for the treatment of chronic nausea and vomiting caused by gastroparesis of diabetic or idiopathic origin for drug refractory patients.

The Company's competes with Boston Scientific, St. Jude., Urologix, Inc. and Allergan.

Diabetes

The Company's Diabetes business develops, manufactures, and markets advanced, integrated diabetes management solutions that include insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring systems, and therapy management software. The products offered by the Company's Diabetes business includes Integrated Diabetes Management Solutions, Professional CGM and CareLink Therapy Management Software. Outside the United States, the Company offers its Paradigm Veo System, an integrated system that includes a Low Glucose Suspend feature that automatically suspends insulin delivery when glucose levels become too low. In the United States, the Company offers the Paradigm Revel System, which incorporates new CGM features, including predictive alerts that can give early warning to people with diabetes so they can take action to prevent dangerous high or low glucose events. Medtronic offers physicians a Professional CGM product called the iPro CGM and iPro2 Professional CGM. The Company offers Web-based therapy management software solutions, including CareLink Personal software for patients and CareLink Pro software, to helps patients and their health care prov! iders con! trol their diabetes.

The Company competes with DexCom, Inc., Insulet Corporation, Johnson & Johnson and Roche Ltd.

Surgical Technologies

The Company's Surgical Technologies business develops, manufactures, and markets products and therapies to treat diseases and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and certain neurological disorders. In addition, the business develops, manufactures, and markets image-guided surgery and intra-operative imaging systems that facilitate surgical planning during precision cranial, spinal, sinus, and orthopedic surgeries. The products offered by the Company's Surgical Technologies business includes ENT, Neurological Technologies, Navigation and Advanced Energy. The ENT products treat diseases and conditions, such as NIM Nerve Monitoring Systems, Fusion ENT Navigation System, Hydrodebrider Endoscopic Sinus Irrigation System, Meniett Device for Meniere's Disease, Pillar Procedure for Snoring and Sleep Apnea, and Repose System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The Neurological Technologies products treat certain neurological disorders and conditions, such as Midas Rex Spine Shaver, the Midas Rex MR7 Pneumatic Platform, the Midas Rex Legend EHS High Speed Surgical Drill, the Strata Family of Adjustable Valves for the treatment of Hydrocephalus, Duet External Drainage & Monitoring System, the IPC System, and the Subdural Evacuating Port System.

The Navigation products are used in cranial, spinal, sinus, and orthopedic surgeries, such as the StealthStation S7 Navigation and i7 Integrated Navigation Systems, the O-Arm 2D/3D Surgical Imaging System, and the PoleStar Surgical MRI System. The products make up the Advanced Energy business: PEAK Surgery System, a tissue dissection system that consists of the PEAK PlasmaBlade and the PULSAR Generator and is cleared for use in a variety of settings, including ENT, plastic reconstructive and general surgery; and the Aquamantys System, which uses patented Transcollation technology to ! provide h! aemostatic sealing of soft tissue and bone and is cleared for use in a range of surgical procedures, including orthopedic surgery, spine, solid organ resection and thoracic procedures.

The Company competes with Gyrus ACMI, Stryker Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, BrainLAB, Inc., GE Healthcare, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Philips Medical Systems, Covidien and ArthroCare Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  As for the ETFs, the iShares Dow Jones US Medical Device ETF�tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Medical Equipment Index while the SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF tracks the S&P Health Care Equipment Select Industry Index, but investors should be aware that the late ETF appears less concentrated than the former, which has over 11% of its portfolio invested in Medtronic, Inc (NYSE: MDT).

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Hemispherx Biopharma Inc (HEB)

Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. (Hemispherx) is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the clinical development of new drugs therapies based on natural immune system enhancing technologies for the treatment of viral and immune based chronic disorders. Hemispherx focuses on two core pharmaceutical technology platforms Ampligen and Alferon N Injection.The commercial focus for Ampligen includes application as a treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and as an influenza vaccine enhancer (adjuvant) for both therapeutic and preventative vaccine development. Alferon N Injection is a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved product with an indication for refractory or recurring genital warts. Alferon LDO (Low Dose Oral) is a formulation under development targeting influenza. It has three subsidiaries BioPro Corp., BioAegean Corp., and Core BioTech Corp. The Company's foreign subsidiary is Hemispherx Biopharma Europe N.V./S.A.

Ampligen

Ampligen is an experimental drug, which is undergoing clinical development for the treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Over 1,000 patients have participated in the Ampligen clinical trials representing the administration of more than 90,000 doses of this drug. The Company is also engaged in ongoing, experimental studies assessing the efficacy of Ampligen against influenza viruses.

Alferon N Injection

Alferon N Injection is the registered trademark for the Company's injectable formulation of natural alpha interferon. Interferons are a group of proteins produced and secreted by cells to combat diseases. The Company's natural alpha interferon is produced from human white blood cells. Alferon N Injection [Interferon alfa-n3 (human leukocyte derived)] is a highly purified, natural-source, glycosylated, multi-species alpha interferon product.

Alferon LDO (Low Dose Oral)

Alferon LDO [Low Dose Oral Interferon Alfa-n3 (Human Leukocyte Derived)]! is an experimental low-dose, oral liquid formulation of Natural Alpha Interferon and like Alferon N Injection should not cause antibody formation, which is a problem with recombinant interferon. It is an experimental immunotherapeutic that works by stimulating an immune cascade response in the cells of the mouth and throat, enabling it to bolster systemic immune response through the entire body by absorption through the oral mucosa.

The Company competes with Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, AstraZeneca, Baxter International, Fletcher/CSI, AVANT Immunotherapeutics, AVI BioPharma and Genta.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

  Hemispherix Biopharma Inc. (NYSE: HEB) is a specialty pharmaceutical company. It engages in the clinical development of new drug therapies based on natural immune system enhancing technologies and targets the treatment of viral and immune-based clinical disorders. The Philadelphia, Pa.-headquartered company gained widespread attention over the last several months for its work on flu research. Its flagship products include Alferon N Injection, approved by the FDA for a category of sexually transmitted disease infection. Experimental treatments include Ampligen and Oragens, in development stages for the potential treatment of global viral diseases and disorders of the immune system including human papilloma virus, human immunodeficiency virus, chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis, and influenza. Shares have traded as low as $0.18 and as high as $0.55 over the last year. At last check, shares were changing hands around $0.50 on volume of 2 million shares.

5 Best Heal Care Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Algeta ASA (ALGETA.OL)

Algeta ASA is a Norway-based biotechnology company engaged in the development of targeted cancer therapies based on its alpha-pharmaceutical platform. The Company�� principal product is Alpharadin for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from castration-resistant prostate cancer. The Company�� pipeline also includes Alpharadin for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from breast cancer, a combination of Alpharadin with Taxotere for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from prostate cancer and Thorium-227 showing various cancer indications. The Company develops Alpharadin in a development and marketing cooperation with Bayer Schering Pharma. Algeta ASA is active through the two wholly owned subsidiaries, Algeta Innovations AS and Algeta UK Limited. On April 12, 2012, the Company announced that it estabilished a subsidiary active in the United States, Algeta US.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Generex Biotechnology Corp (GNBT)

Generex Biotechnology Corporation, incorporate in September 1997, is a development stage-company. The Company is engaged in the research and development of drugs delivery systems and technologies. The Company focuses at the technology for the administration of formulations of large molecule drugs to the oral (buccal) cavity using a hand-held aerosol applicator. Through the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc. (Antigen), the Company has expanded its focus to include immunomedicines incorporating vaccine formulations. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2011, the Company has received regulatory approval in Ecuador, India, Lebanon and Algeria for the commercial marketing and sale of Generex Oral-lyn. Using the Company's buccal delivery technology, the Company has also launched an over-the-counter glucose spray called Glucose RapidSpra.

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen, concentrates on developing vaccine formulations that work by stimulating the immune system to either attack offending agents or to stop attacking benign elements. The Company's immunomedicine products are based on two platform technologies and are in the early-stages of development. The Company continues clinical development of Antigen's synthetic peptide vaccines designed to stimulate a potent and specific immune response against tumors expressing the HER-2/neu oncogene for patients with HER-2/neu positive breast cancer in a Phase II clinical trial and patients with prostate cancer and against avian influenza in two Phase I clinical trials. The Company initiated a Phase I clinical trial in patients with either breast or ovarian cancer.

The Company's buccal delivery technology involves the preparation of formulations in which an active pharmaceutical agent is placed in a solution with a combination of absorption enhancers and other excipients classified generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used in accordance with speci! fied quantities and other limitations. The resulting formulations are aerosolized with a pharmaceutical grade chemical propellant and are administered to patients using the Company's RapidMist brand metered dose inhaler. The device is a small, lightweight, hand-held, easy-to-use aerosol applicator comprised of a container for the formulation, a metered dose valve, an actuator and dust cap. Using the device, patients self-administer the formulations by spraying them into the mouth. The device contains multiple applications, the number being dependent, among other things, on the concentration of the formulation. Absorption of the pharmaceutical agent occurs in the buccal cavity, principally through the inner cheek walls.

The Company competes with Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Novartis, Inc., MedImmune Inc., MannKind Corporation, Alkermes, Inc. CPEX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Nektar Therapeutics, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon, Inc., Micromet, Inc., Novavax, Inc., Sanofi Pasteur Inc., Dendreon Corporation's, Rxi Pharmaceuticals Corporation's, Cell Genesys, Inc., Pharmexa-Epimmune, Inc. and CEL-SCI Corporation's.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Multicell Technologies Inc (MCET.PK)

MultiCell Technologies, Inc., incorporated on April 28, 1970, is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in developing novel therapeutics and discovery tools to address unmet medical needs for the treatment of neurological disorders, hepatic disease, cancer and interventional cardiology and peripheral vessel applications. The Company�� portfolio of lead drug candidates is in various stages of discovery optimization, and preclinical and clinical development, and includes MCT-125, a Phase II therapeutic candidate for the treatment of PMSF, which has demonstrated efficacy in a 138-patient Phase IIa clinical trial; MCT-465, a preclinical synthetic dsRNA therapeutic candidate and potent immune enhancer for the treatment of solid tumor cancers, such as those expressing TLR-3; MCT-475, a discovery stage antibody therapeutic candidate used in combination with dsRNA for the treatment of solid tumor cancers, and MCT-485, a discovery stage dsRNA therapeutic candidate with tumor cytolytic properties for the treatment of certain cancers.

MultiCell is pursuing research and development targeting degenerative neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer. The Company�� therapeutics business addresses significant unmet medical needs for the treatment of neurological disorders and cancer through modulation of the innate and adaptive immune response. The Company�� therapeutic development platform includes several patented techniques used to isolate, characterize and differentiate stem cells from human liver; control the immune response at transcriptional and translational levels through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-sensing molecules such as the Toll-like Receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptor (RLR), and Melanoma Differentiation-Associated protein 5 (MDA-5) signaling; generate specific and potent immunity against key tumor targets through a novel immunoglobulin platform technology; and modulate the noradrena line-adrenaline neurotransmitter pathway.

The! ! Company�� medical device development platform is based on the design a next-generation bioabsorbable stent, the Ideal BioStent, for interventional cardiology and peripheral vessel applications. The Company�� Ideal BioStent is a stent incorporating salicylate, the active component in aspirin, directly into the polymer chain. The Ideal BioStent also incorporates Sirolimus (rapamycin) in addition to salicylate, providing anti-restenotic therapy similar to commonly used drug-eluting metal stents.

MCT-125 for the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosi

Fatigue is the most common symptom in MS. Overall, greater than 75% of persons with MS report having fatigue, and 50% to 60% report it as the worst symptom of their disease. The Company exclusively licensed the drug candidate LAX-202 from Amarin Neuroscience Limited (Amarin) for the treatment of fatigue in patients suffering from MS.

MCT-465, MCT-475 and MCT-485 for the tre atment of cancer

MCT-465, MCT-475, and MCT 485 are in preclinical development, and are being investigated as prospective treatments for primary liver cancer and triple negative breast cancer. MCT-465 is a high molecular weight synthetic dsRNA (polyA:polyU, of 70bps) with immune-enhancing properties. MCT-485 is a low molecular weight synthetic dsRNA (polyA:polyU of 5bps) with direct tumor cytolytic properties. MCT-475 is a chimeric recombinant therapeutic antibody molecule that carries tumor-associated antigen peptide recognition in its complimentary determining region (CDR).

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Oncolytics Biotech Inc (ONCY)

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Oncolytics), incorporated on April 2, 1998, is a development-stage company. The Company is focused on its research and development of REOLYSIN, which is its cancer therapeutic. REOLYSIN is developed from the reovirus. This virus has been demonstrated in tumour cells bearing an activated Ras pathway. Oncolytics is directing a clinical trial program with the focus of developing REOLYSIN as a human cancer therapeutic. The clinical program includes clinical trials, which it sponsors directly along with Third Party Clinical Trials. Third Party Clinical Trials are clinical trials that are being sponsored by other institutions. As of December 31, 2011, the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Leeds and the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the University of Texas Health Center in San Antonio (CTRC) were sponsoring part of its clinical trial program.

The Company�� clinical trial program has included human trials using REOLYSIN alone, and in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, and delivered via local administration and/or intravenous administration. Oncolytics uses contract toll manufacturers to produce REOLYSIN. On December 31, 2011, the Company had two wholly owned subsidiaries, Oncolytics Biotech (Barbados) Inc. (OBB) and Valens Pharma Ltd. Oncolytics Biotech (US) Inc. and Oncolytics Biotech (U.K.) are wholly owned subsidiaries of OBB.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  The biotech sector along with small cap biotech stocks Cardiome Pharma Corp (NASDAQ: CRME), Oncolytics Biotech, Inc (NASDAQ: ONCY), Vital Therapies Inc (NASDAQ: VTL) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) have all been producing their share of news this week for investors and traders alike to trade on. Moreover and while some 42 ��ife sciences��companies have gone public raising about $3 billion from investors so far this year, there are a growing number of biotechs pulling the plug on upcoming IPOs who are citing market conditions. With that in mind, here is a look at important news from the biotech sector and small cap biotech stocks this week:

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: DENTSPLY International Inc.(XRAY)

DENTSPLY International Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and markets dental consumable products, dental laboratory products, and dental specialty products worldwide. The company?s dental consumable products include dental sundries, such as dental anesthetics, prophylaxis pastes, dental sealants, impression materials, restorative materials, tooth whiteners, and topical fluoride; and small equipment, including high and low speed handpieces, intraoral curing light systems, dental diagnostic systems, and ultrasonic scalers and polishers used in dental offices for the treatment of patients. Its dental laboratory products comprise dental prosthetics, including artificial teeth, precious metal dental alloys, dental ceramics, and crown and bridge materials, as well as equipment, such as computer aided machining ceramic systems and porcelain furnaces used in the preparation of dental appliances by dental laboratories. The company?s dental specialty products consist of endodonti c instruments and materials, implants and related products, bone grafting materials, 3D digital implantology, and orthodontic appliances and accessories. Its customers include dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental laboratories, and dental schools. The company distributes its dental products directly to dental laboratories and dental professionals, as well as through distributors, dealers, and importers. DENTSPLY International Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in York, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Align have surged 24% to $57 at 12:37 p.m. Sirona Dental Systems (SIRO) has risen 0.8% to $69.61, Dentsply International (XRAY) is up 0.1% at $45.44, Integra Lifesciences (IART) has� gained 0.4% to $44.23 and Danaher (DHR) has fallen 0.3% to $72.13.

• [By Sue Chang and William L. Watts]

  Dentsply International Inc. (XRAY) �shares rose 3%. The stock was raised to buy from underperform at Bank of America, according to Benzinga.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Living Cell Technologies Ltd (LHI)

Living Cell Technologies Limited (LCT) develops cell therapies to treat diseases with unmet clinical needs. LCT is an Australasian biotechnology company that operates in the field of cell encapsulation and implantation for human therapeutics. The Company has taken two therapeutic candidates into clinical development: DIABECELL(r) for the treatment of type 1 diabetes and NTCELL(r), which is in Phase I clinical trials in New Zealand for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (INO)

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., incorporated on June 29, 1983, is engaged in the development of a new generation of vaccines, called synthetic vaccines, focused on cancers and infectious diseases. The Company's SynCon technology enables the design of universal vaccines capable of providing cross-protection against existing or changing strains of pathogens, such as influenza and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Company's electroporation delivery technology uses brief, controlled electrical pulses to increase cellular uptake of the vaccine. Its clinical programs include cervical dysplasia (therapeutic), avian influenza (preventive), prostate cancer (therapeutic), leukemia (therapeutic), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV vaccines. It is advancing preclinical research and clinical development for a universal seasonal/pandemic influenza vaccine, as well as preclinical work for other products, including malaria and prostate cancer vaccines. Its partners and collaborators include University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, National Microbiology Laboratory of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health/Malaria Vaccine Initiative (PATH/MVI), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Merck, ChronTech, University of Southampton, United States Military HIV Research Program (USMHRP), the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and HIV Vaccines Trial Network (HVTN). As of December 31, 2011 it owned 16.1% interest in VGX Int��.

Inovio�� Solution

The Company�� synthetic vaccine platform consists of its SynCon vaccine design process and electroporation delivery technology. It has developed a preclinical and clinical stage pipeline of vaccines. The Company�� synthetic vaccines are designed to prevent a disease (prophylactic vaccines) or treat an existing disease (therapeutic vaccines). Its synthetic vaccine consists of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) plasmid encoding a selected antigen! (s), which is introduced into cells of humans or animals with the purpose of evoking an immune response to the encoded antigen. The Company�� synthetic vaccines are designed to generate specific antibody and/or T-cell responses.

The Company�� SynCon technology provides processes that employ bioinformatics, which combine extensive genetic data and sophisticated algorithms. Its design process uses the genetic make-up of a common antigen(s) from multiple strains of a virus within a viral sub-type or taxonomic group (family) of pathogens, such as HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza and other diseases to synthetically create a new antigen for the desired pathogen target that does not exist in nature. Its synthetic vaccine candidates are being delivered into cells of the body using its electroporation (EP) DNA delivery technology.

Cancer Synthetic Vaccines

The Company has two broad types of cancer vaccines: preventive (or prophylactic) vaccines, which are intended to prevent cancer from developing in healthy people, and treatment (or therapeutic) vaccines, which are intended to treat an existing cancer by strengthening the body�� natural defenses against the cancer. Two types of cancer preventive vaccines are available in the United States. The United States Food and Drug Administration (the FDA) has approved two vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix that protect against infection by the two types of HPV-types 16 and 18-that cause approximately 70% of all cases of cervical cancer worldwide. In addition, Gardasil protects against infection by two additional HPV types, 6 and 11, which are responsible for about 90% of all cases of genital warts in males and females but do not cause cervical cancer.

Cervarix manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is composed of virus-like particles (VLPs) made with proteins from HPV types 16 and 18. Cervarix is approved for use in females��ages 10 to 25 for the prevention of cervical cancer caused by! HPV type! s 16 and 18. Gardasil manufactured by Merck, is approved for use in females for the prevention of cervical cancer, and some vulvar and vaginal cancers, caused by HPV types 16 and 18 and for use in males and females for the prevention of genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. The vaccine is approved for these uses in females and males ages 9 to 26. The FDA has also approved a cancer preventive vaccine that protects against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Inovio�� VGX-3100 is designed to raise immune responses against the E6 and E7 genes of HPV types 16 and 18 that are present in both pre-cancerous and cancerous cells transformed by these HPV types. E6 and E7 are oncogenes that play an integral role in transforming HPV-infected cells into cancerous cells. In March 2011, it initiated a randomized, double-blind Phase II study of VGX-3100 delivered using the CELLECTRA intramuscular electroporation device in women with HPV Type 16 or 18 and diagnosed with, but not yet treated for, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3. The study is designed to enroll 148 subjects. In January 2011, it announced the publication of a scientific paper in the journal Human Vaccines detailing potent immune responses in a preclinical study of its SynCon vaccine for prostate cancer targeting two antigens, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

In January 2011, the Company announced the regulatory approval of a Phase II clinical trial (WIN Trial) to treat leukemia utilizing its new ELGEN 1000 automated vaccine delivery device. The single dose level, Phase II study, called WT1 immunity via DNA fusion gene vaccination in haematological malignancies by intramuscular injection followed by intramuscular electroporation. Cancer Vaccines encodes for hTERT, an antigen related to non-small cell lung, breast and prostate cancers. The vaccine is delivered using its electroporation delivery technology.

Infectious Disease Synthetic Vaccines

In Marc! h 2011, the Company announced the initiation of a follow-on open label, single dose Phase II clinical study in collaboration with ChronTech of the ChronVac-C HCV DNA vaccine delivered using its electroporation technology in treatment naive HCV infected individuals. Its HIV vaccines consist of candidates for HIV prevention, as well as therapy or treatment. PENNVAX-B is designed to target HIV clade B (most commonly found in the United States, North America, Australia and the European Union (EU). PENNVAX-G is designed to target HIV clades A, C and D, which are more commonly found in Asia, Africa, Russia and South America. This Phase I clinical study of PENNVAX-B (HVTN-080) vaccinated 48 healthy, HIV-negative volunteers to assess safety and levels of immune responses generated by Inovio�� PENNVAX-B vaccine delivered with its CELLECTRA electroporation device. PENNVAX-B is a SynCon vaccine that targets HIV gag, pol, and env proteins.

The Company�� VGX-3400X targets H5N1. The vaccine consists of three distinct DNA plasmids coded for a consensus hemagglutinin (HA) antigen derived from different H5N1 virus strains; a consensus neuraminidase (NA) antigen derived from different N1 sequences; and a consensus nucleoprotein (NP) fused to a small portion of the m2 protein (m2E) based on a broader cross-section of influenza viruses in addition to H5N1 and H1N1. Conventional vaccines are strain-specific and have limited ability to protect against genetic shifts in the influenza strains they target. They are therefore modified annually in anticipation of the next flu season�� new strain(s). It is focused on developing DNA-based influenza vaccines able to provide broad protection against known as well as newly emerging, unknown seasonal and pandemic influenza strains.

Animal Health/Veterinary

VGX Animal Health, Inc. (VGX AH), a majority-owned subsidiary, has licensed LifeTide, a plasmid-based growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) technology for swine. LifeTide is one of onl! y four DN! A-based treatments approved for use in animals and is the only DNA-based agent delivered using electroporation that has been granted marketing approval (Australia). VGX AH is also developing a GHRH-based treatment for cancer and anemia in dogs and cats. It is developing a synthetic vaccine for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) administered by its vaccine delivery technology. The FMD virus is one of the most infectious diseases affecting farm animals, including cattle, swine, sheep and goats, and is a serious threat to global food safety.

The Company competes with Crucell N.V, Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Inc., Novartis, Inc., MedImmune and CSL.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By George Budwell]

  Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEMKT: INO  ) develops DNA-based vaccines and delivers them using a proprietary electroporation technique. Shares of Inovio have been a roller coaster all year long, and have certainly been the playground of day traders. Last week, Inovio shares lost more than 10% of their value on heavy volume, suggesting the stock may continue to experience downward pressure. This rapid move downward is surprising because the company recently signed a licensing deal with Roche (NASDAQOTH: RHHBY  ) to commercialize Inovio's multi-antigen DNA immunotherapies for prostate cancer and hepatitis B. As part of the deal, Inovio received $10 million upfront, and milestone payments could go as high as $412 million.

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Applied Nanotech Holdings Inc (APNT.OB)

Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc., incorporated on May 22, 1989, is engaged in nanotechnology research and development business. The Company's nanotechnology research involves performing contract research and development services for others to develop products and materials for new applications, and then leveraging this research by applying it to other similar applications in other industries. The Company also develops intellectual property (IP) around its products and technologies. The Company develops five technology platforms: nanosensor technology; nanocomposites, based on carbon nanotube composites; thermal management materials; nanoelectronics applications, and electron emission activities, primarily in the display area. The Company's electron emission IP is divided into display activities and non-display activities. Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. is the parent company. Applied Nanotech, Inc. (ANI) is a subsidiary of ANHI. During the year ended December 31, 2012, t he Company formed EZDiagnostix, Inc., (EZDX).

Sensors

The Company develops sensors based on ion mobility sensor technology and differential mobility spectroscopy. The Company is involved in projects to develop Mercaptan and Methane sensors for uses in the natural gas industry. The Company is also applying this technology to other applications, including agricultural pathology, wound care, and breath analysis. The Company develops hydrogen sensor for use in the measurement of hydrogen in power transformer products. The Company develops carbon monoxide sensor that can last for 10,000 hours on a single battery. The Company's carbon nanotube technology is for use in biosensors. Sensors based on carbon nanotubes or other nanomaterials can be used to detect chemical, organic, or biological warfare agents, as well as explosives, hydrogen, ammonia and numerous other chemicals.

Nanocomposites

The Company is in the advanced stages of development of nanomaterials using carbon nanotube (CNT)! ! and other composites. Epoxies are used in industries with worldwide markets, with applications, including adhesives, paints, coatings, and composites. In addition to epoxy resins, the Company develops other types of resins, including polyesters and vinyl esters. Vinyl esters are used in a variety of industrial applications, including storage tanks, piping, and construction. The Company develops a process for coating nylon pellets with CNTs to improves electrical conductivity. Nylon 6 with improved electrical conductivity can be used for its anti-static qualities, electrostatic discharge, and electromagnetic/RF shielding.

Thermal Management

The Company markets thermal management material called CarbAl. CarbAl provides a passive thermal management solution for temperature control issues that plague electronics manufacturers. CarbAl is a carbon based metal nanocomposite comprised of 80% carbonaceous matrix and a dispersed metal component of 20% aluminu m. The Company also develops a simplified version of CarbAl based on graphite.

Conductive Inks

The Company develops aluminum and silver inks and pastes that is ideal for use in the production of solar cells. The Company also develops aluminum paste that can be used in current solar cell production.

The Company competes with Zyvex Performance Materials, GSI Creos, Amroy Europe, Ltd., DuPont and Ferro

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Bio-Reference Laboratories Inc.(BRLI)

Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. provides clinical laboratory testing services for the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of diseases primarily in the greater New York metropolitan area. It offers various chemical diagnostic tests, including blood and urine analysis, blood chemistry, hematology services, serology, radio-immuno analysis, toxicology, pap smears, tissue pathology, and other tissue analysis. The company also operates a clinical knowledge management service unit, which uses customer data from laboratory results, pharmaceutical data, claims data, and other data sources to provide administrative and clinical decision support systems. In addition, it operates a Web-based connectivity portal solution for laboratories and physicians to provide laboratory ordering and results to physician customers. The company provides its services directly to physicians, geneticists, hospitals, clinics, and correctional and other health facilities. Bio-Refe rence Laboratories, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoff Gannon] strong>DreamWorks (DWA)

  Read these reports. Look for something that might have interested me. Why would Geoff look at DNB, Chuck E. Cheese, etc.? What got him interested in the stock? Do I see the same thing?

  Whenever possible, also read the quarterly earnings call transcripts. You can listen to them too. But it�� easier if you read them and listen to them.

  Just listening is a bad idea.

  Whenever I can get a transcript of anything ��even Warren Buffett�� appearance on CNBC ��I��l keep a copy of the transcript even when I have a copy of the video (or audio). You can refer back to a transcript easily. You can highlight. You can take notes.

  Taking Notes

  Now, you are doing those things when reading an annual report, right?

  You never just sit down and read an annual report. You always sit down with a pen, a highlighter, a pad of paper, and a calculator. Use the margins of a 10-K ��or your pad of paper ��to jot down notes. Ask questions. Do calculations.

  If you ever see a 10-K after I��e read it ��it�� not very white anymore. There�� lots of stuff written in the margins. Mostly it�� questions I was asking myself. But it�� also calculations of numbers the company does not provide.

  Numbers to Know

  So, for example, in a bank�� 10-K I always write down:

  路 Deposits per share

  路 Deposits per branch

  路 Cost of deposits

  路 Texas Ratio

  You can actually look up the Texas Ratio of any bank here. And some banks calculate and report cost of deposits the way I like to think about it. But, it�� not common for banks to report deposits per branch ��although small banks will sometimes mention (perhaps in the shareholder letter) what their biggest branch has in deposits. Others may mention how quickly new branches achieved a deposit milestone.

  Those are the kinds of numbers I write in the margins of a bank�� 10-K. There will be questions like: ��hy is e

• [By Geoff Gannon]

  But if you can definitely hold a company through a tough market that lasts a few years ��then you can look for a wonderful business to buy and hold at any time. In any market. I found some lovely businesses around the time of the 2000 market peak. They just weren�� big caps, dot coms, etc. They were smaller more mundane businesses. In at least one case ��Bio-Reference Labs (BRLI) ��I made some money (it seemed like a scary big amount at the time) holding the stock for about 2 years but I would��e made a whole lot more if I had just held that one stock through till today. And even now BRLI seems a fine stock to keep holding. So, you see I could��e saved myself a lot of trouble by holding something for more than 10 years. And it wouldn�� have hurt my performance at all. In fact, BRLI has beaten the market by a lot for a very long time. And, yes, the price I paid for BRLI happens to be the most I ever paid for a stock relative to its record earnings. So, I paid a very high price ��for a value investor like me ��for a stock that promptly went on to return around 20% a year for the next 10 years and is now back at almost the exact same P/E ratio where I first bought it.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  As a result, LabCorp has dropped 11% to $87.79 and has helped drag down competitors like Quest Diagnostics (DGX), and BioReference Laboratories (BRLI).

Top 5 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Revolutions Medical Corp (RMCP)

Revolutions Medical Corporation (Revolutions Medical), incorporated on August 16, 1996, is principally engaged in the designing, developing and commercializing of retractable vacuum safety needle devices. The Company is engaged in the development of technology which can segment and reference MRI images. The Company also has developed a suite of MRI software tools; RevColor, Rev3D, RevDisplay, and RevScan. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is used imaging system that safely creates many different and detailed views of selected portions of the internal anatomy.

The RevVac safety syringe uses vacuum technology to retract the needle into the plunger immediately after use. The syringe cannot be reused once the vacuum is activated. When an MRI is taken, the black and white images are sent to a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), which displays the images for a radiologist to view. By using high speed Internet, these images can be securely sent to the Company�� secure Website, after a secure account is opened. This process is called teleradiology.

The Company competes with Med-Design Corporation, New Medical Technologies, Retractable Technologies, Inc., Unilife, Inc., Specialized Health Products International, BD and Covidien Ltd, Terumo Medical Corp. and B. Braun internationally.