Fed weighs how it will raise interest rates

With the economy and job market picking up, the Federal Reserve is beginning to study how it will raise interest rates even while the financial system is flush with Fed money, according to Fed meeting minutes released Wednesday.

The minutes of the April 29-30 meeting show the central bank is shifting its attention from a bond-buying stimulus program that is expected to be phased out this year to the challenge of raising interest rates as the economy and inflation accelerate.

"Participants generally agreed that starting to consider the options for normalization at this meeting was prudent," the minutes say.

Since the financial crisis, the Fed has bought more than $3 trillion in government bonds in an effort to inject money into the banking system and lower long-term interest rates to stimulate economic activity. Eventually, the securities will come off the Fed's balance sheet as they mature or the central bank sells them but that could take years.

Meanwhile, many Fed policymakers have predicted the central bank will begin raising its benchmark short-term interest rate — near zero since the crisis — sometime next year. But ensuring that those rate hikes succeed in controlling inflation by triggering increases in bond yields, bank interest rates and other borrowing costs can be challenging with so much cash sloshing around the banking system.

The Fed is weighing several tools to raise interest rates in the broader economy, including increasing the interest the central bank pays banks to park money at the Fed. Fed officials are also considering reverse repurchase agreements, or reverse repos, in which the Fed effectively borrows money from banks overnight at a fixed interest rate to sop cash from the financial system.

New York Fed chief William Dudley said in a speech Tuesday that reverse repos would put a floor under money market rates.

Another option is a "term deposit facility" in which the Fed would pay banks a higher interest rate to keep their money at the! central bank for a longer period.

The minutes indicate that the Fed made no decisions last month on which options it will choose.

"Because the Federal Reserve has not previously tightened the stance of policy while holding a large balance sheet, most participants judged that the Committee should consider a range of options and be prepared to adjust the mix of its policy tools as warranted," the minutes say.

Some policymakers said the Fed should better explain its plan to keep interest rates unusually low even after unemployment returns to normal levels, the minutes show. Fed Chair Janet Yellen has said that rates will remain low in part because the deep scars left by the recession may continue to hamper growth.

And "a number" of Fed officials suggested the Fed should provide more information on how long it will maintain its unusually large balance sheet.

At the meeting, the Fed agreed to further cut its monthly purchases of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities to $45 billion to $55 billion. Yellen recently told Congress she expects the purchases to be halted sometime in the fall.

In a post-meeting statement, the Fed said the economy had gained momentum after adverse winter weather slowed activity early in the year--a view echoed in the minutes. But the minutes indicate that some policymakers "remarked that it was too early to confirm that the bounceback in economic activity would put the economy on a path of sustained above-trend economic growth."

Top 5 Cheapest Stocks To Buy Right Now

Top 5 Cheapest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Actelion Ltd (ATLN.VX)

Actelion Ltd is a Swiss biopharmaceutical holding company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule drugs. The Company has four approved drugs on the market: Tracleer, an oral dual endothelin receptor antagonist; Veletri, a prostanoid vasodilator; Ventavis, an inhaled formulation of iloprost, and Zavesca, an oral treatment for type 1 Gaucher disease. Furthermore, the Company has a number of compounds various stages of development. The Company operates through a number of worldwide subsidiaries, including Actelion Registration Ltd, which holds marketing authorizations for products marketed in the European Union; Actelion Clinical Research, Inc, engaged in clinical development on behalf of the Company's group; Actelion Re SA, providing insurance solutions for the Company's group and Actelion US Holding Company, engaged in the holding activities of the Company's United States-based units. In September 2013, it acquired Ceptaris Therapeuti cs, Inc. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Victor Selva]

  Forest Laboratories has a current ratio of 2.69% which is higher than the ones registered by Endo International Plc (ENDP), Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX) and Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CBST). For investors looking for a higher ROE, Allergan Inc. (AGN) and Actelion Ltd. (ATLN.VX) are good options.

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-5-cheapest-stocks-to-buy-right-now-3.html

Top Media Stocks To Watch For 2016

Top Media Stocks To Watch For 2016: Gannett Co. Inc. (GCI)

Gannett Co., Inc. operates as a media and marketing solutions company in the United States and internationally. Its Publishing segment publishes 83 U.S. daily newspapers with affiliated online sites, including USA TODAY, a national, general-interest daily newspaper; USATODAY.com; USA WEEKEND, a magazine supplement for newspapers; Clipper Magazine, a direct mail advertising magazine; bi-weekly Nursing Spectrum and NurseWeek periodicals; and military and defense newspapers. This segment also includes 17 paid-for daily newspapers; approximately 200 weekly newspapers, magazines, and trade publications; and approximately 600 non-daily publications, as well as involves in commercial printing, newswire, marketing, and data services operations. The company?s Digital segment owns and operates CareerBuilder, an employment Web site, which offers online recruitment and career advancement services for employers, employees, recruiters, and job seekers; ShopLocal, which provides multicha nnel shopping and advertising services; Planet Discover, which offers hosted search and advertising services; PointRoll, which provides digital marketing services and technology; and Schedule Star, which offers scheduling solution for high school athletic departments. Its Broadcasting segment operates 23 television stations and affiliated Web sites, which produce local programming, such as news, sports, and entertainment programming. This segment also includes Captivate Network, a national news and entertainment network that delivers programming and full-motion video advertising on video screens located in elevators of office towers and select hotel lobbies in North America. The company has strategic business relationships with online affiliates, including Classified Ventures, ShopLocal.com, Topix, and Metromix LLC, as well as strategic marketing agreement with Microsoft. Gannett Co., Inc. was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

A! dvisors' Opinion:

• [By Sue Chang]

  Gannett Co. (GCI) is projected to post earnings of 41 cents a share in the third quarter.

• [By Mike Deane]

  Early on Monday morning, Gannett (GCI) had its price target raised to $35 from $34 at FBR Capital. The ratings company also affirmed that Gannett is a “Top Pick.”

  Gannett, a publishing and broadcasting company that operates in the U.S. and the U.K., currently has a price of $29.76, and FBR’s new target suggests an 18% upside.

  FBR analyst William Bird had the following comments about GCI’s PT raise: “Based on our analysis, we estimate that Gannett’s spectrum is worth approximately $2.2 billion, or $9 per share, roughly doubling in value from theacquisitionof BLC (i.e., pre-deal valuation of ~$1.1 billion). Separately, we are lowering our 2014 EPS estimate by $0.07 to reflect the previously announced sale of three stations to MDP (note: an expected midyear close means that the stations will not be in operating results from January 1, but the proceeds will not be received until midyear). We are increasing our price target to $35 from $34 to reflect shareholder accretion from the sale. We like Gannett’s improving business mix, growth profile, and ability to drive growth with its own propeller through higher retrans, synergies, and potential TV acquisitions.”

  Gannett stock was inactive in pre-market trading. So far this year, the company’s stock is up 0.61%.

• [By The Part-time Investor]

  The following stocks met the criteria in January of 2008 and were put into the initial portfolio:

  Abbot Labs (ABT)Advanced data processing (ADP)Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC)Bank of America (BAC)BB&T Corp. (BBT)Bemis Company (BMS)Anheuser Busch (BUD)The Chubb Corporation (CB)Clorox (CLX)Comerica Inc. (CMA)Diebold Inc. (DBD)Emerson Elect! ronics (E! MR)First Dollar Corp. (FDO)First Third BanCorp. (FITB)Gannett Co, Inc. (GCI)General Electric (GE)Hershey (HSY)Illinois Tools Works (ITW)Johnson and Johnson (JNJ)Leggett and Platt (LEG)Eli Lilly (LLY)La-Z-Boy (LZB)McDonald's (MCD)Marsh and Ilsley (MI)M&T Bancorp (MTB)PepsiCo (PEP)Pfizer (PFE)Procter & Gamble (PG)Pentair Ltd. (PNR)Regions Financial Corp. (RF)Rohm and Haas (ROH)RPM International (RPM)Sherwin Williams (SHW)Sysco Corp. (SYY)UDR Inc. (UDR)

  Historical quotes were taken from Yahoo Finance. $10,000 was put into each position, to the nearest whole share, so a total of $349,262.89 was invested. From 1/15/08 throu gh 5/16/13 all dividends were reinvested back into the stock that paid them. If a dividend cut was announced, that stock was sold on the ex-div date of the new, lower dividend.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Here's something no one ever said: We don't see enough daily sports coverage, so we need a new website dedicated to cover it.Yet USA Today, theGannett (NYSE: GCI  ) newspaper dedicated to giving you national news in bite-size snippets and graphics, is launching a new website dedicated to just that. Calling it "For The Win," it expects the new division to attract fans inside and out of sports.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-media-stocks-to-watch-for-2016.html

Best Oil Companies To Own In Right Now

A lot of people don't look favorably on crude oil produced in Alberta's oil sands. In addition to the fact that oil sands production spews greater quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, some have voiced concerns about the physical and chemical properties of the oil.

That's because oil sands crude contains something called bitumen -- a thick, viscous substance that doesn't flow unless it's heated or diluted. For bitumen to be shipped by pipeline, it needs to be diluted with specialty chemicals to produce diluted bitumen, or "dilbit" crude. �

Some argue that dilbit crude is much more corrosive than other types of crude oil and that pipelines transporting it are more susceptible to leaks. But a new study by the National Research Council argues otherwise. Let's take a closer look.

Dilbit crude and leak risks
According to a committee of scientists reporting to the U.S. Department of Transportation, diluted bitumen doesn't pose a higher risk of leaks than other types of crude oil when transported by pipeline.

Best Beverage Companies To Buy For 2016: Whiting Petroleum Corporation(WLL)

Whiting Petroleum Corporation engages in the acquisition, development, exploitation, exploration, and production of oil and gas primarily in the Permian Basin, Rocky Mountains, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast, and Michigan regions of the United States. As of December 31, 2010, its estimated proved reserves were 304.9 million barrels equivalent of oil; and had interests in 9,698 gross productive wells covering approximately 1,115,000 gross developed acres. The company sells its oil and gas to end users, marketers, and other purchasers. Whiting Petroleum Corporation was founded in 1983 and is Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Caiman Valores]

  But its reserves are lower than U.S. domiciled small-cap Stone Energy (SGY) and mid-cap Whiting Petroleum (WLL). However, in the case of Stone Energy a larger portion of its proved and probable reserves are lower margin and less profitable natural gas, with natural gas making up 51% of its reserves and oil and NGLs the remaining 49%.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Whiting Petroleum (NYSE: WLL) is projected to post its Q3 earnings at $1.06 per share on revenue of $678.69 million.

  Skechers USA (NYSE: SKX) is expected to post its Q3 earnings at $0.61 per share on revenue of $518.22 million.

Best Oil Companies To Own In Right Now: Ivanhoe Energy Inc (IVAN)

Ivanhoe Energy Inc. (Ivanhoe), incorporated on February 21, 1995, is an independent international heavy oil development and production company. Ivanhoe�� core operations are in Canada, Ecuador, China and Mongolia, with business development opportunities worldwide. Ivanhoe�� wholly owned subsidiary, Sunwing Energy Ltd. (Sunwing) is focused on a natural gas exploration project (the Zitong Block) in Sichuan Province of China. The Sichuan Basin is located in central China approximately 930 miles southwest of Beijing. Its oil and gas operations are located in three geographic areas: Asia, Canada and Ecuador. In December 2012, the Company had closed the Share Purchase and Sale Agreement with MIE Holdings Corporation for all of the interest of its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Pan-China Resources Ltd.

Asia

In China, Sunwing operates the 659,840-acre (1,031-square-miles) Zitong gas exploration block in the Sichuan Province, and it holds a 90% Contractor Interest in a Petroleum Contract with PetroChina Company Limited. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company of Japan holds the remaining 10% Contractor Interest. Sunwing produces approximately 1,800 (gross) barrels of light oil per day in Dagang, in China's Hebei province, in a production sharing agreement with Petrochina in which Sunwing is the operator and maintains a royalty interest in the revenue stream from its first project carried out in the Daqing Oil Field. In November 2002, the Company entered into a 30 year production sharing contract (PSC) with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) for the Zitong block, which covers an area of approximately 248,000 gross acres after contractual relinquishments in the Sichuan basin.

During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company farmed out 10% of its working interest in the Zitong block to Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc. of Japan. In Phase I of the contract, Ivanhoe reprocessed 1,649 miles of two dimensional (2D) seismic data and acquired 705 miles of new 2D s! eismic data. In Phase II of the contract, the Yixin-2 and Zitong-1 gas wells were drilled during the year ended December 31, 2010, and completed during the year ended December 31, 2011. Ivanhoe�� oil production originates in the Kongnan oilfield in Dagang, Hebei Province, China (the Dagang field). In 2011, production in averaged 967 barrels per day net. The Company�� Nyalga Block XVI is in the Khenti and Tov provinces in Mongolia. The block covers an area of approximately 3.1 million gross acres, after a 25% relinquishment in 2010.

Canada

Ivanhoe holds a 100% working interest in the Tamarack Project, subject only to a 20% back-in right held by Talisman Energy. Tamarack is a 6,880 acre lease located approximately 10 miles northeast of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. The Tamarack integrated oil sands project (Tamarack Project) consists of a two-phased 40,000 bbl/d steam-assisted gravity drainage thermal recovery (SAGD) and HTL facility.

Ecuador

The Company's activities in Latin America are carried out under its wholly owned subsidiary, Ivanhoe Energy Latin America Inc. Ivanhoe Energy Ecuador Inc., a Canadian company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ivanhoe Energy Latin America Inc. and is responsible for the Company's activities in Ecuador. In October 2008, Ivanhoe Energy Ecuador Inc. had signed a 30 year contract with the Ecuador state oil companies Petroecuador and Petroproduccion. The contract gives Ivanhoe the right to explore and develop the Pungarayacu heavy oil field in Block 20, an area of 426 square miles, approximately 125 miles southeast of Quito, Ecuador�� capital city. Block 20 is an area of approximately 426-square-miles (1,103.34-square-kilometers) located 125 miles (201.17 kilometers) southeast of Quito. Block 20 contains the 250-square-mile (647.5-square-kilometer) Pungarayacu oil field. In 2010, Ivanhoe drilled its two appraisal wells in the Pungarayacu field. The second, IP-5b, well was drilled, cored and logged to a total depth ! of 1,080 ! feet. The well was perforated in the Hollin oil sands and steam was injected into the reservoir resulting in production of heated heavy oil. In 2011, the heavy crude oil extracted from the IP-5B well was upgraded to local pipeline specifications using Ivanhoe�� HTL upgrading process. In 2011, the Company completed a 190-kilometer 2-D seismic survey over the southern portion of Block 20.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Stephan Dube]

  Athabasca's most notable producers:

  Suncor Energy (SU) (Part 1), see article here.Suncor Energy (Part 2), see article here.Athabasca Oil (ATHOF.PK), see article here.Canadian Natural Resources, see article here.Imperial Oil, see article here.Cenovus Energy (CVE), see article here.MEG Energy (MEGEF.PK), see article here.Devon Energy, see article here.Royal Dutch Shell, see article here.Ivanhoe Energy (IVAN), see article here.Nexen (CNOOC) (CEO), see article here.

  An analysis of the current operations of the company will be examined with the objective to provide the most complete information available to potential investors before deciding to seize the opportunity that the 54,132 square miles of the Carbonate Triangle has to offer. Let's start by introducing Athabasca, a famous and most prolific region in the Canadian oil sands as well as one of the largest reserve in the world.

Best Oil Companies To Own In Right Now: Woodside Petroleum Ltd (WPL)

Woodside Petroleum Ltd (Woodside) is an Australia-based oil and gas company. Woodside, along with its subsidiaries is engaged in hydrocarbon exploration, evaluation, development, production and marketing. As of December 31, 2011, the Company produced around 700,000 barrels of oil equivalent each day from a portfolio of facilities, which it operates on behalf of some of the major oil and gas companies. It operating facilities include six liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains, five offshore platforms and four oil floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels. It is one of the non-government operators LNG plants. The Company operates six segments: North West Shelf Business Unit, Australia Oil Business Unit, Pluto Business Unit, Browse Business Unit, United States Business Unit and Other. In September 2012, it sold a minority portion of its equity in the proposed Browse LNG Development to Japan Australia LNG (MIMI Browse) Pty Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonathan Burgos]

  Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., the nation�� third-largest lender, slid 2.3 percent in Hong Kong. Yamada Denki Co. sank 4.8 percent in Tokyo after the consumer electronics retailer missed its full-year profit forecast. Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (WPL), Australia�� second-biggest oil producer, jumped 9.7 percent after announcing plans to return cash to shareholders.

Best Oil Companies To Own In Right Now: Pengrowth Energy Corp (PGH)

Pengrowth Energy Corporation (Pengrowth) is engaged in the development, production and acquisition of, and the exploration for, oil and natural gas reserves in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The Company�� producing properties include Lindbergh, Swan Hills Area, Greater Olds/Garrington Area and Southeast Saskatchewan. In February 2012, the Company commenced the injection of steam at its Lindbergh pilot project. On May 31, 2012, the Company acquired NAL Energy Corporation. In November 2012, the Company acquired additional Lochend Cardium assets with production capability of approximately 650 barrels of oil equivalent, weighted 95% to light oil. In March 2013, the Company completed the divestiture of its non-core Weyburn asset. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Pengrowth Energy (PGH) is engaged in the development, production and acquisition of, as well as the exploration for, oil and natural gas reserves in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. This stock closed up 1.6% to $5.69 in Thursday's trading session.

  Thursday's Range: $5.60-$5.75
  
  52-Week Range: $3.82-$7.49
  
  Thursday's Volume: 1.06 million
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 1.62 million

  From a technical perspective, PGH bounced modestly higher here right above some near-term support at $5.57 with decent upside volume. This stock recently pulled back after a solid uptrend, from $6.06 to that $5.57 low. Shares of PGH now look ready to resume its uptrend and potentially trigger a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if PGH manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $5.88 to $6.06 with high volume.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PGH as long as it's trending above support at $5.57 to more support at $5.40 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.62 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then PGH will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at 7 to $7.50.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Finally, Graham Capital's biggest closed positions included Hess�and calls on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF. Other closed positions of interest include Halcon Resources (NYSE: HK  ) and Pengrowth Energy (NYSE: PGH  ) . Oil and gas company Halcon, operating in the promising Bakken region, as well as Texas' productive Eagle Ford shale region, among others, posted 2012 net daily production 128% higher than year-earlier levels, and proven reserves up 417%. The stock was punished after a disappointing earnings result last month, despite surging revenue. Free cash flow has moved into the red, though.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Canada's Pengrowth Energy (NYSE: PGH  ) continues to shower dividends from north of the border. The company has set the date for its next monthly common stock distribution of C$0.04 ($0.04) per share, which will be August 15 for shareholders of record as of July 22. That amount matches each of the firm's previous distributions stretching back to December of last year. Prior to that, Pengrowth Energy paid $0.07 per share.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  The dividends continue to flow for investors in Canada's Pengrowth Energy (NYSE: PGH  ) . The company has declared its latest monthly distribution, which will be US$0.04 per share of its common stock, to be handed out on June 17 to shareholders of record as of May 23. That amount matches each of the company's preceding monthly dividends for calendar 2013.

4 Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

>>5 Stocks Ready to Explode Higher

Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

>>5 Stocks Hedge Funds Love

With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume recently.

Infoblox

Infoblox (BLOX) develops, markets and sells automated network control solutions worldwide. This stock closed up 5.6% to $18.16 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 8.33 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.58 million

Volume % Change: 708%

From a technical perspective, BLOX ripped higher here right above its recent low of $17.10 with monster upside volume. This stock recently gapped down sharply from over $32 to $17.10 with monster downside volume. That move has pushed shares of BLOX into oversold territory, since its current relative strength index reading is 20.38. Oversold can always get more oversold, but it's also an area where a stock can bounce sharply higher from.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BLOX as long as it's trending above its recent low of $17.10 and then once it sustains a move or close above Wednesday's high of $18.38 to its gap-down-day high of $18.94 with volume that hits near or above 1.58 million shares. If we get that move soon, then BLOX will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap-down-day zone that started at $32. Look for a quick move towards $24 to $25.

Generac

Generac (GNRC) designs, manufactures, and markets a range of generators and other engine powered products for the residential, light commercial, industrial, and construction markets in the U.S. Canada, and Mexico. This stock closed up 3.9% to $49.89 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 2.09 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 768,027

Volume % Change: 166%

From a technical perspective, GNRC bounced notably higher here right above some near-term support at $47.95 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending over the last month, with shares moving higher from its low of $45.02 to its intraday high of $50.72. During that move, shares of GNRC have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of GNRC within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if GNRC manages to take out Wednesday's high of $50.72 to its 50-day moving average of $52.25 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in GNRC as long as it's trending above support at $47.95 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 768,027 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then GNRC will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $56 to its 52-week high at $57.29.

Ophthotech

Ophthotech (OPHT), biopharmaceutical company, develops various therapeutics to treat diseases of the eye. This stock closed up 4.2% at $34.04 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 1.57 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 171,718

Volume % Change: 866%

From a technical perspective, OPHT ripped higher here and broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $33.42 with heavy upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of OPHT within range of triggering an even bigger breakout trade. That trade will hit if OPHT manages to clear Wednesday's high of $34.42 to its all-time high at $36.60 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in OPHT as long as it's trending above Wednesday's low of $32.42 or above its 50-day at $30.91 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 171,718 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then OPHT will set up to enter new all-time-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $40 to $45.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor (TRIP) is an online travel research company, enabling users to plan and have a trip. This stock closed up 7.2% at $90.27 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 9.08 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.83 million

Volume % Change: 406%

From a technical perspective, TRIP gapped up sharply higher here and broke out into new 52-week-high territory with heavy upside volume. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if TRIP manages to take out Wednesday's high of $93.13 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in TRIP as long as it's trending above Wednesday's low of $87.60 and then once it sustains a move or close above $93.13 with volume that's near or above 1.83 million shares. If we get that move soon, then TRIP will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $100 to $110.

To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>3 Big Stocks on Traders' Radars

>>5 Oversold Stocks Ready to Rebound

>>3 Stocks Under $10 Making Big Moves

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.

Best India Companies To Own For 2016

Best India Companies To Own For 2016: Stewart Information Services Corporation(STC)

Stewart Information Services Corporation provides title insurance and related information services required for settlement by the real estate and mortgage industries. It operates in two segments, Title Insurance-Related Services and Real Estate Information. The Title Insurance-Related Services segment offers services that include searching for and examining documents, such as deeds, mortgages, wills, divorce decrees, court judgments, liens, paving assessments, and tax records, as well as provides titles insurance for residential and commercial properties, undeveloped acreage, farms, ranches, and water rights. This segment serves attorneys, builders, developers, home buyers and home sellers, lenders, and real estate brokers. The Real Estate Information segment offers products and services, which primarily include lender services, title technology, foreign and domestic government services, mapping, title information, Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred property e xchanges, pre-employment services, and online filing and transaction management. Its customers include mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, mortgage investors, government entities, commercial and residential real estate agents, land developers, builders, title insurance agencies, and others interested in obtaining property information, as well as accountants, attorneys, investors, and employers. The company has operations primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, central Europe, Mexico, central America, and Australia. Stewart Information Services Corporation was founded in 1893 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James Fink]

  My housing pick is Houston-based Stewart Information Services (STC), a 120-year-old real estate business founded in 1893, that is still owned and managed by the founding family.

source from Top Stocks To Buy For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/best-india-companies-to-own-for-2016.html

Shell says it will suspend Arctic operations

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Oil companies' rush to find reserves off Alaska's Arctic shores suffered a setback on Thursday after Shell said it would suspend its operations in the region — and possibly withdraw for good.

While Royal Dutch Shell PLC is the main company to have purchased leases for oilfields off Alaska's Arctic shores, it has hit technical and legal hurdles obtaining actual drilling permits. While other companies are still seeking to exploit deep-water Arctic fields nearby in Canada, Shell's troubles may indicate the troubles outweigh the potential economic benefits.

"We will not drill in Alaska in 2014, and we are reviewing our options there," Shell CEO Ben van Beurden told reporters in London.

Shell received a negative Federal court decision last week. Environmentalists are still challenging whether the government's 2008 decision to open the area to exploration was correctly granted in the first place: it is covered by sea ice for much of the year.

Asked directly whether Thursday's retreat means the project is finished, Van Beurden said that depends in part on how the ongoing lawsuit proceeds.

Environmental activists cried victory.

"Shell's Arctic failure is being watched closely by other oil companies, who must now conclude that this region is too remote, too hostile and too iconic to be worth exploring," Greenpeace International Arctic oil campaigner Charlie Kronick said in a reaction.

"In an era of declining profits, increasing costs and unprecedented levels of public scrutiny, the Arctic is simply not worth the risk," he said.

Shell's troubles in Alaska are only the most visible in a series of setbacks for the company in the U.S., and Van Beurden hinted he won't prioritize investments there in the future.

While oil prices remain high globally, "North America natural gas prices and associated crude markers remain low, and industry refining margins are under pressure" Van Beurden said.

He said Shell's investment priorities would be li! quefied natural gas, or LNG, projects in places such as Brazil and the massive floating LNG "Prelude" project off Australia's west coast.

Last month, Shell said it was scrapping a $20 billion dollar project to develop an onshore natural gas-to-diesel facility in Louisiana.

Van Beurden's predecessor, Peter Voser, spent billions building up the company's portfolio of U.S. shale properties to $26 billion, only to write $2 billion off their value last summer.

"Yes, we went into North America in a big way. You could argue that we went a little bit too far too soon. But we are where we are," Van Beurden said.

He described the North American shale market as "a different game, a very efficient market, and the sort of pressures you have there are therefore fundamentally different from what you would have in places like Russia, Argentina."

Still, Shell's Arctic misadventures stand out.

After purchasing licenses for $2.1 billion in the Chukchi sea off Alaska's coast in 2008, Shell began preliminary drilling in the summer of 2012.

But it was unable to get far after difficulties deploying an oil containment system it had on standby in the event of a spill — required after the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico — and then was forced to retreat because of approaching winter ice.

Then one of its rigs was damaged while being transported on Dec. 31, 2012, and no drilling took place in 2013.

CFO Simon Henry said Thursday Shell wrote around $1 billion off the value of its Alaskan business in 2013.

"The group's exploration near the North Pole cost billions of dollars and generated reams of negative press - yet not a single drop of oil has been pumped" said Gary White, Chief Investment Correspondent at British brokerage Charles Stanley.

"Like the mining sector, capital discipline has been lacking at the major oil groups and there is pressure from shareholders to cut back investment to improve cash flows," he said. "Shell appears to be listening."

Van ! Beurden s! aid Shell will cut spending by $9 billion this year and is targeting $15 billion in asset sales.

Investors generally cheered the company's plans, and shares were up 2 percent at 26.27 euros in early Amsterdam trading.

Van Beurden's strategy "is pretty much what we believe the market wanted to hear," said Investec analyst Neill Morton in a note.

But Morton predicted further writedowns of Shell's North American shale assets and repeated a Hold advice on shares.

A more detailed look at Shell's fourth quarter earnings figures showed net profit was $1.78 billion (130 billion euros), down 74% on the $6.73 billion reported a year earlier. The big fall was due to higher production costs, lower production, and worse refining margins. The swing was also exaggerated by one-off items during the two periods.

Shell said production was down 5% to 3.25 million barrels per day.

Top 10 Retail Companies For 2015

Ever since private-equity firm Starboard Value became Office Depot's (NYSE: ODP  ) largest shareholder late last year, the two have been butting heads over replacing the company's board members. A court ruling firmly setting the date of the office-supply retailer's annual meeting has both sides claiming victory.

For its part, Office Depot says it's a shame it had to waste money going to court to defend against Starboard's action to force an annual meeting. Since they're working on the merger with OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX  ) , it was a process that had to play out. That's why they announced last week they were going to have the meeting on Aug. 21.

Starboard says Office Depot has historically held the meeting in April, and the company postponed the gathering to thwart the PE firm's efforts at replacing the board. It previously noted that OfficeMax had gone forward with its annual shareholder meeting despite the pending merger. And in spite of what Office Depot management now says, they never notified Starboard they were going to set the meeting date, which is why it was forced to go to court.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Own Right Now: Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc (SHOS)

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (SHO), incorporated on April 23, 2012, is a retailer primarily focused on selling home appliances, hardware, tools and lawn and garden equipment. As of April 28, 2012, the Company and its dealers and franchisees operated 1,238 stores across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Guam and Bermuda. The Company also provides its customers with a range of services, including home delivery and installation and product protection agreements. SHO operates in two segments: the Sears Hometown and Hardware segment and the Sears Outlet segment.

Sears Hometown

Sears Hometown and Hardware segment�� stores are designed to provide its customers with in-store and online access to a range selection of brands of home appliances, tools, lawn and garden equipment, sporting goods, consumer electronics and household goods, depending on the particular store. Its Sears Outlet stores are designed to provide its customers with in-store and online access to purchase new, one-of-a-kind, out-of-carton, discontinued, obsolete, used, reconditioned, overstocked and scratched and dented products, collectively, outlet-value products, including home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, apparel, mattresses, televisions, sporting goods and tools.

As of April 28, 2012, the Sears Hometown and Hardware segment consisted of 944 Sears Hometown Stores, 96 Sears Hardware Stores and 76 Sears Home Appliance Showrooms. The 944 Sears Hometown Stores are primarily independently owned stores, predominantly located in smaller communities and offering appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden equipment, and hardware. Hometown Stores carry y Sears brand products, such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard, as well as other brands. 96 Sears Hardware Stores are hardware stores that carry Craftsman brand tools and lawn and garden equipment, DieHard brand batteries and other national brands and other home improvement products. 93 of these locations also offer a selection of Kenm! ore and other national brands of home appliances.

Sears Hometown and Hardware business operates through three formats: Sears Hometown Stores (Hometown Stores), Sears Hardware Stores (Hardware Stores), and Sears Home Appliance Showrooms (Home Appliance Showrooms). Hometown Stores offer products and services across a range of merchandise categories, including home appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden equipment, sporting goods, tools and household goods. Most of its Hometown Stores carry Sears brand products, such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard, as well as other national brands. Its Hardware Stores offer products and services across a range of merchandise categories and sales are primarily driven by tools, lawn and garden equipment, home appliances, and other home improvement products. In addition, these stores offer blade sharpening, key cutting and screen repair, as well as products typically found in local hardware stores, such as fasteners, electrical supplies and plumbing supplies. These stores carry Craftsman brand tools and lawn and garden equipment, DieHard brand batteries and a range of national brands and other home improvement products. Its Home Appliance Showrooms offer home appliances and related services in stores primarily located in strip malls and lifestyle centers of metropolitan areas. Home Appliance Showroom sales are primarily driven by big-ticket cooking, laundry and refrigeration home appliances, as well as, in certain stores, mattresses. These stores carry Kenmore and other national brands of home appliances. As of April 28, 2012, out of 76 Home Appliance Showrooms in 19 states, 44 of these stores are owned and operated by franchisees, 30 stores are owned and operated by the Company and two are owned and operated by independent dealers.

Sears Outlet

As of April 28, 2012, the Sears Outlet segment consisted of 122 Sears Outlet Stores. The Company�� Sears Outlet stores provide in-store and online access to purchase outlet-value ! products ! across a range of merchandise categories, including home appliances, consumer electronics, lawn and garden equipment, apparel, sporting goods, tools, and household goods.

The Company competes with Sears Holdings, The Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe�� and Tractor Supply, Ace Hardware, True Value, HH Gregg and US Appliances.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Lewis]

  Better options�
  In short, I prefer both Sears Hometown and Outlets (NASDAQ: SHOS  ) and Sears Canada (TSX: SCC  ) for their stronger operating prospects, especially those of the former. Sears Hometown has a long growth runway for its appliance stores, and its ongoing conversion to franchise-owned stores makes for better gross margins, as well as shifts many up-front costs to the individual store owner. Sears Canada is in the midst of a major renovation -- pumping money into stores while shrinking employee count. Sears Canada trades at a fraction of one-year sales and will benefit from even a modest turnaround in store performance.�

• [By James Brumley]

  Two years later, the company spun off its Hometown and Outlet stores by issuing shares of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores (SHOS) to SHLD stock owners … charging them for the right to receive what they technically already owned.

• [By Sally Jones]

  After fighting the slippery slopes of re-imagineering Sears and its spin-offs, including the troubled Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH, OSHWQ, OSHSQ), Lampert drastically cut his companies in the second quarter of 2013 but still holds 31.82% of Sears Holdings Corporation (SHLD) and 25.05% of Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores Inc. (SHOS), 2.23% of Gap Inc. (GPS) and 16.75% of AutoNation (AN).

• [By James Brumley]

  The folks who originally said Eddie Lampert — hedge fund manager, major SHLD shareholder, and now acting Sears CEO — was mostly viewing Sears Holdings as a real estate play have since been vindicated. In addition to the spinoff of Orchard Supply Hardware (OSHWQ) in 2011 and last year’s spinoff of the relatively successful Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores (SHOS), Lampert is now finally getting serious about shedding SHLD department store units. Last year he sold or closed 46 of the company’s 1,300 or so full-line mall stores, vs. letting go of less than 10 in any year since he became a major shareholder back in 2006.

Top 10 Retail Companies For 2015: AutoNation Inc (AN)

AutoNation, Inc. (AutoNation), incorporated on May 30, 1991, is an automotive retailer in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had three operating segments: Domestic, Import, and Premium Luxury. As of December 31, 2011, it owned and operated 258 new vehicle franchises from 215 stores located in the United States, predominantly in metropolitan markets in the Sunbelt region. Its stores sell 32 different brands of new vehicles. The core brands of vehicles that it sells, representing approximately 90% of the new vehicles that it sold during the year ended December 31, 2011, was manufactured by Ford, Toyota, Nissan, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Chrysler. The Company offers a diversified range of automotive products and services, including new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services , and automotive finance and insurance products, which includes the arranging of financing for vehicle purchases through third-party finance sources. The Company retailed approximately 400,000 new and used vehicles through its stores in 2011. It acquired one automotive retail franchise and related assets during 2011.

Domestic segment consists of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Its Import segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. Its Premium Luxury segment is consists of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles manufactured primarily by Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus. The franchises in each segment also sells used vehicles, parts and automotive repair and maintenance services, and automotive finance and insurance products. For the year ended December 31, 2011, Domestic revenue represented 34% of total revenue, Import revenue represented 37% of total revenue, and Premium Luxury revenue represented 28% of total revenue. Corporate and other is consist of its other businesses, incl! uding collision centers, e-commerce activities, and an auction operation, each of which generates revenues, as well as unallocated corporate overhead expenses and retrospective commissions for certain financing and insurance transactions that it arranges under agreements with third parties.

The Company�� stores acquires vehicles for retail sale either directly from the applicable automotive manufacturer or distributor or through dealer trades with other stores of the same franchise. it acquires used vehicles from customer trade-ins, auctions, lease terminations, and other sources. It recondition used vehicles acquired for retail sale at its stores��service facilities and capitalize costs related thereto as used vehicle inventory. Through its VVOs, which are located on existing store facilities, it sells vehicles that it would have traditionally wholesaled with an average retail price lower than that of used vehicles it typically retail. Used vehicles that the Company do not sell at its stores or VVOs generally are sold at wholesale prices through auctions.

The Company offers a variety of automotive finance and insurance products to its customers. The Company arranges for its customers to finance vehicles through installment loans or leases with third-party lenders, including the vehicle manufacturers��and distributors��captive finance subsidiaries, in exchange for a commission payable to the Company. It also offers its customers various vehicle protection products, including extended service contracts, maintenance programs, guaranteed auto protection (GAP, this protection covers the shortfall between a customer�� loan balance and insurance payoff in the event of a casualty), tire and wheel protection, and theft protection products. The vehicle protection products that its stores offers to customers are underwritten and administered by independent third parties, including the vehicle manufacturers��and distributors��captive finance subsidiaries. The Company sells t! he produc! ts on a straight commission basis; however, it also participate in future underwriting profit for certain products pursuant to retrospective commission arrangements. Commissions that it receives from these third-party providers may be subject to chargeback, in full or in part, if products that it sells, such as extended service contracts, are cancelled. Its stores also provide a range of vehicle maintenance, repair, paint, and collision repair services, including warranty work that can be performed only at franchised dealerships and customer-pay service work. The Company has entered into framework agreements with vehicle manufacturers and distributors. It operates each of its new vehicle stores under a franchise agreement with a vehicle manufacturer or distributor.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Hill]

  Shares of CarMax (NYSE: KMX  ) �hit an all-time high on Wednesday after fourth-quarter profits rose 13%. To what extent is CarMax competing with Ford (NYSE: F  ) , General Motors (NYSE: GM  ) , and�Autonation (NYSE: AN  ) ? What's the opportunity for CarMax going forward? In this installment of MarketFoolery, our analysts discuss the future of CarMax.

Top 10 Retail Companies For 2015: Firstin Wireless Technology Inc (FINW)

Firstin Wireless Technology, Inc., formerly Passionate Pet, Inc., incorporated on September 30, 2010, is a mobile service provider. The Company is a software-based mobile service provider that enables enterprises and business users to make affordable and business-quality international long distance and roaming calls over its hybrid mobile VoIP (HY-mVoIPTM) technology. Its service does not replace a user�� existing wireless service, it augments it with global communication capabilities. The Company's application is free to download, and is available on Apple iPhone, Blackberry and Android smartphones.

The Company provides international long distance and roaming services to enterprises and business travelers over smartphones. Business users need to download the Firstin application onto their smartphones to allow them to place and receive international long distance and roaming calls from anywhere in the world for a fixed monthly fee and unlimited usage. The Company intends to revolutionize business mobile communications by spearheading the enterprise mobile VoIP revolution allowing for anywhere, anytime, business-quality and low-cost voice and data communications over smartphones.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  A look at SofTech, Inc�� financials reveals revenues of $1,375k (most recent reported quarter), $1,558k, $1,458k and $1,772k for the past four quarters along with net losses of $266k (most recent reported quarter), $51k and $14k and net income of $252k. At the end of August, SofTech, Inc had $828k in cash to cover $2,717k in current liabilities and $5,445k in total liabilities. Given the recent Asset Purchase Agreement and the deal with lenders, it would be good to wait for some more financials to see how SofTech, Inc�� balance sheet has improved.

  Firstin Wireless Technology Inc (OTCMKTS: FINW) Has Been Quiet Since February

  Small cap Firstin Wireless Technology is a mobile communications company that is leading the shift to the enterprise mobile VoIP revolution through its mobile telephony platform and apps, including a flagship Firstin solution that allows for anywhere, anytime mobile communications at significant cost reductions. On Friday, Firstin Wireless Technology closed at $0.255 for a market cap of $8.57 million plus FINW is down 3,087.5% over the past year and down 78.7% since August 2011 according to Google Finance.

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Bonamour Inc (OTCBB: BONI), Firstin Wireless Technology Inc (OTCMKTS: FINW) and Microchannel Technologies Corp (OTCBB: MCTC) have been attracting attention from variosu investment newsletters lately with at least two of these stocks being the subject of paid promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed paid promotions or investor relation types of activities as its up to investors and traders alike to do their due diligence. So how hot are these small cap stocks? Here is a quick reality check that might cool your appetite:

Top 10 Retail Companies For 2015: Penske Automotive Group Inc.(PAG)

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer. It sells new and used vehicles of approximately 40 vehicle brands; offers vehicle maintenance and repair services; and engages in the sale and placement of third-party finance and insurance products, third-party extended service contracts, and replacement and aftermarket automotive products. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated 320 retail automotive franchises, of which 166 franchises were located in the United States and 154 franchises are located outside of the United States primarily in the United Kingdom. It also has operations in Puerto Rico and Germany. Penske Automotive Group, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  However, the company just reported that retail sales were flat with last year. AN stock is sitting in a better position than KMX, with 18.65% long term growth. On FY14 EPS of $3.38, it suggests fair value is upwards of $60, and currently trades at $49. The company isn’t heavily leveraged, and it has positive FCF. So far, AN stock is looking like the best buy among these used car stocks.

  Penske Automotive Group (PAG)

  Penske Automotive Group (PAG) could almost be an identical twin to AutoNation as far as what it provides, outside of the luxury market.

• [By Richard Moroney]

  Penske Automotive (PAG) announced a 6.3% increase in its quarterly dividend on October 23, saying the move reflected its confidence in the ��trength of the auto retail marketplace.��

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Automotive retail and transportation services giant Penske (PAG) raised its quarterly dividend 6.3% to 17 cents per share, payable on Dec. 2 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 11.
  PAG Dividend Yield:�1.72%

Top 10 Retail Companies For 2015: ALCO Stores Inc (ALCS)

Alco Stores, Inc., incorporated on June 2, 1915, is engaged in the business of retailing general merchandise throughout the central portion of the United States of America through a range of department store outlets. The Company�� ALCO stores offer a range of merchandise consisting of approximately 35,000 items, including automotive, commodities, crafts, domestics, electronics, furniture, hardware, health and beauty aids, housewares, jewelry, ladies�� men�� and children�� apparel and shoes, pre-recorded music and video, sporting goods, seasonal items, stationery and toys.

As of February 3, 2013, the Company operated 217 stores in 23 states located in mostly smaller communities in the central United States. The stores average approximately 21,000 square feet of selling space, with an additional 5,000 square feet utilized for merchandise processing, temporary storage and administration.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  ALCO Stores (NASDAQ: ALCS) is projected to post its Q2 earnings.

  Digital Cinema Destinations (NASDAQ: DCIN) is estimated to post a Q4 loss at $0.11 per share on revenue of $11.17 million.

Top 10 Retail Companies For 2015: Ulta Salon Cosmetics and Fragrance Inc (ULTA)

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (Ulta), incorporated on January 9, 1990, is a beauty retailer, which provides one-stop shopping for prestige, mass and salon products and salon services in the United States. During the year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), the Company opened 61 new stores. It operates full-service salons in all of its stores. Its Ulta store format includes an open and modern salon area with approximately eight to 10 stations. The entire salon area is approximately 950 square feet with a concierge desk, skin treatment room, semi-private shampoo and hair color processing areas. Each salon is a full-service salon offering hair cuts, hair coloring and permanent texture, with salons also providing facials and waxing.

The Company offers products in the categories, such as cosmetics, which includes products for the face, eyes, cheeks, lips and nails; haircare, which includes shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and hair accessories; salon styling tools, which includes hair dryers, curling irons and flat irons; skincare and bath and body, which includes products for the face, hands and body; fragrance for both men and women; private label, consisting of Ulta branded cosmetics, skincare, bath and body products and haircare, and other, including candles, home fragrance products and other miscellaneous health and beauty products. The Company has combined its three operating segments: retail stores, salon services and e-commerce, into one reportable segment.

The Company competes with Macy��, Nordstrom, Sephora, Bath & Body Works, CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens, Target, Wal-Mart, Regis Corp., Sally Beauty and JCPenney salons.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Bieglmeier]

  [Related -Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (ULTA): CEO Bought ��Should You?]

  Sales, like earnings, are expected to increase; jumping 20.1% year-over-year (YoY). ULTA's consensus revenue estimate for Q1 is $699.85 million, which is a lot more than last year's $582.71 million.

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA  ) is a fast-growing chain of 550 stores that sell beauty products and offer salon services. Net sales soared 25% last year, fueled by a healthy expansion activity and an 8.8% spike in comps.

Top 10 Retail Companies For 2015: CDC Point SpA (CDC)

CDC Point SpA is an Italy-based company engaged in the information technology (IT) sector. The Company structures its business into two main sectors: Production and Distribution of IT, and Business Value-Added. Through the Production and Distribution of IT sector, it is active in the manufacture of consumer desktop personal computers, as well as in the distribution and retail of computer hardware; peripheral equipment and accessories, such as keyboards, monitors, webcams, card readers, audio systems, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) accessories and routers, and software products. Through the Business Value-Added sector, it provides value added services and solutions, including voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services; video surveillance and home automation technologies; software management and e-commerce solutions, and Web services, such as domain registering, hosting, server, email, positioning on search engines and Web marketing services. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Canadian Value]

  (Mostly) Psychological��/p> The battle against ISIS in the Middle East. Ebola and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): It appears that the Center is not prepared for disease control.

  All of this together resulted in stock market declines of 7-12% in a month, depending on which index you measure. The size of this ��orrection��was not unexpected, but the short time frame was unusual. On some days the forced selling appeared to feed on itself and bordered on panic liquidation. As I write this letter on 10/17, this selling has abated, at least for the time being. The good news is that we raised some cash coming into this period, and

• [By abirk]

  The people of America are becoming more and more health conscious as obesity is growing at a great pace. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one third of US adults (35.7%) is obese. This point out the finger towards the fast-food industry as they are using trans fats (responsible for clogging arteries) in their products to make it more mouth watering.

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies To Own In Right Now

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies To Own In Right Now: Korn/Ferry International (KFY)

Korn/Ferry International, together with its subsidiaries, provides talent management solutions that help clients to design strategies in building and attracting their talent. It operates in three segments: Executive Recruitment, Leadership & Talent Consulting (LTC), and High-Impact Recruitment Solutions. The Executive Recruitment segment focuses on recruiting board-level, chief executive, and other senior executive positions primarily in the consumer, financial services, and industrial, as well as in life sciences/healthcare, and technology industries. The LTC segment provides leadership and talent management solutions to assist clients with their ongoing assessment, organizational design, and leadership development efforts. The High-Impact Recruitment Solutions segment engages in enterprise-wide consulting and recruitment solutions, including recruitment process outsourcing, talent acquisition and management consulting services, project-based recruitment, mid-level recrui tment, and interim professionals. The company serves public and private companies, middle market and emerging growth companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and South America. Korn/Ferry International was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Shares of Korn/Ferry International (NYSE: KFY) were 3.67 percent to $29.36. Korn/Ferry reported its Q4 earnings of $0.32 per share on revenue of $251.70 million.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
  Stocks ended a mini-losing streak on Friday, led by upbeat news from Intel (INTC). The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) rose 41 points, after sliding more than 200 over the previous two days. The Nasda! q composite (^IXIC) gained 13 and the Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) added 6 points. Those modest gains did little to trim the loss for the week. The major averages posted their biggest weekly declines in more than two months. Intel is a component of all three big indexes, and it jumped 7 percent after raising its revenue guidance for the current quarter. The company sees stronger business demand for PCs than it previously expected. Intel shares are up 23 percent over the past six months. The Intel news had a ripple effect. Computer maker Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) rose more than 5 percent and Microsoft (MSFT) gained 1½ percent. Part of the increased demand Intel points to is tied to corporate buyers who need to replace their Windows XP machines, because Microsoft has stopped providing technical support for that platform. But Apple (AAPL) lost more than 1 percent. The stock is down since its 7-for-1 stock split took effect on Monday. There were two other big stories that had some legs beyond the companies directly involved. Open Table (OPEN) agreed to be acquired by Priceline (PCLN) for $2.6 billion. Open Table, which provides restaurant reservations, jumped 48 percent. Other online service providers rode the coattails of that deal. Yelp (YELP) gained 14 percent and Groupon (GRPN) gained 4 percent. In the retail arena, Express (EXPR) jumped 21 percent after a private equity firm took a 9.9 percent stake in the teen retailer and indicated it may make a buyout offer. That gave a boost to Aeropostale (ARO) and American Eagle (AEO), which both rose more than 2 percent. Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) gained 1½. Elsewhere, International Game Technology (IGT) gained 10½ percent on a Reuters report that a bidding war could erupt for

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-5-up-and-coming-companies-to-own-in-right-now-3.html

10 Best Valued Stocks To Invest In Right Now

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The broader market snapped its winning streak, closing in the red on Thursday.

On CNBC's "Fast Money" TV show, fading trends and strong trends fueled the discussion. Dan Nathan said he expects Netflix (NFLX) to break down, citing a five-year low in the short interest. He added that he still likes Qualcomm (QCOM).

Karen Finerman said she really liked CVS Caremark (CVS), but it has become too overvalued at this point.

Jon Najarian thinks shipping stocks, such as DryShips (DRYS) and Diana Shipping (DSX) are overextended. He added that he still likes Ciena (CIEN). Anthony Scaramucci also does not like Netflix at these levels but would still be a buyer of Facebook (FB). Twitter announced that it filed for its much awaited IPO, with Goldman Sachs (GS) as the lead underwriter. Dan Niles, CIO of Alpha One Capital Partners, was quick to remind everyone what happened with Facebook after its public debut. He added that the company continues to grow revenue at a strong rate and also has a solid mobile advertising platform. The stock will certainly be in demand, but Niles said he wants to see what the valuation will be first. Scaramucci believes Morgan Stanley (MS) will have some sort of role with the underwriting, although not as the lead underwriter. Mike Khouw said there could be a lot potential in Twitter, unlike what he thought about Facebook. He added that Twitter is a legitimate news source and that it has a lot of promise. Barbara Marcin, manager of the Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund, said she does not think money will come out of Apple (AAPL) and go into the Twitter IPO due to its different investor base. She added that if you don't include its cash, Apple is extremely cheap and multiple expansion will eventually come when the company releases new products. Barney Harford, CEO of Orbitz Worldwide (OWW), was a guest on the show and said the company's main focus is in the hotel part of the business and driving continued acceleration in hotel-unit volumes. He added the company's recent acquisitions are setting it up well for the future along with the push into mobile.

Best Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

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

• [By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos]

  Costly market share gains
  The problem is that Family Dollar has had to pay up for its increasing market share and sales levels. The company's gross profit margin fell by more than a full percentage point, to 34.7% last quarter. In contrast, Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR  ) booked an expansion of profits, to 35.2%, continuing a trend that's seen it pull away from Family Dollar.

• [By Melvin Backman]

  3. Dollar store drama and coffee surge: Shares in Dollar General (DG) are down more than 7% after CEO Rick Dreiling announced that he was retiring in 2015. Activist investor Carl Icahn has a 9.4% stake in Family Dollar (FDO), which many suspect he wants to merge with Dollar General. Family Dollar stock is down 2%. Related company Dollar Tree (DLTR) is slightly negative as well.

10 Best Valued Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonathan Berr]

  Multilevel marketing (MLM) groups such as Herbalife operate through independent sales representatives, who earn money both through the sales of product and by recruiting other people to join their team. This business model — which is used by scores of companies, including�Pampered Chef, which is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), Tupperware (TUP) and Mary Kay Cosmetics — is legal provided that actual products are sold.

• [By James Brumley]

  CSCO stock might be one of the market’s dark-horse stories of 2014; the dividend yield is the icing on the cake.

  Dividend Stocks to Buy: Tupperware Brands (TUP)

  Dividend Yield: 3.2%

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, household products company Tupperware Brands (NYSE: TUP  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

• [By Oliver Pursche]

  European large-cap pharmaceuticals like Novartis (NVS) �and Bristol Meyers Squibb (BMY) �count amongst some of our favorite stocks right now, as do U.S. multinationals that are growing revenue and margins in Asia ��Tupperware (TUP) �is a shining example. Stay away from utilities and energy stocks, as they are likely to be the laggards over the next year.

10 Best Valued Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Oil and gas industry services providers Cameron International (NYSE: CAM  ) and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) announced today that their�OneSubsea joint venture had received all required regulatory approvals and that they'll close on the JV on�June 30.

10 Best Valued Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Rather than focusing on big market milestones, it's important on quiet days to look at which stocks are making more dramatic moves. Today, for instance, Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT  ) is leading the Dow's gainers with a rise of 1.7%. Quietly, the construction equipment giant has seen its shares bounce 10% off their April lows, even though prospects for the overall global economy haven't begun to rebound markedly. Caterpillar has a long way to go to recover its highs from earlier in the year, but greater investor optimism about cyclical stocks could lead to a new leg for the bull market, given its reliance until now on more defensive stocks like consumer products companies.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  The rush to cut costs has been felt the hardest by mining-industry suppliers, including Caterpillar (CAT) and Joy Global�(JOY), Graf and Levental say, because cancelling orders for new equipment is one of the easiest ways to cut costs.

Top Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now

While we are approaching the end of another calendar year, there are still some memories of 2012. The biggest fear in 2012 was: the world is coming to an end on 21st December, 2012. Well, it is more than a year – and the world has yet not ended.

At the same time, one may wonder if the world has changed dramatically. Let us look at some of the events that took place in 2013. These events shook our long-held beliefs.

In the beginning of the year, the safest asset – gold, after having a decade long bull run, saw weakness. What happened in April was unbelievable for most – In a sudden move, gold prices (in Indian Rupees) were down more than 20 percent from their peak. Barring a surge in July-August due to the weakness of Indian Rupee against world currencies, Gold has been quite lackluster throughout the year. Before the year began, it was believed to be a safe haven.

The popular belief was that in times of crisis, one rushes to Gold. Well, the safe haven is roughly 17 percent down compared to last year’s price.

Top 5 Specialty Retail Companies For 2016: Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (NM)

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. operates as a seaborne shipping and logistics company. It focuses on the transportation and transshipment of dry bulk commodities, including iron ore, coal, fertilizers, and grains. The company controls a fleet of 31 owned vessels and 26 chartered-in vessels totaling 5.8 million dwt. Its owned fleet comprises 14 Ultra Handymax, 11 Capesize, 1 Handysize, and 3 Panamax vessels, as well as 2 Panamax vessels under construction; and chartered-in vessels consists of 8 Capesize, 11 Panamax, 1 Handysize, and 6 Ultra Handymax vessels under long-term time charters. The company also engages in port terminal, river barge, and coastal cabotage operations; and charters its vessels under medium to long-term charters to trading houses, producers, and government-owned entities. In addition, it engages in operating ports and transfer station terminals; and handles vessels, barges, and push boats, as well as operates upriver transport facilities in the Hidrovia region. Further, the company engages in the transportation and handling of liquid cargoes through the ownership, operation, and trading of tanker vessels. It has operations primarily in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The company is headquartered in Piraeus, Greece.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Nickey Friedman]

  Navios Maritime Holdings (NYSE: NM  ) has two operating segments: shipping and logistics. Analysts have already begun to raise their profit estimates for 2014, currently at $0.11 EPS up from $0.01 a week ago. Expect that number to continue to rise dramatically. Navios pays a $0.06 per share quarterly dividend and trades around 40% below its book value. It used to trade as high as $17 back in 2007.

Top Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Transglobe Energy Corp(TGA)

TransGlobe Energy Corporation operates as an exploration and production company with oil interests in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Yemen. It has interests in 9 international blocks comprising 5.5 million acres. The company was formerly known as Dusty Mac Mines, Ltd. and changed its name to TransGlobe Energy Corporation in April 1996 as a result of its business focus shift from mineral exploration and extraction to oil and gas business. TransGlobe Energy Corporation was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Overseas opportunity
  I can't say I'm someone who particularly likes to push my luck in regions of the world where political upheaval can threaten my investments. One such example where I've bucked that trend is AngloGold Ashanti�in Africa, which dealt with a large labor strike that shut down two its mines for a significant amount of time. This came on top of the higher-than-normal labor costs African metal miners already deal with. The next such name I'd like to add to this short list of exceptions is independent oil and gas driller TransGlobe Energy (NASDAQ: TGA  ) .

• [By Seth Jayson]

  TransGlobe Energy (Nasdaq: TGA  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 7. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

  The 10-second takeaway
  Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict TransGlobe Energy's revenues will contract -10.7% and EPS will expand 80.0%.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Wednesday morning, the financial sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from SouFun Holdings (NYSE: SFUN) and E-House (China) Holdings (NYSE: EJ). In trading on Wednesday, energy shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.67 percent. Among the energy stocks, Endeavour International (NYSE: END)was down more than 22 percent, while TransGlobe Energy (NASDAQ: TGA) tumbled around 6 percent.

Top Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Alumina Ltd (AWCMF)

Alumina Limited (Alumina), is an Australia-based company. The Company is the holding company of WMC Group. Alumina is engaged in investing in bauxite mining, alumina refining and selected aluminum smelting operations, through its 40% ownership of Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC). The Company�� partner, Alcoa, owns the remaining 60% of AWAC, and is the manager. The Company�� subsidiaries include Alumina Finance Limited, Alumina Holdings (USA) Inc., Alumina International Holdings Pty. Ltd., Alumina Brazil Holdings Pty Ltd, Alumina Limited Do Brasil SA, Alumina (U.S.A.) Inc., Butia Participacoes SA, Westminer Acquisition (U.K.) Limited, Westminer International (U.K.) Limited and Westminer (Investments) B.V. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks nudged modestly higher early Thursday, with a rebound for financials offsetting weakness in the resource space. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) advanced 0.1% to 5,361.80, as banks and brokers gained after losing ground late in the previous session on concerns about the health of major Chinese banks. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (AU:CBA) (CBAUF) and Macquarie Group Ltd. (AU:MQG) (MCQEF) rose 0.7% apiece, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) added 0.5%, and Westpac Banking Corp. (AU:WBC) (WEBNF) improved by 0.5%. On the downside, losses for gold futures overnight sent Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) down 1.3% and Evolution Mining Ltd. (AU:EVN) (CAHPF) 2.3% lower. The broader mining sector was also lower, with Alumina Ltd. (AU:AWC) (AWCMF) off 2.8%, BHP Billiton Ltd. (AU:BHP) (BHP) down 0.5%, and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (AU:FMG) (FSUMF)

Top Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Telestone Technologies Corp.(TSTC)

Telestone Technologies Corporation offers wireless local-access network technologies and solutions primarily in the People?s Republic of China. Its access-network solutions include the research and development, and application of access network technology. The company designs and sells electronic equipments, such as wireless fiber-optic distribution system products, RFPA products, passive components, repeaters, radio frequency peripherals, and base station antennas used to provide access network solutions for 2G, 3G, broadband access, and CATV networks. It also offers project design, project management, installation, maintenance, and other after-sales services. In addition, Telestone provides various solutions to the telecommunications industry, which cover indoor and outdoor environments comprising hotels, residential estates, office buildings, airports, exhibition centers, underground stations, and highways and tunnels. Further, the company engages in the design, develop ment, production and installation, and trading of wireless telecommunication coverage system equipment. It also markets its products to 29 countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By insider]

  The valuation box will also clearly indicate it if a company is traded at below its net current asset value (NCAV). Please see the valuation box for Telestone (TSTC) below.

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2016

Top 5 Up And Coming Stocks To Own For 2016: Post Holdings Inc (POST)

Post Holdings, Inc., incorporated on September 22, 2011, is a holding company. The Company is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded ready-to-eat cereals in the United States and Canada. The Companys portfolio of brands includes Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, Great Grains, Grape-Nuts, Shredded Wheat, Raisin Bran, Golden Crisp, Alpha-Bits and Honeycomb. It markets and sells ready-to-eat cereal products in three different categories: sweetened, balanced and unsweetened. Its sweetened products include Pebbles, Honeycomb, Golden Crisp, Alpha-Bits and Waffle Crisp. Its balanced products include Honey Bunches of Oats, Post Selects, Great Grains and Shreddies. The Companys unsweetened products include Post Shredded Wheat, Post Raisin Bran and Grape-Nuts. Effective January 1, 2014, the Company announced it has completed the acquisition of private label pasta manufacturer Dakota Growers Pasta Company, Inc. Effective January 2, 2014, Post Holdings Inc acquired Ag ricore United Holdings Inc from Viterra Inc, a unit of Glencore Xstrata PLC, and the transaction also included Dakota Growers Pasta Company, Inc. Effective January 1, 2014, Post Holdings Inc acquired Dymatize Enterprises LLC, a Farmers Branch-based manufacturer and wholesaler of nutrition supplement. Effective January 1, 2014, it acquired Dymatize Enterprises LLC and Golden Boy Foods Ltd.

Honey Bunches of Oats is in the ready-to-eat cereal market. The Companys Pebbles brands include Cocoa and Fruity Pebbles. The products are manufactured through a flexible production platform consisting of four owned primary facilities and sold through a variety of channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Shamus Funk]

  Following the same line of logic, don't be surprised if Post (NYSE: POST  ) Grape-Nuts soon carry the GMO-free label. They are currently mark! eting Vintage Grape-Nuts which do not contain the likely GMO-laden isolated soy protein that is found in their current formulation of the cereal. Presumably with a little consumer demand, the transition back to the original recipe would be easy and enable the GMO-free label.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another potential earnings short-squeeze trade idea is diversified foods player Post Holdings (POST), which is set to release its numbers on next Monday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Post Holdings to report revenue $980.04 million on earnings of 7 cents per share.

  The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Post Holdings is extremely high at 24.9%. That means that out of the 44.14 million shares in the tradable float, 10.87 million shares are sold short by the bears. This is a large short interest on a stock with a relatively low tradable float. Any bullish earnings news could easily trigger a large short-covering rally for shares of POST after earnings are announced.

  From a technical perspective, POST is currently trending above its 50-day moving average and well below its 200-day moving average, which is neutral trendwise. This stock has just started to bounce right off some near-term support at $35 and off its 50-day moving average of $35.18 a share. That bounce is starting to push shares of POST within range of triggering a major breakout trade post-earnings.

  If you're in the bull camp on POST, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $38 to $38.80 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 771,663 shares. If that breakout kicks off post-earnings, then POST will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap-down-day zone from August that started at $45 a share.

  I would simply avoid POST or look for short-biased trades if ! after ear! nings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below some near-term support at around $35 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then POST will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support level at its 52-week low of $30.94 a share.

• [By Maureen Farrell]

  The first bit came from Herbalife bull William Stiritz, the CEO of Post Holdings(POST).

  The market has viewed Post as a potential buyer of Herbalife, after Post’s CEO William Stiritz personally purchased a 6.7% stake in Herbalife. Last week one ofWall Street’s most bullish analystson Herbalife joined Post Holdings as an adviser, raising even more questions about whether the cereal company might bid for Herbalife.

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  Shares of Post Holdings (NYSE: POST) were down 15.9 percent to $37.43 after the company reported a Q3 loss of $0.30 per share on revenue of $633.0 million. The company also announced its plans to acquire American Blanching Company. SunTrust Robinson Humphrey downgraded Post from Buy to Hold and lowered the price target from $70.00 to $45.00.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-5-up-and-coming-stocks-to-own-for-2016.html

Now the Venaxis Spring is De-Coiling, & That's Good News (APPY)

To tell the truth, I'm not the least bit surprised that I'm chiming in on Venaxis Inc. (NASDAQ:APPY) today. It was a stock I dissected just two days ago (on Tuesday - here's that chat), pointing out how all the telltale signs of bullishness were brewing. Sure enough, APPY popped on Wednesday, and as a result has gone from a mere potential big mover to an actual mover.

Just to get everyone up to speed, APPY had been getting squeezed into a narrower and narrower trading range. In fact, that range had been whittled down to a mere ten cents, which just isn't enough room for a $1.40 stock like Venaxis Inc. to comfortably move around in. Something had to give soon, and given that the market had been squeezing in on shares for a little over a month, there's was a lot of pent-up energy to unleash.

Well, as of yesterday, Venaxis has broken out of that narrowing range - bullishly - and at the same time has broken above the 100-day moving average line (gray), which had been a nagging resistance area since late July.

That 'unleashing' action alone was enough for me to go ahead and fall in love with APPY, but today's action seals the deal. Today, shares are following through, up five cents (+3.0%) so far, telling us yesterday's surge wasn't just a little volatility. Take a look.

Bolstering the bullish argument is the fact that volume poured into Venaxis Inc. shares on Wednesday. The 1.8 million shares that traded hands - most of it buying volume - yesterday was the most interest we'd seen in the stock in weeks, and in light of the multi-week buildup we've seen [APPY has been moving higher for months, in fits and starts] since June, it's the culmination of a lot of bullish undertows that have been working hard to finally converge at this point. Now that they're all converged, Venaxis is ready to go from good to great.

As for a target, well, this isn't necessarily a long-term call on APPY. Though we should get some good traction now that the taut slingshot has been released, the rally's apt to slow down, if not stop, around $2.25. That was a turbulent area earlier in the year. The $3.00 mark was a firm ceiling in the last half of last year if shares do manage to break past $2.25. Still, that's a pretty good move, and worth a shot.

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Jefferies Analyst Sees Possibility of Microsoft Bid on BlackBerry (MSFT)

According to Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, software company Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is now more likely to acquire BlackBerry.

On September 2, Microsoft announced that it had agreed to purchase Nokia's devices and services business. After this deal is finalized, the analyst sees Microsoft taking a closer look at BlackBerry.

The analyst noted that having both the Nokia business as well as BlackBerry assets, MSFT would be “1) the definitive #3 handset player with better carrier access and production economies of scale; 2) the leader in enterprise mobile devices with support from the U.S. gov’t; 3) a key player in MDM, an area they would love to get into and purchasing private leaders in the space would be pricey.”

Misek also reported that other bidders may include International Business Machines (IBM) and Samsung. He also suggested the possibility of BlackBerry splitting into several pieces.