5 Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2015

SAN FRANCISCO ��Silicon Valley has its own version of Occupy Wall Street.

This culture war lacks rampant arrests, bursts of violence or national media coverage. But the dissent of anti-gentrification groups over income and housing is creating a stir just the same.

Every week or so this year, protesters have blocked buses from Google and Facebook carrying workers to their jobs outside the city. A few dozen protesters, chanting "Stop evictions," surrounded the buses and prevented them from moving. Someone plastered one coach with a sign, in a Google-type font, that read, "Gentrification and Eviction Technologies."

It's all part of living in an insulated bubble for me and others who have been part of the tech scene for more than 25 years. Our tunnel vision can be downright myopic to those around us.

5 Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2015: DISH Network Corporation(DISH)

DISH Network Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television services in the United States. It offers programming that includes approximately 280 basic video channels, 60 Sirius satellite radio music channels, 30 premium movie channels, 35 regional and specialty sports channels, 2,800 local channels, 250 Latino and international channels, and 55 channels of pay-per-view content. The company also offers local HD channels in approximately 160 markets and 215 national HD channels; and receiver systems, including a small satellite dish, digital set-top receivers, and remote controls. In addition, it provides DISHOnline.com, which enables DISH Network subscribers to watch 150,000 movies, television shows, clips, and trailers; DISH Remote Access that enables subscribers to remotely manage their DVRs using compatible mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops through their broadband-connected receiver; and Go ogle TV that enables DISH Network subscribers to search the Internet, check email, interact with social media, and find additional online programming content while simultaneously watching television. As of March 31, 2011, the company had approximately 14.191 million customers. DISH Network provides receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels; and independent third parties, such as small satellite retailers, direct marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Radovsky]

  DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH  ) will not raise its bid to buy Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S  ) after SoftBank's most recent counteroffer to the satellite TV provider's proposal, DISH announced late yesterday.

5 Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2015: Discovery Communications Inc(DISCA)

Discovery Communications, Inc. operates as a non fiction media and entertainment company worldwide. The company provides original and purchased programming across various distribution platforms. Its content covers science, exploration, survival, natural history, sustainability of the environment, technology, docu-series, anthropology, paleontology, history, space, archaeology, health and wellness, engineering, adventure, lifestyles, forensics, civilization, and current events. The company owns and operates nine national television networks in the United States, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Investigation Discovery, Military Channel, Planet Green, Discovery Fit & Health, and Velocity. Discovery Communications also has interests in Oprah Winfrey Network, a pay-television network and Web site; The Hub that features original programming, game shows, and live-action series and specials; and 3net, a three-dimensional network. In addition, it o ffers network branded Web sites, and mobile and video-on-demand services; and distributes various national and pan-regional television networks. Further, the company develops and sells curriculum-based products and services to public and private K-12 schools, such as access to an online VOD service that includes curriculum-based tools, professional development services, and student assessment and publication of hardcopy curriculum-based content; and postproduction audio services to motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies, and interactive producers. As of December 31, 2011, it operated approximately 150 distribution feeds in 40 languages. The company is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alyce Lomax]

  An hour is the amount of time Americans might allot for watching an episode of, say, Dirty Jobs in their free time. Speaking of jobs, dirty or otherwise, Discovery Communications' (NASDAQ: DISCA  ) CEO David Zaslav's pay calculation came to $24,000 per hour.

• [By MONEYMORNING]

  Consider the case of Discovery Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA), the world's leading creator of documentary-style content. The company recently said it wants to upgrade to 4K for shows it runs on such networks as the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, and Science.

Top 5 Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: CBS Corporation(CBS)

CBS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mass media company in the United States and internationally. The company?s Entertainment segment distributes a schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports, and entertainment programming; produces, acquires, and distributes programming, including series, specials, news, and public affairs; produces and distributes theatrical motion pictures across various genres; and operates online content networks for information and entertainment. Its Cable Networks segment owns and operates multiplexed channels that offers subscription program services, including recently released theatrical feature films, original series, documentaries, boxing, mixed martial arts and other sports-related programming, and special events; and CBS College Sports Network, a 24-hour cable program service related to college sports. This segment also owns and manages Smithsonian Networks, which operates Smithsonian Channel, a basic cab le service in the United States. The company?s Publishing segment publishes and distributes adult and children?s consumer books in printed, audio, and digital formats. Its Local Broadcasting segment owns 29 broadcast television stations; owns and operates 130 radio stations in 28 U.S. markets and related online properties; and owns local Websites that combine television and radio local media brands online to provide the latest news, traffic, weather, and sports information, as well as local discounts, directories, and reviews. The company?s Outdoor segment sells advertising space on various media, including billboards, transit shelters and other street furniture, buses, rail systems, mall kiosks, stadium signage, and in retail stores. CBS Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Lions Gate has more going for it than just the Hunger Games movies. It produces both movies and television productions, with a stable of television series including the popular Mad Men and Anger Management. The company also owns a 50% stake in the TV Guide cable channel and website, with a new agreement in March with CBS (NYSE: CBS  ) in which Lions Gate gave up its former majority control of the TV Guide joint venture. Both companies expect to push TV Guide in new directions to try to boost its appeal and revenue-generating capacity.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  In the Door’s song “the End,” Jim Morrison sang about wanting to kill his father. After today’s deal between CBS (CBS) and Time Warner (TWX) that restore CBS programs to subscribers, T.V. viewers might no longer want to kill their cable provider.

• [By Rich Smith]

  Last week, CBS's (NYSE: CBS  ) The Big Bang Theory�made television history of a sort, when a repeat of the popular sitcom beat out an original live episode of American Idol -- Fox's erstwhile ratings juggernaut.�TBBT�not only scored more viewers over all in the 8:30 time slot in which it ran; it also attracted significantly more of the 18-to-49 age group whom advertisers covet.

5 Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2015: Comcast Corporation(CMCSA)

Comcast Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Cable Communications segment provides video, high-speed Internet, and phone services to residential and business customers. As of June 30, 2011, its cable systems served approximately 22.5 million video customers, 17.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 9.1 million phone customers. The company?s Cable Networks segment operates cable entertainment networks, such as USA Network, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4, Chiller, Sleuth, and Universal HD; news and information networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and CNBC World; cable sports networks comprising Golf Channel and VERSUS; regional sports and news networks; international entertainment, and news and information networks, such as CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, and Universal Networks International portfolio of networks; cable television production oper ations; and digital media properties consisting primarily of brand-aligned Websites and other Websites, such as DailyCandy, Fandango, and iVillage. Its Broadcast Television segment operates the U.S. broadcast networks, NBC and Telemundo; 10 NBC and 15 Telemundo owned local television stations; broadcast television productions; and related digital media properties. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment operates Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets, and distributes filmed entertainment and stage plays worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television, and other distribution platforms. Its Theme Parks segment operates Universal Studios Hollywood park and Wet ?n Wild water park, as well as licenses intellectual properties and provides services to third parties that own and operate Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore. Comcast Corporation was founded in 1963 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Carroll]

  The summer movie season is almost here, and one science-fiction action blockbuster shined this past weekend. The Tom Cruise-led film�Oblivion, distributed by Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA  ) subsidiary Universal, took the top spot at the domestic box office this weekend, racking up more than $38 million in U.S. sales in its debut weekend.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Investors appear to agree. Shares of Disney have gained 2.1% to $68.54 at 2:02 p.m., joining a strong-performing group of stocks today. CBS Corp (CBS) has advanced 2.3% to$58.20, Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA) has risen 2.9% to $33.75 and Comcast (CMCSA) is up 1.7% at $48.06.

• [By Anora Mahmudova]

  Investors welcomed better-than-expected results from Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) and Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) , while a flurry of deal news in the health-care sector added to positive sentiment.

• [By Jonathan Berr]

  Technological Prowess: Apple’s stock has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to revolutionary product (iPod, iPhone and iPad) after revolutionary product — but also on their many iterations. Next up for the company is likely the iPhone 6, which according to MacRumors is expected to launch Apple into the big-screen phone arena (something many Apple fans have yearned for), and should utilize a faster chip than current models. However, AAPL also reportedly is in talks with Comcast (CMCSA) about developing a video streaming/cable alternative that would presumably take on Netflix (NFLX); working on developing specialized applications for cars known as telematics; and has brought streaming capability to iTunes to further assert its musical dominance.Reports that the company’s best days are behind it seem harsh.

5 Best Media Stocks To Buy For 2015: Time Warner Inc.(TWX)

Time Warner Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Networks, Filmed Entertainment, and Publishing. The Networks segment provides domestic and international networks, premium pay and basic tier television programming services, and digital media properties, which primarily consist of brand-aligned Websites. Its premium pay television services consist of the multi-channel HBO and Cinemax premium pay television services. This segment provides programming to cable system operators, satellite service distributors, telephone companies, and other distributors; sells advertising; and licenses original programming to domestic and international television networks. The Filmed Entertainment segment produces and distributes feature films, television and other programming, and videogames; distributes home video products; and licenses rights to its feature films, television programming, and characters. T he Publishing segment publishes magazines and books; and operates various Websites, as well as engages in marketing services and direct-marketing businesses. This segment publishes magazines on style and entertainment, lifestyle, news, and sports. The company?s brands include TNT, TBS, CNN, HBO, Cinemax, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, People, Sports Illustrated, and Time. Time Warner Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jason Moser and Eric Bleeker, CFA]

  Time Warner (NYSE: TWX  ) , AT&T (NYSE: T  ) , and DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV  ) are all bidding on Hulu. Sure, the streaming star has a nice content assortment, but what these bidders are really paying for is branding. Hulu's market share of about 10% may not seem that impressive, but it has great recognition and app placement within major platforms such as Roku and the Xbox. In the following video, Eric and Jason break down the streaming star's appeal.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  We still have many key oil and energy companies reporting in the week ahead but we have now seen the sector leaders report earnings. Earnings previews have been prepared for the following stocks:

  CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTZ) Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) Office Depot Inc. (NYSE: ODP) and OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) American Water Works Company Inc. (NYSE: AWK) Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) QUALCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) Whole Foods Market Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM) Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) Molycorp Inc. (NYSE: MCP) The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) Priceline.com Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLN) The Wendy’s Company (NYSE: WEN)

  CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) reports earnings on Monday morning. With all of the exchange mergers of the last decade this remains one of the dominant exchanges. Estimates are $0.73 EPS and $713.3 million in revenue. Keep in mind that this exchange is now worth $25 billion. At $74.70, the consensus analyst price target is only just barely higher at almost $75.50.

• [By Rich Smith]

  There, I said it -- and fans of George R.R. Martin's long-winded and epically tardy fantasy series can flame away. The version of GoT envisioned by Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX  ) HBO enjoys undeniable popularity with the sci-fi/fantasy set. Yet the series suffers from one fatal flaw: its creator.

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  Time Warner provides media and entertainment through a variety of mediums to consumers and businesses all around the world. The company today reported financial results for its fourth-quarter and full year ended December 31, 2013. The stock has been moving higher, but is currently trading sideways. Earnings and revenue figures have been increasing over the last four quarters, which has kept investors happy. Relative to its strong peers and sector, Time Warner has been an average year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what Time Warner does this upcoming quarter.

Bull of the Day: Tesla Motors (TSLA) - Bull of the Day

2013 has been an incredible year for the automotive industry, but it has been particularly outstanding for newcomer Tesla Motors (TSLA). The electric car manufacturer has made a name for itself thanks to solid sales and earnings that crushed estimates, while the cool factor of its vehicles have also helped the firm to gain some recognition.

These factors have allowed TSLA's stock price to surge this year, as strong results and optimism over electric car demand in the future pushed the stock up to new heights. In fact, TSLA shares have added about 250% since the start of the year, and over 340% in the trailing one year period, making the company one of the hottest stocks in the market, and a favorite pick among growth investors.

Given this incredible surge, many are likely wondering if the run can continue for TSLA heading into the end of the year. If you look at analyst expectations for the company though, there is plenty of reason to believe that TSLA can keep this streak alive and put up some more solid gains.

TSLA Estimates in Focus

Analysts remain extremely bullish on the company and we have seen some estimate revisions higher in the past few weeks. This has helped to push the current year consensus from a loss of 77 cents a share 30 days ago, to its current level of a loss of 60 cents a share today.

Current quarter and next quarter estimates have also risen over the past thirty days too, suggesting that analysts like the firm's prospects in the short term as well.

This move higher in the estimates picture also helps to push the Earnings ESP for the current quarter up to 16.67%. So, the firm could be poised to beat estimates this quarter, at least when looking at this metric.



Growth Rates Still Incredible

Beyond this favorable estimate picture, it is also worth noting that growth levels for TSLA are still quite impressi! ve. The company is expected to see growth of 81% for the current year, and an astounding 173% for the next year period.

This is especially incredible when you consider where the company was, and where the firm is expected to go in the future. The year ago EPS for the company was $-.68/share and current projections for the 2014 year call for earnings of $0.50/share. Clearly, the firm is on the right track and is well on its way to becoming a formidable player in the automotive market.

Bottom Line

This soaring estimate picture and strong growth outlook has helped TSLA to earn a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), suggesting that the company will outperform other stocks in the near future. If that wasn't enough, the stock also has a Zacks Recommendation of 'Outperform', meaning that the long-term future for TSLA is quite bright as well.

It is also worth noting that the firm is in great company, as the broad automotive industry is coming back strong. In fact, the automotive-domestic Zacks Industry is currently Ranked in the top 10%, so there are definitely some industry tailwinds too.

Given these factors, it looks like Tesla, even at its current levels, may still be a great candidate for a portfolio. There are not only positive industry trends behind the firm, but a variety of company specific points—such as strong growth rates and increased optimism from analysts—which suggest that there is still time to get in on this amazing growth story.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>

Is Under Armour Poised for Long-Term Success?

With shares of Under Armour (NYSE:UA) trading at around $55.92, is UA an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

C = Catalyst for the Stock's Movement

Under Armour has been given an OUTPERFORM rating here since December. Have circumstances changed? The consumer has weakened, but Under Armour continues to achieve results. There's a reason for this.

To understand Under Armour, you must understand CEO Kevin Plank. This is a guy who had $40,000 in credit card debt when he started the company from his grandmother's basement. Since he has already been at the bottom, he knows what it feels like to be there, and he knows he could handle it if that situation were to present itself once again. Therefore, he has no fear. A man with no fear is a dangerous man, and Kevin Plank fits that description in a business sense.

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

The shorts have been wrong on this stock for quite some time. What the shorts might not understand is that the more they bet against the company, the more motivation they provide for Mr. Plank. He likes to think of himself and his associates as eternal underdogs. This allows them to keep a chip on their shoulder, and they always feel as though they have something to prove. Of course, the ultimate goal is beating Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE). This would be an extremely difficult, if not impossible, feat. Then again, those who have bet against Mr. Plank thus far have lost. Under Armour is taking a wise approach by aiming to take a little market share at a time, and it's certainly not backing down from Nike on the legal front. Don't get the wrong idea, though. Nike is still the clear favorite. Luckily, there is room for both companies.

Current positives for Under Armour include:

Consistent revenue improvements on an annual basis Consistent earnings improvements on an annual basis Highly innovative company Adding 10 Factory House stores this year Expanding margins (lower input costs) Analysts like the stock: 12 Buy, 14 Hold, 2 Sell Recently beat expectations Improvements in all segments Strong guidance International revenue increased 41 percent year-over-year Apparel revenue increased 22 percent year-over-year Footwear revenue increased 26.9 percent year-over-year Net revenue in Accessories increased 21.8 percent year-over-year Licensing revenue increased 18.8 percent year-over-year

Other than the threat of a slowdown in the global economy (a major threat), the only significant negative for Under Armour is an expected increase in capital expenditures.

Now let's take a look at some comparative numbers. The chart below compares fundamentals for Under Armour, Nike, and Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ:LULU).  Under Armour has a market cap of $5.89 billion, Nike has a market cap of $55.90 billion, and Lululemon has a market cap of $10.80 billion.

	UA	NKE	LULU
Trailing   P/E	49.38	24.39	40.43
Forward   P/E	30.51	20.44	29.21
Profit   Margin	6.34%	9.22%	19.74%
ROE	16.07%	21.89%	36.35%
Operating   Cash Flow	$198.27 Million	$2.64 Billion	$280.11 Million
Dividend   Yield	N/A	1.40%	N/A
Short   Position	18.80%	0.90%	37.00%

 

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

E = Equity to Debt Ratio Is Strong         

The debt-to-equity ratio for Under Armour is stronger than the industry average of 0.50. Debt management has been good.

	Debt-To-Equity	Cash	Long-Term Debt
UA	0.07	$255.72 Million	$60.44 Million
NKE	0.03	$4.04 Billion	$321.00 Million
LULU	0.00	$590.18 Million	$0

 

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

T = Technicals Are Strong  

Under Armour has been a strong performer over the past several years.

	1 Month	Year-To-Date	1 Year	3 Year
UA	9.22%	15.23%	13.10%	214.70%
NKE	6.15%	21.87%	14.96%	71.29%
LULU	20.36%	-1.56%	0.44%	278.10%

 

At $55.92, Under Armour is trading above all its averages.

50-Day   SMA	51.62
100-Day   SMA	50.32
200-Day   SMA	52.53

 

E = Earnings Have Been Strong                              

Revenue and earnings have both consistently improved on an annual basis.

	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Revenue   ($)in   billions	725.24M	856.41M	1.06	1.47	1.84
Diluted   EPS ($)	0.38	0.46	0.67	0.92	1.21

 

When we look at the previous quarter on a year-over-year basis, we see an increase in revenue and a decline in earnings.

	3/2012	6/2012	9/2012	12/2012	3/2013
Revenue   ($)in   millions	384.39	369.47	575.20	505.86	471.61
Diluted   EPS ($)	0.14	0.06	0.54	0.47	0.07

 

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

T = Trends Might Support the Industry

Increased taxes, underemployment, and the possibility of entitlement cuts are all potential negatives for the industry. However, Under Armour has been able to fight through headwinds (so far).

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

Conclusion

Under Armour is without a doubt a long-term winner, but the stock market is too hot right now for any real conviction, especially since Under Armour is trading at 49 times earnings. Nike wouldn't be the best safe haven in a bear market, but it would be safer than Under Armour. That said, for investors who are capable of withstanding a hit and willing to purchase more on the way down if the stock gets hit, Under Armour is a long-term OUTPERFORM. This should be a safe long-term approach since Under Armour is highly likely to grow in the coming decades. It's certainly not going anywhere.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now

Here are today's top news headlines from�Fool.com. Check back throughout the day as this list is updated, and follow us on Twitter at�TMFBreaking.

Delta Air Lines Initiates Dividend, Stock Buyback Plan

Apache Strikes Oil in Egypt

GE Unveils 1.7 MW Wind Turbine; NextEra Orders 59

Microsoft Names New CFO

Google Fiber Picks Another City

Activists: Disney Can't Trademark Holidays

Starbucks to Triple Products for GMCR's Keurig

Obama to Launch Jobs Tour

SeaChange CFO to Resign

House to Vote to Prioritize U.S. Debt Payments

Google Translate Adds 5 Languages

Cyprus Keeps Limits on Money Flows

NV Energy Keeps Quarterly Dividend at $0.19

Oil Below $96 per Barrel on Jobs, Stronger Dollar

Tesla Model S Outscores Every Car in Consumer Reports Testing

Facebook, Chicago Firm Settle Suit

Engility to Participate in $400 Million USAID Clean Energy Project

Nokia's Asha 501 Smartphone Shipping Next Month

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: LivePerson Inc.(LPSN)

LivePerson, Inc. provides online engagement solutions that facilitate real-time assistance and expert advice in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. The company facilitates real-time online interactions, such as chat, voice/click-to-call, email, and self-service/knowledgebase for corporations of various sizes; and connects businesses and independent service providers with individual consumers seeking help on its hosted software platform. Its products and services comprise LP Chat that creates real-time connections for businesses to connect with consumers through Websites, social media, and mobile devices; LP Voice, which provides customers a connection between a Website and the voice channel to engage prospects and consumers online; and LivePerson Expert Platform, a marketplace platform that allows users to chat live with independent experts in various categories. The company?s products and services also include LP Marketer that o ffers a real-time data-driven targeting solution that delivers personalized digital user experiences; and LP Insights, which provide customers with a text analytics tool that enables them to data mine for ?Voice of the Customer? and ?Voice of the Agent? content. In addition, it offers provides professional services and value-added business consulting services. The company sells its products through direct and indirect sales channels to small and mid-sized businesses, Internet businesses, online merchants, universities, libraries, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations, as well as to financial, retail, telecommunications, technology, and travel/hospitality industries. LivePerson, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brendan Byrnes]

  The following video excerpt was taken from an interview with Robert LoCascio, founder and CEO of LivePerson (NASDAQ: LPSN  ) , as he talks about what was behind the company's incredible success story. In this segment, he discusses how his company survived the bursting of the dot-com bubble burst.

• [By Ben Eisen]

  LivePerson Inc. (LPSN) �shares climbed 16.9% in premarket trade after the company reported third-quarter earnings late Wednesday.

• [By Brendan Byrnes]

  The following video excerpt was taken from an interview with Robert LoCascio, founder and CEO of LivePerson (NASDAQ: LPSN  ) , as he talks about what was behind the company's incredible success story. In this segment, he explains the company's opportunities for international expansion. �

• [By Brendan Byrnes]

  The following video excerpt was taken from an interview with Robert LoCascio, founder and CEO of LivePerson (NASDAQ: LPSN  ) , as he talks about what was behind the company's incredible success story. In this segment, he�explains how his line of products and services uses predictive technology to move beyond a basic chat company. A transcript follows the video.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: Solitron Devices Inc (SODI)

Solitron Devices, Inc., incorporated on March 12, 1987, designs, develops, manufactures and markets solid-state semiconductor components and related devices primarily for the military and aerospace markets. The Company manufactures a variety of bipolar and metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) power transistors, power and controls hybrids, junction and power MOS field effect transistors (Power MOSFETS), field effect transistors and other related products. It's products are custom made pursuant to contracts with customers whose end products are sold to the United States government. The Company�� semiconductor products can be classified as active electronic components. The Company�� active electronic components include bipolar transistors and MOS transistors.

The Company�� semiconductor products are used as components of military, commercial, and aerospace electronic equipment, such as ground and airborne radar systems, power distribution systems, missiles, missile control systems, and spacecraft. Its products have been used on the space shuttle and on the spacecraft sent to the moon, to Jupiter (on Galileo) and, to Mars (on Global Surveyor and Mars Sojourner).

Power Transistors

The Company manufactures a variety of power bipolar transistors for applications requiring currents in the range of 0.1 ampere to 300 ampere or voltages in the range of 30 volts to 1000 volts. It also manufactures power diodes under the same military specification. In addition, it manufactures power N-Channel and P-Channel MOSFET transistors and is expanding that line in accordance with customers��requirements.

Hybrids

The Company manufactures thick film hybrids, which generally contain discrete semiconductor chips, integrated circuits, chip capacitors and thick film or thin film resistors. The hybrids are of the high-power type and are custom manufactured for military and aerospace systems. Some of the Company�� hybrids include high power voltage regulators, p! ower amplifiers, power drivers, boosters and controllers. The Company manufactures both standard and custom hybrids.

Voltage Regulators

Voltage regulators provide the power required to activate electronic components such as the integrated circuits. These circuits are found in all electronic devices from radar and missile systems to smart phones.

Field Effect Transistors

The Company manufactures about 30 different types of junction and MOS field effect transistor chips. They are used to produce over 350 different field effect transistor types. The Company�� field effect transistors conform to standard Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council designated transistors, commonly referred to as standard 2N number types. It manufactures both standard and custom field effect transistors.

The Competes with IXYS Corporation, Motorola Inc., International Rectifier, Microsemi Corporation, M.S. Kennedy Corporation, Natel Engineering Company and Sensitron Semiconductor.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Geoff Gannon]

  Solitron (SODI) sells at 74% of NCAV, has decent z- and f-scores, a FCF margin of 5.3% and an ROA of 12%.
  
  Micropac (MPAD) sells at 83% of NCAV, has similar (slightly better) z- and f-scores, a FCF margin of 6%, but has ROA of 28%.
  
  ADDvantage (AEY) sells at 95% of NCAV, has similar (in the ballpark) scores and FCF and ROA of 23%.

Best Recreation Companies To Own In Right Now: Powershares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (PPA)

The PowerShares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (Fund) seeks to replicate, before fees and expenses, the SPADE Defense Index. The SPADE Defense Index is designed to identify a group of companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations and support of United States defense, homeland security and aerospace operations.

With a portfolio defined by the underlying SPADE Defense Index, constituents represent a diversified offering of large, mid and small cap companies. The constituents also enables the Fund to capture current and future spending in areas, such as armor for vehicles and soldiers, night vision systems, border security and secure communications.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mark Salzinger]

  This industry's two largest ETFs��Shares Aerospace and Defense (ITA) and PowerShares Aerospace and Defense (PPA)��ained more than 50% last year.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: United Community Banks Inc. (UCBI)

United Community Banks, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for United Community Bank that provides retail and corporate banking services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses. It offers various deposit accounts, such as checking accounts, savings and time deposits, demand deposits, non-interest bearing deposits, NOW accounts, and money market accounts. The company�s loan portfolio comprises commercial loans secured by real estate, commercial and industrial loans, commercial construction loans, residential construction and mortgage loans, and consumer installment loans. It also offers wire transfers, brokerage services, and other financial services; and ATM, telephone, and online banking services. In addition, the company acts as an insurance agency, as well as provides retail brokerage services through an affiliation with a third party broker/dealer. As of March 25, 2013, it operated 103 banking offices in north Georgia, the Atlanta region, coastal Georgi a, western North Carolina, east Tennessee, and northwest South Carolina. The company was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  United Community Banks (UCBI) has 106 branches in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. The bank has seen continual credit improvements and a recovering economy drive 100% earnings gains this year. The bank is one of the few seeing strong loan growth, and business is so good that UCBI paid back its TARP obligations without needing to issue new equity. This cheap stock was upgraded to an ����last July and at the current price. The P/E ratio right now is just 5.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: Medical Action Industries Inc.(MDCI)

Medical Action Industries Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, and supplies various disposable medical products primarily in the United States. It offers custom procedure trays that include orthopedic, cath lab/radiology, labor and delivery, cardiac, ophthalmology, tissue procurement, neurology, robotic, gynecological, vascular, urology, cosmetic/plastic surgery, anesthesia/pain, bariatric, and general/other trays; minor procedure kits and trays, such as central line dressing, suture removal, laceration, incision and drainage, general purpose instrument, wound dressing change, sharp debridement, venipuncture, ear and ulcer syringes, trach care, and irrigation trays, as well as razor and shave prep kits, piston syringes, and I.V. start kits; and operating room disposables and sterilization products comprising surgical marking pens, needle counters, light shields, convenience kits, surgical headwear and shoe covers, isolation gowns, instrument protection, eye-shields, sutur e boots, basin separators, reel cutters, patient aids, crutches, walkers, canes, patient slippers, O.R. basins, magnetic drapes, guide wire bowls, bowie dick test packs, vessel loops, anti-fog solutions, heat sealers, and tray liners. The company also provides patient bedside products consisting of wash basins, bedpans, pitchers and carafes, urinals, emesis basins, soap dishes, medicine and denture cups, tumblers, sitz baths, service trays, and perineal bottles; dressings and surgical sponges, which include burn dressings, sponge counting systems, elastic nets, and bandage rolls; containment systems for medical waste, such as waste solidifier and spill cleanup kits, and equipment dust and sterility maintenance covers; and laboratory products comprising petri dishes, containers, collectors, calculi strainers, and vials. It sells its products primarily to acute care facilities through a network of direct sales personnel. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Brentwood, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another under-$10 health care player that's starting to move within range of triggering a major breakout trade is Medical Action Industries (MDCI), which develops, manufactures, markets and supplies a variety of disposable medical products. This stock has been on fire so far in 2013, with shares up sharply by 129%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Medical Action Industries, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways and consolidating for the last month and change, with shares moving between $5.84 on the downside and $6.76 on the upside. Shares of MDCI are now starting to spike higher right off its 50-day moving average of $6.09 a share, and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a major breakout trade above the upper-end of its sideways trading chart pattern.

  Market players should now look for long-biased trades in MDCI if it manages to break out above its 200-day moving average at $6.67 a share and then once it takes out some more key overhead resistance levels at $6.76 to $7.13 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 98,989 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then MDCI will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $9.50 to $10 a share.

  Traders can look to buy MDCI off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels a $5.84 to $5.50 a share. One can also buy MDCI off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

Visa: ‘Modest Bump in the Road,’ Immodest Drop

Visa (V) swiped its earnings card only to find out that it’s been rejected.

Bloomberg

The credit-card company said it earned $2.20 cents a share, beating forecasts for $2.18, on sales of $3.16 billion, below the Street consensus for $3.19 billion. Visa also said that revenue would slow during the second quarter as a result of sanctions imposed on Russia and a stronger dollar.

Jefferies’ Jason Kupferberg and team call Visa’s results a ‘modest bump in the road” but remain optimistic:

Shares of V will understandably trade lower…given: 1) narrowing of net rev growth guidance to the lower part of the range, 2) slightly more softening in x-border volume growth, 3) uncertainty re Russia, 4) obtuse messaging around tax rate guidance. However, we were encouraged by recovery in most all April metrics and higher operating margin guidance. The long-term story is intact.

The uncertainty around Russia could also weigh on MasterCard’s (MA) results when it releases earnings on May 1, Kupferberg says.

Shares of Visa have dropped 4.1% to $200.82 at 2:38 p.m., while MasterCard has fallen 4.2% to $71.25. Visa’s drop is also weighing heavily on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, thanks to its big drop, which is more than twice the size of Intel’s (INTC) 1.7% decline and Goldman Sachs’ (GS) 1.6% fall put together, and having the highest price in the price-weighted Dow. The Dow has fallen 0.8% to 16,362.27.

Major oil, gas firm to list fracking chemicals

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A major supplier to the oil and gas industry says it will begin disclosing 100% of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluid, with no exemptions for trade secrets. The move by Baker Hughes of Houston is a shift for a major firm; it's unclear if others will follow suit.

The oil and gas industry has said the fracking chemicals are disclosed at tens of thousands of wells, but environmental and health groups and government regulators say a loophole that allows companies to hide chemical "trade secrets" has been a major problem.

A statement on the Baker Hughes website said the company believes it's possible to disclose 100% "of the chemical ingredients we use in hydraulic fracturing fluids without compromising our formulations," to increase public trust.

"This really good news. It's a step in the right direction," said Dr. Bernard Goldstein, the former dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. "One hopes that the entire industry goes along with it."

But Goldstein noted one "major hedge" in the Baker Hughes position, since the company said it will provide complete lists of the products and chemical ingredients used in frack fluids "where accepted by our customers and relevant governmental authorities."

Still, Goldstein said the Baker Hughes language sets a new standard for transparency and "clearly distinguishes them from Halliburton," another major industry supplier.

Baker Hughes spokeswoman Melanie Kania wrote in an email that it will take "several months" for the new policy to take effect. She said the end result will be a "single list" that provides "all the chemical constituents" for frack fluids, with no trade secrets.

Amy Mall, a policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the Baker Hughes move is a positive step, and that "if one company can do it, it's very clear all companies can do it." Mall said NRDC doesn't believe companies should use the trade secret argument to hide drilling chem! icals.

A spokeswoman for Houston-based Halliburton, another major oil and gas supplier, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A boom in drilling has led to tens of thousands of new wells being drilled in recent years using the fracking process. A mix of water, sand and chemicals is forced into deep underground formations to break rock apart and free oil and gas. That's led to major economic benefits but also fears that the chemicals used in the process could spread to water supplies.

The mix of chemicals varies by company and region — and some of the chemicals are toxic and could cause health problems in significant doses — so the lack of full transparency has worried landowners and public health experts.

Many companies voluntarily disclose the contents of their fracking fluids through FracFocus.org, a website partially funded by the oil and gas industry that tracks fracking operations nationwide. But critics say the website has loose reporting standards and allows companies to avoid disclosure by declaring certain chemicals as trade secrets.

An Energy Department task force report issued in March that found that 84% of the wells registered on FracFocus invoked a trade secret exemption for at least one chemical. The Task Force said it "favors full disclosure of all known constituents added to fracturing fluid with few, if any exceptions."

The FracFocus website is managed by the Ground Water Protection Council and Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, both based in Oklahoma, and is funded by industry and the Energy Department.

Gerry Baker of the Oil and Gas Compact said he doesn't know of any other major supplier that has made a pledge similar to the one from Baker Hughes.

"It's a business decision on their part," Baker said. "Somehow, they've committed to this at the highest levels" of disclosure.

The Interior Department is expected to finalize proposed regulation for hydraulic fracturing on public lands by the end of the year.! The meas! ure would apply to some 700 million acres of federal lands and 56 million acres of lands controlled by federally recognized Indian tribes.

The rule proposed last year would require companies drilling for oil and natural gas to disclose chemicals used in fracking operations. The information would be made public.

The DOE said 25 states now mandate public disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, including 15 that use FracFocus as a reporting tool.

Industry groups oppose the disclosure rule, saying it would be costly for businesses, with little environmental or safety benefit. The American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry's top lobbying group, has praised the efforts of states to adopt the FracFocus database for disclosing chemicals, but has said additional federal regulations could jeopardize economic growth.

Asked about the Baker Hughes plan, API spokesman Zachary Cikanek said in an email that they "also welcome additional efforts by individual companies to increase public engagement and transparency."

Raymond James reports strong quarter in private-client group

Raymond James Financial Inc. reported record revenue and pretax income in its private-client group for its fiscal second quarter that ended in March.

Net revenue for the quarter reached $812.2 million, up 12% from the prior year's second quarter, and 5% from the quarter ended in December. Pretax income for the quarter was $77.1 million, an increase of 44% when compared with the same quarter in 2013 and an increase of 8% compared with the quarter that ended Dec. 31.

Raymond James' private-client group consists primarily of independent-contractor reps affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services Inc. and advisers who are employees with Raymond James & Associates.

The company attributed the strong results in the private-client group, which has a total of 6,200 representatives and advisers, to adviser productivity, which was boosted by market appreciation and strong net new asset growth. Private-client-group fee-based assets reached $158 billion, representing 36.5% of the group's total client assets.

Those assets should “provide tail winds for next quarter's results, as fee-based accounts in this segment are billed based on asset values at the beginning of the quarter,” according to the company.

“We are very pleased with our continued retention, record average productivity, and the net additions of financial advisers in the private-client group this quarter,” chief executive Paul Reilly said in a statement. “Further, recruiting activity remains vibrant in both our employee and independent platforms.” The firm did not report the net number of advisers it added in the quarter.

Meanwhile, Raymond James Financial, which encompasses capital markets, asset management and Raymond James Bank along with the private-client group, posted net revenue of $1.2 billion and net income of $104.6 million, or 72 cents per diluted share. Net income for the quarter was up 31% when compared with the same quarter of last year.

“We had a strong first half of the fiscal year, with a 5% increase in net revenue and a 33% increase in net income over the first half of the prior fiscal year,” Mr. Reilly said in the statement. “For the quarter, a seasonal slowdown in [mergers-and-acquisitions] activity coupled with an increase in expenses prevented us from achieving a higher pretax margin.”

Netflix Wants to Stretch Its Lead Against Amazon With This Recent Move

Shares of online streaming maven Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  )  were up significantly today (about 7% as of the end of the trading day) as yesterday after the bell the company reported both better-than-expected earnings as well as a planned price increase that should help Netflix fight to maintain its lead against Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) .

Today's move still doesn't erase some of the recent losses that Netflix shares have suffered. Shares remain down roughly 10% over the last month and still sit below their all-time high of $454.88 from the beginning of March. However, with its shares still up well over 400% from early 2012 and considering the strength of yesterday's report, it's safe to say that times are good for Netflix and its shareholders.

Netflix by the numbers
In virtually every sense, the first quarter of 2014 was an unabashed success for Netflix.

Source: Netflix.

Netflix's revenue growth remains robust, increasing 36.5% during the quarter, and the inherent operating leverage in Netflix's model translated to even better bottom-line results for it. All told, Netflix's net income ballooned from $3 million in last year's Q1 to $53 million in this year's Q1.

Subscriber growth also remains brisk on both the domestic and international fronts for Netflix. For the quarter, Netflix managed to add 2.25 million net subscribers to its U.S. streaming business, ending the period with a grand total of 35.7 million domestic streaming members. International members increased by 1.75 million, lifting Netflix's international subscriber base to 12.7 million.

Going forward, Netflix guided that it expects continued execution on both the domestic and international fronts, although some seasonality in the coming months could lead to slowing subscriber growth in the short-term. Nevertheless, the main theme remains unchanged: Netflix is clicking on all cylinders.

And in the same vein, Netflix also announced one major move that should help it stave off increased competition from other streaming services, like Amazon's Prime.

Netflix ups the ante against Amazon
Netflix also took some time to humble-brag its superiority to other TV-based networks and streaming competitors. Netflix specifically cited a Morgan Stanley research report ranking it as second behind HBO's original programming, with about 17% of respondents identifying Netflix as the best service for original content. For comparison's sake, Amazon didn't crack the top 6, even as Amazon notches original content wins of its own with series like Alpha House.

And apparently Netflix plans to continue to press its advantage over other streaming rivals like Amazon by increasing prices for new streaming subscribers by $1 to $2 depending on geographic region. This will help Netflix greenlight more original content, as well as acquire new, exclusive rights to other third-party content, both of which should help pull new streaming subscribers toward Netflix and away from Amazon Prime's admittedly compelling value proposition.

In fact, Netflix specifically noted that with streaming competitors following its lead in original content, plus the ramp-up from traditional networks in response, competition for the kind of quality creative talent required to bring flagship series to market has never been higher. Netflix hopes that this price increase will help keep it ahead of the pack.

Up, up, and away
Netflix said it believes it can reach an eventual subscriber base between 60 million and 90 million U.S. subscribers in the years ahead, so there's plenty of growth on the horizon for the streaming pioneer.

Netflix's shares are by no means cheap, as they currently trade at roughly 130 times its last 12 months' earnings. However, Netflix has continued to prove that it is indeed a truly special company with the rare mix of talent, vision, and execution required to dominate a market with its recent earnings release, and that's certainly worth investors' attention.

Your cable company is scared, but you can get rich
You know cable's going away. But do you know how to profit? There's $2.2 trillion out there to be had. Currently, cable grabs a big piece of it. That won't last. And when cable falters, three companies are poised to benefit. Click here for their names. Hint: They're not Netflix, Google, and Apple. 

 

Dow May Rise After Alcoa Beats the Street

LONDON -- Stock index futures at 7 a.m. EDT indicate that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) may open up by 0.32% this morning, while the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) may open 0.41% higher. CNN's Fear & Greed Index is recovering fast from recent lows and is currently at 42, up from 28 one week ago.

European markets edged higher this morning as investors welcomed yesterday's strong performance from the Dow and the renewed stability in the eurozone, now that Greece's next aid payment has been agreed and the threat to Portugal's austerity program has receded. However, markets may still be feeding off future quantitative-easing potential -- the FTSE 100 was one of the biggest risers in Europe this morning after new data showed that U.K. manufacturing fell by 0.8% in May, or 2.9% on a year-on-year basis, suggesting that more QE may be likely in the U.K.

The NFIB monthly small-business index was released earlier this morning. A drop from 94.4 to 93.5 indicates a small decline in optimism among small-business owners. According to the NFIB's report, "While job creation plans increased slightly in June, expectations for improved business conditions remained negative."

May's Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey from the Department of Labor is due at 10 a.m. EDT. Companies due to report earnings today include clothing and footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide, which reported record revenue of $587.8 million for its second fiscal quarter and adjusted earnings of $0.46 per share, beating the company's previous guidance for $0.31 to $0.35 per share.

Stocks that may be actively traded this morning include Alcoa (NYSE: AA  ) , which reported quarterly earnings of $0.07 per share last night, beating analysts' estimates of $0.06. However, it's worth remembering that these same analysts had heavily downgraded their estimates for the firm over the last month. Despite this, investors are likely to be encouraged by Alcoa's confirmation of its growth forecasts for China and the firm's expectation that global aluminum demand will exceed supply this year. Alcoa shares closed 1.4% higher last night, before its results were published, and they're 1% higher in premarket trading this morning.

Other companies that may be actively traded include Tesla, which is 2.9% higher in premarket trading following news that it will join the Nasdaq-100 on July 15. Global mining stocks rose this morning, buoyed by Alcoa's positive forecast for the Chinese economy, and a 1% rise in the price of gold this morning has helped to lift gold miners, with Barrick Gold up 3% in premarket trading.

Finally, let's not forget that the Dow's daily movements can add up to serious long-term gains. Indeed, Warren Buffett recently wrote, "The Dow advanced from 66 to 11,497 in the 20th Century, a staggering 17,320% increase that materialized despite four costly wars, a Great Depression and many recessions." If you, like Buffett, are convinced of the long-term power of the Dow, you should read "5 Stocks To Retire On." Your long-term wealth could be transformed, even in this uncertain economy. Simply click here now to download this free, no-obligation report.

Benzinga's Volume Movers

Weibo (NASDAQ: WB) shares moved up 15.61% to $23.40. The volume of Weibo shares traded was 5469% higher than normal. Weibo closed its first day of trading at $20.17, an 18 percent gain for IPO investors.

Sarepta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SRPT) shares rose 42.49% to $34.77. The volume of Sarepta Therapeutics shares traded was 1704% higher than normal. Sarepta will file NDA for Eteplirsen for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by the year-end.

AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE: AZN) shares climbed 5.54% to $67.01. The volume of AstraZeneca shares traded was 400% higher than normal. AstraZeneca jumped on a report of potential acquisition by Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).

Hub Group (NASDAQ: HUBG) surged 3.13% to $44.20. The volume of Hub Group shares traded was 388% higher than normal. Hub Group reported its Q1 earnings of $0.33 per share on revenue of $848.40 million. Longbow Research upgraded Hub Group from Neutral to Buy.

Posted-In: volume moversNews Intraday Update Markets Movers

© 2014 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

  Most Popular Earnings Expectations For The Week Of April 21: Apple, Facebook, GM And More Sears And Others Insiders Have Been Buying Sunday Times Reports Pfizer Considering $100B Offer for AstraZeneca Barron's Recap: Sunny Skies For Home Depot Stocks To Watch For April 21, 2014 #PreMarket Primer: Monday, April 21: Fatal Gun Battle In Ukraine To Test Geneva Accord Related Articles (HUBG + AZN) Benzinga's Volume Movers Mid-Morning Market Update: Markets Rise; Halliburton Posts Q1 Profit Morning Market Movers Rumor: Pfizer Planning $100 Billion Bid For AstraZeneca Benzinga's Top #PreMarket Gainers Benzinga's Weekend M&A Chatter Around the Web, We're Loving...

GM Avoids Inventory Problem With New Silverado

General Motors Headquarters. Photo courtesy of GM.

There's been a lot of hype for General Motors (NYSE: GM  ) and its 2014 Chevy Silverado. No, it won't dazzle you with a flashy new appearance, but don't judge a book by its cover because this truck is vastly improved from its old design – which was seven years old and way overdue for a redesign. This is, hands down, GM's most important launch since its bankruptcy and ensuing bailout, and this truck alone is estimated to bring in the majority of GM's bottom-line profits.

During vehicle launches there are a couple factors that will make or break its success – inventory and recalls. With recent inventory numbers released, it looks like GM has corrected its high inventory between the new and old Silverado models. Here are the details and why it matters.

High stakes game
It is so important for GM to launch as flawlessly as possible because rival Ford's (NYSE: F  ) highly anticipated 2015 F-150 is due out next year. This gives GM a small window of opportunity for its marketing campaign to lure in consumers that remain on the fence about purchasing. GM also looks to be in the perfectly timed position to take advantage of a surging full-size truck segment.

The surging full-size truck segment is no fluke either, nor does it look to be slowing down. Sales have increased at a much more rapid rate than the rest of the industry due to a couple of factors. While the overall age of vehicles on the road is 11 years – a record high – trucks on the road are even older at 13 years. Pent-up demand is being unleashed in the full-size segment, especially as we witness a gradual rebound in housing construction, as well as the continuing energy boom in America. Some analysts are even saying that the popularity of the pickup is back: Improved fuel efficiency is drawing some consumers that don't need to haul anything or use the truck for work back into the showroom.

Everything is primed for GM to steal some market share during its small window of opportunity before the launch of Ford's next-generation F-150, but it could shoot itself in the foot with mismanaged inventory levels.

Information from Automotive News DataCenter.

You can see why investors were worried in April as inventory spiked much higher than competitors' inventory levels. GM has since lowered its inventories and should see another decline next month that will narrow the inventory gap between its competitors. I noted months ago that if GM failed to lower its Silverado inventory, it would begin hurting quickly. Having excess inventory would cause GM to raise its incentives significantly to move its older 2013 models to make room for the new ones, giving bargain shoppers a reason to avoid purchasing a 2014 model. This potential problem was amplified when GM announced that it wouldn't be raising the price of its new and improved 2014 model by even a single dollar.

Reuters reports that CEO Dan Akerson said:

We're in the midst of a huge truck launch right now. We've produced tens of thousands of these new trucks. Initial cut is it's probably our best launch ever. ... I won't tell you that we're going to be flawless, but that's what we're going to strive for.

Bottom line
Of course I'll take a biased statement from Akerson with a grain of salt, but thus far the Silverado launch does appear to be happening smoothly on the inventory side. It is yet to be seen how the new Silverado fares on the quality and recall side of the equation, but if it can pull it off smoothly it will be a huge win for GM and its investors. The pressure will then be on Ford to make sure that its 2015 F-150, which looks to be impressive, has a nearly flawless launch to make up lost ground. Things are heating up between crosstown rivals in the all-important full-size segment; investors would be wise to keep an eye on future developments.

Full-size pickups bring in majority of Ford and GM's profits, but another factor will determine which auto investment will bring huge returns. A recent Motley Fool report, "2 Automakers to Buy for a Surging Chinese Market", names two global giants poised to reap big gains that could drive big rewards for investors. You can read this report right now for free – just click here for instant access.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015

For many income-oriented investors, the idea of investing in high-yield bond funds is too scary to contemplate. After all, during the heat of the credit crisis in 2008, the typical such fund lost about 26%, recalls Mark Salzinger, editor of No-Load Fund Investor.

However, at current rates of interest, funds that invest in higher-quality, investment-grade debt simply provide an unattractive package: insufficient income combined with substantial vulnerability to rising interest rates.

Higher quality high-yield bond funds are a somewhat attractive middle ground. They offer higher yields than investment-grade US bond funds, but more stability in the face of economic downturns and reductions in risk tolerance than the rest of the high-yield market.

One such fund is Fidelity Focused High Income (US:FHIFX), which yields about 4.2%. Though it's up less than the average high-yield bond fund over the past five years, it was a lot better than average in 2008, when it lost five percentage points less than the overall high-yield market.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOX)

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., formerly News Corporation, incorporated on October 23, 2003, has a portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay television and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. The Company is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic Channels, Fox Pan American Sports, MundoFox, STAR and 28 local television stations; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and Shine Group. The Company also provides content to millions of subscribers through its pay-television services in Europe and Asia, including Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia and its equity interests in BSkyB and Tata Sky.

Cable Network Programming

The Company's Cable Network Programming business includes Fox Networks, Big Ten Network, Big Ten Network, Fox Business Network, Fox Deportes, Fox News Channel, Fox International Channels, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports Networks, FX Networks and Productions, MundoFox, National Geographic Channels, STAR India and YES Network. Fox Networks is a unit of Fox Networks Group (FNG) and includes 43 domestic programming services in which FNG holds interests. FOX Business Network (FBN) is a financial news channel delivering real-time information. FOX Deportes is a Spanish-language sports media. FOX Deportes features soccer programming with coverage of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League, Barclays Premier League, Copa Bridgestone Libertadores, Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana; coverage of the Major League Baseball regular season, All-Star Game, American League Championship Series and World Series; Golden Boy Promotions Boxing, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to deli! vering breaking news, as well as political and business news. A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Networks, BTN is the distributed network. FOX International Channels (FIC) is the Company�� international multi-media business. It develops, produces and distributes 300 wholly owned and majority owned entertainment, factual, sports, movie and lifestyle channels across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, in 44 languages. FOX Sports 1 is a national 24-hour multi-sport channel. Fox Sports Networks (FSN) is the provider of local sports.

FX Networks and Productions is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. MundoFox is a joint venture between Fox International Channels (FIC),the Company�� international multi-media business, and RCN, the Latin American television network and production company belonging to OrganizaciUn Ardila Llle (OAL). Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic channels the United States are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks. Star India is a media and entertainment company operating nearly 40 channels in seven languages, including its flagship Star Plus. The YES Network is a regional sports network.

Filmed Entertainment

Filmed Entertainment business includes Twentieth Century Fox, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Fox 2000, Fox 21, Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios, Fox Home Entertainment, Fox International Productions, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Television Studios and Shine Group. Twentieth Century Fox is a producers and distributors of motion picture. Twentieth Century Fox Television is a supplier of primetime television programming and entertainment content. Fox 2000 is a division of Twentieth Century Fox and the home of films such as LIFE OF PI, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, among others.

Fox 21 is a production company housed within Twentieth Century Fox Television. Fox Animation and! Blue Sky! Studios are Twentieth Century Fox's animation arm. TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions, as well as all third party distribution partners. Fox International Productions is a division of Twentieth Century Fox that focuses on regional film productions in dozens of local marketplaces around the world. Fox Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both finances and acquires motion pictures. Fox Television Studios produces scripted and unscripted programming for the United States broadcast and cable networks, and international broadcasters.

Television

The Company�� Television business includes Fox Broadcasting Network, Fox Sports, Fox Television Stations Group and MyNetworkTV. Fox Broadcasting Network is producers and distributors of motion pictures. FOX Sports is the flagship network of the FOX Sports Media Group. FOX Television Stations is a network broadcast group, consist of 28 stations in 18 markets. MyNetworkTV is a broadcast programming service.

Direct Broadcast and Satellite TV

Direct Broadcast and Satellite TV business consists of BSkyB, Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia. Sky operates the television service in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky Deutschland AG is a pay television company in Germany and Austria with over 3.4 million subscribers. Sky offers more than 70 channels with live sports, current films, television series, kids programs, and documentaries. Sky Italia is a pay- television platform in Italy, reaching almost five million subscribers.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By DAILYFINANCE]

  Jae C. Hong/APA Samsung 110-inch 4k Ultra HD TV on display at the Samsung booth during the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday. LAS VEGAS -- After attempts to hawk 3-D and OLED TVs fizzled in recent years, television manufacturers are taking small steps toward making a new technology, Ultra HD, more viable for mainstream consumers. It's the first TV format to be driven by the Internet video-streaming phenomenon, and at the International CES gadget show this week, major streaming players Netflix Inc. (NFLX) and Amazon.com (AMZN) said they'll offer movies and TV shows in the format, and Sharp introduced a relatively inexpensive TV with near-Ultra HD quality. The moves are meant to coax consumers to pedal faster on their TV upgrade cycles. At the moment, most Americans buy new TVs about once every seven years. TV manufacturers would love to create another wave of buying like the one that sent millions of people to stores a few years ago to upgrade from standard definition, tube TVs to flat-screen HD models. Unlike the 3-D TV trend, which quickly eroded into a tech fad in recent years, analysts say Ultra HD may actually catch on. With screens that house four times more pixels than regular HD TVs, Ultra HD is a simple enough upgrade to gain widespread adoption in the next few years. Aside from being visually jarring, 3-D required sometimes pricey special glasses and gave some people headaches. Because Ultra HD content can be delivered over a standard high-speed Internet connection, it isn't likely to get bogged down in a format war that plagued the Blu-ray disc standard. "You see it, you get it. It's a big, awesome picture," said Ben Arnold, a consumer electronics analyst at NPD Group. "Consumers will be interested in it as prices come down. Consumers are also moving toward bigger screens. All of this is good news for [Ultra HD]." In side-by-side comparisons, Ultra HD is remarkably crisper than HD. It displays richer skin textures, f

• [By Tim Beyers]

  Hardcore fans remember Whedon for orchestrating seven seasons of the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and another five seasons of the spinoff Angel, both produced by TV arm of 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ: FOX  ) . Fox also co-produced Firefly and Dollhouse, fan favorites that the network ultimately canceled.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: Sharp Corp (SRP)

Sharp Corporation is a Japan-based company mainly engaged in the manufacture and sale of electric telecommunication, electric and electronic equipment. The Company operates in two business segments. The Electronics Equipment segment offers audio and video (AV) and communication products, including liquid crystal color televisions, projectors and various telephones; health and environmental equipment, including refrigerators, microwaves and air conditioners, as well as information equipment, such as handy terminal equipment, electronic registers, information displays and copy machines. The Electronic Component segment provides liquid related products such as liquid crystal display modules, solar cells, as well as other electronic devices, such as parts for satellite broadcasting, regulators and optical sensors. The Company withdrawed from solar battery production in United Kingdom by end of Feb. 2014. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  Vivendi SA climbed 2.7 percent after posting better-than-estimated third-quarter profit and saying it plans to spin off its French phone carrier SFR by July 2014. Serco Group Plc (SRP) increased 1.7 percent as UBS AG upgraded the stock. Safran SA (SAF) lost 3.2 percent as its largest shareholder sold a stake.

• [By Alexis Xydias]

  Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. fell 3.7 percent, as a gauge of London-listed commodity producers dropped. BAE Systems Plc (BA/) retreated 2.1 percent after Deutsche Bank AG downgraded Europe�� biggest defense company. Serco Group Plc (SRP) advanced 2.7 percent after saying first-half sales will grow at a faster pace than it had estimated.

5 Best Construction Stocks To Watch Right Now: Foot Locker Inc (FL)

Foot Locker, Inc., incorporated on April 7, 1989, is a global retailer of shoes and apparel, operating 3,335 primarily mall-based stores in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand as of February 2, 2013. The Company operates in two segments: Athletic Stores and Direct-to-Customers. The Athletic Stores segment is an athletic footwear and apparel retailer whose formats include Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, Footaction, and CCS. The Direct-to-Customers segment includes Footlocker.com, Inc. and other affiliates, including Eastbay, Inc. and CCS, which sell to customers through Internet websites, mobile devices, and catalogs. In September 2013, the Company acquired Runners Point Warenhandels GmbH (Runners) from Hannover Finanz GmbH.

Athletic Stores

Foot Locker is a global athletic footwear and apparel retailer. Its stores offer the products manufactured primarily by the athletic brands. Foot Locker offers products for a variety of activities, including basketball, running, and training. Additionally, the Company operates 65 House of Hoops, primarily a shop-in-shop concept, which sells basketball inspired products. Foot Locker�� 1,883 stores are located in 23 countries, including 1,072 in the United States, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, and Guam, 129 in Canada, 590 in Europe, and a combined 92 in Australia and New Zealand. The domestic stores have an average of 2,300 selling square feet and the international stores have an average of 1,500 selling square feet. Lady Foot Locker is a United States retailer of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories for active women. Its stores carry athletic footwear and apparel brands, as well as casual wear and an assortment of apparel designed for a variety of activities, including running, walking, training, and fitness. In November 2012, the Company announced the introduction of a new banner named SIX:02. This new banner is an elevated retail concept featuring brand! s in fitness apparel and athletic footwear for women. Lady Foot Locker and SIX:02 operate 300 and 3 stores, and are located in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. These stores have an average of 1,300 selling square feet.

The Company�� Kids Foot Locker is a national children�� athletic retailer that offers a selection of brand-name athletic footwear, apparel and accessories for children. Its stores feature an environment geared to appeal to both parents and children. Its 305 stores are located in the United States, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Europe, and Canada. These stores have an average of 1,400 selling square feet. Footaction is a national athletic footwear and apparel retailer. Its 283 stores are located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and focus on marquee footwear and branded apparel. The Footaction stores have an average of 2,900 selling square feet. Champs Sports is a mall-based specialty athletic footwear and apparel retailers in North America. Its product categories include athletic footwear and apparel, and sport-lifestyle inspired accessories. Its 539 stores are located throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. The Champs Sports stores have an average of 3,500 selling square feet. As of February 2, 2013, the Company operated 22 stores in the United States.

Direct-to-Customers

The Company�� Direct-to-Customers segment is multi-branded and multi-channeled. This segment sells, through its affiliates, directly to customers through its Internet websites, mobile devices, and catalogs. The Direct-to-Customers segment operates the Websites for eastbay.com, final-score.com, eastbayteamservices.com, ccs.com, as well as Websites aligned with the brand names of its store banners (footlocker.com, ladyfootlocker.com, kidsfootlocker.com, footaction.com, and champssports.com). Eastbay is a direct marketer in the United States, providing the high sch! ool athle! te with a sports solution, including athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, team licensed, and private-label merchandise. CCS serves the needs of the 12-20 year old seeking an authentic board lifestyle shop. CCS is anchored in skate but appealing to the surrounding board culture. The CCS format offers board lifestyle merchandise that will fit the needs of the customer all year long and stocks a selection of both core and lifestyle brands. The retail store operations of CCS are included in the Athletic Stores segment.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Tomorrow, Foot Locker (NYSE: FL  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed kneejerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: Volkswagen AG (VLKAY)

Volkswagen AG is a Germany-based automobile manufacturer. The Company develops vehicles and components, and also produces and sells vehicles, in particular Volkswagen brand passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The Company consists of two divisions: Automotive and Financial Services division. The Automotive division is responsible for the development of vehicles and engines, the production and sale of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trucks and buses, and the genuine parts business. The Financial services division's portfolio of services includes dealer and customer services in the field of financing, leasing, directbank, insurance and fleet business. The Company's brands include Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, Skoda, Scania and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and each brand offers a product range from low-consumption small cars to luxury class vehicles, as well as pick ups, busses and heavy trucks in the commercial vehicle sector.

During 2009, the Company introduced two additions to the Audi5 model series: Audi A5 Cabriolet and the Audi A5 Sportback. In addition, Audi A4 allroad Quattro, Audi TT RS, Audi RS Spyder and the Audi 8 were introduced. During 2009, Audi brand delivered 950 thousand vehicles to customers worldwide. The SEAT launched the Exeo in the B segment. This sporty midsized saloon marks the arrival of the Spanish brands. Bentley introduced the Bentley Mulsanne. This saloon includes proportioned interiors. It also introduced GTC Speed and the Bentley Continental Supersports.

The Company has various delivery centers, including Western Europe, China, Brazil, United States and Mexico. During 2009, deliveries of vehicles were 6336222 worldwide.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Rosevear]

  Ford's not the only one struggling, of course. General Motors' (NYSE: GM  ) Europe sales were down 13% in March, and Toyota (NYSE: TM  ) saw a 17% decline. Volkswagen (NASDAQOTH: VLKAY  ) , which had been doing relatively well thanks to Germany's strength, saw sales drop�by 15% on the month.

• [By John Rosevear]

  Luxury cars are huge in China, where Volkswagen's (NASDAQOTH: VLKAY  ) Audi brand rules the market, a market that is expected to grow rapidly for years to come. A bunch of big global automakers, including both General Motors (NYSE: GM  ) and Ford (NYSE: F  ) , are angling for a share of this rich pie -- and now, Honda (NYSE: HMC  ) is throwing its hat into the ring.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: Intellicell Biosciences Inc (SVFC)

Intellicell Biosciences, Inc., formerly Media Exchange Group, Inc., incorporated on March 8, 1999, is engaged in regenerative medicine company focused on the expanding regenerative medical markets using a process to separate adult autologous vascular cells (AAVC's) from blood vessels in adult adipose (fat) tissue. The Company is also exploring and undertaking, either on its own or in collaboration with a third party, providing a service for the collection, processing and storage of autologous cells for future use. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has developed technologies that allow reproducible separation of stromal vascular fraction (IntelliCell) containing adipose stem cells that can be performed in tissue processing centers and in doctors��offices. On June 3, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Intellicell Biosciences, Inc. The Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, ICBS Research, Inc.

The Company's process involves the application of ultrasonic cavitation (sound waves) to the extracted adipose tissue, which results in the separation AAVC's from the blood vessels in adult adipose (fat) tissue. This AAVC, or stromal vascular fraction (IntelliCells), are removed from the patient at the point of care, and separated at the point of care under the supervision of its certified technicians following current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) and current good tissue practices (cGTPs), and the cells are then returned to the medical professionals at the point of care for use a patient's own body (autologous treatment), by way of a same-day clinical procedure for homologous use of these cells.

Intellicell Biosciences, Inc., formerly Media Exchange Group, Inc., incorporated on March 8, 1999, is engaged in regenerative medicine company focused on the expanding regenerative medical markets using a process to separate adult autologous vascular cells (AAVC's) from blood vessels in adult adipose (fat) tissue. The Company is also exploring and undertaking, either on ! its own or in collaboration with a third party, providing a service for the collection, processing and storage of autologous cells for future use. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has developed technologies that allow reproducible separation of stromal vascular fraction (IntelliCell) containing adipose stem cells that can be performed in tissue processing centers and in doctors��offices. On June 3, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Intellicell Biosciences, Inc. The Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, ICBS Research, Inc.

The Company's process involves the application of ultrasonic cavitation (sound waves) to the extracted adipose tissue, which results in the separation AAVC's from the blood vessels in adult adipose (fat) tissue. This AAVC, or stromal vascular fraction (IntelliCells), are removed from the patient at the point of care, and separated at the point of care under the supervision of its certified technicians following current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) and current good tissue practices (cGTPs), and the cells are then returned to the medical professionals at the point of care for use a patient's own body (autologous treatment), by way of a same-day clinical procedure for homologous use of these cells.

The Company competes with Cytori Therapeutics, Stem Cell Assurance, Inc., Osiris, Aastrom Biosciences, Aldagen, BioTime, Baxter International, Celgene, Geron, Harvest Technologies, Mesoblast, Regenexx, NeoStem, X-Cell Center, Stem Cells, Athersys, and Tissue Genesis, Life Technologies, Asterand, pacific biosciences of california inc. and AllCells, LLC.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  To say that shares of IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc. (OTCMKTS:SVFC) has been disappointing since 2011 would be an understatement. SVFC has been an outright disaster since 2011, falling from a peak of $19.00 to a low of, well, just a few pennies as of late last year. In fact, there are those who are understandably wondering how the company is still alive, only producing about a half a million dollars in revenue in 2012, and then dialing that figure back down to nothing for the last few quarters. Yet, there's just something about a company that refuses to go away.... something compelling now.

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  Well, though I give myself a C for timing, it looks like I'm going to be able to give myself an A for stock-picking. Back on January 27th I deemed IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc. (OTCMKTS:SVFC) was a compelling buy, and though SVFC was stagnant for a month after that, it looks like the stock's finally getting on its horse. If you didn't get it then, you may want to get in now.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: Latam Airlines Group SA (LFL)

LAN Airlines S.A. (LAN), incorporated in 1983, is the international and domestic passenger airline in Latin America and the cargo operator in the region. As of February 9, 2012, LAN and its affiliates provided domestic and international passenger services in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Colombia and cargo operations through the use of belly space on its passenger flights and cargo freighter aircraft through its cargo airlines in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. LAN and its affiliates offered passenger flights to 15 destinations in Chile, 59 destinations in other South American countries, 15 destinations in other Latin American countries and the Caribbean, five destinations in the United States, two destinations in Europe and four destinations in the South Pacific and, through various codeshare agreements, service to 25 additional destinations in North America, 16 additional destinations in Europe, 27 additional destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean (including Mexico), and two destinations in Asia, as of February 9, 2012. LAN and its affiliates provide cargo service to all of their passenger destinations and to 20 additional destinations served only by freighter aircraft. LAN also offers other services, such as ground handling, courier, logistics and maintenance. LAN and its affiliates operated a fleet, with 135 passenger aircraft and 14 cargo aircraft as of December 31, 2011. On February 15, 2011, Lan Pax Group S.A., subsidiary of Lan Airlines S.A. acquired 100% of Colombian society AEROASIS S.A.

LAN is primarily involved in the transportation of passengers and cargo. Its operations are carried out principally by Lan Airlines and also by a number of different subsidiaries. As of February 28, 2011, in the passenger business the Company operated through six main airlines: Lan Airlines, Transporte Aereo S.A. (which does business under the name Lan Express), Lan Peru S.A. (Lan Peru), Aerolane Lineas Aereas Nacionales del Ecuador S.A. (Lan Ecuador), Lan Argentina S.A. (Lan ! Argentina, previously Aero 2000 S.A.) and the Aerovias de Integracion Regional, Aires S.A. (Aires). As of February 28, 2011, the Company held a 99.9% interest in Lan Express through direct and indirect interests, a 70.0% interest in Lan Peru through direct and indirect interests, a 71.9% indirect interest in Lan Ecuador, a 99.0% indirect interest in Lan Argentina and a 94.99% indirect interest in Aires (a Colombian entity which was acquired on November 26, 2010). Its cargo operations are carried out by a number of companies, including Lan Airlines and Lan Cargo. As of February 28, 2011, the Company held a 69.2% interest in Aero Transportes Mas de Carga S.A. de C.V. (MasAir), through direct and indirect participations, a 73.3% interest in ABSA through direct and indirect participations, and a 90.0% interest in LANCO through direct and indirect participations. In the cargo business, the Company markets itself primarily under the Lan Cargo brand. In addition to its air transportation activities, the Company provides a series of ancillary services. It offers handling services, courier services and logistics, small package and express door-to-door services through Lan Airlines and various subsidiaries.

Passenger Operations

As of February 28, 2011, the Company operated passenger airlines in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Colombia. As of February 28, 2011, our passenger operations were performed through airlines in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Colombia where we operate both domestic and international services. As of February 28, 2011, the Company�� network consisted of 15 destinations in Chile, 14 destinations in Peru, four destinations in Ecuador, 14 destinations in Argentina, 24 destinations in Colombia, 14 destinations in other Latin American countries and the Caribbean, five destinations in the United States, one destination in Canada, three destinations in Europe and four destinations in the South Pacific. Within Latin America, it has routes to and from Argentina, B! olivia, B! razil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The Company also flies to a variety of international destinations outside Latin America, including Auckland, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Madrid, Miami, Mount Pleasant (Falkland Islands), New York, Toronto, Papeete (Tahiti), Paris, San Francisco, and Sydney. In addition, as of February 28, 2011, through its various code-share agreements, the Company offered service to 25 additional destinations in North America, 16 additional destinations in Europe, 25 additional destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean (including Mexico), and two destinations in Asia. As of February 28, 2011, the Company operated scheduled international services from Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Argentina through Lan Airlines; Lan Express in Chile; Lan Peru in Peru; Lan Ecuador in Ecuador; Lan Argentina in Argentina and Aires in Colombia. Its international network combines the Company�� Chilean, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, Argentinean and Colombian affiliates. It provides long-haul services out of its four main hubs in Santiago, Lima, Guayaquil and Buenos Aires. It also provides regional services from Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Argentina.

Cargo Operations

The Company�� cargo business operates on the same network used by the passenger airlines business, which is supplemented by freighter-only operations. The Company carries cargo for a variety of customers, including other international air carriers, freight-forwarding companies, export oriented companies and individual consumers. As of February 28, 2011, the Company operated a fleet of 140 aircraft, comprised of 126 passenger aircraft and 14 cargo aircraft.

The Company competes with UPS, FedEx, Centurion, Transportes Aereos Mercantiles Panamericanos S.A., Polar Air, Cargolux, Lufthansa Cargo, Martinair and Air France-KLM.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Notable earnings releases expected on Monday include:

  LAN Chile S.A. (NYSE: LFL) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.24 on revenue of $3.50 billion, compared to last year�� EPS of $0.02 on revenue of $3.48 billion. JA Solar Holdings, Co. Ltd (NASDAQ: JASO) is expected to report EPS of $0.03 on revenue of $291.75 million, compared to last year�� loss of $2.65 per share on revenue of $268.09 million. Sterling Construction Company, Inc�(NASDAQ: STRL) is expected to report a fourth quarter loss of $1.47 per share on revenue of $153.07 million, compared to last year�� EPS of $0.18 on revenue of $158.09 million.

  Economics

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: Texas Industries Inc (TXI)

Texas Industries, Inc., incorporated on April 19, 1951, is a supplier of construction materials in the southwestern United States. The Company operates in three segments: cement, aggregates and consumer products. Its cement segment produces gray portland cement and specialty cements. The Company�� cement production and distribution facilities are concentrated primarily in Texas and California. Its aggregates segment produces natural aggregates, including sand, gravel and crushed limestone. The Company�� consumer products segment produces ready-mix concrete. It is also a supplier of natural aggregates and ready-mix concrete in Texas and northern Louisiana and in Oklahoma and Arkansas. As of May 31, 2013, the Company had 123 manufacturing facilities in five states.

Cement Segment

The Company produces specialty cements, such as masonry and oil well cements. Its cement production facilities are located at Midlothian, Texas, south of Dallas/Fort Worth, Hunter, Texas, between Austin and San Antonio, and Oro Grande, California, near Los Angeles. It also operates a cement terminal and packaging facility at its Crestmore plant near Riverside, California, and the Company operates its gray portland cement grinding facility on an as needed basis. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013 (fiscal 2013), it produced approximately 4.3 million tons of finished cement. The Company shipped approximately 4.4 million tons during fiscal 2013, of which 3.8 million tons were shipped to outside trade customers.

Aggregates Segment

The Company�� operations are conducted from facilities primarily serving the Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin areas in Texas; the southern Oklahoma area, and the Alexandria and Monroe areas in Louisiana. The Company produced approximately 14.2 million tons of natural aggregates during fiscal 2013. It shipped approximately 14.8 million tons of natural aggregates during fiscal 2013, of which 11.3 million tons were shipped to outside trade customers! . The Company shipped approximately 1.0 million cubic yards of lightweight aggregates during fiscal 2013, of which approximately 0.9 million cubic yards were shipped to outside trade customers.

Consumer Products Segment

The Company�� ready-mix concrete operations are situated in three areas in Texas (the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton area of north Texas, the Austin area of central Texas and from Beaumont to Texarkana in east Texas), in north and central Louisiana, and in southwestern Arkansas. It is also a 40% partner in a joint venture that has ready mix concrete operations in the northern part of central Texas area centered around Waco, Texas. It shipped approximately 2.8 million cubic yards of ready-mix concrete during fiscal 2013. The Company manufacture and supply a substantial amount of the cement and aggregates raw materials used by our ready-mix plants. The Company also marketed its Maximizer packaged concrete mixes in southern California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Competitively advantaged holdings continued to demonstrate the value of moats at FedEx (FDX), Melco, and Texas Industries (TXI). These holdings were among our largest contributors to performance, and they exemplify activity prevalent across most of our holdings throughout the year.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Texas Industries (NYSE: TXI) was down, falling 4.36 percent to $65.78 after Longbow Research downgraded the stock from buy to neutral.

  Commodities
  In commodity news, oil traded down 1.37 percent to $97.07, while gold traded up 1.73 percent to $1,223.10. Silver traded up 3.69 percent Thursday to $20.09, while copper fell 0.34 percent to $3.39.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Analysts expect Texas Industries (NYSE: TXI) to post its Q1 earnings at $0.01 per share on revenue of $233.63 million. Texas Industries shares gained 1.82% to close at $67.52 yesterday.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: SunCoke Energy Inc (SXC)

SunCoke Energy, Inc. (SunCoke), incorporated on December 8, 2010, is an independent producer of coke, a principal raw material in the integrated steelmaking process. The Company has United States cokemaking operations in Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. Outside the United States, SunCoke has cokemaking operations in Vitoria, Brazil and Odisha, India. The Company�� coal mining operations, which have more than 110 million tons of proven and probable reserves, are located in Virginia and West Virginia. In January 2012, SunCoke Energy, Inc. was spun off from Sunoco, Inc.

The Company has designed, developed and built, and owned and operated five cokemaking facilities in the United States (U.S.) and designed and operate one cokemaking facility in Brazil under licensing and operating agreements on behalf of its customer. The cokemaking facility operated in Brazil has cokemaking capacity of approximately 1.7 million tons of coke per year. As of December 31, 2012, its mining area consisted of 13 active underground mines and two active surface and highwall mine in Russell and Buchanan Counties in Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia. As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� coal mining production was 1.5 million ton.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned approximately 66 acres in Vansant (Buchanan County), Virginia, on which the Jewell coke making facility is located, along with an additional 2,550 acres. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned approximately 250 acres in Russell County, Virginia owned by the HKCC Companies. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned approximately 400 acres in Franklin Furnace (Scioto County), Ohio. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned approximately 41 acres in Granite City (Madison County), Illinois, adjacent to the U.S. Steel Granite City Works facility. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned approximately 250 acres in Middletown (Butler County), Ohio near AK Steel�� Middletown Works facility. The Company leas! ed approximately 88 acres of land located in East Chicago (Lake County), Indiana. As of December 31, 2012, the Company leased approximately 22 acres of land located in Buchanan County, Virginia The Company owns and operates coal mining operations in Virginia and West Virginia that sold approximately 1.3 million tons of metallurgical coal (including internal sales to its cokemaking operations) and 0.2 million tons of thermal coal in 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 69% of the coal the Company sold was used at its Jewell cokemaking facility and 8% was used at its other domestic cokemaking facilities. In addition, through its Jewell coal affiliates and the HKCC Companies, the Company lease small parcels of land, mineral rights and coal mining rights for approximately 127 thousand acres of land in Buchanan and Russell Counties, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Mehta and Joshi also maintained their Sell rating on Arch Coal (ACI) and see the most upside in Buy-rates SunCoke Energy (SXC), which they see hitting $26, and Peabody Energy (BTU), which could hit $21.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Goldman Sachs analysts�Neil Mehta and Vinit Joshi�started Consol Energy at Neutral in a report dated yesterday, while stating their preference for Peabody Energy (BTU) SunCoke Energy (SXC). Mehta and Joshi explain why they remain on the sidelines:

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: POWERSHARES DYNAMIC BLDG & CONSTR PORT (PKB)

PowerShares Dynamic Building & Construction Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of an equity index called the Dynamic Building & Construction Intellidex Index (the Building & Construction Intellidex). The Building & Construction Intellidex consists of stocks of 30 United States building and construction companies. These are companies that are primarily engaged in providing construction and related engineering services for building and remodeling residential properties, commercial or industrial buildings, or working on large-scale infrastructure projects, such as highways, tunnels, bridges, dams, power lines and airports. These companies may also include manufacturers of building materials for home improvement and general construction projects, and specialized machinery used for building and construction; companies that provide installation/maintenance/repair work, and land developers. Stocks are selected principally on the basis of their capital appreciation potential as identified by the AMEX (the Intellidex Provider) pursuant to an Intellidex methodology. The Fund�� investment advisor is PowerShares Capital Management LLC.

The Fund, using an indexing investment approach, attempts to replicate the performance of the Building & Construction Intellidex. The Fund generally will invest in all of the stocks comprising the Building & Construction Intellidex in proportion to their weightings in the Building & Construction Intellidex. The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks of building and construction companies. It will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Building & Construction Intellidex.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap building materials stock NCI Building Systems Inc (NYSE: NCS) fell yesterday after announcing a share offering plus its investors have (so-far) missed out on any ��ecovery��in construction���meaning it might be time to take a closer look at the stock along with potential performance benchmarks like the PowerShares Dynamic Building & Construction ETF (NYSEARCA: PKB) and the First Trust ISE Global Engineering and Construction Index Fund ETF (NYSEARCA: FLM)���both of which have had decent returns in recent years.

Hot Income Stocks For 2015: Paradigm Resource Management Corp (PRDC)

Paradigm Resource Management Corp., formerly China Digital Ventures Corporation, incorporated on March 26, 2007, is a development-stage company. In April 2012, the Company acquired all of the mineral rights properties of ARNEVUT Resources Inc. (ARNEVUT). ARNEVUT is an exploration and mining company. ARNEVUT has an option to acquire majority control of the Island Mountain property from Gateway Gold Corporation (Gateway). The property consists of 53 unpatented lode mineral claims that consists of an area of 920 acres (372 hectares) situated near the northeast end of the Jerritt Canyon Trend. The East Canyon property is located in Elko County, Nevada and Box Elder County, Utah. Most of the claims are located in Box Elder County, Utah. The Zia Uranium property is nine miles northeast of Grants, New Mexico. The property contains uranium mineralization hosted by the Todilto Limestone and probable uranium mineralization hosted by sandstones of the Morrison Formation. These claims are wholly owned by ARNEVUT.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 (fiscal 2011), the Company had no revenue and operations. The principal business of the Company was its Web-based telecom and Internet protocol television (IPTV) businesses.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap resource or green stocks Paradigm Resource Management Corp (OTCMKTS: PRDC), Extreme Biodiesel Inc (OTCMKTS: XTRM) and Pan Global Corp (OTCMKTS: PGLO) have all been getting some attention lately thanks in part to a few paid stock promotions. However, two of these small cap appear to be the subject of minimal paid promotion activity, but even a small paid promotion or investor relations campaign can increase a stock�� volatility. So do these three small cap resource or green stocks have what it takes to deliver some Christmas cheer for investors and traders alike? Here is a quick reality check: