Despite a few big losers this past week, which we'll get to in a moment, the major indexes all performed really well during the past five trading sessions, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) even set a new all-time closing high on both Thursday and Friday. The blue-chip index closed on Friday at 15,464, after gaining 328 points, or 2.17%, this past week. The S&P 500 outperformed the Dow, by rising 2.96% over the past five days, but it was beaten by the Nasdaq, which increased by 3.46%.
The main stimulant for the rise came after the markets closed on Wednesday, when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke held a press conference in which he reassured investors that the central bank's accommodative policies would continue for the foreseeable future.
Before we hit the Dow losers, let's look at this week's best-performing component: Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) . After being one of the biggest losers for two weeks, with the stock declining 0.42%, shares of Caterpillar rose 6.12% this past week. Many analysts have contributed Caterpillar's rising share price with rising gold prices this week. As concerns about inflation creep into investors' minds, gold is seen as a safe haven and a shield against losing buying power, and increasing precious-metal prices help mining companies and mining equipment manufacturers such as Caterpillar. But despite a strong one-week performance, shares of Caterpillar are still down 2.72% year to date. �
Best Canadian Stocks For 2015: Universal Display Corporation(PANL)
Universal Display Corporation engages in the research, development, and commercialization of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in flat panel display, solid-state lighting, and other product applications. It owns exclusively license or has the sole right to sublicense approximately 1,400 patents issued and pending worldwide. The company licenses and supplies its proprietary UniversalPHOLED phosphorescent OLED technologies and materials to display manufacturers and others. It is also involved in the research, development, and commercialization of other OLED device and manufacturing technologies, including TOLED, which are transparent OLEDs for the fabrication of OLEDs that have transparent cathodes; FOLED that are flexible OLEDs for the fabrication of OLEDs on flexible substrates; OVPD, an organic vapor phase deposition process to deposit the layers of organic material in an OLED; UniversalP2OLED, which are printable phosphorescent OLEDs; OVJP that is an organic vapor jet printing technology; and encapsulation technology for the packaging of flexible OLEDs and other thin-film devices, as well as for use as a barrier film for plastic substrates. In addition, the company provides technology development and support services to third parties for the commercialization of their OLED products. It has strategic relationships with Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.; LG Display Co., Ltd.; AU Optronics Corporation; Sony Corporation; Pioneer Corporation; Panasonic Idemitsu OLED Lighting Co., Ltd.; Tohoku Pioneer Corporation; Moser Baer Technologies, Inc.; Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.; Denko K.K.; LG Chem, Ltd.; Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.; NEC Lighting, Ltd.; Seiko Epson Corporation; and DuPont Displays, Inc. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Ewing, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Universal Display (Nasdaq: PANL ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 9. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Universal Display's revenues will expand 13.7% and EPS will remain in the red.
Top 10 Performing Stocks For 2014: Hellenic Sugar Industry SA (HSI)
Hellenic Sugar Industry SA is a Greece-based company engaged in the production and trade of white crystal sugar and its by-products, such as molasses and sugar beet seed. Its principal activities include the manufacture of all types of sweetener products and general kneading products; the production and processing of sugar beet and other plants; the production of raw materials for sugar production; the establishment, equipping and exploitation of sugar producing factories; conducting scientific research in all fields of activity of the Company; the trade and standardization of sugar products, by-products, raw materials, multiple materials, agricultural products and machinery, and carrying out agro-industrial activities in Greece and abroad. The Company has five sugar factories and one seed processing factory in Greece. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jonathan Burgos]
Hong Kong�� Hang Seng Index (HSI) slipped 1.4 percent, dragged lower by banks and raw-material producers. South Korea�� Kospi index slid 0.2 percent and Taiwan�� Taiex Index fell 0.7 percent. Australia�� S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 0.9 percent and New Zealand�� NZX 50 Index added 0.4 percent, the only benchmark measure in the Asia Pacific to rise outside India.
- [By Yoshiaki Nohara]
Hong Kong�� Hang Seng Index (HSI) rose 0.1 percent and China�� Shanghai Composite Index dropped 0.2 percent. Taiwan�� Taiex Index slid 0.7 percent, while Singapore�� Straits Times Index added 0.2 percent.
- [By Yoshiaki Nohara]
Taiwan�� Taiex Index rose 0.6 percent as markets reopened following a holiday. Singapore�� Straits Times Index added 0.5 percent. Hong Kong�� Hang Seng Index (HSI) gained 1.5 percent. China�� Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.1 percent.
- [By Jim Jubak]
In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng (HSI) closed down 1.35% and Japan's Nikkei 225 (NKY) was off by 1.94%.
Among other emerging markets, Turkey's BIST 30 index (IND:XU030) was lower by 1.74% and South Africa had dropped by 1.36%.
Top 10 Performing Stocks For 2014: Big Lots Inc (BIG)
Big Lots, Inc., incorporated in May 2001, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a North America's closeout retailer. At January 28, 2012, the Company operated a total of 1,533 stores in two countries: the United States and Canada. The Company operates in two segments: U.S. and Canada. The merchandising categories include Consumables, Furniture, Home, Seasonal, Play n' Wear, and Hardlines & Other. The Consumables category includes the food, health and beauty, plastics, paper, chemical, and pet departments. The Furniture category includes the upholstery, mattresses, ready-to-assemble, and case goods departments. The Home category includes the domestics, stationery, and home decorative departments. The Seasonal category includes the lawn and garden, Christmas, summer, and other holiday departments. The Play n' Wear category includes the electronics, toys, jewelry, infant accessories, and apparel departments. The Hardlines & Other category includes the appliances, tools, paint, and home maintenance departments. On July 18, 2011, the Company acquired Liquidation World Inc. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), the Company opened 92 stores, acquired 89 stores and closed 46 stores.
All of the Company�� stores are located in North America and has an average store size of approximately 29,900 square feet, of which an average of 21,600 square feet is selling square feet. The 54 owned stores are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. At January 28, 2012, the Company owned or leased approximately 9.4 million square feet of distribution center and warehouse space. The Company leases and operates two regional distribution centers in Canada located in British Columbia and Ontario. Of its 1,533 stores, 33% operate in four states California, Texas, Ohio, and Florida, and net sales from stores in these states represented 36% of its fiscal 2011 net sales.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Johanna Bennett]
Big Lots (BIG) plunged 12,6% to close at $32.47 after it disclosed a plan to exit the Canadian market, as the retailer conceded its efforts to turn around a business it acquired in July 2011 were unsuccessful. Results for the latest quarter missed expectations and the group issued a weaker full-year outlook for its U.S. operations.
- [By rusticnomad]
There are a variety of eye-catching discount retail stores such as Big Lots (BIG), Family Dollar and Dollar General (DG) that are delivering impressive performance amid a tight economic environment. Let us see if they are good bets for investors.
Top 10 Performing Stocks For 2014: Asbury Automotive Group Inc (ABG)
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (Asbury), incorporated on February 15, 2002, is an automotive retailers in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated 99 franchises (79 dealership locations). It offers a range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles; vehicle maintenance; replacement parts and collision repair services; new and used vehicle financing, and aftermarket products, such as insurance, warranty and service contracts. As of December 31, 2011, it offered 30 domestic and foreign brands of new vehicles. Its brand mix is weighted 84% towards luxury and mid-line import brands, with the remaining 16% consisting of domestic brands. As of December 31, 2011, it operated dealerships in 18 metropolitan markets throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2011, its retail network consisted of eight locally-branded dealership groups. As of December 31, 2011, its brand names included Nalley Automotive Group, Courtesy Autogroup, Coggin Automotive Group, Crown Automotive Company, David McDavid Auto Group, North Point Auto Group, Gray-Daniels Auto Family and Plaza Motor Company. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company sold its heavy truck business in Atlanta, Georgia, two franchises and one additional ancillary business. On May 2, 2011, the Company sold its luxury brand dealership in California. In December 2012, the Company acquired a Volkswagen and a Bentley store in the Atlanta, Georgia market.
New Vehicle Sales
As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned a range of 30 American, European and Asian brands. Its new vehicle unit sales consist of the sale of new vehicles to individual retail customers (new vehicle retail) and the sale of new vehicles to commercial customers (fleet). During the year ended December 31, 2011, it sold 71,449 new vehicles through its dealerships. During 2011, new vehicle sales were 54% of its total revenues and 22% of its total gross profit. The Company�� new vehicle revenues include new vehi! cle sale and lease transactions arranged by its dealerships with third parties.
Used Vehicle Sales
The Company sells used vehicles at all of its dealership locations. Used vehicle sales include the sale of used vehicles to individual retail customers (used retail) and the sale of used vehicles to other dealers at auction (wholesale). During 2011, it sold 55,805 used retail vehicles through its dealerships. During 2011, sales of used retail vehicles accounted for approximately 25% of its total revenues. During 2011, wholesale sales represented 4% of its total revenues.
The Company�� new vehicle operations provide its used vehicle operations with a supply of trade-ins and off-lease vehicles. It also purchases a portion of its used vehicle inventory at auctions restricted to new vehicle dealers and open auctions, which offer vehicles sold by other dealers and repossessed vehicles. Its used vehicle inventory is sold as wholesale if a vehicle is not sold at retail within 60 days, except for used vehicles, which does not fit within its inventory mix. The reconditioning of used vehicles also generates revenue for its parts and service departments.
Parts and Service
Asbury sells replacement parts and provides vehicle maintenance and collision repair service at all of its franchised dealerships, for the vehicle brands sold at those dealerships. As of December 31, 2011, in addition, it maintained 25 free-standing collision repair centers either on the premises of, or in close proximity to, its dealerships. During 2011, parts and service revenues accounted for approximately 14% of its total revenues.
Finance and Insurance
The Company refers to the finance and insurance portion of its business as F&I. Through its F&I business, it arranges, and receives commissions for, third-party financing of the sale or lease of new and used vehicles to customers, as well as offers a range of aftermarket products, such as extended servi! ce contra! cts, guaranteed asset protection (GAP) debt cancellation, pre-paid maintenance and credit life and disability insurance. It also generates F&I revenues from the receipt of marketing fees paid to it under agreements with preferred lenders. During 2011, its F&I business generated approximately 3% of its total revenues. Extended service contracts cover repair work after the expiration of the manufacturer warranty. GAP debt cancellation covers the customer after a total loss for the difference between the value of the vehicle and the outstanding loan or lease obligation after insurance proceeds. Prepaid maintenance covers routine maintenance work, such as oil changes, cleaning and adjusting of brakes, multi-point vehicle inspections and tire rotations. Credit life and disability covers the remaining amounts due on an auto loan or a lease in the event of death or disability.
The Company earns sales-based commissions from third-party lenders, including manufacturer captive finance subsidiaries which arranges on behalf of its customers. It may be charged back (chargebacks) for these commissions in the event a finance contract is cancelled or repaid, typically within the first 90 days of such contract. During 2011, it arranged customer financing on approximately 70% of the vehicles it sold. The Company is a party to a range of preferred lender agreements. These payments are determined by the lenders based upon an agreed-upon earnings schedule.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jeremy Bowman]
What: Shares of Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE: ABG ) were revving up today, gaining as much as 15% after posting a strong earnings report.
- [By Inyoung Hwang]
Fresnillo Plc (FRES) and Polymetal International Plc sank at least 7 percent to lead declines in the Stoxx 600 after the precious-metals producers were not included in the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. Fresnillo tumbled 13 percent to 1,045 pence. Polymetal plunged 7.1 percent to 659.5 pence. African Barrick Gold Plc (ABG) also fell, losing 12 percent to 143.9 pence.
Top 10 Performing Stocks For 2014: AXT Inc(AXTI)
AXT, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes compound and single element semiconductor substrates for use in wireless communications, lighting display applications, fiber optic communications, and solar cell. It offers semi-insulating substrates made from gallium arsenide, which are used in power amplifiers and radio frequency integrated circuits of wireless handsets, direct broadcast televisions, high-performance transistors, and satellite communications applications. The company also provides semi-conducting substrates made from gallium arsenide that are used for applications in light emitting diodes, lasers, and optical couplers; substrates made from indium phosphide used in broadband and fiber optic communications; and substrates made from germanium used in satellite and terrestrial solar cells, and for optical applications. It manufactures its semiconductor substrates using its proprietary vertical gradient freeze technol ogy. In addition, the company, through its joint venture agreements, manufactures and sells gallium, arsenic, germanium, germanium dioxide, paralytic boron nitride crucibles, and boron oxide. AXT, Inc. sells its products through direct sales force in the United States, as well as through independent sales representatives in France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The company was formerly known as American Xtal Technology, Inc. and changed its name to AXT, Inc. in July 2000. AXT, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Volkman]
SciClone (NASDAQ: SCLN ) has a new man leading its finance team. The company announced that it hired Wilson Cheung to be its new CFO. Cheung is a longtime executive who most recently served as chief compliance officer, Asia Pacific, at digital marketing agency Velti, following a stint as that company's CFO. Before that, he was CFO and corporate secretary at AXT (NASDAQ: AXTI ) and served in various managerial positions in firms such as KPMG and Yahoo!
Top 10 Performing Stocks For 2014: Mdu Res Group Inc (MDU)
MDU Resources Group, Inc. operates as a diversified natural resource company in the United States. The company�s Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. As of December 31, 2012, this segment provided its electric services to approximately 131,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in 177 communities and adjacent rural areas. Its Natural Gas Distribution segment distributes natural gas in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as well as in Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. This segment served approximately 859,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in 334 communities and adjacent rural areas. The company�s Pipeline and Energy Services segment provides natural gas transportation, underground storage, processing, and gathering services, as well as oil gathering through regulated and nonregulated pipeline systems primarily in the Rocky Mountain and northern Great Plains regions of the United States. This segment also provides cathodic protection and other energy-related services. Its Exploration and Production segment engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions of the United States and in and around the Gulf of Mexico. The company�s Construction Materials and Contracting segment mines, aggregates, and markets crushed stone, sand, gravel, and related construction materials, including ready-mixed concrete, cement, asphalt, liquid asphalt, and other value-added products. This segment also provides utility excavation services and inside electrical wiring, cabling, and mechanical services; sells and distributes electrical materials; and manufactures and distributes specialty equipment. MDU Resources Group, Inc. was founded in 1924 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By David Dittman]
Question: I have been a fan of MDU Resources Inc (NYSE: MDU) because of its many operations including oil and gas, materials, construction, and now refining. Long-term thoughts?
- [By Richard Stavros]
Created with YCharts
In addition to beating the market since the beginning of the year, diversified energy utilities, such as MDU Resources Group Inc (NYSE: MDU), Dominion Resources Inc (NYSE: D) and Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), significantly outperformed pure-play or predominantly all-electric utilities, such as Duke Energy Corp (NYSE: DUK) and Entergy Corp (NYSE: ETR), by as much as several percentage points (See Chart B).
Interestingly, among top performers, there was no dominant strategy for exploiting natural gas demand, as these firms were involved in all aspects of the value chain–from exploration and production to distribution and storage. These companies have not only been benefiting from a natural gas surplus, but also from the pressing need to expand US energy infrastructure to deliver this newfound bounty to businesses and households.Chart B: Diversified Energy Utilities Outperformed Electric-Only Peers
Top 10 Performing Stocks For 2014: Guar Global Ltd (GGBL)
Guar Global Ltd., formerly ERE Management, Inc., incorporated on May 29, 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses on developing its content management system (CMS) software product. It has developed a basic version of the CMS software, which enables real estate agents with no technical knowledge to easily build a Website to showcase their listings.
The Company's product is designed to include an administration page that allows the entry of mega tags and keywords to enhance search engine hits, and a set of tools to enhance Websites by enabling the creation of various Website sections, such as a contact us contact information page; an our team description of agents page, and a mortgage calculator. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010, the Company did not generate any revenue.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Small cap OTC stocks Sovereign Lithium Inc (OTCMKTS: SLCO), Life Stem Genetics Inc (OTCMKTS: LIFS), Nevada Gold Corp (OTCMKTS: NVGC), Guar Global Ltd (OTCMKTS: GGBL) and Makism 3D Corp (OTCMKTS: MDDD) all saw their trading halted late last year by the SEC, but now all of these stocks are trading again. So what's going on and why the sudden crackdown? First, here is a quick look at what happened to the following five small cap stocks:
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