Italian shares have been on a tear. In dollar terms, Italy is the top performing developed equity market this year and the best performer over the past twelve months. But investors would be right to wonder how much upside might be left.
The MSCI Italy equity index is up 15.5% in the year to date and up 51% over the past 12 months. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Italian market’s closest rivals are Ireland, which runs a close second on the year-to-date performance, and Spain. Unsurprising because the equity market performance follows a general turnaround in sentiment about the euro zone’s prospects.
Ever since European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said he would do “whatever it takes” to ensure the single currency’s survival, sovereign debt yields have been plunging across the single currency region. And as those yields fell, equities rose.
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Buy For 2015: Centrex Metals Ltd (CXM)
Centrex Metals Limited (Centrex) is an Australia-based company engaged in iron ore exploration on wholly owned tenements in conjunction with joint venture partners Wuhan Iron & Steel (Group) Co. (WISCO) and Baotou Iron & Steel (Group) Co. (Baotou). The Company�� principal projects include WISCO joint ventures (Eyre Iron: Centrex 40%, Port Spencer: Centrex 50%), Bungalow joint venture (Centrex 70%), Wilgerup (Centrex 100%) and Exploration (Centrex 100%). The Bungalow / Minbrie magnetite deposit is located 9 kilometers north of the coastal town of Cowell on the Eyre Peninsula and around 100 kilometers from the Port Spencer joint venture site. The Goulburn and Archer tenements cover an extensive area with a number of base metal, gold and iron deposits and occurrences. Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
To say that Cardium Therapeutics Inc. (NYSEMKT:CXM) has been unimpressive this year - and last year for that matter - would be an understatement. Shares of CXM peaked at $11.90 in late 2011, and spend the next two years making their way back to the August (2013) low of $0.58. The stock has since wiggled its way back to the current price of $0.84, but the effort has largely been dismissed as volatility. Big mistake. When you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you start to see Cardium Therapeutics shares are on the cusp of a monster-sized rebound.
10 Best Electric Utility Stocks For 2014: Chromadex Corp (CDXC)
Chromadex Corporation, incorporated on June 19, 2008, is a provider of research and quality-control products and services to the natural products industry. The Company�� products are used by customers worldwide in the dietary supplement, food and beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The Company together with its subsidiaries supplies phytochemical reference standards, which are small quantities of plant-based compounds used to research an array of potential attributes, and reference materials, related contract services, technical consulting and ingredients. On December 3, 2012, ChromaDex Inc. acquired Spherix Consulting Inc. The Company�� principal subsidiaries include ChromaDex, Inc., Chromadex Analytics, Inc. and Spherix Consulting, Inc (Spherix).
The Company provides its clients in the food, supplement and pharmaceutical industries with solutions to manage potential health and regulatory risks. Its science-based solutions are for both new and existing products that may be subject to product liability and/or exposed to changing scientific standards or public perceptions; literature evaluations, and design and assessment of pre-clinical and clinical safety testing. It specializes in regulatory submissions for food and dietary supplement ingredients. For its clients involved in drug development within the pharmaceutical industry, the Company provides similar services, as well as risk-based strategies, including intellectual property data and compliance gap identification, due diligence assessments and investigational new drug writing.
Products and Services
The Company offers bulk raw materials for inclusion in dietary supplements, food, beverage and cosmetic products. Through its catalog, it supplies a range of products necessary to conduct quality control of raw materials and consumer products. The Company through Chromadex Analytics, provides a range of contract services ranging from routine contract analysis for the production of dietary sup! plements, cosmetics, foods and other natural products to elaborate contract research for clients in these industries. The Company provides a range of consulting services in the areas of regulatory support, new ingredient or product development, risk management and litigation support. With an addition of Spherix, it provides regulatory approval and scientific advisory services.
The Company competes with Sigma-Aldrich, Phytolab, US Pharmacopoeia, Extrasynthese, Covance, Eurofins, and Silliker Canada Co.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks Chromadex Corp (OTCMKTS: CDXC) and 22nd Century Group Inc (OTCBB: XXII) are, one way or the other, focused on natural products and have been getting some extra attention lately. Moreover, one of these stocks have been the subject of a disclosed investor awareness campaign. Keeping that in mind, are these two small cap stocks natural winners for investors? Here is a quick look:
10 Best Electric Utility Stocks For 2014: Griffon Corp (GFF)
Griffon Corporation (Griffon), incorporated on December 29, 1970, is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries and provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. Griffon conducts its operations through three businesses: Home and Building Products, consists of two companies, Ames True Temper, Inc and Clopay Building Products; Telephonics Corporation, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and provides logistical support for aircraft intercommunication systems, radar, air traffic management, identification friend or foe equipment, Integrated Homeland Security Systems and custom, mixed-signal, application-specific, integrated circuits, and Clopay Plastic Products produces, develops specialty plastic films and laminates for a variety of hygienic, health care and industrial applications. Effective December 31, 2013, the Company announced that its subsidiary, Ames True Temper acquired Northcote Pottery.
Home and Building Products
HBP consists of two companies, Ames True Temper, Inc (ATT) and Clopay Building Products (CBP). ATT is a global provider of non-powered landscaping products that make work easier for homeowners and professionals. ATT�� brand portfolio includes Ames, True Temper, Ames True Temper, Garant, Hound Dog, Westmix, Dynamic Design and Southern Patio, as well as contractor-oriented brands, including UnionTools, Razor-Back Professional Tools and Jackson Professional Tools. Some of the products include Long Handle Tools, Wheelbarrows, Snow Tools, Planters and Lawn Accessories, Striking Tools, Pruning and Garden Hose and Storag. CBP is a manufacturer and marketer of residential, commercial and industrial garage doors to professional installing dealers and home center retail chains. CBP offers garage doors made primarily from steel, plastic composite ! and wood, and also sells related products, such as garage door openers, manufactured by third parties. The majority of CBP�� sales are for home remodeling and renovation, with the balance for the new residential housing and commercial building markets.
Telephonics Corporation
Telephonics specializes in advanced electronic information and communication systems for defense, aerospace, civil, industrial, and commercial applications for the United States (U.S.) and international markets. Telephonics designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and provides logistical support for aircraft intercommunication systems, radar, air traffic management, identification friend or foe equipment, Integrated Homeland Security Systems and custom, mixed-signal, application-specific, integrated circuits. Telephonics is also a provider of advanced systems engineering services supporting air and missile defense programs, as well as other threat and situational analysis requirements. Telephonics is a supplier of airborne maritime surveillance radar and aircraft intercommunication management systems, the segment�� two product lines. Telephonics is a first-tier supplier to prime contractors in the defense industry, such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, MacDonald Dettwiler, Sierra Nevada Corporation and Sikorsky Aircraft, and is at times a prime contractor to the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Homeland Security (Homeland Security). On April 22, 2013, Telephonics signed a definitive agreement to form a Joint Venture (JV) with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd to provide the Indian Ministry of Defense and the Indian Civil sector with radar and surveillance systems, identification friend or foe devices and communication systems.
Clopay Plastic Products
lopay Plastic Products produces and develops specialty plastic films and laminates for a variety of hygienic, healthcare and industrial uses in the United States and cert! ain inter! national markets. Products include thin gauge embossed and printed films, elastomeric films, laminates of film and non-woven fabrics, and perforated films and non-wovens. Plastics have two manufacturing facilities in Germany from which it sells plastic films throughout Europe and the Middle East and Africa.
The Company competes with Fiskars Corporation, Truper Herramientas S.A. de C.U., Suncast Corporation, Colorite Waterworks, Swan and Techniplex.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
Home and building products manufacturer Griffon (NYSE: GFF ) announced today its third-quarter dividend of $0.025 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past three quarters after raising the payout 25% from $0.02 per share.
10 Best Electric Utility Stocks For 2014: ACCO Brands Corp (ACCO)
ACCO Brands Corporation, incorporated on October 26, 1970, is one of the suppliers of branded school and office products. The Company sells its products through many channels that include the office products resale industry as well as through mass retail distribution and e-tailers. It designs, develops, manufactures and markets a variety of traditional and computer-related office products, school supplies and paper-based time management products. Through a focus on research, marketing and innovation, it seeks to develop new products that meet the needs of its consumers and commercial end-users, and support its brands. ACCO Brands is organized into three business segments: ACCO Brands North America, ACCO Brands International and Computer Products Group. It sells its products primarily to markets located in the United States, Northern Europe, Canada, Brazil, Australia and Mexico. On May 1, 2012, it completed the merger (Merger) of the Mead Consumer and Office Products Business (Mead C&OP) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Its office, school and calendar product lines use name brands such as AT-A-GLANCE, Day-Timer, Five Star, GBC, Hilroy, Marbig, Mead, NOBO, Quartet, Rexel, Swingline, Tilibra, Wilson Jones and many others. Its products and brands are not confined to one channel or product category and are designed based on preference. It manufactures approximately half of its products, and specify and source approximately the other half of its products, mainly from Asia. Its office products, such as stapling, binding and laminating equipment and related consumable supplies, shredders and whiteboards, are used by businesses. These business end-users purchase their products from its customers, which include commercial contract stationers, retail superstores, mass merchandisers, wholesalers, resellers, mail order and Internet catalogs, club stores and dealers. It also supplies some of its products directly to commercial and industrial end-users. Its school products include n! otebooks, folders, decorative calendars, and stationery products. It distributes its school products primarily through traditional and online retail mass market, grocery, drug and office superstore channels. It also supplies private label products within the school products sector. Its calendar products are sold throughout all channels where it sells office or school products, and it also sell direct to consumers.
ACCO Brands North America and ACCO Brands International
ACCO Brands North America and ACCO Brands International manufacture, source and sell traditional office products, school supplies, calendar products and document finishing solutions. ACCO Brands North America comprises the U.S. and Canada, and ACCO Brands International comprises the rest of the world, principally Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Asia-Pacific.
Its office, school and calendar product lines use name brands such as AT-A-GLANCE, Day-Timer, Five Star, GBC, Hilroy, Marbig, Mead, NOBO, Quartet, Rexel, Swingline, Tilibra, Wilson Jones and many others. Its office products, such as stapling, binding and laminating equipment and related consumable supplies, shredders and whiteboards, are used by businesses. These business end-users purchase their products from its customers, which include commercial contract stationers, mass merchandisers, retail superstores, wholesalers, resellers, mail order and Internet catalogs, club stores and dealers. It also supplies some of its products directly to commercial and industrial end-users.
Its school products include notebooks, folders, decorative calendars, and stationery products. It distributes its school products primarily through traditional and online retail mass market, grocery, drug and office superstore channels. It also supplies private label products within the school products sector. Its calendar products are sold throughout all channels where it sells office or school products, and it also sells direct to consumers.
! Computer Products Group
The Computer Products Group designs, distributes, markets and sells accessories for laptop and desktop computers and tablets and smartphones. These accessories primarily include security products, iPad covers and keypads, smartphone accessories, power adapters, input devices such as mice, laptop computer carrying cases, hubs, docking stations and ergonomic devices. The Computer Products Group sells mostly under the Kensington, Microsaver and ClickSafe brand names, with the majority of its revenue coming from the U.S. and Western Europe.
All of its computer products are manufactured to its specifications by third-party suppliers, principally in Asia, and are stored and distributed from its regional facilities. Its computer products are sold primarily to consumer electronics retailers, information technology value-added resellers, original equipment manufacturers and office products retailers.
The Company competes with, 3M, Avery Dennison, Blue Sky, Carolina Pad, Dominion BlueLine, Esselte, Fellowes, Franklin Covey, Hamelin, House of Doolittle, Newell Rubbermaid, Smead, Spiral Binding, Belkin, Fellowes, Logitech and Targus.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lisa Levin]
Office Supplies: This industry rose 2.80% by 11:40 am ET. The top performer in this industry was ACCO Brands (NYSE: ACCO), which gained 4.5%. On Thursday, ACCO Brands announced a $100 million share repurchase authorization..
- [By Will Ashworth]
While some might consider private equity firms to be at the high-end of the cycle, I see Fortress just now coming into its own. Fortress recently announced it took a paper loss on Bitcoin. Not to worry, FIG’s 2013 distributable earnings per share increased by almost 70% to $0.88, its highest level since its IPO. I see it moving higher than $10 in 2014.
Cheap Stocks to Buy: ACCO Brands (ACCO)I don�� know about you but I definitely use several of its products on a regular basis. In fact, right here on my desk beside my computer is a small, Five Star notebook for jotting down ideas. I grew up on Hilroy notebooks, a brand brought to the table in its 2012 merger with MeadWestvaco�� (MWV) Consumer and Office Products division. MWV shareholders received one-third of an ACCO share for every MWV share. Since the deal was completed, ACCO stock has lost 42% of its value.
- [By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of office supply maker ACCO Brands (NYSE: ACCO ) fell as much as 13% in early trading today before settling in at a 5% drop.
10 Best Electric Utility Stocks For 2014: Interval Leisure Group Inc.(IILG)
Interval Leisure Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides membership and leisure services to the vacation industry in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Membership and Exchange, and Management and Rental. The Membership and Exchange segment offers travel and leisure related products and services to owners of vacation interests, and others primarily through various membership programs, as well as related services to resort developer clients. As of December 31, 2011, its Interval Network comprised approximately 2,600 resorts located in approximately 75 countries, as well as had approximately 1.8 million vacation ownership interest owners enrolled as members. The Management and Rental segment offers hotel, condominium resort, timeshare resort and homeowners association management, and vacation rental services to vacationers and vacation property owners. As of the above date, this segment provided management and rental services to approximately 60 vacation properties and hotels. Interval Leisure Group, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Vera Yuan]
The Partners Value Fund�� Investor Class returned -1.4% in the third calendar quarter, compared to a +1.1% return for the S&P 500 and flat results for the Russell 3000. The largest companies were generally the strongest performers in the third quarter, most notably Microsoft (MSFT) (+12%), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) (+9%) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) (+4%) for our Fund. Conversely, small cap stocks fell sharply in July and again in September, with the Russell 2000 index finishing down 7.4% for the quarter. While smaller companies account for approximately 10% of our net assets, these stocks drove most of the Fund�� quarterly decline. Iconix Brand Group (ICON) (-14%), Redwood Trust (RWT) (-14%) and Interval Leisure Group (IILG) (-13%) were the primary small cap detractors. Energy holdings Range Resources (RRC) (-22%) and Apache (APA) (-6%) also impacted results as natural gas and oil prices dropped. We remain optimistic on the long-term outlooks for all five of these stocks, which trade at moderate to large discounts to our business value estimates.
- [By Lawrence Meyers]
DRII stock hit the market just last year at $16.15 and now trades above $20. Only 3 analysts follow it, and earnings estimates aren�� spectacular. FY14 earnings are expected to be 92 cents, down from 96 in FY13 — but they’re also supposed to rise to $1.06 in FY15. The problem with Diamond is its debt structure. It paid $88 million on its $414 million in long-term debt last year. If it gets its interest payments refinanced, it�� worth a look because revenue growth is strong.
Interval Leisure Group (IILG)Interval Leisure Group (IILG) feels to me like it has been bought and sold many times, probably because it�� one of the oldest timeshare stocks, founded in 1976. Its 2,900 resorts are spread across 16 nations, with more than 2 million owners. It also diversifies its revenue stream by selling ownerships, and by managing and renting properties. Virtually ever major hotel chain is partnered with it.
- [By Lawrence Meyers]
Diller then spins off some of these entities into public companies, as he did with Home Shopping Network (HSNI) and timeshare company Interval Leisure Group (IILG). The company�� 52 week high was $80.64, it trades right now at $66. I�� love to make this one of my stocks to buy in the below the $50 mark, but IACI would be a bargain under $55.
- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
10 Best Electric Utility Stocks For 2014: LKQ Corp (LKQ)
LKQ Corporation (LKQ) provides replacement parts, components and systems needed to repair vehicles (cars and trucks). The Company operates in four segments: Wholesale-North America, Wholesale-Europe, Self Service and Heavy-Duty Truck. Buyers of vehicle replacement products have the option to purchase from primarily five sources: new products produced by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which are known as OEM products; new products produced by companies other than the OEMs, which are sometimes referred to as aftermarket products; recycled products originally produced by OEMs, which it refers to as recycled products; used products that have been refurbished; and used products that have been remanufactured. October 1, 2011, it acquired Euro Car Parts Holdings Limited (ECP). On May 27, 2011, it acquired AkzoNobel Coatings Inc.'s paint distribution business consisting of 40 locations across the United States. In February 2012, the Company announced that it had acquired Pieces Automobiles Lecavalier IncEffective August 6, 2013, LKQ Corp acquired Premier Paints Ltd, a manufacturer of motor vehicle parts, form Iris Coatings Ltd, and concurrently, LKQ acquired Bee Bee Refinishing Supplies Halstead, JCA Coatings, Milton Keynes Paint & Equipment and Sinemaster Motor Factors Ltd.
The Company distributes a variety of products to collision and mechanical repair shops, including aftermarket collision and mechanical products, recycled collision and mechanical products, refurbished collision replacement products such as wheels, bumper covers and lights, and remanufactured engines. Collectively, it refers to its products as alternative parts. The Company is a provider of alternative vehicle collision replacement products, and a provider of alternative vehicle mechanical replacement products. Its sales, processing, and distribution facilities reach markets in the United States and Canada. In addition to its wholesale operations, it operates self service retail facilities that sell recycled automotiv! e products. The Company also sells recycled heavy-duty truck products and used heavy-duty trucks.
The Company obtains its aftermarket inventory from auto parts manufacturers and distributors based in the United States, Taiwan, Europe and China. The Company procures recycled automotive products mainly by purchasing salvage vehicles, typically severely damaged by collisions and primarily sold at salvage auctions or pools, and then dismantling and inventorying the parts. The refurbished and remanufactured products that it sells, such as wheels, bumper covers, lights and engines, originate from Companyparts from the salvage vehicles bought at auctions, parts received in trade at collision shops purchasing replacement products from the, and damaged parts bought through bulk purchases from core sales companies that collect damaged parts. The majority of our products and services are sold to collision repair shops, also known as body shops, and mechanical repair shops.
WHOLESALE AUTO PRODUCTS-NORTH AMERICA
The Company�� wholesale automobile product operations in North America are organized by geographic regions serving the United States and Canada that sell all four product types to collision and mechanical automobile repair businesses. As of December 31, 2011, these wholesale operations conducted business from more than 290 facilities. its aftermarket product operations may include a combination of sales, warehousing and distribution, and in many cases will be co-located with its refurbishing operations. Its salvage operation typically has processing, sales, distribution and administrative operations on site, indoor and outdoor storage areas, and include a warehouse with multiple bays to dismantle vehicles.
The Company�� 2011, sales included more than 86,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) of aftermarket collision products and repair materials for the models of domestic and foreign automobiles and light trucks. Its aftermarket product types consist of thos! e frequen! tly damaged in collisions, including automotive body panels, bumper covers and lights. The Company distributes paint and other materials used in repairing damaged vehicles, including sandpaper, abrasives, masking products and plastic filler. The paint and other materials distributed by the Company are purchased from numerous suppliers in the United States and Canada. Certain of these products are distributed under the brand Keystone. Platinum Plus is its exclusive brand offered in the Keystone product line of aftermarket products. The aftermarket products it distributes are purchased from independent manufacturers and distributors located primarily in the United States and Taiwan. The Company has business arrangements with manufacturers to produce its Platinum Plus products.
The Company�� recycled products include engines, transmissions, doors, front end assemblies, trunk lids, bumper assemblies, head and tail lamp assemblies and mirrors. Some insurance companies mandate that the recycled products must be of the same model year or newer as the vehicle being repaired. The Company procures recycled products for its wholesale operations by acquiring damaged or totaled vehicles. During the year ended December 31, 2011, LKQ acquired approximately 228,000 salvage vehicles for its wholesale recycled product operations. Vehicle processing for its wholesale recycled operations involves dismantling a salvage vehicle into recycled products that are ready for sale.
As of December 31, 2011, it operated 34 plastic bumper and bumper cover refurbishing plants, a chrome bumper plating plant, 15 wheel plants, one light refurbishing plant and four engine remanufacturing facilities. Most of its refurbished and remanufactured products are sold through its wholesale distribution channels. The balance is sold to retail automotive stores, wholesale distributors and through Internet sales. Its wholesale recycled product operations generate scrap metal and other materials that it sells to recyclers. T! he Compan! y has a distribution network of over 290 wholesale plants and warehouses across the United States and Canada, of which 50 function as hub or cross dock facilities.
WHOLESALE AUTO PRODUCTS-EUROPE
The Company�� European wholesale operating segment was formed in 2011 with its acquisition of ECP, the distributor of automotive aftermarket products. The Company operates 90 branches, supported by eight regional hubs and a national distribution center, which allows us to reach major markets within the United Kingdom. In 2011, it sold more than 121,000 SKUs of aftermarket products, primarily composed of mechanical aftermarket parts for the repair of vehicles five to 15 years old. Its products include electrical products, such as spark plugs and ignition coils, clutches and related parts, steering and suspension parts, and brake pads and sensors. The Company sells its products to over 32,000 professional repairers, including primarily independent mechanical repair shops and collision repair shops.
SELF SERVICE RETAIL PRODUCTS
The Company�� self service retail operations sell parts from older cars and light trucks directly to consumers. In addition to revenue from the sale of parts, core and scrap, it charges admission fee to access the property. Its self service facilities typically consist of a fenced or enclosed area of several acres with vehicles stored outdoors and a retail building through which customers are able to access the yard. As of December 31, 2011, it conducted our self service retail operations from 47 facilities in North America. Its self service auto recycling operations generate scrap metal, alloys and other materials that it sells to recyclers.
HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK PRODUCTS
As of December 31, 2011, it had a total of 18 facilities in the United States and Canada. Its inventory is comprised of used heavy- and medium-duty trucks, usually five years or older, which are purchased at salvage and truck auctions or direct! ly from i! nsurance companies or fleet operators. During 2011, it purchased approximately 6,000 vehicles. Depending on the condition of the vehicles, they may be dismantled for parts or resold as running vehicles. If certain mechanical parts are damaged, such as transmissions, it may remanufacture them and offer them to its customers. The vehicles that are acquired for resale are typically special purpose or vocational use trucks, such as those used for garbage pickup or cement delivery. If requested by the sellers of the vehicles, it provide an assurance that the vehicles will be sold to foreign buyers and exported to countries for use outside of the United States, or to domestic buyers after the vehicles have been reconditioned and modified for use other than their original purpose.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
LKQ Corporation (LKQ) is the world's largest procurer and distributor of alternative and aftermarket collision replacement parts for automobiles and other vehicles. The Company has grown rapidly since its inception in 1998, by executing an expansion strategy that has included aggressive organic and inorganic investments. To date, LKQ's strategy has resulted in a business with unparalleled scale, at over $5 billion in revenues across three continents, compared with aftermarket and salvage parts competitors that routinely post less then $100 million in sales, usually with the largest footprints limited to regional geographies.
- [By Chris Hill]
In this segment, Mike talks about�LKQ (NASDAQ: LKQ ) , and why the largest operator of junkyards has turned its scale into an incredibly well-run business, and Matt takes a look into�McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) , which reports earnings tomorrow. After a rough period for McDonald's as the competitive landscape shifts toward fast-casual dining options such as Panera and Chipotle, Matt will be looking for signs in the earnings report that the strategy at McDonald's to adapt and shift its business focuses is coming to fruition.
- [By Holly LaFon]
Our worst performers during the third quarter were Cummins (CMI) (-颅14.5%), Schlumberger (SLB) (-颅13.8%) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) (-颅8.5%). Our best performers during the quarter were EMC (EMC) (+11.1%), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (+9.2%) and Apple (AAPL) (+8.4%). During the quarter we trimmed positions in Apple as it approached our maximum position weighting of 10%. We added to existing positions in Qualcomm (QCOM), LKQ (LKQ) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) ��all on improved prospective risk-颅reward on respective share-price declines. The Great Bull Market of 2009-2014 started on March 9, 2009 when the S&P 500 Index stood at 667. The S&P 500�� relentless bull market advance over the course of the next 2,000 days would reach a record high index level of 2000 in late August. Relentless indeed, according to Bespoke, the S&P 500 Index has been up seven quarters in a row ��the best streak since 1998 and the fourth best since 1950.
10 Best Electric Utility Stocks For 2014: Cornerstone Total Return Fund Inc (CRF)
Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (the Fund) is a closed-end, diversified management investment company. Its investment objective is to seek capital appreciation with current income as a secondary objective. The Fund may invest without limitation in other closed-end investment companies and ETFs, provided that the Fund limits its investment in securities issued by other investment companies so that not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund. It invests in sectors, such as information technology, industrial, financials, healthcare, energy, consumer discretionary and consumer staples. The Fund is managed by Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dividends4Life]
According to a Gabelli Funds report, managed distribution policies offer several advantages, including:1. Lower difference between the fund�� market price and its NAV per share.2. Provides support during periods when the stock market is in a decline.3. Provides a measurable performance target for the investment adviser.Below are several high-yield funds from CEFA that have a managed distribution policy (yields as of December 16):Aberdeen Australia Eqty (IAF)- Distribution Yield: 10.4%- Income Yield: 3.46%Bexil Advisers LLC� (DNI)- Distribution Yield: 11.1%- Income Yield: 3.56%BlackRock En Capital&Inc (CII)- Distribution Yield: 8.78%- Income Yield: 2.34%Cornerstone Strat Value (CLM)- Distribution Yield: 18.77%- Income Yield: 1.83%Cornerstone Total Return (CRF)- Distribution Yield: 19.10%- Income Yield: 0.85%Delaware Inv Div & Inc (DDF)- Distribution Yield: 6.70%- Income Yield: 5.26%Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB)- Distribution Yield: 7.58%- Income Yield: 1.54%Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT)- Distribution Yield: 9.45%- Income Yield: 2.84%MFS Special Value Trust (MFV)- Distribution Yield: 9.60%- Income Yield: 5.73%Nuveen Tx-Adv TR Strat (JTA)- Distribution Yield: 6.70%- Income Yield: 3.12%TCW Strategic Income (TSI)- Distribution Yield: 10.54%- Income Yield: 7.88%Zweig Total Return (ZTR)- Distribution Yield: 7.27%- Income Yield: 1.95%As noted in the Gabelli report, a managed distribution policy may create confusion regarding the true current yield since the reported yield includes the return of capital portion. You can see the disparity above between the income yield and the distribution (reported) yield.If you are looking for a sustainable and growing dividend, you may want to consider some blue-chip dividend stocks such as these with a Free Cash Flow Payout less than 50%, 50+ years of consecutive dividend increases and a 2%+ yield:3M Co. (MMM) is a diversified global company provides enhanced product functionality in electronics, health care, industrial, consumer
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