Retail Police Blotter: The Week in Retail Crime

If there's a dispute at a fast-food restaurant, odds are good that someone is going to wind up throwing food. It happened a couple weeks ago at a McDonald's in Connecticut, and now we've had another incident at an Auntie Anne's pretzel shop in the Detroit suburb of Troy, Mich. According to the Detroit Free Press, a customer at an Auntie Anne's realized she'd received the incorrect dipping sauce for her pretzel. The dispute escalated, an employee flung nacho cheese at the angry customer, the customer vaulted the counter, and property damaged ensued. The company's president took to YouTube to apologize, and Detroit-area locations will be giving out free dip, which hopefully won't be thrown at anyone.

Photo: YouTube.com

Nacho Cheese Assault at Auntie Anne's

Meanwhile in Connecticut, a guy got really high on PCP and stole $137 worth of Easter baskets from Walmart. The thief, identified as Antonio Sanabria, wasn't trying to be the Easter equivalent of the Grinch; he explained in a brief interview that the drugs "made me lose my mind." Police say he stole a shopping cart with ten baskets, and was found in the parking lot trying to sell them. Sanabria pled guilty to sixth-degree larceny and was released. PCP has been known to drive people to cannibalism, so he can consider himself lucky that snatching some Easter baskets was the worst of his drug-induced crimes.

Easter Egg Bandit at Walmart

Remember the scene in Pulp Fiction where a couple of gun-toting bandits demand that all the patrons of a diner hand over their wallets? An armed thief in Miami tried the same scheme, but didn't consider Floridians' penchant for packing heat. Police say Travis Harris walked into a Burger King and demanded a family's valuables at gunpoint. When he left the restaurant, the father followed him outside and shot him in the leg.

Goodyear Jumps On Q2 Beat, Europe Profit Doubles

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) was up 10% following its better-than-expected second-quarter earnings report.

Goodyear said it earned $181 million, or 67 cents a share, more than double the 33 cents a share in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time costs, earnings were 76 cents a share.

Revenue edged down to $4.9 billion from $5.2 billion.

The results easily beat analysts' expectations for earnings per share of 48 cents on revenue of $4.8 billion.

The company also sounded an upbeat note about its full-year earnings, saying it now expects operating profit on the higher end of its forecast of $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion.

Profit in North America increased to $204 million, from $188 a year earlier, while Asia profits climbed to $91 million from $71 million.  Even Europe, which has been a bugaboo for auto companies amid continent-wide economic weakness, was a success for Goodyear, as profit more than doubled to $51 million from $19 million. Latin America also put in a strong showing, as profit grew to $82 million from $58 million a year earlier.

The stock jumped to a new multiyear high of $19.60 on the news earlier in the day. Goodyear is up more than 48% in the past year.

Kindle Singles Adds Interviews

Online retailer Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) has a new way to monetize interviews.

Last week, Amazon launched "The Kindle Singles Interview" -- exclusive, long-form interviews with iconic figures and world leaders for $0.99. As the interview content comes in text and not video, the content fits with the rest of the Kindle Singles library of literature.

The debut Kindle Singles Interview, "The Optimist," features Shimon Peres, the 89-year-old President of Israel, who is interviewed by David Samuels, a contributing editor at Harper's and a longtime contributor to The New Yorker and The Atlantic.

"In September of 1962, novelist Alex Haley's conversation with Miles Davis launched the Playboy Interview, and pioneered the idea of a long-form, extended dialogue with the great personalities of our time," said David Blum, editor of Kindle Singles, in the company's press release. "We hope to carry forward that tradition, and use the unlimited digital space to engage great artists and thinkers in conversation with skilled writers and interviewers."

Started in 2010, Kindle Singles was created to help writers sell their work that was too long for a magazine article and too short for a book. 

link

This Week in Utilities: 3 Dividend Stocks You Need to Watch

Utilities stayed busy this week with nuclear scandals, solar sales, and everything in between. Here's what you need to know to stay on top of your dividend stocks' latest moves.

Nuclear negligence
A former Entergy (NYSE: ETR  ) employee's actions once again highlighted the high stakes of nuclear energy and human error. Daniel Wilson, a former chemistry manager at Entergy's Indian Point energy center, was arrested on Tuesday on federal charges of falsifying documents. The utility released a statement outlining its actions, along with a promise to cooperate fully with authorities. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara put in his own two cents, highlighting the gravity of the situation:

Any alleged deliberate misconduct at a facility like Indian Point is a matter of grave concern to this Office. One need look no further than recent natural disasters to know that at important facilities, backup generators and other systems must be maintained in working order because in an emergency they may be critical .

Reduced rates
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK  ) received some bad news from regulators this week, when it agreed to take a nearly 50% cut in its rate request increase for its Duke Carolinas subsidiary. For individual customers, the revised rate represents a 7-percentage-point decrease from the utility's requested 15.1% increase. For the utility, the decision pushes retail revenue increases down from $220 million to $119 million.

For Duke Energy overall, the new rate is equivalent to 0.6% of fiscal 2012 sales, or 6.7% of net profit. As part of the agreement, the utility will also hold off on additional rate requests until September 2015.

Say hello to solar
Dominion (NYSE: D  ) announced this week that it is acquiring three new Indiana solar farms, shedding more light on its recent renewable-energy ramp-up. Total capacity clocks in at 28.6 MW, and the company is already lined up with 15-year power purchase agreements with utility Indianapolis Power and Light.

"Dominion has been adding renewable energy to its diversified generation mix and is very pleased to acquire these three solar projects," said Dominion Generation CEO David Christian. "These projects are consistent with Dominion's promotion of a portfolio of efficient conventional, nuclear, and renewable resources."

Tiny solar acquisitions like this will never be market movers like the glory days of a new multibillion-dollar coal or nuclear power plant announcement, but Dominion's foray into alternative energies is continually (a) increasing its energy diversity and (b) providing small profits that ultimately add up.

Florida gets its gas fill
NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE  ) announced this week that it is investing around $3 billion with Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE  ) to bring Florida its third major natural gas pipeline. According to NextEra, Florida's current pipelines are near capacity, making its new project crucial to Florida -- and profitable for NextEra.

Stretching from Alabama through Georgia to Florida, the pipeline will connect natural gas reserves to the Sunshine State, where more natural gas is used to generate electricity than any other state besides Texas.

NextEra Energy is probably most known for its status as the nation's largest producer of renewable energy. With more than 10,000 net MW of wind capacity, the title is well deserved. But this latest project once again highlights that the utility isn't putting all its eggs in one basket. While it's far from renewable, natural gas avoids costly environmental regulations and remains at a competitive cost compared with other energy sources. NextEra also noted in its announcement that it will contract pipeline capacity to other operations, adding a lucrative "tollbooth" business model to its operations.

There's a reason investors look to utilities for long-term gains. Dividend stocks can make you rich. It's as simple as that. While they don't garner the notability of high-flying growth stocks, they're also less likely to crash and burn. And over the long term, the compounding effect of the quarterly payouts, as well as their growth, adds up faster than most investors imagine. With this in mind, our analysts sat down to identify the absolute best of the best when it comes to rock-solid dividend stocks, drawing up a list in this free report of the only nine that fit the bill. To discover the identities of these companies before the rest of the market catches on, you can download this valuable free report by simply clicking here now.

Top 5 Growth Stocks To Watch Right Now

Time Warner Just Became the World’s Finest Stock

At a venue well known for dramatic revelations, Man of Steel director Zack Snyder made what might be the biggest reveal of all at this year's San Diego Comic-Con: Time Warner (NYSE: TWX  ) will bring Batman and Superman together in 2015.

DC's two most iconic superheroes will share the screen soon. Source: DC Entertainment.

The untitled epic -- let's call it Man of Steel 2 for now -- takes the place of what many had thought would be a Justice League film. Instead, we'll get "Word's Finest," an onscreen version of the comic-book series in which Batman and Superman would share an adventure.

Or maybe it'll be more like "The Dark Knight Returns," a 1980s epic miniseries from writer and artist Frank Miller that helped redefine the medium. In it, older versions of DC Comics' Big Two face off in an epic battle that ends with a dying Bruce Wayne delivering this speech, which Snyder had actor Harry Lennix deliver to the audience before revealing the combined logo you see above:

I want you to remember, Clark. In all the years to come. In all your most private moments. I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.

Here's a closer look at the original, as drawn by Miller:

Batman vs. Superman in "The Dark Knight Returns." Source: MTV Geek and DC Comics.

As a fan, I love the idea of two iconic characters slugging it out on the big screen. As an investor, I love the box office prospects for a "World's Finest" team-up. I'm also encouraged by the timing, because it gives necessary space for DC to build up to a Justice League film in the same way that Marvel built up to The Avengers.

In the meantime, Man of Steel 2 has a decent chance to be the most profitable DC Comics film ever. Why? Former co-financier Legendary is now partnered with Comcast's (NASDAQ: CMCSA  ) Universal Pictures, which means Warner should be be able to keep 100% of the proceeds from future DC Comics films.

Comic-Con is over, but the Time Warner stock story is only just beginning.

What will be the next superhero stock? The Motley Fool's chief investment officer thinks he's found one. Find out more in the special free report: "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2013." Just click here for your report and we'll reveal the secret identity of this under-the-radar company.

Today's Best and Worst Dow Stocks

A midday rally has pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) back to breakeven after the index started the day in the red due to some mixed reports on the U.S. economy. As of 1:25 p.m. EDT the Dow is flat, while the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) is up a mere 0.1%.

There were two U.S. economic releases today.

Report

Period

Results

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New unemployment claims	July 13-July 20	343,000	336,000
Durable-goods orders	June	4.2%	5.2%

10 Best Stocks To Watch For 2014

New unemployment claims were up 7,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 343,000, right in line with analyst expectations of 342,000. The small rise brings the less volatile four-week moving average down by 1,250 to 345,250.

US Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance data by YCharts.

New unemployment claims continue to average below last year's level of 360,000 to 370,000, indicating a slowly strengthening economy.

The other economic release today was the durable-goods orders report. The Department of Commerce revised May's report upward from 3.7% growth to 5.2% growth. June's durable-goods orders rose 4.2%, far above analyst expectations of 2.3% growth. The downside to the report, however, is that if you exclude the transportation sector, durable-goods orders were unchanged from May. The transportation sector's results can be highly volatile, so it's good to consider durable-goods orders ex-transportation. Both for the whole economy and for the transportation sector, shipments were unchanged, so in the transportation sector, at least, the second half of the year may see stronger manufacturing activity in the U.S. than in the first half of the year.

Today's worst Dow stock is Home Depot (NYSE: HD  ) , down 2.1% after homebuilders Pulte and D.R. Horton both reported disappointing earnings results. The stocks are down about 12% and 9%, respectively, after the companies reported lower-than-expected orders and home deliveries. The disappointing results are weighing on Home Depot, whose stock has been bid up on hopes of a resurgent housing market. Given the recent rise in mortgage rates, investors are worried that the housing market will stumble, and these results give some credence to that view. It remains to be seen whether the rise in rates has created a buying opportunity or the housing market has peaked in the short run.

Today's Dow leader is Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) , up 1%. Chevron is benefiting from the relatively high price of oil around the world. The past few months have seen the spread between WTI crude and Brent crude finally close from the highs hit the past few years.

WTI Crude Oil Spot Price data by YCharts.

Chevron has been actively searching for new opportunities, and it recently signed a joint development agreement with Argentina's newly nationalized oil company YPF. Fool analyst Sean Williams recently rained praise on Chevron CEO John Watson, who, since taking the reins in 2010, has led the company to an 81% gain from shareholder-friendly capital-allocation decisions, including buybacks and dividend increases.

If you're looking for other dividend payers that would make solid long-term investments, you're invited to check out The Motley Fool's brand-new special report, "The 3 Dow Stocks Dividend Investors Need." It's absolutely free, so simply click here now and get your copy today.

The Scariest Real Estate Chart In All The Land

If you’re tired of living in a chronic state of “information overload,” we feel you. It seems that the deluge of investment news and commentary never ceases. The good news? We’re here to help. Following the adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” each Friday I select a handful of charts to put some key economic and investment insights into perspective for you. So say “goodbye” to long-winded commentary, and “hello” to easy-to-understand pictures.

If You Can’t Beat ‘Em… Quit?

Poor, poor hedge fund managers…I’ve chronicled their inability to outperform the S&P 500 Index and lowly mutual fund managers twice before (see here and here). But instead of staying in the battle to the bitter end, it looks like they’re waving the white flag of surrender.

(click to enlarge)

The latest report from Bank of America’s Equity Strategist Savita Subramanian reveals that hedge fund clients were the biggest sellers last week.

Now, don’t freak out and think this indicates that the “smart money” smells a correction on the horizon. It’s only one week’s worth of money flows. And we’re only talking about Bank of America’s hedge fund clients. Not all hedge funds. If a mass exodus were truly underway, we’d notice an uptick in short interest. After all, hedge fund managers don’t get paid to sit in cash. But that’s not happening. At all.

(click to enlarge)

In the second half of May, short interest as a percentage of float in the S&P 1500 Index dropped to 5.5%. That’s the lowest level in over five years. So stay calm and stay long. Speaking of staying calm…

Is the Real Estate! Recovery Doomed?

Top 10 Warren Buffett Stocks To Buy For 2014

Sound the alarm bells! The real estate recovery is doomed. Why? Because 30-year mortgage rates just went vertical. Four weeks ago, the average interest rate stood at 3.71%. Now it’s up to 4.14%, according to the latest national survey by Bankrate.com.

(click to enlarge)

If this torrid climb continues, demand is going to dry up in a New York second, right? Wrong! Mortgage applications actually rose 4.7% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. So the higher rates aren’t derailing demand one bit. Not yet, at least. And that “yet” probably won’t come any time soon, either.

Remember, back in the real estate heydays of 2006, interest rates stood at about 6.5%. And that didn’t curb buyers’ enthusiasm one bit. This time won’t be any different, especially since affordability remains near historic lows – and inventories remain depressed, too.

So stay calm and stay long the real estate recovery.

Source: The Scariest Real Estate Chart In All The Land

Hot Canadian Stocks To Watch Right Now

Just as we examine companies each week that may be rising past their fair value, we can also find companies potentially trading at bargain prices. While many investors would rather have nothing to do with companies tipping the scales at 52-week lows, I think it makes a lot of sense to determine whether the market has overreacted to the downside, just as we often do when the market reacts to the upside.

Here's a look at three fallen angels trading near their 52-week lows that could be worth buying.

(Au)Rico suave
Another week and yet another addition from the mining side of the business in AuRico Gold (NYSE: AUQ  ) . AuRico is a Canadian gold miner with land assets in Canada and Mexico, and, like many of its peers, it's been obliterated by the falling price of gold. Relative to many of its peers, it boasts one of the highest trailing P/E ratios and its cash mining costs are roughly middle of the pack at best. Yet I believe that multiple factors are poised to send AuRico significantly higher.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Watch Right Now: NRG Energy Inc.(NRG)

NRG Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a wholesale power generation company. The company engages in the ownership, development, construction, and operation of power generation facilities. It also involves in the transacting in and trading of fuel and transportation services; the trading of energy, capacity, and related products in the United States and internationally; and the supply of electricity, energy services, and cleaner energy and carbon offset products to retail electricity customers in deregulated markets. The company operates natural gas- fired, coal- fired, oil-fired, nuclear, solar, and wind power plants. As of December 31, 2010, it had power generation portfolio of 193 operating fossil fuel and nuclear generation units with an aggregate generation capacity of approximately 24,570 megawatt (MW), as well as ownership interests in renewable facilities with an aggregate generation capacity of 470 MW. The company portfolio also includes appr oximately 24,035 MW generation capacity in the United States, and 1,005 MW generation capacity in Australia and Germany. In addition, it has a district energy business with steam and chilled water capacity of approximately 1,140 megawatts thermal equivalent. NRG Energy, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Cameco Corporation(CCJ)

Cameco Corporation operates as a uranium producer, supplier of conversion services, and fuel manufacturer. The company?s Uranium segment is involved in the exploration for, mining, milling, purchase, and sale of uranium concentrate. Its operating uranium properties include the McArthur River and Key Lake, and Rabbit Lake located in Saskatchewan, Canada; the Crow Butte located in Nebraska and the Smith Ranch-Highland located in Wyoming; and the Inkai uranium deposit located in Kazakhstan. Cameco Corporation?s Fuel Services segment engages in the refining, conversion, and fabrication of uranium concentrate; and the purchase and sale of conversion services. Its products include uranium trioxide, uranium hexafluoride, and uranium dioxide. This segment also manufactures fuel bundles, reactor components, and monitoring equipment to Candu reactors; and provides nuclear fuel and consulting services to Candu operators. The company?s Electricity segment engages in the generation and sale of nuclear electricity, through its 31.6% interest in Bruce Power L.P. This segment operates four nuclear reactors at the Bruce B generating station in southern Ontario, Canada. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mark]

  Canada’s Cameco Corp. (CCJ) is a leading nuclear energy company. As the world’s largest low-cost uranium producer, Cameco satisfies almost 20% of the world’s demand. The company was founded in Saskatoon, Canada, in 1987 and has its roots in gold mining — which still contributes a bit to CCJ’s bottom line.

  Though precious metals are the rage on Wall Street right now, the Cameco’s uranium business is what has the most potential in the current market. As global warming becomes increasingly important to governments around the world, emission-free nuclear power is once again returning to favor.

  President Obama himself made a pitch for nuclear power in a Nevada press stop last week, saying the industry is clean, safe and could create thousands of new jobs. When the U.S. gets behind nuclear power in earnest, it’s sure to mean big things for uranium supplier CCJ.

Top Stocks To Own For 2014: 3M Company(MMM)

3M Company, together with subsidiaries, operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. The company?s Industrial and Transportation segment offers tapes, coated and non-woven abrasives, adhesives, specialty materials, filtration products, energy control products, closure systems for personal hygiene products, acoustic systems products, and components and products that are used in the manufacture, repair, and maintenance of automotive, marine, aircraft, and specialty vehicles. Its Health Care segment provides medical and surgical supplies, skin health and infection prevention products, inhalation and transdermal drug delivery systems, dental and orthodontic products, health information systems, and food safety products. The company?s Display and Graphics offers optical film solutions for LCD electronic displays; computer screen filters; reflective sheeting for transportation safety; commercial graphics sheeting and systems; and mobile interactive solutions, includin g mobile display technology, visual systems products, and computer privacy filters. The company?s Consumer and Office segment provides office supply products, stationery products, construction and home improvement products, home care products, protective material products, certain consumer retail personal safety products, and consumer health care products. Its Safety, Security and Protection Services segment offers personal protection products, safety and security products, cleaning and protection products for commercial establishments, track and trace solutions, and roofing granules for asphalt shingles. The company?s Electro and Communications segment provides packaging and interconnection devices; fluids that are used in the manufacture of computer chips, and for cooling electronics and lubricating computer hard disk drives; high-temperature and display tapes; insulating materials, including tapes and resins; and related items. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Carlson]

  The shares closed at $73.99, up $1.09, or 1.5%, on the day. Its market capitalization is $52.50 billion. About the company: 3M Co. conducts operations in electronics, telecommunications, industrial, consumer and office, health care, safety, and other markets. The Company’s businesses share technologies, manufacturing operations, brands, marketing channels, and other resources. 3M serves customers in countries located around the world.

• [By Jim Cramer,TheStreet]

  The disappointing analyst meeting and the negative previous quarter haunt this stock going into 2011. But if you are like me and believe there will be worldwide growth, you would be nuts not to consider buying this 13% grower for just 15 times earnings. 3M (MMM) has got so much going for it in Asia and has so many new businesses -- it remains the most potent inventor of new products among the major companies I follow -- that I think it will drift back up to its 52-week high of $91, if not higher. Perhaps $100, which I think is my stretch goal, given its $6.16 in composite EPS estimates.

  Why $100? I think the dollar gets weaker, and this is one of the most sensitive companies to the greenback, which means that $6.16 could be too low. Cheap stock that's in the penalty box because of the ever-so-slight shade down of earnings, a shade down that, when I analyze the company, is something that will be left behind in 2011.

• [By Elmerraji]

  3M Company (MMM), together with subsidiaries, operates as a diversified technology company worldwide. The company has raised distributions for 53 years in a row. The 10 year annual dividend growth rate is 6.10%/year. The last dividend increase was 4.80% to 55 cents/share. Analysts are expecting that 3M will earn $6.33/share in 2012. I expect that the quarterly dividend will be raised to 57.50 cents/share sometime in 2012. Yield: 2.60%

Hot Canadian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Imperial Oil Limited(IMO)

Imperial Oil Limited engages in the exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical. The Upstream segment engages in the exploration and production of conventional crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen primarily in the Western Provinces, the Canada Lands, and the Atlantic Offshore. Its primary conventional oil producing asset includes the Norman Wells oil field in the Northwest Territories. The Downstream segment engages in the transportation and refining of crude oil, as well as blending, distribution, and marketing of refined products. It owns and operates crude oil, and natural gas liquids and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. The Chemical segment engages in the manufacture and marketing of various petrochemicals, including ethylene, benzene, aromatic and aliphatic solvents, plasticizer intermediates, and polyethylene resin. As of De cember 31, 2010, Imperial Oil Limited had 1,204 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves; maintained a nation-wide distribution system, including 24 primary terminals, to handle bulk and packaged petroleum products moving from refineries to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and sold petroleum products through 1,850 Esso retail service stations, of which approximately 510 were company owned or leased. The company was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited operates as a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now

LONDON -- �One of Warren Buffett's famous investing sayings is "be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful" -- or, in other words, sell when others are buying, and buy when they're selling.

But we might expect Foolish investors to know that, and looking at what Fools have been buying recently might well provide us with some ideas for good investments.

So, in this series of articles, we're going to look at what customers of The Motley Fool ShareDealing Service have been buying in the past week or so, and what might have made them decide to do so.

Trading at a discount
The major U.K. banks have turned in some fantastic gains in share price over the past 18 months.�Lloyds�leads the pack by some considerable distance, with a 150% rise. But the 68%, 60%, and 42% rises recorded by�Barclays� (LSE: BARC  ) (NYSE: BCS  ) ,�Royal Bank of Scotland, and�HSBC�respectively are also pretty impressive.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: Batm Advanced Communications(BVC.L)

BATM Advanced Communications Ltd. engages in the research, development, production, and marketing of data communication products in the field of local and wide area networks, and premises management systems worldwide. The company offers Ethernet/MPLS aggregation, Ethernet demarcation, multi-service access, fiber-to-the-home and fiber-to-the-business, optical transportation, and wavelength multiplexing products. It also provides TDM products, including multiplexers, SONET products, multi-service IADs, and E/O converters; NMS/EMS products; rugged Ethernet systems; and ATCA hub blades. The company?s data communication products are used by telecommunication carriers and service providers, utilities, municipalities, and government agencies. In addition, the company involves in the research, development, production, marketing, and distribution of medical products, primarily laboratory diagnostic equipment. Further, it offers software services and sterilization products. BATM Ad vanced Communications Ltd. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Kfar Netter, Israel.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: A-sonic Aerospace Limited (A53.SI)

A-Sonic Aerospace Limited, an investment holding company, engages in aerospace engineering and logistics businesses. It supplies aircraft systems and components to airlines and aviation maintenance repair organizations, as well as offers retrofit solutions and aircraft maintenance management services; and provides academic and technical education relating to logistics, transportation, and commerce to industrial and commercial enterprises. The company also engages in the purchase, sale, and lease of aircraft. In addition, it provides supply chain management services; logistic solutions, including international and domestic multi-modal transportation, freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution, and customs clearance; airport ground services for cargo, as well as specialized active and passive packaging solutions; and air cargo management services. Further, the company acts as an air cargo general sales agent for various international airlines. It operates in Asia, sub-con tinent India, the Americas, and Europe. The company is based in Singapore.

5 Best Stocks To Own For 2014: Washington Real Estate Investment Trust(WRE)

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust (REIT). The company engages in the ownership, operation, and development of real properties. The firm invests in real estate markets of the greater Washington D.C. metro region. It focuses on office, medical office, industrial/flex space, retail, and multifamily real estate investments. Washington Real Estate Investment Trust was founded in 1960 and is based in Rockville, Maryland.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: Genesis Land Devel Com Npv (GDC.TO)

Genesis Land Development Corp., a real estate development company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, subdivision, construction, sale, and leasing of land, residential lots and homes, and commercial properties in Alberta and British Columbia. It operates in four divisions: Land Development, Single-Family Home Building, Multi-Family Home Building, and Commercial Development. The Land Development division principally develops residential lots in the cities of Calgary, Airdrie, Edmonton, and Cochrane, Alberta; and in Prince George, Kamloops, and Radium, British Columbia. The Single-Family Home Building division builds and sells single-family homes. The Multi-Family Home Building division builds town homes and apartment complexes. The Commercial division engages in selling, leasing, and developing commercial, industrial, and office properties. The company was formerly known as Genesis Capital Corp. and changed its name to Genesis Land Deve lopment Corp. in October 1998. Genesis Land Development Corp. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: CEMEX SAB de CV (CX)

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (CEMEX), incorporated on January 20, 1931, is a global cement manufacturer with operations in North America, Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The Company is a holding company engaged through the operating subsidiaries in the production, distribution, marketing and sale of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates and clinker. As of December 31, 2009, the Company�� cement production facilities were located in Mexico, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Latvia, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Egypt, the Philippines and Thailand.

The Company manufactures cement through a closely controlled chemical process, which begins with the mining and crushing of limestone and clay, and, in some instances, other raw materials. The clay and limestone are then pre-homogenized, a process which consists of combining different types of clay and limestone. The mix is typically dried, then fed into a grinder, which grinds the various materials in preparation for the kiln. The raw materials are calcined, or processed, at a very high temperature in a kiln, to produce clinker. Clinker is the intermediate product used in the manufacture of cement.

Ready-mix concrete is a combination of cement, fine and coarse aggregates, admixtures (which control properties of the concrete including plasticity, pumpability, freeze-thaw resistance, strength and setting time), and water. The Company is a supplier of aggregates primarily the crushed stone, sand and gravel, used in virtually all forms of construction.

Mexican Operations

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Mexican operations represented approximately 21% of the Company�� net sales. CEMEX Mexico is a direct subsidiary of CEMEX and is both a holding company for some of the operating companies in Mexico and an operating company involved in the manufacturing and ma! rketing of cement, plaster, gypsum, groundstone and other construction materials and cement by-products in Mexico. CEMEX Mexico, indirectly, is also the holding company for the international operations. The Company owns Tolteca, Monterrey, Maya, Anahuac, Campana, Gallo, and Centenario brands in Mexico. As of December 31, 2009, the Company owned 100% of CEMEX Mexico.

The Company competes with Holcim Ltd., Sociedad Cooperativa Cruz Azul, Cementos Moctezuma, Grupo Cementos Chihuahua and Lafarge Cementos in Mexico.

U.S. Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the Company�� operations in the United States represented approximately 19% of the Company�� net sales. As of December 31, 2009, the Company held 100% of CEMEX, Inc. As of December 31, 2009, CEMEX had a cement manufacturing capacity of approximately 17.9 million tons per year in the United States operations. As of December 31, 2009, the Company operated 14 cement plants located in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. As of December 31, 2009, it also had 48 rails or water served active cement distribution terminals in the United States. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had 336 ready-mix concrete plants located in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington and aggregates facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

Spanish Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the operations in Spain represented approximately 5% of the Company�� net sales. As of December 31, 2009, the Company held approximately 99.8% of CEMEX Espana, the main operating subsidiary in Spain. The cement activities in Spain are conducted by CEMEX Espana. The ready-mix concrete activities in Spain are conducted by Hormicemex, S.A., a subsidiary of CEMEX Espana, and the aggregates activities in Spain ar! e conduct! ed by Aricemex S.A., also a subsidiary of CEMEX Espana.

U.K. Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the Company�� operations in the United Kingdom represented approximately 8% of the Company�� net sales. As of December 31, 2009, it held 100% of CEMEX Investments Limited, the holding subsidiary in the United Kingdom. The Company is a provider of building materials in the United Kingdom with vertically integrated cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates and asphalt operations. It is also a provider of concrete and precast materials solutions, such as concrete blocks, concrete block paving, roof tiles, flooring systems and sleepers for rail infrastructure.

The Company competes with Lafarge, Heidelberg, Tarmac, and Aggregate Industries in the United Kingdom.

German Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the operations in the Rest of Europe consisted of the operations in Germany, France, Ireland, Poland, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Austria and Hungary, as well as the other European assets. The Company is a provider of building materials in Germany, with vertically integrated cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates and concrete products operations (consisting mainly of prefabricated concrete ceilings and walls). It maintains a network for ready-mix concrete and aggregates in Germany. As of December 31, 2009, the Company held 100% of CEMEX Deutschland AG, the holding subsidiary in Germany.

The Company competes with Heidelberg, Dyckerhoff, Lafarge, Holcim and Schwenk in Germany.

French Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held 100% of CEMEX France Gestion (S.A.S.), the holding subsidiary in France. It is a ready-mix concrete producer and aggregate producer in France. As of December 31, 2009, the Company operated 239 ready-mix concrete plants in France, one maritime cement terminal located in LeHavre, on the northern coast of France, 20 land distribution centers and 42 aggregates quarries.

The Company competes with Lafarge, Holcim, Italcementi, Vicat, Lafarge, Italcementi, Colas (Bouygues) and Eurovia (Vinci) in France.

Irish Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held approximately 61.2% of Readymix Plc, the operating subsidiary in the Republic of Ireland. The operations in Ireland produce and supply sand, stone and gravel, as well as ready-mix concrete, mortar and concrete blocks. As of December 31, 2009, we operated 43 ready-mix concrete plants, 27 aggregates quarries and 15 block plants located in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. The Company imports and distributes cement in the Isle of Man.

The Company competes with CRH, the Lagan Group and Kilsaran in the Republic of Ireland.

Polish Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held 100% of CEMEX Polska Sp. z.o.o. (CEMEX Polska), the holding subsidiary in Poland. It is a provider of building materials in Poland serving the cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates markets. As of December 31, 2009, CEMEX operated two cement plants and one grinding mill in Poland, with a total installed cement capacity of three million tons per year. As of December 31, 2009, the Company also operated 39 ready-mix concrete plants and nine aggregates quarries in Poland. As of December 31, 2009, the Company also operated 10 land distribution centers and two maritime terminals in Poland.

The Company competes with Heidelberg, Lafarge, CRH and Dyckerhoff in Poland.

Southeast European Operations

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held 100% of CEMEX Hrvatska d.d. (Hrvatska), the operating subsidiary in Croatia. As of December 31, 2009, it operated three cement plants in Croatia, with an installed capacity of 2.4 million tons per year. As of December 31, 2009, the Company also operated ten land distribution centers, three maritime cement terminals, eight ready-mix concrete facilities and one aggregates quarry! in Croat! ia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: ViaSat Inc.(VSAT)

ViaSat, Inc. designs, produces, and markets satellite and other wireless communication, and networking systems for government and commercial customers. The company?s Government Systems segment offers network-centric Internet protocol (IP) based government communications systems, including tactical radio and information distribution systems that enable real-time collection and dissemination of video and data using transmission links between command centers, communications nodes, and air defense systems; information security and assurance products, which enable military and government users to communicate information securely over networks, and that secure data stored on computers and storage devices; and government satellite communication systems, such as portable, mobile, and fixed broadband modems, terminals, network access control systems, and antenna systems. The company?s Commercial Networks segment provides various satellite communication systems and ground networki ng equipment. It offers satellite network infrastructure and ground terminals to access high capacity satellites; antenna systems for terrestrial and satellite applications, such as geo-special imagery, mobile satellite communication, Ka-band gateways, and other multi-band antennas; enterprise very small aperture terminal networks and products; and mobile broadband satellite communication systems. This segment also provides satellite networking systems design and technology development, including the analysis, design, and specification of satellites and ground systems, ASIC and MMIC design and production, and wide area network compression for enterprise networks. The company?s Satellite Services segment provides wholesale and retail satellite-based broadband Internet services, as well as managed network services for the satellite communication systems of its consumer, enterprise, and mobile broadband customers. ViaSat, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Carlsb ad, California.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: Spirent Plc(SPT.L)

Spirent Communications plc operates as a communications technology company in Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Africa. It operates in three segments: Performance Analysis, Service Assurance, and Systems. The Performance Analysis segment provides solutions that test current and next-generation communications technologies in the lab. It develops test solutions for the engineers in the communications industry that allow them to evaluate the performance of the latest technologies, infrastructure, and applications to be deployed worldwide. This segment also offers tools for service technicians and field test engineers to enhance network quality and make troubleshooting of live networks. In addition, it allows network equipment and mobile device manufacturers, service providers, enterprises, and government entities to test and benchmark the performance of their networks, network elements, mobile devices, and services; and delivers solutions, which address high speed E thernet, data center, cloud computing, virtualization, IMS, IPTV, location based services, multi-GNSS satellite technologies, 3G and 4G/LTE wireless, and other technologies. The Service Assurance segment provides network monitoring and field test solutions for live networks. This segment allows service providers to diagnose, troubleshoot, and determine how to resolve issues with networks and systems within the live network. The Systems segment supplies electronic control systems for electrically powered vehicles in the medical mobility and industrial markets. These include vehicles, such as powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as industrial vehicles, including floor cleaning equipment, fork-lift trucks, aerial access platforms, and golf carts. Spirent Communications plc was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Crawley, the United Kingdom.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: Ditech Networks Inc.(DITC)

Ditech Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and markets telecommunications equipment for use in wireline, wireless, satellite, and Internet protocol telecommunications networks worldwide. It offers voice quality enhancement solutions that enable service providers to deliver end-to-end communications to their subscribers, as well as voice applications solutions. The company?s mobile voice quality products include Broadband Voice Processor-Flex, a broadband voice processor system for interface support; Quad II T1 and Quad II E1, which are single modules for echo cancellation and built-in voice enhancement; and Quad Voice Processor-T1 and Quad Voice Processor-E1 that are narrowband voice processors for supporting echo cancellation and the suite of voice quality assurance and experience intelligence software. It also provides voice-to-text transcription services; and voice-based interface with Web and Web-based based applications, including social networking and calendar applicat ions. Ditech Networks, Inc. markets its products through direct sales force, distributors, value-added resellers, system integrators, and agents. The company was formerly known as Ditech Communications Corporation and changed its name to Ditech Networks, Inc. in May 2006. Ditech Networks, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: Pelican Resources Ltd(PEL.AX)

Pelican Resources Limited engages in the exploration of mineral properties in Australia and the Philippines. It explores for nickel, cobalt, copper, iron ore, and gold properties. The company is based in Leederville, Australia.

Top 10 Warren Buffett Companies To Own In Right Now: Porter Bancorp Inc.(PBIB)

Porter Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for PBI Bank that provides commercial and personal banking products and services in Kentucky. The company?s deposit products include checking accounts, savings accounts, term certificate accounts, time deposits, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, fixed rate certificates, and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises residential mortgage, commercial, consumer, and agriculture loans; and real estate loans, including commercial and residential real estate, and real estate construction loans. The company also provides drive-through banking facilities, automatic teller machines, night depository, personalized checks, credit cards, debit cards, Internet banking, electronic funds transfers, domestic and foreign wire transfers, travelers? checks, cash management, vault services, loan and deposit sweep accounts, and lock box services. In addition, Porter Bancorp offers personal trus t services, employer retirement plan services, and personal financial and retirement planning services. As of July 28, 2011, it operated 18 full-service banking offices in Kentucky. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Hot Bank Companies To Invest In Right Now

If you sort the stocks on the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) by price-to-earnings ratio, one thing becomes immediately obvious: Financial companies are some of the cheapest stocks in the market right now. Of the 20 stocks with the lowest P/E multiples, five are insurance companies and three are banks.

While I'm not as well versed in insurance stocks, there are a couple of important things to note here with respect to banks. These companies appear cheap for a reason. Many, like S&P component SunTrust Banks (NYSE: STI  ) , are still atoning for sins committed in the lead up to the financial crisis. Their costs are high because of heightened mortgage-servicing standards and loan-loss provisions while their revenues are down thanks to the compression of interest rates.

Hot Bank Companies To Invest In Right Now: C.A. Bancorp Inc Com Npv (BKP.TO)

C.A. Bancorp Inc. is a private equity firm specializing in management buyouts, acquisitions, expansions, restructurings, refinancing, PIPE transactions of middle-market companies, and other alternative investment opportunities. It also participates in open market purchases, equity investments in private issuers, and privatization of public companies. The firm seeks to invest in industrials, real estate, infrastructure, and financial services. Within industrials, it seeks to invest in mature industrial companies with a focus on manufacturing, distribution, and service sectors. The firm�s investment in real estate includes industrial, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and retail properties. Its infrastructure investment opportunities focus on power generation, transportation, and utilities. Within financial services the firm invests in Canadian and international financial services businesses, including asset managers and investment counselors. From time to time, the firm will seek to invest in Capital Pool Companies within the real estate, infrastructure, and other asset-rich areas. It seeks to invest in the private and public companies based in Canada. The firm�s public investments will focus on mid-market companies trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. It typically invests between $0.5 million and $20 million in companies with enterprise values between $25 million and $200 million. The firm seeks to pursue investments that offer returns between 1.5 percent and three percent. It seeks a board seat in its portfolio companies. The firm exits its investments through sale to strategic buyers or financial investors, open market sales, normal course retirement of securities, refinancing, and public offerings. It was previously known as C.A. Bancorp Ltd. C.A. Bancorp Inc. is based in Ontario, Canada.

Hot Bank Companies To Invest In Right Now: Radware Ltd.(RDWR)

Radware Ltd. provides application delivery solutions and network security solutions to banks, insurance companies, manufacturing and retail, government agencies, media companies, and service providers worldwide. The company offers AppDirector Intelligent Application Delivery Controller for data center optimization and to eliminate traffic surges, server bottlenecks, connectivity disconnects, and downtime for business continuity; and Alteon Application Switch application delivery controller that supports local, global, and transparent load-balance, multi-homing network load-balance, and bandwidth management capabilities. It also provides AppXML, which offers XML and Web services communications for mission-critical applications; AppWall, a Web application firewall (WAF) appliance that secures Web applications; LinkProof that manages wide area networks and Internet traffic for networks; Content Inspection Director, a smart redirection and dynamic policy enforcement device to meet contemporary carrier needs; and Session Initiation Protocol Director, an application delivery controller for application vendors, telecom equipment manufacturers, and system integrators. In addition, the company offers DefensePro Intrusion Prevention and Denial of Service products that protect against worms, bots, viruses, malicious intrusions, and DOS attacks; Inflight, a hardware device that provides online and network-based monitoring solutions; and APSolute Vision, an appliance-based management and monitoring system for information technology staff to centrally manage distributed devices and check the performance and security of enterprise wide application delivery infrastructures. It markets and sells its products primarily through distributors and resellers in North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as directly to select customers in the United States. Radware Ltd. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.

10 Best Stocks To Watch Right Now: Singtel 100 (Z78.SI)

Singapore Telecommunications Limited engages in the operation and provision of telecommunication systems and services primarily in Singapore and Australia. The company also provides facilities management, consultancy, Internet access, and information technology (IT) services; technical, business, and management consultancy services; financial, data communication, telecommunications, mobile phone, narrowband portal content, equipment rental, interactive television, broadcasting, and IT disaster recovery services; and handset insurance and related services. In addition, it engages in the research and development, products and services development, and business partnership activities; venture capital investment holding; operation and provision of cellular mobile telecommunications systems and services; resale of fixed line and broadband services; provision of satellite capacity for telecommunications and video broadcasting services; ownership and chartering of barges; provisi on of storage facilities for submarine cables and related equipment; development and management of online Internet portal; and sale and maintenance of telecommunications equipment, as well as operates as a C1 Satellite contracting party. Further, the company distributes specialized telecommunications and data communication products; invests in telecommunications network infrastructure; distributes prepaid mobile products; operates and maintains fibre optic network between Brisbane and Cairns; manages, provides, and operates a call centre; provides information technology training, communication engineering, system integration, engineering and marketing, and general liaison and support services. Additionally, it develops and resells software; provides infotainment products and services; and operates as a trustee for superannuation scheme. The company is headquartered in Singapore. Singapore Telecommunications Limited is a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited.

The Battle for Your TV Heats Up: Apple and Google's Competing Visions

The following video is from this week's installment of The Motley Fool's Weekly Tech Review, in which Alison Southwick sits down with analysts Eric Bleeker and Lyons George to look at the biggest stories driving the tech sector this week.

The future of television was once again in focus this week. First off, there was a report from former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin that Apple  (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) is actively pitching a television service that would allow viewers to skip ads but would offer compensation back to television networks for the skipped ads. 

Not to be outdone, reports also surfaced that Google  (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) has been actively pitching an online TV service to media companies. Both of these reports come hot on the heels of Intel's (NASDAQ: INTC  ) own negotiations to offer an Internet-based television service through an internally designed set-top box. 

As Eric and Lyons discuss in the following video, all of these services show one thing in common: no cost savings for consumers. They're all focused around more "premium ideas" for the future of television. Intel has reportedly been offering as much as 75% more than the rates channels currently receive from cable. Likewise, Google's deal isn't focused on cost savings, and Apple's has built-in costs for commercial skipping. Instead, the "selling point" for all these services is on a better experience for the television viewer, whether through ideas like ad-skipping or more intuitive user interfaces. No one has ever accused today's cable programming menus of being works of art, which leaves room for technology companies like Apple and Google to improve the television experience. 

That means consumers hoping to see an "un-bundling" of cable will very likely be disappointed by whatever final deal companies like Intel and Apple can strike. The future of television will likely be a better experience, but with media companies holding firm in negotiations, it won't be cheaper either. To see Eric and Lyons' full thoughts, watch the video. 

Want some great stock ideas for the future of television? With every massive tech company circling the space, there are bound to be huge winners in the coming years.The Motley Fool's new free report "Who Will Own the Future of Television?" details the risks and opportunities in TV, as well as detailing some companies which could see their fortunes rise. Click here to read the full report!

Top 10 Casino Stocks To Invest In 2014

Casino gaming specialist�International Game Technology� (NYSE: IGT  ) �announced this morning�its second-quarter dividend of $0.09 per share, a 13% increase from the payout it made last quarter and a 50% hike over the one made a year ago.

The board of directors said the quarterly dividend is payable on July 5 to the holders of record at the close of business on June 20. IGT says the payout�marks the 41st�consecutive quarter it has paid a dividend, which it says is the longest, current streak in the gaming industry.

IGT CEO�Patti Hart said: "We are pleased to announce another significant increase in our quarterly cash dividend.�This is a clear signal that our strategy is driving strong financial performance and that we are committed to returning capital to shareholders in an effective and judicious matter."

Top 10 Casino Stocks To Invest In 2014: Boyd Gaming Corporation(BYD)

Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned and operated 1,042,787 square feet of casino space, containing approximately 25,973 slot machines, 655 table games, and 11,418 hotel rooms. It also owned and operated 16 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and New Jersey. In addition, the company owns and operates a pari-mutuel jai-alai facility located in Dania Beach, Florida, as well as a travel agency in Hawaii. Further, it holds a 50% controlling interest in the limited liability company that operates Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Boyd Gaming Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Hesler]

  Boyd Gaming(BYD) posted a bigger-than-expected drop in its second-quarter earnings, citing weak performance in Las Vegas, the Midwest and the South.

  During the quarter, the casino operator earned $3.4 million, or 4 cents a share, a 73% plunge from $12.8 million, or 15 cents, in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings came in at 5 cents a share, significantly lower than the 10 cents Wall Street predicted for Boyd.

  Boyd's revenue fell 6% to $578.4 million, also short of the consensus of $588 million.

  "The lingering effects of the recession have left consumers unusually sensitive to shifts in the economy, and they now react more quickly to economic data and other developments, such as fluctuations in the stock market," said CEO Keith Smith, in a statement. "Although conditions remain uncertain, we believe long-term stabilizing trends are still in place, and that year-over-year growth is achievable by the end of 2010."

  In the Las Vegas locals market, the rate of decline in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose to 16.2% from 10.8%, J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote in a note. Boyd previously reported a 9.9% decline for its Borgata property in Atlantic City. Revenue came in at $186.9 million, a 2.4% decrease from the year-ago period.

  "We think second-quarter results are less important than the coming operating results in the second-half of 2010, when the Atlantic City market faces increased regional competitive pressures from tables in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and the first Philadelphia casino opens this summer," J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote in a note.

  Greff reaffirmed his underweight rating on Boyd, given increasing competition in Atlantic City, a weak recovery in the Las Vegas locals market and stagnant regional gaming trends.

  While there is no doubt the Atlantic City gaming market remains one of the most depressed, Borgata continues to dominate the market and gain share. Atlant! ic City saw gaming revenues plunge 11.1% in June to $286.8 million. Boyd co-owns Borgata with MGM Resorts, which is currently in the process of divesting its 50% stake.

• [By Jeanine Poggi]

  The Las Vegas locals and Atlantic City markets have the longest road to recovery, making Boyd Gaming (BYD) one of the most challenged stocks in the sector long-term.

  It's not a surprise then that Boyd saw some of the most muted gains in 2010, with shares rising just 13.8% since the beginning of the year.

  In Atlantic City, where Boyd owns a 50% stake in the Borgata, gambling revenue plunged 13% in November. The New Jersey Boardwalk has been under pressure even before the recession began, as nearby regions expand their gaming presence.

  Both West Virginia and Pennsylvania added table games to casinos in the second half of the year and new properties opened in Philadelphia and Maryland. In 2011, Atlantic City will also have to contend with additional growth in Pennsylvania and the pending opening of the Aqueduct in New York City.

  Given this, Boyd decided not to exercise its right to match a $250 million offer MGM Resorts(MGM) received for its 50% stake in the Borgata. MGM decided to divest its joint venture with Boyd after the Atlantic City Gaming Commission criticized its relationship with Pansy Ho in Macau, whose family has allegedly been tied to organized crime in China.

  In the Las Vegas locals market, where Boyd generates about 44% of its EBITDA, trends are improving, but not as quickly as analysts would have hoped. In October, gaming revenue in the market grew 6.2% to $169.4 million.

  In its third quarter, Boyd disappointed Wall Street, with adjusted earnings coming in at 2 cents a share, shy of consensus estimates of 5 cents. Revenue dropped 4% to $595.4 million.

  Boyd also announced plans to sell $500 million of eight-year notes. Proceeds will be used to buy back senior subordinated notes due 2012 and to repay bank loans.

Top 10 Casino Stocks To Invest In 2014: MGM Resorts International(MGM)

MGM Resorts International, through its subsidiaries, primarily owns and operates casino resorts in the United States. The company?s resorts offer gaming, hotel, dining, entertainment, retail, and other resort amenities. It also owns and operates golf courses and a golf club. As of December 31, 2010, the company owned and operated 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi, and Michigan; and has 50% investments in 4 other casino resorts in Nevada, Illinois, and Macau. In addition, MGM Resorts International has an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates a casino resort in Connecticut, to carry the ?MGM Grand? brand name. The company was formerly known as MGM MIRAGE and changed its name to MGM Resorts International in June 2010. MGM Resorts International was founded in 1986 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Hawkinvest]

  MGM Resorts International (MGM) is one of the world's largest hotel and casino companies, based in Las Vegas. Since December, MGM shares have been trading in a range of about $9, to almost $15 per share. The stock is now at the upper limit of the recent trading range which means that the risk of holding or buying this stock right now, could be elevated. MGM shares have rallied with the markets but appear extended and vulnerable to a sell-off. The company has a heavy debt load and it has been reporting losses. The balance sheet has about $13.45 billion in debt and only about $1.97 billion in cash. MGM could be impacted by higher oil prices because many consumers could cut back on spending if they go to Las Vegas, and some might decide not to go at all, and instead opt for a "staycation." With MGM facing challenges and the shares near recent highs, it could make sen se to sell now and buy on dips later this year.

  Here are some key points for MGM:

  Current share price: $14.18

  The 52 week range is $7.40 to $16.05

  Earnings estimates for 2011: a loss of 53 cents per share

  Earnings estimates for 2012: a loss of 39 cents per share

  Annual dividend: none

• [By Goodwin]

  MGM Resorts International(MGM) has the most exposure to the Las Vegas market, making it a bet only for those with thick skin.

  For the second quarter, the casino operator lost $883.5 million, or $2 a share, compared with a loss of $212.5 million, or 60 cents, in the year-ago period.

  A majority of the loss was attributed to a $1.12 billion writedown on its investment in CityCenter in Las Vegas. This is the third time MGM has had to write down CityCenter, as the casino has seen little improvement in operating profit since it opened in December. The $8.5 billion development took a loss of $128 million.

  Excluding this writedown, MGM actually lost 35 cents a share, still significantly more than analysts estimates of a 24-cent loss. MGM's revenue rose 3% to $1.54 billion from $1.49 billion, ahead of analysts' estimates of $1.46 billion.

  Revenue-per-available room on the Las Vegas Strip decreased 2%, although Bellagio and MGM Grand showed improvement, the company said. Occupancy levels slipped to 93% from 94% while the average daily rate fell a dollar to $110. "The Las Vegas operating environment remains difficult, but as we expected, we are seeing a gradual recovery," Chief Executive Officer Jim Murren said in a statement.

  Some of MGM's losses in Las Vegas were offset by its joint venture in Macau with Pansy Ho. MGM Macau earned $40 million, compared with a loss of $8 million last year

  Outside of Vegas, MGM said last week that it agreed to sell land from its Borgata hotel in Atlantic City for $73 million to Vornado Realty Trust and Geyser Holdings. The Borgata land, which is co-owned with Boyd Gaming(BYD), is about 11.3 acres, which would translate into about $6.5 million per acre.

  The transaction still needs to be approved by New Jersey regulators, and is expected to close by the fourth quarter. Once this transaction is complete, MGM will still own about 85 acres of developable land in Atlantic City.

  Earlier in the year, MGM said it planned t! o divest its 50% stake in the Atlantic City casino, which is currently in trust. The casino operator is still in talks with potential buyers of Borgata casino, and hotel and investors will be waiting for an update on its progress when second-quarter earnings are released.

  "We view this [deal] as a very modest positive in that there are still buyers of Atlantic City assets out there, at least at the right price," J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote in a note. "We don't necessarily interpret [the] news as any indication that MGM is closer to selling its 50% stake in Borgata."

10 Best Stocks To Watch For 2014: Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.(PNK)

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns, develops, and operates casinos, and related hospitality and entertainment facilities in the United States. It operates casinos, such as L'Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles, Louisiana; River City Casino and Lumiere Place in St. Louis, Missouri; Boomtown New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana; Belterra Casino Resort in Vevay, Indiana; Boomtown Bossier City in Bossier City, Louisiana; and Boomtown Reno in Reno, Nevada. The company also operates River Downs racetrack in southeast Cincinnati, Ohio. As of May 26, 2011, it operated seven casinos and one racetrack. The company was formerly known as Hollywood Park, Inc. and changed its name to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. in February 2000. Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. was founded in 1935 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeanine Poggi]

  Pinnacle Entertainment(PNK) was the great transition story of 2010, with shares spiking about 45% this year.

  The regional casino operator's most impressive story has been in its gross margins, as management, under the leadership of new CEO Anthony Sanfilippo, is in the process of increasing the company's operating efficiencies and prudently allocating capital. Analysts believe Pinnacle is in the early stages of this process, and will continue to drive revenue growth.

  In its third quarter, Pinnacle reported a surprise profit of 10 cents a share on an adjusted basis, better than consensus estimates of a loss of 7 cents. Revenue grew 15% to $287.8 million, while property-level margins reached 23.4%, also ahead of forecasts.

  Last month, Pinnacle purchased Cincinnati's River Downs Racetrack for $45 million. The deal includes 155 acres, 35 of which are still undeveloped. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2011.

  This deal could generate significant returns in the event that Ohio decides to legalize video lottery terminals at racetracks, Santarelli said.

  Pinnacle is also in the process of looking for a buyer of its oceanfront land in Atlantic City, where it originally intended to build a $1.5 billion casino, before squelching plans. The casino operator bought the land in 2006 for $270 million from groups affiliated with Carl Icahn and later added another piece of land for $70 million.

  While the land's currently value is $38 million, Pinnacle insists it will not sell it on the cheap, holding out for the best deal.

  Pinnacle currently has $228 million in cash and $375 million of availability under its revolver.

Top 10 Casino Stocks To Invest In 2014: Penn National Gaming Inc.(PENN)

Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries own and manage gaming and pari-mutuel properties in the United States. It operates approximately 27,000 gaming machines; 500 table games; and 2,000 hotel rooms in 23 facilities in 16 jurisdictions, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. The company was formerly known as PNRC Corp. and changed its name to Penn National Gaming, Inc. in 1994. Penn National Gaming, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is based in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Quickel]

  Penn National Gaming(PENN) squeaked past its guidance through improved cost controls, and investors praised its efforts.

  But expectations were low, and its upbeat outlook shouldn't be viewed as a message that regional markets are recovering. "Going forward, we project soft regional gaming revenue results over the next three to six months, as we do not expect to see a significant increase in consumer spending patterns given the uncertain economic environment," J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote in a note.

  Penn National raised its full-year earnings guidance to $1.18 from $1.13 a share, and up its revenue outlook by $26 million to $2.44 billion from $2.41 billion.

  During the second quarter, the company earned $9.2 million, or 9 cents a share, compared with $28.5 million, or 27 cents, in the year-ago period. Excluding items, Penn actually earned 29 cents a share, a penny higher than estimates.

  Revenue rose 3% to $598.3 million, higher than the $597.1 million Wall Street projected. The upside was driven by both better revenues and margins and was generally broad-based across many properties, especially larger venues in Charlestown, Lawrenceburg and Grantville, Pa.

  Penn National rolled out table games in West Virginia and Pennsylvania during the quarter, which should be a growth catalyst moving forward. The company also plans to open a slot facility in Maryland on Sept. 30 and expects its Toldeo, Ohio, location to open in the first-half of 2012. Its Columbus project is slated to open in the second-half of 2012.

  The company repurchased 409,000 shares during the quarter. "[This] sends a message to investors on the value of its equity, but perhaps indicating the lack of near-term acquisition opportunities," J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff wrote in a note.

Top 10 Casino Stocks To Invest In 2014: (XTRN)

Las Vegas Railway Express Inc. focuses to re-establish a conventional passenger train service between the Las Vegas and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. It plans to establish a ?Vegas-style? passenger train service. The company is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Top 10 Casino Stocks To Invest In 2014: Wynn Resorts Limited(WYNN)

Wynn Resorts, Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, ownership, and operation of destination casino resorts. The company owns and operates Wynn Las Vegas casino resort in Las Vegas, which includes approximately 22 food and beverage outlets comprising 5 dining restaurants; 2 nightclubs; 1 spa and salon; 1 Ferrari and Maserati automobile dealership; wedding chapels; an 18-hole golf course; meeting space; and foot retail promenade featuring boutiques. Wynn Las Vegas casino resort also features approximately 147 table games, 1 baccarat salon, private VIP gaming rooms, 1 poker room, 1,842 slot machines, and 1 race and sports book. It also owns and operates an Encore at Wynn Las Vegas resort, a destination casino resort located adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas that features a 2,034 all-suite hotel, as well as a casino with 95 table games, 1 sky casino, 1 baccarat salon, private VIP gaming rooms, and 778 slot machines. In addition, the company operates Wyn n Macau casino resort located in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People?s Republic of China. Wynn Macau casino resort features approximately 595 hotel rooms and suites, 410 table games, 935 slot machines, 1 poker room, 1 sky casino, 6 restaurants, 1 spa and salon, lounges, meeting facilities, and retail space featuring boutiques. Further, it operates Encore at Wynn Macau resort located adjacent to Wynn Macau. Encore at Wynn Macau resort features approximately 410 luxury suites and 4 villas, as well as casino gaming space, including a sky casino consisting of 60 table games and 80 slot machines, 2 restaurants, 1 luxury spa, and retail space. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeanine Poggi]

  Wynn Resorts'(WYNN) run up of more than 55% this year has caused Wall Street to question its valuation.

  Currently, eight analysts have a buy rating on Wynn, 16 say hold, two rate it underperform rating and one says to sell the stock.

  "With little on the growth horizon in the intermediate term, new competition from Cotai coming in 2011 and 2012 ... and the unclear timing of a true recovery in Las Vegas, we see few catalysts not yet priced-in to pull valuation higher than current levels," Bain wrote in a note following its third-quarter earnings report.

  During the quarter, Wynn lost $33.5 million, or 27 cents a share, compared with a profit of $34.2 million, or 28 cents, in the year-ago period. The loss was attributed to charges related to servicing its debt. On an adjusted basis, Wynn actually earned 39 cents, matching Wall Street's outlook.

  Total Revenue grew to $1 billion from $773.1 million, better than the $990.8 million analysts predicted.

  In Macau, Wynn reported a 50% surge in revenue to $671.4 million, while EBITDA was $198 million, up 54.5% from $128.2 million in the third quarter of 2009. Earlier in the year the company opened its $600 million Wynn Encore Macau, which added 414 rooms to the market.

  Looking ahead, Wynn expects to break ground on its Cotai development in early 2011. The $2 billion to $3 billion project is slated to open in 2015, and management said it would provide additional details following its fourth-quarter earnings report.

  In Las Vegas, CEO Steve Wynn says the Strip is on the road to recovery. "I believe we have seen the bottom in Las Vegas," he said during the company's third-quarter conference call. "I don't know how fast it is going to get better but it isn't going to get any worse."

  Las Vegas revenue inched up 3.1% to $334.5 million during the three-month period, and EBITDA grew 9.3% to $76.5 million.

  Wynn also issued a cash dividend of $8 a share payable on Dec. 7 to sharehold! ers of record on Nov. 23.

Top 5 High Tech Stocks To Buy For 2014

It may sound incongruous, but the Colombian Army is beefing up its air force -- and hiring Hartford, Conn.-based United Technologies (NYSE: UTX  ) to help.

On Wednesday, United Tech subsidiary announced that its Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary has contracted to sell the Colombian Army two new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, a militarized international version of the famed UH-60 Black Hawk. Colombia already owns and operates five such helos within the Special Forces unit of the Colombian Army's Air Assault Division.

Colombia has long been a fan of Sikorsky's products. Its National Police, Air Force, and Army already operate 96 UH-60L variants which, when combined with the similar S-70is, means Colombia currently has the world's fourth biggest fleet �of these helos -- after South Korea, Turkey, and of course, the U.S. itself.

Top 5 High Tech Stocks To Buy For 2014: Signet Jewelers Limited(SIG)

Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a specialty jewelry retailer in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Channel Islands. The company retails jewelry, watches, and associated services. As of January 28, 2012, it operated a network of 1,318 stores in 50 states in the United States that trade nationally in malls and off-mall locations as ?Kay Jewelers?, and regionally under various mall-based brands, as well as operated as destination superstores under the ?Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry? trade name. The company also operated a network of 535 stores in the United Kingdom, including 14 stores in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in the Channel Islands under the ?H.Samuel?, ?Ernest Jones?, and ?Leslie Davis? trade names in high street locations and shopping malls. Signet Jewelers Limited was founded in 1950 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Top 5 High Tech Stocks To Buy For 2014: Cardtronics Inc.(CATM)

Cardtronics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides automated consumer financial services through its network of automated teller machines (ATMs) and multi-function financial services kiosks. As of December 31, 2011, it offered services to approximately 52,900 devices across its portfolio, which included approximately 46,000 devices located in 50 states of the United States, as well as in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; approximately 3,500 devices throughout the United Kingdom; approximately 2,800 devices throughout Mexico; and approximately 600 devices in Canada. The company also deployed approximately 2,200 multi-function financial services kiosks in the United States. Its ATMs and financial services kiosks offer cash dispensing and bank account balance inquiry services, as well as other consumer financial services, including bill payments, check cashing, remote deposit capture, and money transfer services. In addition, the compan y provides various forms of managed service solution, including monitoring, maintenance, cash management, customer service, and transaction processing services. Further, it partners with national financial institutions to brand its ATMs and financial services kiosks with their logos. As of December 31, 2011, the company had approximately 15,400 company-owned ATMs under contract with financial institutions to place their logos on those machines. Additionally, it provides financial institutions with surcharge-free program through its Allpoint network, as well as owns and operates an electronic funds transfer transaction processing platform that provides transaction processing services to its network of ATMs and financial services kiosks, and ATMs owned and operated by third parties. The company was formerly known as Cardtronics Group, Inc. and changed its name to Cardtronics, Inc. in January 2004. Cardtronics, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

5 Best Stocks To Buy For 2014: SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc.(SSNC)

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. provides software products and software-enabled services to financial services providers primarily in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. Its software products and services allows its clients to automate and integrate front-office functions, such as trading and modeling; middle-office functions, including portfolio management and reporting; and back-office functions comprising accounting, performance measurement, reconciliation, reporting, processing, and clearing. The company?s products and services comprise management/accounting, real-time trading systems, treasury operations, financial modeling, loan management/accounting, property management, money market processing, and training products. Its software-enabled services consist of financial data acquisition, transformation, and delivery services; and business process outsourcing investment accounting and investment operations, hosting of its application softw are, automated workflow integration, automated quality control mechanisms, and interface and connectivity services. The company also offers on- and offshore fund administration services; outsourced administration services and software; real-time trade matching utility and delivery instruction database; securities data services; and broker-neutral and platform-neutral connectivity services. It serves institutional asset management, alternative investment management, and financial institutions vertical markets, as well as commercial lenders, corporate treasury groups, insurance and pension funds, municipal finance groups, and real estate property managers. The company was formerly known as Sunshine Acquisition Corporation and changed its name to SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. in June 2007. SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut.

Top 5 High Tech Stocks To Buy For 2014: VSE Corporation(VSEC)

VSE Corporation focuses on providing sustainment services for the legacy systems and equipment of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD); and professional services to the DoD and federal civilian agencies in the United States. The company?s Federal Group offers legacy equipment sustainment, engineering, technical, management, integrated logistics support, and information technology (IT) services to DoD and other government agencies. The Federal Group provides technical support services; field maintenance and logistics support services for military vehicles and equipment; systems and software engineering, logistics, and prototyping services; and life cycle engineering, and maintenance and refurbishment services. Its International Group offers engineering, industrial, logistics, and foreign military sales services to the U.S. military and other government agencies. The International Group provides program management and technical support services for ship reactivations and tr ansfers; management, maintenance, storage, and disposal support for the U.S. Department of Treasury?s seized and forfeited general property program; and field engineering, logistics, maintenance, and IT services to the U.S. Navy and Air Force. The company?s IT, Energy, and Management Consulting Group offers technical, policy, and management support in the areas of energy efficiency, energy supply, grid modernization, climate change mitigation, and infrastructure protection and resilience; IT services to government agencies; and IT health care solutions to the DoD?s health services and logistics sector. Its Infrastructure Group provides engineering and transportation infrastructure, and construction management services to Federal Civilian agencies. The company?s Supply Chain Management Group supplies vehicle parts through a managed inventory program to the United States Postal Service; and through direct sales to DoD. VSE Corporation was founded in 1959 and is headquarter ed in Alexandria, Virginia.

Top 5 High Tech Stocks To Buy For 2014: Aviva plc (AV)

Aviva plc provides insurance, savings, and fund management products and services worldwide. It offers life insurance and savings products, which comprise pensions products, such as personal and group pensions, stakeholder pensions, and income drawdown; annuities; protection products, including term assurance, mortgage life insurance, flexible whole life, and critical illness cover; bonds and savings comprising single premium investment bonds, regular premium savings plans, mortgage endowment products, and funding agreements; and investment products consisting of unit trusts, individual savings accounts, and open ended investment companies, as well as equity release and structured settlements. The company also provides general and health insurance products that include personal lines of insurance products, such as motor, household, travel, and creditor insurance; commercial lines of insurance products consisting of fleet, liability, and commercial property insurance; health insurance products comprising private health, income protection, personal accident, and corporate healthcare insurance products; and insurance for corporate and specialty risks. In addition, it offers fund management products and services for institutional, pension fund, and retail clients. Aviva plc sells its products through various distribution channels, including direct sales forces, intermediaries, corporate partnerships, bancassurance, and joint ventures, as well as through the telephone and Internet. The company was formerly known as CGNU plc and changed its name to Aviva plc in July 2002. Aviva plc is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now

A renewal in renewables tax credits and incentives have spurred continued growth of wind, solar, and other alternative energy sources. Several utilities took the opportunity of Earth Day to announce their latest acquisitions and advancements. Let's see if these dividend stocks' efforts to go green can put some greenbacks in your portfolio.

Southern goes solar
Southern Company's (NYSE: SO  ) Georgia Power announced today that it is adding on another 250 MW in wind to its power purchases. The renewable energy will be sourced from EDP Renewables' Oklahoma wind farms, and will provide enough power (at peak) to electrify 50,000 Georgia homes. But Georgians will have to wait for wind ��the first purchases aren't scheduled to hit home until 2016.

This latest announcement comes six months after the company announced a similar solar initiative, whereby Southern will contract 210 MW of solar power from customers and solar developers over the next two years. But Southern has a lot of greening to go: 52% of its 43,500 MW of generation capacity comes from coal, with another 30% from oil and gas.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp (KOG)

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (Kodiak) is an independent energy company focused on the exploration, exploitation, acquisition and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States. Kodiak has developed an oil and natural gas asset base of proved reserves, as well as a portfolio of development and exploratory drilling opportunities on high-potential prospects with an emphasis on oil resource plays. The Company�� oil and natural gas reserves and operations are primarily concentrated in the Williston Basin of North Dakota. As of January 31, 2012, it had approximately 169,000 net acres under lease, including 157,000 net acres in the Bakken oil play in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana. In January 2012, the Company acquired Williston Basin oil and gas producing properties and undeveloped leasehold. On January 10, 2012, it acquired certain oil and gas leaseholds, overriding royalty interests and producing properties located in North Dakota.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Caiterra International Energy Corp (CTI.V)

CaiTerra International Energy Corporation (Caiterra), formerly Cyterra Capital Corp., is a Canada-based company is engaged in the exploration and development of oil and gas properties. The Company�� project includes Faust, Amadou and Lac La Biche. On March 9, 2012, the Company completed its qualifying transaction with West Pacific Petroleum Inc. (WPP), pursuant to which the Company acquired all of WPP�� working interests in certain petroleum and natural gas leases and an oil sand lease in the Lac La Biche and Amadou Projects located in Alberta, Canada and certain other assets (the QT Oil and Gas Properties) from West Pacific Petroleum Inc. (WPP). On December 17, 2012 the Company acquired the Faust Property located just north of the Swan Hills oil field and south of the Town of Slave Lake.

10 Best Stocks For 2014: Range Resources Corporation(RRC)

Range Resources Corporation, an independent natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of natural gas properties primarily in the Appalachian and southwestern regions of the United States. The company?s Appalachian region drilling and producing activities include tight-gas, shale, coal bed methane, and conventional natural gas and oil production in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and West Virginia. It owns 4,969 net producing wells, approximately 2,750 miles of gas gathering lines, and approximately 1.8 million gross acres under lease. The company?s Southwestern drilling and producing activities cover the Barnett Shale of North Texas, the Permian Basin of West Texas and eastern New Mexico, the East Texas Basin, the Texas Panhandle, and the Anadarko Basin of Western Oklahoma. It owns 1,954 net producing wells, as well as approximately 886,000 gross acres under lease. As of December 31, 2010, Range Resources Corporation had had 4.4 Tcfe of pr oved reserves. It sells gas to utilities, marketing companies, and industrial users. The company was formerly known as Lomak Petroleum, Inc. and changed its name to Range Resources Corporation in 1998. Range Resources Corporation was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Range Resources Corp. (NYSE:RRC) is an independent natural gas and oil company that explores, develops and acquires primarily natural gas and oil properties in the U.S. This is another stock that is up big, gaining 46% year to date.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Southern Union Company(SUG)

Southern Union Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the gathering, processing, transportation, storage, and distribution of natural gas in the United States. It operates in three segments: Transportation and Storage, Gathering and Processing, and Distribution. The Transportation and Storage segment engages in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas in the Midwest and from the Gulf Coast to Florida. It also provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminalling and regasification services. The Gathering and Processing segment involves in gathering, treating, processing, and redelivering natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) in Texas and New Mexico. It operates a network of approximately 5,500 miles of natural gas and NGL pipelines, 4 cryogenic processing plants with a combined capacity of 415 MMcf/d, and 5 natural gas treating plants with a combined capacity of 585 MMcf/d. The Distribution segment engages in the local distribution of natural gas in Missouri and Massachusetts. This segment serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers through local distribution systems. The company was founded in 1932 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Southern Union Co. (NYSE:SUG) also is involved with the gathering, processing, transportation, storage and distribution of natural gas in the U.S. Southern Union stock has jumped 74% year to date.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Imperial Oil Limited(IMO)

Imperial Oil Limited engages in the exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical. The Upstream segment engages in the exploration and production of conventional crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen primarily in the Western Provinces, the Canada Lands, and the Atlantic Offshore. Its primary conventional oil producing asset includes the Norman Wells oil field in the Northwest Territories. The Downstream segment engages in the transportation and refining of crude oil, as well as blending, distribution, and marketing of refined products. It owns and operates crude oil, and natural gas liquids and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. The Chemical segment engages in the manufacture and marketing of various petrochemicals, including ethylene, benzene, aromatic and aliphatic solvents, plasticizer intermediates, and polyethylene resin. As of De cember 31, 2010, Imperial Oil Limited had 1,204 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves; maintained a nation-wide distribution system, including 24 primary terminals, to handle bulk and packaged petroleum products moving from refineries to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and sold petroleum products through 1,850 Esso retail service stations, of which approximately 510 were company owned or leased. The company was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited operates as a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Archer Ltd (ARCHER)

Archer Ltd, formerly Seawell Limited is a Bermuda-based global oilfield service company. The Company provides drilling services, such as platform drilling, land drilling, modular rings, directional drilling, drill bits, tubular services, drilling and completion fluids, cementing tools, plugs and packers, underbalanced services, rentals and engineering. It specialises also in well services, such as wireline intervention, specialist intervention, frac valves, wireline logging, integrity diagnostics, imaging, production monitoring, coiled tubing, completion services and fishing. As of January 3, 2012, the Company's organizational structure centered on four geographic and strategic areas: North America (NAM), North Sea (NRS), Latin America (LAM) and Emerging Markets & Technologies (EMT). As of December 31, 2010, it was active through a number of subsidiaries, namely Seawell, Allis-Chalmers Energy, Gray Wireline, Rig Inspection Services and TecWel, among others.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA (HRTPY.PK)

HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA, formerly BN 16 Participacoes Ltda, is a Brazil-based holding company engaged in the oil and gas industry. The Company is primarily involved in the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and natural gas in Brazil and Namibia. Through its subsidiaries, it is active in the geophysical and geological research, exploration, development, production, import, export and sale of oil and natural gas, as well as in the provision of air logistics services in transporting people and equipment related to oil and gas activities in the exploratory campaign in the Solimoes Basin. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had seven subsidiaries, including Integrated Petroleum Expertise Company Servicos em Petroleo Ltda (IPEX), HRT O&G Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo Ltda, HRT Netherlands BV, HRT America Inc, HRT Africa, HRT Canada Inc and Air Amazonia Servicos Aereos Ltda.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: ATP Oil And Gas Corp (AOB)

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation, incorporated in 1991, is engaged in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas properties. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had estimated net proved reserves of 118.9 Million barrels of crude oil equivalent (MMBoe), of which approximately 75.9 MMboe (64%) were in the Gulf of Mexico and 42.9 MMBoe (36%) were in the North Sea. The reserves consisted of 78.6 Million barrels (MMBbls) of oil (66%) and 241.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas (34%). Its proved reserves in the deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico account for 62% of the Company�� total proved reserves and its proved reserves on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf account for 2% of its total proved reserves. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired three licenses in the Mediterranean Sea covering potential natural gas resources in the deepwater off the coast of Israel (East Mediterranean). On August 17, 2012, ATP Oil And Gas Corp filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The Company�� natural gas reserves are split between the Gulf of Mexico (57%) and the North Sea (43%). Of its total proved reserves, 8.3 MMBoe (7%) were producing, 19.0 MMBoe (16%) were developed and not producing and 91.6 MMBoe (77%) were undeveloped. The Company�� average working interest in its properties at December 31, 2011, was approximately 81%. The Company operates 92% of its platforms. At December 31, 2011, in the Gulf of Mexico, it owned leasehold and other interests in 38 offshore blocks and 49 wells, including 23 subsea wells. The Company operates 43 (88%) of these wells, including 100% of the subsea wells. In the North Sea, it also had interests in 13 blocks and two Company-operated subsea wells. As of March 15, 2011, the Company owned an interest in 13 platforms, including two floating production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, the ATP Titan at its Telemark Hub and the ATP Innovator at its Gomez Hub. It operates the ATP Innovator and the ATP Titan.

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Nexen Inc.(NXY)

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

Top 10 Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Apache Corporation(APA)

Apache Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. The company has exploration and production interests in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Coast, east Texas, the Permian basin, the Anadarko basin, and the Western Sedimentary basin of Canada; and onshore Egypt, offshore Western Australia, offshore the United Kingdom in the North Sea, and onshore Argentina, as well as on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego. Apache Corporation sells its natural gas to local distribution companies, utilities, end-users, integrated oil and gas companies, and marketers; and crude oil to integrated oil companies, marketing and transportation companies, and refiners. As of December 31, 2009, it had total estimated proved reserves of 1,067 million barrels of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids, as well as 7.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The company was founded in 1954 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dennis Slothower]

  Apache Corp. (NYSE:APA): Down 1.15% to $82.73. Apache Corporation is an independent energy company. The Company explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. The Company has operations in North America, onshore Egypt, offshore Western Australia, offshore the United Kingdom in the North Sea (North Sea), and onshore Argentina, as well as on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego.

• [By Sherry Jim]

  Apache Corp (NYSE: APA): APA is the largest US energy stock in Cramer’s trust. As of Feb. 15, the fund owns 1050 shares of APA, which is worth about $113,000. APA is also quite popular among hedge funds. At the end of the third quarter, there were 30 hedge funds with APA positions. Jean-Marie Eveillard’s First Eagle Investment Management had $147 million invested, and Ric Dillon and Boykin Curry were also bullish about the stock, each with more than $100 million invested in APA at the end of September.

  We agree with these hedge fund managers. In late January, APA announced that it agreed to acquire Cordillera Energy Partners III LLC for $2.85 billion. Cordillera has nearly 254,000 net acres in the Anadarko Basin of Texas. It also has reserves of 71.5 million barrels of oil equivalent and its current net production is about 18,000 barrels per day. The acquisition will also provide APA with about 14,000 potential drilling locations. APA is already trading at attractive multiples. Its forward P/E ratio is 8.78 and its EPS is expected to grow at 11.22% on the average per year over the next five years. So its P/E ratio for 2014 is only 7.02.