The Latest iPad Rumors

Source: Apple.

Next to the iPhone, the iPad ranks second among Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) most important product lines. iPad sales account for approximately 20% of the company's revenue. The Mac ranks lower, at about 12.5% of revenue. The iPad segment is crucial to Apple's business, and for more reasons than its share of revenue. On that note, it's time for a brief rumor roundup of Apple's upcoming iPad refresh.

The importance of the iPad
Apple CEO Tim Cook loves to talk about Apple's dominance in tablets -- especially in the areas of usage. "People are using our products substantially more than anyone else's," Cook boasted at the Worldwide Developers Conference's opening keynote on June 10. "If you look at iPads compared to all other tablets, it's not even comparable -- iPad is over four times more."

Source: Apple.com.

Furthermore, Apple's tablets also account for a larger share of the tablet market than the iPhone does in the smartphone market. According to IDC, Apple's share of the tablet market in the first quarter of 2013 was 39.6%, compared with a 17.3% share of the smartphone market. Though Apple's share in tablets is notably lower than it was in the year-ago quarter, Apple still leads the tablet market.

Finally, Apple's iPad segment is is currently its fastest-growing segment. iPad revenue in Apple's second quarter was up almost 40% from the year-ago quarter. Comparatively, iPhone revenue was up just 3%.

These are just a few of the reasons the iPad is so important for Apple investors. That's why Apple's next move in the tablet market will be an important one.

So what might Apple have up its sleeve?

The rumors
About the only consistent rumor about Apple's next refresh of its iPad lineup is that the iPad 5 will take cues from the iPad Mini. For instance, most rumors suggest that the new iPad will be narrower, thinner, and lighter than the iPad 4, taking on the same beveled edges of its smaller counterpart.

Source: MacRumors.

But it doesn't take an insider tip to make an assumption like this. The iPad would seem out of place if it didn't eventually take on some of the hardware features from the newest addition to the family.

Though the rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, here are a few other circulating rumors about the upcoming refresh of the iPad line.

The full-sized iPad 5 will begin full production in July (Digitimes).  The iPad 5 could launch as early as September (again, Digitimes). Apple will launch a new iPad Mini later this year, but without a Retina display (DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim). 

Apple investors will definitely be happy to see changes to the iPad's form factor. Though, as the rumors suggest, investors probably already expect considerable change in this area. Even more, investors are probably already expecting an iPad refresh later this year; it was last October that Apple introduced the iPad Mini and refreshed its full-sized iPad -- and Apple tends to refresh its iPhone and iPad line once a year.

All in all, these rumors don't really tell us much -- but at least they suggest Apple is on schedule with its second most important product line.

Apple has a history of cranking out revolutionary products ... and then creatively destroying them with something better. Read about the future of Apple in the free report, "Apple Will Destroy Its Greatest Product." Can Apple really disrupt its own iPhones and iPads? Find out by clicking here.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Wireless industry investors are likely transfixed by Sprint Nextel's (NYSE: S  ) current limbo regarding acquisitions and suitors. Beyond overt headlines, Sprint has a covert secret that makes its business more interesting for the long term -- and even transformative for the wireless industry at large. Given this factor, I wish I could put Sprint on the watchlist for the real-money Prosocial Portfolio I'm managing for Fool.com.

However, I am paying attention to this stock, but I just can't buy. Here's why.

Headline drama
Who will acquire Sprint has been making major headlines this week. Japan's SoftBank made a $20.1 billion offer for the wireless company, but DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH  ) made an unsolicited $25.5 billion offer.

DISH has criticized the SoftBank deal, floating the argument that if the Japanese company buys Sprint, it could open the U.S. up to security issues, such as Chinese cyberattacks.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Littelfuse Inc.(LFUS)

Littelfuse, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells circuit protection devices for use in the automotive, electronic, and electrical markets in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. The company offers electronic circuit protection products, such as fuses and protectors, positive temperature coefficient resettable fuses, varistors, polymer electrostatic discharge suppressors, discrete transient voltage suppression diodes, TVS diode arrays and protection thyristors, gas discharge tubes, and power switching components, as well as fuseholders, blocks, and related accessories under PICO II, and NANO2 SMF, TECCOR, SIDACtor, and Battrax brand names. It offers its electronic circuit protection products for use in wireless telephones, consumer electronics, computers, modems, telecommunications equipment, telephones, data transmission lines, and alarm systems. The company also provides automotive fuses that are used in automobiles, trucks, buses, and off-road equipment to protec t electrical circuits and the wires that supply electrical power to operate lights, heating, air conditioning, radios, windows, and other controls, as well as offers fuses for the protection of electric and hybrid vehicles. It markets its automotive fuse products under ATO, MINI, MAXI, MIDI, MEGA, MasterFuse, JCASE, and CablePro brand names. In addition, Littelfuse manufactures various low-voltage and medium-voltage circuit protection products, such as power fuses that are used in the protection from over-load and short-circuit currents in motor branch circuits, heating and cooling systems, control systems, lighting circuits, and electrical distribution networks to electrical distributors and their customers in the construction, original equipment manufacturers, and industrial maintenance and repair and operating supplies markets. Littelfuse sells its products through direct sales force and manufacturers? representatives. The company was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Headlam Grp(HEAD.L)

Headlam Group plc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the sale, marketing, supply, and distribution of floor covering and other ancillary products. It primarily offers carpets, residential vinyl, laminate, wood, and vinyl tiles. The company provides its products to independent flooring retailers and contractors in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Headlam Group plc is headquartered in Birmingham, the United Kingdom.

Top Construction Material Stocks To Watch Right Now: Royal Gold Inc.(RGLD)

Royal Gold, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, acquires and operates precious metals royalties. The company owns royalty interests in various production, development, evaluation, and exploration stage projects, which explore for gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc metals. It holds royalty interests in properties located in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, the Russia Federation, Spain, and Tunisia. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Vatalyst]

  Headquartered in Denver, Colorado and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “RGLD,” and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “RGL.”, Royal Gold, Inc. owns and manages royalties on gold and other precious metal production in some of the world's most prolific gold regions. This stock posted a 15% return this year and more than 90% quarterly earnings growth rate. Royal Gold Inc., has a market capitalization of $2.88 billion and a trailing P/E ratio of 75.7x. RGLD is expected to earn $0.09 per share in 2012.

  As a royalty company, Royal Gold is also primarily an investor, so it painstakingly chooses its portfolio investment while eliminating the operational risks. RGLD's current stock price ($65.4) shows a positive sign as it is within 15% of the 52-week high ($67.29) and is showing good relative strength to the market. Notable strengths are low gearing and positive cash flow from operations even though ownership is mostly external to the company. Analysts refer to the stock as an ‘uncut gem’ due to its small capitalization still under the institutional buying radar, so no surprises when this stock really takes off.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Bandera Gold Ltd. (BGL.V)

Bandera Gold Ltd., a junior natural resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Colombia and Mexico. It holds 80% interest in the Belmira gold-silver project, which covers an area of approximately 6,845 hectares of property area located in Colombia, South America. The company also has 60% interests in Cinco Minas project that covers approximately 10,750 hectares located approximately 100 km northwest of the City of Guadalajara, Mexico; and Gran Cabrera project covering an area of approximately 4,300 hectares located approximately 35 km northwest of Cinco Minas, Mexico. Bandera Gold Ltd. was incorporated in 1993 and is based in Edmonton, Canada.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: MercadoLibre Inc.(MELI)

MercadoLibre, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, hosts online commerce and payments platforms in Latin America. Its services are designed to provide its users with mechanisms to buy, sell, pay for, and collect on e-commerce transactions. The company principally offers MercadoLibre marketplace, an automated online commerce service, which permits businesses and individuals to list items and conduct their sales and purchases online in a fixed-price or auction-based format. Its MercadoLibre marketplace enables registered users to list and purchase motor vehicles, vessels, aircraft, real estate, and other services through online classified listings; and Internet users to browse through various products and services that are listed on its Website and to register with MercadoLibre to list, bid for, and purchase items and services. The company also provides MercadoPago, an integrated online payments solution to facilitate transactions on and off the MercadoLibre marketplace by providing a mechanism that allows its users to send and receive payments online. In addition, it offers MercadoClics advertising program that allows businesses to promote their products and services on the Internet. This program enables users and advertisers to place, display, and/or text advertisements on its Web pages to promote their brands and offerings. Further, the company provides MercadoShops on-line stores solution, a software-as-a-service, which allows users to set-up, manage, and promote their own on-line Webstores. As of December 31, 2010, the company operated online commerce platforms directed towards Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela; online payments solutions directed towards Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, and Colombia; and a real estate classified platform that covers various areas in Florida. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By McWillams]

  MercadoLibre (MELI), located in Argentina, is the eBay of South and Central America — in fact, eBay (EBAY) owns 18% of the company. Most sellers are businesses. Growth is virtually assured. The barrier to entry is very high. And profit margins are over 20%. MercadoLibre is the smallest company of these 9, as measured by revenues.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: NVIDIA Corp (NVDA.F)

NVIDIA Corporation (NVIDIA), incorporated on February 24, 1998, is engaged in creating the graphics chips used in personal computers (PCs). The Company operates in three segments: graphics processing unit (GPU) Business, professional solutions business (PSB) and consumer products business (CPB). Its mobile processors are used in cell phones, tablets and auto infotainment systems. Designers use GPUs to create visual effects in movies and create everything from golf clubs to jumbo jets. NVIDIA solutions are based on two technologies: the GPU and the mobile processor. GPUs are the engines of visual computing, the science and art of using computers to understand, create and enhance images. It has three GPU product brands: GeForce, which creates visual experiences for gamers; Quadro, which is engaged in visual computing for designers and digital artists, and Tesla, which accelerates applications for scientists and researchers. Tegra is its mobile processor and is built for a pplications ranging from smartphones, tablets and notebook PCs to televisions and cars. During the fiscal year ended January 29, 2012 (fiscal 2012), it acquired Icera Inc.In fiscal 2012, it launched Project Maximus, which uses the compute power of Tesla with the visualization power of Quadro to merge the design and simulation stages into one workstation. In May 2012, the Company and Intellectual Ventures announced that they jointly acquired a set of patents developed and owned by IPWireless. The portfolio comprises approximately 500 patents granted and pending in the wireless communications area, including concepts in LTE, LTE-Advanced and 3G/4G technologies.

GPU Business

The Company�� GPU business revenue includes primarily sales of its GeForce discrete and chipset products that support desktop and notebook PCs plus license fees from Intel and sales of memory products. It also accelerates video editing and high definition (HD), content creation by consumers. GeForce GPUs power PCs made by or distributed! ! by PC original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), in the world. Its media and communications processor (MCP) chipsets primarily comprised of its ION motherboard GPUs, a product reaching the end of its life cycle.

Professional Solutions Business

The Company�� PSB consists of its Quadro professional workstation products and its Tesla computing products. Its Quadro products are designed to deliver the graphics performance and application compatibility for professionals. Tesla applies the processing power of its GPUs to general-purpose computing problems. Quadro products add functionality, such as photorealistic rendering, to computer-aided design workstations, and are used in professional video editing applications and for generating special effects in movies. Tesla is used in supercomputing centers and in oil exploration; other applications include accelerating drug discovery, weather simulations and derivative price modeling.

Consumer P roducts Business

The Company�� CPB includes its Tegra system-on-chip products for smartphones, tablets, automotive infotainment systems, and other similar devices, and Icera baseband processors. The Tegra revenues are generated by sales in smart phones and tablets. CPB also includes license, royalty, other revenue and associated costs related to video game consoles and other digital consumer electronics devices. NVIDIA Tegra mobile products implement design techniques, both inside the chips and at the system level. These technologies enhance visual display capabilities, connectivity and minimize chip and system-level power consumption. During fiscal 2012, it launched Tegra 3, quad-core mobile computing chip, bringing PC levels of performance within the power envelope of a cellular phone chip. It also launched DirectTouch.

The Company competes with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel, Matrox Electronics Systems Ltd., VIA Technologies, Inc., ARM Hol dings plc, Broadcom Corporation, Freescale Semiconducto! r Inc! .,! Fujits! u Limited, Imagination Technologies Ltd., Intel, Marvell Technology Group Ltd., NEC Corporation, Qualcomm Incorporated, Renesas Technology Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Seiko Epson Corporation, ST-Ericsson, Texas Instruments Incorporated, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., Imagination Technologies Group plc., HiSilicon Technologies Co., Ltd., Mediatek, Qualcomm Incorporated, Spreadtrum Communications Co., Ltd and ST-Ericsson.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Zynga Inc (ZNGA)

Zynga Inc. (Zynga), is a provider of social game services with 240 million average monthly active users over 175 countries. The Company develops, markets and operates online social games as live services played over the Internet and on social networking sites and mobile platforms. The Company�� games are accessible on Facebook, other social networks and mobile platforms to players globally, wherever and whenever they want. It operates its games as live services. All of its games are free to play, and it generates revenue through the in-game sale of virtual goods and advertising. In March 2012, the Company acquired New York-based social game developer OMGPOP, makers of the cultural hit mobile game, Draw Something, and over 35 additional social games. In 2012, the Company launched several new games, including Hidden Chronicles, Zynga Bingo, Scramble With Friends, Slingo and Dream Heights.

Social Games

The Company designs its social games to provide players with shared experiences. Its social games leverage the global connectivity and distribution on Facebook, other social networks and mobile platforms, such as Apple iOS and Google Android. Its games are free to play, span a number of genres. It operates its games as live services and updates them with content and features. Its games include CityVille, Zynga Poker, FarmVille, CastleVille, FrontierVille, Mafia Wars and Word with Friends.

Virtual Goods

The Company�� primary revenue source is the sale of virtual currency, which players use to buy in-game virtual goods. Some forms of virtual currency are earned through game play, while other forms can only be acquired for cash or, in some cases, by accepting promotional offers from its advertising partners.

Advertising

The Company�� advertising services offer ways for marketers and advertisers to reach and engage with its players. Its advertising offerings include branded virtual goods and sponsorships, engagement ads, mobil! e ads and display Ads. It offers branded virtual goods and sponsorships integrate advertising within game play; Engagement Ads and Offers, in which players can answer certain questions or sign up for third party services to receive virtual currency; Mobile Ads through ad-supported free versions of its mobile games such as Words with Friends and Display Ads in its online web games include banner advertisements.

The Company competes with Crowdstar, Inc., DeNA, Electronic Arts Inc., King.com, The Walt Disney Company, Vostu, Ltd. wooga GmbH, Amazon.com, Inc., Facebook, Inc., Google Inc., Microsoft Corporation , Tencent Holdings Limited, Apple, Electronic Arts, GREE, DeNA Co. Ltd., Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Rovio Mobile Ltd , Storm8, Inc., Activision Blizzard, Inc., Big Fish Games, Inc., Electronic Arts, SEGA of America, Inc., and THQ Inc..

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tamara Rutter]

  Moving on, Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA  ) comes in at a close second, with the stock down more than 73% year to date. Admittedly, the social game developer has been my worst stock pick to date.

  As it stands, Zynga generates a majority of its revenue from Facebook. This means that much of the company's future success hinges on its ability to expand from a Web game maker to a multiplatform game maker. Investors should stay on the sidelines for now as Zynga focuses on cutting costs and becoming less reliant on Facebook.

  Speaking of the world's most popular social network, shares of Facebook are down nearly 30% year to date. The company hit the public market on May 18, with shares priced at $38 apiece. Today the stock trades around $26 a pop. Like so many investors, I want to see Facebook make meaningful inroads into mobile before I invest in the company.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Dairy Crest Grp(DCG.L)

Dairy Crest Group plc, a dairy foods company, processes and sells fresh milk and branded dairy products in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe. The company offers various cheese products, including cheddar cheese under Cathedral City and Davidstow brands; butters and spreads under the Country Life, Clover, and St Hubert brands; conventional, organic, and flavored milk in retailer own brand bottles or Country Life brand; milk in bags; potted creams; and retail products and ingredients, such as milk powders, butter, and stabilized cream for the food industry. Its brands also include FRijj, Chedds, Utterly Butterly, Vitalite, and Willow. Dairy Crest Group also provides a range of catering and retail convenience essentials, and dairy products to catering, hotel, restaurant, cafe and coffee shop, school and university, hospital and care-home, and retail convenience store customers. The company was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Esher, the United Kingdom.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Old Second Bancorp Inc.(OSBC)

Old Second Bancorp, Inc. operates as a bank holding company for Old Second National Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services. It offers various consumer and commercial products and services, including demand, NOW, money market, savings, time deposit, individual retirement, and Keogh deposit accounts. The company also provides business loans comprising lines of credit for working capital and operational purposes; term loans for the acquisition of equipment; commercial and residential real estate loans; construction loans; and consumer loans, such as motor vehicle, home improvement, home equity, signature loans, and small personal credit lines. In addition, the company offers installment lending services comprising direct and indirect loans to consumers and commercial customers; and residential mortgages, which include conventional, government, and jumbo loans, as well as provides a range of trust, investment, agency, and custodial services for individual, c orporate, and not-for-profit clients. Further, it offers wealth management services; and additional services, such as the acquisition of the United States treasury notes and bonds, the sale of traveler?s checks, money orders, cashier?s checks and foreign currency, direct deposit, discount brokerage, debit and credit cards, and other special services. Additionally, the company provides electronic banking services that comprise Internet banking; and corporate cash management products consisting of remote deposit capture, investment sweep accounts, zero balance accounts, automated tax payments, ATM access, telephone banking, lockbox, automated clearing house transactions, account reconciliation, controlled disbursement, detail and general information reporting, wire transfers, vault services for currency and coin, and checking accounts. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 27 branches and 1 satellite facility in Illinois. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered i n Aurora, Illinois.

Top 10 Long Term Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Gordmans Stores Inc.(GMAN)

Gordmans Stores, Inc. operates department stores under the Gordmans name in the United States. Its merchandise selection includes a range of apparel, footwear, home fashions products, and accessories, including fragrances. The company offers apparels, including young men?s, men?s, juniors?, women?s, team, plus sizes, maternity, and children?s clothing comprising offerings for infants, toddlers, boys, and girls; and accessories consisting of designer fragrances, intimate apparel, handbags, sunglasses, fashion jewelry, legwear, and sleepwear. Its home fashions products consist of wall art, photo frames, accent furniture, accent lighting, candles, ceramics, vases, seasonal d�or, floral and garden, gourmet food and candy, toys, luggage, pet accessories, housewares, decorative pillows, fashion rugs, and bedding and bath products. As of January 28, 2012, the company operated 74 stores located in various shopping center developments, including regional enclosed shopping ma lls, lifestyle centers, and power centers in 16 Midwestern states. Gordmans Stores, Inc. was founded in 1915 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014

If consistency is what you want, then the announcement by�Lufkin Industries� (NASDAQ: LUFK  ) �that�it will pay a�quarterly cash dividend�of�$0.125 per share on June 10 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 3, is what you want. The oilfield industry services provider has paid that rate consistently every quarter for the last five years. It has paid a quarterly dividend every year since 1990.

The new dividend annualizes to $0.50 per share, and yields 0.6% at the closing price of Lufkin Industries' stock on May 2.

LUFK Dividend data by YCharts

More Expert Advice from The Motley Fool

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5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: TOTALLY HIP TECHNOLOGIES INC.(THP.V)

Totally Hip Technologies Inc. engages in the development and marketing of interactive Web development technologies primarily in the United States and Canada. The company offers LiveStage Professional software, a QuickTime authoring application with the ability to converge approximately 200 media types to create the interactive digital presentations; LiveSlideShow, an application to create a slideshow to send through email or post on the Internet; HipFlics, which offers an economical mainstream solution for video and audio compression; and WebPainter, a tool for creating Web animations and graphics. It also provides project management, product support, and professional services for businesses and technology professionals. The company primarily sells its products through its online store. Totally Hip Technologies Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: 1-800 FLOWERS.COM Inc.(FLWS)

1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, operates as a florist and gift retailer in the United States. The company offers a range of products, including fresh-cut flowers, floral arrangements and plants, gifts, popcorn, gourmet foods and gift baskets, cookies, chocolates, candy, and wine through its telephonic and online sales channels, company-owned and operated retail floral stores, and franchised stores. It provides gourmet gifts, such as popcorn and specialty treats through thepopcornfactory.com; cookies and baked gifts through cheryls.com; chocolates and confections through fanniemay.com and harrylondon.com; gift baskets and towers through 1800baskets.com; Celebrations brand party ideas and planning tips through celebrations.com; and customizable invitations, announcements, and greeting cards through finestationery.com. As of July 3, 2011, the company operated 2 floral retail stores, 1 fulfillment center, and approximately 100 franchised stores located within the United States. It has strategic online relationships with Facebook, Google, AOL, Yahoo!, and Microsoft. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Carle Place, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Curtis Hesler]

  1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is a florist and gift shop. The company offers a range of products, including fresh-cut flowers, floral arrangements and plants, gifts, popcorn, gourmet foods and gift baskets, cookies, chocolates, candy and wine. Its EPS forecast for the current year is 0.05 and next year is 0.12. According to consensus estimates, its topline is expected to decline 1.91% current year and grow 4.91% next year. It is trading at a forward P/E of 26 Out of four analysts covering the company, one is positive and has a buy recommendation and three have hold ratings.

Top Canadian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Petroquest Energy Inc(PQ)

PetroQuest Energy, Inc. operates as an independent oil and gas company. It engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of oil and gas properties in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, as well as onshore and in the shallow waters offshore the Gulf Coast Basin. As of December 31, 2009, the company had estimated proved reserves of 1,931 thousand barrels of oil and 167,361 million cubic feet equivalent of natural gas. It owned working interests in 9 net producing oil wells and 277 net producing gas wells. PetroQuest Energy was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By SmallCap Investor]

  Shares traded sharply higher after the oil and gas explorer issued an operational update that revealed details of a discovery at its La Cantera site in Louisiana. Raymond James analysts bumped the stock rating to market perform based on the new findings and an improving balance sheet.

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Balfour Beatty plc(BBY.L)

Balfour Beatty plc engages in infrastructure business primarily in the United Kingdom and the United States. The company operates in four divisions: Professional Services, Construction Services, Support Services, and Infrastructure Investments. The Professional Services division provides program and project management, architectural, project design, technical, planning, and consultancy services to the infrastructure market. The Construction Services division offers building, civil and ground engineering, rail engineering, refurbishment and fit-out, construction management, and mechanical and electrical services. The Support Services division upgrades and maintains water, gas, and electricity networks; manages, operates, and maintains highways networks; and provides total facilities management, business services outsourcing, and energy services, as well as rail renewal services. The Infrastructure Investment division operates a portfolio of long-term public-private partners hips (PPPs) concessions in the United Kingdom primarily in the education, health, and roads/street lighting sectors, as well as in non-PPP assets in the United Kingdom. This division also operates a portfolio of long-term military accommodation PPP concessions in the United States. The company has a strategic partnership with Autodesk. The company was founded in 1909 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Eltek Ltd.(ELTK)

Eltek Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells printed circuit boards (PCBs), including high density interconnect multi-layered and flex-rigid boards primarily in Israel, Europe, and North America. The company offers a range of custom designed PCBs, such as complex rigid, double-sided, and multi-layer PCBs, as well as flexible circuitrym made of various types of high-performance base material. It offers its products to manufacturers of medical equipment, defense and aerospace equipment, industrial equipment, and telecom and networking equipment, as well as contract electronic manufacturers. The company markets and sells its products through direct sales personnel, sales representatives, and agreements with PCB trading and manufacturing companies. Eltek Ltd. was founded in 1970 and is based in Petach Tikva, Israel.

Investors Don't Care About the Too-Big-to-Fail Stigma

Yesterday, AIG, Prudential, and GE Capital confirmed being tapped as "systematically important financial institutions," and MetLife is also reportedly expected to confirm being named as well. 

However, shares of all four opened higher today.

In this video, Motley Fool financial analyst David Hanson talks about the group and tells investors if he thinks this is a big deal.

AIG's stock has been a favorite among hedge fund managers. Have they identified the next big multi-bagger, or are the risks facing the insurance giant still too great? In The Motley Fool's premium report on AIG, Financials Bureau Chief Matt Koppenheffer breaks down the key issues you need to know about if you want to successfully invest in this stock. Simply click here now to claim your copy, and you'll also receive a full year of key updates and expert analysis as news continues to develop.

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More Expert Advice from The Motley Fool

The Motley Fool's chief investment officer has selected his No. 1 stock for the next year. Find out which stock in our brand-new free report: "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2013." I invite you to take a copy, free for a limited time. Just click here to access the report and find out the name of this under-the-radar company.

Hot Restaurant Companies To Invest In Right Now

DETROIT (AP) -- The only two McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) restaurants in the United States that serve food prepared according to Islamic law have stopped doing so.

The fast-food giant and a Michigan franchise owner agreed to a $700,000 legal settlement in April after a customer sued. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the lawsuit accused the restaurant chain of selling non-halal items advertised as halal.

The fast-food giant said in a statement Monday that the locations in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, which has a large Muslim population, no longer offer a halal McChicken sandwich or Chicken McNuggets "to focus on our national core menu."

The corporation says it takes into account "local and dietary preferences." Neither the statement nor a spokeswoman said whether the decision was related to the lawsuit.�

Hot Restaurant Companies To Invest In Right Now: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated(VRTX)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated engages in discovering, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing small molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases worldwide. Its products include telaprevir, a prescription medicine used for the treatment of patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; and Ivacaftor, a prescription medicine used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The company markets its products under the INCIVEK brand name in the United States and Canada; INCIVO brand in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway; KALYDECO brand in the United States; and TELAVIC brand in Japan. Its drug candidates comprise VX-222, a Phase II clinical trial drug candidate, and ALS-2200 and ALS-2158, a Phase I clinical trial drug candidates that are designed to inhibit the replication of HCV; VX-809 and VX-661, a Phase II clinical trial drug candidates that improve the function of defective cystic fibro sis; VX-509, a Phase II clinical trial drug candidate for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases; VX-765, a Phase II clinical trial drug for the treatment of epilepsy; and VX-787, an investigational drug candidate for the treatment of influenza A. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Melly Alazraki]

  Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)topped the list with a 38.4% return as of Wednesday's close of $48.48. This $9.8 billion market capnon-profitablecompany is all promise. It is itspipelinethat's drawing investors, especially thehepatitis C treatment telaprevirandpotential cystic fibrosis drug VX-770.
  
  Both diseases present large market opportunities: Liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virusaffects 3.2 million individualsin the U.S. and as many as 100 million people worldwide. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease that affects about 30,000 people in the U.S. and has few treatment options.
  
  Analysts ! have favored the stock, with aconsensus buy recommendation. However, just on Thursday, Vertex announcedtwomore telaprevir studyresultsthat did not impress investors and the stock declined 2% to $47.50. Also, Vertex is not without competitors and is in a race with Merck (MRK) and its experime ntal Hep C drug boceprevir to be the first to reach the market.
  
  The stock's 52-week high of $52.13 was set on March 7, up from a low of $31.25 set on July 1, 2011.

Hot Restaurant Companies To Invest In Right Now: (PRU.TO)

Perseus Mining Limited engages in the exploration, evaluation, development, and production of gold properties in West Africa. It primarily holds a 90% interest in the Edikan Gold Mine that covers an area of approximately 650 square kilometers located in the Republic of Ghana; an 85% interest in the Sissingu茅 gold deposit, a development stage gold project, which covers an area of 885 square kilometers situated in the north of Cote d�Ivoire; and a 90% interest in the Kayeya gold deposit, an exploration stage gold project located in the Republic of Ghana. The company has a strategic alliance with Burey Gold Limited. Perseus Mining Limited was incorporated in 2003 and is based in Subiaco, Australia.

Top 5 Low Price Companies To Own In Right Now: Trinity Industries Inc.(TRN)

Trinity Industries, Inc. provides products and services to the industrial, energy, transportation, and construction sectors primarily in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Sweden. The company?s Rail Group manufactures and sells railcars, including auto carrier, box, gondola, hopper, intermodal, specialty, and tank cars; and railcar components, such as couplers and axles. This group also offers repair and coating services. It primarily serves railroads, leasing companies, and industrial shippers of various products. Trinity Industries? Railcar Leasing and Management Services group leases tank cars and freight cars to industrial shippers and railroads operating in petroleum, chemical, agricultural, and energy industries with a fleet of 54,595 owned or leased railcars; provides management and administrative services; and manages railcar fleets on behalf of third parties. The company?s Construction Products group produces ready mix concret e; produces and distributes construction aggregates, including crushed stone, sand and gravel, asphalt rock, and specialty sands and gravel; manufactures highway products and other steel products for infrastructure related projects; supplies ready mix concrete; and provides hot-dip galvanizing services for fabricated steel materials. It primarily serves contractors and subcontractors in the construction and foundation industry. Trinity Industries? Inland Barge group manufactures inland barges; and fiberglass reinforced lift covers. It serves commercial marine transportation companies. The company?s Energy Equipment group manufactures structural wind towers, tank containers, and tank heads for pressure vessels; fertilizer containers; and tank heads for non-pressure vessels, LPG tanks, and utility, traffic, and lighting structures. It serves turbine producers, as well as industrial plants, utilities, residences, and small businesses. The company was founded in 1933 and is he adquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Hot Restaurant Companies To Invest In Right Now: Plantronics Inc.(PLT)

Plantronics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of lightweight communications headsets, telephone headset systems, and accessories for the business and consumer markets under the Plantronics name worldwide. It also offers specialty telephone products, such as telephones for the hearing impaired and other related products for people with special communication needs under the Clarity brand name. The company?s products are designed for specific markets and applications, such as offices; contact centers; mobile devices comprising mobile phones and smart phones; computer and gaming; and residential applications, as well as for other specialty applications. It sells its products through a network of distributors, retailers, wireless carriers, original equipment manufacturers, and telephony service providers. The company was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California.

Hot Restaurant Companies To Invest In Right Now: Euro FX(P)

Ecopetrol S.A. operates as an integrated oil company in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. The company engages in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas. As of December 31, 2010, its proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas consisted of 1,714.0 million barrels of oil equivalent. The company also transports crude oil, motor fuels, fuel oil, and other refined products, as well as mixture of diesel and palm oil. It owns transportation network consisting of 3,003 kilometers of crude oil pipeline directly, as well as an additional 2,178 kilometers of crude oil pipeline with its business partners; and 3,017 kilometers of multi-purpose pipelines for transportation of refined products from refinery to wholesale distribution points. As of the above date, Ecopetrol S.A. owned 58 stations with a nominal storage capacity of 19 million barrels of crude oil and 6 million barrels of refined products. In addition, the company owns and o perates refineries that produce a range of refined products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, aviation fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, sulfur, heavy fuel oils, motor fuels, and petrochemicals, including paraffin waxes, lube base oils, low-density polyethylene, aromatics, asphalts, alkylates, cyclohexane and aliphatic solvents, and refinery grade propylene, as well as provides industrial services to third parties. Further, it markets various refined and feed stock products, including regular and high octane gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, natural gas, and petrochemical products. The company was formerly known as Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos and changed its name to Ecopetrol S.A. in June 2003. Ecopetrol S.A. was founded in 1948 and is based in Bogota, Colombia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ryan Peckyno]

  The final stock was Pandora Media, which was designated as “the top small-cap pick.”  Of all of the stocks recommended, based on the target price of $14 this stock has the most upside potential: 27%.  The rationale appeared to be that Pandora is well-positioned to gain market share and once it does that Pandora can then improve its margins. 

Hot Restaurant Companies To Invest In Right Now: RRSat Global Communications Network Ltd.(RRST)

RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. provides content management and distribution services to television and radio broadcasting industries. The company, through its proprietary ?RRsat Global Network? comprising satellite and terrestrial fiber optic transmission capacity and the public Internet, offers distribution services for content providers. Its content distribution services consist of worldwide transmission of video and audio broadcasts. The company also offers content management services, including digital archiving and compilation of customer?s programming and advertising content into various broadcast channels. In addition, RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. provides various production services on a contractual basis and satellite newsgathering services through its fleet of vans for outside broadcasting and electronic news gathering crews and packages. Further, it offers live broadcast studios and editing facilities to its customers. The company?s RRs at Global Network delivers content to various end markets, including cable operators, satellite operators, Internet protocol television operators, direct to home market, and public Internet. Additionally, RRSat Global Communications Network provides mobile satellite telecommunications services, such as global telephony, fax, data, Internet, and other value added services for shipping, aviation, construction, and oil companies; humanitarian aid organizations; governmental agencies; and other end customers that require telephony and Internet services in remote areas. As of December 31, 2009, it provided services to approximately 545 television and radio channels in approximately 150 countries. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in D.N. Shikmim, Israel.

Is Krispy Kreme Destined for Greatness?

Investors love stocks that consistently beat the Street without getting ahead of their fundamentals and risking a meltdown. The best stocks offer sustainable market-beating gains, with robust and improving financial metrics that support strong price growth. Does Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE: KKD  ) fit the bill? Let's take a look at what its recent results tell us about its potential for future gains.

What we're looking for
The graphs you're about to see tell Krispy Kreme's story, and we'll be grading the quality of that story in several ways:

Growth: Are profits, margins, and free cash flow all increasing? Valuation: Is share price growing in line with earnings per share? Opportunities: Is return on equity increasing while debt to equity declines? Dividends: Are dividends consistently growing in a sustainable way?

What the numbers tell you
Now, let's take a look at Krispy Kreme's key statistics:

KKD Total Return Price data by YCharts.

Passing Criteria

3-Year* Change 

Grade

Revenue growth > 30%	29.8%	Fail
Improving profit margin	36.7%	Pass
Free cash flow growth > Net income growth	803.9% vs. 831.3%	Fail
Improving EPS	1,050%	Pass
Stock growth (+ 15%) < EPS growth	367% vs. 1,050%	Pass

Source: YCharts. *Period begins at end of Q1 (April) 2010.

KKD Return on Equity data by YCharts.

Passing Criteria

3-Year* Change

Grade

Improving return on equity	140.3%	Pass
Declining debt to equity	(84.8%)	Pass

Source: YCharts. *Period begins at end of Q1 (April) 2010.

How we got here and where we're going
Krispy Kreme got off to a piping hot start, but it was tripped up with narrow misses on both the revenue and free cash flow analysis. That isn't enough to call this stock stale, as Krispy Kreme earned five out of seven passing grades regardless, and it has a very good chance to gain a perfect score next time around. How might Krispy Kreme push its revenue even higher over the next few quarters?

The donut chain has a few hidden weapons that won't require higher revenues for success at all. My fellow Fool Asit Sharma pointed out last year that a hefty deferred tax asset will help keep tax rates glued to the floor for some time. That's great news for Krispy Kreme's free cash flow metric as well as its bottom line -- this might be one way that Krispy Kreme earns its sixth passing grade.

Krispy Kreme is continuing its international expansion as well, and it will establish a presence in Taiwan in the near future. This seems like a great start to enlarge Krispy Kreme's beachhead on the Chinese mainland. On the other hand, Krispy Kreme's expansion plans are a drop in the bucket compared to rival Dunkin' Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN  ) , which is planning to add more than 300 new locations in the United States alone this year. That's nearly half the number of Krispy Kreme's total domestic locations! If Krispy Kreme doesn't have a strategy to maintain its brand cachet against the rapid expansion of its chief rival, it could fall behind as consumers gravitate toward a more convenient Dunkin'. It also doesn't help Krispy Kreme that Dunkin' has been diversifying away from a donut-heavy menu to attract consumers who might otherwise avoid the temptation of a doughnut.

Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz thinks that Krispy Kreme is part of the leading edge of junk food franchises that Americans have gravitated toward, in spite of health warnings and the persistent sirens of an obesity crisis. Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE  ) , another franchise known for its unhealthy baked goods, is also growing quickly. It hasn't gained as much as Krispy Kreme, but it hasn't had to start from such a low point, either. There remains a certain prestige in being "the treat franchise," and Krispy Kreme embodies this better than Dunkin -- at least from this writer's humble perspective.

Putting the pieces together
Today, Krispy Kreme has many of the qualities that make up a great stock, but no stock is truly perfect. Digging deeper can help you uncover the answers you need to make a great buy -- or to stay away from a stock that's going nowhere.

Solid companies selling at depressed prices have consistently helped generations of the world's most successful investors preserve capital, minimize risk, and achieve long-term, market-trampling returns. For one such company, read our free report: "The One REMARKABLE Stock to Own Now." Just click here to get started.

Keep track of Krispy Kreme by adding it to your free stock Watchlist.

5 Best Services Stocks To Watch For 2014

In the video below, Motley Fool analyst Blake Bos breaks down Pandora Media's� (NYSE: P  ) �results and forward guidance.

He discusses the impact of Pandora's 40-hour monthly listening limit on subscription services year over year. However, increasing the subscriber base is only part of the story.� Blake explains key metrics used in valuation, revenue, and expense per 1,000 listening hours.� He also highlights mobile revenue vs. web browser-based revenue as well as their respective rates of growth.�

Lastly, Blake points out how increased head count at Pandora is focused mainly on the important growth areas of mobile revenue and local ad revenue.� He comments on Pandora pricing compared to Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI  ) .

As Blake mentioned in the video, can Pandora translate success with its listeners into a prosperous business model that will deliver for investors? Learn about the key opportunities and potential pitfalls facing the upstart radio streamer in The Motley Fool's premium research report. All you have to do is click here now to subscribe to this invaluable investor's resource.

5 Best Services Stocks To Watch For 2014: Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.(SBH)

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution and retail of professional beauty supplies primarily in North America, South America, and Europe. The company operates in two segments, Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group. The Sally Beauty Supply segment operates a chain of cash and carry retail stores that provide various third-party branded and exclusive-label professional beauty supplies, including hair color products, hair care products, hair dryers and hair styling appliances, skin and nail care products, and other beauty items to retail consumers and salon professionals. This segment sells various third-party brands, such as Clairol, Revlon, and Conair, as well as a selection of exclusive-label merchandise. The Beauty Systems Group segment distributes professional brands of beauty products directly to salons and salon professionals through its sales force and professional-only stores. This segment operates stores under the Co smoProf service mark. It sells a range of third-party brands, such as Paul Mitchell, Wella, Sebastian, Goldwell, Joico, and TIGI. As of September 30, 2011, the company operated a multi-channel platform of 4,128 company-owned stores, 181 franchised stores, and 1,116 professional distributor sales consultants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Chile, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain. Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Denton, Texas.

5 Best Services Stocks To Watch For 2014: Esprinet(PRT.MI)

Esprinet S.p.A. engages in the wholesale distribution of information technology (IT) and consumer electronics primarily in Italy and Spain. It distributes business to business (B2B) IT and consumer electronic products, including traditional IT products comprising desktop PCs, PC notebooks, printers, photocopiers, servers, and standard software; consumables, such as cartridges, tapes, toners, and magnetic supports; and networking products consisting of modems, routers, and switches; and state-of-the-art digital and entertainment products that include photo cameras, video cameras, videogames, LCD TVs, handhelds, and MP3 readers. The company also provides B2B micro-electronic components, which comprise semiconductors, passive components, connections, displays, and sub-systems for industrial applications to the original equipment and contract electronic manufacturers. In addition, it distributes business to consumer IT and consumer electronics products, including personal comp uting, printers, audio-video, accessories, photography, telephony, air-conditioning, and electric household appliances to private consumers through the online. The company is headquartered in Nova Milanese, Italy.

Top Oil Companies To Own For 2014: Whitbread Holdings(WTB.L)

Whitbread PLC operates hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops in the United Kingdom and internationally. It owns and operates 590 hotels with approximately 43,219 rooms in the United Kingdom and 5 hotels with approximately 1,076 rooms internationally under the Premier Inn brand name; and 379 restaurants under the Beefeater Grill, Table Table, Brewers Fayre, and Taybarns brand names, as well as operates 1,217 coffee shops in the United Kingdom and 654 coffee shops internationally under the Costa Coffee brand name. The company also operates roasters and facing espresso based coffee vending machines; and involves in wholesale of coffee beans. Whitbread PLC was founded in 1742 and is based in Dunstable, the United Kingdom.

5 Best Services Stocks To Watch For 2014: PCCW Ltd (0008.HK)

PCCW Limited is a Hong Kong-based holding company. Its subsidiary HKT provides telecommunications and related services, including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, customer premises equipment sale, outsourcing, consulting and contact centers, primarily in Hong Kong, mainland China and elsewhere in the world. Media Business includes interactive pay- television (TV) services, Internet portal multimedia entertainment platform and the Company�� directories operations in Hong Kong and mainland China. Solutions Business offers Information and Communications Technologies services and solutions in Hong Kong and mainland China. Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited covers the Company�� property portfolio in Hong Kong and mainland China, including the Cyberport development in Hong Kong, and elsewhere in Asia. Other Businesses include the Company�� wireless broadband business in the United Kingdom and all corporate suppo rt functions.

5 Best Services Stocks To Watch For 2014: UnitedHealth Group Incorporated(UNH)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated provides healthcare services in the United States. Its Health Benefits segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services to national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; and non-employer based insurance options for purchase by individuals. It also provides health and well-being services for individuals aged 50 and older; and for services dealing with chronic disease and other specialized issues for older individuals, as well as health plans for the beneficiaries of acute and long-term care Medicaid plans. This segment offers its services through a network of 730,000 physicians and other health care professionals, and 5,300 hospitals. Its OptumHealth segment provides health, financial, and ancillary services and products that assist consumers through personalized health management solutions; benefit administration, and clinical and network management; health-based financi al services; behavioral solutions; and specialty benefits, such as dental, vision, life, critical illness, short-term disability, and stop-loss product offerings. The company?s Ingenix segment offers database and data management services, software products, publications, consulting and actuarial services, business process outsourcing services, and pharmaceutical data consulting and research services. Its Prescription Solutions segment provides integrated pharmacy benefit management services comprising retail network pharmacy contracting and management, claims processing, mail order pharmacy services, specialty pharmacy, benefit design consultation, rebate contracting and management, drug utilization review, formulary management programs, disease therapy management, and adherence programs to employer groups, union trusts, managed care organizations, Medicare-contracted plans, Medicaid plans, and third party administrators. The company was founded in 1974 and is based in Minne tonka, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ken Sweet]

  Shareholders of UnitedHealth (UNH) reaped the rewards this year from the managed care company's strong profits and upbeat guidance.

  UnitedHealth raised its full-year guidance in late April to $3.95 to $4.05 a share, well ahead of analysts' forecasts. The company also increased its quarterly dividend last month to 16.25 cents a share, from 12.5 cents a share.

  UnitedHealth's performance is also tied to what has been broad investor interest in healthcare stocks this year as a defensive play against what has been a recently downward-trending market.

Hot Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now

The new U.S. Secretary of Energy, Ernest Moniz, is clearly a believer that the country absolutely must become more self-sufficient with the nation's energy supplies. He recently outlined three points of focus in order to make this a reality: increase our efficiency, electrify our transportation sector, and utilize alternative fuels.

In the following video, Motley Fool energy analysts provide you with details on a variety of companies that are already addressing these issues, and offer reasons why they might be worth consideration for your investment portfolio.�

One such company has been attempting to capitalize on the the movement toward alternative energy as it continues gaining momentum. This potential opportunity in this field is Clean Energy Fuels, which focuses its natural gas efforts primarily on trucking and fleet vehicles. It's poised to make a big impact on an essential industry. Learn everything you need to know about Clean Energy Fuels in The Motley Fool's premium research report on the company. Just click here now to claim your copy today.

Hot Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: China Valves Technology Inc.(CVVT)

China Valves Technology, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in developing, manufacturing, and selling low, medium, and high-pressure metal valves for customers in the electricity, petroleum, chemical, water, gas, nuclear power station, and metal industries in China. The company?s product categories include high pressure and high temperature valves for power station units; valves for long distance petroleum and gas pipelines, and sewage; special valves for chemical lines; and large valves for water supply pipe networks. Its products comprise gate, globe, check, throttle, butterfly, ball, safety, water pressure test, vacuum, and extraction check valves. The company markets its products through regional agents and distributors. China Valves Technology, Inc. has a strategic cooperation frame agreement with Dongfang Electric Corporation for the development of high-end valves. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Kaifeng, the People's Republic of China. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Hsu]

  China Valves Technology (NASDAQ: CVVT) recently announced that its subsidiary, Able Delight Valve,  has been certified as a qualified supplier of China Nuclear Power Engineering. This is CVVT’s second subsidiary to receive this certification.

  This is a nice milestone for the company as CVVT continues to gain market share in the nuclear power industry. The demand for nuclear power applications is growing but the inspection of prospective suppliers is strict — and the company believes that the addition of Able Delight as a qualified supplier will become another catalyst for rapid growth in the near future. CVVT is a buy under $10.50.

Hot Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Murchison Metals Ltd (MMX.AX)

Murchison Metals Limited does not have significant operations. It is in the process of distributing the majority of its cash assets to shareholders by way of a return of capital. Previously, the company was engaged in exploration and development of iron ore projects, as well as in the construction of port and rail infrastructure. Murchison Metals Limited is based in Sydney, Australia.

Top 5 Long Term Stocks To Watch For 2014: Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida(SBCF)

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida operates as the holding company for Seacoast National Bank that provides various financial products and services in the United States. It offers an array of deposit accounts and retail banking services; engages in consumer and commercial lending activities; and provides various trust and asset management services, as well as securities and annuity products to its customers. The company also offers marine loans. In addition, it provides Internet banking, and brokerage and annuity services. As of June 17, 2011, the company had 39 offices in South and Central Florida. Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida was founded in 1926 and is based in Stuart, Florida.

Hot Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Hansen Natural Corporation(HANS)

Hansen Natural Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, marketing, sale, and distribution of beverages in the United States and internationally. The company principally offers natural sodas, fruit juices and juice drinks, energy drinks and energy sports drinks, fruit juice smoothies and functional drinks, non-carbonated ready-to-drink iced teas, children?s multi-vitamin juice drinks, and flavored sparkling beverages under the Hansen?s brand name. It also involves in the development, marketing, sale, and distribution of energy drinks under the Monster Energy, Monster Hitman Energy Shooter, Nitrous Monster Energy, and Lost Energy brand names; and Rumba, Samba, and Tango brand energy juices. In addition, the company markets, sells, and distributes ready-to-drink iced teas under the Peace Tea brand name; natural sodas, premium natural sodas with supplements, organic natural sodas, seltzer waters, and energy drinks under the Blue Sky brand name; and en hanced water beverages under the Vidration brand name, as well as Java Monster line of non-carbonated dairy based coffee and energy drinks, and X-Presso Monster Hammer energy drinks. Further, it offers Monster Energy brand energy drinks, including Monster Energy drinks, lo-carb Monster Energy drinks, Monster Energy Assault energy drinks, Monster Energy Khaos energy drinks, Monster Energy M-80 energy drinks, Monster Energy Heavy Metal energy drinks, Monster Energy MIXXD, Monster Energy Import energy drinks, and Monster Energy Dub Edition energy drinks. The company also provides Hansen?s Natural Lo-Cal juice cocktails; and Hansen?s SELF Beauty Elixir ready-to-drink beauty beverages. Its customers include full service beverage distributors, retail grocery and specialty chains, wholesalers, club stores, drug chains, mass merchandisers, convenience chains, health food distributors, and food service customers. Hansen Natural Corporation was founded in 1985 and is based in Corona, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Hansen Natural Corporation (NASDAQ:HANS) is an 80-year-old beverage producer with great 21st century appeal. Hansen boasts 30 fruit and spice soda flavors, vitamin waters, teas, lemonades and — of course — the wildly successful Monster Energy drink line. As Hansen keeps its customers hydrated, HANS keeps its investors happy. What’s really exciting about this stock is that even though energy drinks are well established in the U.S., many emerging markets remain untapped. As a result, Hansen has been going full tilt with its Monster Energy drink, launching the popular beverage in Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Portugal and Colombia in just the past eight months! The company also has plans to continue its conquest of Central and Eastern Europe, South America and Asia.

• [By Matthews]

  Hansen's. What we like about Hansen's is that this is the true expression of growth. HANS is slated to hit another 15% growth rate this year. The company has its issues, such as an undiversified lineup of growth engines, stiff competition and heavy valuations. Yet, we believe that the company is still just scratching the surface of international expansion that can be a huge growth engine as it continues to develop its Monster brand name as well as other beverage items. Look for HANS to continue to attract money flow as investors continue to seek growth. We have a $120 PT.

  Allocation: $2000

  Entry: 92.77

  Target: $102.50, $112.50, and $120

Hot Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Capital Blf Inc (BLF.V)

Capital BLF Inc. engages in the ownership and rental of nine multi-residential buildings located in the province of Quebec, Canada. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Dorval, Canada.

Hot Clean Energy Companies To Watch In Right Now: Gold Port Resources Ltd. (GPO.V)

Gold Port Resources Ltd., an exploration stage junior mining company, engages in the identification, acquisition, and exploration of mineral properties primarily in Guyana, South America. It principally explores for gold and copper ores. The company owns interests in the Groete Creek Gold and Akaiwong projects located in Guyana. Gold Port Resources Ltd. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

10 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now

 Steve Cohen, the billionaire founder of hedge fund SAC Capital, is gearing up for inflation...

 

As we've discussed many times in these pages... high-quality, prestigious assets – what we call "trophy assets" – tend to escalate in value during periods of high inflation. That's one reason Porter has invested in Miami Beach real estate.

 

Cohen's buying high-end real estate, too. He recently purchased a $60 million beach home in the Hamptons – the playground of New York City's elite. It's his second Hamptons house. He also owns two apartments in Manhattan – one is estimated to cost $115 million.

 

 In addition, Cohen is also one of the largest players in contemporary art. His collection is worth an estimated $1 billion. He paid music and movie billionaire David Geffen $139 million to buy the piece "Woman III" by the artist Willem de Kooning. In 2010, Cohen bought "Flag" by the artist Jasper Johns for around $110 million. In 2007, he purchased "Turquoise Marilyn" by legendary "pop" artist Andy Warhol for around $80 million.

 

 But his latest acquisition tops them all, and comes in the same week as his Hamptons house purchase... Cohen bought Pablo Picasso's "La Reve" from casino mogul Steve Wynn for a reported $155 million.

 

Coincidentally, one of the first pieces I published at S&A was about "La Reve"... And how Wynn accidentally elbowed a hole in the painting in 2007. (He paid $85,000 to repair it.)

 

 The highest-quality real estate, art, wine, and other collectibles always have a market with the ultra-rich. Regardless of what is happening in the economy, these billionaires have cash. And they're always ready to purchase a one-of-a-kind asset (especially when it doesn't trade hands often).

 

The ultra-wealthy are looking to preserve their wealth. And with the threat of inflation looming, art and real estate are popular options.

 

But Cohen may have other motives for bulking up his art collection... As Porter explained in the February 14 Digest Premium... art and other collectibles are also a great way to protect your wealth from the IRS. From Digest Premium:

 

Owning collectibles offers one major advantage – one that I think drives 90% of the demand for collectibles: It's a great way to protect your wealth from the IRS. People know that when they die, the IRS won't have any idea what is hanging up on their walls or hiding in their vaults. So they hide money in these trophies to give to their children to avoid estate taxes.

10 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now: 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.

10 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now: 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.

• [By Carlson]

  Wynn Resorts(WYNN) saw its second-quarter profit more than double, but most of that strength came from casino wins, and investors were unimpressed.

  During the quarter, the casino operator earned $52. 4 million, or 52 cents a share, on revenue of $1.03 billion, higher than forecasts of 42 cents on revenue of $992.3 million. This compares with a profit of $25.5 million, or 21 cents, on revenue of $723.3 million, in the year-ago period.

  Wynn had already pre-announced disappointing results for its Las Vegas properties, citing higher costs, including employee health care and benefits, and marketing expenses. Its operating loss for its Wynn Las Vegas and Encore widened to $17.2 million from $8.3 million last year. Revenue rose 1.7% to $318 million.

  Occupancy at the Wynn Las Vegas jumped to 92.6% from 86.6% a year earlier, but revenue per available room fell 3.2%.

  Still, management indicated that there is a slight improvement on the Strip, with an increase in forward group bookings and some bright spots for the ability to yield rates. But management tempered enthusiasm by saying there are some struggles and uncertainty in the marketplace.

  "We hope for continued improvement in Las Vegas or -- let me put it different, we hope that we'll get smarter in Las Vegas in dealing with the peculiarities of this market --and this very, very mercurial, national economic market we're living with," said Steve Wynn, chief executive, in a conference call. "The national economy and the political environment in the country as we head up to the elections [is] very, very touchy. And it is impacting all businesses."

  The biggest boost, of course, came from Macau, where revenue surged 74% to $714.4 million from $410.4 million last year.

  The company opened its Encore Macau in the spring, boosting its market share to about 16% from about 13%, Sterne Agee analyst David Bain wrote in a note.

  Wynn is in the process of working on a new development on the Cotai st! rip, which should spike investors' interest as more details are revealed in the coming quarters.

  Still, investors are concerned that as comparisons get harder in Macau, and second-quarter results are adjusted for hold (how much the casino won), Wynn may not be able to outperform. But Bain reassures, "this has been discussed as nauseam by investors, sell-side analysts, the press -- and even dinner-table relatives -- for some time. We believe the Street is underestimating the summer months in Macua, which may help to produce a new leg up for Macau stories, with Wynn being the most profitable on a per position basis."

Hot Stocks To Own Right Now: 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.

• [By Sherry Jim]

  Pinnacle Entertainment(PNK) swung to a loss in its second quarter, as costs rose.

  During the quarter, the regional casino operator lost $49.3 million, or 81 cents a share, compared with a profit of $4.7 million, or 8 cents, in the year-ago period for Pinnacle.

  Excluding items, Pinnacle actually lost 14 cents a share, 10 cents worse than analysts' estimates of a 4-cent loss.

  Pinnacle's revenue rose 8.5% to $273.6 million from $252.3 million, but also fell short of Wall Street's forecast of $284.4 million.

  Even though revenue was weaker, margins rebounded at all but one of Pinnacle's properties. "Margins are the story for Pinnacle ahead of any longer-term potential true rebound in the economy, and we continue to believe there are multiple opportunities for near-term operational improvements across the Pinnacle portfolio," Bain wrote in a note.

  At a time when most casino operators are striving to reduce costs to offset the decline in consumer spending, Pinnacle saw expenses rise 21% to $289.3 million. But Bain said Pinnacle is still in the early stages of cost-refining. "Given what we view as several areas of potential improvements in this regard, we believe Pinnacle is less dependent on an economic recovery than some of its regional peers," he wrote.

  J.P. Morgan analyst Joseph Greff also reaffirms his overweight rating on the stock, viewing Pinnacle as a transition story. "We continue to believe that new CEO Anthony Sanfilippo and team will drive increased operating efficiencies and allocate capital prudently," he wrote in a note.

  Greff praises Sanfilippo for shelving the Sugarcane Bay project and instead focusing on Baton Rouge.

  Pinnacle's liquidity remains strong, with $200 million in cash and $375 million of availability under its revolver

10 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now: (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.

10 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now: 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 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.

10 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now: 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."

Best Services Companies To Buy Right Now

As mobile commerce continues to grow worldwide, Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE: RY  ) this week announced its�customers will be able to securely purchase goods and services with debit or credit using smartphones compatible with Bell Canada's (NYSE: BCE  ) wireless network as part of a new�mobile payment system the two are launching.

The companies aim for the network to be seamlessly integrated into RBC's existing mobile banking app together with its peer-to-peer�technology allowing an RBC customer to send money to any person or business in�Canada.

"This is the first piece of a broad RBC mobile commerce solution rolling out to clients this year, all delivering the great, robust user experience and the security that RBC is known for," Dave McKay, RBC� group head of personal and commercial banking, was quoted as saying.

Best Services Companies To Buy Right Now: Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.(OEH)

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. and its subsidiaries engage primarily in the hotel and travel businesses. It focuses on the luxury end of the leisure market. The company owns 49 properties, including 40 individual deluxe hotels, 1 stand-alone restaurant, 6 tourist trains, and 2 river/canal cruise businesses in 24 countries. It also engages in the real estate and property development business. Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. was founded in 1971 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Best Services Companies To Buy Right Now: Papa John's International Inc.(PZZA)

Papa John?s International, Inc. operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants under the Papa John?s trademark worldwide. The company also operates dine-in and restaurant-based delivery restaurants in certain international markets. As of December 25, 2011, the company operated 3,883 Papa John?s restaurants consisting of 628 company-owned and 3,255 franchised restaurants in 50 states of the United States and 32 countries. Papa John?s International, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Best Clean Energy Stocks To Invest In 2014: Oxygen Biotherapeutics Inc.(OXBT)

Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc., a development stage company, engages in developing biotechnology products that deliver oxygen to target tissues in the body in the United States. The company primarily offers Oxycyte, a perfluorcarbon (PFC) based oil in water emulsion that carries oxygen and is been formulated for intravenous delivery for the treatment of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and decompression sickness; and other PFC-based oxygen carriers for use in personal care, topical wound healing, and other topical indications. It also provides Dermacyte line of topical cosmetic products that promote the appearance of skin health and other cosmetic benefits; and Wundecyte, a wound-healing gel. It markets its Dermacyte line of products through buydermacyte.com; and to dermatologists and medical spas with a combination of in-house sales, independent sales agents, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Synthetic Blood International, Inc. and changed its n ame to Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. in June 2008. Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is based in Morrisville, North Carolina.

Best Services Companies To Buy Right Now: Cwt Limited (C14.SI)

CWT Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated logistics solutions worldwide. The company engages in warehousing, transportation, freight forwarding and cargo consolidation, collateral management, surface preparation of metal materials for corrosion control, and container depot operations. It is also involved in the design, building and construction management, maintenance, and repair of vehicles, equipment, and buildings. The company also provides management and maintenance services for facilities; and design and building services for logistics properties, as well as supplies and installs engineering products. In addition, the company engages in the trade and supply chain management of base metal non-ferrous concentrates with a focus on copper, lead, zinc, and other minor metals, as well as energy products, such as coal and fuel. Further, CWT Limited provides financial services, including asset management services and brokering services for futures and d erivatives trades; and is involved in property management business. It serves customers in the commodities, chemical and petrochemical, marine, oil and gas, defense, and industrial sectors. The company was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Singapore.

Best Services Companies To Buy Right Now: America's Car-Mart Inc.(CRMT)

America?s Car-Mart, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for its customers. As of February 3, 2012, the company operated 112 automotive dealerships in 9 states. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Best Services Companies To Buy Right Now: Constant Contact Inc.(CTCT)

Constant Contact, Inc. provides on-demand email marketing, social media marketing, event marketing, and online survey products primarily in the United States. It offers email marketing products, which allow customers to create, send, and track professional and affordable permission-based email marketing campaigns; and social media marketing products that allow customers to manage and optimize their presence across multiple social media networks. The company also provides event marketing products, which enable its customers to promote and manage events, communicate with invitees and registrants, capture and track registrations, and collect online payments; and online survey products that enable its customers to create and send surveys, and analyze the responses. In addition, it offers customer support services to customers and trailers through phone, chat, email, and social media. Further, the company provides ancillary services, such as custom services to customers who lik e its email campaigns, event promotions, or surveys prepared for them; and online training programs to educate participants on email marketing and social media marketing best practices, as well as a workshop programs. It markets its products directly for small organizations, including retailers, restaurants, law and accounting firms, consultants, non-profits, religious organizations, and alumni associations. The company was formerly known as Roving Software Incorporated and changed its name to Constant Contact, Inc. in 2006. Constant Contact, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.