Hey McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) and Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), the reason you're struggling isn't likely the reason you think. Yes, McDonald's, you have logistics problems, and Yum! Brands [purveyor of Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell], offering an alternative to burgers to a burger-lovin' world doesn't always make life easy. That's not your biggest hurdle, however. You're biggest hurdle is much more nuanced, admittedly a little obscure, and multiple in number. Winning and keeping market share can be done though. As proof that it can be done, one only has to look at Giggles N Hugs Inc. (OTCMKTS:GIGL), which is actually growing by giving kids AND parents what both of them REALLY want.
In an informal survey performed by parenting-trials website www.dad-camp.com in September of this year, parents opined about what they wanted/needed from a kid-friendly restaurant. Price and speed didn't make the list, even though the entire fast-food industry was and still is built for the primary purpose of serving up cheap food in a hurry... a mindset put into motion by McDonald's years ago. The biggest concerns of parents who dared to drag their kids to an eatery were (1) a patient, understanding staff, (2) a menu with a choice, (3) kid-sized accoutrements, and (4) entertainment.
Best Industrial Conglomerate Stocks For 2015: Prometheus RxDx Corp (RXDX)
Prometheus RxDx Corp., incorporated in June 2009, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prometheus Laboratories Inc. The Company is engaged in the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products that enable physicians to provide individualized patient care. It focuses on the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disorders within the fields of gastroenterology and oncology. It operates in two segments: the pharmaceutical products segment that markets and sells prescription drugs, and the diagnostic testing services segment, which includes specific immunoassays to detect and differentiate diseases, pharmacogenetic testing and drug metabolite monitoring. The pharmaceutical products for gastrointestinal diseases and disorders includes ENTOCORT EC (budesonide) Capsules, which is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn�� disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon, and LOTRONEX (alosetron hydrochloride) Tablets, for use in female patients with severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gastroenterology Pharmaceutical Products
The pharmaceutical products for gastrointestinal diseases and disorders include Entocort EC for the treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn�� disease involving the ileum and/or ascending colon and Lotronex for treatment of a subset of women with severe diarrhea-predominant IBS. The Company sells but does not market, several other pharmaceuticals, including Imuran, Helidac Therapy, and Ridaura, in addition to a number of other diagnostic tests. It also manufactures a generic mercaptopurine product, which is sold through a third-party distributor. It only offers pharmaceutical products in the United States. It began selling Proleukin in February 2010 under an exclusive distribution and promotion agreement with Novartis. Proleukin is a recombinant human interleukin-2 for treatment in adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. Proleukin therapy is a form of im! munotherapy that uses the body�� natural immune system to fight cancer. In December 2010, it signed an agreement with ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, to sell Trandate and Zyloprim.
Entocort EC is the Food and Drug Association- approved drug indicated for the induction and maintenance of clinical remission in mild to moderate active Crohn�� disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon. Entocort EC consists of an encapsulated formulation of budesonide granules, a glucocorticosteroid. Entocort EC is designed to release primarily in the ileum and/or the ascending colon, so that as little as 10% of the drug enters systemic circulation. Entocort EC may benefit patients by reducing glucocorticosteroid-related side effects. Lotronex is indicated for use only in women with severe diarrhea-predominant IBS who have not responded adequately to conventional therapy, whose IBS symptoms are chronic, and who have had other gastrointestinal medical conditions ruled out.
Imuran is indicated for adjunctive use in the prevention of rejection in kidney transplants and in the management of active rheumatoid arthritis. Although Imuran is not indicated for the treatment of IBD and the Company does not promote it for that indication, physicians often prescribe it for various forms of IBD, including Crohn�� disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as other autoimmune disorders. Imuran is prescribed primarily by gastroenterologists, transplant surgeons, nephrologists, rheumatologists and internal medicine specialists. Helidac Therapy (Hediac), when taken with a hydrogen (H2 ) antagonist, is indicated for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, bacteria, which causes peptic ulcers, and for patients with duodenal ulcer disease. Ridaura is approved for the treatment of active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Ridaura is the oral formulation of a gold salt available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for patients who have not responded adequately to one or mor! e non-ste! roidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Mercaptopurine is approved for maintenance for acute lymphatic leukemia as part of a combination regimen and, although it is not indicated for the treatment of certain gastrointestinal diseases and it does not promote it for those indications, physicians often prescribe it for various forms of IBD, including Crohn�� disease and ulcerative colitis.
Trandate is approved for the management of high blood pressure, or hypertension. Trandate can be used alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive agents, particularly thiazide and loop diuretics. Trandate is typically prescribed by cardiologists, family practitioners and internists. Trandate competes both with generics and many other drugs used to treat hypertension. In December 2010, the Company signed an agreement with ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, to sell Trandate. Zyloprim reduces serum and uric acid levels and is approved for the management of patients with gout, patients receiving certain types of chemotherapy to leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers, and patients with kidney or urinary stones. Zyloprim is prescribed by orthopedic specialists, rheumatologists, podiatrists, nephrologists and family practitioners.
Gastroenterology Diagnostic Testing Services
The diagnostic testing services are designed to aid physicians in making diagnoses with non-invasive testing and to assist them in determining therapy treatment and management, thereby helping a physician customize treatment to an individual patient. The Company performs all its diagnostic testing services in its laboratory located in San Diego, California. During the year ended December 31, 2010, it launched PROMETHEUS Crohn�� Prognostic, the serogenetic prognostic test for Crohn�� disease. The Company offers three celiac tests to physicians, including antibody tests, a genetics test and a panel that combines both the antibody and genetics tests.
The Company competes with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and La! boratory ! Corporation of America Holdings
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
Quick - what do CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ:CYTR) and Ignyta Inc. (NASDAQ:RXDX) have in common? Yes, they're both biotech stocks, but that's not the absolute best answer right now. The most meaningful common element between RXDX and CYTR right now is, each is on the verge of a big technical breakout and deserves a spot on your watchlist. Here's a closer look at each.�
Hot Logistics Companies To Invest In Right Now: Seven & i Holdings Co Ltd (SVNDY)
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. is a Japan-based holding company. The Company operates in six business segments. The Convenience Store segment operates convenience stores under the name 7-Eleven through direct operation and franchising. The Super Store segment operates general supermarkets, food supermarkets and specialty stores. The Department Store segment operates department stores with a focus on Seibu. The Food Service segment is engaged in the restaurant business, the contract food business and the fast food business. The Financial-related segment is engaged in the banking service, credit card and electronic money services. The Others segment is engaged in the information technology (IT) business. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jim Jubak]
If you're a trader, you try to catch these ups and downs. If you're a longer term trader, you sort of go with Japanese equities. The one that I've got in Jubak's Picks is Toyota Motor, (TM), which trades in New York as an ADR. You can also go with something like Torre Industries (TRYIF), which trades as an ADR in New York as well as on the Tokyo exchange. They're the world's largest maker of carbon fiber, good play on exports to the aircraft and car industries. Or you can do something like Seven & I (SVNDY), the Japanese company that owns 7-Elevens around the world. So, those would be my ways to play a weak yen if you want to use Japanese equities for the week and the year ahead.
Hot Logistics Companies To Invest In Right Now: Genesco Inc. (GCO)
Genesco Inc. engages in the retail and wholesale of footwear, apparel, and accessories. The company operates in five segments: Journeys Group, Schuh Group, Lids Sports Group, Johnston & Murphy Group, and Licensed Brands. The Journeys Group segment operates the Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, and Underground by Journeys retail stores that provide footwear and accessories for men, women, and younger children. It also sells footwear and accessories through direct-to-consumer catalog and e-commerce operations. The Schuh Group segment operates Schuh retail footwear stores, which offer casual and athletic footwear for 15 to 30 year old men and women, as well as engages in the e-commerce operations. The Lids Sports Group segment operates headwear and accessory stores under the Lids, Hat World, and Hat Shack banners; sports-oriented fan shops that offer licensed merchandise, such as apparel, hats and accessories, sports decor, and novelty products under the Lids Locker R oom, Sports Fan-Attic, and Sports Avenue banners; and as a Lids Team Sports athletic team dealer, as well as in e-commerce operations. The Johnston & Murphy Group segment is involved in Johnston and Murphy retail, catalog and e-commerce, and wholesale distribution operations. Its stores provide footwear, luggage, and accessories for business and professional customers. The Licensed Brands segment markets casual and dress footwear under the Dockers brand for men aged 30 to 55. As of May 31, 2013, the company operated 2,455 retail stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The company also sells its products through journeys.com, journeyskidz.com, shibyjourneys.com, undergroundbyjourneys.com, schuh.co.uk, and johnstonmurphy.com. Genesco Inc. was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Genesco (NYSE: GCO ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Hot Logistics Companies To Invest In Right Now: Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG)
Fortress Investment Group LLC (Fortress) is a global investment management firm. Its offering of alternative investment products includes private equity funds, liquid hedge funds and credit funds. In addition, it offers traditional investment products. As of December 31, 2011, it managed alternative assets in three businesses: Private Equity, Liquid Hedge Funds and Credit Funds. Private Equity is a business, which manages assets under management (AUM) consisted of two business segments: private equity funds, which make investments in debt and equity securities of public or privately held entities in North America and Western Europe, and publicly traded alternative investment vehicles, which it refer to as Castles, which invest in real estate and real estate related debt investments. Liquid Hedge Funds invest globally in fixed income, currency, equity and commodity markets and related derivatives. Credit Funds is a business, which manages AUM consisted of two business segments: credit hedge funds which make investments in assets, opportunistic lending situations and securities, on a global basis and throughout the capital structure, as well as non-Fortress originated funds, for which Fortress has been retained as manager as part of an advisory business, and credit private equity (PE) funds, which are consisted of a family of credit opportunities funds focused on investing in distressed and undervalued assets, a range of long dated value funds focused on investing in undervalued assets with cash flows and long investment horizons, a range of real assets funds focused on investing in tangible and intangible assets in four principal categories (real estate, capital assets and natural resources), a family of Asia funds, including Japan real estate funds and an Asian investor based global opportunities fund, and a range of real estate opportunities funds.
Private Equity Funds
The Company�� private equity business is made up of a series of funds named the Fortress Investment Funds! and organized to make control-oriented investments in cash flow generating, asset-based businesses in North America and Western Europe. Investors in its private equity funds contractually commit capital at the outset of a fund, which is then drawn down as investment opportunities become available, generally over a one to three year investment period. Management fees of 1% to 1.5% are generally charged on committed capital during the investment period of a new fund, and then on invested capital (or net asset value (NAV), if lower). It also earns a 10% to 25% share of the profits on each realized investment in a fund.
The Company manages two companies: Newcastle Investment Corp. and Eurocastle Investment Limited, which it calls its Castles. It earns management fees from each Castle equal to 1.5% of the company�� equity. In addition, it earns incentive income equal to 25% of the company�� funds from operations (FFO) in excess of specified returns to the Company�� shareholders. In addition to these fees, it also receives from the Castles, for services provided, options to purchase shares of their common stock in connection with each of their common stock offerings.
Liquid Hedge Funds
The Fortress Macro Funds, and Fortress�� legacy macro-strategy funds, the Drawbridge Global Macro Funds, apply an investment process based on macroeconomic fundamental, market momentum and technical analyses. The funds have the flexibility to allocate capital dynamically across a range of global strategies, markets and instruments as opportunities change, and are designed to take advantage of a range of sources of market, economic and pricing data to generate trading ideas. The fund invests in developed markets; they also invest in emerging markets if market conditions present opportunities for attractive returns. The funds pursue global macro directional and relative value strategies. Management fees are charged based on the AUM of the Fortress Macro Funds at a rate between 1.5%! and 2% a! nnually, depending on the investment and liquidity terms elected by investors. It earns incentive income of between 15% and 25% of the fund�� profits, generally payable annually, depending on the investment and liquidity terms elected by investors. In other words, an incentive income payment establishes a high water mark, such that the fund must earn a cumulative positive return from that point forward in order for Fortress to earn incentive income. Investors in the Fortress Macro Funds may invest with the right to redeem without paying any redemption fee either monthly, quarterly, or annually after three years. Investors with three-year liquidity may redeem annually before three years, subject to an early redemption fee payable to the funds.
The Fortress Asia Macro Funds invest in global fixed income, commodities, currency and equity markets, and their related derivatives, thematically related to the Asia-Pacific region through a fundamental macroeconomic strategy, which focuses on liquid investments. The funds��investment program focuses on global trading and capital flows. Management fee rates for these funds range from 1.5% to 2% and it earns incentive income equal to 20% of their profits. Commodities Funds invests across multiple sectors within the commodity asset class ranging from energy to metals to agriculture and within the cyclical, industrial, and commodity equity universe. Management fee rates for these funds range from 1.5% to 2% and it earns incentive income equal to 20% of their profits. The Fortress Partners Fund�� investments are made both in Fortress Funds and in funds managed by other managers, and in direct investments that are sourced either by Fortress personnel or by third parties with whom it has relationships. Management fee rates for these funds range from 1% to 1.5% and it earns incentive income generally equal to 20% of the profits from direct investments only.
Credit Funds
The Company�� credit hedge funds are designed to exploi! t pricing! anomalies, which exist between the public and private finance markets. It has developed a network consisted of internal and external resources to source transactions for the funds. The funds are able to invest in a range of financial instruments, ranging from assets, opportunistic lending situations and securities throughout the capital structure with a value orientation.
The Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds form the core of the Company�� credit hedge fund investing strategy. The funds acquire a portfolio of investments throughout the United States, Western Europe and the Pacific region. Management fees are charged based on the AUM of the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds at a rate generally equal to 2% annually. It earns incentive income of 20% of the fund�� profits, payable annually, and subject to achieving cumulative positive returns since the prior incentive income payment. Investors in the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds may redeem annually on December 31. The Worden Funds invest in a portfolio of undervalued and distressed investments in North America and Western Europe, but also in Australia, Asia and elsewhere on an opportunistic basis. Management fees are charged based on the AUM of the Worden Funds at a rate generally equal to 2% annually. It earns incentive income of 20% of the funds��profits.
The Company�� credit PE funds are of families of funds. They have management fee rates between 1% and 1.5% and generate incentive income of between 10% and 20% of a fund�� profits subject to the fund achieving a minimum return as a whole. Fortress through Fortress Credit Opportunities Funds make opportunistic credit-related investments. In addition to its Fortress Investment Fund family of funds, it has a private equity fund product, the Long Dated Value family of funds, which focuses on making investments with long dated cash flows. Its Real Assets Funds invest in tangible and intangible assets. The investment program of these funds focuses on di! rect inve! stments in four principal investment categories: real estate, capital assets and natural resources, but also may include indirect investments in the form of interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs), master limited partnerships, corporate securities, debt securities and debt obligations, including those that provide equity upside, as well as options, royalties, residuals and other call rights. The investments are located in North America and Western Europe. Fortress Japan Opportunity Funds focus to invest in Japanese real estate-related performing, sub-performing and non-performing loans, securities and similar instruments. Real Estate Opportunities Funds make opportunistic commercial real estate investments.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Amanda Alix]
This turn of events worked in favor of Fortress Investment Group's (NYSE: FIG ) portfolio, which held the former Centex Corp, the subprime mortgage lending unit of a Texas homebuilder. That company is now Nationstar, which is definitely doing its fair share to add to its parent's bottom line. Also owned by Fortress is Newcastle Investment (NYSE: NCT ) , the diversified REIT with an involvement in almost anything to do with real estate, whether residential or commercial.
- [By Inyoung Hwang]
He currently has buy recommendations on private-equity firm Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG) and Zions Bancorporation. (ZION)
Analysts SurveyedTo compile the ranking, Stamford, Connecticut-based Greenwich Associates surveyed 945 buy-side analysts at 190 investment management firms, mutual funds, hedge funds, pension funds and insurers from December to March. The analysts were asked to name the Wall Street research teams they considered their most important sources of advice on investments.
- [By Dakin Campbell]
Servicing rights on at least $1 trillion of mortgages will trade in the next two years, Jay Bray, chief executive officer of Nationstar Mortgage Holdings Inc. (NSM), a servicer majority owned by Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG), said last month. The private-equity firm said in July it raised a $1.1 billion fund to buy the contracts.
- [By Will Ashworth]
Nonetheless, it�� my job to come up with “cheap” stocks — that is, stocks with a low nominal share price — that are also value plays — meaning they’re trading at a low P/E multiple. I’m limiting my field to stocks trading for less than 10 — it won�� be easy, but here goes.
Cheap Stocks to Buy: Fortress Investment Group (FIG)If you look at the major publicly traded investment managers who invest in private equity ��Blackstone Group (BX), KKR (KKR), Apollo Global Management (APO) and Carlyle Group (CG) ��you��l notice that all but Fortress have stock prices in the $20s and $30s. FIG is one of those cheap stocks that�� traded below $10 since September 2008. It went public at $18.50 in February of that year, hitting its all-time high of $37 in its first day of trading. It�� been downhill ever since.
Hot Logistics Companies To Invest In Right Now: DexCom Inc.(DXCM)
DexCom, Inc., a medical device company, focuses on the design, development, and commercialization of continuous glucose monitoring systems for ambulatory use by people with diabetes, and for use by healthcare providers in the hospital for the treatment of both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The company offers FDA approved SEVEN, which includes a disposable sensor that can be inserted by a patient and used continuously for up to seven days; a transmitter; and a small handheld receiver. Its SEVEN system also received CE Mark approval for commercialization in the European Union and the countries in Asia and Latin America that recognize the CE Mark. The company also provides the SEVEN PLUS, which incorporates additional user interface and algorithm enhancements that are intended to make its glucose monitoring function customizable. Its SEVEN PLUS has FDA and CE Mark approvals. DexCom has a collaboration agreement with Edwards Lifesciences LLC to develop products for conti nuously monitoring blood glucose levels in patients hospitalized for various conditions. It also has development agreement with Insulet Corporation to integrate its continuous glucose monitoring technology into Insulet?s wireless, handheld OmniPod System Personal Diabetes Manager; and a joint development agreement with Animas Corporation to integrate its continuous glucose monitoring technology into Animas insulin pumps. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
Where's the beef, DexCom?
Sometimes a company's products make a lot of sense on paper, but the practical application doesn't go nearly as smoothly. This is how I'd describe medical monitoring device maker DexCom (NASDAQ: DXCM ) , which has an array of glucose monitoring devices to help diabetes patients better manage their disease. Make no mistake about it; the number of diabetes diagnoses in this country is rising in accord with our obesity rate. Therefore, a company like DexCom, which makes the DexCom G4 System monitor, could be a big hit, and certainly has a wide enough audience to cater to. - [By Motley Fool Staff]
If we hope to halt or reverse those numbers, we'll need to approach patient care more holistically, and that could mean looking beyond drug therapies toward Dexcom's� (NASDAQ: DXCM ) continuous glucose monitoring sensors. Those sensors track and trend glucose levels, and alert patients when levels reach certain levels. By more accurately monitoring and treating these levels, patients might delay disease progression. That, in fact, could already be happening. Dexcom's sales jumped 60% in the past year to $68 million in the third quarter. But there's much work still to be done. Industry watchers estimate less than half of type 1 diabetics�and an even smaller percentage of type 2 patients�use monitors or insulin pumps to manage their disease.�
Hot Logistics Companies To Invest In Right Now: CyberOptics Corporation (CYBE)
CyberOptics Corporation supplies optical process control sensors and inspection systems to control the manufacturing process and ensure the quality of electronic circuit boards worldwide. The company also manufactures and sells sensors that assist with yield enhancement during semiconductor fabrication. Its products include surface mount technology (SMT) electronic assembly alignment sensors, including LaserAlign sensor that is incorporated into component placement machines used in the SMT production lines; BoardAlign camera, which identifies fiducial markings on a circuit board and aligns the board in the component placement machine prior to component placement; and InPrinter inspection camera that identifies fiducial markings on a circuit board to ensure accurate board registration prior to placement of solder paste. The company also offers photovoltaic and fuel cell alignment sensors, such as solar wafer alignment cameras for alignment measurements; and embedded process verification inspection technology products and solder paste inspection sensors. In addition, it provides SMT stand-alone inspection system products, which include solder paste inspection and automated optical inspection products; and WaferSense sensors that provide measurements of critical factors in the semiconductor fabrication process, as well as wafer mapping and alignment sensors, frame grabber products, and machine vision subsystems. The company sells its products to the manufacturers of electronic circuit board assembly equipment, manufacturers of semiconductor DRAM memory, and semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers, as well as end-user electronic assembly manufacturers, including original design manufacturers and electronic manufacturing service providers. CyberOptics Corporation markets its products through independent representatives and distributors. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Emerson]
I even recorded a tax loss carry-forward on my original purchase of CAMT for which I had paid $2.05 per share. It seems that I was a slow learner in regard to the necessity of selling AOI companies long before they entered a cyclical trough in their earnings. Happily, I have since remedied that problem. For informational purposes I must disclose that in the spring, I repurchased shares of CAMT and made a larger purchase in a Cyberoptics (CYBE) another AOI company, which was near a multiyear low at the time.
Hot Logistics Companies To Invest In Right Now: OceanFirst Financial Corp.(OCFC)
OceanFirst Financial Corp. operates as the holding company for OceanFirst Bank that provides community banking services to retail, government, and business customers primarily in Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties in New Jersey. Its deposit products include money market accounts, savings accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, non-interest bearing accounts, and time deposits. The company?s loan portfolio comprises conventional first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residences, residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, multi-family and land loans, and real estate construction loans; consumer loans, such as home equity loans and lines of credit; and commercial loans. In addition, it offers trust and asset management, and merchant check card services; and sells alternative investment products, including mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance. The company operates 22 branches, as well as a loan production office and a trust and weal th management office. OceanFirst Financial Corp. was founded in 1902 and is based in Toms River, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Garrett Cook]
In trading on Wednesday, financial shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.24 percent. Top losers in the sector included IRSA Investments and Representations (NYSE: IRS), down 3.2 percent, and OceanFirst Financial (NASDAQ: OCFC), off 2.5 percent.
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