Best Consumer Companies To Watch For 2014

It's not often that bullish investors are disappointed with a 106-point gain for the Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) , especially one that leaves the average at an all-time record high. But with early gains that were more than double that, the triple-digit gain for the Dow was a bit of a letdown, especially in light of favorable domestic data on home prices and consumer confidence. Yet good news on the economic front has been no guarantee of stock market success, given that investors are more concerned about the timing of the exit of the Federal Reserve in its bond-buying operations and other monetary-policy machinations. On that front, bond prices plunged today, with the 10-year Treasury yield rising above 2.1% for the first time in more than a year.

Moreover, several stocks posted substantial declines. Leading the way was AT&T (NYSE: T  ) , which dropped 1.5%. Fool contributor Travis Hoium earlier today highlighted the threat to AT&T and rival Verizon (NYSE: VZ  ) , which also fell more than 1%, noting that initiatives from Google could eventually threaten their entire business models. However, another reason for the drops is that telecom stocks are traditionally sensitive to interest rate fluctuation, as their dependable flows of customer subscription revenue closely resemble a bond-like income stream. If bond yields keep rising, then investors will want higher dividend yields from AT&T and Verizon, and that in turn will send shares lower.

Best Consumer Companies To Watch For 2014: Canlan Ice Sports Corp (ICE.TO)

Canlan Ice Sports Corp. engages in the acquisition, development, and operation of recreational ice facilities in North America. It engages in the ice sales and internal programming, which include contract rental of ice-time; restaurants and concession outlets operations in its ice rink facilities; the operation of sports stores that sell hockey, skating, and soccer equipment and apparel; advertising, vending, and space rental in its ice rink facilities; and the provision of management and consulting services. The company also offers hockey, skating, soccer, and ringette programs; organizes youth and adult tournaments; and operates hockey leagues. As of June 25, 2012, it owned and managed 19 facilities in Canada and the United States containing 60 surfaces including ice rinks and indoor soccer fields, as well as ball diamonds, beach volleyball courts, outdoor soccer, curling, and pool. The company was formerly known as Canlan Investment Corporation and changed its name to C anlan Ice Sports Corp. in 1999. Canlan Ice Sports Corp. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada. Canlan Ice Sports Corp. is a subsidiary of Bartrac Investments Ltd.

Best Consumer Companies To Watch For 2014: British American Tobacco Plc(BATS.L)

British American Tobacco p.l.c., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of tobacco and nicotine products. It offers cigarettes, cigars, smokeless snus, roll-your-own, and pipe tobacco products. The company sells its products under the Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Rothmans, Peter Stuyvesant, Benson & Hedges, State Express 555, and John Player Gold Leaf, as well as Granit, Mocca, and Captain Black brands. British American Tobacco p.l.c sells its products in the Asia-Pacific, the Americas, eastern and western Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Top 5 Energy Stocks For 2014: Tod's(TOD.MI)

TOD?S S.p.A. creates, produces, and distributes shoes, leather goods and accessories, and apparel. It provides shoes and leather goods under the Tod?s, Hogan, and Roger Vivier names; shoe collections for women, men, and children under the Hogan name; casual wear under the FAY name; and handbags, jewellery, and sunglasses under the Roger Vivier name. The company offers its products through directly operated stores (DOS), franchised retail outlets, and independent multibrand stores in Italy, Europe, North America, Asia, and internationally. As of December 31, 2011, its distribution network comprised 176 DOS and 70 franchised stores. TOD?S S.p.A. is based in Sant'Elpidio a Mare, Italy.

Best Consumer Companies To Watch For 2014: Amplefield Limited (C60.SI)

Amplefield Limited, an investment holding company, engages in components manufacturing, precision machining, and precision assembly businesses in Malaysia and the Philippines. It also invests in properties and provides trading services. The company is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.