FDA approves first presurgical breast cancer drug

WASHINGTON — A biotech drug from Roche has become the first medicine approved to treat breast cancer before surgery, offering an earlier approach against one of the deadliest forms of the disease.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Perjeta for women with a form of early-stage breast cancer who face a high risk of having their cancer spread to other parts of the body.

Surgery to remove tumors is usually the first step in treating most forms of cancer. Perjeta is the first drug to be approved as a pre-surgical step.

Doctors hope that using cancer drugs earlier could help shrink tumors, making them easier to remove. In some cases, that could allow women to keep their breasts, rather than having a full mastectomy. Doctors also say that treating the disease at its earliest stages could prevent tumors from returning later, though studies have not yet established that benefit.

"By making effective therapies available to high-risk patients in the earliest disease setting, we may delay or prevent cancer recurrences," said FDA's Dr. Richard Pazdur, who directs the agency's office of cancer products.

Cancer specialists already use several chemotherapy drugs as initial treatments for cancer, but they are not formally approved for the use. The FDA originally approved Perjeta to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body after surgery.

The FDA granted the drug accelerated approval for its new use based on a study showing women who received the drug as an initial treatment were more likely to be cancer-free 12 weeks later than women who received older drug combinations. Accelerated approval is reserved for drugs that show groundbreaking results for treating life-threatening diseases in early studies.

As a condition of approval, Roche's Genentech unit must conduct a larger follow-up study showing the drug's long-term benefits for patients. Generally that means showing that patients lived longer or had a higher quality of life due to taking the drug. ! Genentech, based in South San Francisco, Calif., has already enrolled about 4,800 patients in the follow-up study, with results expected in 2016.

Paula Klein, a breast cancer specialist, said she will start prescribing the drug for early-stage patients immediately, but stressed the importance of follow-up data on patient survival.

"This does not yet prove to us that using the antibody in this setting will result in more cures. That is still a hypothesis," said Klein, who directs the breast cancer program at Continuum Cancer Centers of New York.

The FDA said Monday's approval was based on a 417-woman study comparing Perjeta in different combinations against older breast cancer treatments. When Perjeta was combined with Herceptin, another Genentech drug, and standard chemotherapy, 39% of women saw their cancer reach undetectable levels. Only 21% of women experienced the same results from taking Herceptin and chemotherapy alone. After drug treatment all the women received standard breast surgery to remove any cancerous tumors. Genentech says this surgery allowed researchers to confirm the presence or absence of cancer.

Like Herceptin, Perjeta only works in a subset of about 20% of breast cancer patients who have tumors that overproduce a protein known as HER-2. This protein causes cancer cells to divide and grow faster than usual.

A spokeswoman for Genentech said a regimen of Perjeta plus Herceptin would cost between $27,000 and $49,000, depending on how long the patient takes the combination. The new Perjeta label will recommend a course of treatment between nine and 18 weeks.

Breast cancer is the second most deadly form of cancer in U.S. women, behind only lung cancer, and is expected to kill more than 39,000 Americans this year, according to the National Cancer Institute. About 6,000 to 8,000 deaths per year are attributed to the HER-2 form of the disease.

Breast cancer is highly treatable when detected early. More than 98% of women who are diagnosed with first-! stage bre! ast cancer survive at least five years, according to NCI figures.

New Housing Starts, Building Permits Hit Doldrums

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported this morning that new housing starts in August rose to an annual seasonally adjusted rate of 891,000, an increase of 0.9% from the upwardly revised July rate of 883,000, and a gain of 19% above the August 2012 rate of 749,000. The consensus estimate from a survey of economists expected a rate of around 915,000.

The seasonally adjusted rate of new building permits fell to 918,000, which is 3.8% below the upwardly revised July rate of 954,000 and 11% higher than the July 2012 rate of 827,000. The consensus estimate called for 950,000 new permits.

Single-family housing starts rose to an annualized rate of 628,000 in August, up 7% from the downwardly revised July rate of 587,000.

Permits for new single-family homes rose 3% in August to an adjusted annual rate of 627,000 from an upwardly revised total of 609,000 in July.

Information on multifamily housing is sketchy for August because the Census Bureau's data does not meet the agency's standards for reliability on buildings of two to four units. Starts on buildings with five or more units fell 9.4% month-over-month in August, but remain 22.9% higher than August 2012.

How NSEL fiasco thrashed people's gold investment dreams

Where Stree Dhan given to daughters in marriage is sacrosanct, alas NSEL had not committed this sin of depriving these mothers who had a dream of accumulating this Gold by investing with them. 

As far as Gold accumulation goes, E-Gold looked very viable option as you build the corpus by periodically investing to buy units of Silver and Gold, moreover you didn't have to worry for designs getting dated. But investor came face to face with some other worry, designed by NSEL.

I am one such mother who relied heavily on building Gold & Silver corpus for my daughter's marriage which is good 10 years ahead. It started on June 2011 and since then I have been counting my units and happily calculating that I am just this much units behind my target.

But it did not last long, my hopes were dashed on July 16, 2013 when Ministry's dictat for NSEL came for not to launch new contracts until further instructions and sought an undertaking that existing contracts would be settled on due date.

For commoners, it was not even easy to understand that what had happened, they just came to know that they can no longer buy E-Gold or E-Silver units and they should opt for refund.

Panic gripped amidst pessimism and then started series of form filling exercise, refund claims and I was no exception to this. After furnishing relevant documents and not less than 30 signatures here and there, my form was submitted to NSEL and it's almost 25 days, I have not heard from them. Forget a phone call, not even a mail on updating the status of my application. 

The NSEL crisis has shaken up not only the commodities exchanges but the entire capital market setup not just small investors like me.

Today I read in newspapers that Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is probing Jignesh Shah, following the complaints from small investors. But can we expect Government to intervene here and arrange for small investors who are worst hit and paying heavily for the innocence, to get this refund at the earliest. Inspite of repeated promises, Jignesh Shah has defaulted on refunds.

Hope he is not buying time for the dust to settle so that he can get away with this sin, like so many others involved in various scams. Hope Government acts no sooner than later here and save investors from trauma.  So that mothers can take forward their dream of giving Stree Dhan to their daughters.

The writer is Chief Editor of apnapaisa. ApnaPaisa is India's leading Online market place for financial products such as loans , credit cards and insurance plans .

Best Safest Stocks To Watch Right Now

With shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE) trading at around $23.52, is GE an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

C = Catalyst for the Stock�� Movement

GE is a unique story. For instance, many companies throughout the broader market saw consistently increasing revenue from 2009 to 2011 and then suffered revenue declines in 2012. GE, on the other hand, saw revenue declines from 2009 to 2011 and then increasing revenue in 2012. Does this make GE one of the best plays going forward? Does it also make GE one of the safest plays if the market suffers a steep correction at some point over the next few years?

There are no definitive answers to the two questions above. However, GE is certainly headed in the right direction. What wasn�� mentioned above is that EPS has improved on an annual basis for three consecutive years. EPS also improved 16.20 percent last quarter on a year-over-year basis. It’s well known that GE focuses on the bottom line. This should be good news for investors going forward.

Best Safest Stocks To Watch Right Now: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras(PBR)

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. primarily engages in oil and natural gas exploration and production, refining, trade, and transportation businesses. The company?s Exploration and Production segment involves in the exploration, production, development, and production of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas in Brazil. This segment supplies its products to the refineries in Brazil, as well as sells surplus petroleum and byproducts in domestic and foreign markets. Its Supply segment engages in the refining, logistics, transportation, and trade of oil and oil products; export of ethanol; and extraction and processing of schist, as well as holds interests in companies of the petrochemical sector in Brazil. The Gas and Energy segment involves in the transportation and trade of natural gas produced in or imported into Brazil; transportation and trade of LNG; and generation and trade of electric power. In addition, the segment has interests in natural gas transportation and d istribution companies; and thermoelectric power stations in Brazil, as well engages in fertilizer business. The Distribution segment distributes oil products, ethanol, and compressed natural gas in Brazil. The International segment involves in the exploration and production of oil and gas, as well as in supplying, gas and energy, and distribution operations in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Further, the company involves in biofuel production business. Petroleo Brasileiro was founded in 1953 and is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matthew Smith]

  We have received quite a few inquiries regarding our view on Petrobras (PBR) and the bottom line is that we find it quite hard to get excited in the short-term over the company's prospects. Long-term it should be a viable play, but right now we see little reason to subject our portfolio to that volatility and sideways movement when there are so many great domestic opportunities here in the US which offer tremendous upside. Stick with that which is working and try not to get too cute by being a contrarian. There is a time for that, but right now is not that time.

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET.COM]

  Petrobras provides essential energy products and services to growing populations, industries, and economies around the world. The stock has not done too well in recent times, in fact, it is currently trading near multi-year lows. Earnings and revenue figures have been decreasing over recent quarters so investors in the stock have not been pleased. Relative to its peers and sector, Petrobras has trailed significantly in year-to-date performance. STAY AWAY from Petrobras stock for now.

Best Safest Stocks To Watch Right Now: Fluor Corporation(FLR)

Fluor Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and project management services worldwide. Its Oil & Gas segment offers design, engineering, procurement, construction, and project management services to upstream oil and gas production, downstream refining, chemicals, and petrochemicals industries. This segment also provides consulting services comprising feasibility studies, process assessment, and project finance structuring and studies. The company?s Industrial & Infrastructure segment offers design, engineering, procurement, and construction services to the transportation, wind power, mining and metals, life sciences, manufacturing, commercial and institutional, telecommunications, microelectronics, and healthcare sectors. Its Government segment provides engineering, construction, logistics support, contingency response, management, and operations services to the United States government focusing on the Departme nt of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense. The company?s Global Services segment offers operations and maintenance, small capital project engineering and execution, site equipment and tool services, industrial fleet services, plant turnaround services, temporary staffing services, and supply chain solutions. Its Power segment provides engineering, procurement, construction, program management, start-up and commissioning, and operations and maintenance services to the gas fueled, solid fueled, plant betterment, renewables, nuclear, and power services markets. The company also offers unionized management and construction services in the United States and Canada. Fluor Corporation was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Fluor Corporation (FLR) is one of the world�� leading heavy construction and engineering firms. I don’t want to imply that this is a bad company because it is actually a very good one. However, Fluor has divisions including Oil & Gas, Industrial Infrastructure, Government, Global Services and Power. Virtually all of them are seeing limited spending as a result of the global slowdown and reduced government spending around the world. The stock is up more than 23% this year, but earnings are actually down on flat revenues. Analysts have been lowering their estimates for the rest of this year as well as 2014, and the stock is currently rated as a by Portfolio Grader. When the economy recovers, I expect will see this company’s fundamentals improve substantially … but until that happens investors should avoid the stock.

• [By CRWE]

  Fluor Corporation�� (NYSE:FLR) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David Seaton, and Chief Financial Officer, Biggs Porter, will give a presentation to investors at the Credit Suisse 2012 Engineering & Construction Conference in New York on Thursday, June 7 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Top 5 Companies To Buy For 2014: Under Armour Inc.(UA)

Under Armour, Inc. develops, markets, and distributes performance apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and youth primarily in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers products made from moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics designed to regulate body temperature and enhance performance regardless of weather conditions. The company provides its products in three fit types: compression (tight fitting), fitted (athletic cut), and loose (relaxed) extending across the sporting goods, outdoor, and active lifestyle markets. Its footwear offerings comprise football, baseball, lacrosse, softball, and soccer cleats; slides; performance training footwear; and running footwear. The company also provides baseball batting, football, golf, and running gloves, as well as licenses bags, socks, headwear, custom-molded mouth guards, and eyewear that are designed to be used and worn before, during, and after competition. Under Armour sells its products through retai l stores, as well as directly to consumers through its own retail outlets and specialty stores, Website, and catalogs. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  Investors also�bid up shares of Under Armour (UA) to $80.31, a 1.5% rise. And athletic-gear retailer Finish Line (FINL) jumped 7.3% to $24.02 following their own earnings homerun.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOR) and Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA) may seem to have little to nothing in common on the surface. Questcor is in the pharmaceutical business, while Under Armour is the sports apparel and casual wear business. The world has now seen that Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ONXX) is being acquired for some $10.4 billion. The commonality between Questcor and Under Armour is that they were featured on the same recent high growth list of public companies expected to double their revenues over the next two to four years.

Best Safest Stocks To Watch Right Now: Goldman Sachs Group Inc.(The)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides investment banking, securities, and investment management services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. Its Investment Banking segment offers financial advisory, including advisory assignments with respect to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense, risk management, restructurings, and spin-offs; and underwriting securities, loans and other financial instruments, and derivative transactions. The company?s Institutional Client Services segment provides client execution activities, such as fixed income, currency, and commodities client execution related to making markets in interest rate products, credit products, mortgages, currencies, and commodities; and equities related to making markets in equity products, as well as commissions and fees from executing and clearing institutional client transactions on stock, options, and fu tures exchanges. This segment also engages in the securities services business providing financing, securities lending, and other prime brokerage services to institutional clients, including hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds, and foundations. Its Investing and Lending segment invests in debt securities, loans, public and private equity securities, real estate, consolidated investment entities, and power generation facilities. This segment also involves in the origination of loans to provide financing to clients. The company?s Investment Management segment provides investment management services and investment products to institutional and individual clients. This segment also offers wealth advisory services, including portfolio management and financial counseling, and brokerage and other transaction services to high-net-worth individuals and families. In addition, it provides global investment research services. The company was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Counter-Take: JC Penney Offering Was Just To Get Rid Of Short Sellers

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) has done serious damage yet again to its reputation. Earlier in the year its finances were said to be just fine. Then a fresh report from Goldman Sachs that the company would likely run into financial problems next year created a new sense of panic. To combat the concerns, J.C. Penney decided to sell 84 million shares at $9.65 per share.

The move may have bolstered its books, but maybe this was an underhanded way of cleaning up the short sellers out of the stock in the coming weeks. NASDAQ’s latest short interest tables released this week (from mid-September) showed a year high level of some 71.7 million shares and it was the fourth consecutive gain in the short interest.

What anyone would have to ask is simply “Who would buy the J.C. Penney offering, and why?” Most likely, some of the biggest buyers were also among the top short sellers. Some short selling investors have been short this stock since the $30s. The 52-week trading range is $9.25 to $27.00. This week was effectively the lowest reading in years and first time that the stock had broken down under $10 since 2000 or 2001.

Even if nothing has worked in years, the reality is that some short sellers may use this as the “freebie exit” to cover at least a portion of their short sales. The short sellers who are betting that the stock goes to zero can still take profits along the way to ensure gains. Besides, letting it all ride with the hope of “zero” would be considered pigging out or being too greedy even by short-seller terms.

J.C. Penney is a busted business but it has assets and enough property to go on fighting. We cannot see how the retailer can save itself, but any short seller knows only too well that retailers can survive for years and years while they remain in trouble.

All things being equal, this company remains challenged and we think that even more damage has been delivered with this share offering.

Best Low Price Stocks To Invest In 2014

For nearly two years, investors have had to climb a wall of worry with regards to airline stocks.

Back then, I suggested that my favorite industry operator, Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL) was poised to double and the subsequent 145% gain has led a group that has fared quite well.

Simply put, investors were ignoring the too-low price-to-earnings ratios, and instead focused on the trauma that airline stocks had induced in the past as they shifted in and out of bankruptcy. These carriers' financial position is so much stronger than in the past that AMR may well be the last industry bankruptcy we see for a very long time.

Just four months ago, I reiterated my ardor for Delta, and the carrier subsequently raised June quarter guidance in mid-June, thanks to falling jet fuel prices. But quite suddenly, Delta and its peers look a lot less enticing. This chart should tell you why.

A nearly $20 spike in crude oil in the past three months is bound to wreak havoc on profits in coming quarters, and you'll be hearing a lot more about it as the major carriers deliver second-quarter results over the next two weeks.

The Impact On Jet Fuel
Just a month ago, industry analysts had been using the current spot price of jet fuel (roughly $2.74) per gallon, and though there is a lag time between crude oil price moves and jet fuel prices, the price for jet fuel is now on the rise. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), jet fuel prices have risen 5.7% in the past month (to a recent $2.94 a gallon), and appear headed for $3 a gallon by the time the major carriers start to report results next week. Note that crude oil prices have risen more than 10% in the past month, so jet fuel has more room to move to adjust to the higher input price.

Best Low Price Stocks To Invest In 2014: ARM Holdings PLC (ARMH.O)

ARM Holdings plc (ARM), incorporated on October 16, 1990, designs microprocessors, physical intellectual property (IP) and related technology and software, and sells development tools. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated in three business segments: the Processor Division (PD), the Physical IP Division (PIPD) and the System Design Division (SDD). ARM licenses and sells its technology and products to international electronics companies, which in turn manufacture, markets and sells microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and application-specific standard processors (ASSPs) based on ARM�� technology to systems companies for incorporation into a range of end products. It also licenses and sells development tools directly to systems companies and provides support services to its licensees, systems companies and other systems designers.

ARM processor architecture and physical IP is used in embedded microprocessor applications , including cellular phones, digital televisions, mobile computers and personal computer peripherals, smart cards and microcontrollers. ARM�� principal geographic markets are Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. ARM�� product offering includes microprocessor Cores: RISC microprocessor cores, including specific functions, such as video and graphics IP and on-chip fabric IP; embedded software; physical IP; development tools, and support and maintenance services.

Processor Division

The PD encompasses those resources that are centered on microprocessor cores, including specific functions, such as graphics IP, fabric IP, embedded software IP and configurable digital signal processing (DSP) IP. Service revenues consist of design consulting services and revenues from support, maintenance and training.

Physical IP Division

The PIPD is focused on building blocks for translation of a circuit design into actual silicon. Du ring the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company�� tot! al! average PIPD headcount was 557. ARM is a provider of physical IP components for the design and manufacture of integrated circuits, including systems-on-chip (SoCs). ARM Artisan physical IP products include embedded memory, standard cell and input/output components. Artisan physical IP also includes a limited portfolio of analog and mixed-signal products. ARM�� physical IP components are developed for a range of process geometries ranging from 20 nanometer - 250 nanometer. ARM licenses its products to customers for the design and manufacture of integrated circuits used in complex, high-volume applications, such as portable computing devices, communication systems, cellular phones, microcontrollers, consumer multimedia products, automotive electronics, personal computers and workstations and many others.

ARM�� embedded memory components include random access memories, read only memories and register files. These memories are provided in the form of a configur able memory compiler, which allows the customer to generate the appropriate configuration for the given application. ARM�� memory components include many configurable features, such as power-down modes, low-voltage data retention and fully static operation, as well as different transistor options to trade off performance and power. In addition, ARM�� memory components include built-in test interfaces that support the industry test methodologies and tools. ARM memory components also offer redundant storage elements.

ARM�� memory components are designed to enable the chip designer maximum flexibility to achieve the optimum power, performance, and density trade-off. ARM offers standard cell components that are optimized for high performance, high density or ultra high density. ARM logic products deliver optimal performance, power and area when building ARM Processors, Graphics, Video and Fabric IP along with general SoC subsystem implementation. ARM delivers physical interface for a range of DDR SDRAM (double-data! rat! e s! ynchro! nous dynamic random-access memory) applications ranging from mission critical applications to low-power memory sub-systems. Silicon on Insulator (SOI) products is an alternative methodology to traditional semiconductor fabrication techniques.

System Design Division

The SDD is focused on the tools and models used to create and debug software and system-on-chip (SoC) designs. ARM�� software development tools help a software design engineer deliver products right the first time. Engineers use these tools in the design and deployment of code, from applications running on open operating systems right through to low-level firmware. The ARM Development Studio is a hardware components that allow the software designer to connect to a real target system and control the system for the purposes of finding errors in the software. The ARM DSTREAM unit allows the software developer to control the software running on the prototype product and examine the internal state of the prototype product. ARM Development Boards are ideal systems for prototyping ARM-based products. The ARM Microcontroller Development Kit supports ARM-based microcontrollers and 8051-based microcontrollers from companies, such as Analog Devices, Atmel, Freescale, Fujitsu, NXP, Samsung, Sharp, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and Toshiba. The ARM Microcontroller Development Kit is used by developers who are building products and writing software using standard off-the-shelf microcontrollers.

The ARM Microprocessor Families

ARM architecture processors offers a range of performance options in the ARM7 family, ARM9 family, ARM11 family, ARM Cortex family and ARM SecurCore family. The ARM architecture gives systems designers a choice of processor cores at different performance/price points. The ARM7 offers 32-bit architecture capable of operating from 8/16-bit memory on an 8/16-bit bus through the implementation of the Thumb instruction set. The ARM9 family consists of a range of micropro! cessors !! in the 15! 0-250MHz range. Each processor has been designed for a specific application or function, such as an application processor for a feature phone or running a wireless fidelity (WiFi) protocol stack. The ARM9 family consists of a range of microprocessors in the 150-250 megahertz range. The ARM11 family consists of a range of microprocessors in the 300-600 megahertz range. ARM Cortex family is ARM�� family of processor cores based on version 7 of the ARM Architecture. The family is split into three series: A Series, A Series and M Series.

Best Low Price Stocks To Invest In 2014: Boeing(BOE.L)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, sale, and support of commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and launch systems and services worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Commercial Airplanes, Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA), Network and Space Systems (N&SS), Global Services and Support (GS&S), and Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC). The Commercial Airplanes segment develops, produces, and markets commercial jet aircraft for various passenger and cargo requirements, as well as provides related support services to the commercial airline industry. It also offers aviation services support, aircraft modifications, spares, training, maintenance documents, and technical advice to commercial and government customers. The BMA segment engages in the research, development, production, and modification of manned and unmanned military weapons systems for the glo bal strike, mobility and surveillance, and engagement markets, as well as provides related services. The N&SS segment is involved in the research, development, production, and modification of products and services to assist its customers in transforming their operations through its network integration, information and cyber applications, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance space exploration and satellites. The GS&S segment offers operations, maintenance, training, upgrades, and logistics support services for military platforms and operations. The BCC segment facilitates, arranges, structures, and provides financing solutions for its commercial airplanes customers and government customers. Its financing portfolio consists of equipment under operating leases, finance leases, notes and other receivables, assets held for sale or re-lease, and investments. The Boeing Company was founded in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illin ois.

Top 5 Canadian Companies To Invest In 2014: Atmel Corporation(ATML)

Atmel Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) products. The company?s Microcontrollers segment provides various proprietary and standard microcontrollers, such as Atmel?s capacitive touch products, including maXTouch and QTouch, AVR 8-bit and 32-bit products, ARM-based products, and Atmel?s 8051 8-bit products. Its Nonvolatile Memories segment offers serial interface electrically erasable programmable read-only memory and serial interface flash memory products; and parallel interface flash memories, as well as parallel interface electrically erasable programmable read-only memory and erasable programmable read-only memory devices. The company?s Radio Frequency and Automotive segment provides products designed for the automotive industry, including automobile electronics, networking and access systems, and engine, lighting, and entertainment components. This segment produces and sells wireless and wired devices for in dustrial, consumer, and automotive applications; and offers foundry services, which produce radio frequency products for the mobile telecommunications market. Its Application Specific Integrated Circuit segment provides custom application specific ICs designed to meet specialized single-customer requirements of high performance devices in a range of specific applications. This segment provides products that provide hardware security for embedded digital systems; and products with military and aerospace applications, as well as develops application specific standard products for space applications, power management, and secure crypto memory products. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers; and indirectly through a network of distributors. It has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, South Africa, and Central and South America. Atmel Corporation was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Best Low Price Stocks To Invest In 2014: Mdn Inc Com Npv(MDN.TO)

MDN Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties in Tanzania and Canada. The company is involved in various gold exploration projects totaling 815 square kilometers in the area of Lake Victoria Goldfield, as well as holds a 30% interest in a joint venture with African Barrick Gold in the Tulawaka mine and its adjacent permits. It also owns interests in Le Tac, Lac Shortt, Lesp�ance, and MCGold projects in the Chibougamau area; Isle-Dieu project in the Matagami area; and Crevier project in Lac-St-Jean, Quebec. The company was formerly known as Northern Mining Explorations Ltd. and changed its name to MDN Inc. in May 2007. MDN Inc. was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Best Low Price Stocks To Invest In 2014: Euro/Forint(GY)

GenCorp Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of aerospace and defense products and systems in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Aerospace and Defense, and Real Estate. The Aerospace and Defense segment offers defense system products, including liquid, solid, and air-breathing propulsion systems and components for applications in missile defense systems, maneuvering propulsion systems, precision war-fighting systems, and specialty metal products, as well as for use in strategic, tactical, and precision strike missiles. This segment also provides composite and metallic aerospace structural components, and warhead and armament systems for precision tactical and long range weapon applications. In addition, it provides liquid, solid, and electric propulsion systems and components for space systems, such as expendable and reusable launch vehicles, transatmospheric vehicles, manned and unmanned spacecraft, separation and maneuvering systems, upper stage engines, satellites, solid boosters, and integrated propulsion subsystems. This segment serves military, civil, and commercial space customers; Department of Defense; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; aerospace, defense, and commercial prime contractors; and various agencies of the United States government. The Real Estate segment engages in the re-zoning, entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company?s excess real estate assets; and owns approximately 12,200 acres of land in the Sacramento metropolitan area. GenCorp Inc. was founded in 1915 and is headquartered in Rancho Cordova, California.

Best Low Price Stocks To Invest In 2014: Shamaran Petroleum Corp (SNM.V)

ShaMaran Petroleum Corp engages in the exploration and development of oil and gas properties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It has working interests in the Pulkhana block covering an area of 529 square kilometers, Arbat block covering an area of 973 square kilometers, and Taza block comprising 511 square kilometers, as well as the Atrush block with an area of 269 square kilometers in the northern extension of the Zagros folded belt in Kurdistan. The company was formerly known as Bayou Bend Petroleum Ltd. and changed its name to ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. in October 2009. ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Fidelity zaps more small RIAs with $2,500 quarterly fee

Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services will be charging more of its small registered investment advisers a $2,500 quarterly platform fee, beginning next month.

The firm will begin charging all firms with less than $15 million in assets under custody a $2,500 quarterly fee.

Previously, the minimum asset level to avoid the fee was $10 million.

Since 2008, Fidelity has required its new RIA clients to have $15 million, but has allowed assets to drop to $10 million before hitting them with the platform fee.

The two minimums were confusing, said Erica Birke, a Fidelity spokeswoman.

“We're just leveling at that $15 million level, just to simplify things for our clients and relationship managers,” she said.

An additional 100 of the firm's 3,200 RIA clients now will face the fee, doubling the number affected, Ms. Birke said.

Like advisers themselves, custodians want larger clients. But the new minimum could risk alienating some Fidelity advisers.

Brian Fenn, president of Carolina Capital Consulting Inc., ended his relationship with Fidelity after the firm dinged him for a platform fee last March.

“We had maybe $12 million with Fidelity, but had a client get divorced so that dropped to $9 million,” he said. “I’d completely forgotten about the minimum.”

Mr. Fenn said he got a $2,500 bill seven days before it was due, even though his contract specified an old rate of $1,200.

“They should have given me a certain amount of time to get” back over the minimum, said Mr. Fenn, who has moved his remaining Fidelity assets to his primary custodian, TD Ameritrade Institutional, where he runs about $190 million.

Ms. Birke stressed that Fidelity wants to help small advisers grow and avoid the fee, either by partnering with other firms or devising growth plans.

“We've had a lot of advisers who were small and are now substantial in size,” she said.

The new fee policy was reported earlier by the RIABiz website.

Time to Say Sayonara USANA (USNA)

Two years and two weeks later - with a triple digit gain under my belt - I'm saying goodbye to USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (NYSE:USNA). My hypothetical portfolio of stocks that I like and want to play with as a trade in my 'sandbox' portfolio (a model portfolio I've admittedly ignored too much) added USNA back on July 8th of 2010. Now, up 119%, I'm pulling the plug on the position.

Don't get me wrong. I like the company. Heck, I like USANA Health Sciences more now than I did two years ago. The nutrition and supplement company that sells its product through a network marketing system cranked up its top line from $517 million in 2010 to $648 million last year, and ramped up its bottom line from $45 million to $66 million in the same timeframe. I was only 'renting' USNA shares, however, fairly confident that the stock would reflect the company's underlying growth... and maybe a little extra. Things worked out that way (including the little extra), but I don't want to push my luck. Since my portfolio is judged - not officially, but effectively - I think the prudent thing to do here is walk away with my gain in hand.

The mere suggestion will undoubtedly ruffle some feathers. USNA has become a market favorite of late, caused by and causing the straight-line move from $31.60 at the end of last year to $86.96 now. How stupid can I be to get let go of a rising star? Yeah, well, I've been around the block a few more times than I care to admit, and I've seen the action USANA Health Sciences, Inc. is giving us right now too many times before. When things look this decidedly bullish, far more often than not it's the beginning of the end. [Just for the record, back when I picked it and nobody else knew anything about the company, that was also a 'crazy' decision.]

The critics will still argue that I should be judging the stock's merits based on their future growth. I don't entirely disagree. However, more gray hairs than I can count also forces me to conclude that the best-of scenario is already priced into the stock. USNA may only be trading at 14.6 times its forward looking earnings, and the company's got a few beats under its belt too; more are apt to be on the way. The stock is only a reflection of USANA Health Sciences' underlying results when the market wants it to be so, however, and I've got a nagging feeling the market's going to decide to disconnect the stock and the company soon.. It may happen when USANA announces earnings tomorrow, setting up a "buy the rumor sell the news" situation regardless of what the company says.

I know the whole "buy companies, not stocks" thing is also an argument against my approach, but I've got new for you.... stocks have been more of a reflection of investor opinion than a measure of corporate success for more than a decade now. It may not feel right or rational, but it is what it is.

Bottom line? Sometimes you gotta cash in the board you have in the hand. That's what I'm doing with USANA.

Would you like to follow my picks in the future, or start trading your own public portfolio? It's easy. Sign up as a member of the SmallCap Network community (it's free), and choose "Follow Me" to see what I write and trade, or choose "Create a new pick" from your dashboard once you're registered. If you end up being a great stock picker, we'll even feature your trades in the newsletter.

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Precious Metals & Miners Flash Short-Sell Signal

It has been a bumpy ride for precious metal investors over the past couple of years and it unfortunately I do not think its over just yet.

The good news is that the bottom has likely been put in for gold, silver and gold miners BUT the recent rally in these metals and miner looks to be coming to an end. While we could see another pop in price over the next week or so the price, volume and momentum see to be stalling out.

What does this mean? It means we should expect short term weakness and lower prices over the next month or two.

Below are three charts I posted several months ago on my free stockcharts list. These forecast were based off simple technical analysis using cycles, Fibonacci and price patterns. As you can see we are not trading at my key pivot level which I expect selling pressure to start to increase and eventually overpower the buyers sending the prices lower.

Gold Trading Weekly Chart:

Here you can see that gold is technically in a bear market when viewing it on the weekly chart. If you were to pull up a daily chart you would likely notice how the price of gold is trading at a key resistance level on the chart and has reached its full flag measured move.

What does this mean? It means the odds are pointing to lower prices for gold in the next few weeks. Keep in mind though I do feel as though a major bottom has been put in place for the precious metals sector. So buyers are likely to step back in around the $1300 area.

Silver Trading Weekly Chart:

Silver has a little bit different looking chart but the same analysis applies here as it did in gold.

Gold Miners Trading Monthly Chart:

Gold miners may have bottomed on this monthly investing timeframe chart but the daily chart which you will see next clearly shows short term weakness has started.

Gold Miners Trading Daily Chart:

This daily chart really shows my thinking for miners and the overall precious metals sector as a whole. The recent weakness in gold miners to the down side point to distribution of shares. This is very negative for the price of physical gold and silver as gold mining stocks tend to lead physical metals.

The yellow box shows a possible major stage 1 basing pattern forming. If this is the case, then we will have a great opportunity in the coming months when the precious metals down trend completes a reversal and start heading higher.

How to Trade Precious Metals & Gold Miners Conclusion:

In short, I think that staying in cash or shorting metals is the play for the next couple weeks. After that anything can happen and until price breaks down or finally completes the basing pattern and confirms a market bottom I would be very cautious trading here.

In the last week members of my trading newsletter took profits on our short SP500 trade and we closed a long trade in natural gas for a quick 6.5% gain. Join our community of traders and have your money on the right side of the market!

Chris Vermeulen
www.GoldAndOilGuy.com

Will Netflix Continue Its Award-Winning Run?

With shares of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) trading around $301, is NFLX an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Netflix is an Internet subscription service that streams television shows and movies. The company's subscribers can watch unlimited television shows and movies streamed over the Internet to their televisions, computers, and mobile devices. In the United States, subscribers can also receive DVDs delivered to their homes. Netflix has revolutionized the television and movie industry with its services.

Netflix original show House of Cards won an Emmy for best director last night. David Finch's victory confirmed that Hollywood is ready to take Netflix, and other online streaming television, seriously. The Wall Street Journal said that the win will encourage writers, actors, and producers to consider creating original programming for Netflix as a respectable avenue for their projects. Broadcast TV and cable networks like CBS (NYSE:CBS)-owned Showtime and Time Warner (NYSE:TWX)-owned HBO also performed well at television's biggest awards show.

T = Technicals on the Stock Chart Are Strong

Netflix stock has been exploding to the upside in the last few quarters. The stock is currently trading near all-time highs but is in the red today. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Netflix is trading above its rising key averages, which signal neutral to bullish price action in the near-term.

(Source: Thinkorswim)

Taking a look at the implied volatility (red) and implied volatility skew levels of Netflix options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
Netflix Options	47.24%	96%	95%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a very significant amount of call and put options contracts as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
October Options	Flat	Average
November Options	Flat	Average

As of today, there is an average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a very significant amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.

On the next page, let’s take a look at the earnings and revenue growth rates and the conclusion.

E = Earnings Are Improving Quarter-Over-Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Netflix’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Netflix look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

	2013 Q2	2013 Q1	2012 Q4	2012 Q3
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	345.45%	162.50%	-78.96%	-88.79%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	20.23%	17.72%	7.96%	10.13%
Earnings Reaction	-4.46%	24.28%	42.22%	-11.87%

Netflix has seen mixed earnings and rising revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have had conflicting feelings about Netflix’s recent earnings announcements.

P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has Netflix stock done relative to its peers, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA), Outerwall (NASDAQ:OUTR), and sector?

	Netflix	Amazon	Comcast	Outerwall	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	225.50%	23.18%	17.18%	-10.10%	25.87%

Netflix has been a relative performance leader, year-to-date.

Conclusion

Netflix is a streaming services that provides video entertainment to consumers in the United States. House of Cards, a Netflix original show, won an Emmy for best director over the weekend, a first for a web series. The stock has been exploding to the upside and is currently trading slightly below all-time high prices. Over the last four quarters, earnings are mixed and revenues are rising which has produced conflicting feelings among investors in the company. Relative to its peers and sector, Netflix has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Netflix to continue to OUTPERFORM.

Lawyers Plotted to Corrupt BP Oil Spill Settlement Program

Alamy NEW ORLEANS -- An independent probe led by former FBI Director Louis Freeh found evidence of a plot by lawyers to "corrupt" the BP (BP) settlement program but nothing that warranted shutting down payments to victims of the company's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a report issued Friday. Freeh, who was appointed by a federal judge to investigate alleged misconduct by a staff attorney who worked on the settlement program, cleared court-appointed claims administrator Patrick Juneau of engaging in any "conflict of interest, or unethical or improper conduct." But the former FBI director concluded that top members of Juneau's staff engaged in conduct that was improper, unethical and possibly criminal. He recommended that his report be forwarded to the Justice Department. "The nature and seriousness of this type conduct varied in degree but was pervasive and, at its extreme, may have constituted criminal conduct," the report said. Juneau said Freeh's report validates his team's work, and he played down the alleged misconduct by two former members of his staff as an "isolated situation." "We will continue the job of processing claims," he said in a statement. "We welcome the recommendations from the Freeh report and we look forward to working with him to help improve all aspects of the claims process." BP spokesman Geoff Morrell said the report "confirms what BP has suspected for some time: there has been fraud and unethical conduct within the facility itself and among various claimants and their lawyers -- and immediate steps need to be taken to prevent it in the future." "The evidence of conflicts of interest and misconduct assembled in Judge Freeh's report is shocking, but it simply underscores that neither BP nor the public has had any idea of what's really going on within the [settlement program]," Morrell said. "Judge Freeh's continued investigation is essential to assuring public confidence in the integrity of the claims process." Two of the lead plaintiffs' lawyers who brokered the settlement with BP last year said Freeh's report "confirmed what we knew to be true all along: that Patrick Juneau has, for more than a year, led the Court-Supervised Settlement Program with integrity, transparency and objectivity." "It is a testament to Mr. Juneau's running of the program that Judge Freeh's recommended that the Settlement Program continue paying claims unabated, with Juneau at the helm," the attorneys, Stephen Herman and Jim Roy, said in a statement. While the report points to certain conduct within the program as problematic, Freeh said, "this should not prevent the [settlement program] from fairly and efficiently processing and paying honest and legitimate claims in a timely manner." It also found that two private attorneys -- Glen Lerner and Jon Andry -- used Lionel Sutton, a lawyer on Juneau's staff, to expedite a claim by their firm for nearly $8 million. In return, Sutton received more than $40,000 in fees from payments on claims he had referred to their law firm before joining Juneau's staff, the report says. Freeh recommended turning over his report to the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana to determine whether Sutton, Lerner, Andry or Sutton's wife Christine Reitano, who also worked as a lawyer on Juneau's staff, violated any federal laws "regarding fraud, money laundering and conspiracy." Freeh also recommended that the court consider disallowing the $7.9 million payment of The Andry Law Firm claim based on "long-held principles of equity which prohibit a party before the court to benefit and enrich itself after having engaged in dishonest, unethical and improper conduct." "In this matter, the conduct of The Andry Law Firm is particularly egregious," the report said. "In effect, Mr. Jon Andry's AndryLerner firm was making secret, improper payments to Mr. Sutton at the precise time Mr. Sutton was a senior CAO attorney, working in concert with Mr. Jon Andry to expedite payment of The Andry Law Firm claim." Michael Walsh, an attorney for Lionel Sutton, said Freeh's allegations about his client's conduct possibly warranting a criminal probe are "absolutely unfounded." "There was no criminal activity on Mr. Sutton's part," Walsh said. "If Mr. Sutton had done anything criminally wrong, he would not have cooperated with Mr. Freeh." James Cobb, a lawyer for Andry, said his client hasn't done anything wrong and doesn't deserve to be smeared by Freeh. "It appears to me that Mr. Freeh reached a conclusion first and then worked his way backwards, citing facts which are unsupported in the record," Cobb said. Lawyers for Lerner and Reitano didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Sutton resigned from his job at the settlement program in June. Reitano was fired later the same month. She has demanded to be reinstated, saying she didn't do anything wrong. BP had asked U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to suspend all settlement payments to businesses and residents pending the outcome of Freeh's investigation, but the judge denied that request on two separate occasions. Freeh's probe isn't over. His report said his work is "ongoing" and will result in recommendations for strengthening the settlement program's operations and anti-fraud measures. In April 2010, the oil drilling rig Deepwater Horizon exploded off the Louisiana coast, killing 11 workers and leading to millions of gallons of oil being spewed into the water. Marshes, fisheries and beaches from Louisiana to Florida were fouled by the oil before the well was sealed. BP set up a compensation fund for individuals and businesses hurt by the spill and committed $20 billion. Juneau took over the processing of claims after the settlement was reached last year.

Introduction To Retirement Money Market Accounts

Financial advisors almost invariably counsel their clients to invest their retirement savings in growth instruments such as stocks and real estate during their working years. But the time eventually comes when at least a portion of retirement assets must be shifted into more conservative holdings that pose less market risk. The need for growth gives way to the need for capital preservation and liquidity, and there are relatively few investment vehicles that can satisfy both of these objectives at the same time. Money market accounts are one such instrument that typically pay slightly higher rates than traditional savings or checking accounts.

What is the Money Market?
In order to understand how money market accounts work, it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of the debt markets. All debt instruments can be divided into two categories: the capital market and the money market. Any debt instrument with a term to maturity of more than 270 days is considered to be capital market security, while all debt securities with a maturity of 270 days or less are considered to be money market instruments. These instruments include commercial paper, treasury securities with maturities of nine months or less, whiskey warehouse receipts and repurchase agreements. The constant maturation of these short-term debts make the money market the most liquid segment of the fixed income market.

Money Market Accounts
There are two basic types of money market accounts. The ones that are offered by banks and other savings institutions are essentially a type of premium savings account that invests directly in money market securities. The other is offered through a mutual fund that invests in money market instruments. The vast majority of retirement accounts offered by banks, mutual funds, investment advisers and brokerage firms use either a proprietary money market mutual fund account or that of a major mutual fund company. The number of institutions that use another fund company's money market fund, however, seems to be shrinking. More and more institutions now offer their own proprietary money funds that pay interest according to a tiered schedule.

There are several reasons why money market funds are used to hold cash in retirement plans:

Liquidity – Money market transactions are always completed either the same day as the purchase or sale request is received, or the next business day, if the request is received after the close of business that day. There is no lag between the settlement and transaction dates as there can be for other types of funds, and sales charges are seldom, if ever, assessed when shares are purchased or redeemed. Money market accounts that are used in retirement plans and IRAs are also generally exempt from many of the restrictions that banks and credit unions place on taxable retail money market funds and accounts, such as a monthly limit on the number of withdrawals and minimum required account balances. Virtually all IRA and retirement plan distributions are taken from money market funds or accounts; if securities are sold in order to make the distribution they are always swept into the money market fund before the proceeds can be distributed. IRA owners who need to take distributions should therefore keep an appropriate portion of their assets here, so they can easily make withdrawals. Safety and stability – Although many of the securities in money market funds are backed by the U.S. Treasury, they are not guaranteed instruments in and of themselves. The vast majority of these funds, however, maintain a constant price of $1 per share at all times, although on very rare occasions the share price of a handful of money market funds has dipped below this price. Of course, the money market funds offered by any bank or credit union are federally insured by the FDIC. Money market funds are consequently a key alternative for conservative investors who wish to avoid risking losses in the markets. Higher interest – Money market funds typically pay higher rates of interest than other types of demand deposit accounts such as checking and savings accounts. The rates of interest that the funds pay will fluctuate with the current interest rate environment, but they will typically float at a slightly higher level than the rates offered in other types of liquid accounts. The interest that they pay accrues on a daily basis, and the share price is not affected by changes in interest rates. Some money market funds are tiered to pay a higher rate of interest on amounts that exceed a certain threshold, such as $10,000. It should be noted, however, that money market funds are not an appropriate vehicle for long-term growth; they are essentially cash accounts and thus will never pay a rate that materially outpaces inflation. All interest that is generated in the money market in an IRA or retirement plan, however, is nontaxable until it is withdrawn (or never taxed for Roth plans and accounts). Of course, there are money market funds that pay state and federal tax-free interest as well, but the tax advantages of these funds are generally negated inside retirement plans. Convenience – The safety and liquidity provided by money market accounts and funds allow investors to place their money there without worry. Most retirement accounts will automatically sweep the proceeds from sale transactions as well as all deposits that are not specified for another use into money market funds, where they will begin earning interest on the date of deposit. Money market sweep accounts can guarantee that all of the client's spare cash is at least earning a minimal rate of interest when it is not otherwise being used. The Bottom Line
Money market accounts and funds hold billions of investor dollars around the world. They are commonly used in retirement accounts because of their safety, liquidity and convenience, and because they pay competitive rates of interest. While the current interest rate environment has made money market funds somewhat less attractive for moderate and aggressive investors, it is still the vehicle of choice for many retirement savers who do not wish to risk their principals. For more information on money market funds and accounts, consult your investment or financial advisor.

Stock Futures Cautious as Fed Meet on Stimulus

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Stock futures were little changed Tuesday as investors awaited guidance from the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting that begins Tuesday.

The Goldman Sachs financial conditions index shows that the economy has worsened since the committee's July meeting owing largely to higher interest rates. Goldman Sachs anticipates the Fed will announce the beginnings of a "soft taper" at this week's meeting, featuring a widely expected $10 billion cut to the monthly rate of asset purchases.

"Mortgage rates have continued to rise, an area that is likely of particular concern for the Fed," Jan Hatzius, a Goldman Sachs economist said in an investor note.

Futures for the S&P 500 were up 0.5 points, or 1.85 points below fair value, to 1,691.75. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were rising 10 points, or 36.22 points above fair value, to 15,441. Futures for the Nasdaq were up 4.5 points, or 5.41 points above fair value, to 3,165.5. Despite the overall lackluster futures action, a number of stocks were garnering attention. Huntsman (HUN) was popping 8.41% to $20.75 after the chemical company said that it will buy Rockwood Holdings' (ROC) Performance Additives and Titanium Dioxide businesses for $1.1 billion in cash and assume pension liabilities estimated at $225 million. Rockwood was rising 0.89% to $67.20. Verizon Communications (VZ) was rising 0.5% to $48.54 after analysts at RBC raised their recommendation on the stock to "outperform" from "sector perform" with a $54 price target citing an attractive valuation subsequent to the telecom giant's deal to acquire Vodafone's (VOD) stake in Verizon Wireless. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported tame inflation numbers Tuesday saying that the consumer price index increased by a less-than-expected 0.1% in August after gaining 0.2% in July. Economists were expecting an increase of 0.2%, according to a Thomson Reuters survey of economists. The core price index, excluding food and energy, edged up by an as-expected 0.1% after rising 0.2% for a third straight month. Dan Greenhaus, the chief global economist at BTIG in New York, commented in a client note that despite the subdued inflation figures he still expects the Fed to reduce the pace of asset purchases at this week's FOMC meeting because he doesn't see that the Fed views further purchases as worth the potential cost. "The weak inflation prints support the Fed in its efforts to stimulate the U.S. economy even though the composition and form of that stimulus may change," he noted. The National Association of Home Builders' housing market index, out at 10 a.m., is expected to remain at 59 for September. The FTSE 100 was down 0.33% while the DAX in Germany was off 0.19%. The Hong Kong Hang Seng settled down 0.31% while the Nikkei 225 in Japan closed down 0.65%. The benchmark 10-year Treasury was rising 5/32, bringing the yield down to 2.849%. The dollar was falling 0.16% to $81.16 according to the U.S. dollar index. December gold futures were falling 80 cents to $1,317 an ounce while October crude oil futures were slipping 55 cents to $106.04 a barrel. U.S. stocks gained Monday with the S&P 500 advancing to a six-week high as investors bet on an extension of the Federal Reserve's stimulus program and a smooth leadership transition at the central bank as former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers withdrew his name from consideration as the next Fed chairman. Follow @atwtse -- Written by Andrea Tse in New York >To contact the writer of this article, click here: Andrea Tse.>

Intel Goes Deeper into Cloud and Data Center After Missing Mobile

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) is unveiling new technology for cloud applications. The semiconductor and processor giant is bringing out new systems-on-chip (SoCs) to optical fiber for cloud-optimized products on network, storage, microservers and rack designs. Most investors know that Intel has missed out on much of the move to mobile processing, but now Intel is trying to rapidly expand other areas outside of its traditional dominance in processors for PCs and servers.

The company’s new portfolio of data center products and technologies is targeted toward cloud service providers, with greater efficiency and flexibility into infrastructure.

The market for servers and network and storage infrastructure is said to be migrating into the microserver, cold storage and entry networking segments. Intel plans to help cloud providers boost their utilization rates while driving down costs.

Intel’s new SoCs are the first Intel products based on the Silvermont micro-architecture and are coming out nine months after the previous generation. Supporting billions of devices and users simultaneously is changing how data centers have to operate. Intel claims to be providing “the key innovations that original equipment manufacturers, telecommunications equipment makers and cloud service providers require to build the data centers of the future."

Intel also introduced the Intel Ethernet Switch FM5224 silicon. This is to be combined with the WindRiver Open Network Software suite and is expected to bring new solutions to servers for improved density and lower power. Also being released are Intel Rack Scale Architecture as well as customized and optimized Intel Atom SoCs for new and existing market segments.

We are not going to say that this effort makes Intel’s weak sales into smartphones and tablets much better. The move is still underway there and time is going to tell how Intel does on that front.

If you want to see the full releases with full products, that can be seen here. Intel shares were up 2.8% at $22.80 on last look against a 52-week range of $19.23 to $25.98.

Will Disney Continue To Explode?

With shares of Disney (NYSE:DIS) trading around $67, is DIS an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Disney is a diversified worldwide entertainment company. The company operates in five business segments: Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, Studio Entertainment, Consumer Products and Interactive. Disney offers entertainment that sends smiles to consumers across a range of countries around the world. It’s movies and shows, theme parks, and products have remained a main attraction for many years and will continue well into the future. As Disney continues to provide excellent entertainment, look for the company to remain a leader in the industry.

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T = Technicals on the Stock Chart are Strong

Disney stock has seen an explosive move higher over the last couple of years. The stock is currently trading at all-time high prices and sees no signs of slowing. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Disney is trading above its rising key averages which signal neutral to bullish price action in the near-term.

(Source: Thinkorswim)

Taking a look at the implied volatility (red) and implied volatility skew levels of Disney options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
Disney Options	21.42%	16%	17%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a minimal amount of call and put options contracts, as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
June Options	Flat	Average
July Options	Flat	Average

As of today, there is an average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a minimal amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.

On the next page, let’s take a look at the earnings and revenue growth rates and the conclusion.

E = Earnings Are Increasing Quarter-Over-Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Disney’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Disney look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

	2013 Q1	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	36.21%	-3.75%	17.34%	31.17%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	9.89%	5.21%	3.42%	3.87%
Earnings Reaction	-0.12%	0.42%	-5.95%	1.36%

Disney has seen increasing earnings and revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these figures, the markets have been pleased with Disney’s recent earnings announcements.

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P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has Disney stock done relative to its peers, News Corporation (NASDAQ:NWS), Time Warner (NYSE:TWX), Dreamworks (NASDAQ:DWA), and sector?

	Disney	News Corporation	Time Warner	Dreamworks	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	34.97%	26.33%	26.91%	30.66%	24.87%

Disney has been a relative performance leader, year-to-date.

Conclusion

Disney provides unforgettable entertainment experiences to consumers of all ages in a multitude of countries across the globe. The stock has been a strong performer, now trading at all-time high prices, and is poised to continue higher. Earnings and revenue figures have been increasing over the last several quarters which has kept investors pleased. Relative to its peers and sector, Disney has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Disney to continue to OUTPERFORM.

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014

For companies that have oil sands assets, it hasn't been a good year so far. Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO  ) just announced that the company couldn't get any takers for a 25% interest in its oil sands project. Not that it keeps Marathon from trying again, but it will be difficult. In the past year, three major oil sands exploration companies have either shelved expansion projects or have completely pulled out of the region.�

With oil sands trading at a deep discount to other North American oil sources, exploration companies aren't seeing the value in oil sands today. In this video, Fool.com contributors Tyler Crowe and Aimee Duffy discuss the woes of oil sands and what it will take to get them going again.

Oil sands may not be the place right now for investors, but there are many different ways to play the energy sector, and The Motley Fool's analysts have uncovered an under-the-radar company that's dominating its industry. This company is a leading provider of equipment and components used in drilling and production operations and is poised to profit in a big way from it. To get the name and detailed analysis of this company that will prosper for years to come, check out the special free report: "The Only Energy Stock You'll Ever Need." Don't miss out on this limited-time offer and your opportunity to discover this company before the market does. Click here to access your report -- it's totally free.

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014: Northgate Minerals Corporation(NXG)

Northgate Minerals Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in exploring, developing, processing, and mining gold and copper deposits in Canada and Australia. Its principal producing assets include 100% interests in the Fosterville and Stawell Gold mines in Victoria, Australia; and the Kemess South mine located in north-central British Columbia, Canada. The company was formerly known as Northgate Exploration Limited and changed its name to Northgate Minerals Corporation in May 2004. Northgate Minerals Corporation was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Christopher Barker]

  I've been reminding Fools to consider positioning for Northgate Minerals' golden explosion for months, and patient gold investors continue to await the day when Northgate's powerful prospects are more fully reflected in the shares. Construction of the critical Young-Davidson mine continues right on schedule, and first production now stands about two quarters away. That means Northgate is reasonably likely to achieve its 2012 production target of 300,000 ounces, followed by 350,000 ounces in 2013. Meanwhile, Northgate recently drilled "one of the best holes ever intersected on the property" -- featuring 4.31 grams of gold per ton over a very wide 79.6-meter segment -- from a new discovery zone outside of the existing 2.8 million-ounce reserve.

  If Young-Davidson were Northgate's sole asset, these shares would still be undervalued here at about $2.60 per share. With a preliminary assessment looming for the reworked Kemess Underground project, a new drill program at the Awakening Gold project in Nevada, and two operating gold mines in Australia, Northgate figures among the clearest bargains in the gold patch.

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014: Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (BWP)

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP is a limited partnership company. The Company owns and operates three interstate natural gas pipeline systems including integrated storage facilities. Its business is conducted by its primary subsidiary, Boardwalk Pipelines, LP (Boardwalk Pipelines) and its subsidiaries, Gulf Crossing Pipeline Company LLC (Gulf Crossing), Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (Gulf South) and Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (Texas Gas) (together, the operating subsidiaries), which consist of integrated natural gas pipeline and storage systems. During the year ended December 31, 2011, it formed Boardwalk Midstream, LP (Midstream), and its operating subsidiary, Boardwalk Field Services, LLC (Field Services), which is engaged in the natural gas gathering and processing business. In December 2011, Boardwalk HP Storage Company, LLC (HP Storage), a joint venture between Boardwalk Pipelines and Boardwalk Pipelines Holding Corp. (BPHC) acquired Petal Gas Storage, L.L.C. (Petal), Hattiesburg Gas Storage Company (Hattiesburg). In December 2011, it acquired a 20% equity interest in HP Storage.

The Company�� pipeline systems originate in the Gulf Coast region, Oklahoma and Arkansas and extend north and east to the midwestern states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. It serves a mix of customers, including producers, local distribution companies (LDCs), marketers, electric power generators, direct industrial users and interstate and intrastate pipelines. The Company provides a portion of its pipeline transportation and storage services, through firm contracts, under which the Company�� customers pay monthly capacity reservation charges. Other charges are based on actual utilization of the capacity under firm contracts and contracts for interruptible services. During 2011, approximately 82% of its revenues were derived from capacity reservation charges under firm contracts; approximately 14% of its revenues were derived from charges-based on actual utilization under firm contr! acts, and approximately 4% of its revenues were derived from interruptible transportation, interruptible storage, parking and lending (PAL) and other services. Its expansion projects include South Texas Eagle Ford Expansionand Marcellus Gathering System and HP Storage.

Pipeline and Storage Systems

The Company�� operating subsidiaries own and operate approximately 14,200 miles of pipelines, directly serving customers in twelve states and indirectly serving customers throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States through numerous interconnections with unaffiliated pipelines. In 2011, its pipeline systems transported approximately 2.7 trillion cubic feet of gas. Average daily throughput on its pipeline systems during 2011 was approximately 7.3 billion cubic feet. Its natural gas storage facilities are comprised of eleven underground storage fields located in four states with aggregate working gas capacity of approximately 167.0 billion cubic feet. the Company operates the assets of HP Storage on behalf of the joint venture.

The principal sources of supply for our pipeline systems are regional supply hubs and market centers located in the Gulf Coast region, including offshore Louisiana, the Perryville, Louisiana area, the Henry Hub in Louisiana and the Carthage, Texas area. Its pipelines in the Carthage, Texas area provide access to natural gas supplies from the Bossier Sands, Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale and other gas producing regions in eastern Texas and northern Louisiana. The Henry Hub serves as the designated delivery point for natural gas futures contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Its pipeline systems also have access to unconventional mid-continent supplies, such as the Woodford Shale in southeastern Oklahoma and the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas. The Company also accesses the Eagle Ford Shale in southern Texas; wellhead supplies in northern and southern Louisiana and Mississippi; and Canadian natural gas through an unaffil! iated pip! eline interconnect at Whitesville, Kentucky.

Gulf Crossing

The Company�� Gulf Crossing pipeline system originates near Sherman, Texas, and proceeds to the Perryville, Louisiana area. The market areas are in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Florida through interconnections with Gulf South, Texas Gas and unaffiliated pipelines.

Gulf South

The Company�� Gulf South pipeline system is located along the Gulf Coast in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The on-system markets directly served by the Gulf South system are generally located in eastern Texas, Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. These markets include LDCs and municipalities located across the system, including New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; and Pensacola, Florida, and other end-users located across the system, including the Baton Rouge to New Orleans industrial corridor and Lake Charles, Louisiana. Gulf South also has indirect access to off-system markets through numerous interconnections with unaffiliated interstate and intrastate pipelines and storage facilities. These pipeline interconnections provide access to markets throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States.

Gulf South has two natural gas storage facilities. The gas storage facility located in Bistineau, Louisiana, has approximately 78 billion cubic feet of working gas storage capacity from which Gulf South offers firm and interruptible storage service, including no-notice service. Gulf South�� Jackson, Mississippi, gas storage facility has approximately five billion cubic feet of working gas storage capacity, which is used for operational purposes and is not offered for sale to the market.

Texas Gas

The Company�� Texas Gas pipeline system originates in Louisiana, East Texas and Arkansas and runs north and east through Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, K! entucky, ! Indiana, and into Ohio, with smaller diameter lines extending into Illinois. Texas Gas directly serves LDCs, municipalities and power generators in its market area, which encompasses eight states in the South and Midwest and includes the Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and Evansville and Indianapolis, Indiana metropolitan areas. Texas Gas also has indirect market access to the Northeast through interconnections with unaffiliated pipelines. Texas Gas owns nine natural gas storage fields, of which it owns the majority of the working and base gas. Texas Gas uses this gas to meet the operational requirements of its transportation and storage customers and the requirements of its no-notice service customers.

Field Services

In 2011, the Company formed its Field Services subsidiary and transferred to it approximately 100 miles of gathering and transmission pipeline. In 2012, the Company transferred to Field Services an additional 240 miles of pipeline and two compressor stations. Field Services is developing gathering and processing capabilities in south Texas and Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Brush]

  As for Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (NYSE:BWP), it operates natural gas pipelines in the U.S. transporting about 10% of the nation's natural gas on an annual basis. Although it generates just 6% of Loews' overall net income, it does so on a consistent basis. Personally, I like the natural gas tie-in. Lastly, it owns 100% of privately operated HighMount Exploration and Production, a Texas-based company that produces natural gas, LNG and oil in Texas and Oklahoma. In 2012, as a result of lower natural gas prices, it's had to take large impairment charges on its natural gas revenue. I'd expect its situation to improve in 2013. Loews has increased its book value per share by approximately 9.5% on an annualized basis over the past five years. Owning its stock instead of the energy-related holdings directly allows you to benefit from its other holdings at the same time. 

5 Best Casino Stocks To Own Right Now: Ascent Solar Technologies Inc.(ASTI)

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a development stage company, focuses on commercializing flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules using its proprietary technology. The company intends to manufacture roll-format PV modules that use copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) on a plastic substrate. Its proprietary manufacturing process deposits multiple layers of materials, including a thin-film of CIGS semiconductor material on a plastic substrate and laser patterns the layers to create interconnected PV cells or PV modules through monolithic integration process. The company would serve the building applied photovoltaic (BAPV) and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) market, as well as specialty markets, such as defense, portable power, transportation, electronic integrated photovoltaic, and space and near-space. It has a strategic relationship with Norsk Hydro Produksjon AS to access customers in the BIPV/BAPV markets worldwide. Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. was founded in 200 5 and is based in Thornton, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chuck]

  Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.(NASDAQ: ASTI) closing price in the stock market Tuesday, Jan. 3, was $0.42. ASTI is trading -34.41% below its 50 day moving average and -50.53% below its 200 day moving average. ASTI is -89.37% below its 52-week high of $3.95 and 16.67% above its 52-week low of $0.46. ASTI‘s PE ratio is N/A and its market cap is $16.36M .

  Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a development stage company. ASTI focuses on commercializing flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules using its proprietary technology. ASTI intends to manufacture roll-format PV modules that use copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) on a plastic substrate.

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014: Williams Partners L.P.(WPZ)

Williams Partners L.P. focuses on natural gas transportation, gathering, treating and processing, storage, natural gas liquid fractionation, and oil transportation activities in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Gas Pipeline, and Midstream Gas and Liquids. The Gas Pipeline segment owns and operates approximately 13,900 miles of pipelines with annual throughput of approximately 2,700 trillion British thermal units of natural gas and delivery capacity of approximately 13 million dekatherms of gas. This segment also owns interests in joint venture interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline systems. The Midstream Gas and Liquids segment includes natural gas gathering, processing, and treating facilities; and crude oil gathering and transportation facilities that serve the producing basins in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, the Gulf of Mexico, and Pennsylvania. Williams Partners GP LLC serves as the general partner of the company. Williams Partners L.P . was founded in 2005 and is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Williams Partners (NYSE:WPZ) is an integrated natural gas company that is involved with exploration and production, midstream gathering and processing and interstate natural gas transportation. In the last nine-and-a-half months, WPZ stock has gained 18% since January 2011.

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014: EMCORE Corporation(EMKR)

EMCORE Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides compound semiconductor-based products for the broadband, fiber optics, satellite, and solar power markets. The company operates in two segments, Fiber Optics and Photovoltaics. The Fiber Optics segment offers broadband products, including cable television, fiber-to-the-premises, satellite communication, video transport, and defense and homeland security products; and digital products comprising telecom optical, enterprise, laser/photodetector component, parallel optical transceiver and cable, and fiber channel transceiver products. This segment?s products enable information that is encoded on light signals to be transmitted, routed, and received in communication systems and networks. The Photovoltaics segment provides gallium arsenide (GaAs) multi-junction solar cells, covered interconnected cells, and solar panels for satellite applications; and concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) power systems for commercial and utility scale solar applications, as well as GaAs solar cells and integrated CPV components for use in other solar power concentrator systems. The company markets its products through its direct sales force, external sales representatives and distributors, and application engineers worldwide. EMCORE Corporation was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bill]

  EMCORE Corp.(NASDAQ: EMKR) closing price in the stock market Tuesday, Jan. 3, was $0.951. EMKR is trading 2.16% above its 50 day moving average and -39.24% below its 200 day moving average. EMKR is -70.74% below its 52-week high of $3.25 and 15.98% above its 52-week low of $0.82. EMKR‘s PE ratio is N/A and its market cap is $89.46M .

  EMCORE Corp. provides compound semiconductor-based products for the broadband, fiber optics, space, and solar power markets. The company operates in two segments, Fiber Optics and Photovoltaics.

• [By CRWE]

  EMCORE Corporation (Nasdaq:EMKR), a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the fiber optic and solar power markets, reported that it is ramping production and shipping the Opticomm-EMCORE NEXTGEN OTP-1DVI2A1SU insert cards for the Optiva platform.

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014: (NFYEF)

New Flyer Industries, Inc. a Canadian Income Fund, operates as an unincorporated open-ended trust in Canada. The fund engages in the manufacture and sale of heavy duty transit buses in the United States and Canada. It uses various propulsion systems, including diesel electric or gasoline electric hybrid systems, compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas systems, and zero emission electric trolleys in heavy duty transit buses. The fund also provides aftermarket parts and services, including parts distribution, field services, support documentation, and training, as well as bus parts. It supplies heavy duty transit buses primarily to municipal and local transit authorities. New Flyer was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Goodwin]

  Second, New Flyer Industries (NFYEF.PK/NFI.TO) stock has been accelerating since January 19th.  The unusual action prompted regulators to ask New Flyer to disclose that New Flyer has been in discussions "regarding a potential commercial and strategic relationship."  But company CEO Paul Soubry says there are no deals closing, and several analysts agree.

  The stock has been incredibly under-priced since last summer.  North American transit bus orders have been slow for the past two years, and New Flyer has been reducing its backlog as a result.  But the flip side of the slow bus market has been a rapidly aging bus fleet and increasing pressure on transit operators to replace aging buses. 

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014: Apache Corporation(APA)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dennis Slothower]

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

Top Energy Companies To Invest In 2014: Weatherford International Ltd(WFT)

Weatherford International Ltd. provides equipment and services used in the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. It offers artificial lift systems, which include reciprocating rod lift systems, progressing cavity pumps, gas lift systems, hydraulic lift systems, plunger lift systems, hybrid lift systems, wellhead systems, and multiphase metering systems. The company also provides drilling services, including directional drilling, ?Secure Drilling? services, well testing, drilling-with-casing and drilling-with-liner systems, and surface logging systems; and well construction services, such as tubular running services, cementing products, liner systems, swellable products, solid tubular expandable technologies, and inflatable products and accessories. In addition, it designs and manufactures drilling jars, underreamers, rotating control devices, and other pressure-control equipment used in drilling oil and nat ural gas wells; and offers a selection of in-house or third-party manufactured equipment for the drilling, completion, and work over of oil and natural gas wells for operators and drilling contractors, as well as a line of completion tools and sand screens. Further, the company provides wireline and evaluation services; and re-entry, fishing, and thru-tubing services, as well as well abandonment and wellbore cleaning services; stimulation and chemicals, including fracturing and coiled tubing technologies, cement services, chemical systems, and drilling fluids; integrated drilling services; and pipeline and specialty services. It serves independent oil and natural gas producing companies. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tom Bishop]

  Weatherford International (WFT) is trading around $14. Weatherford is a leading provider of equipment and services to the oil and gas industry, based in Switzerland. These shares have traded in a range betwe en $10.85 to $26.25 in the last 52 weeks. The 50-day moving average is $15.46 and the 200-day moving average is $19.62. WFT is estimated to earn about 88 cents per share in 2011 and $1.67 for 2012. Analysts at UBS set a $28 price target for WFT share.