Delphi told GM ignition switch didn't meet specs

WASHINGTON — Congressional staff investigating the widening General Motors ignition switch recall of 2.2 million vehicles said Sunday there are indications GM approved the design of the switches in 2002 even though the company knew they did not meet specifications.

Executives with Delphi, the Troy, Mich.-based supplier of the part, told investigators that GM accepted the switches now under recall despite knowing they did not meet the company's specifications. That disclosure, along with others in a memo to committee members Sunday, raises more troubling questions about why GM and federal regulators didn't act sooner to address a long-standing problem.

The defective ignition switches have been linked to 13 deaths and 31 crashes. Several families of people who died in crashes are considering lawsuits and at least one class action regarding the vehicles has been filed as well.

Sunday's memo from investigators for the House Energy and Commerce Committee comes as GM CEO Mary Barra is to testify before the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee at a hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill. GM is recalling Chevrolet Cobalts and HHRs, Saturn Ions and Skys and Pontiac G5s and Solstices to replace switches that can be inadvertently jostled out of position, potentially causing air bags not to deploy in the event of a crash.

But the recall was ordered more than a decade after the first indications of switch problems. As early as 2001, during pre-production of the Ion, GM knew there were issues with the ignition switches, according to the company's time line of events leading to the recall.

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Greg Martin, a spokesman for GM, said the company is cooperating fully with congressional investigators to ensure they have a "full understanding" of GM's decisions. He did not directly address the claim that GM may have known the switches didn't meet specifications, however.

Delphi executives did not re! turn calls and e-mails for comment.

As part of the investigation, committee staff collected 235,000 pages of documents from GM and its regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Investigators held closed-door briefings with officials from GM, NHTSA and GM's suppliers, Delphi and Continental, which produced the sensing module triggering air bag deployment.

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., who chairs the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee said the information collected through documents and briefings "paint an unsettling picture."

NHTSA is under fire for not moving more quickly to force a recall. Federal regulators had received hundreds of complaints of cars stalling over the years and, as early as 2005, ordered an investigation into a crash where a 16-year-old girl died in a Cobalt, and the air bags did not deploy.

According to e-mails, in September 2007, a top official in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation proposed a deeper look into "frontal air bag non-deployment in the 2003-2006 Chevrolet Cobalt/Saturn Ion," saying there was "a pattern of reported non-deployments," Sunday's memo said.

GM, however, said it did not see a pattern and officials at the Office of Defects Investigation determined later that year that there was no discernible trend to the incidents and decided against a more formal investigation.

Both Barra and David Friedman, NHTSA's acting administrator, will be questioned this week about the recall and why it took so long. Subcommittee members — including full committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., want to know whether GM's internal procedures are robust enough to catch defects and why the company would have approved switches that did not meet its own specifications.

"Lives are at stake, and we will follow the facts where they take us as we work to pinpoint where the system failed," said Upton, who sponsored legislation in 2000 intended to ensure federal regulators had the data needed to detect safety issu! es earlie! r. "We now know the problems persisted over a decade, the red flags were many, and yet those responsible failed to connect the dots."

Much of the 12-page memo put out by the committee staff Sunday reiterated information already made public but the 235,000 pages of documents — as well as briefings — did contain some new developments.

Executives from Delphi told committee staff in a briefing that GM signed off on what's known as a Production Part Approval Process, or PPAP, document in February 2002 for the switch "even though sample testing of the ignition switch was below the original specifications set by GM."

STORY: GM recall tests CEO Barra's top executives
STORY: GM missed 'red flags' on deadly ignition switches

It was not immediately known why Delphi would have provided a part that did not meet specifications, why GM would have accepted it or whether it was considered a potential problem at the time.

Committee members are expected to pursue answers from GM as to why it would have accepted the part — especially since Cobalt engineers, in court depositions made public since the recall, have said themselves vehicles shouldn't have been sold if parts didn't meet specifications.

Delphi executives also told committee staff that it was GM which finally requested a change to the part in 2006, which largely addressed the problem in some 2007 model year vehicles and those thereafter. However, because some of the original switches were sold as after-market parts, GM can't be sure how many of those may have eventually ended up in other model year cars — leading to last week's expansion of the recall.

Even that decision to fix the part, however, appeared to run into difficulty, according to congressional investigators. Records indicated that in 2005 — after GM opened an internal probe into issues reported with the switches — the company considered addressing the problem with a design change. But a GM engineer said it would be "close to impossible to modify! the pres! ent ignition switch."

Even so, GM personnel signed off on a change largely addressing the problem just the following year. It wasn't until 2013 when internal investigators at GM even figured out that the part had been ordered changed by at least one of its own engineers.

Delphi executives told the committee that although that 2006 change led to "a significant increase in ... performance" it was still below GM's original specifications.

There also were indications that NHTSA considered a defect investigation in 2010 but again decided not to pursue it.

Tuesday's House hearing, which is set for 2 p.m. EDT, is just part of what is likely to be a long week for GM and federal regulators. A Senate subcommittee will hold a hearing on the recall Wednesday and NHTSA is expected to receive answers to 107 questions it put to GM about the timing of the recall Thursday.

GM, however, could still have protection on any claims against it for crashes involving the vehicles prior to July 2009. As part of its bankruptcy reorganization, product claims were separated from the new company's liabilities. Lawyers, however, could try to get that shield removed if it can be shown that GM executives knowingly misled the bankruptcy court about the threat posed by the switches.

The U.S. Department of Justice is also said to be investigating GM's handling of the recall.

Tesla Motors Inc Should Watch Germany, Not Detroit for Competition

Detroit can't seem to get electric vehicles right. The Chevy Volt by General Motors (NYSE: GM  ) is only half electric and isn't inspirational for the high-end market that can go electric. The Nissan Leaf would leave even the shortest commuter with range anxiety. And the Ford (NYSE: F  ) Focus Electric doesn't quite provide enough range or excitement to be a real competitor. 

While Detroit leaves the high end of the EV market to Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA  ) , instead focusing on cheaper models, there's one company building the capability to compete in the top end of the market. BMW's (NASDAQOTH: BAMXY  ) i-series is the first step into the EV market, and it brings performance and new technology to the equation. 

The i3 is BMW's longer-range, lower-cost model, while the i8 is a hybrid that can perform with the Model S in almost any performance category. There's no doubt Tesla has a head start on BMW, but this is an auto giant with a loyal following and if it keeps pouring money into developing EVs it will be the first major competitor to Tesla's dominance. 

Below, Motley Fool contributor Travis Hoium discusses why Tesla should watch BMW and how this is just the beginning of competition in the EV market. 

America's plan to take the crown back from China
For the first time since the early days of this country, we're in a position to dominate the global manufacturing landscape thanks to a single, revolutionary technology: 3D printing. Although this sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, the success of 3D printing is already a foregone conclusion to many manufacturers around the world. The trick now is to identify the companies -- and thereby the stocks -- that will prevail in the battle for market share. To see the three companies that are currently positioned to do so, simply download our invaluable free report on the topic by clicking here now.

Top 10 Japanese Stocks To Buy For 2014

If You Like Bridgeline Digital, You'll Love This Company (BLIN, CLRX, WBMD)

Congratulations to anyone who owned shares of Bridgeline Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:BLIN) before today. You're now up 35% for the day so far, and still counting. The big pop from BLIN stemmed from the announcement that it scored a pretty significant deal with an organization consisting of nearly 4000 dentists and doctors. The terms of the deal are simple enough... Bridgeline Digital will host and service websites for the practitioners in the group for a period of three years, and in return, BLIN will receive $7 million.

It's yet another case of technology converging with healthcare, though truth be told, the Bridgeline only scratches the surface of how the digital world and the patient-care world can unite to create something greater than the sum of its parts. A little company called CollabRx Inc. (NASDAQ:CLRX) is taking it up a notch - maybe two notches - to turn the web into a guidance portal for oncologists seeking new and better treatment options for cancer patients. Among these options are drug trials that a caregiver may not even be aware of, were it not for this highly-specialized site CLRX has designed.

A comparison to WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ:WBMD) is conjured up almost immediately, but it's not a comparison an investor or patient would want to make. WBMD is primarily aimed at individuals who don't have a medical background, and are looking more for tips than for science. The CollabRx site is exclusively built for doctors (oncologists in particular) and diagnostic laboratories that need detailed information parsed out of a sea of data that could be overwhelming were it not curated and focused. Indeed, unlike WebMD or the kind of websites that Bridgeline Digital is going to provide for its new client, the information that's going to be found via CollabRx may be little more than gibberish to a layperson, but it will be highly instructive to doctors and caregivers.

That being said, even a detailed description of what the CollabRx application does still doesn't do it justice, as there's no frame of reference for investors to use as a baseline. To that end, only a snapshot of what the site does will adequately explain the importance of this tool to doctors.

The image immediately below is of the landing page specifically for doctors caring for lung cancer patients. By filling in the appropriate details, that doctor is taken to a new page that looks like the lower of the two images below. It's got treatment options, descriptions of appropriate therapies, and perhaps most important, more information about clinical trials that may well be the only viable hope for a particular cancer patient.

The timing for such a service has never been better either. The advent of molecular-level screening has allowed doctors to know more about a patient's cancer than even before. In fact, the amount of diagnostic data that has stemmed from genetic-based testing has reached overwhelming proportions, so much so that even the most astute of oncologists can't keep up with the variants, or with drug trials designed to treat certain variations of cancers. This tool/site finds those trials and explains all the options to a doctor that, frighteningly enough, he or she may not have even known about.

Almost needless to say (again), comparing CollabRx to what WebMD does or what Bridgeline Digital will be doing soon isn't even close to being a relevant comparison. There's nothing else out there like it. That's why Tagliach Brothers believes CLRX could drive $2.6 million in revenue in 2016, and by 2020, the annual top line could reach $16.5 million. Not bad for a $6.2 million organization that only finalized the first of its cancer information portals last quarter.

For more on CollabRx, visit its corporate website here. Or, you can read the SCN research report here, or the SCN recommendation here.

Top Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Top Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Sterlite Industries(India)

Sterlite Industries (India) Limited operates as a non-ferrous metals and mining company in India and internationally. It engages in the smelting and processing of copper and production of copper byproducts. The company?s primary products consist of copper cathode and continuos cast rods, as well as by products comprise sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrofluoro silicic acid, gypsum, ferro sand, and slime. It also owns the Mt. Lyell copper mine at Tasmania in Australia, as well as owns various zinc assets, including Skorpion Zinc in Namibia; Black Mountain Mines in South Africa; and Lisheen Mines in Ireland. In addition, the company produces aluminum from its bauxite mines. Its aluminum products include aluminum ingots and wire rods; rolled products, such as coils and sheets; and vanadium sludge as a by-product. Further, the company smelts and produces lead and zinc, as well as produces and sells sulphuric acid to fertilizer manufacturers and other industries; and silver ingots primarily to industrial users. It operates three lead-zinc mines in the state of Rajasthan, northwest India. Additionally, it involves in power generations business. As of March 31, 2011, the company had a power generation capacity of 1,041 MW from its thermal power plants and wind power plants. The company was formerly known as Sterlite Cables Limited and changed its name to Sterlite Industries (India) Limited in 1986.The company was incorporated 1975 and is based in Mumbai, India. Sterlite Industries (India) Limited is a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sy Harding]

  Those largest holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor, Petroloeo Brasileiro (Brazil), China Mobile, China Construction Bank, CNOOK (China Offshore Drilling), Gazprom OAO (Russia), America Movil (Mexico), Sasol Ltd. (South Africa), Hon Ha! i Precision (Taiwan), and Infosys (India).

• [By Rajhkumar K Shaaw]

  BNP Paribas Securities (Asia) Ltd., Macquarie Capital Securities (India) Pvt. and Ambit Capital Pvt. cut their Sensex targets as the Reserve Bank of India unexpectedly increased its benchmark interest rate to stem a record decline in the rupee and curb consumer prices in the world's second-most populous nation. Strategists reduced their average profit estimate by 4.5 percent as higher borrowing costs threaten to worsen the slowest economic expansion since 2009.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-penny-stocks-to-invest-in-right-now.html

Financial advice is about more than just building portfolios

Technology has brought unprecedented change to our lives but it's only just begun to transform the financial advisory business. To date, most technology innovation in our industry has focused on lowering the cost and improving efficiencies of asset management. Yet there's another, tremendously exciting, trend just beginning to unfold — using technology as a powerful driver of business growth. The world will look very different by 2020 because of it.

There are 3.5 trillion dollars of untapped assets across 20 million mass affluent families not working with financial advisers. Unlocking it requires helping these households grow assets over time — through cash flow management across a client's full financial life.

Top Stocks To Buy Right Now

It's not just Gen-Y and mass affluent households who stand to benefit. High net worth clients, too, can use state-of-the-art cash flow analytics to identify additional cash that can be directed toward an investment target or other financial goal and to lock in habits that can transform their lives for years to come.

A Relative Strength Play That Could Sparkle: SodaStream

5 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2014

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- When the markets are selling off significantly, as they were were on Monday, I like to scan the equity universe for stocks that are bucking the trend and not going down. Being a trend trader, I want to find which stocks are counter-trending compared with the overall market weakness, because those are the names that are displaying relative strength and could be gearing up to trend significantly higher.

>>5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love

If the bears can't gain any traction in certain stocks on the large down days, then it's possible that there just aren't any sellers left in those stocks. Of course, just because a stock doesn't follow the herd down on a big down day doesn't mean that the equity is ready to rise. It simply highlights a starting point to do further research on that stock.

The main attraction here is that any stock that doesn't get hit by the bears when they control the market could have something brewing underneath the surface. Stocks are driven by supply and demand, so I want to know exactly which stocks are in demand when the bears are hammering the market lower.

>>5 Toxic Stocks to Sell Now

One stock that I noticed that wasn't going down on Monday was SodaStream (SODA), which engages in the development, manufacture and sale of home beverage carbonation systems that enable consumers to transform ordinary tap water instantly into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. This stock has been hit hard by the bears over the last six months, with shares off by 35%.

SodaStream was in the news last week after Whirlpool's (WHR) KitchenAid brand announced that it would sell an at-home soda maker called the Sparkling Beverage Maker, developed by SodaStream. This product is set to go on sale in June at a suggested retail price of $249.99. This is one of what could be many deals that SodaStream is going to enter into soon to fight back against the recent collaboration between Coca-Cola (KO) and Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR) to develop their own at-home cold drink maker.

What's interesting about SODA not going down on Monday -- a day the Nasdaq dropped by over 70 points intraday -- is that this stock is a favorite target of the short-sellers. The current short interest as a percentage of the float for SODA is extremely high at 46.1%. This stock also sports a very low tradable float of around 20 million shares, so almost half of that float is sold short with over 8 million shares in the control of the bears. This is the type of situation that can produce monsters moves higher in very short timeframes if the bears get squeezed out of their positions.

With a plunging Nasdaq on Monday, the shorts had every reason to open fire on shares of SODA and knock this stock significantly lower. The bears should have easily been able to crush shares of SODA and send the stock back below its 50-day moving average, but they were unable to do so. Shares of SODA actually closed up modestly on Monday, which is pretty amazing when you consider the opportunity the shorts had with such a weak market.

>>5 Stocks Ready for Breakouts

From a technical perspective, shares of SodaStream have been trending range-bound and consolidating for the last two months, with shares moving between $44.88 on the upside and $37 on the downside. This stock has just started to trend back above its 50-day moving average, and its MACD momentum indicator has gone into positive territory, both technically bullish developments. Traders should now watch for continued relative strength in SODA on big down days in the market. Even more important, they should watch of a major breakout trade to trigger that could set off a monster short-squeeze.

Traders should look for long-biased trades in SODA if it manages to break out above some key near-term overhead resistance levels at $43.74 to $44.88 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.84 million shares. If that breakout materializes soon, then SODA will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap-down-day zone from January that started above $50 a share. Any high-volume move above more resistance at $50 to $52 will then give SODA a chance to tag $55 to $58 a share.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>3 Stocks Rising on Big Volume

>>5 Big Tech Stocks to Trade for Gains

>>5 Rocket Stocks to Buy This Week

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.

Hot Clean Energy Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Hot Clean Energy Stocks To Invest In Right Now: USA Mobility Inc.(USMO)

USA Mobility, Inc. provides wireless communications solutions to the healthcare, government, enterprise, and emergency response sectors in the United States. The company provides one-way and two-way messaging services. One-way messaging consists of numeric and alphanumeric messaging services. The numeric messaging services enable subscribers to receive messages that are composed entirely of numbers, such as a phone number. The alphanumeric messages may include numbers and letters which enable subscribers to receive text messages. Its two-way messaging services enable subscribers to send and receive messages to and from other wireless messaging devices, including pagers, personal digital assistants and personal computers. USA Mobility also offers voice mail, personalized greeting, message storage and retrieval, and equipment loss and/or maintenance protection to its one-way and two-way messaging subscribers. In addition, the company provides mobile voice and data services t hrough third party providers, which include BlackBerry devices and global positioning system location applications. Further, it offers machine to machine telemetry solutions for various applications that include asset tracking, utility meter reading, and other remote device monitoring applications. USA Mobility serves businesses, professionals, management personnel, medical personnel, field sales personnel and service forces, members of the construction industry and construction trades, real estate brokers and developers, sales and service organizations, specialty trade organizations, manufacturing organizations, and government agencies. The company is based in Springfield, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Among the sector stocks, 8x8 (NASDAQ: EGHT) was down more than 2.2 percent, while USA Mobility (NASDA! Q: USMO) tumbled around 2.5 percent.

  Top Headline
  Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF) swung to a loss in the fourth quarter. Tiffany posted a quarterly loss of $103.6 million, or $0.81 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $179.6 million, or $1.42 per share. Excluding special items, it earned $1.47 per share. Its revenue climbed to $1.30 billion versus $1.24 billion. However, analysts were estimating earnings of $1.51 per share on revenue of $1.31 billion. For fiscal year 2014, Tiffany projects earnings of $4.05 to $4.15 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $4.27 per share.

• [By Sally Jones]

  
  USA Mobility Inc. (USMO): Reduced

  Up 26% over 12 months, USA Mobility has a market cap of $307.81 million; its shares were traded at around $14.22 with a P/E ratio of 13.10. The dividend yield of USMO is 3.52%.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-clean-energy-stocks-to-invest-in-right-now.html

Tax Q&A: Is a gift from an IRA taxable?

With the April 15 tax deadline fast approaching, you probably have questions. Fortunately, we have answers. Starting today, every day until April 15, members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants have agreed to answer selected tax questions from USA TODAY readers. Submit your questions to jwaggoner@usatoday.com.

Q: I withdrew $13,000 from my traditional IRA in 2013 and gave it as a gift to my adult son. I have received the 1099-R from my broker. I was 69 at the end of 2013. Please advise if this is taxable for me and also for my son, and how much. Will the gift save on taxes for both or either of us?

A: Yes, the withdrawal from the IRA is taxable to you because it is a traditional IRA vs. a Roth IRA. Basically all money withdrawn from a regular IRA is taxable unless you roll it over into another IRA within 60 days.

If you have ever made any non-deductible IRA contributions, then you would not have to pay tax on the full $13,000. Consult a certified public accountant to see how much you will owe taxes on.

NEED HELP: Get all the latest tax news and advice

Your age is not a factor since you are over 59½. Remember that the year you turn 70½ you will be required to make annual distributions from the IRA.

The fact that you made a gift to your son does not make the income taxable to him. If that is the only gift you made to him in 2013, then your gift is under the annual gift exclusion of $14,000.

Top 10 Supermarket Stocks To Buy Right Now

However, it is probably worthy to point out that if the gift is over $14,000 it does not cause him (the recipient) to pay income taxes but it may cause the person making the gift to file a gift tax return.

MORE IRA TAX INFORMATION: IRS Publication on Individual Retirement Arrangements

Jerry Love, a CPA in Abilene, Texas, prepared this answer, via the American Institute of Certified Public Accounta! nts.

Finra fines two IBDs owned by Ladenburg Thalmann a total of $1.275M

Finra fined two independent broker-dealers owned by Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. $1.275 million Wednesday because of a failure to supervise hundreds of brokers who created and sent false and inaccurate consolidated account statements to clients.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. fined the two firms, Triad Advisors Inc. and Securities America Inc., $650,000 and $625,000, respectively.

Triad Advisors also was ordered to pay $375,000 in restitution to two clients who received consolidated reports that reflected fictitious promissory notes or other fictitious assets, allowing two former Triad brokers to conceal their misconduct, according to Finra.

A consolidated report is a single document that combines information regarding most or all of a customer's financial holdings, regardless of where the assets are held, according to Finra.

(More: Finra fines, complaints drop as market improves)

Consolidated reports supplement but don't replace official customer account statements, Finra said.

Many of the broker-generated consolidated reports at the two firms inflated values for investments, some of which were in default or receivership.

In the Securities America settlement, Finra pointed to reports issued by brokers in 2011 that “revealed numerous instances where the representatives had input inaccurate values for investments such as Medical Capital Holdings Inc. notes and Provident Shale Royalties,” according to the order. “Although Medical Capital and Provident Shale Royalties were in receivership as of August 2009, the statements continued to show the value of the investments at par value.”

Last March, a review of “800 manually entered positions [by Securities America representatives] disclosed that 500 of the positions had been overvalued on Albridge reports,” according to the Finra settlement.

“The overvalued positions included 300 Medical Capital investments, investments in Provident Shale Royalties, and investments in other illiquid securities,” according to the settlement.

In reaching these settlements, Securities America and Triad Advisors neither admitted nor denied Finra's charges.

Securities America has 2,235 registered representatives and financial advisers, and Triad Advisors has more than 600 reps and advisers.

“Securities America has worked diligently to enhance supervision and books and records requirements for performance reports and will continue to do so,” Securities America spokeswoman Janine Wertheim wrote in an e-mail, adding that supervision of broker-generated consolidated reports is an issue that the entire independent broker-dealer industry f! aces.

In an e-mail, Triad Advisors spokeswoman Emily Deissler echoed Ms. Wertheim's comments.

From 2003 to 2007, Securities America was the biggest seller of notes issued by Medical Capital Holdings, which was later revealed to be a $2 billion Ponzi scheme. Securities America brokers sold close to $700 million of those notes, the legal fallout from which resulted in Ameriprise Financial Inc. selling Securities America in 2011 to Ladenburg Thalmann.

(Don't miss this Special Report on Independent Broker-Dealers)

Securities America reps sold about $25 million worth of two Provident Shale Royalties offerings to close to 400 investors, according to the Finra order.

Since April 2010, Triad Advisors permitted its reps to use multiple systems to create and provide customers with consolidated reports, according to Finra.

“Triad's supervisory system failed to detect consolidated reports provided by two former representatives that contained false assets that were manually entered,” according to the Finra order. “Triad's failure to establish, maintain and enforce adequate procedures to review manual entries in consolidated reports allowed false and inaccurate consolidated reports to be sent to customers by two former representatives on multiple occasions.”

The deficiencies in Triad's branch audit program contributed to the firm's inability to discover a now deceased rep's sale of fictitious promissory notes to about 20 customers, according to Finra.

Triad also failed to maintain its net capital position for 10 days in November and December 2009, according to Finra, and also filed inaccurate Focus reports from January 2008 through June 2010.

Hot Gold Companies To Buy Right Now

Hot Gold Companies To Buy Right Now: First Majestic Silver Corp.(AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the production, development, exploration, and acquisition of mineral properties with a focus on silver in Mexico. The company owns interests in La Encantada Silver Mine comprising 4,076 hectares of mining rights and 1,343 hectares of surface land located in Coahuila; La Parrilla Silver Mine consisting of mining concessions covering an area of 69,867 hectares; and San Martin Silver Mine comprising approximately 7,841 hectares of mineral rights and approximately 1,300 hectares of surface land rights located in Jalisco. It also holds interests in Del Toro Silver Mine consisting of 393 contiguous hectares of mining claims and an additional 129 hectares of surface rights located in Zacatecas; Real de Catorce Silver Project comprising 22 mining concessions covering 6,327 hectares located in San Luis Potosi state; and Jalisco Group of Properties consisting of mining claims totalling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  While many precious-metals companies have been in a slump of late, there is one that belongs perpetually in your portfolio: Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW  ) . The company is not like other miners -- including Pan American Silver (NASDAQ: PAAS  ) and First Majestic (NYSE: AG  ) -- in that it has a unique business plan that insulates it against many of the vagaries of the mining business. Moreover, because silver will always have a significant industrial demand component, even with the heightened volatility you see in the silver market, maintaining exposure to silver is appropriate.

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  Despite the weakness seen in precious metals a few weeks ago, silver has been relatively stable ever ! since mid-April, with the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV  ) trading in a dollar-wide range ever since. With the presidents of the Chicago and Philadelphia Federal Reserve banks releasing conflicting statements, turmoil may be just around the corner. Miners like Pan American (NASDAQ: PAAS  ) and First Majestic (NYSE: AG  ) are still facing operating challenges, while silver streaming darling Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW  ) struggles as well.

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  It is no secret that precious metals companies have been taking a pounding for some time now. The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEMKT: GLD  ) and iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV  ) , the gold and silver ETFs, have been hard hit and operating companies like First Majestic (NYSE: AG  ) and Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX  ) have been hit even harder. Through all of these struggles, and in some cases because of them, one precious metals company continues to look attractive for the long term: Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW  ) .

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  In terms of individual companies, there are several good choices, but these can behave very differently. Pan American Silver (NASDAQ: PAAS  ) , for example, missed revenue expectations and beat earnings expectations in its last earnings release. But despite the beat, EPS shrank considerably from a year earlier on a GAAP basis. The stock has been fairly flat ever since. Conversely, First Majestic (NYSE: AG  ) reported strong revenue growth and a small bump in profits, sending the stock higher since the announcement. First Majestic reported increased cash costs and tightening margins, largely driven by lower silver prices. Each of these companies faces pressure from increasing production costs and environmental concerns.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-gold-companies! -to-buy-r! ight-now.html

Taxes From A To Z (2014): I Is For Internal Revenue Code

Most taxpayers are familiar with the 16th Amendment of the Constitution which sets the stage for the collection of federal income tax:

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

But that's just the beginning. Since the 16th Amendment was adopted in 1913, additional federal tax laws have been codified and organized under the United States Code (U.S.C.). Today, most of those tax laws have been codified at Title 26 (26 U.S.C.) and commonly referred to as the Tax Code. It's worth noting, though, that the Tax Code, or Internal Revenue Code, includes most – but not all – federal tax laws. You'll find more tax laws in other parts of the United States Code, including at Title 11 (Bankruptcy); Title 19 (Customs) and Title 28 (Judiciary).

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Title 26 is a way of distinguishing tax laws from other legal subjects under US law. The US Code is divided into sections and arranged by subject area referred to as titles. There are 51 titles in the Code.

Each title is further broken down into smaller pieces called subtitles, chapters, subchapters, parts, subparts, and sections. Some of the most popular subchapters in the Tax Code are subchapter k (dealing with partnerships) and subchapter s (dealing with s corporations). You might also be familiar with sections: those give rise to common tax terms like section 501(c)(3) (dealing with charitable organizations) and section 179 (dealing with expensing).

English: A few volumes of the Code of Federal Regulations (titles 12 to 26 out of 50 titles). The CFR is published each year as a set of softcover volumes which are updated on a quarterly schedule. Photographed at the law library of the UC Berkeley School of Law by user Coolcaesar on February 13, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Internal Revenue Code is enormous but it's not the biggest title in the US Code. The most words, elements and sections are found in Title 42 (The Public Health and Welfare). The most words per section? Those are found at Title 23 (Highways).

Notwithstanding that it's not the biggest title, Title 26 is still quite large: as of 2012, it was 73,608 pages long. But that doesn't include a number of other important guidance documents, including tax treaties and Treasury Regulations, which are found elsewhere.  Treasury Regulations (26 C.F.R.) – or "Regs" as tax professionals call them – are the Treasury Department's official interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code. In other words, it's how Treasury (and thus, IRS) understands and administers the specific provisions of the Tax Code – a power given to the Treasury by Congress under section 7805 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For more in the series, see:

Hot Stocks To Watch Right Now

Hot Stocks To Watch Right Now: Westpac Banking Corp (WBK)

Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac), incorporated on August 23, 2002, is a banking organization. Westpac provides a range of banking and financial services, including retail, business and institutional banking, and wealth management services. It operates through three divisions: Australian Financial Services (AFS), Westpac Institutional Bank (WIB) and Westpac New Zealand. AFS encompasses Westpac's retail and business banking operations in Australia, and includes the businesses of Westpac Retail & Business Banking, St.George Banking Group and BT Financial Group Australia (BFTG). Westpac RBB is responsible for sales and service for Westpac's consumer, small-to-medium enterprise customers and commercial customers in Australia under the Westpac brands. St.George is responsible for sales, and service for its consumer, business and corporate customers in Australia under the St.George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and RAMS brands. BTFG is Westpac's Australian wealth manageme nt division. WIB delivers a range of financial services to commercial, corporate, institutional and government customers with connections to Australia and New Zealand. Westpac New Zealand is responsible for the sales and service of banking, wealth and insurance products for consumers, business and institutional customers in New Zealand. In January 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Lloyds Banking Group Plc's Australian asset finance business, Capital Finance Australia Limited, and its Australian corporate loan portfolio, BOS International (Australia) Ltd.

Westpac RBB

Westpac RBB's activities are conducted through its network of branches and business banking centers, home finance managers (HFMs) and specialized consumer and business relationship managers, with the support of cash flow, financial markets and wealth specialists, customer service cent! ers, automated teller machines (ATMs) and Internet channels.

St.George

Consumer activities are conducted through a networ! k of branches, third party distributors, call centers, automated teller machines (ATMs), electronic funds transfer point-of-sale (EFTPOS) terminals and Internet banking services. Business and corporate customers are provided with a range of banking and financial products and services, including specialist advice for cash flow finance, trade finance, automotive and equipment finance, property finance, transaction banking and treasury services. Sales and service activities for business and corporate customers are conducted by relationship managers through business banking centers, Internet and customer service centre channels.

BTFG

BTFG's funds management operations include the manufacturing and distribution of investment, superannuation and retirement products; investment platforms, such as Wrap and Master Trusts, and private banking and financial planning. Its Insurance solutions cover the manufacturing and distribution of life, general and lender s mortgage insurance. BTFG's brands include Advance Asset Management, Ascalon, Asgard, BT, BT Investment Management (64.5% owned by Westpac), BT Select, Licensee Select, Magnitude, Securitor and the advice, private banking and insurance operations of Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, St.George and Westpac.

Westpac Institutional Bank (WIB)

WIB operates through industry relationship and specialist product teams, with knowledge in transactional banking, financial and debt capital markets, specialised capital, margin lending, broking and alternative investment solutions. Customers are supported through branches and subsidiaries located in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, United Kingdom and Asia.

Westpac New Zealand

Westpac conducts its New Zealand banking business through two banks in New Zealand; Westpac New Zealand

Limit! ed, and W! estpac Banking Corporation. Westpac New Zealand operates through network of branches a nd ATMs across both the North and South Islands. Business an! d institu! tional customers are served through relationship and specialist products teams. Banking products are provided under the Westpac and WIB brands, while insurance and wealth products are provided under Westpac Life and BT brands.

Westpac's other business divisions includes Pacific Banking, which provides banking services for retail and business customers in seven Pacific countries. Branches, ATMs, telephone banking and Internet banking channels are used to deliver its business activities in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Samoa. Pacific Banking's financial products include personal savings accounts, business transactional accounts, personal and business lending products, business services and a range of international products; Group Services which include technology, banking operations, legal and property services; Treasury which focuses on management of the Group's interest rate risk and funding requirements, and Cor e Support which include functions performed centrally including finance, risk and human resources.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Fede Zaldua]

  Most Australian banks seem to comply with (1) and (2). On the other hand, Australian banks have a loan to deposit ratio of 120% and around 9% of their funding is short term foreign funding. This means that their results shall be severely damaged by a steep depreciation of the local currency. A good example of a bank that is easy to short from the US (since it trades in the New York Stock Exchange) is the Westpac Banking Corporation (WBK). Westpac generates 90% of its revenues domestically and sells for 2014 13.1 times earnings and 2.1 times its 2014 expected book value. That said, there is one problem that you will find when you short Westpac's shares: The bank pays a +5% cash dividend yield.

• [By Sele! na Maranjian]

  More than a handful of international companies had strong performances over the past year. Australia-based Westpac Banking (NYSE: WBK  ) , for example, soared 54% -- and still yields a fat 5.4%. It's been hampered, though, by the slowdown in China, as China uses many commodities produced by Australia. Some worry about a housing slowdown hurting the company, too.

• [By Bryan Perry]

  Lloyds has several catalysts working in its favor. The bank has been busily disposing of assets that it views as non-core — the latest being a $1.45 billion ($1.37 billion U.S.) disposition of Australian operations to Aussie banking giant Westpac (WBK). In addition, Lloyds said it hopes to pay out as much as 70% of earnings as a dividend by 2016, which as a high-yield editor, has my full attention. This puts shares on a prospective yield for 2016 of more than 7% if earnings come in as projected.

• [By Dividend]

  Westpac Banking (WBK) has a market capitalization of $444.52 billion. The company employs 36,000 people, generates revenue of $33.259 billion and has a net income of $5.444 billion. Westpac Banking's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $17.537 billion. The EBITDA margin is 52.73 percent (the operating margin is 49.28 percent and the net profit margin 33.57 percent).

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-stocks-to-watch-right-now.html

Hertz Global: Earnings Don’t Matter, Just Buy the Stock

Hertz Global missed earnings forecasts today and offered disappointing guidance. It’s time to buy the stock, says MKM Partners.

MKM analysts Christopher Agnew and Bradford Dalinka explain why their recommendation isn’t as contrarian as it appears:

Contradictory? We think not: (1) Expectations weren't high into the quarter. Guidance was expected to be conservative and although a little light, the top-end includes $2.00. (2) The issues in 4Q in our view are transitory (DTG integration/over-fleeting related) and will pass in 2Q14. [Hertz Global] expects fleet to be rightsized by the end of 1Q, which is a positive. (3) Industry fundamentals are robust (note peer Avis Budget’s (CAR) results and guidance. (4) The [Hertz Equipment Rental Corp.] spin is a clear positive and, although expected, the details are better than expected, particularly share repurchase.

The timing of Hertz’s decision to spinoff HERC–so soon after United Rentals’ (URI) acquisition of  National Pump–surely caught some analysts by surprise but should be the big catalyst, Barron’s Teresa Rivas noted yesterday.

Shares of Hertz Global have gained 1.2% to $27.55 at 1:16 p.m., while Avis Budget Group has jumped 2.9% to $48.25 and United Rentals has advanced 0.5% to $91.34.

Hot Value Companies To Own For 2014

Hot Value Companies To Own For 2014: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Ca! terpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  With little in the way of local news to move the market today, US stocks are taking their cues from overseas — and they don’t like what they see, leaving Boeing (BA), Nike (NKE), Caterpillar (CAT), United States Steel (X) and Peabody Energy (BTU) in the red.

• [By Patricio Kehoe]

  The concept of diversity, when talking about a company's activities, is a sword with two edges. When performance hits the fan, diversity can turn into an advantage as only one segment can be affected. However, diversification can curtail winnings during a moment of bonanza. In other words, a company with five segments will see a relative smaller impact in overall performance than a company with activities in a single segment, when that segment experiences an abnormal growth. Hence, with a recovering construction market in the US and declining prices for mined commodities, a comparison between Caterpillar (CAT) and Terex (TER) is all the more relevant.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Today's big gainer among the Dow stocks was Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT). Competitor Joy Global Inc. (NYSE: JOY) reported rotten results this morning, largely due to anemic sales to coal miners. Caterpillar doesn't do a lot of business with coal companies, so that's a plus the firm. Cat's shares traded up 1.4% at $97.71 in a 52-week range of $84.79 to $98.24 just ahead of the closing bell. Volume is on track to be about 25% below the daily average of around 6 million shares traded.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Stocks failed to follow through on yesterday’s gains as lukewarm economic data kept the market running in place. Goldman Sachs (GS), Boeing (BA), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Caterpillar (CAT) and United Health (UNH) fell.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.tops! tocksblog! .com/hot-value-companies-to-own-for-2014.html

Top 10 Income Stocks For 2014

Top 10 Income Stocks For 2014: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

Dollar Tree, Inc. operates discount variety stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores offer merchandise primarily at the fixed price of $1.00. The company operates its stores under the names of Dollar Tree, Deal$, Dollar Tree Deal$, Dollar Giant, and Dollar Bills. Its stores offer consumable merchandise, including candy and food, and health and beauty care, as well as household consumables, such as paper, plastics, household chemicals, in select stores, and frozen and refrigerated food; variety merchandise, which includes toys, durable housewares, gifts, party goods, greeting cards, softlines, and other items; and seasonal goods, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas merchandise. As of April 30, 2011, it operated 4,089 stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 88 stores in Canada. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  This isn't some growing new industry set to take the world further into the 21st century. It's an old concept that hasn't innovated, won't innovate, and will slowly but surely die out over this century. When I walk into a Walgreens, I see a miniature Target (TGT), a more expensive Dollar Tree (DLTR), and a provider of prescriptions in a world where everything is becoming mail order.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  The other stock the firm likes is Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR). The company's shares have lost about 4.6% since reporting an earnings per share (EPS) miss for the third quarter and the Sterne Agee analysts see the lower price as a "great entry point" for buying the stock. Dollar Tree raised fiscal year 2013 EPS guidance from a range of $2.66 to $2.77 to a new range of $2.72 to $2.78, effectively raising the mid-point by $0.04. Sterne Agee reiterated its Buy rating on the stock! with a price target of $63. Dollar Tree's shares are trading down nearly 0.4% at $55.99 in a 52-week range of $37.47 to $60.19.

• [By Ben Eisen]

  Perpetually struggling department store J.C. Penney Co. (JCP)  said it expects a sales boost this holiday season as it returns to a promotional strategy. But for the most part, retailers including Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR)  , GameStop Corp. (GME)   and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF)   gave dour outlooks in their earnings reports.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-10-income-stocks-for-2014.html

Top Safest Stocks For 2014

Top Safest Stocks For 2014: Orbital Sciences Corporation(ORB)

Orbital Sciences Corporation develops and manufactures small and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military, and civil government customers. The company operates in three segments: Launch Vehicles, Satellites and Space Systems, and Advanced Space Programs. The Launch Vehicles segment develops and produces small-class launch vehicles that place satellites into low-Earth orbit; interceptor launch vehicles for missile defense systems, including interceptor boosters; and target launch vehicles, such as suborbital rockets and their principal subsystems, as well as payloads carried by vehicles used in the development and testing of missile defense systems. The Satellites and Space Systems segment develops and produces communications satellites that provide cable and direct-to-home television distribution, business data network connectivity, regional mobile telephony, and other space-based communications services; and science and remote sensing satellites tha t are used to conduct space-related scientific research, collect imagery and other remotely-sensed data about the Earth, carry out interplanetary and other deep-space exploration missions, and demonstrate new space technologies. This segment also provides space systems and subsystems, including satellite command and data handling, and attitude control and structural subsystems; and a range of space-related technical services, including analytical, engineering, and production services for space-related science and defense programs. The Advanced Space Programs segment develops and produces human-rated systems to be used in earth orbit, planetary exploration, and other space missions; and small and medium-class satellites and related systems used primarily for national security space missions and related technology demonstration programs. It operates in the United States, Europe, Mexico, So! uth America, Australia, and east Asia. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquarte r ed in Dulles, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Orbital Sciences Corp.‘s (NYSE: ORB) 2013 results and 2014 outlook point to the revenue growth and high free cash flow potential of the franchise. The Jefferies analysts see opportunities for new orders, 7% revenue growth and acceleration of free cash flow, and they expect shares to continue to advance. The company develops and manufactures small and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. Jefferies raises its price target from $27 to $31. The consensus number is $33.17. The stock closed on Friday at $28.27.

• [By Chris Katje]

  For those unfamiliar with Orbital Sciences (ORB), the company is a leader in space missions and satellite services. The company operates its business in three segments: launch vehicles, satellites and space systems, and advanced space programs. The company's contract with the International Space System, huge backlog, and human space exploration could send shares much higher than current levels.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/top-safest-stocks-for-2014-2.html

Hot Small Cap Stocks To Buy For 2014

Hot Small Cap Stocks To Buy For 2014: KongZhong Corporation(KONG)

KongZhong Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides wireless interactive entertainment, media, and community services to mobile phone users in the People's Republic of China. It also involves in the development, distribution, and marketing of consumer wireless value-added services, including wireless application protocol, multimedia messaging services, short messaging services, interactive voice response services, and color ring back tones. In addition, it offers interactive entertainment services, such as mobile games, pictures, karaoke, electronic books, mobile phone personalization features, entertainment news, chat, and message boards; and through Kong.net offer news, community services, games, and other interactive media and entertainment services; and sells advertising space in the form of text-link, banner, and button advertisements. Further, the company develops and publishes mobile games, including downloadable mobile games and online mobile games cons isting of action, role-playing, and leisure games. As of December 31, 2009, it had a library of approximately 300 internally developed mobile games. Additionally, it develops online games; and provides consulting and technology services, as well as media and net book services. The company was formerly known as Communication Over The Air Inc. and changed its name to KongZhong Corporation in March 2004. KongZhong Corporation was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  One under-$10 wireless services player that looks poised for a big spike higher is KongZhong (KONG), which is a provider of WVAS and mobile games to mobile phone users and a wireless media company providing news, content, community and mobile advertising services through its wireless Internet sites ! in the PRC. This stock is off to a hot start in 2013, with shares up sharply by 53%.

  If you take a look at the chart for KongZhong, you'll notice that this stock has been downtrending badly for the last two months, with shares plunging lower from its high of $14.92 to its recent low of $7.78 a share. During that downtrend, shares of KONG have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of KONG into oversold territory, since its current relative strength index reading is 30.21. Shares of KONG are now starting to spike higher off its recent low of $7.78 a share and off its 200-day moving average of $7.95 a share. This spike could be signaling that the downside volatility for KONG is over in the short-term and the stock is ready to trend higher.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in KONG if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $8.50 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 519,857 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then KONG will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $10 to its 50-day moving average at $11.33 a share.

  Traders can look to buy KONG off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support at $7.78 a share. One can also buy KONG off strength once it takes out $8.50 a share with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Kongzhong (Nasdaq: KONG ! ; ) ! , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-small-cap-stocks-to-buy-for-2014.html

Top US Companies For 2015

Bitstamp, the largest Bitcoin exchange in the world, is under attack and has halted withdrawals.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) The world's largest Bitcoin exchange, BitStamp, says it has fallen victim to a cyber attack and has halted customer withdrawals.

That makes Bitstamp the second major Bitcoin exchange in a week to prevent customers from withdrawing their money and blaming a technical glitch. Bitstamp and Mt.Gox together house 52% of the bitcoins that trade hands, according to currency trackers at BitcoinCharts.

Since Bitstamp announced the attack Wednesday afternoon, Bitcoin prices have fallen by more than 4% to $640.

Bitstamp said it was hit with a denial-of-service attack, in which attackers flooded its servers with an overwhelming amount of traffic. That caused its system to overload, and Bitstamp was unable to process withdrawals consistently.

Top US Companies For 2015: iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF (ERUS)

iShares MSCI Russia Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Russia Capped Index Fund,, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Russia 25/50 Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the top 85% by market capitalization of equity securities listed on stock exchanges in Russia. The Underlying Index is a customized variation of the MSCI Russia Index, designed to cap certain weightings to take into account the investment diversification requirement applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund�� investment advisor is BlackRock Fund Advisor. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Barbara Kollmeyer]

  As for U.S. investor exposure, the pain was there for all to see as the week wound down. Among exchange-traded funds, the iShares MSCI Russia ETF (ERUS) �and the SPDR S&P Russia ETF (RBL) �each fell more than 6% for the week, contrasting with a 0.1% gain for the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) .

Top US Companies For 2015: Veolia Environnement(VE)

Veolia Environnement S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides environmental management services to individuals, public authorities, and industrial and commercial services customers worldwide. It operates in four segments: Water, Environmental Services, Energy Services, and Transportation. The Water segment offers water and wastewater services, including the management and operation of large-scale and customized drinking water plants, wastewater decontamination and recycling plants, drinking water distribution networks, and wastewater collection networks; and provision of call centers and billing services. The Environmental Services segment provides waste management and logistical services, which include waste collection, waste processing, cleaning of public spaces, maintenance of production equipment, treatment of polluted soil, and management of waste discharge at industrial sites. The Energy Services segment offers a range of energy management services comprising o peration of heating and cooling networks, decentralized energy production, thermal and multi-technical services, industrial utilities, installation and maintenance of production equipment, integrated facilities management, and electrical services on public streets and roads; and provides heating systems maintenance services, plumbing and renewable energy services, and meter-reading services. The Transportation segment operates various bus networks, suburban trains, tramways, metros, and ferries, as well as offers customized transportation-on-demand services. This segment also provides intercity and regional passenger transportation, infrastructure management and airport services, and transportation management services. The company was formerly known as Vivendi Environnement and changed its name to Veolia Environnement S.A. in April 2003. Veolia Environnement S.A. was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Benjamin Shepherd]

  The first is to focus on infrastructure companies that lay the groundwork for easier water access, such as France-based Veolia Environment (NYSE: VE).

• [By Sean Williams]

  Another factor that easily puts Waste Management on top in the waste-collection sector is its dividend yield of 3.4%. The only company with a higher yield is global waste solutions company Veolia Environnement (NYSE: VE  ) , with a 6.2% yield. However, Veolia also boats a higher debt-to-equity ratio than Waste Management, has unwanted exposure to European markets, and has lower overall margins relative to Waste Management. By comparison, Republic Services, Progressive Waste, and Waste Connections pay out a yield of 2.7%, 2.4% and 1%, respectively. Even better, Waste Management's payout has grown by an average annualized rate of 7.7% since 2004.

5 Best US Stocks To Own For 2015: Vanguard Consumer Staples Etf (VDC)

Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (the Fund), formerly known as Vanguard Consumer Staples VIPERs, is an exchange-traded share class of Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund. The Fund employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) US Investable Market Consumer Staples Index (the Index). The Index is an index of stocks of large, medium and small United States companies in the consumer staples sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). This GICS sector is made up of companies whose businesses are less sensitive to economic cycles. It includes manufacturers and distributors of food, beverages and tobacco, as well as producers of non-durable household goods and personal products. It also includes food and drug retailing companies, as well as hypermarkets and consumer supercenters.

The Fund attempts to replicate the Index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index. The Fund also may sample its target Index by holding stocks that, in the aggregate, are intended to approximate the Index in terms of key characteristics, such as price/earnings ratio, earnings growth and dividend yield.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Versace, Editor, PowerTrend Brief and PowerTrend Profits]

  That, to me, says they're going to favor inelastic goods over elastic ones, so when you think of the things that we need each and every day, toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, household cleansers, that sort of thing, that's what brings me into (XLP) and (VDC).

Top US Companies For 2015: TheStreet Inc (TST)

TheStreet Inc. (TheStreet), incorporated on April 2, 1982, is a digital financial media company. The Company provides users, subscribers and advertisers with a range of content and tools through a range of online, social media, tablet and mobile channels. The Company's subscription products include paid Web services, such as RealMoney, RealMoney Pro, Options Profits, Actions Alerts PLUS, Chat On TheStreet and Stocks Under $10. In addition to its subscription products, the Company�� premium services business also includes information services revenue from its RateWatch business, which maintains an updated database of financial rate and fee data collected from more than 90,000 financial institutions (at the branch level), including certificate of deposit, money market account, savings account, checking account, home mortgage, home equity loan, credit card and auto loan rates. In September 2012, it acquired The Deal LLC from Wasserstein & Co.

The Company's advertising-supported properties include TheStreet, Stockpickr, MainStreet and BankingMyWay. TheStreet generates advertising revenue from its content through the sale of a range of advertising placements, including banner, tile, contextual, performance-based and interactive advertisement and sponsorship placements in its advertising-supported Web sites, as well as on select paid subscription sites; advertisement placements in its free email newsletters and stand-alone emails sent on behalf of its advertisers to its registered users, and advertisements in its video programming, TheStreet services for mobile and tablet devices, RSS feeds, blogs and in its podcasts.

The Company competes with The Wall Street Journal Digital Network, CNN Money, Forbes.com, Reuters.com, Bloomberg.com, CNBC.com, Yahoo! Finance, AOL Money & Finance, MSN Money, CNBC, the Fox Business Channel, Standard & Poor's, Morningstar, Lipper, Informa and SNL Kagan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Adam J. Wiederman]

  Getty Images Bitcoin made headlines last year when the value of all outstanding pieces of the electronic currency reached nearly $10 billion. It's not just speculators drawn to the new currency. Many businesses are also attempting to cash in on this growth: Several public companies, including Zynga (ZNGA) and Overstock.com (OSTK), accept Bitcoins as a form of payment. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen's firm has invested nearly $50 million in Bitcoin-related ventures, and it is looking to invest even more. And the Winklevoss twins -- who notoriously accused Facebook's (FB) Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their idea -- have been "in dialogue" with the SEC about opening the first Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, according to Bloomberg. Yet a new survey from TheStreet.com (TST) reveals that 76 percent of consumers are not familiar with Bitcoin -- and 79 percent would never consider owning a currency like it. Does this signal opportunity for savvy investors? Or is this a fad you'd be wise to avoid? The Basics of Bitcoin Bitcoin is a completely unregulated form of currency developed by an anonymous Japanese programmer (according to some apocryphal claims) as a completely digital, peer-to-peer payment system that is independent of national currencies (which, Bitcoin users argue, are all subject to the riskiness of the underlying country). Bitcoins are rewarded throughout the day to a "Bitcoin miner" whose computer solves a series of algorithms quicker than other miners. The puzzles become more difficult over time, so the calculations take longer and the computations require more computing power. There will eventually be a total of 21 million Bitcoins (12.4 million are in circulation today) and we won't reach the point that they are effectively "mined out" until 2040. The value of a Bitcoin is supposed to be market-driven, meaning they're worth whatever the two parties in a transaction value them as. For example, in one of the original Bitcoin transactions, a "mi

• [By Eric Volkman]

  TheStreet's (NASDAQ: TST  ) asset list is slightly longer following the financial media company's latest acquisition. The company announced that it bought several properties from DealFlow Media in order to compliment its offerings. Those assets are The DealFlow Report and The Life Settlements Report, both newsletters, and PrivateRaise, a database.

Top US Companies For 2015: Meadwestvaco Corporation (MWV)

MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV) provides packaging solutions to the healthcare, personal care and beauty, food, beverage, home and garden, tobacco, and commercial print industries worldwide. The company?s Packaging Resources segment produces bleached paperboard, Coated Natural Kraft paperboard, and linerboard. Its Consumer Solutions segment designs and produces multi-pack cartons and packaging systems primarily for the beverage take-home and tobacco market. In addition, it offers a range of converting and consumer packaging solutions, including printed plastic packaging and injection-molded products used for personal care, beauty, and pharmaceutical products; and dispensing and sprayer systems for personal care, beauty, healthcare, fragrance, and home and garden markets. In addition, this segment has a pharmaceutical packaging contract with a mass-merchant, and manufactures equipment that is leased or sold to its beverage and dairy customers to package their products. The c ompany?s Consumer & Office Products segment manufactures, sources, markets, and distributes school and office products, time-management products, and envelopes in North America and Brazil through both retail and commercial channels. Its Specialty Chemicals segment manufactures, markets, and distributes specialty chemicals derived from sawdust and other byproducts of the papermaking process in North America, South America, and Asia. Its products include activated carbon used in emission control systems for automobiles and trucks, as well as for water and food purification applications, and performance chemicals used in printing inks, asphalt paving, adhesives, and lubricants for the agricultural, paper, and petroleum industries. MWV?s Community Development and Land Management segment involves in real estate development, forestry operations, and leasing activities. MeadWestvaco Corporation was founded in 1888 and is based in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ray Merola]

  International Paper Co Share Price versus Competitors RockTenn (RKT), MeadWestvaco Corp (MWV), Packaging Corporation of America (PKG), and S&P 500 (March 2009-to-date)

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  When you’re stock has been lagging the S&P 500, sometimes drastic action must be followed by even more drastic action. Case in point: MeadWestvaco (MWV), which announced a program of cost cutting on the heels of one announced last year.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  MeadWestvaco (NYSE: MWV  ) is continuing to deliver payouts for its shareholders. The company has declared a fresh quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, to be handed out on September 3 to shareholders of record as of August 31.�That amount matches each of the company's regular quarterly payouts stretching back to late 2010. Prior to that, it paid $0.23 per share.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on MeadWestvaco (NYSE: MWV  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Top US Companies For 2015: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEC)

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides professional, technical, and construction services. Its services include engineering, design, and architectural services; construction and construction management services; operations and maintenance services; and process, scientific, and systems consulting services. The company serves a range of companies and organizations comprising industrial, commercial, and government clients across multiple markets and geographies. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides its services to various industries and markets consisting of oil and gas exploration, production, and refining; environmental programs; pharmaceuticals and biotechnology; chemicals and polymers; buildings; infrastructure; power; technology and manufacturing; consumer products; and pulp and paper. The company provides its services through its offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. was founded in 1947 and is based in Pa sadena, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  The market is running in place today but the VIX continues to drop and that could be a good sign for Boeing (BA), Xerox (XRX), Jacobs Engineering (JEC), Consol Energy (CNX) and Morgan Stanley (MS).

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Magnox Limited is decommissioning nuclear power facilities in the U.K. Jacobs Engineering (NYSE: JEC  ) has been contracted�to provide project management resources, skills development, coaching, and employment opportunities for Magnox employees�as an extension of original�protocols established with Jacobs and AMEC in 2011, the companies announced today.

Top US Companies For 2015: iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index Fund (EWW)

iShares MSCI Mexico Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the Mexican market, as measured by the MSCI Mexico Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the Mexican equity market. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index that aims to capture 85% of the (publicly available) total market capitalization. Component companies are adjusted for available float and must meet objective criteria for inclusion in the Index. The Index is reviewed quarterly.

The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Daniel Cross]

  A broad-based investment into the Mexican economy either through the iShares MSCI Mexico Investable Market Index (NYSE: EWW) or the Mexico Fund (NYSE: MXF) -- a favorite of StreetAuthority analyst Amy Calistri -- are good ways to establish a position. These funds not only have exposure to the manufacturing sector, but also to energy, health care and media -- sectors that are benefiting from political reforms and a growing Mexican middle class. The Mexico Fund has a powerful incentive for investors as well in the form of a hefty 10% dividend.

• [By Jim Powell]

  Jim Powell: I like the exchange-traded funds. I really think the iShares Mexico Fund (EWW)—EWW is a way for most Americans to go. If you have specialized knowledge of Mexico, and you know companies that you wish to invest in, you certainly can. There are plenty of them, but I recommend a fund.

Top US Companies For 2015: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  The dirt kept sliding out from under Caterpillar (CAT) during 2013. Will it hit bottom in 2014?

  ASSOCIATED PRESS

  UBS analyst Steven Fisher and team think it can. He writes:

  2013 was a disappointing year for [Caterpillar] across its businesses (ex-LATAM construction). The mining business, in particular, drove several guidance reductions. We expect�[Caterpillar] EPS to find a bottom and potentially turn positive over the next 12-24 months as global growth improves, led by North America. We also expect cost reductions and buybacks to be tailwinds…

  Still, Fisher urges investors to be cautious with Caterpillar right now. He writes:

  Our mind set is that it may be beneficial to be early in order to get ahead of the improvement in earnings, after the stock was a laggard in 2013. However, we think there is some risk that [Caterpillar] guides below the Street with the Q4 report, and some of the�[Caterpillar] indicators we assess suggest caution near term. Specifically, UBS expects oil prices to be weaker in 1H14, we expect�[Caterpillar] revenues and earnings to decline YOY in Q4 and Q1, and UBS expects the Yen to weaken vs. the US Dollar; all drivers of�[Caterpillar] stock performance. Also, we don’t see major near term catalysts in mining and power.

  Given Fisher’s mixed message, it shouldn’t come s a surprise that Caterpillar is little changed today at $90.52, even as Terex (TEX) has fallen 0.8% to $41.03 and Joy Global (JOY) has dropped 1.1% to $55.19. Deere has (DE) gained 0.4% to $90.10.

   

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  Caterpillar provides essential industrial products that fuel infrastructure construction and mining projects in growing countries around the world. The stock has not made much progress in recent years and is now trading near the low end of a range that extends back a few years. Earnings and revenue figures have sent mixed signals to investors who have been pleased with recent earnings reports, regardless. Relative to its peers and sector, Caterpillar has trailed in year-to-date performance by a significant margin. WAIT AND SEE what Caterpillar does this coming quarter.

• [By John Maxfield]

  Shares of older, industrial companies like Alcoa (NYSE: AA  ) and Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT  ) are leading the Dow lower this afternoon. One reason could be speculation that the Federal Reserve will taper its monthly bond purchases by the end of the year. According to The Wall Street Journal, "more than half of the 49 economists who participated in the latest ... forecasting survey" believe that it will do so.

Top US Companies For 2015: Energy Recovery Inc (ERII)

Energy Recovery, Inc. incorporated in April 1992, is engaged in developing, manufacturing and selling of energy recovery devices and circulation pumps primarily for uses in seawater desalination plants that use reverse osmosis technology. The Company's products are sold under the trademarks AquaBold, AquaSpire, ERITM, PXT, Pressure Exchanger, PX Pressure Exchanger, PEIT, Pump Engineering and Quadribaric. The Company develops and sells two main lines of energy recovery devices: PX pressures Exchanger devices and turbochargers. Each line includes a range of models and sizes to address the breadth of required process flow rates, plant designs and sizes. The company has two wholly owned subsidiaries: Energy Recovery Iberia, S.L. and ERI Energy Recovery Ireland Ltd. During the year ended December 2011, the Company merged three subsidiaries including, Osmotic Power, Inc.; Energy Recovery, Inc. International and Pump Engineering, Inc. into the parent company, Energy Recovery, Inc.

Energy recovery devices

The Company's PX offering includes: the PX-300 and PX-Q300; the 65 series (the PX-260, PX-220 and PX-180); the 4S series (PX-140S, PX-90S, PX-70S, PX-45S and PX-30S) and brackish PX devices (for the desalination of water with a lower concentration of salt than seawater). The Company's turbocharger offering includes: the HTCAT series (HTCAT-1800, HTCAT-2400, HTCAT-3600, HTCAT-4800, HTCAT-7200 and HTCAT-9600); the HALO line (HALO-50, HALO-75, HALO-100, HALO-150, HALO-225, HALO-300, HALO-450, HALO-500, HALO-600, HALO-900 and HALO-1200) and the LPT series for brackish water desalination applications (LPT-63, LPT-125, LPT-250, LPT-500, LPT-1000, LPT-2000 and LPT-3200).

High-pressure and Circulation pumps.

The Company manufactures and sells high-pressure feed, circulation and booster pumps for uses with its energy recovery devices in reverse osmosis desalination plants. The Company's line of pumps includes the AquaBold series (AquaBold 2x3x5, AquaBold 3x4x7 and ! AquaBold 4x6x9); the AquaSpire series (AquaSpire-300, AquaSpire-450, AquaSpire-600, AquaSpire-900, AquaSpire-1200, AquaSpire-1800, AaquaSpire-2400, AquaSpire-3600, AquaSpire-4800, AquaSpire-7200 and AquaSpire-9600) and a line of small circulation pumps.

Technical support and Replacement parts

The Company provides engineering and technical support to customers during product installation and plants commissioning. The Company also offers replacement parts and services for its PX devices and turbochargers. The Company's PX devices and turbochargers are also used to retrofit or replace older energy recovery devices in existing desalination plants.

The Company Competes with Flowserve Corporation (Flowserve) based in Irving, Texas and Fluid Equipment Development Company, Clyde Union Ltd., Duchting Pumpen Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co KG, KSB Aktiengesellschaft, Torishima Pump Mfg. Co., Ltd. and Sulzer Pumps, Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ant贸nio Costa]

  Energy Recovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERII) broke out of a small consolidation area with heavy volume and will likely have the attention of the swing-traders in the next days.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015

Another report claiming we're hitting the automotive saturation point.

This one, a global warning from IHS Automotive: "Trends in urban motorization could reduce the number of motor vehicles in use globally in 2035 by 250 million and trim new sales by 30 million units annually."

That is, too many cars in too little space is spurring regulations limiting auto ownership and use. And that comes as worldwide factory production capacity already exceeds the demand for the foreseeable future.

The biggest squeeze is forecast in the very countries the auto industry is counting on for continued growth, the so-called BRIC nations -- Brazil, Russia, India and China.

According to IHS, "Asian and other developing-market cities will not achieve the levels of car motorization enjoyed in the West, nor meet sales and production growth levels currently forecast by the auto industry."

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: The9 Limited(NCTY)

The9 Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and operation of online games, and Internet and Website related businesses in the People?s Republic of China. The company offers online games, including MMORPGs, Web, and SNS games. As of December 31, 2010, it owned or had exclusive licenses to operate SUN, EA Sports FIFA Online 2, Atlantica, World of Fighter, Kingdom Heroes 2 Online, Winning Goal, ShenXianZhuan, Planetside 2, Free Realms, and Seoyugi games in China. The9 Limited also involves in the provision of Internet protocol television services and SMS services; Website solutions and advertising services, and mobile game platform; and licensing of its proprietary games to third parties. The company was formerly known as GameNow.net Limited and changed its name to The9 Limited in February 2004. The9 Limited was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Chinese online game developer�The9� (NASDAQ: NCTY  ) �says that between April 22 and April 28, its chairman and CEO, Jun Zhu, purchased 200,000 of the company's American depositary shares on the open market, and he�intends to purchase�as much as $5 million�worth of the stock in total. He is also a co-founder of the company.

• [By Sally Jones]

  Here’s a look at three application software companies currently on a 52-week low and still held by a few billionaires. The9 Ltd. (NCTY), Merge Healthcare Inc. (MRGE) and FAB Universal Corp. (FU) are more than 52% off a 52-week high.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: GreenHaven Continuous Commodity Index Master Fund (GCC)

GreenHaven Continuous Commodity Index Fund (the Fund), incorporated on October 27, 2006, is a statutory trust. The investment objective of the Fund and The GreenHaven Continuous Commodity Index Master Fund (the Master Fund) is to reflect the performance of the Index, over time, less the expenses of the operations of the Fund and the Master Fund. The Master Fund is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund and the Managing Owner. CSC Trust Company (the Trustee) is the sole trustee of the Fund and the Master Fund.

The Master Fund issues common units of beneficial interest, or Master Fund Units, which represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Master Fund. The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the Master Fund in a master-feeder structure. The Fund holds no investment assets other than Master Fund Units.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Richard Stavros]

  GreenHaven Continuous Commodity Index (GCC) is an exchange-traded fund that aims to track the Equal Weight Continuous Commodity Total Return Index (CCI-TR), which provides exposure to diversified commodities. The index is up 4.75% year-to-date, and up 24.63% over the last five years.

Top Cheap Stocks To Buy For 2015: SeaChange International Inc.(SEAC)

SeaChange International, Inc. provides multi-screen video products and services that facilitate the aggregation, licensing, management, and distribution of video, television programming, and advertising content to cable system operators, telecommunications companies, broadcast television companies, and mobile communications providers worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Software and Media Services. The Software segment offers back-office products, including SeaChange Axiom, an on-demand back office software that allow operators to centralize video distribution systems, as well as video streamers; advertising product solutions, such as video-on-demand, digital video recorders, and over-the-top services; and home gateway product solutions, which include Nucleus, a hybrid gateway software product that provides control over channel changes, VOD/DVR playback, and trick mode set-top box functionalities. This segment also provides professional services, installation, training, project management, product maintenance, technical support, and software development related services. The Media Services segment offers content for video-on-demand and pay-per-view platforms; and marketing, promotional, and production services to cable operators and telecommunications providers. This segment also sources, acquires, packages, and markets video-on-demand services by providing access to content from local and Hollywood studio providers in various formats, including music videos, television programs, and feature length movies. The company sells and markets its products and services through a direct sales organization, independent agents, and distributors. SeaChange International, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on SeaChange International (Nasdaq: SEAC  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  SeaChange (SEAC) fell 16.5% to $12.03 after the company’s guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter fell well below analysts’ expectations.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to SeaChange International (Nasdaq: SEAC  ) .

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Xcel Energy Inc.(XEL)

Xcel Energy Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as to public authorities in the United States. The company generates electricity using coal, nuclear, natural gas, hydro, wood, diesel, and wind energy. It also engages in the purchase, transportation, distribution, and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company serves customers in portions of Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. As of December 31, 2010, it provided electricity services to 3,391,611 customers; and natural gas services to 1,893,250 customers. Xcel Energy, through its joint venture interests in WYCO Development LLC, develops and leases natural gas pipeline, storage, and compression facilities. The company was founded in 1909 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Schadenfreude's in season
  Not everyone's opposed to the law, necessarily. For example, Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL  ) is already working to expand its portfolio of wind-generated power in the state, and two years ago, it put into operation a 19-megawatt solar farm in cooperation with SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR  ) . As a so-called "investor-owned utility," Xcel is already subject to a target of 30% renewables use by 2020 -- so a law making its rural rivals hit a 20% target probably didn't upset Xcel all that much.

• [By Sara Murphy]

  Cleetus discusses a new breed of energy companies that are working to incorporate and promote renewables. She specifically praises Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL  ) for its investment in wind power. Just today, Xcel announced a new 200 megawatt wind farm project in Minnesota.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Another risk factor that can often be overlooked is that electricity price increases aren't a guarantee. In fact, power price increase rulings are often determined by state regulatory energy commissions which have a duty to look out not for these companies, but also for the best interests of consumers. Last summer, for instance, Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL  ) was denied a $100 million rate increase (about $2 each month per customer) by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission after failing to sufficiently demonstrate how not raising these rates would adversely impact the company.�

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Bouygues SA (EN)

Bouygues SA is a France-based group that operates in two sectors: Telecommunications and Media, and Construction. The Construction division comprises three core subsidiaries: Bouygues Construction, specializing in building and public works activities, notably in the areas of electrical engineering, and facility maintenance; Bouygues Immobilier, a property development company, whose activities include the development of residential, corporate and commercial properties, and the execution of urban development schemes, and Colas, engaged in the construction and maintenance of transport, urban development and leisure infrastructure. The Telecommunications and Media division of the Group comprises two companies: TF1, specializing in audiovisual and cinema production, the acquisition and sale of audiovisual rights, and the publishing and distribution of compact discs, among others, and Bouygues Telecom, which offers mobile telephone and broadband Internet services. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  Bouygues (EN) rallied 10 percent to 25.33 euros, the biggest gain since February. The French building, telecommunications and television company�� operating profit increased to 432 million euros from 394 million euros a year earlier. Analysts had forecast 358 million euros, according to the average of three estimates.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Yandex N.V.(YNDX)

Yandex N.V., an Internet and technology company, operates an Internet search engine in Russia and internationally. It offers access to a range of information available online; localized homepages for specific geographic markets; and personalized and email services. The company also provides specialized search services comprising news aggregation and information services; and price comparison services, such as product information, price comparisons, and consumer-generated reviews of products and online retailers, as well as other specialized search services, including search services for images, videos, music, theatres, televisions, weather, jobs, transportation, cars, and real estate. In addition, it offers desktop applications consisting of specialized toolbar for Web browsers, Russian-to-English and English-to-Russian keyboard layout switcher, and customized browser versions; and server applications for indexing and searching files in various formats. Further, the compan y provides text-based advertising and display advertising services for advertisers on its Websites and Yandex ad network member Websites; and Yandex.Market, a price comparison service, which offers a platform for retailers to reach consumers in a targeted manner. Additionally, it provides services and tools for businesses comprising Yandex.Webmaster that allows Webmasters to control how their Website is seen by its search engine; Yandex.Metrica, a Web statistics analysis tool; Yandex Site Search, a search tool for Webmasters and Website owners; Yandex.Mail for Domain Owners that allows users to create email accounts with their own domain names; Yandex APIs and Widgets that enable developers to use its technologies in their own businesses; and Yandex.Money, an online payment system. Yandex N.V. was incorporated in 2004 and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  But if you want to roll the dice on a risky but high-reward play, consider telecom giant Yandex (YNDX). This company is actually based in the Netherlands, but operates the leading Russian web portal, with search and email services. It�� essentially the Google (GOOG) of Russia.

• [By Vivian Lewis]

  Steve Halpern: Now another off-the-radar stock that you've been recommending is called Yandex (YNDX), which is a Dutch company that offers internet services in markets such as Russia and Turkey.

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  What: Shares of Russian search giant Yandex (NASDAQ: YNDX  ) jumped by as much as 18% today after the company reported first-quarter earnings.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Health Care REIT Inc (HCN)

Health Care REIT, Inc., incorporated on April 4, 1985, is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company�� portfolio has range of seniors housing and healthcare real estate, including seniors housing communities, skilled nursing/post-acute facilities, medical office buildings, inpatient and outpatient medical centers and life science facilities. The Company operates in three segments: seniors housing triple-net, seniors housing operating and medical facilities. Its properties primarily consists of land, building, improvements and related rights. The Company�� hospitals and seniors housing triple-net properties are leased to operators under long-term operating leases. Its medical office building portfolio is primarily self-managed and consists principally of multi-tenant properties leased to health care providers. On January 9, 2013, the Company acquired Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. property portfolio, and the sale of the Sunrise management company. In October 2013, the Company announced the acquisition of the Willows at Hamburg from Health Care REIT, Inc.

Seniors Housing Triple-Net

The Company�� seniors housing triple-net properties include independent living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living facilities, Alzheimer��/dementia facilities, skilled nursing/post-acute facilities and combinations thereof. It invests primarily through acquisitions and development. Its properties are primarily leased to operators under long-term, triple-net master leases. Its properties include stand-alone facilities that provide one level of service, combination facilities that provide multiple levels of service, and communities or campuses that provide a range of services. Independent living facilities are age-restricted, multifamily properties with central dining facilities that provide residents access to meals and other services, such as housekeeping, linen service, transportation and social and recreational activities. Continuing care retirement comm! unities include a combination of detached homes, an independent living facility, an assisted living facility and/or a skilled nursing facility on one campus.

Assisted living facilities are state regulated rental properties that provide the same services as independent living facilities, but also provide supportive care from trained employees to residents who require assistance with activities of daily living, including, but not limited to, management of medications, bathing, dressing, toileting, ambulating and eating. Certain assisted living facilities may include state licensed settings that specialize in caring for those afflicted with Alzheimer�� disease and/or other types of dementia. Skilled nursing/post-acute facilities are licensed daily rate or rental properties where the majority of individuals require 24-hour nursing and/or medical care. All facilities offer some level of rehabilitation services. Some facilities focus on higher acuity patients and offer rehabilitation units specializing in cardiac, orthopedic, dialysis, neurological or pulmonary rehabilitation. The Company leases 177 facilities to Genesis HealthCare, LLC pursuant to a long-term, triple-net master lease.

Seniors Housing Operating

The Company has relationships with eight operators to own and operate 154 facilities (plus 39 facilities in an unconsolidated joint venture). In each instance, its partner provides management services to the properties pursuant to an incentive-based management contract.

Medical Facilities

The Company�� medical facilities include medical office buildings, hospitals and life science facilities. It leases its medical office buildings to multiple tenants and provides varying levels of property management. The Company�� hospital investments are structured similar to its seniors housing triple-net investments. The medical office building portfolio consists of health care related buildings that include physician offices, ambulatory surgery! centers,! diagnostic facilities, outpatient services and/or labs. Approximately 92% of its medical office building portfolio is affiliated with health systems by having buildings on hospital campuses or serving as satellite locations for the health system and their physicians.

The Company�� hospitals include acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and long-term acute care hospitals. Acute care hospitals provide a range of inpatient and outpatient services, including, but not limited to, surgery, rehabilitation, therapy and clinical laboratories. Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals provide inpatient services for patients with intensive rehabilitation needs. Long-term acute care hospitals provide inpatient services for patients with complex medical conditions that require more intensive care, monitoring or emergency support than is available in most skilled nursing facilities. The life science portfolio consists of laboratory and office facilities designed and constructed for use by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Charles Sizemore]

  The normally sleepy world of senior housing REITs got a shakeup on Wednesday with the announcement that Health Care REIT (HCN) and Revera Inc., a leading provider of senior living facilities in Canada, had partnered to purchase and recapitalize Sunrise Senior Living, LLC from affiliates of private equity firmKohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR).

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  But the S&P 500′s biggest losers show the kind of carnage long predicted by those fearful of higher yields. How’s this for evidence: Real-estate investment trusts,�whose yields look more paltry with every tick higher in the 10-year Treasury, made up half of the top-10 losers. Prologis (PLD) fell 8.4% to $35.08, the Macerich Co. (MAC) dropped 8.2% to $56.72 and Health Care REIT (HCN) was off 8.1% at $58.57.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  In the first-full day of trading after the Fed’s decision to bring on the taper, stocks ended mixed–and just barely, at that–as Chevron (CVX), International Business Machines (IBM) and Walt Disney (DIS) rose, and Health Care REIT�(HCN) andDarden Restaurants (DRI) fell.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Finally, you need to consider going where services you want are offered. For instance, health-care real-estate investment trusts Senior Housing Properties (NYSE: SNH  ) , LTC Properties (NYSE: LTC  ) , and Health Care REIT (NYSE: HCN  ) , which recently acquired Sunrise Senior Living, all offer facilities in various places across the nation to provide for retirees who need health-care assistance in their living arrangements. But if your particular medical needs require specialists that are concentrated in particular cities, it's far more important for your health to be close to those specialists -- even if it means paying more in taxes.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Whole Foods Market Inc.(WFM)

Whole Foods Market, Inc. engages in the ownership and operation of natural and organic food supermarkets. The company offers produce, seafood, grocery, meat and poultry, bakery, prepared foods and catering, coffee and tea, nutritional supplements, and vitamins. It also provides specialty products, such as beer, wine, and cheese; body care and educational products, such as books; and floral, pet, and household products. As of February 9, 2011, the company operated 302 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Andrew Marder]

  The land's lay
  With its falling sales, negative operational income, and lackluster brands, SUPERVALU�isn't going to win a beauty contest anytime soon. The line of better choices is long, and investors are quick to move to the new hot thing in the sector. Right now, Kroger (NYSE: KR  ) and Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFM  ) both represent more interesting ways to make some money in the grocery store business.

• [By Joe Tenebruso and Richard Engdahl]

  You may have heard your friends refer to Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFM  ) as "whole paycheck," in reference to its high prices. Whether that's a bad rap or not, perceptions can damage a brand. But can the grocery stalwart clear out this bruised fruit without getting into a defensive price-war?

• [By David Hanson]

  7. Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM  ) Whole Foods Market is often jokingly labeled "Whole Paycheck" because of its steeper-than-average grocery prices. Similarly, the company's stock price also sports a high price tag. Despite trading over 10% lower than its all-time high, the stock still trades at almost 34 times trailing earnings. The grocer's fiercely loyal customer base and brand power are not compelling enough for Buffett to pay up for shares of the leader in a historically low-margin industry.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS(TKC)

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. engages in establishing and operating a global system for mobile communications network in Turkey. It provides mobile voice, and Internet services over its mobile communications network; voice services, which include wireless telephone services on a prepaid and postpaid basis; mobile Internet and 3G services; consumer services; Telco services; TV and video services; music services; infotainment services; social community and other services; and mobile financial services The company also offers Turkcell enablers and platforms; corporate (B2B); corporate telco; authentication; location based; mobile marketing; machine-to-machine communications; and international roaming services. In addition, it provides Mobile Signature, a GSM service that enables customers to sign electronic documents and transactions with a legally-accepted digital signature using GSM SIM cards; and Mobile Billboard, which enables brands to reach their targeted customers . As of December 31, 2010, the company had approximately 23.3 million prepaid subscribers and 10.1 million postpaid subscribers. It sells its products and services through its distribution network consists of distributors, Turkcell distribution centers, corporate solution centers, non exclusive dealers, Turkcell communication centers, Turkcell stores, and consumer electronic Chains, as well as points of sale for prepaid airtime, including ATMs, POS, Web, call centers, supermarkets, and kiosks. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS is a subsidiary of Turkcell Holding A.S.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (NYSE: TKC) shares reached a new 52-week low of $12.74. Turkcell's trailing-twelve-month EPS is $1.40.

  Posted-In: 52-Week LowsNews Movers & Shakers Intraday Update Markets

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Campbell Soup Co (CPB)

Campbell Soup Company (Campbell), incorporated on November 23, 1922, together with its subsidiaries, is a manufacturer and marketer of branded convenience food products. The Company operates in five segments: U.S. Simple Meals; Global Baking and Snacking; International Simple Meals and Beverages; U.S. Beverages; and North America Foodservice. In June 2012, the Company purchased 1300 Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Camden. On August 6, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of BF Bolthouse Holdco LLC (Bolthouse Farms). In September 2012, Vilmorin & Cie SA acquired the tomato and pepper breeding and sales business of the Company. In June 2013, Campbell Soup Co completed the acquisition of Plum Organics. In August 2013, Campbell Soup Company completed the acquisition of Kelsen Group A/S.

In the United States, Canada and Latin America, the Company�� products are resold to consumers in retail food chains, mass discounters, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores, drug stores, dollar stores and other retail, commercial and non-commercial establishments. In Europe, the Company�� products are resold to consumers in retail food chains, mass discounters, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores and other retail, commercial and non-commercial establishments. In the Asia Pacific region, the Company�� products are resold to consumers through retail food chains, convenience stores and other retail, commercial and non-commercial establishments.

U.S. Simple Meals

The U.S. Simple Meals segment aggregates the operating segments: U.S. Soup and U.S. Sauces. The U.S. Soup retail business includes the products, such as Campbell�� condensed and ready-to-serve soups, and Swanson broth and stocks. The U.S. Sauces retail business includes Pregopasta sauces, Pace Mexican sauces, Campbell�� canned gravies, pasta, and beans, and Swanson canned poultry.

Global Baking and Snacking

The Global Baking and Snacking segment include Pepperi! dge Farm cookies, crackers, bakery and frozen products in the United States retail. It also includes Arnott�� biscuits in Australia and Asia Pacific.

International Simple Meals and Beverages

The International Simple Meals and Beverages segment aggregates the simple meals and beverages operating segments outside of the United States, including Europe, the retail business in Canada, and the businesses in Asia Pacific, Latin America and China. The segment�� operations include Erasco and Heisse Tasse soups in Germany,Liebig and Royco soups in France, Devos Lemmens mayonnaise and cold sauces and Campbell�� and Royco soups in Belgium, and Bla Band soups and sauces in Sweden. In Canada, operations include Habitant and Campbell�� soups, Prego pasta sauces, Pace Mexican sauces, V8 juices and beverages and certain Pepperidge Farm products. In Asia Pacific, operations include Campbell�� soup and stock, Kimball sauces, V8 juices and beverages, Prego pasta sauce and Swanson broths.

U.S. Beverages

The U.S. Beverages segment represents the United States retail beverages business, including V8 juices and beverages, and Campbell�� tomato juice.

North America Foodservice

The North America Foodservice segment represents the distribution of products, such as soup, specialty entrees, beverage products, other prepared foods and Pepperidge Farm products through food service channels in the United States and Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By DAILYFINANCE]

  David J. Phillip/APSysco's Houston corporate office. HOUSTON -- One of the largest food supply companies is buying one of its key rivals, creating an even larger, global distribution company. Sysco is buying privately held US Foods for about $3.5 billion in cash and stock. When the deal closes, Sysco expects the addition of US Foods to boost its annual sales by about 46 percent to around $65 billion. Sysco shares jumped as much as 26 percent Monday, setting an all-time high. Houston's Sysco will pay $3 billion in common stock and $500 million in cash. It will also assume or refinance about $4.7 billion in debt. That puts the total value of the deal at about $8.2 billion. Sysco President and CEO Bill DeLaney said that the two companies have highly complementary core strengths including large product portfolios. For the fiscal year that ended in June, Sysco's sales totaled $44.41 billion. It trucks food and cooking supplies to about 425,000 customers through 193 locations in the U.S., Bahamas, Canada, Ireland and Northern Ireland. US Foods' customers include independent and chain restaurants, health care and hospitality companies, and government and educational institutions. Major stakeholders in the company, based just outside of Chicago, in Rosemont, Ill., include Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Representatives from both of those investment firms will join Sysco's board. When the deal closes, US Foods shareholders will own about 87 million shares, or about 13 percent, of Sysco's common stock. The buyout has been approved by the boards of both companies. Sysco said it expects the deal, which is set to close in the third calendar quarter of 2014, to immediately boost its profit after adjusting for acquisition-related costs and expenses. It's also expected to create annual cost savings of at least $600 million after three or four years. Moody's Investors Service placed all of Sysco's ratings, including its investment-g

• [By Rich Smith]

  Campbell (NYSE: CPB  ) soup is good ... baby food. Or it soon will be.

  On Thursday after close of market, Campbell Soup announced that it has agreed to acquire organic baby food manufacturer Plum Organics, the country's No. 2 brand of organic baby food, and the No. 4 baby food brand in America -- organic or otherwise.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Cresud S.A.C.I.F. y A. (CRESY)

Cresud Sociedad An贸nima Comercial, Inmobiliaria, Financiera y Agropecuaria, an agricultural company, produces basic agricultural commodities in Brazil and other Latin American countries. It is involved in the production of various crops, such as wheat, corn, sunflower, soybean, and sorghum, as well as sugarcane; breeding and fattening of beef cattle for slaughterhouses and supermarkets; production of milk for sale to dairy companies; and leasing of farms. The company is also engaged in the development and sale of residential properties; acquisition of land reserves for development and sale; acquisition, development, and operation of shopping centers, offices, and other non-shopping center properties for rent; and acquisition and operation of luxury hotels, as well as consumer financing activities. As of June 30, 2013, it owned 33 farms with approximately 643,891 hectares. The company was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ian Wyatt]

  Cresud SA (CRESY) has 66% of those acres in Argentina; the rest are scattered through Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. In addition, it has extensive commercial property holdings in Buenos Aires.

• [By Cameron Swinehart]

  Cresud (CRESY) -

  An Argentinean based agriculture company that currently owns roughly 2.4 million acres of farmland in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. CRESY produces a variety of crops consisting of soybeans, corn, and sugarcane. It also has operations in beef cattle and milk production. In the second quarter, Cresud sold 4 of its farms for roughly $60.5 million and saw large gains in its farmland development business. CRESY is currently trading down roughly 60% from its highs back in late 2010. Many farming companies have struggled to release value for shareholders with the drop in crop prices but now many are beginning to see value with the sale of farmland.

Top Asian Companies To Invest In 2015: Sigma Designs Inc.(SIGM)

Sigma Designs, Inc. provides integrated system-on-chip solutions (SoC) for the Internet protocol television (IPTV), media processor, connected home and media player, prosumer and industrial audio/video, high definition television, and PC-based add-in markets. The company offers semiconductors with a suite of real-time software that enables synchronous processing of video, audio, and graphics streams for various applications. Its media processor product line represents a family of SoC solutions that are a component of multiple consumer applications, which process digital video and audio content comprising IPTV, connected media players, and portable media players. The company?s home networking product line consists of wired networking solutions based on HomePNA, HomePlug AV, and G.hn standards, as well as wireless connectivity solutions based on Ultra-wideband technology. Its standards are used for transferring Internet protocol content across coaxial cables, phone lines, a nd power lines to enable service providers to deliver IPTV solutions and other media-rich applications. The company?s video image processor product line comprises of semiconductors that provide video output for professional and prosumer applications. Its home control and energy management automation product line includes wireless transceiver devices along with a mesh networking protocol. The company offers its home connectivity products under the CopperGate; wireless connectivity solutions under the CoAir; video image processors under the VXP; and wireless transceiver devices under the Z-Wave brands. It also provides software elements, such as multimedia library, security management software, and porting adaptations. In addition, the company offers PC-based solutions. It sells its products through direct sales force, manufacturer representatives, and independent distributors primarily in Asia, Europe, and North America. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered i n Milpitas, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  One technology player that insiders are loading up on here is Sigma Designs (SIGM), which provides integrated chipset solutions that serve as the foundation for consumer products including televisions, set-top boxes and video networking products. Insiders are buying this stock into decent weakness, since shares are down by 13.9% in the last three months.

  Sigma Designs has a market cap of $165 million and an enterprise value of $98 million. This stock trades at a premium valuation, with a forward price-to-earnings of 29.88. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 114.2%, and for next year it's pegged at -5.9%. This is a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $61.74 million and its total debt is zero.

  The CEO just bought 454,546 shares, or $2.5 million worth of stock, at $5.50 per share.

  From a technical perspective, SIGM is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is a bearish sign. This stock recently gapped down from $5.50 to below $4.40 a share with heavy downside volume. Following that move, shares of SIGM went on to hit a new low of $4.04 a share. That said, this stock has started to rebound off that $4.04 low and it's now moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

  If you're bullish on SIGM, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above some near-term support at $4.48 or above its recent low of $4.04, and then once breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance at $4.85 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 299,402 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then SIGM will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone that started at $5.500 a share. This stock could even tag $5.75 to $6.20 a share if that gap gets filled with strong upside volume flows.

• [By Rebecca McClay]

  In earnings news today, a few companies are reporting after the closing bell, including H & R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB), which is up about 1%. Pike Electric Corp. (NYES: PIKE), Guidewire Software Inc. (NYSE: GWRE), and Sigma Designs Inc. (Nasdaq: SIGM) are also reporting quarterly earnings late this afternoon.

• [By GuruFocus]

  According to GuruFocus Insider Data, these are the largest CEO buys during the past week. The overall trend of CEOs is illustrated in the chart below:

  Sigma Designs, Inc. (SIGM): President & CEO Thinh Q Tran Bought 454,546 Shares

  President & CEO of Sigma Designs, Inc. (SIGM) Thinh Q Tran bought 454,546 shares on 12/20/2013 at an average price of $4.65. Sigma Designs, Inc., a California corporation was incorporated in January 1982. Sigma Designs, Inc. has a market cap of $160.902 million; its shares were traded at around $4.65 with and P/S ratio of 0.77.

• [By John Udovich]

  We have recently added small cap video chip stock Pixelworks, Inc (NASDAQ: PXLW) to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO)�as it stands to benefit from the growth in connecting HD quality video across all mobile device platforms, as well as Smart TVs; but Silicon Image, Inc (NASDAQ: SIMG) and Sigma Designs, Inc (NASDAQ: SIGM) are also providing chips for the video or entertainment markets. Moreover, all three of these small cap stocks have recently reported earnings that might leave you feeling even more bullish.