Top Promising Companies To Buy For 2014

Whatever happened to the dream of commodities futures? They were supposed to turn the ordinary investor’s portfolios into a sophisticated hedge fund, promising stock-like returns with low correlation to equities.

Many seminal studies purporting to show these benefits, followed by the proliferation of mutual funds and exchange-traded portfolio products targeting retail investors, have popularized the strategy.

But now some thought leaders in the investment blogosphere are starting to pick apart the claims made for commodities futures funds, which generally purchase Treasury securities as collateral for futures contracts in energy, agriculture, livestock, industry and precious metals.

Tadas Viskanta of the popular Abnormal Returns blog initiated the latest round of rethinking. Viskanta hearkened back to the hype of 2006, following a study underscoring commodities futures' equity-like performance but negative correlation to stock and bond returns.

This research, by Gary Gorton and K. Geert Rouwenhorst, was “was picked up by multiple media sources as a major discovery,” Viskanta wrote at the time, commenting now that “new ‘discoveries’ in the financial markets are indeed rare.”

Top 5 Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Deutsche Bank AG (LBND)

Deutsche Bank AG is a global investment bank. The Company offers a variety of investment, financial and related products and services to private individuals, corporate entities and institutional clients around the world. The Company operates through such divisions as: Private and Business Clients, Asset and Wealth Management, Corporate Banking and Securities, Global Transaction Banking and Non-Core Operations Unit. Deutsche Bank AG is active domestically and in various countries, through the network of numerous branches. In February 2014, the Company and its related bodies corporate ceases to a share holder in the capital of the Company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Donald van Deventer]

  Long-duration Treasury Exchange-Traded Funds: (TLH), , (IEF), (DTYL), (DLBL), (ILTB), (TENZ), (ITE), (TLO), (EDV), (VGIT), (VGLT), (TMF), (TYD), (LBND), (UBT), (UST), (TMV), (TYO), (DSTJ), (DSXJ), (SBND), (PST), (DTYS), (DLBS), (TBF), (TTT), (TYNS), (TYBS), (TBX).

Top Promising Companies To Buy For 2014: Prosensa Holding NV (RNA)

Prosensa Holding N.V., formerly Prosensa Holding B.V., is a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of ribonucleic acid-modulating (RNA)-modulating, therapeutics for the treatment of genetic disorders. The Company�� primary focus is on rare neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders with a large unmet medical need, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy and Huntington�� disease. The Company�� clinical portfolio of RNA-based product candidates is focused on the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The Company�� platform technology allows the development of RNA-modulating therapeutics that either interferes with splicing (exon skipping, exon inclusion, or splice mutation correction), remove mutant RNA, or block RNA expression, for different indications.

DMD is a rare, severe muscle wasting disease that occurs in up to 1 in 3,500 male births. It is commonly diagnosed between the ages of three to five, when boys begin to show signs of impaired motor development. PRO044, the Company�� product candidate, addresses a separate sub-population of DMD patients. The Company developed PRO044 using its exon-skipping technology to generate a product candidate with the same mechanism of action that is used by drisapersen.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Leo Sun]

  However, these three biotech stocks -- Amarin (NASDAQ: AMRN  ) , Dendreon (NASDAQ: DNDN  ) , Prosensa (NASDAQ: RNA  ) -- don't fit that category at all. Read on to understand why these dogs of the sector should never be mistaken as underdogs.

• [By Keith Speights]

  An "alley-oop" from the opponent
  Prosensa (NASDAQ: RNA  ) shares made something of a slam dunk this week, jumping more than 16%. That dunk was made with what amounts to an "alley-oop" from its primary rival, Sarepta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SRPT  ) .

• [By Sean Williams]

  Shares of Sarepta climbed to a 52-week high of $55.61 in September shortly after an experimental rival drug, drisapersen, developed by Prosensa (NASDAQ: RNA  ) and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK  ) , missed its primary end point by a mile in late-stage trials. However, Sarepta also tanked just weeks later after the Food and Drug Administration decided against supporting an accelerated drug approval for eteplirsen; the agency would not make the connection that increased dystrophin production led to its remarkable trial results.�Also, given the recent failure of drisapersen in a phase 3 study, the FDA felt it pertinent that Sarepta engage in a broader study. Shares ultimately dipped as low as $12.12.�

Top Promising Companies To Buy For 2014: Luxottica Group SpA (LUX)

Luxottica Group S.p.A. (Luxottica), incorporated in 1961, is an Italy-based company engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of prescription frames and sunglasses in the mid-and premium-price categories. It operates in two segments: manufacturing and wholesale distribution and retail distribution. Through its manufacturing and wholesale distribution segment, it is engaged in the design, manufacture, wholesale distribution and marketing of house and designer lines of mid-to premium-priced prescription frames and sunglasses. The Company operates its retail segment principally through its retail brands, which include, among others, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical and its Licensed Brands (Sears Optical and Target Optical), as well as through the retail brands of its business, Oakley, which include, among others, Oakley O Stores and Vaults, David Clulow e nel segmento Licensed Brand. Among its subsidiaries there are: Air Sun, Bazooka Inc, David Clulow Brighton Ltd and Ecotop Pty Ltd.

In May 2010, the Company acquired a 35.16% interest held by minority stockholders in Luxottica Gozluk Endustri ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, (Luxottica Turkey). On July 30, 2010, Luxottica acquired a 34% interest held by minority stockholders in Sunglass Hut (UK) Limited. On November 26, 2010, it acquired the Optifashion Australia Pty Limited group from HAL Optical Investments B.V. The acquisition included 47 corporate stores (40 optical and seven sun) and nine franchises, trading under brands including Just Spectacles. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of the David Clulow chain, bringing its ownership in the subsidiary to 100%. Luxottica�� house brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Arnette, Persol, REVO, Vogue, Oliver Peoples, K&L, Luxottica, Mosley Tribes, Sferoflex and Eye Safety Systems (ESS). Its licensed designer brands include Anne Klein, Brooks Brothers, Bvlgari, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, D&G, Donna Karan, DKNY, Fox, Miu ! Miu, Paul Smith, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Tiffany & Co, Tory Burch and Versace. Polo Ralph Lauren includes Chaps, Polo, Ralph and Ralph Lauren Purple Label. Product design, development and manufacturing takes place in six production facilities in Italy, two wholly owned factories in China and two sports sunglasses production facilities in the United States. Luxottica also has a small plant in India serving the local market.

During 2010, the Company produced approximately 56.6 million units. In North America, the Company operates the points of sale for its Licensed Brands, with over 1,140 stores under the Sears Optical and Target Optical brands. During 2010, it distributed approximately 20.4 million prescription frames and approximately 38.4 million sunglasses, in approximately 5,900 different styles. During 2010, it announced the signing of a license agreement with Coach, Inc. (Coach) for the design, manufacturing and global distribution of sun and prescription eyewear under the Coach, Coach Poppy and Reed Krakoff brands. Essilor S.A. (Essilor) is the supplier of the Company�� retail operations.

Luxottica�� distribution system is globally integrated and supplied by a centralized manufacturing programming platform. The network linking the logistics and sales centers to the production facilities in Italy and China also provides daily monitoring of global sales performance and inventory levels so that manufacturing resources can be programmed and warehouse stocks re-allocated to meet local market demand. This integrated system serves both the retail and wholesale businesses with 18 distribution centers worldwide, of which eight are in the Americas, seven are in the Asia-Pacific region and three are in the rest of the world. It has three main distribution centers (hubs) in locations serving its markets: Sedico in Europe, Atlanta in the Americas and Dongguan in the Asia-Pacific region. They operate as centralized facilities, offering custo! mers a au! tomated order management system. During 2010, it managed over 13,500 orders per day, including eyeglasses and spare parts. Sedico ships over 170,000 units daily to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and to its distribution centers in the rest of the world, from which they are then shipped to local customers.

Wholesale Distribution

The Company�� wholesale distribution network, covering 130 countries across five continents, has 18 logistics centers and 42 commercial subsidiaries providing direct operations in key markets. Luxottica also distributes certain brands, including Oakley, to sporting goods stores and specialty sports stores, including bike, surf, snow, skate, golf and motor sports stores.

Retail Distribution

The retail portfolio offers a range of differentiation points for consumers, including the latest in designer and sun frames, lens options, eye care and everyday vision care health benefits. As of March 31, 2011, the Company�� retail business consisted of 5,911 corporate stores and 514 franchised or licensed locations. In its retail sun business, Luxottica operates over 2,480 retail locations in North America, Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Europe and the Middle East, mainly through the Sunglass Hut brand. Luxottica�� retail stores sells not only prescription frames and sunglasses that it manufactures but also a range of prescription frames, lenses and other ophthalmic products manufactured by other companies. During 2010, units manufactured with its brand names or its licensed brands represented approximately 80.2% of the total sales of frames based on units sold by the retail division.

Luxottica�� optical retail operations are anchored by brands, such as LensCrafters and Pearle Vision in North America, and OPSM, Laubman & Pank and Budget Eyewear, which are available in Australia and New Zealand. It also has a retail presence in China, where the Company operates in the eyewear market with LensCrafters. As of ! March 31,! 2011, the Company�� optical retail business consisted of approximately 3,650 retail locations globally. As of March 31, 2011, it operated a retail network of 1,191 LensCrafters stores, of which 989 are in North America and 202 stores are in China and Hong Kong. LensCrafters stores offer a range of selection of prescription frames and sunglasses, mostly made by Luxottica, in addition to a range of lenses and optical products made by other suppliers. LensCrafters' products include lenses, such as FeatherWates (lightweight, thin and impact-resistant lenses), DURALENS (super scratch-resistant lenses), Advanced View Progressive (free-form, digitally surfaced progressive lenses), Invisibles (anti-reflective lenses) and MVP Maximum View Progressives (multi-focal lenses without visible lines).

Pearle Vision is a optical retail chain in North America. As of March 31, 2011, Pearle Vision operated 330 corporate stores and had 350 franchise locations throughout North America. The Company also operates a network of retail locations in North America operating as Sears Optical and Target Optical, its Licensed Brands, which uses the brand names of their respective American department store. As of March 31, 2011, it operated 828 Sears Optical and 323 Target Optical locations throughout North America. OPSM includes three optical chains that it operates in Australia and New Zealand. In July 2010, the brand launched its new flagship store OPSM Eye Hub and in September 2010, the brand launched its new OPSM Loves Eyes marketing campaign. As of March 31, 2011, the Company owned 357 OPSM corporate stores throughout Australia. OPSM also has 43 corporate-owned stores in New Zealand, mainly in large urban areas.

Laubman & Pank focuses on the independent optical shopper looking for eyecare and service. As of March 31, 2011, Luxottica owned 65 Laubman & Pank corporate stores throughout Australia. As of March 31, 2011, the Company owned 92 Budget Eyewear corporate stores throughout Australia and had nine! franchis! e locations. Budget Eyewear also has 14 corporate stores in New Zealand. EyeMed Vision Care is a managed vision care operators in the United States, serving over 28.5 million members in large and medium size companies and government entities and through insurance companies. EyeMed has a network of over 24,000 locations, including opticians, ophthalmologists, optometrists and chains operated by Luxottica. Together with LensCrafters' over 900 in-store labs, Luxottica operates five central lens finishing labs in North America. In addition, it operates Oakley optical lens laboratories in the United States, Ireland and Japan. As of March 31, 2011, Sunglass Hut had 2,385 stores worldwide, of which 2,329 are corporate stores and 56 are franchise locations. As of March 31, 2011, the Company operated approximately 590 Sunglass Hut departments in Macy's.

ILORI is Luxottica's fashion sunwear retail brand, with 24 stores in North America, as of March 31, 2011, including flagship stores in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City and in Beverly Hills, California. As of March 31, 2011, the Company operated 24 Optical Shop of Aspen stores in locations throughout the United States. Luxottica operates six luxury retail stores under the Oliver Peoples brand. The Oliver Peoples brand retail stores only offer Oliver Peoples, Mosley Tribes and Paul Smith branded optical products. Two additional Oliver Peoples retail locations are operated under license in Tokyo and Los Angeles. In Europe, it operates David Clulow, an optical retailer operating in the United Kingdom and Ireland. As of March 31, 2011, David Clulow operated 39 corporate-owned locations (including nine joint ventures), four franchise locations and 36 sun stores/concessions. As of March 31, 2011, Bright Eyes operated 51 corporate store locations and 73 franchise locations. As of March 31, 2011, the Company operated 159 Oakley O Stores and Vaults worldwide, offering a range of Oakley products, including sunglasses, apparel, footwear and accessories. An! other sal! es channel is e-commerce, including the Oakley and the Ray-Ban Websites (www.oakley.com, www.Ray-Ban.com).

The Company competes with De Rigo S.p.A., Marchon Eyewear, Inc., Marcolin S.p.A., Safilo Group S.p.A., Silhouette International Schmied AG, Maui Jim, Inc., Wal-Mart, Eye Care Centers of America, Vision Service Plan (VSP), Davis Vision and Spectera.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By shash63]

  While analysts might say that Google Glass is not an imminent driver for Himax, but over the long run, it is one of its most important drivers. Google recently entered into a pact with Luxottica (LUX), the maker of Ray-Ban and Oakley brand of sunglasses. Through this deal, Google will be able to sell its Glass as a fashion accessory to a wide range of consumers around the world with the help of Luxottica�� retail network.

• [By Nicolas Johnson]

  Another stock Mr. Lin likes is Luxottica Group SPA (LUX), which owns or has licenses to sunglass and eyeglass brands, including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. The company, which trades in New York and Milan, also operates the LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut retail stores, among others.

Top Promising Companies To Buy For 2014: Amanasu Techno Holdings Corp (ANSU)

Amanasu Techno Holdings Corporation, incorporated on December 1, 1997, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses on acquiring the technologies, constructing four proto-type motor scooters and various testing of the technologies and the motor scooter.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had not conducted any operations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Last Friday, small cap biotech or tech stocks Amanasu Techno Holdings Corp (OTCMKTS: ANSU), Bio Matrix Scientific Group Inc (OTCMKTS: BMSN) and Thinspace Technology Inc (OTCBB: THNS) surged 44.74%, 42.31% and 14%, respectively, with only one of these small caps appearing to be the subject of some sort of small paid promotions or investor relations campaign. Given the lack of a big pump from promoters or IR people, will these three small caps keep surging or will the tide go out again this week? Here is a quick reality check to help you decide on a trading or investing strategy:

Top Promising Companies To Buy For 2014: SunTrust Banks Inc.(STI)

SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank, which provides various financial services in the United States. The company?s Retail Banking segment offers consumer deposits, home equity lines, consumer lines, indirect auto, student lending, bank card, and other consumer loan and fee-based products. Its Diversified Commercial Banking segment provides commercial lending, financial risk management, capital raising, commercial card, and other treasury and payment solutions; insurance premium financing; and equipment and lease financing. The company?s Commercial Real Estate segment offers construction, mini-perm, and permanent real estate financing; capital raising services; financial risk management; treasury and payment solutions; and investment advisory and management services, as well as tailored financing and equity investment solutions. Its Corporate and Investment Banking segment provides investment banking products and services, such as strate gic advice, capital raising, and financial risk management; and traditional lending, leasing, treasury management, and institutional investment management services. The company?s Mortgage segment offers residential mortgage products. Its Wealth and Investment Management segment provides brokerage, professional investment management, and trust services; family office solutions; administration and custody services; administrative and investment solutions; escrow; and investment advisory services. The company also offers mortgage banking, credit-related insurance, asset management, securities brokerage, and capital market services. SunTrust Banks, Inc. serves individuals and families; businesses; institutions; and governmental agencies through its network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, and telephone. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated 1,659 full-service banking offices. The company was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  SunTrust Banks Inc. (NYSE: STI) was raised to Buy from Hold with a new $39 price target at Deutsche Bank.

  T-Mobile US Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at William Blair.

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Another Graseck winner was Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks (STI) Inc., which she upgraded to a buy on July 2, 2012, after digging into data that showed a recovery in the housing market in the Southeastern U.S. SunTrust is the biggest lender in Georgia and has branches in Florida, Maryland and North Carolina. She also saw that SunTrust would benefit from a new wave of refinancing following the extension of the federal Home Affordable Refinance Program, which allows Americans with little home equity to refinance. Shares of SunTrust rallied 42.9 percent from her call to Aug. 14.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Getty ImagesThree of the nations largest banks have hiked their out-of-network ATM fees by 50 cents in the past six months. Rising ATM fees are making it more expensive for consumers who regularly use an out-of-network ATM to withdraw cash. The trend may be the push that some consumers need to find a better checking account or bank. In the past six months, three of the nation's largest banks -- Bank of America (BAC), Citibank (C) and SunTrust Bank (STI) -- have each hiked their out-of-network ATM fee from $2 to $2.50. At the top 10 U.S. banks, the average out-of-network ATM fee is $2.45, up from $2.25 in November. Then, don't forget that ATM operator also has the right to slap on a surcharge, usually around $3 to $5. If ATM fees are becoming a costly expense for you, here are some ways to avoid them: Find your bank's ATMs on your smartphone. The biggest reason we resort to using an out-of-network ATM is because ATM machines from our banks are nowhere to be found when we're in a rush. In many cases, your bank's ATM could just be around the corner, but you're in a hurry, so you don't care to check. Instead, you're willing to get hit with the ATM cash withdrawal fee, plus any ATM surcharge. However, with easy access to the Internet through smartphones, it would be wise to search for nearby ATMs. Many mobile banking applications feature a locator tool that will help you find an ATM based on your GPS location. Remember to use affiliated ATM networks. There are financial institutions -- usually community banks and credit unions -- that partner with other financial companies to expand ATM availability without imposing surcharges. For instance, some smaller banks and online banks work with the Allpoint or STAR ATM networks to provide more surcharge-free access to ATMs. Some credit unions also partner with the CO-OP ATM network, which doesn't impose surcharges for members of partnered credit unions. Additionally, financial institutions may work with retailers to

Top Promising Companies To Buy For 2014: Sohu.Com Inc (SOHU)

Sohu.com Inc. (Sohu), incorporated in August 1996, is a Chinese online media, search, gaming, community and mobile service group. The Company operates matrices of Chinese language Web properties, and it operates multi-player online games and Web-based games in the People�� Republic of China. Its businesses consist of the online advertising business, the online game business, the wireless business and the others business, among which online advertising and online games are its core businesses. Its online advertising business consists of the brand advertising business, as well as the search and others business. Its brand advertising business offers products and services, such as free of charge premier content, interactive community and other competitive Internet services to its users, and provides advertising services to advertisers on its matrices of Chinese language Web properties consisting of sohu.com, a portal and online media destination; focus.cn, a real estate Website; and 17173.com, a game information portal. On December 15, 2011, the Company sold assets associated with the business of 17173.com (the 17173 Business), a game information portal in China to Changyou.com Limited (Changyou). On August 1, 2011, The Company acquired Focus Yiju Network Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Focus Yiju). On May 11, 2011, Changyou acquired, through its VIE Gamease, 68.258% of the interests of 7Road Technology Co., Ltd. (7Road).

The Company�� brand advertising business offers advertisements on its Web properties to companies. Its search and others business, provided by its search subsidiary Sogou Inc. (Sogou), offers customers pay-for-click services, priority placements in a search directory, and online marketing services on the Sogou Web Directory. Its online game business is conducted through Sohu�� subsidiary Changyou, which is an online game developer and operator in China. Changyou engages in the development, operation and licensing of online games, including massively multi-player onl! ine games (MMOGs) and Web-based games. Changyou developed and operates MMOGs Tian Long Ba Bu (TLBB) and, through licensees, operates DDTank, which is a multi-player Web-based shooting games in China.

The Company�� wireless business offers mobile related services through different types of wireless products to mobile phone users. The mobile related services consist of the provision of content, such as news, weather forecasts, chatting, entertainment information, mobile games, mobile phone ringtones and logo downloads. The content is purchased from third party content providers. The wireless products consist of short messaging services (SMS), Ring Back Tone (RBT), interactive voice response (IVR) and mobile games. Its others business includes sub-licensing of licensed video content to third parties and offering cinema advertisement slots to be shown in theaters before the screening of movies.

Online Advertising Business

The Company�� brand advertising business falls into fits categories: online portal, online video, vertical sites, and community and communication products. Sohu portal consists of Chinese language Web navigational capabilities, a range of main content channels, and Web-based communication and community services. It offers a range of free channels, which provides comprehensive content. Sohu Video is an online video service provider in China. It delivers licensed professionally produced video content and original in-house produced video content. It provides users free access its video content library, such as domestic and overseas television dramas, movies, television programs, documentaries, news, animations, entertainment related contents, live television Webcasts, in-house produced shows and programs, and user-generated content. It also offers selected content, such as movies and educational content on its advertisement-free paid channel.

Focus.cn is a real estate Websites in China, providing solutions for house seekers, homeowners! , potenti! al property or household appliance buyers with high incomes, and real estate professionals. Focus.cn provides new home and existing home information and develops thousands of homeowner�� online forums in over 100 cities across China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The 17173.com Website provides news channels, which cover topics of interest to game players, including news channels for MMOGs, Web-based games and Flash games, community pages for game player unions, and game pages for different online games.

Communication and community services help users to build customized space and personalized page layouts and offer information sharing and real-time communication. It offers a range of communication and community tools for its Chinese online users, which is promoting user affinity to its portal network micro-blog, message boards, blog and e-mail.

Micro-blog enables the Company�� users to follow topics being discussed online, as well as discussions related to people they know. Message Boards allow users to post and exchange information on message boards covering 50 topics, including education, travel, fashion, sports and all-news Web pages. Blog is an interactive platform for users to build their personalized space by posting their articles and pictures, uploading videos, and sharing information among users. In addition, Sohu blogs provide multiple applications for user-customized front page layouts, interactive communication facilities and services integrated with a selection of Sohu products. E-Mail offers free e-mail services with up to two gigabytes of memory and mail services with different features.

The Company provides brand advertising services across its matrices of Web properties. Its offerings enable advertisers to post their advertisements in different forms, including textual, rich media and video advertisements, and in different locations across the Sohu matrix of Web properties. Its brand advertising products include b! anners, l! inks, logos, buttons and stream advertisements placed on its Websites and sponsorships, which focus on a particular event or a particular Website area. It charges advertisers on a time basis with fixed fees. It also adopted a Cost Per Click (CPC) pricing model and a Cost Per Impression (CPM) pricing model. During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 2,600 companies advertised on its Websites. Its customers include multinational companies, which have operations in Chinese markets, as well as Chinese domestic companies.

Sogou.com, which means Search Dog, is Sohu�� search engine. Upon a search query, the user is taken through an interactive process to reach integrated Website and page search results. Sogou Browser is its self-developed browser. Sogou browser has features, including embedded playing of Web video, quick proxy functions for education networks, smart address bar, privacy protection mode, and a column for the most-visited Websites. During 2011, it launched a new version of Sogou browser, which accelerates browsing speeds and adds Web page update notification feature, as well as an online shopping security protection function. Sogou Web Directory is a Chinese Web directory navigation site which serves as an access point to Websites and applications. Online marketing services on Sogou Web Directory consist of displaying links to Sogou�� advertisers��Websites on the Web pages of Sogou Web Directory. Sogou Pinyin is the Company�� self-developed Chinese character input method software, with a vocabulary database that is tied to the search queries database of the Sogou search engine and can capture the latest trends in words used by Internet users.

Online Game Business

The Company�� online game business is conducted through Changyou. Changyou is an online game developer and operator in China by its games TLBB and DDTank. Changyou engages in the development, operation and licensing of MMOGs, which are interactive online games, which may be ! played si! multaneously by game players, and Web-based games, which are played over the Internet using a Web browser. Changyou operates several MMOGs in China, including the in-house developed TLBB and Duke of Mount Deer (DMD) and other MMOGs, which Changyou has licensed from third parties. As of December 31, 2011, Changyou�� MMOGs in China had approximately 175.5 million aggregate registered accounts. Changyou also licenses DDTank, a Web-based game developed by Changyou�� variable interest entity (VIE) 7Road. TLBB is licensed to third-party operators in Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. DDTank is licensed to third-party operators in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brazil. Changyou also operates a modified version of TLBB in the United States and certain European countries. All of Changyou�� games are operated under the item-based revenue model, where game players play the games for free but can purchase virtual items.

TLBB is an in-house developed 2.5D martial arts MMORPG adapted from Chinese novel, Tian Long Ba Bu. TLBB features a combination of martial arts-style-fighting and community-building among its game players. As of December 31, 2011, Changyou has developed 21 expansion packs. DDTank is a two dimensional (2D) Q-style Web-based shooting game developed by Changyou�� VIE 7Road. Players use keyboards to control weapons to compete with others, using different weapons to produces different firing effects. The game features a master and apprentice system, a card system, and customization options for avatars. DMD is an in-house developed three dimensional (3D) martial arts MMORPG. The game recreates Louis Cha�� final martial arts world with cartoon-style graphics, supported by 3D animation engine. The Blade Online (BO) series consist of two 2.5D martial-arts style fighting MMORPGs, BO, which Changyou licensed from a third party, and BH2, which is a sequel of BO. Both games are martial arts-style fighting games set to the backdrop of a Chinese myth. In BO, game play! ers can s! et their own rules for in-game fighting and take on various roles, including a human, an evil spirit or an immortal in the game. Each role has different skill sets that can be learned and improved by completing different tasks. BH2 incorporates features of BO, as well as features, such as maps, characters, fighting techniques and additional team-combat functions to give players a more intense and realistic fighting experience. DHSH is a 2D Q-style, turn-based MMORPG, which Changyou licensed from a third party.

SJQY is a 2D cartoon-style turn-based MMORPG, which Changyou licensed from a third party. Adapted from the novels, Journey to the West, it engages game players in martial arts combat and other activities, such as gardening and home building.

Changyou has several MMOGs and Web-based games in its pipeline with different graphic styles, themes and features. Games in Changyou�� pipeline include the MMORPG Tao Yuan and the Web-based game Shen Qu, which Changyou is developing in-house, and the massively multi-player first-person shooter game (MMOFPS) (MMOFPS is a subset of the MMOG category) Battlefield Online, which Changyou licensed from a third party.

Tao Yuan is a 3D cartoon-style turn-based MMORPG adapted from the stories of Three Kingdoms heroes. The game is created using the Unreal3 game engine and features cartoon-style characters and 3D graphics. The game incorporates traditional Chinese culture, such as five elements, divination inquiry and Chinese acupuncture treatment, into its gameplay design. Battlefield Online is a MMOFP developed from Electronic Arts Inc.�� Battlefield franchise, a series of first-person shooter games, for the personal computer (PC). Battlefield Online is focused on the fights for interests between the Empire and the Commonwealth. The game allows players not only to compete in small teams in group battles and raids, but also to participate in large-scale combat of up to 100 players. In addition, sub-categories of battle classes! can be f! ound in Battlefield Online. Shen Qu is a 2.5D real time strategy Web-based game set against a western universe, which is being developed by Changyou�� VIE 7Road. The game focuses on the exploration of cities and instances. When exploring instances, players can experience diverse playing modes, including chasing, escaping and counterattacking, and finally become the overlord of an area.

Wireless Business and Other Business

The Company�� wireless business offers mobile related services through different types of wireless products to mobile phone users. The mobile related services consist of the provision of content, such as news, weather forecasts, chatting, entertainment information, mobile games, mobile phone ringtones and logo downloads. The content is purchased from third party content providers. The wireless products consist of SMS, RBT, IVR and mobile games. Its other businesses includes sub-licensing of licensed video content to third parties and offering cinema advertisement slots to be shown in theaters before the screening of movies.

The Company competes with Sina Corporation, Tencent Holdings Ltd., NetEase.com, Inc., YouKu Inc., Tudou Holdings Limited, Beijing Xin Lian Xin De Advertising Media Co., Ltd., SouFun Holdings Limited, China Real Estate Information Corporation, Bitauto Holdings Limited, Bitauto Holdings Limited, Guangzhou Hua Duo Network Technology Co., Ltd., Pacific Online Limited, Yahoo! Inc., Microsoft Corporation, AOL Inc., Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd., Baidu, Shanghai Ruichuang Internet Technology Development Co., Ltd., Google, Qihoo, Maxthon International Limited, Mozilla Corporation, Shanda Games Limited, Perfect World Co., Ltd., Giant Interactive Group Inc., NetDragon Websoft Inc., Kingsoft Corporation Limited, The9 Limited, Shenzhen ZQGame Co., Limited, Taomee Holdings Limited, Beijing Guangyu Huaxia Technology Limited, Guang Huan Zhong, Hangzhou Bianfeng Technology Limited, Shanghai Game Reign Network Technology Limited, Play Town! Entertai! nment Limited, Tian Shen Hu Dong Limited, Sichuan Tianshang Youjia Technology Limited and Suzhou Snail Electronics Limited.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Sohu.com (NASDAQ: SOHU) shares rose 2.77% to touch a new 52-week high of $71.54. Analysts at Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from ��eutral��to ��onviction buy.��/p>

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  Sohu is an online media company that operates in China. The company recently reported earnings that did not sit well with investors. Now, the stock is trading in a range, after seeing an explosive move higher. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been improving, while revenues have been rising. Relative to its peers and sector, Sohu has been an average year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what Sohu does this coming quarter.