Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now

We're in the midst of a busy earnings week, and announcements between yesterday's close and today's open weren't particularly impressive to investors. That caused a broad sell-off, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) is down 0.83% near the end of trading, while the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) is off 1.35%.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) reported a slightly disappointing quarter, with revenue falling 2% to $12.6 billion and earnings per share of $0.40 falling a penny below expectations. The PC business fell 6%, but that's not so bad, given the 14% decline in PC sales reported by IDC earlier this month. Growth in cloud computing helped push data center sales 7.5% higher on a big pickup in server demand. These weren't really impressive numbers, but the stock is up 0.6% today because they could have been much worse. There's still concern about the decline in the PC, but management kept its full-year guidance intact, which indicates a bullish outlook on growth markets like servers and mobile.�

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Capital Bank Corporation(CBKN)

Capital Bank Corporation operates as the holding company for Capital Bank that provides general commercial banking products and services in North Carolina. Its deposit products include checking, savings, negotiable order of withdrawal, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. The company?s loan products portfolio comprises loans for real estate, construction, businesses, agriculture, personal use, home improvement, and automobiles, as well as equity lines of credit, mortgage loans, credit loans, consumer loans, and credit cards. It also offers safe deposit boxes, bank money orders, Internet banking services, traveler?s checks, and notary services, as well as electronic funds transfer services, including wire transfers and remote deposit capture. In addition, the company provides automated teller machine access to its customers; and a line of uninsured investment products and services. It operates 32 branch offices in North Carol ina, including 5 in Raleigh, 4 in Asheville, 4 in Fayetteville, 3 in Burlington, 3 in Sanford, 2 in Cary, and 1 each in Clayton, Graham, Hickory, Holly Springs, Mebane, Morrisville, Oxford, Pittsboro, Siler City, Wake Forest, and Zebulon. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Capital Bank Corporation is a subsidiary of North American Financial Holdings, Inc.

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Bristow Group Inc (BRS)

Bristow Group Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides helicopter services to the offshore energy industry primarily in Europe, West Africa, North America, Australia, and internationally. Its helicopters are used principally to transport personnel between onshore bases and offshore platforms, drilling rigs, and installations, as well as to transport time-sensitive equipment to offshore locations. The company also offers helicopter flight training services to commercial pilots and flight instructors through its Bristow Academy with facilities in Titusville, Florida; Concord, California; New Iberia, Louisiana and Gloucestershire, England. In addition, it provides military training; and helicopter repair, engineering support, aircraft leasing, airport management, and search and rescue services. Bristow Group provides its helicopter services to integrated, national, and independent oil and gas companies. As of March 31, 2011, it operated a fleet of 569 aircraft. The comp any was founded in 1969 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Best Blue Chip Companies To Buy For 2014: Mad Catz Interactive Inc(MCZ)

Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets, sells, and distributes accessories for videogame platforms and personal computers (PC), as well as for iPod and other audio devices. Its products include videogame, PC, and audio accessories, such as control pads, video cables, steering wheels, joysticks, memory cards, light guns, flight sticks, dance pads, microphones, car adapters, carry cases, mice, keyboards, and headsets. It markets its products primarily under the Mad Catz, Saitek, Cyborg, Eclipse, Joytech, GameShark, Tritton, and AirDrives brands. The company also develops flight simulation software; operates flight simulation centers under its Saitek brand; operates a videogame content Website under its GameShark brand; publishes games under its Mad Catz brand; and distributes games and videogame products for third parties. It distributes its products through retailers in the United States, Europe, and Canada, as well as in Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zeal and, and Singapore. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in San Diego, California

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Video game accessory developer and manufacturer Mad Catz Interactive Inc. (AMEX: MCZ) has been the biggest winner on this list. Since last May, MCZ has climbed 321%, and this penny stock is up 51% year to date. Last quarter, MCZ posted year-over-year quarterly revenue growth of 91%. Buy this stock with a 52-week range of 34 cents to $2.39.

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Gamestop Corporation (GME)

GameStop Corp. operates as a retailer of video game products and personal computer (PC) entertainment software. It sells new and used video game hardware; video game software; used video game products; and video game accessories, which primarily consist of controllers, memory cards, and other add-ons, as well as strategy guides and trading cards. The company also offers PC entertainment and other software across various genres, including sports, action, strategy, adventure/role playing, and simulation, as well as products that relate to the digital category comprising network point cards, prepaid digital and online timecards, and digitally downloadable software. GameStop Corp. sells its products through stores, as well as through its electronic commerce Web sites, including gamestop.com, ebgames.com.au, gamestop.ca, gamestop.it, gamestop.es, gamestop.ie, gamestop.de, and micromania.fr. As of July 12, 2011, its retail network and family of brands included 6,573 company-oper ated stores in 17 countries worldwide. The company also publishes Game Informer, a video game magazine in the United States; and operates the online video gaming Web sites kongregate.com and joltonline.com. GameStop Corp. was founded in 1994 and is based in Grapevine, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Stoffel]

  Rising Star Jim Mueller has built his portfolio around companies with stock prices that show the market's unreasonable distaste for them.

  Sometimes it takes awhile for his bets to pay off, but when they do, he's handsomely rewarded. Just consider his double-dipping buys of Dendreon (Nasdaq: DNDN  ) , a pharmaceutical company that's recently seen its fortunes improve on the basis of its prostate drug Provenge. Though the stock didn't do too much for Jim in 2011, it's up 94% for him in 2012!

  He thinks the same could happen with GameStop, a company that analysts have written off as a dying bricks-and-mortar retailer. But Jim says the company is refusing to die, taking three solid steps to solidify its future.

• GameStop's PowerUp Rewards program is catching on with customers, growing from 4.5 million members to 15.5 million in just a year's time.
• The company is strengthening its digital business with Impulse (a downloading site), Kongregate (a casual gaming site), and Spawn Labs (a cloud gaming subsidiary).
• It is working with content providers and console providers to strengthen these digital channels.

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Imperial resources, Inc.(IPRC)

Imperial resources, Inc., through its subsidiary, Imperial Oil & Gas Inc., engages in the exploration and development of oil and gas assets in the onshore United States. It holds a 14.9% working interest in the oil, gas, and mineral leases in the Greater Garwood hydrocarbon exploration project, which covers an area of approximately 2,244 acres and is located in Colorado County, Texas. The company also has agreements to acquire 50% working interest in Chisholm Trail Prospect in Oklahoma; and a majority participation interest in a salt water disposal well. Imperial resources, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is based in Austin, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Toby]

  Imperial Resources Inc. (OTC: IPRC)is up 4.35% to $0.720 on volume of over 280K shares. IPRC, a company focused on the rapid development of niche oil and gas assets in continental North America, today announced that its Imperial Oil & Gas subsidiary has signed an agreement to purchase 100% of a key salt water disposal facility. (OTC:IPRC), (IPRC)

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Helios Strategic Income Fd Inc (HSA)

Helios Strategic Income Fund, Inc. is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc. It operates as a diversified and closed-end management investment company. The fund primarily invests in debt securities and equity securities. Its portfolio of investments includes investments in corporate bonds, home equity loans, commercial loans, franchise loans, equipment leases, manufactured housing, common stock, collateralized debt obligations, certificate-backed obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations, and government agency securities. It was formerly known as RMK Strategic Income Fund, Inc. Helios Strategic Income Fund, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Mission West Properties Inc.(MSW)

Mission West Properties, Inc. engages in the acquisition, marketing, leasing, and management of research and development properties, primarily in the Silicon Valley portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of December 31, 2006, it owned or managed 107 properties, totaling approximately 7.7 million rentable square feet of research and development properties through limited partnerships. Mission West Properties qualifies as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Nicholas Financial Inc.(NICK)

Nicholas Financial, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialized consumer finance company. The company engages in acquiring and servicing contracts for purchases of new and used automobiles and light trucks. It also makes direct loans and sells consumer-finance related products. In addition, the company engages in developing, marketing, supporting, and updating industry-specific computer application software for small businesses located primarily in the Southeast United States. As of April 5, 2011, it operated 56 branch locations in 14 Southeastern and Midwestern states. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida.

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Comtech Telecommunications Corp.(CMTL)

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. engages in the design, development, production, and marketing of products, systems, and services for advanced communications solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Telecommunications Transmission, Mobile Data Communications, and RF Microwave Amplifiers. The Telecommunications Transmission segment provides satellite earth station equipment and systems, over-the-horizon microwave systems, and forward error correction technology, which are used in various commercial and government applications, including backhaul of wireless and cellular traffic, broadcasting (including HDTV), IP-based communications traffic, long distance telephony, and secure defense applications. The Mobile Data Communications segment provides mobile satellite transceivers, and computers and satellite earth station network gateways and associated installation, training, and maintenance services; supplies and operates satellite pac ket data networks, including arranging and providing satellite capacity; and offers microsatellites and related components. The RF Microwave Amplifiers segment designs, develops, manufactures, and markets satellite earth station traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) and broadband amplifiers. Its amplifiers are used in broadcast and broadband satellite communication; defense applications, such as telecommunications systems and electronic warfare systems; and commercial applications comprising oncology treatment systems, as well as to amplify signals carrying voice, video, or data for air-to-satellite-to-ground communications. The company serves satellite systems integrators, wireless and other communication service providers, broadcasters, defense contractors, military, governments, and oil companies. Comtech markets its products through independent representatives and value-added resellers. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Melville, New York.

Top 10 Penny Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Gold Reserve Inc(GRZ)

Gold Reserve Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mining projects. The company was founded in 1956 and is based in Spokane, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael]

  Based in South America,  a young exploration company, Gold Reserve Inc. (AMEX: GRZ). GRZ acquires, explores and develops mining projects in South America.  GRZ was alerted at a low price of $0.61 and has climb steadily to $2.25 as more discoveries are made, amounting to over a 200% gain in one year.

• [By Louis]

  Last on the list is exploration-stage company Gold Reserve Inc.(GRZ). In the past 12 months, this penny stock has outperformed the broader markets to the tune of a 58% increase. More recently, GRZ is up 16% in the past six months, trading at $1.77.

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Another exploration-stage mining company making the list is Gold Reserve Inc. (AMEX: GRZ), which has gained 18% in the last six months and 69% in the last 12 months. Buy this stock as it trades near its 52-week high of $1.95.

Why Deckers Shares Got Decked

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of footwear specialist Deckers Outdoor (NASDAQ: DECK  ) sank as low as 10% today after its quarterly results disappointed Wall Street.

So what: The stock has rebounded nicely in 2013 on signs of improving fundamentals, but today's second-quarter results -- loss of $29.3 million on a revenue drop of 3% -- coupled with a market-missing forecast reignites worries over waning Ugg popularity. Additionally, gross margins declined 110 basis points over the year-ago period, triggering concerns that management is overinvesting in its less-profitable retail business.

Now what: Management now expects 2013 EPS and revenues to both grow about 8%, implying earnings of $3.73 per share and sales of $1.52 billion, versus Wall Street's view of $3.99 and $1.51 billion. "We remain optimistic about our ability to expand sales and margins as we head into our highest volume sales quarters, and we continue to be excited about the many long-term growth opportunities that we believe exist for our business," said CEO Angel Martinez. With the stock still well off its 52-week lows and trading at a P/E above 15, however, I'd wait for more of a pullback before buying into that optimism.     

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Top 5 Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now

LONDON -- Things are getting personal between�BT� (LSE: BT-A  ) (NYSE: BT  ) and�Sky� (LSE: BSY  ) . The telecoms company is muscling in on Sky's lucrative sports channel business, and the 39% News Corp.-owned pay-TV broadcaster doesn't like it.

Last year BT bought rights to screen Premier League football and Premiership rugby. It's miffed that Sky is refusing to run adverts for its new sports channel, and has asked industry regulator Ofcom to intervene. Yesterday Sky's Corporate Affairs director penned a letter to the�Financial Times, saying of BT that "this 拢22 billion gorilla in puppy's clothing would do well to look at its own double standards." BT is also undercutting the price Sky charges pubs for its sports channel, something that's likely to hit Sky's bottom line.

Top 5 Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: Investors Title Company(ITIC)

Investors Title Company, through its subsidiaries, provides title insurance to residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial properties. It underwrites land title insurance for owners and mortgagees as a primary insurer; and offers the reinsurance of title insurance risks to other title insurance companies. The company also provides tax-deferred real property exchange services, as well as serves as an exchange accommodation titleholder and holds property for exchangers in reverse exchange transactions; offers investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks, and trusts; and provides consulting services to title insurance agencies. Investors Title Company serves various customers in the residential and commercial market sectors of the real estate industry. It issues title insurance policies primarily through approved attorneys from underwriting offices, as well as through independent issuing agents in 24 states and the District of Columbia, the United States. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Top 5 Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: Solar Capital Ltd.(SLRC)

Solar Capital Ltd. is a business development company specializing in investments in leveraged companies, including middle market companies. The firm invests in aerospace and defense; automotive; beverage, food and tobacco; broadcasting and entertainment; business services; cable television; cargo transport; chemicals, plastics and rubber; consumer finance; consumer services; containers, packaging and glass; direct marketing; distribution; diversified/conglomerate manufacturing; diversified/conglomerate services; education; electronics; energy, utilities; equipment rental; farming and agriculture; finance; healthcare, education and childcare; home and office furnishing, consumer products; hotels, motels, inns and gaming; industrial; infrastructure; insurance; leisure, motion pictures and entertainment; logistics; machinery; media; mining, steel and non precious metals; oil and gas; personal, food and miscellaneous services; printing, publishing and broadcasting; real estate ; retail stores; specialty finance; technology; telecommunications; and utilities. It invests in the form of senior secured loans, mezzanine loans, and equity securities. It also invests in equity securities, such as preferred stock, common stock, warrants and other equity interests received in connection with its debt investments or through direct investments. The firm also invests in United States government securities, high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, high-yield bonds, distressed debt, non-United States investments, or securities of public companies that are not thinly traded. Solar Capital Ltd. was founded in November 2007 and is based in New York, New York.

Top 10 Undervalued Companies To Invest In 2014: Genesis Land Devel Com Npv (GDC.TO)

Genesis Land Development Corp., a real estate development company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, subdivision, construction, sale, and leasing of land, residential lots and homes, and commercial properties in Alberta and British Columbia. It operates in four divisions: Land Development, Single-Family Home Building, Multi-Family Home Building, and Commercial Development. The Land Development division principally develops residential lots in the cities of Calgary, Airdrie, Edmonton, and Cochrane, Alberta; and in Prince George, Kamloops, and Radium, British Columbia. The Single-Family Home Building division builds and sells single-family homes. The Multi-Family Home Building division builds town homes and apartment complexes. The Commercial division engages in selling, leasing, and developing commercial, industrial, and office properties. The company was formerly known as Genesis Capital Corp. and changed its name to Genesis Land Deve lopment Corp. in October 1998. Genesis Land Development Corp. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Top 5 Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: Heritage Oaks Bancorp(HEOP)

Heritage Oaks Bancorp operates as the holding company for Heritage Oaks Bank that provides commercial banking services to retail customers, and small to medium-sized businesses in California. The company offers various deposit products, including interest bearing and non-interest bearing demand deposits, checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, NOW accounts, and time deposits. Its loan products comprise commercial and industrial, small business administration, agricultural, credit card, and consumer loans; real estate secured loans for multi-family residential, residential 1 to 4 family, and farmland properties, as well as home equity line of credit and commercial real estate loans; and construction loans for single family residential, tract, multi-family, hospitality, and commercial properties. In addition, the company offers residential mortgage banking, installment note collection, bank-by-mail, night depository, safe deposit boxes, online banking, and other customary banking services, as well as issues cashier?s checks and money orders, and sells travelers checks. It operates 15 branches in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Paso Robles, California.

Top 5 Financial Stocks To Buy Right Now: Mainstreet Equity Com Npv (MEQ.TO)

Mainstreet Equity Corp., a residential real estate company, engages in the acquisition, divestiture, value-enhancement, and management of multi-family residential properties in Canada. The company owns a portfolio of multi-family residential properties in Vancouver lower mainland, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and the Greater Toronto area. As of September 30, 2012, it had a total portfolio was 7,516 residential units consisting of townhouses, garden-style apartments, and mid-rise and high-rise apartments; and 664 residential units held for sale. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Hot Financial Stocks To Own For 2014

In case you haven't noticed, there are some serious consolidation efforts going around the cable and telecom industries. On one end, there are satellite TV providers chasing spectrum as if it's the gold rush of 1849. Now, it appears that Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC  ) may be courting Liberty Media (NASDAQ: LMCA  ) for a merger in an attempt to leverage Charter Communications' (NASDAQ: CHTR  ) �highly coveted network. Let's determine who is the biggest winner in this latest media M&A dance, and where you should be putting your funds.

The players�
Charter Communications is not as big a name as, say, Comcast, but it is the fourth-largest cable provider in the United States, at least by market cap. The company was recently beleaguered and underwater financially (entering bankruptcy in 2009), but has since become a market darling, largely fueled by buyout speculation. John Malone's Liberty Media currently holds a 27% position in the company, with the ability to gain as much as 40%.

Hot Financial Stocks To Own For 2014: Home Bancorp Inc.(HBCP)

Home Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Home Bank that provides various banking services in Louisiana. The company offers various deposit products, including interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing checking, money market, savings, and negotiable order of withdrawal accounts; and demand deposit and certificates of deposit. It also provides various loan products, such as single-family residential first mortgage loans, commercial real estate mortgage loans, commercial loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, construction and land loans, and other loans. In addition, the company offers online banking, bank cards, and ATM services. As of December 31, 2010, it had 18 full-service banking offices in the Greater Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Northshore regions of south Louisiana. The company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Hot Financial Stocks To Own For 2014: Patriot National Bancorp Inc.(PNBK)

Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Patriot National Bank that provides consumer and commercial banking services to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and professionals in Connecticut and New York. It offers various consumer and commercial deposit accounts, such as checking accounts, interest-bearing NOW accounts, insured money market accounts, time certificates of deposit, savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, and health savings accounts. The company also provides commercial loans, including secured and unsecured loans to service companies, real estate developers, manufacturers, restaurants, wholesalers, retailers, and professionals, as well as to small and medium-sized businesses; personal loans, such as lines of credit, installment loans, overdraft protection, and credit cards; real estate loans, including home mortgages, home improvement loans, bridge loans, home equity loans, and lines of credit to individua ls; and commercial real estate and construction loans to area businesses and developers. In addition, it offers Internet banking, bill paying, remote deposit capture, debit card, money order, traveler?s checks, and automated teller machine services; and solicits and processes mortgage loan applications from consumers on behalf of permanent investors and originates loans for sale. As of June 20, 2011, the company operated 15 full service branches, including 12 branches in Connecticut and 3 branches in New York, as well as a loan production office in Stamford, Connecticut. Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Patriot National Bancorp Inc. is a subsidiary of PNBK Holdings LLC.

10 Best Stocks For 2014: Tejon Ranch Co(TRC)

Tejon Ranch Co., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the real estate development and agribusiness business activities in the United States. The company operates in three segments: Commercial/Industrial Real Estate Development and Services, Resort/Residential Real Estate Development, and Farming. The Commercial/Industrial Real Estate Development and Services segment involves in entitling, planning, and permitting land for development; the construction of infrastructure, pre-leased buildings, and buildings to be leased or sold; and the sale of land to third parties. It leases land to a truck wash, auto service stations with convenience stores, fast-food operations, full-service restaurants, motel, antique shop, and the United States Postal Service facility, as well as for oil and mineral royalties and grazing. The Resort/Residential Real Estate Development segment engages in the land entitlement, land planning and pre-construction engineering, and land stewardship act ivities. The Farming segment farms various permanent crops, including wine grapes in 1,621 acres; almonds in 1,513 acres; and pistachios in 1,012 acres. It also manages farming of alfalfa and forage mix on 775 acres in the Antelope Valley; and leases 750 acres of land for the growing of vegetables. The company was founded in 1936 and is based in Lebec, California.

Hot Financial Stocks To Own For 2014: Macatawa Bank Corporation(MCBC)

Macatawa Bank Corporation operates as the holding company for Macatawa Bank that provides various commercial and personal banking services. It offers various deposit products, which comprise checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, transaction accounts, savings and time certificates, non-interest bearing and interest bearing demand deposits, and money market accounts. The company?s loan portfolio comprises commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, construction and development loans, and multi-family and other non-residential real estate loans; residential mortgage loans; and consumer loans, including automobile loans, home equity lines of credit, installment loans, home improvement loans, deposit account loans, and other loans for household and personal purposes. It also provides cash management services, safe deposit boxes, travelers checks, money orders, and trust services; ATMs, Internet banking, telephone banking, and debit cards; and b rokerage services, including discount brokerage, personal financial planning, and consultation regarding mutual funds. In addition, the company offers personal trust services, such as financial planning, investment management services, trust and estate administration, and custodial services; and retirement plan services, including provision of various qualified retirement plans, such as profit sharing, 401(k)s, and pension plans. It operated a network of 26 branches and a lending and operation service facility in Kent, Ottawa, and northern Allegan counties of Michigan. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Holland, Michigan.

Hot Financial Stocks To Own For 2014: PSB Holdings Inc.(PSBH)

PSB Holdings, Inc. operates as the holding company for Putnam Bank that provides a range of banking services to individual and small business customers located primarily in eastern Connecticut. It accepts various deposit products that include checking, savings, money market deposit accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, and fixed-term certificates of deposit. The company?s loan portfolio comprises one- to four-family residential real estate mortgage loans, including home equity loans and lines of credit; commercial real estate loans comprising multi-family real estate loans; commercial loans; construction mortgage loans primarily secured by single-family properties; and consumer loans, such as loans on new and used automobiles, loans secured by deposit accounts, and unsecured personal loans. It operates seven full service branch offices and one loan origination center. The company was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Putnam, Connecticut. PSB Holdings, I nc. is a subsidiary of Putnam Bancorp, MHC.

3 Stocks Near 52-Week Highs Worth Selling

So much for a correction! The broad-based S&P 500 has now traded higher in nine of the past 11 trading sessions in spite of mounting economic data that would suggest anything but optimism. For skeptics like me, that's an opportunity to see whether companies have earned their current valuations.

Keep in mind that some companies deserve their current valuations. Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO  ) is a great example of a company long overdue for a new 52-week high. Networking equipment makers like Cisco are set to benefit in a big way for a capital expenditures boom from wireless service providers that's starting to work its way down the line to infrastructure providers. With Cisco boosting its dividend by another 21% in March and sitting on $31.1 billion in net cash, the sky could be the limit.

Still, other companies might deserve a kick in the pants. Here's a look at three companies that could be worth selling.

No fairytale ending
Fairytale endings work great in the movies, but you rarely see them come to fruition in the real world. Small-cap biopharmaceutical Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEMKT: INO  ) has seen shares nearly triple since April on the heels of multiple intriguing studies, but will the glass slipper fit over the long term?

Earlier this week, Inovio released data from a study of its universal H7N9 vaccine that demonstrated 100% protection in vaccinated animals. Also, just yesterday, Inovio released the results of a study involving its Cellectra electroporation delivery technology, which improved response rates for its next-generation HIV vaccine to 52% from 7% in terms of CD8 T-cell response rates.

I'm not planning to take a thing away from Inovio here, as these are important and solid results. Shareholders, though, are doing themselves a disservice by ignoring other aspects that I feel make Inovio much more of a risk than these results might indicate.

To begin with, having a vaccine that works in animals is no guarantee it'll be safe and effective in humans. To that end, even getting a vaccine approved for H7N9 doesn't mean it'll be profitable, as governments around the globe would need to buy a lot of the product to make it worthwhile. With a better understanding of how to quarantine infectious diseases nowadays, an H7N9 vaccine may not be a big moneymaker for Inovio. It's also not the only fish in the pond researching for a vaccine, either.

The other aspect to consider here is Inovio's history. Despite being founded 30 years ago, there isn't a whole lot to show for it other than an accumulated deficit of $238.6 million as of its latest quarter. To add to that, it's funded its business with countless dilutive share offerings and warrants, which have increased the number of outstanding shares from approximately 13 million in 2003 to a whopping 156 million as of the first quarter of 2013. Inovio has had shareholders' hopes up before and it's crushed them every time. I'm not sure how this time will be any different, and I'd suggest keeping your distance.

A stock you can sell right now
When in doubt, I can always turn to my tried-and-true TMFULOI metric to point out the market's most overvalued companies. Earlier this month I ran such a screen and Russian search engine giant Yandex (NASDAQ: YNDX  ) popped up near the top of my list.

Yandex has plenty going for it, including dominant market share in Russia, a country with rapid growth potential and a middle class that's seeing their wealth expand. Yandex is already profitable – which is better than some of its peers can say -- and it grew revenue by 36% in its most recent quarter. Yet I see plenty of reasons to believe its next move could be significantly lower.

One factor I mentioned earlier this month is the fluctuation potential of the Russian ruble. Being practically worthless in the early 1990s, the Russian ruble is one of the more volatile currencies around the globe and can negatively impact Yandex's bottom line if it takes another serious dive.

Competition is another big yellow flag for Yandex. Although Yandex and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) do share some partnerships outside of Russia and on its English website, they are fiercely competitive within Russia. Yandex has done a remarkable job of garnering mobile market share in Russia, but I find it unlikely that Google will simply lay down and allow Yandex to reap these rewards without putting up a fight. Google has considerably more cash to throw at product development and has practically written the book on optimizing search profits in the U.S.  

At 26 times cash flow, Yandex looks like it has "avoid" written all over it.

Is this rally about Dun?
Shareholders in Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB  ) , a risk management solutions provider that helps businesses better understand their financial risks and optimize their supply chains, are certainly on cloud nine after it hit a new all-time split-adjusted closing high yesterday. But the thing about clouds is that they sometimes produce rain.

Dun & Bradstreet investors should be particularly concerned about the company's recent lack of growth, especially in the wake of slowing growth in China, austerity-induced contraction in some European countries, and the potential for a slowdown in the U.S. once QE3 gets pared back. In the first quarter, Dun & Bradstreet's total revenue on a GAAP basis fell 5% as foreign exchange rates negatively affected its top line.

D&B has been doing its best to mask its lack of growth by paying out consistent dividends and repurchasing its own shares to help drive up its EPS. The reality of the matter is that without global growth, D&B may struggle to gain new clientele, with the past quarter's revenue decline proving this to be true. D&B may not seem particularly expensive at 13 times forward earnings, but with revenue expected to contract fractionally this year and grow by less than 3% next year, it's not encouraging, either.

I'd consider thinking twice about risk-management companies at the point in time.

Foolish roundup
Sometimes it's as simple as shareholders' optimism and hope getting the better of them, and I think that's what we're seeing in all three instances this week.

I'm so confident in my three calls that I plan to make a CAPScall of underperform on each one. The question is: Would you do the same?

With the American markets reaching new highs, investors and pundits alike are skeptical about future growth. In some cases, as I've shown above, that skepticism may be warranted, but it many others it isn't. Many global regions are still stuck in neutral, and their resurgence could result in windfall profits for select companies. A recent Motley Fool report, "3 Strong Buys for a Global Economic Recovery," outlines three companies that could take off when the global economy gains steam. Click here to read the full report, for free!

Why Federal-Mogul Shares Popped

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Federal-Mogul (NASDAQ: FDML  ) were charging higher today, gaining as much as 13% after announcing a new line of components for its "industry-leading" MOOG line of steering and suspension parts.

So what: It was a strong day overall for the auto manufacturers and suppliers as the market rallied on a jump in home prices and encouraging words from the Fed. Federal-Mogul's new control arm assemblies will be available for more than 10 vehicle models, which should help build on the supplier's competitive advantage in the automotive aftermarket. Executive Mark Boyle said, "The new parts build on quality and innovation as well as exceptional coverage of vehicles that have entered the aftermarket repair cycle." MOOG parts are also a favorite of NASCAR crew chiefs.

Now what: Shares of the auto supplier have been flying lately, more than doubling since it trounced earnings estimates a month ago, posting a profit on continuing operations when a loss was expected. Management's restructuring efforts appear to be taking hold, and today's announcement on new MOOG parts looks like another step in the right direction. You can stay up to date with Federal-Mogul by adding the company to your Watchlist. All you have to do is click right here.  

Northrop: Euro Hawk Program Not Dead Yet

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC  ) today clarified the status of a proposed $1.3 billion deal to sell Euro Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles to the German government.

In a telephone interview, Northrop Director of Communications Tim Paynter said media reports describing Germany's cancellation of the contract are inaccurate. Regarding reports that the company refused to share technical data needed by German regulators to approve the drone system for flight in civilian airspace over Germany, Paynter countered that Northrop granted the German government "unlimited access" to more than 4,000 documents.

Additionally, reports of the death of the deal may have been greatly exaggerated. According to Paynter, Northrop has not yet received official notification from the German government that it is canceling the Euro Hawk program. Indeed, Northrop is still "working with the German government ... to define a path forward for the program," and the program is expected to come up for official discussion at a meeting of the Bundestag Defence Committee on June 5.

Euro Hawk is an unarmed surveillance drone derived largely from Northrop's RQ-4 Global Hawk HALE UAS -- an acronym denoting a "high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial system." Based on the Block 20 Global Hawk configuration, the Euro Hawk measures 131 feet wingtip to wingtip, is 48 feet long and 15 feet tall. It flies at altitudes as high as 60,000 feet and can remain airborne longer than 30 hours before needing to refuel.

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Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now

Markets jumped today in response to a surprising downward revision in Q1 GDP from 2.4% to 1.8%, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) gaining 150 points, or 1%, as a result. You read that right. In the backwards logic of the current financial zeitgeist, bad economic news is being construed as advantageous for stocks, as traders believe it will help dissuade the Federal Reserve from tapering its bond-buying program.

Long-term investors should be aware that rallies such as today's are purely trader-driven. While it may be reasonable that negative data would influence the Fed, the best outcome for long-term investors would be to see strong GDP and job growth, as an economy returning to full health is the best medicine for stocks.

On an up day on the market and a session where only three blue chips fell, Alcoa (NYSE: AA  ) was actually the Dow's biggest mover, falling 2.2% as metal prices continue to decline. Gold has a hit a three-year low amid uncertainty from central banks around the world, and base metals have also declined recently on the Chinese credit crisis, since China is a major buyer of commodity metals. Alcoa has been the Dow's worst performer this year, as its dependence on aluminum prices has prevented it from taking advantage of the overall bull market.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Philip Morris International Inc(PM)

Philip Morris International Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States. Its international product brand line comprises Marlboro, Merit, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M, Chesterfield, Bond Street, Lark, Muratti, Next, Philip Morris, and Red & White. The company also offers its products under the A Mild, Dji Sam Soe, and A Hijau in Indonesia; Diana in Italy; Optima and Apollo-Soyuz in the Russian Federation; Morven Gold in Pakistan; Boston in Colombia; Belmont, Canadian Classics, and Number 7 in Canada; Best and Classic in Serbia; f6 in Germany; Delicados in Mexico; Assos in Greece; and Petra in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It operates primarily in the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. The company is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) is involved with the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in over 180 countries across the globe. Year to date, PM stock is up 16%, compared to a loss of nearly 2% for the Dow Jones.

• [By Fitz Gerald]

  Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM), through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States. The company has raised dividends every year since it was spun-off from Altria (MO) in 2008 and yields 3.70%.

• [By Stephen]

  Philip Morris (PM, $75.92). Cigarette maker has strong free cash flow, pricing power, a yield of roughly 4% plus dividend growth. Share bu ybacks a plus.

• [By Michael Brush]

  Philip Morris International (PM) has a dividend yield of 3.7%.

  This company is the world's second-biggest cigarette seller, after China National Tobacco. Philip Morris International controls the rights outside the United States to such brands as Marlboro, Virginia Slims and Parliament. So it's positioned to sell more cigarettes as smokers in rapid-growth emerging markets earn more and trade up to premium brands.
  

   

  Insiders continue to buy the stock, suggesting room for further appreciation. And, of course, tobacco's addictive nature assures steady revenue. If you oppose smoking for moral, health or other reasons, this stock is not for you. As an ex-smoker, I'd understand.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Chevron Corporation(CVX)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. It operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment involves in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as holds interest in a gas-to-liquids project. The Downstream segment engages in the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil and refined products primarily under the Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex brand names; transportation of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufacture and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. It a lso produces and markets coal and molybdenum; and holds interests in 13 power assets with a total operating capacity of approximately 3,100 megawatts, as well as involves in cash management and debt financing activities, insurance operations, real estate activities, energy services, and alternative fuels and technology business. Chevron Corporation has a joint venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corp. and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in May 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is based in San Ramon, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Chevron (NYSE:CVX) provides support to its subsidiaries in the following fields: petroleum operations, chemicals operations, mining operations, power generation and energy services. While many stocks on the NYSE have underperformed in 2011, Chevron stock is up 8% year to date.

5 Best Stocks To Buy For 2014: Apple Inc.(AAPL)

Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Eller]

  Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is loved by its customer base, but it remains a hardware company. After being disappointed by Dell and HP throughout 2012, professional investors have not been willing to acknowledge that Apple may be different, and that traditional hardware margin compression may not be in store for Apple. The fact is that Apple is selling a closed ecosystem of products, not commodity products that interact with third-party hardware. This is similar to IBM’s early days, but with one major difference: Apple provides a better user experience for its customers. Estimates as well as expectations have come down over the last two quarters, and Apple is now trading at less than 10x out year earnings. The company merely needs to execute on its current product line to meet estimates and see a dramatic increase in share price. If it executes on a revised Apple TV product or builds out a Netflix-like, on-demand content offering, these new revenue streams would dramatically increase Apple’s earnings potential. It seems strange but a combination of execution and new product offerings at a time when expectations (and valuation) are low could drive 50% upside to its existing massive valuation.

• [By ANDREW]

  I am a huge believer in Apple’s brand internationally and I think they still have more room to grow than people think.  We all know the Iphone 5 is coming out and I think the sales will be insanely good.  People buy these products not only because they are great, but because they are the only fashionable computer item on the market.  Many people have no problem at all paying the large premium for Apple’s stuff just to look cool.  That’s not the reason everyone does it but it’s a reason that all the challenger companies won’t be able to touch a large % of Apple’s core user base.  Apple is in a league of their own and will stay that way for the foreseeable fut ure.  Any Apple naysayer makes very weak arguments against the investment.  Some people buy computers to get the most bang for their buck.  Apple users proudly pay the big premium.  That’s why they keep beating expectations on Wall Street.  They don’t pay a dividend but certainly could at any time.  They are a cash cow already sitting on a mountain of cash.  I can see the company going over $500 before the end of 2012.  Very strong buy.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: International Business Machines Corporation(IBM)

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides information technology (IT) products and services worldwide. Its Global Technology Services segment provides IT infrastructure and business process services, including strategic outsourcing, process, integrated technology, and maintenance services, as well as technology-based support services. The company?s Global Business Services segment offers consulting and systems integration, and application management services. Its Software segment offers middleware and operating systems software, such as WebSphere software to integrate and manage business processes; information management software for database and enterprise content management, information integration, data warehousing, business analytics and intelligence, performance management, and predictive analytics; Tivoli software for identity management, data security, storage management, and datacenter automation; Lotus software for collaboration, messaging, and so cial networking; rational software to support software development for IT and embedded systems; business intelligence software, which provides querying and forecasting tools; SPSS predictive analytics software to predict outcomes and act on that insight; and operating systems software. Its Systems and Technology segment provides computing and storage solutions, including servers, disk and tape storage systems and software, point-of-sale retail systems, and microelectronics. The company?s Global Financing segment provides lease and loan financing to end users and internal clients; commercial financing to dealers and remarketers of IT products; and remanufacturing and remarketing services. It serves financial services, public, industrial, distribution, communications, and general business sectors. The company was formerly known as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. and changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation in 1924. IBM was founded in 1910 and is based in Armonk, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jim Cramer]

  When this company talked about lofty EPS for 2015, initially the street was skeptical especially after IBM reported a blah quarter soon after the expectations were laid out. I now think the company has $20 earnings per share capabilities out three years and that $13 is doable for 2011. You keep the multiple the same and you get a $169 stock. I think it does just that. This one's cheap, way too cheap and it will be cheap next year, too, but on a bigger earnings base which is how it can get to my price target.

• [By Paul]

  IBM. Emerging markets are a big growth driver for this computer systems and software provider. Not only that, Resendes says, IBM has "a bullet-proof balance sheet that will allow it to weather the current storm and position it for superior growth and profitability in the long term." He thinks the stock, which recently traded at $93, is worth $120 a share: ''There are some obvious companies that offer much bigger discounts, but you have to incorporate the safety factor. You're getting a premium company here that's a good spot to be in within the tech space."

• [By Louis Navellier]

  IBM (NYSE:IBM) is an international IT company made famous by its line of personal computers and various IT services. A year-to-date gain of 18% shows IBM stock has a lot to offer.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Colgate-Palmolive Company(CL)

Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. It offers oral care products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouth rinses, as well as dental floss and pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health professionals; personal care products, such as liquid hand soap, shower gels, bar soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, and conditioners; and home care products comprising laundry and dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, bleaches, dishwashing liquids, and oil soaps. The company offers its oral, personal, and home care products under the Colgate Total, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate 360 Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) is a staple of consumer products, selling its oral, personal, home care and pet nutrition products in over 200 countries. A nice year-to-date return of 16% has helped keep Colgate stock holders happy all year.

• [By ChuckCarlson]

  Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL), together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. The company has raised distributions for 48 years in a row. The 10 year annual dividend growth rate is 12.40%/year. The last dividend increase was 9.40% to 58 cents/share. Analysts are expecting that Colgate Palmolive will earn $5.52/share in 2012. I expect that the quarterly dividend will be raised to 64 cents/share in 2012. Yield: 2.60%

Hot Low Price Companies For 2014

Our featured stocks are selected based on the investing criteria of several legendary investors. Telecom Argentina SA (TEO) has a guru score of 100% based on the price-to-sales strategy of Kenneth Fisher.

Indeed, based on the Kenneth Fisher's price-to-sale strategy, Telecom Argentina would be considered a "Super Stock".

Under Kenneth Fisher's strategy, the prospective company should have a low Price/Sales ratio. Companies with Price/Sales ratios below 0.75 are tremendous values and should be sought.

Telecom Argentina's P/S of 0.63 based on trailing 12 month sales, is below 0.75 which is considered quite attractive. It passes this methodology's P/S ratio test with flying colors.

Hot Low Price Companies For 2014: Banco Bradesco SA (BBD)

Banco Bradesco S.A. (the Bank), incorporated on November 5, 1943, is commercial bank. The Bank offers a range of banking and financial products and services in Brazil and abroad to individuals, large, midsized and small companies and local and international corporations and institutions. It operates in two segments: the banking, and the insurance, pension and capitalization bonds. Its products and services encompass banking operations, such as loans and advances and deposittaking, credit card issuance, purchasing consortiums, insurance, leasing, payment collection and processing, pension plans, asset management and brokerage services. The main services it offers through Bradesco Expresso are receipt and submission of account applications; receipt and submission of account applications; Social Security National Service (INSS) benefit payments; checking and savings account deposits, and receipt of consumption bills, bank charges and taxes. In May, 2011, the Bank acquired Banco do Estado do Rio de Janeiro S.A. (BERJ).

Banking

The Banking segment includes deposit-taking with clients, including checking accounts, savings accounts and time deposits; loans and advances (individuals and companies, real estate financing, microcredit, onlending BNDES funds, rural credit, leasing, among others); credit cards, debit cards and pre-paid cards; management of receipts and payments; asset management; services related to capital markets and investment banking activities; intermediation and trading services; custody, depositary and controllership services; international banking services, and purchasing consortiums.

The Bank offers a variety of deposit products and services to our customers through its branches, including Non-interest bearing checking accounts, such as Easy Account, Click Account, Academic Account and Cell Phone Bonus Account; traditional savings accounts; time deposits, and deposits from financial institutions. As of December 31, 2011, it had 43.4 million savings a! ccounts. It offers its customers certain additional services, such as identified deposits and real-time banking transfers. Its loans and advances to customers, consumer credit, corporate and agricultural-sector loans, totaled R$263.5 billion as of December 31, 2011.

The Bank�� loan portfolio consists of short-term loans, vehicle financings and overdraft loans on checking accounts. It also provides revolving credit facilities and traditional term loans. As of December 31, 2011, it had outstanding advances, vehicle financings, consumer loans and revolving credit totaling R$58.0 billion, or 22.0% of its portfolio of loans and advances. Banco Bradesco Financiamentos (Bradesco Financiamentos) offers direct-to-consumer credit and leasing for the acquisition of vehicles and payroll-deductible loans to the public and private sectors 'in Brazil. Supported by BF Promotora de Vendas Ltda. (BF Promotora), and using the Bradesco Financiamentos brand, the Bank operates through its network of correspondents in Brazil, consisting of retailers and dealers selling light vehicles, trucks and motorcycles, to offer financing and/or leasing for vehicles. Through Bradesco Promotora brand, it offer payroll-deductible loans to social security retirees and pensioners, public-sector employees, military personnel and private-sector companies sponsoring plans, and other aggregated products (insurance, capitalization bonds, cards, purchasing consortiums, and others).

As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had 63,156 outstanding real estate loans. As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate outstanding amount of its real estate loans amounted to R$15.9 billion, representing 6% of its portfolio of loans and advances. As of December 31, 2011, it had 69,491 microcredit loans outstanding, totaling R$62.8 million. Its BNDES onlending portfolio totaled R$35.4 billion as of December 31, 2011.

The Bank provides traditional loans for the ongoing needs of its corporate customers. It had R$85.8 billion of outstand! ing other! local commercial loans, accounting for 32.5% of its portfolio of loans and advances as of December 31, 2011. It offers a range of loans to its Brazilian corporate customers, including short-term loans of 29 days or less; guaranteed checking accounts and corporate overdraft loans; discounting trade receivables, promissory notes, checks, credit card and supplier receivables, and a number of other receivables; financing for purchase and sale of goods and services; corporate real estate financing, and investment lines for acquisition of assets and machinery. As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had R$11 billion in outstanding rural loans, representing 4.2% of its portfolio of loans and advances. The Bank conducts its leasing operations through its primary leasing subsidiary, Bradesco Leasing and also through Bradesco Financiamentos.

The Bank offers electronic solutions for receipt and payment management solutions, which include collection and payment services and online resource management enabling its customers to pay suppliers, salaries, and taxes and other levies to governmental or public entities. The global cash management concept provides solutions for multinationals in Brazil and/or domestic companies operating abroad. It manages third-party assets through mutual funds; individual and corporate investment portfolios; pension funds, including assets guaranteeing the technical provisions of Bradesco Vida e Previdencia, and insurance companies, including assets guaranteeing the technical provisions of Bradesco Seguros.

The Bank�� subsidiaries Bradesco S.A. CTVM and Agora S.A. CTVM (or Bradesco Corretora and Agora Corretora, respectively) trade stocks, options, stock lending, public offerings and forwards. They also offer a range of products, such as Brazilian government securities (under the Tesouro Direto program), BM&F trading, investor clubs and investment funds.

The Bank offers a range of international services, such as foreign exchange transactions, foreign tr! ade finan! ce, lines of credit and banking. As of December 31, 2011, its international banking services included New York City, a branch and Bradesco Securities Inc., its subsidiary brokerage firm, or Bradesco Securities United States, and its subsidiary Bradesco North America LLC, or Bradesco North America; London, Bradesco Securities U.K., its subsidiary, or Bradesco Securities U.K.; Cayman Islands, two Bradesco branches and its subsidiary, Cidade Capital Markets Ltd., or Cidade Capital Markets; Argentina, Banco Bradesco Argentina S.A., its subsidiary, or Bradesco Argentina; Banco Bradesco Luxemburgo S.A. its subsidiary, or Bradesco Europe; Japan, Bradesco Services Co. Ltd., its subsidiary, or Bradesco Services Japan; in Hong Kong, its subsidiary Bradesco Trade Services Ltd, or Bradesco Trade, and in Mexico, its subsidiary Ibi Services, Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, or Ibi Mexico.

The Bank�� Brazilian foreign-trade related business consists of export and import finance. In addition to import and export finance, its customers have access to a range of services and foreign exchange products, such as purchasing and selling travelers checks and foreign currency paper money; cross border money transfers; advance payment for exports; accounts abroad in foreign currency; cash holding in other countries; collecting import and export receivables; repaid cards with foreign currency (individual), and structured foreign currency transactions through its foreign units.

Insurance, pension plans and capitalization bonds

The Bank offers insurance products through a number of different entities, which it refers to collectively as Grupo Bradesco Seguros. It offers life, personal accident and random events insurance through its subsidiary Bradesco Vida e Previdencia. It offers health insurance policies through Bradesco Saude and its subsidiaries for small, medium or large companies. It provides automobile, property/casualty and liability products through its subsidiary Bradesco Auto! /RE. It a! lso offers certain automobile, health, and property/casualty insurance products directly through its Website.

Hot Low Price Companies For 2014: Atikwa Minerals Corporation (ATK.V)

Atikwa Resources Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas properties in Western Canada. It has interests in the Windfall prospect, Porcupine Hills prospect, Bakken project, and Spearfish project located in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The company was formerly known as Atikwa Minerals Corporation and changed its name to Atikwa Resources Inc. in November 2009. Atikwa Resources Inc. is based in Calgary, Canada.

Top Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.(POT)

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. produces and sells fertilizers and related industrial and feed products primarily in the United States and Canada. The company mines and produces potash, which is used as fertilizer. It also offers solid and liquid phosphate fertilizers; animal feed supplements; and industrial acids that are used in food products and industrial processes. In addition, the company produces nitrogen fertilizers, as well as nitrogen feed and industrial products, including ammonia, urea, nitrogen solutions, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid. Further, it holds the right to mine 785,759 acres of land in Saskatchewan; and 58,263 acres of land in New Brunswick in Canada. The company sells its fertilizers primarily to retailers, dealers, co-operatives, distributors, and other fertilizer producers; industrial products primarily to chemical product manufacturers; and purified phosphoric acid directly to consumers of the product. Potash Corporation was founded i n 1953 and is based in Saskatoon, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sam Collins]

  Canadian integrated fertilizer and feed products company, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (NYSE: POT), has been in a bull market since late 2008. Since then, it has risen from $18 to over $63.

  It is the world’s largest diversified fertilizer company and, thus, in a unique position to supply the needed nutrients to grow crops for Third World countries that are in need of grain products. Several research analysts have recently raised their opinion on POT from “hold” to “buy,” including Canaccord Genuity and Gleacher & Company. POT has also been the subject of takeover rumors, but thus far, nothing has developed.?

  Technically, the stock is in a long-term bull market. In December, POT broke out from a five-month consolidation, and last week, our in-house Collins-Bollinger Reversal (CBR) indicator issued a buy signal along with a buy from the slow stochastic. The two-month target for POT is $72, but it can be bought as a long-term position, as well.?

Hot Low Price Companies For 2014: EZCORP Inc.(EZPW)

EZCORP, Inc. provides specialty consumer financial services. The company offers pawn loans that are non-recourse loans collateralized by tangible personal property, including jewelry, consumer electronics, tools, sporting goods, and musical instruments, as well as sells merchandise consisting of second-hand collateral forfeited from its pawn lending activities or purchased from customers, and new or refurbished merchandise from third party vendors. It also provides a range of financial services, such as signature loans consisting of payday loans, installment loans, and lines of credit; and auto title loans, which include single payment auto title loans, and auto title lines of credit. In addition, the company offers fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans; and advice and assistance to customers in obtaining loans from unaffiliated lenders, as well as provides debit cards. As of September 30, 2011, it operated a total of 1,111 locations consisting of 433 pawn s tores under the EZPAWN or Value Pawn names, and 436 financial services stores under the EZMONEY name in the United States; 178 pawn stores under the Empe� F�il or Empe� Su Oro names in Mexico; 49 financial services stores under the CASHMAX name in Canada; and 15 financial and retail services stores under the Cash Converters name in Canada. Further, the company operates as a franchisor for 13 franchised Cash Converters stores in Canada. EZCORP, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Hot Low Price Companies For 2014: Commerce Bancshares Inc.(CBSH)

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Commerce Bank, N.A. that provides various general banking services to individuals and businesses. It operates in three segments: Consumer, Commercial, and Wealth. The Consumer segment includes the retail branch network, consumer installment lending, personal mortgage banking, consumer debit and credit bank card activities, and student lending. The Commercial segment provides various corporate lending, merchant and commercial bank card products, leasing, and international services, as well as business and government deposit and cash management services. The Wealth segment offers traditional trust and estate tax planning services, brokerage services, and advisory and discretionary investment portfolio management services to personal and institutional corporate customers. This segment also manages a family of proprietary mutual funds, which are available for sale to trust and general retail customers. The comp any, through its other non-banking subsidiaries, involves in underwriting credit life and credit accident, and health insurance; selling property and casualty insurance; private equity investment; securities brokerage; mortgage banking; and leasing activities. It serves customers through a network of branches and ATM machines, online banking, and a central contact center from approximately 370 locations in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Commerce Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

Hot Low Price Companies For 2014: Teekay Corporation(TK)

Teekay Corporation engages in the marine transportation of crude oil and gas in Bermuda and internationally. Its Shuttle Tanker and FSO segment operates shuttle tankers, and floating storage and off-take (FSO) units for offloading and transportation of cargo from oil field installations to onshore terminals; and provides floating storage services for oil field installations. The company?s FPSO segment provides floating production, processing, and storage services through floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units. Its Liquefied Gas segment comprises liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas carriers. The company?s Conventional Tanker segment operates conventional crude oil and product tankers that are employed on long-term fixed-rate time-charter contracts. As of December 31, 2010, its fleet consisted of 151 vessels, including 11 vessels under construction. The company serves energy and utility companies, oil traders, oil and LNG consumers, p etroleum product producers, government agencies, and various other entities that depend upon marine transportation. Teekay Corporation was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Wendy's Flips Burgers to Franchisees

Although Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN  ) second-quarter profit was itself notable, particularly after McDonald's own rather lackluster performance, it's the news that it is selling 425 of its restaurants that was the real eye-opener.

It's part of a growing trend among restaurant chains that on one hand signals a better economic climate and on the other will help Wendy's take part in another fad among fast-food restaurateurs, of taking their stores upscale.

Although the burger joint's sales inched up less than 1% in the quarter, Wendy's was still able to post profits of $12.2 million, or $0.03 per share, compared with the loss of $5.5 million, or $0.01 per share, it recorded in the year-ago period. Excluding non-recurring one-time items, the chain earned $0.08 per share, beating Wall Street's $0.06-per-share expectations.

Using this newfound financial muscle, the restaurant operator also said it was raising its dividend by 25% to $0.20 per share and would use the opportunity to add greater strength to its bottom line by selling a slew of stores to franchisees by the second quarter of 2014. That will reduce the company's ownership stake from 22% down to 15%.

It signals a somewhat healthier economy, too, if for no other reason than it suggests there's financing available for franchisees to buy the stores. Yet Wendy's is late to the game (and the economy was indeed picking up sooner), since a number of restaurant chains were doing the same thing last year. DineEquity was selling off blocks of its Applebee's restaurants, while Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM  ) was shedding Taco Bell stores to franchisees.

And it's Yum! that's among the stores looking to reinvent their fast-food concepts into the fast-casual concept dominated by Panera Bread (NASDAQ: PNRA  ) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG  ) , which have baked in some of the best performances over the past few years. Panera sales have grown at a 14% compounded annual growth rate over the past five years, with operating profits jumping 27% annually, while Chipotle's done even better, expanding revenues 20% over the same time period and growing earnings at a 30% clip.

While Yum!'s results have been decidedly anemic, Wendy's can actually say it's held its own: revenues up 15% annually over the past five years and operating profits almost 20% wider. The problem has been that in the past few years it's been unable to move the needle, recording negligible sales growth and alternating between minimal profits and losses. But its stock has still been among the top-performing restaurant chains.

WEN data by YCharts.

By shedding its restaurants to franchisees, it will have an even more stable revenue stream coming in from them while lowering its own overhead. And Wendy's plans to use that influx of cash to modernize its restaurants and to refresh the decor to appeal to the more upscale dining market.

Wendy's stock has been a tasty treat for a while, and while it's risky to change what's working, it looks like this burger joint can still flip for investors.

With Wendy's looking to expand its marketplace muscle here at home, others are seeking a global position to profit from our increasingly interconnected economy. The Motley Fool's free report "3 American Companies Set to Dominate the World" shows you how can flip this opportunity for your benefit. Click here to get your free copy before it's gone.

A Big Setback for the Chevy Cruze?

The Clean Turbo Diesel is the latest variant of the current Chevy Cruze, which has sold well since its introduction. Photo credit: GM

Since its introduction in 2009, the Chevrolet Cruze has been a strong seller for General Motors (NYSE: GM  ) -- a surprise of sorts in a segment where GM has traditionally had very weak offerings. But the Cruze wasn't just GM's best-ever compact car when it was launched; it was a surprisingly solid competitor with the likes of Toyota's (NYSE: TM  ) Corolla and Honda's (NYSE: HMC  ) Civic.

But even great cars age, and there's an all-new Cruze under development. It was expected late next year, but now, Reuters is reporting that the new Cruze has been delayed until late 2015. What's the deal? In this video, Fool.com contributor John Rosevear looks at what are likely the real reasons for the delay, and whether that's a good sign -- or a bad one -- for the progress of GM's ongoing turnaround.

China is already the world's largest auto market -- and it's set to grow even bigger in coming years. A recent Motley Fool report, "2 Automakers to Buy for a Surging Chinese Market," names two global giants poised to reap big gains that could drive big rewards for investors. You can read this report right now for free -- just click here for instant access.

Top Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now

The old adage of risk equaling reward couldn't be truer. It was 2008, and the stock market was in chaos.

 

Great rewards went to investors who took the risk of stepping into the fray to buy the lows. But during the same time, many investors were practically wiped out because they failed to manage their risks wisely in the highly volatile environment.

The stock market today isn't as volatile as it was during the financial crisis. However, the same investing maxim still holds: The greater the risk, the greater the rewards. 

Many investors shun risk. These risk-averse investors pile into the safest possible investments in an effort to preserve principal at all costs. This attitude will most likely preserve your portfolio, but it will also greatly decrease your potential for market-beating rewards. 

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

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dave Friedman]

  Institutional investors bought 78,663,680 shares and sold 101,125,380 shares, for a net of -22,461,700 shares. This net represents 0.23% of common shares outstanding. The number of shares outstanding is 9,872,826,100. The shares recently traded at $27.61 and the company’s market capitalization is $170,178,700,000.00. About the company: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras explores for and produces oil and natural gas. The Company refines, markets, and supplies oil products. Petrobras operates oil tankers, distribution pipelines, marine, river and lake terminals, thermal power plants, fertilizer plants, and petrochemical units. The Company operates in South America and elsewhere around the world.

Top Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Under Armour Inc.(UA)

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

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Fernandez]

  Under Armour designs, develops, markets, and distributes performance apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and youth primarily in the United States and Canada.
  

  You’ve probably seen the company’s “Protect This House” or “Click-Clack” commercials, and probably seen anyone from the weekend warrior to professional sports teams wearing the company’s moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics, which are designed to keep perspiration away from the skin, and regulate body temperature regardless of weather conditions.

  I must admit for full disclosure that I am an Under Armour nut, and own about 20 pairs of their shorts, shirts and shoes.

  I can attest from personal experience as a natural bodybuilder and athlete that the Under Armour apparel are the best workout clothing I have ever worn, and they look pretty darn cool too.

  Now let me make a clear distinction between a great company, and a great stock.

  Up until recently, Under Armour was the former, but not the latter.

  It has now entered into a zone where the valuation metrics, even in the face of a consumer slowdown, is looking more and more attractive.

  In fact, Under Armour just released earnings Monday.

  They were pretty much in line with analyst’s expectations, and then Under Armour slightly lowered their forward guidance for the remainder of 2008 based on those same consumer headwinds.

  The market liked what it heard sending shares up 20% (of course, the overall market was up 10%, so…). Shares have since rebounded further are now up almost 50% from their lows just last week!

  This leads me to my investment thesis in shares of Under Armour.

  I believe that Under Armour represents one of the quintessential brands of this decade when it comes to sports apparel, the way Under Armour’s fiercest rival Nike (NYSE: NKE) dominated the 90’s.

  Until now the valuation of the company was not commensurate with the! projected profit and growth, which I thought were way too high, and still might be, along with certain inventory related problems that the company now seems to be getting a handle on.

  Still, with the spike in share price, along with the uncertainty in the market and overall economy, I feel that we will still be able to purchase shares of this great company at a great price in the near future and that we’re seeing a bit of a short squeeze in shares of Under Armour.

  Why I Like the Company: One of the quintessential brands of this decade; Valuation is reaching reasonable to “cheap” levels depending on direction of consumer market and Under Armour’s stock price; Dedicated and fully invested founder with over 77% voting power via class B shares; Improved business fundamentals via better inventory controls and operational structure, and new product offerings; Further expansion available outside the U.S.; Relatively higher margins than competition

10 Best Stocks To Own For 2014: Fluor Corporation(FLR)

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

Top Safest Stocks To Buy Right Now: Goldman Sachs Group Inc.(The)

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

Today’s 3 Worst Stocks

While stocks got off to a generally upbeat beginning to the week Monday, a few laggards managed to post big losses despite a broader bullish sentiment. The gains were modest; it'd be nice to say that the S&P 500 Index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) wasn't setting any records, but it actually was: its 3 point gain today, although just a 0.2% uptick, sent the index to 1,695, an all-time closing high. 

Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO  ) shares had the most difficulty today, slumping 4.3% as the company lost three members of its board of directors and a high-ranking executive, all in a day's time. No immediate successor is known as media head Mickie Rosen steps down, according to Kara Swisher at AllThingsD. One of the board members, activist investor Daniel Loeb, is also the CEO of the hedge fund Third Point, and his departure comes as Third Point liquidates about $1.2 billion in Yahoo! stock.

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD  ) shares continued a precipitous drop Monday that began with Friday's 13.2% slump. Slipping another 3.2%, investors continued a sell-off that began in earnest after the chipmaker reported quarterly earnings that sparked several high-profile analyst downgrades. While today's fall may be to some extent a continuation of Friday's collapse, AMD also saw heightened competition Monday. Intel vowed to start making low-power chips for servers on Monday, as Intel moves more consciously into the server and mobile markets AMD already competes in. 

Finally, Sprint (NYSE: S  ) , which only recently dropped the "Nextel" part from its trading name, fell 2.5% as it continues a sell-off that began last week. After a 22% rally on the heels of Japan's SoftBank acquisition of the company, shares began to slip last Tuesday, as a slump began that's sheared nearly 12% off Sprint's market cap. Investors will get a better clue about trends at the company when it announced quarterly results next Tuesday, July 30. 

It's incredible to think just how much of our digital and technological lives are almost entirely shaped and molded by just a handful of companies. Find out "Who Will Win the War Between the 5 Biggest Tech Stocks" in The Motley Fool's latest free report, which details the knock-down, drag-out battle being waged among the five kings of tech. Click here to keep reading.

5 Best Biotech Stocks To Own Right Now

Proxy fights are like the demolition derby of the investment world. Pitting management desperately trying to keep their jobs against passionate rich investors always makes for an entertaining fight. Unfortunately, even if management makes it to the finish line, it's likely to limp across, beaten up in the process.

The latest entertainment comes from VIVUS (NASDAQ: VVUS  ) and First Manhattan, owner of 9.9% of the biotech.

First Manhattan dealt a blow on Monday, laying out its case for how the company is "hemorrhaging cash," urging shareholders to vote for its slate of board members.

Source: First Manhattan.

VIVUS' management struck back Tuesday, refuting many of First Manhattan's claims in a step by step approach.

5 Best Biotech Stocks To Own Right Now: StemCells Inc (STEM)

StemCells, Inc. (StemCells), incorporated in August 1988, is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of stem cell therapeutics and related tools and technologies for academia and industry. The Company is focused on developing and commercializing stem and progenitor cells as the basis for therapeutics and therapies, and cells and related tools and technologies to enable stem cell-based research and drug discovery and development. The Company�� primary research and development efforts are focused on identifying and developing stem and progenitor cells as potential therapeutic agents. The Company has two therapeutic product development programs, including its CNS Program, which is developing applications for HuCNS-SC cells, its human neural stem cell product candidate, and its Liver Program, which is characterizing the Company�� human liver cells as a therapeutic product.

CNS Program

The Company in its CNS Program, is in clinical development with its HuCNS-SC cells for a range of disorders of the central nervous system. The CNS includes the brain, spinal cord and eye. In February 2012, the Company had completed a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizeaus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in the brain.

The Company�� CNS Program is focused on developing clinical applications, in which transplanting HuCNS-SC cells protect or restore organ function of the patient before such function is irreversibly damaged or lost due to disease progression. The Company�� initial target indications are PMD, and more generally, diseases in which deficient myelination plays a central role, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis; spinal cord injury, disorders in which retinal degeneration plays a central role, such as age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. The Company�� product candidate, HuCNS-SC cells, is a purified and expanded composition of normal human neural stem cells. Its HuCNS-SC cells can be directly transp! lanted.

Liver Program

Liver stem or progenitor cells offer an alternative treatment for liver diseases. A liver cellular therapy or cell-based therapeutic provide or support liver function in patients with liver disease. The Company held a portfolio of issued and allowed patents in the liver field, which cover the isolation and use of both hLEC cells and the isolated subset, as well as the composition of the cells themselves.

The Company�� range of cell culture products, which are sold under the SC Proven brand, includes iSTEM, GS1-R, GS2-M, RHB-A, RHB-Basal, NDiff N2, and NDiff N2B27. Its iSTEM is a serum-free, feeder-free medium that maintains mouse embryonic stem cells in their pluripotent ground state by using selective small molecule inhibitors to block the pathways, which induce differentiation. RHB-A is a defined, serum-free culture medium for the selective culture of human and mouse neural stem cells and their maintenance and expansion as adherent cell populations. RHB-Basal is a defined, serum-free basal medium. When supplemented with specific growth factors, this media is formulated for the propagation and differentiation of adherent neural stem cells. RHB-Basal can also be tailored to specific-cell type requirements by the addition of customer preferred supplements.

The Company�� NDiff N2 is a defined serum-free scell culture supplement for the derivation, maintenance, expansion and/or differentiation of human and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and tissue-derived neural stem cells supplement. Its NDiff N2-AF is a serum-free and animal component-free version of NDiff N2. Its NDiff N2B27 is a defined, serum-free medium for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to neural cell types. NDiff N27-AF is a serum-free and animal component-free version of NDiff N27. Its GS1-R is a serum-free media formulation shown to enable the derivation and long-term maintenance of true, germline competent rat embryonic stem cells without the add! ition of ! cytokines or growth factors. Its GS2-M is a defined, serum- and feeder-free medium for the derivation and long-term maintenance of true, germline competent mouse iPS cells.

The Company also markets a number of antibody reagents for use in cell detection, isolation and characterization. These reagents are also under the SC Proven brand and it includes STEM24, STEM101, STEM121 and STEM123. Its STEM24 is a human antibody that recognizes human CD24, also known as heat stable antigen (HSA), a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of many human cell types, including immature human hematopoietic cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes, erythrocytes and many human carcinomas. Its CD24 is also a marker of human neural differentiation. Its STEM101 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes the Ku80 protein found in human nuclei. Its STEM121 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes a cytoplasmic protein of human cells. Its STEM123 is a human-specific mouse antibody that recognizes human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

The Company�� Other products marketed under SC Proven include total cell genomic DNA (gDNA), RNA and protein lysate reagents purified from homogenous stem cell populations for intra-comparative studies, such as Epigenetic fingerprinting, Southern, Western and Northern blots, PCR, RT-PCR and microarrays. This range of purified stem cell line lysates includes mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells propagated in SC Proven 2i inhibitor-based GS2-M media and mouse ES cell-derived and fetal tissue-derived neural stem (NS) cells propagated in SC Proven RHB-A media.

5 Best Biotech Stocks To Own Right Now: Organovo Holdings Inc (ONVO)

Organovo Holdings, Inc. (Organovo), formerly Real Estate Restoration & Rental, Inc., incorporated in 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company has developed and is commercializing a platform technology for the generation of three-dimensional (3D) human tissues that can be employed in drug discovery and development, biological research, and as therapeutic implants for the treatment of damaged or degenerating tissues and organs. On December 28, 2011, Real Estate Restoration and Rental, Inc.�� (RERR) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which RERR merged with its, wholly owned subsidiary, Organovo (Merger Sub). On February 8, 2012, the Company merged with and into Organovo Acquisition Corp. (Acquisition Corp.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Organovo, with the Company surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Organovo Holdings (the Merger). As a result of the Merger, Organovo acquired the business of Organovo, Inc.

The Company has collaborative research agreements with Pfizer, Inc. (Pfizer) and United Therapeutic Corporation (Unither). As of March 31, 2012, it has five federal grants, including Small Business Innovation Research grants and developed the NovoGen MMX Bioprinter (its first-generation 3D bioprinter). The Company is engaged in the development of specific 3D human tissues to aid Pfizer in discovery of therapies in two areas of interest. In addition, in October 2011, it entered into a research agreement with Unither to establish and conduct a research program to discover treatments for pulmonary hypertension using its NovoGen MMX Bioprinter technology. Additionally, under the research agreement with Unither, the Company granted Unither an option to acquire from the Company a worldwide, royalty-bearing license in certain intellectual property created under the research agreement solely for use in the treatment or prevention of pulmonary hypertension and all other lung diseases.

The Company�� NovoGen MMX Bioprinter is an automate! d device that enables the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) living tissues comprised of mammalian cells. A custom graphic user interface (GUI) facilitates the 3D design and execution of scripts that direct precision movement of the dispensing heads to deposit cellular building blocks (bio-ink) or supporting hydrogel. The Company is using a third party manufacturer, Invetech Pty., of Melbourne, Australia, to manufacture its NovoGen MMX Bioprinter. Its bioprinting technology and surrounding intellectual property and commercial rights serve as a platform for product generation across multiple markets that employ cell- and tissue-based products and services.

The Company competes with Organogenesis, Advanced BioHealing, Tengion, Genzyme, HumaCyte and Cytograft Tissue Engineering.

Top Stocks To Buy For 2014: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated(VRTX)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated engages in discovering, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing small molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases worldwide. Its products include telaprevir, a prescription medicine used for the treatment of patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; and Ivacaftor, a prescription medicine used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The company markets its products under the INCIVEK brand name in the United States and Canada; INCIVO brand in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, and Norway; KALYDECO brand in the United States; and TELAVIC brand in Japan. Its drug candidates comprise VX-222, a Phase II clinical trial drug candidate, and ALS-2200 and ALS-2158, a Phase I clinical trial drug candidates that are designed to inhibit the replication of HCV; VX-809 and VX-661, a Phase II clinical trial drug candidates that improve the function of defective cystic fibro sis; VX-509, a Phase II clinical trial drug candidate for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases; VX-765, a Phase II clinical trial drug for the treatment of epilepsy; and VX-787, an investigational drug candidate for the treatment of influenza A. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Melly Alazraki]

  Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)topped the list with a 38.4% return as of Wednesday's close of $48.48. This $9.8 billion market capnon-profitablecompany is all promise. It is itspipelinethat's drawing investors, especially thehepatitis C treatment telaprevirandpotential cystic fibrosis drug VX-770.
  
  Both diseases present large market opportunities: Liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virusaffects 3.2 million individualsin the U.S. and as many as 100 million people worldwide. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease that affects about 30,000 people in the U.S. and has few treatment options.
  
  Analysts ! have favored the stock, with aconsensus buy recommendation. However, just on Thursday, Vertex announcedtwomore telaprevir studyresultsthat did not impress investors and the stock declined 2% to $47.50. Also, Vertex is not without competitors and is in a race with Merck (MRK) and its experime ntal Hep C drug boceprevir to be the first to reach the market.
  
  The stock's 52-week high of $52.13 was set on March 7, up from a low of $31.25 set on July 1, 2011.

• [By Dug]

  Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a discovery and development company focused on small molecule drugs for viral diseases such as Hepatitis C, cancer, autoimmune diseases and more. Their HCV (HepC virus) protease inhibitor drug, Telaprevir, is in Phase III trials, but the company also has a huge pipeline of additional candidates and collaborates with the likes of GlaxoSmithKline and Merck. Vertex shares were worth just under $25 in January 2012, peaked at nearly $35 in July and have held value showing a strong finish at just under $30 in December.

5 Best Biotech Stocks To Own Right Now: Galena Biopharma Inc (GALE)

Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Galena), formerly RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, incorporated on April 3, 2006, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies addressing unmet medical needs using targeted biotherapeutics. The Company is pursuing the development of cancer therapeutics using peptide-based immunotherapy products, including its main product candidate, NeuVaxTM (E75), for the treatment of breast cancer and other tumors. NeuVax is a peptide-based immunotherapy intended to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer in low-to-intermediate HER2-positive breast cancer patients not eligible for trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech/Roche). On January 19, 2012, the Company initiated enrollment in its Phase 3 PRESENT clinical trial for NeuVax (E75 peptide plus GM-CSF) vaccine in low-to-intermediate HER2 1+ and 2+ breast cancer patients in the adjuvant setting to prevent recurrence (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01479244). The Prevention of Recurrence in Early-Stage, Node-Positive Breast Cancer with Low to Intermediate HER2 Expression with NeuVax Treatment study is a randomized, multicenter, multinational clinical trial that will enroll approximately 700 breast cancer patients. The Company�� Phase 2 trial of NeuVax achieved its primary endpoint of disease-free survival (DFS). On April 13, 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of Apthera, Inc.,(Apthera).

The Company focuses to start a Phase 2 trial comparing NeuVax in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin) versus trastuzumab, alone, in a 300-patient, randomized study in the adjuvant breast cancer setting. The Company's second product candidate, Folate Binding Protein-E39 (FBP), is a vaccine, consisting of the peptides E39 and J65, aimed at preventing the recurrence of ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers. On February 14, 2012, the Company announced the initiation of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in two gynecological cancers: ovarian and endometrial adenocarcinomas. Folate binding protein has ! very limited tissue distribution and expression in non-malignant tissue and is over-expressed in more than 90% of ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as in 20% to 50% of breast, lung, colorectal and renal cell carcinomas.

In April 2011, the Company acquired Apthera Inc and its NeuVax product candidate. The Company focuses on developing a pipeline of immunotherapy product candidates for the treatment of various cancers based on the E75 peptide, the advanced of which is NeuVax, which is targeted at preventing the recurrence of breast cancer. NeuVax has had positive Phase 1/2 clinical trial results for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in patients who have had breast cancer and received the standard of care treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy as indicated). The Company had also initiated its Phase 3 PRESENT clinical trial of NeuVax for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in early-stage low-to-intermediate HER2 breast cancer patients. NeuVax directs killer T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells that express HER2/neu, a protein associated with epithelial tumors in breast, ovarian, pancreatic, colon, bladder and prostate cancers. NeuVax is comprised of a HER2/neu-derived peptide called E75. E75 is a nine-amino acid sequence that is immunogenic (produces an immune response) and GM-CSF is a commercially available protein that acts to stimulate and activate components of the immune system such as macrophages and dendritic cells.

The Company also develops novel applications for NeuVax based on preclinical studies and phases 2 clinical trials which suggest that combining NeuVax and trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech/Roche) can increase antigen presentation by tumor cells by promoting receptor internalization and subsequent proteosomal degradation of the HER2 protein. The Company also is pursuing additional therapeutic indications for NeuVax that are in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. RXI-109, is a dermal anti-scarring therapy that targets! connecti! ve tissue growth factor (CTGF) and that may inhibit connective tissue formation in human fibrotic disease.

The Company competes with Roche Laboratories, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Bayer HealthCare AG, Sanofi-Aventis, US, LLC, Amgen, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Renovo Group plc, CoDa Therapeutics, Inc., Sirnaomics, Inc., FirstString Research, Inc., Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Capstone Therapeutics, Halscion, Inc., Garnet Bio Therapeutics, Inc., AkPharma Inc., Promedior, Inc., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eyegene, Derma Sciences, Inc., Healthpoint Biotherapeutics, Pharmaxon, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marina Biotech, Inc., Tacere Therapeutics, Inc., Benitec Limited, OPKO Health, Inc., Silence Therapeutics plc, Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Rosetta Genomics Ltd., Lorus Therapeutics, Inc., Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Arrowhead Research Corporation, Regulus Therapeutics Inc. and Santaris.

5 Best Biotech Stocks To Own Right Now: AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc.(AMAG)

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development and commercialization of a therapeutic iron compound to treat iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Its principal product includes Feraheme (ferumoxytol) injection for intravenous (IV) use, which was approved for marketing in the United States in June 2009 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for use as an IV iron replacement therapy for the treatment of IDA in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The company is pursuing marketing applications in the European Union, Canada, and Switzerland for Feraheme for the treatment of IDA in CKD patients. AMAG Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1981 and is based in Lexington, Massachusetts.