On Second Thought, Wells Fargo Is a Buy

On Tuesday, Wells Fargo (WFC) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1 per share. That beat Wall Street's consensus by two cents per share. Strangely, the shares initially dropped after the earnings report (yep, we know how melodramatic traders can be).

Then on Wednesday, it was as if rationality and math suddenly dawned on everyone, and the nervous traders got squeezed out. Before the closing bell, WFC had rallied to a new 52-week high.

Lesson: Don't trust the market's first reaction. Actually, keep a wary eye on the second and third ones as well.

Now that I've had a chance to look at the earnings from Wells, I can say that I'm impressed. Net income for Q4 rose 10% over last year's Q4. For the entire year, Wells's net income rose 16% to $21.9 billion. This was their fifth straight record year. Last year, Wells made more money than JPMorgan (JPM) (sorry, Jamie).

I was particularly impressed with the efforts of CEO John Stumpf and his team to trim overhead. (Notice how good companies don't wait to cut costs; they're always looking for excess fat they can cut.) Quarterly revenue dropped 6% to $20.7 billion. For banks, you want to see where their "efficiency ratio" is. That's a good measure of how well they're managing their operations. For Wells, their efficiency ratio actually ticked up a bit last quarter. That's not bad, coming in the wake of lower revenue.

Wells's mortgage-originations business got shellacked last quarter, but there wasn't much they could do about that. In that sector, you're at the mercy of the Mortgage Rate Gods. On the plus side, Wells's wealth and brokerage business did very well. One big benefit for Wells is that they don't have the legal bills that many of the other big banks have.

I like Wells Fargo a lot. The bank is going for less than 11 times this year's earnings estimate. I expect another dividend increase this spring.

Raymond James taps client associates for next generation

Tash Elwyn, president of Raymond James & Associates, the firm's traditional employee channel.

Client associates are the unsung heroes of financial services, and now Raymond James is hoping that they can play another role: saving the industry from the oncoming retirement wave.

“I have long viewed the role of a service associate as being perhaps arguably one of the most underutilized and underinvested-in positions in the financial services industry,” said Tash Elwyn, president of Raymond James & Associates, the firm's traditional employee channel. “I've long had a desire and a passion to see our firm really turn that challenge into an opportunity to create a career path for service associates.”

The firm launched a pilot program at the end of last year that is designed to bridge the gap between working as an associate and as a financial adviser.

(Related: Firms work to make the most of their young advisers)

Known

Garmin Navigates to Growth, Plans Dividend Hike

Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2013 results before markets opened Wednesday. For the quarter, the GPS equipment maker posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.76 on revenues of $759.7 million. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $0.68 on revenues of $768.5 million. The quarterly results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.62 and $712.78 million in revenues.

For the full year, Garmin posted EPS of $2.62 on revenues of $2.63 billion, compared with EPS of $2.85 and revenues of $2.72 billion in 2012. The consensus estimates called for EPS of $2.47 on revenues of $2.59 billion.

The company posted double-digit revenue growth for the quarter in its fitness, aviation and marine segments, offsetting a 12% decline in its auto and mobile segment. The firm’s outdoor segment also posted revenue growth of 7%, posting quarterly revenue of $410 million, more than half the firm’s total.

For 2014, Garmin guides revenue in a range of $2.6 to $2.7 billion and EPS at $2.50 to $2.60. Overall gross margin is forecast at 54% to 55%, and operating margin is estimated at approximately 21%.

The company’s CEO said:

In the fourth quarter, we also achieved operating income growth in all five segments. This success serves as a solid starting point for 2014 and highlights the strength of our diversified product portfolio.

Garmin will recommend at its June annual meeting an increase in its yearly dividend from $1.80 to $1.92. If approved, the new dividend rate would be payable beginning in the second quarter of this year.

Garmin shares were up more than 5% early Wednesday, at $49.57 in a 52-week range of $32.52 to $52.72. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $50.00 before this report.

Cybersecurity threats to financial firms on the upswing in 2014

The risk of cyberattacks in the financial services industry is on the rise in 2014, and wealth management companies, broker-dealers and registered investment advisers are not exempt.

The threat is moving from large banks to midtier institutions and smaller firms as increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals and “hacktivists” pinpoint individual targets and seek easy entry points to do their damage, according to online-security experts.

“Firms need to believe, first of all, that they are a probable target,” said William Stewart, a commercial cyberbusiness senior vice president at management and technology consultant Booz Allen Hamilton. “For firms that say, 'We're too small, they won't bother with us,' it's not true. These sophisticated adversaries have multipronged attacks. They don't just launch malware against one target.”

For example, a cybercriminal might buy identity information on the dark web (websites and other networks intentionally hidden from search engine crawlers) or break into a firm “so they can find out that this financial wealth management institution has some prominent people they're working with,” including bank executives and government officials, Mr. Stewart said.

Then the criminal will send a plausible-looking e-mail to the targeted individual's business network to capture even more information when the recipient clicks on an infected document and allows the malware to get inside their network.

“That's why these midtier folks are a target,” Mr. Stewart said, pointing to wealth management firms, regional banks and hedge funds. “They have valuable information because they're managing assets.”

And when grouped together, these organizations are like a row of dominos that, when attacked, can create a cascade of systemic risks that could affect financial institutions of any size, he warned.

Threats in the past have come from distributed denial of service, or DDoS (making a website temporarily or indefinitely unavailable), and data-destroying attacks from groups such as the Mideastern Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Cyber Fighters hacking collective.

Now mobile platforms also are at risk, Mr. Stewart said.

In short, the level of threat is monumental. But cybersecurity experts say financial institutions' resistance to revealing the extent of the problem makes it difficult to quantify the rise of cyberattacks.

A security bulletin published in December by IT security vendor Kaspersky Lab reports that the number of attacks launched from web resources globally in all sectors increased to 1.7 billion in 2013, from 1.6 billion in 2012. Fully 45% of web attacks in 2013 were launched from malicious web resources in the U.S. and Russia.

While large institutions are spending tens of millions of dollars on security measures, midtier firms typically can't afford that degree of p! rotection, which puts them at risk, Mr. Stewart said. He estimated that only 5% to 10% of an average firm's IT budget goes to cybersecurity.

Roel Schouwenberg, principal security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, said that in addition to cybercriminals' greater focus on midsize firms, another disturbing trend comes from politically motivated hacktivists whose activity is less obvious. Rather than steal from a company, for example, their aim may be to destroy someone's reputation.

Hacktivists in 2013 were more involved than ever in the shutdown of stock exchanges, Mr. Schouwenberg said.

“From my personal point of view, one of the most interesting developments this year will be more closures at stock exchanges attributed to cyberattacks, because 2013 showed the system isn't as robust as people thought it was,” he said.

“We'll see more movement in 2014 and 2015 toward getting more money to hacktivists in foreign nation-states to disrupt the economy,” Mr. Schouwenberg predicted. “Cyberactivists go after targets with the best return on investment because they just want to make money, but hacktivists want to wreak havoc and they're unpredictable. They may go after a target whether it makes business sense or not.”

Both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. have identified cybersecurity as a heightened risk in the examination priority letters they released this month.

While the SEC gives the issue a brief mention in its Jan. 9 letter, saying staff will focus on “information leakage and cybersecurity,” Finra, in its Jan. 2 letter goes further in addressing the problem.

Finra wrote that cybersecurity will remain a priority this year because of the persistent issues reported across the financial services industry in this area. “The frequency and sophistication of these attacks appears to be increasing. In light of this ongoing threat, Finra continues to be concerned about the integrity of firms' inf! rastructu! re and the safety and security of sensitive customer data,” the Finra letter noted.

The Finra letter said evaluation of such controls may take the form of examinations and targeted investigations.

In addition, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association is on high alert about cybersecurity. SIFMA in October released findings from a July 18 cybersecurity exercise called Quantum Dawn 2, which simulated a systemic cyberattack on the U.S. financial system.

In the exercise, 500 participants from 50 different financial groups ran through their response to dealing with a crisis, including how they would share information within the sector and within government agencies.

Karl Schimmeck, SIFMA's managing director of financial services operations, said that what makes cybersecurity so difficult is that the need differs from one firm to the next.

“Your threat profile is typically unique to your firm,” Mr. Schimmeck said. “Financial services is a network of small, medium and large firms, and we need protection at all levels. Each one can be a gateway into the system.”

He highlighted one glimmer of hope: financial firms' willingness to share with one another because cybersecurity is viewed as a noncompetitive topic.

The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a nonprofit group founded in 1999, now serves as the primary group for information sharing between the federal government and the financial sector. FS-ISAC, which has about 4,000 members, shares data about physical and cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities to help protect critical U.S. infrastructure.

Similarly, the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security works to minimize operational risks in financial services.

Mark Clancy, manag

Palo Alto, Convergys shares rise on acquisitions

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Shares of Palo Alto Networks Inc. and Convergys Corp. surged in the extended session Monday after both companies announced acquisition deals.

Palo Alto Networks

Shares of Palo Alto Networks (PANW)  rose 2.5% to $59.30 on moderate volume after the network-security firm announced it had acquired Morta Security for an undisclosed sum.

The deal follows a recent acquisition by FireEye Inc. (FEYE) , which announced on Thursday it bought security firm Mandiant Corp. for $1 billion. Shares of FireEye rose more than 30% following that deal.

Convergys (CVG)  shares surged 20% to $25 on light volume after the customer management firm announced it will acquire Stream Global Services Inc. for a total enterprise value of $820 million in cash. The acquisition should add about 35 cents a share to Convergys earnings excluding one-time costs, the company said.

Sonic Corp. (SONC)  shares rose 3.4% to $19.90 on moderate volume. The company reported adjusted earnings of 13 cents a share on revenue of $126.7 million. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected a consensus of 13 cents a share on revenue of $127.4 million. The drive-in chain also forecast full-year earnings to rise about 14% to 15%, or about in-line with the analyst consensus of 83 cents a share.

Feds appeal sentence of Beanie Babies creator

CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago said Thursday that it's appealing a sentence that included no prison time for the billionaire creator of Beanie Babies for hiding at least $25 million from U.S. tax authorities in Swiss bank accounts.

At H. Ty Warner's sentencing last month, Judge Charles Kocoras heaped praise on the toymaker for his charitable giving, declaring society was better served by letting him go free and giving him two years' probation instead of sending him to prison. Warner had faced up to five years in prison.

Warner, 69, of Oak Brook, Ill., was one of the highest profile figures snared in a long-running investigation of Americans concealing funds in Swiss bank accounts. Others convicted of squirreling away less money in Switzerland than Warner have done prison time.

Warner, who grew up poor, created the animal-shaped Beanie Babies in the mid-'90s, triggering a craze that made Warner spectacularly rich. Forbes recently estimated his net worth at $2.6 billion.

A one-page notice of appeal signed by U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon was filed with the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, and a full brief will be submitted later. Justice officials in Washington still must OK the appeal, but that's usually considered a formality.

At a Jan. 14 sentencing hearing, Kocoras spent most of his 20-minute explanation of the sentence expressing admiration for Warner. He also said the businessman had already paid a price in "public humiliation."

In addition to probation, Kocoras ordered Warner to do 500 hours of community service at Chicago high schools. Earlier, Warner agreed to pay $27 million in back taxes and interest, and a civil penalty of more than $53 million.

A two-sentence statement released Thursday by a Warner spokesman didn't mention the government appeal. It said only, "We're working out the details of Mr. Warner's community service" and he's "looking forward to beginning his work" at the schools.

During sentencing, assistant gover! nment attorney Michelle Petersen urged Kocoras to put Warner behind bars for at least a year.

"(Without prison time), tax evasion becomes little more than a bad investment," she told him. "The perception cannot be that a wealthy felon can just write a check and not face further punishment."

Follow Michael Tarm at https://twitter.com/mtarm

Analysis: Too many cooks spoil Microsoft revival?

SAN FRANCISCO — Too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil a good meal, or so the maxim goes.

The point being that for some tasks, a clear leadership structure and a minimum of meddling are required for success.

The same is true of a corporate revamp, and if that's what's planned for Microsoft, its new executive setup is interesting.

Microsoft now has three current or former CEOs among its top ranks, led by new CEO Satya Nadella and including founder Bill Gates, who's moving from his role as chairman to technology adviser.

Stephen Elop, the CEO of Nokia, is in a bit of limbo as the Finnish handset maker's $7.2 billion acquisition by Microsoft last September still hasn't closed yet.

Nokia said in a statement Friday it still expects the transaction to close in the first quarter, a day after a report that Nokia is fighting a tax ruling in India that could delay the deal.

Elop has been reported to be in line for the job of running the Microsoft/Nokia handset business after the deal closes.

If that comes to pass, he would likely hold the title of executive vice-president, based on a look at Microsoft's executive organization.

Elop isn't listed on the page of senior executive leaders as of now, of course, and whether he gets there may reveal a lot about what kind of revamp Nadella intends at Microsoft.

Nadella is the veteran insider who's led Microsoft's pivot away from a traditional enterprise software business to a so-called cloud model, where software is delivered as a service online.

He's done that to fairly good reviews, as Microsoft came late to the cloud party after Salesforce.com, Amazon and Google pioneered the market, yet has become a formidable competitor.

That's provided the company with some breathing room as it struggles with slowing or falling sales in its Windows and Office franchises as PC use declines.

Yet for all his knowledge of the corporate market, there's nothing in Nadella's Microsoft resume nor in his time at Sun Mi! crosystems to suggest that he knows the consumer market.

Microsoft has a growth story in its Xbox platform, but that's still a small piece of the company's revenue.

If the consumer market is going to help drive higher overall revenue growth at Microsoft, the most likely product category will be in handhelds.

Yet a report this week showed that 94 percent of the world's smartphones ran on either Apple's iOS or Google's Android operating systems last year.

Nokia and Microsoft have both been drowned out in a market flood that neither Elop nor anyone at Microsoft, including outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer, has been unable to stem.

The smartphone business is so tough that Google just abandoned the hardware market by selling its Motorola handset business to China's Lenovo, which has much lower operating costs.

Given that competitive landscape, how much sense does it make for Nadella to keep throwing money at the handheld business?

That's a debate that's likely to be had within Microsoft, one which involves Nadella, Gates and also likely former CEO Steve Ballmer, who will remain on the company's board.

It may also involve Elop, a former Microsoft software executive, depending on when the Nokia deal closes and whether Nadella wants the company to remain a mobile hardware player.

Given how quickly the global handheld market is moving away from Microsoft, the company's shareholders may want to keep an eye on how well Nadella can manage that many cooks in the kitchen.

It may determine how fast he can make strategic decisions that lead to higher revenue growth at the company.

John Shinal has covered tech and financial markets for 15 years at Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, the San Francisco Chronicle, Dow Jones MarketWatch, Wall Street Journal Digital Network and others. Follow him on Twitter: @johnshinal.

URS Corp: What the Heck Just Happened?

Base jumping might be fun–but not when it’s one of your stocks doing the jumping. Case in point: Shares of URS Corp (URS), which are plunging this morning after the construction and engineering company offered guidance well below previous forecasts.

Getty Images

URS Corp, which competes with the likes of Fluor (FLR), Jacobs Engineering (JEC) and Tetra Tech (TTEK), said it would earn between $3.20 and $3.30 a share in 2013–the previous range had been between $4.10 and $4.25 a share–and also offered guidance for 2014 that was well below analyst forecasts. On the plus side, URS said it would buy its shares back at a faster pace than previously announced.

Sterne Agee’s Michael Dudas and Patrick Uotila assess the damage to URS:

Management mea culpa on handful of Oil & Gas (O&G) project profit shortfalls and substandard execution within the segment. Stressed acute attention to that division with management change, strong company cash generation and accelerated buyback. In penalty box near term, but if O&G margins can normalize, shares should better reflect cash flow, organic revenue growth potential and repurchase support.

We continue to rate URS a Buy for the following reasons: Expectations now reset as management’s updated 2014 earnings per share guidance outlook of $3.20 to $3.50 ($4.13 – $4.53 cash EPS) could leave potential for upside with better managed Oil & Gas execution. As private sector revenues increase relative to public, we believe relative discounted peer valuation can improve from current levels.

D.A. Davidson’s John Rogers and Cory Mitchell believe URS’s valuation looks interesting:

The shares of URS have come under significant pressure as a result of the earnings shortfall, uncertainty regarding succession, and lack of execution on the most recent acquisition. Although these concerns appear valid and raise concerns about the company’s growth potential and risk, we believe the shares' current 15%-25% discount to peers is excessive. We are reducing our target to $50 from $60 based on 15x current 2014 EPS estimates and 7x EV/EBITDA. With nearly 20% upside from current levels, we continue to view the shares as undervalued and are maintaining our BUY rating.

Shares of URS Corp have plunged 13% to $43.13 today at 11:44 a.m., while Fluor has fallen 0.4% to $79.61, Jacobs Engineering has dropped 0.7% to $60.36 and Tetra Tech is off 0.4% at $28.67.

5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Corporate insiders sell their own companies' stock for a number of reasons.

>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings

They might need the cash for a big personal purchase such as a new house or yacht, or they might need the cash to fund a charity. Sometimes they sell as part of a planned selling program that they have put in place for diversification purposes, which allows them to sell stock in stages instead of selling all at one price.

Other times they sell because they think their stock is overvalued and the risk/reward is no longer attractive. Some even dump their own stock because they have inside knowledge that a competitor is eating their lunch and stealing market share.

But insiders usually buy their own shares for one reason: They think the stock is a bargain and has tremendous upside.

>>5 Stocks Hedge Funds Love



The key word in that last statement is "think." Just because a corporate insider thinks his or her stock is going to trade higher, that doesn't mean it will play out that way. Insiders can have all the conviction in the world that their stock is a buy, but if the market doesn't agree with them, the stock could end up going nowhere. Also, I say "usually" because sometimes insiders are loaned money by the company to buy their own stock. Those loans are often sweetheart deals and shouldn't be viewed as organic insider buying.

At the end of the day, it's large institutional money managers running big mutual funds and hedge funds that drive stock prices, not insiders. That said, many of these savvy stock operators will follow insider buying activity when they agree with the insider that the stock is undervalued and has upside potential. This is why it's so important to always be monitoring insider activity, but it's twice as important to make sure the trend of the stock coincides with the insider buying.

>>5 Dividend Stocks That Want to Give You a Raise

Recently, a number of companies' corporate insiders have bought large amounts of stock. These insiders are finding some value in the market, which warrants a closer look at these stocks. Here's a look five stocks whose insiders have been doing some big buying per SEC filings.

Regado Biosciences

One biopharmaceutical player that insiders are jumping into here is Regado Biosciences (RGDO), which focuses on the discovery and development of antithrombotic drug systems for acute and sub-acute cardiovascular and other indications. Insiders are buying this stock into notable strength, since shares are up 19% so far in 2014.

Regado Biosciences has a market cap of $127 million and an enterprise value of $81 million. This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a price-to-book of 2.55. Its estimated growth rate for next year is 1.8%. This is a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $43.46 million and its total debt is just $4.41 million.

>>5 Biotech Stocks to Trade in February

A beneficial owner just bought 400,000 shares, or $2 million worth of stock, at $5 per share.

From a technical perspective, RGDO is currently trending above its 50-day moving average of $5.52 a share, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending over the last two months and change, with shares moving higher from its low of $4.56 to its recent high of $6.80 a share. During that uptrend, shares of RGDO have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of RGDO within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

If you're bullish on RGDO, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above some key near-term support levels at $5.30 or at $5 and then once breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $6.75 to $6.80 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 29,842 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then RGDO will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $7.50 to $8, or even $8.50 a share.

Aon

An insurance player that insiders are active in here is Aon (AON), which provides risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resource consulting and outsourcing services worldwide. Insiders are buying this stock into modest strength, since shares are up 6% over the last three months.

>>5 Oversold Stocks Ready to Rebound

Aon has a market cap of $25 billion and an enterprise value of $28 billion. This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 23.72 and a forward price-to-earnings of 14.34. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 7.6%, and for next year it's pegged at 11%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $1 million and its total debt is a whopping $4.39 billion.

A director just bought 30,000 shares, or about $2.31 worth of stock, at $77.31 per share.

From a technical perspective, AON is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock recently spiked higher back above its 50-day moving average of $81.69 a share. That spike is quickly pushing shares of AON within range of triggering a big breakout trade.

If you're in the bull camp on AON, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above its 50-day or above $80 and then once it breaks out above its 52-week high at $84.63 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.46 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then AON will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $90 to $95 a share.

Hologic

A health care player that insiders are snapping up a large amount of stock in here is Hologic (HOLX), which develops, manufactures and supplies diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products for women. Insiders are buying this stock into modest weakness, since shares are down by 2.6% so far in 2014.

>>4 Stocks Under $10 in Breakout Territory

Hologic has a market cap of $5.9 billion and an enterprise value of $9.5 billion. This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a forward price-to-earnings of 14.62. Its estimated growth rate for this year is -8.7%, and for next year it's pegged at 8.8%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $448.64 million and its total debt is a whopping $4.30 billion.

The CEO just bought 198,900 shares, or about $4.13 million worth of stock, at $20.75 to $20.81 per share.

From a technical perspective, HOLX is currently trending above its 200-day moving average and just below its 50-day moving average, which is neutral trendwise. This stock has been uptrending a bit over the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $19.91 to its intraday high of $21.78 a share. During that uptrend, shares of HOLX have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of HOLX within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

If you're bullish on HOLX, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above some near-term support at $21 and then once it breaks out above its 50-day moving average at $21.87 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 4.35 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then HOLX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $22.72 to its 52-week high at $23.24 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give HOLX a chance to tag $24 to $25 a share.

Consol Energy

One energy player that insiders are in love with is Consol Energy (CNX), which is a producer of coal and natural gas for global energy and raw material markets, which include the electric power generation industry and the steelmaking industry. Insiders are buying this stock into solid strength, since shares are up by 21% over the last six months.

>>5 Rocket Stocks to Buy for a Market Bounce

Consol Energy has a market cap of $8.8 billion and an enterprise value of $11.5 billion. This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 13.38 and a forward price-to-earnings of 21.22. Its estimated growth rate for this year is -60.2%, and for next year it's pegged at 79.2%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $327.42 million and its total debt is a whopping $3.18 billion. This stock currently sports a dividend yield of 1.5%.

A director just bought30,000 shares, or about $1.10 million worth of stock, at $36.71 per share.

From a technical perspective, CNX is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has uptrending strong over the last six months, with shares moving higher from its low of $30.02 to its recent high of $39.51 a share. During that uptrend, shares of CNX have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of CNX within range of triggering a big breakout trade.

If you're bullish on CNX, then I would look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above its 50-day at $37.39 or above its 200-day at $34.16 and then once it breaks out above its 52-week high at $39.57 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 2.17 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CNX will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $45 to $50 a share.

Murphy Oil

One final stock with large insider buying is Murphy Oil (MUR), a worldwide oil and gas exploration and production company with retail and wholesale gasoline marketing operations in the U.S. and refining and marketing operations in the U.K. Insiders are buying this stock into weakness, since shares are off by 19% over the last six months.

Murphy Oil has a market cap of $10.6 billion and an enterprise value of $12.7 billion. This stock trades at a reasonable valuation, with a trailing price-to-earnings of 9.67 and a forward price-to-earnings of 11.25. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 21.5%, and for next year it's pegged at -10.5%. This is not a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $750.16 million and its total debt is $2.94 billion.

A director just bought 30,000 shares, or about $1.7 million worth of stock, at $56.65 to $56.70 per share.
From a technical perspective, MUR is currently trending below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bearish. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last two months and change, with shares falling from its high of $66.20 to its recent low of $54.67 a share. During that downtrend, shares of MUR have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of MUR have now started to bounce higher off that $54.67 low and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

If you're bullish on MUR, then look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending above support at $56 or above its recent low of $54.67 and then once it breaks out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $58.28 to its 200-day moving average at $59.03 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 1.56 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then MUR will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 50-day moving average of $61.91 to $63 to $64 a share.

To see more stocks with notable insider buying, check out the Stocks With Big Insider Buying portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>3 Huge Stocks to Trade (or Not)

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Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

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

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

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

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Alamy Self-employed people by definition must rely on themselves for their paychecks and their insurance. And then there's retirement funding. Without the benefit of a company 401(k) (and the potential employer match), saving for the future falls entirely on their own shoulders. That's a lot to take on. Perhaps too much, if you look at the results of a recent TD Ameritrade (AMTD) study. The company's Self-Employment and Retirement Survey found that even though the majority of self-employed people think that they'll live on their savings when they eventually stop working, 70 percent of them are not actually saving for retirement on a regular basis: 28 percent of self-employed people report that they aren't saving for retirement 40 percent aren't saving regularly. 83 percent have put their retirement savings on hold or cut back at one time or another, compared to only 70 percent of people who are traditionally employed. While you might think that self-employed people assume they can live off their business profits, only 19 percent plan to fund their retirement through profits from the company which will continue to run after their retirement -- and only 14 percent think they'll be able to sell their business and live off the profits from the sale. "One of the biggest challenges that self-employed people face is irregular income, so opening a retirement account is sometimes not top of mind," says Lule Demmissie, managing director of retirement at TD Ameritrade in Jersey City, N.J. "But, once you have an understanding of what type of account is best for you, just go ahead and open it. You don't have to fund it right away, but having it open will make it easier to contribute money when you do come into a windfall. Having the foundation in place is a critical first step." However, the picture is not entirely bleak for self-employed people. When it comes to retirement readiness, the size of one's retirement account doesn't show the full picture, says Guy Penn, principal and founder of G.M. Penn Wealth Management in St. Louis. A critical element not accounted for in the TD Ameritrade study is the self-employed person's unique capacity for income production, Penn says. "Many times, self-employed individuals forgo maxing out retirement savings to retain earnings in the business, and build an income-generating asset in the business itself." And then there's the question of a person's need or desire to retire. "It's also very common that the self-employed love what they are doing and don't feel the desire to exit at 65," Penn says. Retirement Tips for Self-Employed People If you're self-employed and aren't preparing for retirement, financial advisors have several recommendations to help you get started. "When I help self-employed folks, there are three questions that are important to help set up the correct plan for them," says Jeffrey Cutter, a CPA and PFS and owner of Cutter Financial Group, LLC in Falmouth, Mass. "First, how much do they make? Next, how much can they put away? Finally, do they have employees?" Here's an overview of different retirement savings options for self-employed people. SEP-IRA (Simplified Employee Pension). SEP-IRAs have a much higher contribution limit than traditional or Roth IRAs. The limits are based on a percentage of net profit for the self-employed. This plan works well for small, closely held partnerships, as each participant must be offered the same benefits under the plan. "For higher-net-income folks who want to put more away, a SEP-IRA may be the best solution," says Cutter. He points out that a SEP-IRA is easy to maintain, offers many investment choices, and can be flexible in how it's funded. For 2014, an employer can contribute 25 percent of compensation up to a maximum of $52,000 per year. Individual/Solo 401(k) for small businesses and self-employed. "An Individual 401(k) is most suitable for self-employed individuals or a business owner with no additional employees other than a spouse or a child," says Demmissie. "It allows business owners to make both employer and employee contributions, providing the ability to maximize their personal retirement contributions and their business deductions. You might consider this type of plan if your business has irregular profit patterns." Solo 401(k)s are among the best option for the sole owner/employee setup, or a business without full-time employees, Penn says. The contribution limits are significantly higher than other employer-sponsored retirement plans, up to $52,000 in some cases, depending on the net profit of the business. SIMPLE IRA. A SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) offers employees a salary-deferral contribution feature along with a matching employer contribution. You might consider a SIMPLE IRA if your business has steady income and your employees want to make contributions to a retirement plan. "The SIMPLE IRA is a good plan for those who wish offer an incentive for employees, but want to avoid the higher administrative paperwork that goes along with traditional 401(k)s," says Penn. Profit-sharing retirement plan. For a business owner who has variable profits but wants to reward long-term employees by giving them a percentage of the company's profits, a profit-sharing retirement plan may be a good choice, Demmissie says. The plan is very flexible. "The employer decides how much he or she wants to contribute each year and can even skip years if necessary." Take your future into your own hands. "Self-employed people are often the CEO, COO, CFO, and Director of HR, with so many decisions facing them on a daily basis," says Cutter. "Life is all about decisions; the ones we make and the ones we fail to make. If you haven't set up a retirement plan yet, decide today to get it done. The only person you're hurting is yourself." For more information on retirement plans for the self-employed, see IRS Publication 560, Retirement Plans for Small Business.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Gastar Exploration Ltd (GST)

Gastar Exploration Ltd (Gastar) is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas and oil in the United States. The Company�� principal business activities include the identification, acquisition, and subsequent exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties with an emphasis on unconventional reserves, such as shale resource plays. As of December 31, 2011, it is pursuing the development of liquids-rich natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in the Appalachia area of West Virginia and, to a lesser extent, central and southwestern Pennsylvania. The Company also holds prospective acreage in the deep Bossier play in the Hilltop area of East Texas and conduct limited coal bed methane (CBM) development activities within the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana. The Company is a holding company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  Gastar Exploration (NYSE: GST) is another Aggressive Portfolio pick made on Dec. 11, and so far it has rallied quite aggressively, producing a three-week capital gain of 26 percent. It helped here too to catch the very bottom of the recent correction, but Gastar has continued to report strong test well results from the Hunton Limestone play it’s pioneering in Oklahoma.

• [By Josh Young]

  The parallel to Goodrich in the transaction is Gastar Exploration (GST), which has approximately 100,000 net acres in the Hunton (excluding additional exposure from the WEHLU deal). Gastar, similar to Goodrich prior to the Sanchez TMS deal, seems to trade at a discount to a $2,000 per acre implied value for its unconventional oil acreage. In fact, Gastar's CEO recently said he thought the current liquidation value of Gastar's Marcellus assets would be $4-7 per share, net of debt, versus the current $4.25 share price.

• [By Heather Ingrassia]

  Gastar Agreement: On April 1st it was announced that Gastar Exploration, Ltd. (GST) had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire proven reserves and undeveloped leasehold interests in Kingfisher and Canadian counties of Oklahoma from Chesapeake Energy Corporation, repurchase Chesapeake's common shares of the Company and settle all litigation for $1 million. Although smaller in scope than most of Chesapeake's previous asset-shedding transactions, the agreement with Gastar accomplishes two things. First, is the fact the settlement resolves the legal wrangling both companies were engaged in and as a result Chesapeake walks away with $85 million of the potential $130 million they were suing for. Second, is the fact Chesapeake wipes it hands of acreage, that although producing, may not be producing as much as Chesapeake had once hoped, and therefore was worth much more to Gastar in the long run.

• [By David Smith]

  Earlier, the company had pocketed $75.2 million by selling to Gastar Exploration (NYSEMKT: GST  ) leasehold acreage in Oklahoma's Kingfisher and Canadian counties. It'll obviously require a passel of sales of that magnitude to shore up an overweight balance sheet.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Glamis Gold Ltd(GLG.TO)

GLG Life Tech Corporation engages in the research and development, growing, refining, production, and distribution of stevia extract to the food and beverage industry worldwide. Stevia extract is a natural sweetener extracted from the stevia plant. The company has a strategic alliance with Cargill, Incorporated to supply stevia extract to Cargill for manufacturing a natural and zero-calorie sweetener brand called TRUVIA. GLG Life Tech Corporation was founded as a public company in 2005 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Best Stocks To Own Right Now: Thoratec Corporation(THOR)

Thoratec Corporation engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of proprietary medical devices used for circulatory support. The company?s primary product lines include ventricular assist devices, such as HeartMate II, an implantable left ventricular assist device consisting of a rotary blood pump to provide intermediate and long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS); and HeartMate XVE, an implantable and pulsatile left ventricular assist device for intermediate and longer-term MCS. Its ventricular assist devices also comprise Paracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device, an external pulsatile ventricular assist device, which provides left, right, and biventricular MCS approved for bridge-to-transplantation (BTT), including home discharge, and post-cardiotomy myocardial recovery; and Implantable Ventricular Assist Device, an implantable and pulsatile ventricular assist device designed to provide left, right, and biventricular MCS approved for BTT comprising hom e discharge, and post-cardiotomy myocardial recovery. The company also provides CentriMag, an extracorporeal full-flow acute surgical support platform that offers support up to 30 days for cardiac and respiratory failure. In addition, it offers PediMag and PediVAS extracorporeal full-flow acute surgical support platforms designed to provide acute surgical support to pediatric patients. The company sells its products through direct sales force in the United States, as well as through a network of distributors internationally. Thoratec Corporation was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of medical device company Thoratec (NASDAQ: THOR  ) sank 12% today after its quarterly results missed Wall Street expectations. �

• [By Todd Campbell]

  Competing for heart pump market share
  Abiomed's products provide circulatory support for up to six hours and are designed for use in cardiac cath labs or during heart surgery, but competitors Thoratec (NASDAQ: THOR  ) and Heartware (NASDAQ: HTWR  ) target the intermediate- and long-term-use market instead.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Camden National Corporation(CAC)

Camden National Corporation operates as the holding company for Camden National Bank, which provides commercial and consumer banking products and services to the individuals, businesses, municipalities, non-profits, and commercial customers. The company offers various deposit products, including NOW accounts, transaction accounts, time deposits, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, brokered deposits, and demand deposits. Its loan products comprise residential mortgage loans, commercial business loans, commercial real estate loans, and various consumer loans. The company offers its products and services through a network of 37 banking offices and ATMs in the Maine counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and York. In addition, it operates nine Union Trust branches in Hancock and Washington counties, Maine. The company, through Acadia Financial Consultants, provides full-service broke rage and insurance services, including college, retirement, estate planning, mutual funds, strategic asset management accounts, and variable and fixed annuities. Camden National Corporation, through its subsidiary, Acadia Trust, N.A., offers various trust, trust-related, investment, and wealth management services, as well as retirement and pension plan management services to individual and institutional clients. The company was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Camden, Maine.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sarah Jones]

  National benchmark indexes climbed in 13 of the 18 western European markets this week. The U.K.�� FTSE 100 gained 1.3 percent, France�� CAC 40 (CAC) climbed 1.8 percent and Germany�� DAX Index jumped 1.5 percent.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Silver Grail Resources Ltd. (SVG.V)

Silver Grail Resources Ltd., an exploration stage company, engages in acquiring, exploring, developing, and dealing in mineral properties in Canada. It explores for silver, gold, copper, zinc, and molybdenum deposits. The company engages in exploring its claims primarily in the Stewart-Eskay Creek region of northwestern British Columbia. Silver Grail Resources Ltd. is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Signet Jewelers Limited(SIG)

Signet Jewelers Limited operates as a specialty jewelry retailer in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Channel Islands. The company retails jewelry, watches, and associated services. As of January 28, 2012, it operated a network of 1,318 stores in 50 states in the United States that trade nationally in malls and off-mall locations as ?Kay Jewelers?, and regionally under various mall-based brands, as well as operated as destination superstores under the ?Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry? trade name. The company also operated a network of 535 stores in the United Kingdom, including 14 stores in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in the Channel Islands under the ?H.Samuel?, ?Ernest Jones?, and ?Leslie Davis? trade names in high street locations and shopping malls. Signet Jewelers Limited was founded in 1950 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Specialty jeweler�Signet Jewelers� (NYSE: SIG  ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.15 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past two quarters after raising the payout 25%, from $0.12 per share.

• [By Dan Moskowitz]

  Peer comparisons
  It's clear that Zale has potential going forward, but while past performance doesn't guarantee future results, it's often a very good indicator of management capabilities. With that in mind, consider the revenue performance for Zale compared to that of�Tiffany (NYSE: TIF  ) , as well as Signet Jewelers (NYSE: SIG  ) , over the past five years:

• [By Reuters]

  Julio Cortez/AP NEW YORK -- Many U.S. retailers had to ramp up promotions last month as shoppers continued to watch their spending during the holiday season, hitting profits at several chains. L Brands (LB) cut its earnings forecast for the holiday quarter Thursday after reporting disappointing December sales at its Victoria Secret and La Senza chains. The company said it had to offer more deals than expected, the second month in a row it has had to do so. Family Dollar Stores (FDO) and teen retailer Zumiez (ZUMZ), which both reported sales declines for December, also slashed their profit forecasts. Even retailers that saw big sales gains, such as Kay Jewelers parent Signet Jewelers (SIG), weren't spared. "Additional discounting was necessary in a highly promotional retail environment," Signet Chief Executive Officer Mike Barnes said in a statement. A group of nine U.S. retailers in the Thomson Reuters same-store sales index are expected Thursday to report a sales rise of 1.9 percent in December at stores open at least a year, well below the 7.2 percent increase of a year earlier. Including drugstore chains Walgreen (WAG) and Rite Aid (RAD), analysts estimate the rise at 2.7 percent. Gap (GPS) will report after the markets close Thursday. Faced with reticent shoppers worried about their job prospects and modest economic growth, retailers offered more discounts during the holiday season than a year earlier. Between Nov. 3 and Jan. 4, eight retailers, including Walmart Stores (WMT), Target (T) and Macy's (M) , increased the number of circulars published by 6 percent and sent 57 percent more promotional emails, according to data prepared for Reuters by MarketTrack. Retailers also had to deal with shoppers who were less willing to go into stores: Data firm ShopperTrak this week said foot traffic had dropped 14.6 percent this holiday season. Walgreen, whose comparable sales of general merchandise rose 2.5 percent in December, said fewer shoppers had com

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Great Panther Silver Limited(GPL)

Great Panther Silver Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metal properties in Mexico. The company primarily produces silver. It also produces gold, lead, and zinc properties. The company principally holds a 100% interest in the Guanajuato silver-gold mine comprising 28 claims totaling 1,107 hectares located on the Central Plateau of Mexico in the state of Guanajuato. The company was formerly known as Great Panther Resources Limited and changed its name to Great Panther Silver Limited in January 2010. Great Panther Silver Limited was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Jacksonville Bancorp Inc.(JAXB)

Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for The Jacksonville Bank that provides various community banking services to businesses and individuals. Its deposit products include demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, statement savings accounts, and term certificates of deposit, as well as retirement savings plans, such as individual retirement accounts. The company?s loan portfolio comprises commercial real estate loans for owner occupied commercial properties, properties used by non-profit organizations, and commercial properties leased to third parties for investment purposes; residential real estate loans comprising loans secured by first or second mortgages and home equity loans on one-to-four family residential properties; construction and land loans; and commercial loans. It also offers consumer loans for the purchase of automobiles, recreational vehicles, and boats, as well as home improvement loans, lines of credit, personal loans, and deposit account collateralized loans. In addition, the company provides personal and business online banking and sweep accounts, as well as insurance and investment products. As of August 8, 2011, it operated eight full-service branches in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, as well as a virtual branch. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Adelaide Resources Ltd(ADN.AX)

Adelaide Resources Limited engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in Australia. It primarily focuses on gold, copper, and uranium deposits. The company holds interests in 25 exploration licenses covering approximately 8,000 square kilometers in South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. Its projects include the Rover, Eyre Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula Basement, Yalanda Hill JV, Corrobinnie Palaeochannel JV, Cleve, Anabama, Moonta, and Glenroy. The company is based in Unley, Australia.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Response Genetics Inc.(RGDX)

Response Genetics, Inc., a life sciences company, engages in the research, development, marketing, and sale of clinical diagnostic tests and pharmacogenomic tests for use in the treatment of cancer primarily in the United States, Asia, and Europe. The company develops genetic tests that measure predictive factors for tumor response in tumor tissue samples. It offers tests for non-small cell lung cancer under the ResponseDX: Lung trade name; colorectal cancer under the ResponseDX: Colon trade name; and gastric and gastroesophageal cancer under the ResponseDX: Gastric trade name. The company also develops tests for other types of cancer that identify genetic profiles of tumors that recur after surgery. Response Genetics, Inc. offers its products through its sales force to community based oncologists, hospitals, and physician offices. In addition, it provides pharmacogenomic testing services to pharmaceutical companies. The company was formerly known as Bio Type, Inc. and cha nged its name to Response Genetics, Inc. in August 2000. Response Genetics, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Box Ships Inc.(TEU)

Box Ships Inc. owns and operates containerships. As of August 16, 2011, it operated a fleet of 7 containerships with a total carrying capacity of 33,237 twenty-foot equivalent units. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Athens, Greece.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  TearLab (NYSE: TEU  ) is looking to widen its capital base by more than $32 million in an underwritten public offering of its common stock. The company is floating 2.6 million shares at a price of $13.50 apiece. Additionally, the company's underwriters have been granted a 30-day purchase option for up to an additional 15% of the total number of shares to cover overallotments.

• [By ABN]

  TAL International Group (TAL) is one of the world's largest lessors of intermodal freight containers for the shipping business with 17 offices in 11 countries and approximately 230 third-party container depot facilities in 40 countries. TAL's fleet consists of approximately 1,238,000 containers and 2,031,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).

Top Income Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Globe Metals and Mining Ltd (GBE.AX)

Globe Metals & Mining Limited is a mineral exploration company. The Company specializes in rare metals, such as niobium, tantalum and rare earths, as well as other commodities, including graphite, fluorite, uranium and zircon. The Company primary focus is the multi-commodity Kanyika Niobium Project in Malawi, which will produce ferro-niobium. The Company also owns 100% of the Machinga Rare Earth Project in southern Malawi. The Company operated in two geographical segments including Australia, Argentina and Africa. The Salambidwe ring complex is located in southern Malawi, within the Chilwa Alkaline Province -the region also hosts Globe�� rare earth project at Machinga. In September 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the Chiziro Graphite Project.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015

Popular Posts: This Single-Digit Stock Could Soar Through the Roof in 2014Buy Fallen Miners for Huge (Eventual) Upside2 Commercial REITs Building on Solid Foundations Recent Posts: Regional Banks Are Expecting to Catch Fire in 2014 This Single-Digit Stock Could Soar Through the Roof in 2014 2 Commercial REITs Building on Solid Foundations View All Posts

At long last the new year is upon us, and I am more excited about the trade of the decade than ever before. Now that we have a clearer picture of all the new regulations and how they will impact the small regional and community bank I think we will see merger activity pick up in the sector.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Uroplasty Inc (UPI)

Uroplasty, Inc., incorporated in January 1992, is a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets products for the treatment of voiding dysfunctions. The Company�� primary focus is on two products: the Urgent PC Neuromodulation system and Macroplastique Implants. The Urgent PC system is a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved minimally invasive, office-based neuromodulation therapy for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and associated symptoms of urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and urge incontinence; and Macroplastique Implants a urethral bulking agent for the treatment of adult female stress urinary incontinence primarily due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). Outside of the United States, the Company�� Urgent PC is also approved for treatment of fecal incontinence, and Macroplastique is also approved for treatment of male stress incontinence and vesicoureteral reflux.

Urgent PC Neuromodulation System

Using a small-gauge needle electrode inserted above the ankle, the Urgent PC System delivers electrical impulses to the tibial nerve that travel to the sacral nerve plexus, a control center for pelvic floor and bladder function. Components of the Urgent PC system include a hair-width needle electrode, a lead set, and an external, handheld, battery-powered stimulator. For each 30-minute, office-based therapy session, the physician or other qualified healthcare provider inserts the needle electrode in the patient�� lower leg and connects the electrode to the stimulator. Typically, a patient undergoes 12 consecutive weekly treatment sessions, with follow-up maintenance treatments as required to sustain the therapeutic effect. The Company has received regulatory clearances for sale of the Urgent PC system in the United States, Canada and Europe. It also has launched its second generation Urgent PC system.

Macroplastique

Macroplastique is designed to restore the patient�� urinary contine! nce immediately following treatment. Macroplastique is a soft-textured, permanent implant injected, under endoscopic visualization, around the urethra distal to the bladder neck. It is a composition of heat vulcanized, solid, soft, irregularly shaped polydimethylsiloxane (solid silicone elastomer) implants suspended in a biocompatible excretable carrier gel. Macroplastique does not degrade, is not absorbed into surrounding tissues and does not migrate from the implant site. The Company has sold Macroplastique for several urological indications in over 40 countries outside the United States.

Other Uroplasty Products

The Company markets outside of the United States minimally invasive products to address fecal incontinence. Its PTQ Implants offer minimally invasive, soft-textured permanent implant for treatment of fecal incontinence. The PTQ Implants are implanted circumferentially into the submucosa of the anal canal, creating a bulking and supportive effect similar to that of Macroplastique injection for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The PTQ is Conformite Europeenne (CE) marked and is sold outside the United States in various international markets. The Urgent PC is also CE marked and sold outside of the United States for the treatment of fecal incontinence. In addition to urological applications, the Company markets its tissue bulking material outside the United States for otolaryngology vocal cord rehabilitation applications under the trade name VOX Implants. In the Netherlands and the United Kingdom only, the Company distributes certain wound care products in accordance with a distributor agreement.

The Company competes with Pfizer Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Novartis, Allergan, GlaxoSmithKline, Carbon Medical Technologies, BioForm, Inc., Q-Med AB and Contura.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Uroplasty (NASDAQ: UPI) shares reached a new 52-week high of $5.22 after the company reported strong Q3 results.

  Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) shares gained 8.23% to touch a new 52-week high of $28.15 after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. Barclays upgraded the stock from Equalweight to Overweight and lifted the price target from $29.00 to $34.00.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Colfax Corp (CFX)

Colfax Corporation (Colfax) is a global industrial manufacturing and engineering company. The Company provides gas- and fluid-handling and fabrication technology products and services to commercial and governmental customers worldwide under the Howden and ESAB brand names and by Colfax Fluid Handling. Colfax�� products are marketed principally under the brand names Allweiler, Baric, Fairmount Automation, Houttuin, Imo, LSC, COT-Puritech, Portland Valve, Tushaco, Warren and Zenith. The Company has production facilities in Europe, North America and Asia. It offers customized fluid handling solutions to meet individual customer needs. In February 2011, the Company acquired Rosscor Holding B.V. In December 2011, it acquired COT-PURITECH. On January 13, 2012, Colfax acquired Charter International plc. In May 2012, the Company acquired 91% interest in Soldex S.A.

Pumps

Colfax manufactures rotary positive displacement pumps. Its rotary positive displacement pumps consist of a casing containing screws, gears, vanes or similar components that are actuated by the relative rotation of that component to the casing, which results in the physical movement of the liquid from the inlet to the discharge at a constant rate.

Fluid Handling Systems

The Company manufactures fluid handling systems used primarily in the oil and gas, power generation, commercial marine and global defense markets. Colfax offers turnkey systems and support, including design, manufacture, installation, commission and service. Its systems include lubrication systems, which are used in rotating equipment in oil refineries and other process industries; custom designed packages used in crude oil pipeline applications; lubrication and fuel forwarding systems used in power generation turbines; packages for commercial marine engine rooms, and fire suppression systems for navy applications. Howden�� primary products are heavy-duty fans, rotary heat exchangers and compressors. The fans and heat! exchangers are used in coal-fired power stations, both in combustion and emissions control applications, underground mines, steel sintering plants and other industrial facilities. It design, manufacture and distribute fluid-handling products that transfer or control liquids in a range of applications.

Specialty Valves

The Company�� specialty valves are used primarily in naval applications. Its valve business has specialized machining, welding and fabrication capabilities that enable the Company to serve as a contractor to the United States Navy. In addition to designing and manufacturing valves, Colfax also offers repair and retrofit services for products manufactured by other valve suppliers through its aftermarket support centers located in Portland, Maine and San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  In the fourth quarter, he bought 32 new stocks. The largest new buys are: Air Lease (AL), Colfax (CFX) and Republic Bancorp Inc. (RBCAA).

  Air Lease (AL)

Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: MasTec Inc. (MTZ)

MasTec, Inc., an infrastructure construction company, engages in the engineering, building, installation, maintenance, and upgrade of energy, utility, and communications infrastructure primarily in North America. The company builds natural gas, crude oil, and refined product transport pipelines; underground and overhead distribution systems, including trenches, conduits, and cable and power lines, which provide wireless and wireline communications; electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution systems; renewable energy infrastructure comprising wind and solar farms; and compressor and pump stations, and treatment and heavy industrial plants. It also installs electrical and other energy distribution and transmission systems, power generation facilities, buried and aerial fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, copper lines, and satellite dishes in various environments. In addition, the company provides maintenance and upgrade support services, such as the maintena nce of distribution facilities; and networks and infrastructure, including natural gas and petroleum pipelines, wireless, power generation, and electrical distribution and transmission infrastructure, as well as routine replacements and upgrades, and overhauls. Further, it offers emergency services for accidents or storm damage. The company�s customers include public and private energy providers, pipeline operators, wireless service providers, satellite and broadband operators, local and long distance carriers, and government entities. MasTec, Inc. was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Lewis]

  For a quick comparison, take a look at U.S.-based Mastec (NYSE: MTZ  ) , which trades at just under 13.75 times forward earnings yet holds a more conservative balance sheet and is a good bit larger at a market cap of $2.34 billion. While Mastec is building out its operations in Canada, Empresas offers potential outperformance by virtue of its market dominant position in Mexico.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  MasTec (NYSE: MTZ  ) is well-known for being�a leading infrastructure construction company across various industries, so its announcement this morning that it is acquiring an�oil and gas pipeline and facility construction services company should not come as a surprise.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: VIRGIN MEDIA INC COM STK USD0.01(VMED.L)

Virgin Media Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment and communications services in the United Kingdom. The company offers cable broadband Internet, television, and fixed line telephone services under the Virgin Media brand to residential customers; mobile telephony services through Virgin Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator; broadband and telephone services to residential customers through third-party telecommunications networks; and video on demand services, including access to movies, television programs, music videos, and other on-demand content, as well as provides digital video recorders. It also offers voice, data, and Internet solutions to commercial customers comprising analog telephony and managed data networks and applications, as well as supplies communications services to health and emergency services providers. As of December 31, 2011, the company provided cable broadband services to approximately 4 million subscribers; cable television s ervices to approximately 3.76 million residential subscribers; cable telephony services to approximately 4.2 million residential subscribers; mobile telephony services to approximately 3 million customers; non-cable fixed line telephone services to approximately 163,300 subscribers; and voice, data, and Internet solutions to approximately 50,000 businesses and 250 public sector organizations. The company offers its products and services through telesales, customer care centers, and online, as well as through its sales force. It serves mobile and fixed-line service providers, systems integrators, and Internet service providers; and private and public sector organizations. The company was formerly known as NTL Incorporated and changed its name to Virgin Media Inc. in February 2007. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in New York, New York.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Rhino Resource Partners LP(RNO)

Rhino Resource Partners LP produces, processes, and sells coal of various steam and metallurgical grades in the United States. The company holds interests in various surface and underground coal mines located in Central Appalachia, Northern Appalachia, the Illinois Basin, and the Western Bituminous region. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 10 mines, including 5 underground and 5 surface mines located in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The company markets its steam coal primarily to electric utility companies as fuel for their steam-powered generators; and metallurgical coal for steel and coke producers. It also engages in mining limestone from reserves located at its Sands Hill mining complex and sells it as aggregate to various construction companies and road builders. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Lexington, Kentucky.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dorothee Tschampa]

  Volkswagen AG (VOW) (VOW), PSA Peugeot Citroen (UG) and Renault SA (RNO) (RNO), Europe�� three largest carmakers, all dropped 5 percent or more after preliminary data showed Chinese manufacturing is unexpectedly contracting.

• [By Alexis Xydias]

  Investors are regaining confidence, squeezing pessimists who say the economy remains sluggish outside of Germany and point to record-low trading volume as a lack of conviction in the Euro Stoxx�� 61 percent rally of the past two years. Besides gains in stocks from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA to Renault SA (RNO), yields on Spanish and Italian bonds have declined to a two-year low compared with German bunds and the euro has strengthened 4.6 percent to $1.35 in the past six months.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Stoneridge Inc.(SRI)

Stoneridge, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design and manufacture of engineered electrical and electronic components, modules, and systems for the medium and heavy-duty truck, automotive, agricultural, and off-highway vehicle markets primarily in North America and Europe. The company operates in two segments, Electronics and Control Devices. The Electronics segment produces electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units, and driver information systems, as well as electrical distribution systems, principally wiring harnesses and connectors for electrical power and signal distribution. Its products collect, store, and display vehicle information, such as speed, pressure, maintenance data, trip information, operator performance, temperature, distance traveled, and driver messages related to vehicle performance. In addition, this segment?s power distribution systems regulate, coordinate, and direct the operation of the electrical system within a vehicle. The Control Devices segment designs and manufactures products that monitor, measure, or activate a specific function within the vehicle. This segment?s product lines include sensors, which are employed in a range of vehicle systems, such as the emissions, safety, power train, braking, climate control, steering, and suspension systems; switches that transmit signal to activate or deactivate selected functions; and electromechanical actuator products, which enable original equipment manufacturers to deploy power functions in a vehicle. Stoneridge, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Warren, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

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

• [By Patricio Kehoe]

  As the U.S. automobile industry recovers, auto parts suppliers are expecting to see increasing sales volumes. Particularly firms such as Delphi Automotive (DLPH) and Stoneridge Inc. (SRI), which specialize in electronic components, expect to make large profits. Increasingly electrified vehicles, higher demand for hybrid and electric powertrain vehicles and stricter governmental emissions regulations should drive revenue growth for these firms in coming years.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Jazz Resources Inc (JZR.V)

Jazz Resources Inc., a junior mining resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada. It explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, and antimony ores. The company�s primary properties include the Teddy Glacier property comprising a block of mineral claims covering an area of 2,000 hectares, located in the Revelstoke mining division in British Columbia; the Spider property consisting of 17 crown granted mineral claims, located within the township of Camborne, British Columbia; and the Burniere property consisting of 8 claims covering an area of 632 hectares, located in the Revelstoke mining district of British Columbia. Jazz Resources Inc. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Pennant Energy Inc.(PEN.V)

Pennant Energy Inc., a junior exploration company, engages in the investment, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties. It holds 100% working interest in the Bronson and Kaybob prospects covering 1,920 acres of land located in the established Kaybob South Field area of west central Alberta; an undivided 25% working interest in 2 producing oil and gas wells and certain P&NG right in 2 sections of land located at Badger, Alberta; 17.17% working interest in the Ferrier property located northwest of Red Deer, Alberta; 25% working interest in the Pearl and Watts fields located northeast of Drumheller, Alberta; and 24% interest in the Pembina property located southwest of Edmonton, Alberta. The company also has non-operated working interests ranging from 15% to 45% in 9 producing oil wells in the Daly Field in Manitoba. The company was formerly known as Penteco Resources Limited and changed its name to Pennant Energy Inc. Pennant Energy Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Analog Devices Inc (ADI.O)

Analog Devices, Inc. (Analog Devices), incorporated on January 18, 1965, is engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of a range of analog, mixed-signal and digital signal processing integrated circuits (ICs). The Company produces a range of products, including data converters, amplifiers and linear products, radio frequency (RF) ICs, power management products, sensors based on micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technology and other sensors, and processing products, including DSP and other processors, which are designed to meet the needs of a base of customers. The Company's products are embedded inside many different types of electronic equipment, including industrial process control systems; instrumentation and measurement systems; wireless infrastructure equipment, and aerospace and defense electronics. The Company designs , manufactures and markets a range of ICs, which incorporate analog, mixed-signal and digital signal processing technologies. The Comp any's product portfolio includes both general-purpose products used by a range of customers and applications, as well as application-specific products. On March 30, 2012, the Company acquired Multigig, Inc.

Analog Products

The Company's product portfolio includes several thousand analog ICs. The Company's analog IC customers include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and customers who build electronic subsystems for integration into larger systems. The Company is a supplier of data converter products. Data converters translate real-world analog signals into digital data and also translate digital data into analog signals. The Company is also a supplier of amplifiers. Amplifiers are used to condition analog signals. The Company provides precision, instrumentation, intermediate frequency/radio frequency (RF), broadband, and other amplifiers. The Company also offers a range of precision voltage references, which are used in a range of application s. The Company's analog product line also includes a range! p! ortfolio of RF ICs covering the RF signal chain, from RF function blocks, such as phase locked loops, frequency synthesizers, mixers, modulators, demodulators, and power detectors, to broadband and short-range single chip transceiver solutions.

The Company's RF ICs support the requirements of cellular infrastructure and a range of applications in the Company's target markets. Also within the Company's analog technology portfolio are products, which are based on MEMS technology. This technology enables the Company to build small sensors, which incorporate an electromechanical structure and the supporting analog circuitry for conditioning signals obtained from the sensing element. The Company's MEMS product portfolio includes accelerometers used to sense acceleration, gyroscopes used to sense rotation, inertial measurement units used to sense multiple degrees of freedom combining multiple sensing types along multiple axis, and MEMS microphones used to sense audio . The Company's current revenue from MEMS products is derived from the automotive end market. In addition to the Company's MEMS products, its other analog product category includes isolators. The Company's isolators have been designed for applications, such as universal serial bus isolation in patient monitors, where it allows hospitals and physicians to adopt the advances in computer technology to supervise patient health and wirelessly transmit medical records. In smart metering applications, the Company's isolators provide electrostatic discharge performance. In satellites, where any malfunction can be catastrophic, the Company's isolators help protect the power system while enabling designers to achieve small form factors. Power management & reference products make up the balance of the Company's analog sales. Those products, which include functions such as power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing and energy management, are developed to complement analog signal ch ain components across core market segments from micro ! power,! e! nergy-s! ensitive battery applications to power systems in infrastructure and industrial applications.

Digital Signal Processing Products

Digital Signal Processing products (DSPs) complete the Company's product portfolio. DSPs are optimized for numeric calculations, which are essential for instantaneous, or real-time, processing of digital data generated, from analog to digital signal conversion. The Company's DSPs are designed to be fully programmable and to execute specialized software programs, or algorithms, associated with processing digitized real-time, real-world data. Programmable DSPs are designed to provide the flexibility to modify the device's function using software. The Company's DSP IC customers write their own algorithms using software development tools provided by the Company and third-party suppliers. The Company's DSPs are designed in families of products, which share common architectures and therefore can execute the same software across a range of products. The Company's customers use the Company's products to solve a range of signal processing challenges across its core market and segment focus areas within the industrial, automotive, consumer and communications end markets. As an integrated part of the Company's customers' signal chain, there are other Analog Devices products connected to its processors, including converters, audio and video codecs and power management solutions.

The Company competes with Broadcom Corporation, Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Cirrus Logic, Inc., Microchip Technology, Inc., Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., NXP Semiconductors, Infineon Technologies, ST Microelectronics, Intersil Corporation, Silicon Laboratories, Inc., Knowles Electronics, Texas Instruments, Inc. and Linear Technology Corporation.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: HSIL Ltd (HSNT.NS)

HSIL Limited is engaged in manufacturing of sanitaryware products. The Company operates in two segments: sanitaryware and glassware. Its products include Sanitaryware, Faucets, Tiles, Kitchen appliances, Container Glass, PET Bottles and Wellness products. Its brands include Hindware, Hindware Art, Hindware Italian Collection, Raasi, Benelave and Queo. It also operates in two divisions: Building Products and Container Glass. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, it launched 25 new sanitaryware products under the Hindware portfolio, two series of faucets under the Benelave brand, two new varieties of tiles (double charge tiles and three dimensional tiles) and six kitchen appliances. Its manufacturing facilities are located at Bahadurgarh, Haryana; Somanypuram, Bibinagar, Andhra Pradesh, and Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. On August 12, 2011, the Company acquired Garden Polymers Private Limited. On March 20, 2013, it disinvested/sold its entire investment in AGI Glasspack Ltd.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL)

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (Delta) provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo throughout the United States and around the world. The Company�� route network gives it a presence in every domestic and international market. Delta�� route network is centered around the hub system it operate at airports in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. Each of these hub operations includes flights that gather and distribute traffic from markets in the geographic region surrounding the hub to domestic and international cities and to other hubs. The Company�� network is supported by a fleet of aircraft that is varied in terms of size and capabilities.

Delta has bilateral and multilateral marketing alliances with foreign airlines to improve its access to international markets. These arrangements can include code-sharing, reciprocal frequent flyer program benefits, shared or reciprocal access to passenger lounges, joint promotions, common use of airport gates and ticket counters, ticket office co-location, and other marketing agreements. Its international code-sharing agreements enable it to market and sell seats to an expanded number of international destinations. The Company has international codeshare arrangements with Aeromexico, Air France, Air Nigeria, Alitalia, Aeroflot, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, CSA Czech Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Olympic Air, Royal Air Maroc, VRG Linhas Aereas (operating as GOL), Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Australia and WestJet Airlines.

In addition to the Company�� marketing alliance agreements with individual foreign airlines, it is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. Delta also has frequent flyer and reciprocal lounge agreements with Hawaiian Airlines, and codesharing agreements with American Eagle Airlines (American Eagle) and Hawaiian Airlines. It has air service agreements with multiple do! mestic regional air carriers that feed traffic to its route system by serving passengers primarily in small-and medium-sized cities.

Through the Company�� regional carrier program, it has contractual arrangements with 10 regional carriers to operate regional jet and, in certain cases, turbo-prop aircraft using its DL designator code. In addition to Delta�� wholly owned subsidiary, Comair, it has contractual arrangements with ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and SkyWest Airlines, Inc., both subsidiaries of SkyWest, Inc.; Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. and Shuttle America Corporation, both subsidiaries of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.; Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. and Mesaba Aviation, Inc. (Mesaba), both subsidiaries of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (Pinnacle); Compass Airlines, Inc. (Compass) and GoJet Airlines, LLC, both subsidiaries of Trans States Holdings, Inc. (Trans States), and American Eagle.

The Company�� SkyMiles program allows program members to earn mileage for travel awards by flying on Delta, Delta�� regional carriers and other participating airlines. Mileage credit may also be earned by using certain services offered by program participants, such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies. In addition, individuals and companies may purchase mileage credits. The Company reserves the right to terminate the program with six months advance notice, and to change the program�� terms and conditions at any time without notice.

SkyMiles program mileage credits can be redeemed for air travel on Delta and participating airlines, for membership in the Company�� Delta Sky Clubs and for other program participant awards. Mileage credits are subject to certain transfer restrictions and travel awards are subject to capacity controlled seating. During the year ended December 31, 2011, program members redeemed more than 275 billion miles in the SkyMiles program for more than 12 million award redemptions. During 2011, 8.2% of revenue miles flown on Delta were from a! ward trav! el.

The Company generates cargo revenues in domestic and international markets through the use of cargo space on regularly scheduled passenger aircraft. Delta is a member of SkyTeam Cargo, an airline cargo alliance. SkyTeam Cargo offers a network spanning six continents and provides customers an international product line.

The Company has several other businesses arising from its airline operations, including aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO); staffing services for third parties; vacation wholesale operations, and its private jet operations. Delta�� MRO operation, known as Delta TechOps, is an airline MRO in North America. In addition to providing maintenance and engineering support for its fleet of approximately 775 aircraft, Delta TechOps serves more than 150 aviation and airline customers. Its staffing services business, Delta Global Services, provides staffing services, professional security, training services and aviation solutions to approximately 150 customers. The Company�� vacation wholesale business, MLT Vacations, is the provider of vacation packages in the United States. Its private jet operations, Delta Private Jets, provides aircraft charters, aircraft management and programs allowing members to purchase flight time by the hour.

The Company competes with SkyTeam, United Air Lines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways and Qantas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Today, however, the airline industry got some good news that had nothing to do with that litigation: Delta Air Lines�(DAL) is set to join the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index. Now, we all know that an addition to the index is not meant to be a recommendation, but with index funds and index huggers, alike, being forced to buy its shares, Delta’s stock has surged today.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Suntech Power Holdings Co. LTD.(STP)

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., a solar energy company, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of photovoltaic (PV) products. The company also provides engineering, procurement, and construction services to building solar power systems for certain related party and third party customers. Its products include monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon PV cells; PV modules; and building-integrated photovoltaics products. In addition, the company provides PV system integration services, including designing, installing, and testing PV systems used in lighting for outdoor urban public facilities, as well as in farms, villages, and commercial buildings; and project development services. Its products are used to provide electric power for residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility applications. The company sells its products through value-added resellers, such as distributors and system integrators; and to end users, such as project develo pers primarily in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Benelux, Greece, the United States, Canada, China, the Middle East, Australia, and Japan. Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Wuxi, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  China won't let its solar industry die without a fight. After handing billions of dollars to manufacturers, including LDK Solar (NYSE: LDK  ) , Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE  ) , Suntech Power (NYSE: STP  ) , to build capacity they are now generating demand domestically to soak up unsold panels.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Provided that the Chinese government either encourages or permits consolidation, any of these three could be an acquirer. The likeliest target, of course, is SunTech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP), which is reorganizing and which the government has already seemed to give up on. Other possible targets include ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE: SOL) and JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: JKS).

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Bankers Petroleum Ltd (BNK.TO)

Bankers Petroleum Ltd. (Bankers) is engaged in the exploration for and oil in Albania. The Company generates all of the oil revenue from its operations in Albania, which is located northwest of Greece in South Eastern Europe. In Albania, Bankers operates and has the rights to develop the Patos-Marinza and Kucova oilfields pursuant to License Agreements with the Albanian National Agency for Natural Resources (AKBN) and Petroleum Agreements with Albpetrol Sh.A (Albpetrol), the state-owned oil and gas corporation. The Patos-Marinza oilfield is an onshore oilfield in continental Europe, holding approximately 5.1 billion barrels of original-oil-in-place (OOIP). The Company also has rights to exploration Block F (adjacent to the Patos-Marinza oilfield), an 185,000 acre oil and gas prone exploration field. The Company�� subsidiaries include Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd. (BPAL), Bankers Petroleum International Limited (BPIL) and Sherwood International Petroleum Ltd (Sherwood).

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Champion Industries Inc.(CHMP)

Champion Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a commercial printer, business forms manufacturer, and office products and office furniture supplier in regional markets east of the Mississippi river in the United States. The company is involved in printing business cards, letterheads, and envelopes, as well as one, two, or three color brochures; process color manufacturing brochures, posters, advertising sheets, and catalogues; die cutting and foil stamping; forms printing of roll-to-roll computer forms, checks, invoices, and purchase orders, as well as forms in single-part, multi-part, continuous, and snap-out formats; tag and label manufacturing; and Web printing of brochures and catalogs. It also provides bindery services, including trimming, collating, folding, and stitching of the final product; and output solutions, such as print on demand, inserting, and mailing services. In addition, the company offers supplies, such as file folders, paper pr oducts, pens and pencils, computer paper and laser cartridges; furniture, including budget and middle price range desks, chairs, file cabinets, and computer furniture; and design services, such as space planning, purchasing and installation of office furniture, and management of design projects. Further, it publishes The Herald-Dispatch, a daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia; the Putnam Herald in Putnam County, West Virginia; and the Lawrence Herald in Lawrence County, Ohio. The company offers its products through sales force, wholesalers' national catalogs, and Internet to manufacturers, institutions, financial services companies, and professional firms. Champion Industries, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Huntington, West Virginia.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2015: Unwired Planet Inc (UPIP)

Unwired Planet, Inc. (Unwired Planet), formerly Openwave Systems Inc., incorporated on December 16, 1994, is an intellectual property and technology licensing company. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had patent portfolio of approximately 200 issued United States and foreign patents and approximately 75 pending applications, many of which is considered foundational to mobile communications. In May 2012, the Company officially changed name to Unwired Planet, Inc.

On February 1, 2012, the Company sold its location business to Persistent Telecom Solutions Inc. On April 30, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its mediation and messaging product businesses to Openwave Mobility, Inc. The Company generates revenue by licensing its patented innovations and technologies to companies that develop mobile communications software infrastructure or hardware and/or develop mobile communications products.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  If you'd rather spend your hard-earned dollars on some bargain-priced stocks rather than face the Black Friday mania at the malls (wise choice, by the way), then you've come to the right place. And, you may want to start you bargain hunt with Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ:MBLX) and Unwired Planet Inc. (NASDAQ:UPIP). Both names have been unduly beaten up in recent weeks, and better still, it looks like UPIP and MBLX, are ready to recover... in spades. That's an important detail, as a bargain is only a bargain if it's something actually worth owning. Take a look.