Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015

With shares of International Business Machines�(NYSE:IBM) trading around $186, is IBM an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

IBM is an information technology company. The company operates in five segments: Global Technology Services, Global Business Services, Software, Systems and Technology, and Global Financing. Technology products and services are in high demand worldwide as consumers want to be up-to-speed, and companies always need the latest and greatest to stay ahead of the competition. Cloud computing has been hot in recent times, which has not been good news for IBM. Should the company want to hold on to its market share, it needs to make moves quickly, and provide the technology products and services that worldwide consumers and companies demand.

Recently, IBM reported earnings that topped analyst expectations. Also, the company announced it is furloughing the majority of its U.S. hardware employees, forcing them to work one week with reduced pay as the company tries to shed costs amidst slumping demand. Sales in the second quarter dropped 12 percent from last year while the company cut around 3,300 employees across North America.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Inc.(SOMX)

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on the in-licensing, development, and commercialization of proprietary branded products and late-stage product candidates for the treatment medical conditions in the central nervous system therapeutic area. Its product includes Silenor for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors in the United States. Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:SOMX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012 on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 after the close of the U.S. financial markets.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc (CCO)

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., incorporated in August 1995, provides clients with advertising opportunities through billboards, street furniture displays, transit displays and other out-of-home advertising displays, such as wallscapes, spectaculars, neons and mall displays, which it owns or operates in global markets. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned or operated more than 750,000 advertising displays globally. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company operated in two business segments: Americas outdoor advertising (Americas) and International outdoor advertising (International), which represented 44% and 56% of its revenue, respectively.

Americas Outdoor Advertising

The Company is an outdoor advertising company in the Americas, which includes the United States, Canada and Latin America. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned or operated approximately 125,000 display structures in its Americas segment with operations in 48 markets in the United States. Its Americas assets consist of billboards, street furniture and transit displays, airport displays, mall displays, and wallscapes and other spectaculars, which it owns or operates under lease management agreements.

Americas revenue is derived from the sale of advertising copy placed on its digital displays and its traditional displays. Its display inventory consists of billboards, street furniture displays and transit displays. During 2011, billboards consisted approximately 66% of its display revenues. Its Americas segment generates revenues from local, regional and national sales. Its billboard inventory includes bulletins and posters. Digital bulletins display static messages, which resemble standard printed bulletins when viewed, but also allow advertisers to change messages throughout the course of a day. Our electronic displays are linked through centralized computer systems to instantaneously and simultaneously change advertising copy as needed.

The Company�� ! street furniture displays include advertising surfaces on bus shelters, information kiosks, freestanding units and other public structures, are available in both traditional and digital formats, and are located in metropolitan areas and along commuting routes. The Company owns the street furniture structures and are responsible for their construction and maintenance. Its transit displays are advertising surfaces on various types of vehicles or within transit systems, including on the interior and exterior sides of buses, trains, trams, and within the common areas of rail stations and airports, and are available in both traditional and digital formats. The balance of its display inventory consists of spectaculars, wallscapes and mall displays. Spectaculars are customized display structures, which often incorporate video, multidimensional lettering and figures, mechanical devices and moving parts and other embellishments to create special effects. Its spectaculars are located in Times Square in New York City, Dundas Square and the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto, Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas, Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas and across from the Target Center in Minneapolis.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned or operated approximately 125,000 display structures in its Americas segment with operations in 48 markets in the United States. Its displays are located on owned land, leased land or land, for which it have acquired permanent easements. The Company owns the physical structures on which its clients��advertising copy is displayed.

The Company competes with CBS and Lamar Advertising Company.

International Outdoor Advertising

The Company�� International segment includes its operations in Asia, Australia and Europe. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned or operated more than 630,000 displays across 30 countries. Its International assets consist of street furniture and transit displays, billboards, mall displays, Smartbike schemes, walls! capes and! other spectaculars, which it owns or operates under lease agreements.

International revenue is derived from the sale of traditional advertising copy placed on its display inventory and electronic displays which are part of its network of digital displays. Its International display inventory consists of street furniture displays, billboards, transit displays and other out-of-home advertising displays, such as neon displays. Its International segment generates revenues globally from local, regional and national sales. Its International street furniture displays, available in traditional and digital formats, include bus shelters, freestanding units, various types of kiosks, benches and other public structures. Its International street furniture is sold to clients as network packages of multiple street furniture displays, with contract terms ranging from one to two weeks. Client contracts are also available with terms of up to one year.

The Company�� International billboards are sold to clients as network packages with contract terms ranging from one to two weeks. Long-term client contracts are also available and typically have terms of up to one year. It leases its billboard sites from private landowners. Billboards include posters and its neon displays, and are available in traditional and digital formats. Defi Group SAS, its International neon subsidiary, is a global provider of neon signs with approximately 296 displays in 16 countries globally.

The Company�� client contracts for transit displays, either traditional or digital, have terms ranging from one week to one year, or longer. The balance of its revenue from its International segment consists of advertising revenue from mall displays, other small displays and non-advertising revenue from sales of street furniture equipment, cleaning and maintenance services and production revenue. Its contracts with mall operators have terms ranging from 5 to 10 years and client contracts for mall displays generally ha! ve terms ! ranging from one to two weeks. Its International inventory includes other small displays, which are counted as separate displays. It also has a Smartbike bicycle rental program, which provides bicycles for rent to the general public in several municipalities. In exchange for providing the bike rental program, it derives revenue from advertising rights to the bikes, bike stations, additional street furniture displays, or fees from the local municipalities. It sells equipment or provides cleaning and maintenance services as part of a billboard or street furniture contract with a municipality. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned or operated more than 630,000 displays in its International segment, with operations across 30 countries. Its International display count includes display faces, which may include multiple faces on a single structure.

The Company competes with JCDecaux and CBS.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Paul Ausick]

    CBS Outdoor Americas Inc. is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) which will offer 20 million shares in an anticipated price range of $26 to $28 a share. Following the tax-free spin-off, CBS Outdoor will become a REIT. CBS first announced plans for the spin-off in January 2013. Since then, share prices for outdoor advertising firms Lamar Advertising Co. (NASDAQ: LAMR) and Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CCO) have risen about 30%.

  • [By Paul Hodgson]

    Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings (NYSE: CCO  ) has just renewed CEO Robert Pittman's employment agreement. And that in itself is a little odd. The company's share price has shown no real net gain at all since his appointment in October 2011, but perhaps it's early days.

5 Best Logistics Stocks To Buy Right Now: Nicholas Financial Inc.(NICK)

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

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lauren Pollock]

    Prospect Capital Corp.(PSEC) said it agreed to buy Nicholas Financial Inc.(NICK) in a stock deal valued at about $199 million that the investment firm expects will expand its presence in the car-loan industry. Prospect Capital is offering $16 a share for Nicholas, a 4.5% premium over Tuesday’s closing price. Nicholas Financial shares edged up 2.8% to $15.70 premarket.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Cass Information Systems Inc(CASS)

Cass Information Systems, Inc. provides payment and information processing services to large manufacturing, distribution, and retail enterprises in the United States. The company provides transportation invoice rating, payment, audit, accounting, and transportation information services. It also processes and pays utility invoices, including electricity, gas, and other facility related expenses, as well as offers bill processing, audit, and payment services for telephone, data line, cellular, and communication equipment expense to the telecommunications expense management market. In addition, Cass Information Systems, through its banking subsidiary, Cass Commercial Bank, provides a range of commercial banking products and services, such as checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; commercial and commercial real estate loans; and cash management services to privately owned businesses, and churches and church-related ministries. It operates through five branches, includin g four in the St. Louis metropolitan area; and one in southern California. The company was formerly known as Cass Commercial Corporation and changed its name to Cass Information Systems, Inc. in January 2001. Cass Information Systems, Inc. was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Charles Carlson]

    Cass Information Systems (CASS) provides invoice management, audit, and payment services for companies in a variety of industries. The company disburses approximately $35 billion annually for its clients.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Inca Minerals Ltd (ICG)

Inca Minerals Limited, formerly Condor Metals Limited, is an Australia-based exploration company. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 (fiscal 2011), the Company's principal activities were conducting exploration and evaluation work on its existing tenements, as well as seeking out additional tenements. It focuses on nickel, iron, manganese and base metals exploration in Australia. During fiscal 2011, it concentrated on the Kallona iron and manganese prospect in the East Pilbar, where the first drilling was commenced in June 2011. Results received confirmed the presence of manganese, along with consistent iron intersections. The Company also continued to explore on the Dingo Range tenements south east of Wiluna. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Fede Zaldua]

    For its third quarter, Citi reported net earnings of $3.2 billion or Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $1, which was just below consensus expectations of $1.02 per share. The bank explained its poor performance through lower than expected earnings at the Institutional Clients Group (ICG) division (mainly trading activities in equities, commodities and fixed income) but also lower Consumer Banking revenues on weaker mortgage results. Its extremely relevant to stress that third quarter ICG and mortgage related results came weaker than expected at most banking institutions, including JP Morgan (JPM) and almighty Goldman Sachs (GS). On my opinion, much more relevant metrics (because they can be more directly affected by management's decisions) such as those metrics related to expenses and credit quality came in line with expectations.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: California Water Service Group (CWT)

California Water Service Group, incorporated on August 2, 1999, is a holding company. The Company operates California Water Service Company (Cal Water), New Mexico Water Service Company (New Mexico Water), Washington Water Service Company (Washington Water), Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc. (Hawaii Water), and CWS Utility Services and HWS Utility Services LLC are collectively called Utility Services. Cal Water, New Mexico Water, Washington Water, and Hawaii Water are regulated public utilities. Utility Services provides non-regulated services to private companies and municipalities. The Company�� business is conducted through its operating subsidiaries. Its bulk business consists of the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public and irrigation uses, and for fire protection. It also provides non-regulated water-related services under agreements with municipalities and other private companies. The non-regulated services include full water system operation, billing and meter reading services. Non-regulated operations also include the lease of communication antenna sites, lab services, and promotion of other non-regulated services.

Regulated Business

California water operations are conducted by the Cal Water and CWS Utility Services entities, which provide service to approximately 473,100 customers in 83 California communities through 25 separate districts. Of these 25 districts, 23 districts are regulated water systems, which are subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Cal Water operates two leased water systems, the City of Hawthorne and the City of Commerce, which are governed through their respective city councils and are outside of the CPUC's jurisdiction. California water operations account for approximately 94% of its total customers and approximately 94% of its total consolidated operating revenue.

Hawaii Water provides service to approximately 4,2! 00 water and wastewater customers on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, including several resorts and condominium complexes. Hawaii's regulated operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Hawaii Water accounts for less than 1% of its total customers and approximately 3% of its total operating revenue.

Washington Water provides domestic water service to approximately 15,800 customers in the Tacoma and Olympia areas. Washington Water's utility operations are regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Washington Water accounts for approximately 3% of its total customers and approximately 2% of its total consolidated operating revenue.

New Mexico Water provides service to approximately 7,600 water and wastewater customers in the Belen, Los Lunas and Elephant Butte areas in New Mexico. New Mexico's regulated operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. New Mexico Water accounts for approximately 2% of its total customers and approximately 1% of its total consolidated operating revenue.

Non-Regulated Businesses

Non-regulated activities consist primarily of operating water and waste water systems, which are owned by other entities; providing meter reading and billing services; leasing communication antenna sites on its properties; operating recycled water systems; providing lab services for water quality testing; billing of optional third-party insurance program to its residential customers; selling surplus property, and other services as requested by the client. The Company provides operating and maintenance, meter reading and customer billing services for several municipalities in California. It also provides sewer and refuse billing services to several municipalities. The Company leases antenna sites to telecommunication companies, which place equipment at various Company-owned sites. The antennas are used in cellular phone and personal communic! ation app! lications.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Marc Bastow]

    Utility holding company California Water (CWT) raised its quarterly dividend 1.5% to 16.25 cents per share, payable on Feb. 21 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 10.
    CWT Dividend Yield: 2.78%

  • [By Richard Band]

    California Water Service (CWT) is the third-largest publicly traded water utility in the country��nd the largest west of the Mississippi River. The company has raised its dividend for 47 years in a row.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Comcast Corporation(CMCSK)

Comcast Corporation provides entertainment, information, and communications products and services in the United States and internationally. The company?s Cable Communications segment provides video, high-speed Internet, and voice services to residential and business customers. As of December 31, 2011, its cable systems served 22.3 million video, 18.1 million high-speed Internet, and 9.3 million voice customers. Its Cable Networks segment operates cable entertainment networks, such as USA Network, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4, Chiller, Cloo, and Universal HD; cable news and information networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and CNBC World; cable sports networks comprising Golf Channel and NBC Sports Network; regional sports and news networks; international cable networks, such as CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, and its Universal Networks International networks; cable television production studio; and digital media properties primarily comprising brand-aligned and other Websites, s uch as DailyCandy, Fandango, and iVillage. The company?s Broadcast Television segment primarily operates NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks; NBC and Telemundo owned local television stations; broadcast television production operations; and related digital media properties, which primarily include brand-aligned Websites. Its Filmed Entertainment segment operates Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets, and distributes filmed entertainment and stage plays worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television, and other distribution platforms. The company?s Theme Parks segment operates Universal theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood. Comcast Corporation also operates the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center, a multipurpose arena in Philadelphia; provides facilities management services; and offers food services for sporting events, concerts, and other events. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in Philadelphia, Penn sylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By James E. Brumley]

    There's a major shift in the kinds of things Americans do to entertain themselves. Just ask the folks at AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:AMCX), SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:SEAS), Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSK), and pretty soon, the Independent Film Development Corporation (OTCMKTS:IFLM). These organizations exist to keep their finger on the pulse of what makes entertainment-seeking consumers want, and it's clear from some of the programming choices and decisions these companies are making - and doing well with - that the companies who deliver the new, edgier product stand to earn the most revenue for doing so.

  • [By Alex Planes]

    The limit of that consolidation might finally be tested by last night's news that Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA  ) (NASDAQ: CMCSK  ) has made an offer to buy Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC  ) for $45.2 billion. According to Reuters, the new company would boast roughly 30 million video subscribers after divesting about 3 million. That's more than half of the 56.4 million American cable video subscribers last reported by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), and it's still about a third of the total pay-TV market when DISH Network's 20 million subscribers and DirecTV's�14 million subscribers are added to the tally.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Enduro Royalty Trust (NDRO)

Enduro Royalty Trust (the Trust) is a statutory trust. On May 13, 2011, the Trust was formed by Enduro Resource Partners LLC (Enduro Sponsor) to own a net profits interest representing the right to receive 80% of the net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from certain properties in the states of Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico (the Underlying Properties) held by Enduro Sponsor as of the date of the conveyance of the net profits interest to the trust. The business and affairs of the Trust will be managed by The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the Trustee). In addition, Wilmington Trust Company will act as Delaware trustee (the Delaware Trustee) of the Trust.

The Trust will enter into an administrative services agreement with Enduro pursuant to which Enduro will provide the Trust with certain accounting, bookkeeping, and informational services related to the Net Profits Interest. Enduro Sponsor is a privately-held limited liability company engaged in the production and development of oil and natural gas from properties located in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Statutory trust Enduro Royalty Trust (NYSE: NDRO  ) announced yesterday its July monthly distribution of $0.128817�per unit; it has paid a monthly dividend since November 2011. The distribution announced in May was $0.096825 per unit.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc (AGIO)

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., incorporated on August 7, 2007, is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is intend to apply its deep understanding of metabolism, coupled with the Company�� ability to create medicines that can inhibit or activate metabolic enzymes, to fundamentally change the way cancer and inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are treated. The Company has identified and validated novel and druggable targets in both cancer and IEMs. The Company�� two advanced cancer programs are targeting mutations in the enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2, referred to as IDH1 and IDH2. The Company�� drug candidates are selective for the mutated forms of IDH1 and IDH2 found in cancer cells versus the normal forms of IDH1 and IDH2 found in all other cells.

The Company focused on developing medicines to address IEMs, with a novel approach to these orphan diseases for which no effective or disease-modifying therapy is available. The Company has also de-validated and terminated numerous programs, including many that have been reported in scientific journals. In the Company�� IEM portfolio, it uses an equally rigorous set of validation techniques.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Shares of Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AGIO) got a boost, shooting up 29.08 percent to $40.84 after the company reported quarterly results.

    Stage Stores (NYSE: SSI) was also up, gaining 13.47 percent to $22.41 after the company reported Q4 results and announced the sale of its Steele's off-price division to a new retail unit of Hilco Global.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Equities Trading UP
    Sangamo Biosciences (NASDAQ: SGMO) shot up 16.32 percent to $22.81 announced the publication in the NEJM of the first-in-man study of genome editing using its ZFN technology. Shares of Agios Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AGIO) got a boost, shooting up 27.72 percent to $40.41 after the company reported quarterly results. BJ's (NASDAQ: BJRI) was also up, gaining 21.04 percent to $33.48 after the company was upgraded toa Buy rating at Buckingham research.

Top Information Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: NuPathe Inc.(PATH)

NuPathe Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of branded therapeutics for diseases of the central nervous system, including neurological and psychiatric disorders. The company?s advanced product candidate includes Zelrix an active single-use transdermal sumatriptan patch that is used for the treatment of migraine. Its proprietary product candidates in preclinical development stage comprise NP201 for the continuous symptomatic treatment of Parkinson?s disease; and NP202 for the long-term treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. NuPathe Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By James E. Brumley]

    It's not hard to find an attractive stock with the market is rallying - the rising tide lifts all stocks. The real test for a ticker is when the whole market is tanking (like Thursday), and a stock manages to make gains against the grain. Enter NuPathe Inc. (NASDAQ:PATH). This little biopharma stock is up 3% today, which isn't much, but given the market it's a virtual windfall. It's the reason for the rally - or lack of a reason to be more specific - that makes PATH such a compelling buy here.

  • [By Tess Stynes]

    Endo Health Solutions Inc.(ENDP) agreed to acquire pharmaceutical company NuPathe Inc.(PATH) for about $105 million to gain the company’s new migraine treatment. Endo will acquire NuPathe for $2.85 per share, a 24% premium to its close of $2.30 on Friday. NuPathe shareholders will receive rights to receive additional cash payments of up to $3.15 per share if the company’s migraine treatment Zecuity meets certain sales milestones. NuPathe shares were up 51% at $3.48 in premarket trading.

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