LONDON -- The FTSE 100 (FTSEINDICES: ^FTSE ) has seen little change this morning, down 0.15% to 6,713 as of 8:45 a.m. EDT, but it remains close to the its 10-year high of 6,732.4, set in June 2007.
So which companies are holding back the indexes today? Here are three whose share prices are falling and look set to lag the wider market.
Polymetal (LSE: POLY )
London-listed gold and silver producer Polymetal International is down 4.3%, continuing its fall since the turn of the year, when it was trading for as much as 1,218 pence -- today it stands at 606 pence.
Linked with the price of gold, which has been plummeting recently following the record prices in recent years, the likes of Polymetal are looking to cut costs ahead of further drops in the price of the precious metal.
ConocoPhillips operates as an integrated energy company worldwide. The company?s Exploration and Production (E&P) segment explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Its Midstream segment gathers, processes, and markets natural gas; and fractionates and markets natural gas liquids in the United States and Trinidad. The company?s Refining and Marketing (R&M) segment purchases, refines, markets, and transports crude oil and petroleum products, such as gasolines, distillates, and aviation fuels. Its Chemicals segment manufactures and markets petrochemicals and plastics. This segment offers olefins and polyolefins, including ethylene, propylene, and other olefin products; aromatics products, such as benzene, styrene, paraxylene, and cyclohexane, as well as polystyrene and styrene-butadiene copolymers; and various specialty chemical products comprising organosulfur chemicals, solvents, catalyst s, drilling chemicals, mining chemicals, and engineering plastics and compounds. The company?s Emerging Businesses segment develops new technologies and businesses. It focuses on power generation; and technologies related to conventional and nonconventional hydrocarbon recovery, refining, alternative energy, biofuels, and the environment. This segment also offers E-Gas, a gasification technology producing high-value synthetic gas. ConocoPhillips was founded in 1917 and is based in Houston, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Ben Levisohn]
According to ConocoPhillips (COP), 80% of U.S. shale oil could be produced profitably at oil prices around $40-80 while the CEO of Occidental Petroleum (OXY) has stated that much of oil production in the U.S. is viable at $753. Some companies such as Anadarko Petroleum (APC) have emphasized that recent developments in the commodity markets were not going to have much impact on its exploration plans. Others such as Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) have stated that the company could increase production by 16%- 21% through 2016 at oil prices in the range of $70-80 while EOG Resources (EOG) has maintained that it was going to post strong double-digit gains in oil production going forward despite the low price environment. Meanwhile, Chesapeake Energy (CHK) raised its production guidance for this year and noted that despite lower oil prices, declining production costs have enabled it to raise its production this year.
- [By Arjun Sreekumar]
Chevron, like most of the large integrated oil companies, has struggled to boost production. However, in the first quarter this year, the company managed to grow total oil and gas production by a relatively impressive 0.8%.�Compare that to ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM ) , which reported a 3.5%�year-over-year decline in production, and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP ) , which said production fell 3%�from a year earlier.
- [By Alex Dumortier, CFA]
That paragraph reads like a ringing endorsement of Buffett's decision to add ExxonMobil to Berkshire's portfolio and the one to reduce the existing ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP ) position. However, I should note that Morningstar currently rates ExxonMobil as a three-star stock, which, according to their methodology, indicates that the current stock price is close to their fair value estimate and that the stock "should offer a "fair return," one that compensates for the riskiness of the stock." The Oracle of Omaha likes to make investments in the expectation that they will earn a return that's more than fair, but, given the size of Berkshire's portfolio, "fair" would hardly be a shameful result.
Top Healthcare Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: First American Financial Corp (FAF)
First American Financial Corporation, incorporated on January 14, 2008, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of providing financial services through its title insurance and services segment and its specialty insurance segment. The Company operates in two segments: title insurance and services and specialty insurance.
The title insurance and services segment provides title insurance, closing and/or escrow services and similar or related services domestically and internationally in connection with residential and commercial real estate transactions. It also maintains, manages and provides access to title plant records and images and provides banking, trust and investment advisory services. The specialty insurance segment issues property and casualty insurance policies and sells home warranty products. In addition, its corporate function consists of certain financing facilities as well as the corporate services that support its business operations.
Title Insurance and Services Segment
The Company�� title insurance and services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property in the United States and offers similar or related products and services internationally. This segment also provides closing and/or escrow services; accommodates tax-deferred exchanges of real estate; maintains, manages and provides access to title plant records and images, and provides banking, trust and investment advisory services. The Company conducts its title insurance and closing business through a network of direct operations and agents. Through this network, it issues policies in the 49 states that permit the issuance of title insurance policies and the District of Columbia. The Company also offers title insurance, closing services and similar or related products and services, either directly or through third parties in foreign countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and various other markets.
The Company! distributes its title insurance policies and related products and services directly as well as through its agents through various channels. Its federal savings bank subsidiary offers trust and investment advisory services, deposit services and asset management services. As of December 31, 2012, the Company provides products and services in numerous countries outside of the United States, and its international operations accounted for approximately 7.9% of its title insurance and services segment revenues.
Specialty Insurance Segment
The Company�� property and casualty insurance business provides insurance coverage to residential homeowners and renters for liability losses and typical hazards, such as fire, theft, vandalism and other types of property damage. The Company is licensed to issue policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and actively issue policies in 43 states. In its market, California, it also offers preferred risk auto insurance to better compete with other carriers offering bundled home and auto insurance. Reinsurance is used to limit risk associated with natural disasters, such as windstorms, winter storms, wildfires and earthquakes.
The Company�� home warranty business provides residential service contracts that cover residential systems, such as heating and air conditioning systems, and certain appliances against failures that occur as the result of normal usage during the coverage period. Most of these policies are issued on resale residences, although policies are also available in some instances for new homes. Coverage is typically for one year and is renewable annually at the option of the contract holder and upon its approval. It sells renewals directly to consumers. As of December 31, 2012, home warranty business operates in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
The Company competes with Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Old Republic International Corporation and Lender Proc! essing Se! rvices, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Canadian Value]
Position % of Fund Assets 1) First American Financial Corp. (FAF) 7.0% 2) Apple, Inc. (AAPL) 6.5% 3) Coinstar, Inc. (CSTR) 4.8% 4) EMC Corp. (EMC) 4.4% 5) Coach, Inc. (COH) 4.4% 6) Kohl's Corp. (KSS) 4.1% 7) Blucora, Inc. (BCOR) 4.0% 8) Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK) 3.1% 9) OM Group, Inc. (OMG) 3.0% 10) American International Group, Inc. (AIG) 2.8% TOTAL 44.1% One area that we believe still offers some value in the market is in high quality, large��ap technology stocks that may be momentarily out��f��avor as they transition from rapid growth to slower growth. In particular, we become interested when that transition is also accompanied by a change in capital allocation policies designed to return more cash to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. We believe that Apple and EMC are two of the absolute highest quality technology businesses in the world and both have recently announced very material, shareholder��friendly changes to how they will allocate capital.
- [By Marc Bastow]
The biggest increase among our dividend stocks this week came from title and specialty insurance management company First American Financial (FAF), which raised its quarterly dividend 100% to 24 cents per share, payable June 16 to shareholders of record as of June 9.
FAF Dividend Yield: 3.47%
- [By alicet236]
First American Financial Corp (FAF): CEO Dennis J Gilmore sold 116,453 Shares
CEO of First American Financial Corp (FAF) Dennis J Gilmore sold 116,453 shares on 02/04/2014 at an average price of $25.12. First American Financial Corporation was incorporated in the state of Delaware in January 2008 to serve as the holding company of The First American Corporation's financial services business. First American Financial Corp has a market cap of $2.7 billion; its shares were traded at around $25.52 with a P/E ratio of 12.30 and P/S ratio of 0.56. The dividend yield of First American Financial Corp stocks is 1.88%.
- [By Jon C. Ogg]
First American Financial Corp. (NYSE: FAF) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette & Woods.
Fidelity National Financial Inc. (NYSE: FNF) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette & Woods.
Top Healthcare Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Fleetmatics Group PLC (FLTX)
Fleetmatics Group PLC (FleetMatics), incorporated on October 28, 2004, is a provider of fleet management solutions delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). The Company offers Web-based and mobile application solutions, which provide fleet operators with visibility into vehicle location, fuel usage, speed and mileage and other insights into their mobile workforce. The Company offers fleet management software solutions. The Company�� FleetMatics-branded solutions sold under the FleetMatics or SageQuest names. Its solutions are accessed through a Web browser or mobile application and provide its customers with actionable business intelligence. Its SaaS offering consists of the easy-to-use components: Tracking Alerts, Route Replay, Geofencing and Landmarks, FleetTracking Dashboard, Fleet Reports, Mobile App, Speed Limits, Panoramic Reporting and Benchmarking. In addition to this core SaaS offering, it also offers the additional features to its customers: Fuel Card Reporting Integration, FleetMatics Fuel Card and Navigation Unit Integration. Effective August 8, 2013, Fleetmatics Group PLC a unit of Fleetmatics Investor Holdings LP, acquired Connect2Field Holdings Pty Ltd.
The Company�� Fleet Tracking Alerts allow fleet operators to set driver performance thresholds and receive e-mail notifications when unwanted driving behavior occurs. Notifications are sent when a vehicle enters or exits specified areas, moves during specified times, or when a vehicle�� speed or idle time exceeds specified thresholds. Its Route Replay feature allows customers to play back each journey taken by their vehicles, from start up to shut down and provides customers with minute-by-minute location and speed details. Fleet operators can start, stop, pause, and change the speed of the journey replay using intuitive playback controls to monitor and analyze driver behavior. Integration with Google Maps enables customers to pinpoint vehicle location with satellite, street views and zooming capabilities.
The Company�� Geofencing and Landmarks feature allows customers to designate areas on the map, in which vehicles are allowed or not allowed to travel. Fleet operators receive notifications when a vehicle enters or exits an unauthorized location and reports are generated detailing time spent in unauthorized areas. Its FleetTracking Dashboard provides fleet operators with a way to monitor overall fleet performance through a graphical summary. This interface allows fleet operators to evaluate performance categories across their fleet, including speed, engine on-time, vehicle idling, vehicle mileage and number of stops. Fleet operators can also view individual vehicle performance.
The Company provides its customers with over 40 pre-built on-demand reports, which they can access to analyze fleet data. Its reports contain information about vehicle movement and use, including vehicle location, ignition on and off time, engine idle time, arrival and departure times, distance traveled, hours worked, and vehicle speed. Its Mobile App is a portable software application, which fleet operators can use to access actionable business intelligence and insights over mobile devices. It includes the FleetTracking Dashboard, Reports, Tracking Alerts, Route Replay, and Geofencing and Landmarks.
With the Company�� Speed Limits feature, the Company provides a range of speed limit information across all types of roads and geographies, including local and residential roads. Speed limit is powered by FleetMatics RoadSpeed, a specialized database of average speed values derived from billions of points of vehicle movement. Its panoramic reporting engine features in-depth historical trending analyses and strategic comparative information from the customers, such as driver and organizational performance benchmarking. Its Fuel Card Reporting Integration feature integrates customers��fuel card usage information into its fleet management software platform. It provides its customers with an on-demand fue! l usage s! ummary for an entire fleet, as well as detailed information on individual vehicles. Reports are generated, which compare fuel purchases with vehicle location data.
The Company has partnered with an independent global fleet card provider to deliver a Universal Platinum MasterCard. Its Navigation Unit Integration features with Garmin global positioning system (GPS) navigation devices, streamlines dispatching and communication by integrating its fleet management software with its customers��GPS navigation devices. It provides customers with turn-by-turn directions, notification of job status, estimated time of arrival to the next job site, and easy-to-use messaging capabilities. Drivers receive automatic job updates, eliminating the need to manually enter addresses while driving. It offers customers the choice of two fleet management branded solutions, FleetMatics and SageQuest.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By John Udovich]
On Wednesday, small cap FleetMatics Group PLC (NYSE: FLTX) sank 7.99% to $32.80 and shares have been in a sort of freefall for the past few weeks after outperforming the First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index (NASDAQ: SKYY) last summer. So what is going on and should you be investing or shorting this small cap?
- [By Louis Navellier]
Fleetmatics Group (FLTX) is another Europe stock with the characteristics needed to be a leader in the European markets this year. The company makes software that allows operators of commercial vehicle fleets to track vehicles and learn about vehicle location, fuel usage, speed and mileage. The Irish company has seen earnings explode this year with growth of more than 700% in bottom-line profit increases.
Top Healthcare Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Sensata Technologies Holding N.V.(ST)
Sensata Technologies Holding N.V., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells sensors and controls primarily in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, and Europe. It operates in two segments, Sensors and Controls. The Sensors segment offers pressure sensors, force sensors, temperature sensors, speed sensors, position sensors, motor protectors, and thermal and magnetic-hydraulic circuit breakers and switches. Its sensors are used in various applications, such as automotive air-conditioning, braking, transmission, air bag, heavy vehicle off-road, industrial, aerospace, defense, and data/telecom applications, as well as heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) applications. The Controls segment provides bimetal electromechanical controls, thermal and magnetic-hydraulic circuit breakers, power inverters, and interconnection products. This segment also offers application-specific products, including motor and compressor protectors, circuit breakers, semicondu ctor burn-in test sockets, electrical HVAC controls, power inverters, precision switches, and thermostats. Its products are used in heating and air-conditioning systems, refrigerators, aircraft, automobiles, and light industrial system applications in industrial, aerospace, military, commercial, and residential markets. The company offers its products primarily under the Sensata, Klixon, Airpax, and Dimensions brand names. It serves original equipment manufacturers and suppliers in the automotive, industrial, and commercial end-markets; and industrial and commercial manufacturers and suppliers in the climate control, appliance, semiconductor, datacomm, telecommunications, and aerospace industries, as well as motor and compressor suppliers. The company was founded in 1916 and is based in Almelo, the Netherlands. Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. is a subsidiary of Sensata Investment Company S.C.A.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By cody56]
The top contributors to performance during the period were Trimble Navigation (TRMB), Sensata Technologies�(ST) and Cadence Design Systems (CDS).
Trimble Navigation provides location-based solutions to its customers that enhance their productivity and profitability. The recovery in construction end markets and continued strong demand from the farm economy resulted in strong overall financial results for the company and a strong stock price. We trimmed the position as it began to exceed the upper end of the market cap range that we invest in. Sensata Technologies develops, manufactures and sells sensors and controls. We are attracted to the company�� large growth opportunity, which is driven by increased sensor penetration in industries such as automobiles and general industrial opportunities. We find Sensata�� business model to be attractive given the stability of its revenues, strong operating leverage and excellent management team. During the period, the company benefited from a rebound in European automobile sales and deployed capital in several small accretive acquisitions. We have been trimming the position modestly as the stock approaches our price target. Meridian Growth Fund performance
- [By Toshiro Hasegawa]
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) fell 1.1 percent to A$73.73. Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (ST) retreated 1.1 percent to S$3.78 today after posting earnings.
- [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 Sensata Technologies Holding (NYSE: ST ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
- [By Holly LaFon]
��Sensata Technologies (ST) develops, manufactures and sells sensors and controls. We are attracted to the company�� large growth opportunity, which is driven by increased sensor penetration in industries such as automobiles and general industrial opportunities. We find Sensata�� business model to be attractive given the stability of its revenues, strong operating leverage and excellent management team. During the period, the company benefited from a rebound in European automobile sales and deployed capital in several small accretive acquisitions. We have been trimming the position modestly as the stock approaches our price target.
Top Healthcare Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Kid Brands Inc (KID)
Kid Brands, Inc., incorporated on June 1966, is a designer, importer, marketer and distributor of branded infant and juvenile consumer products. The Company through its wholly owned operating subsidiaries: Kids Line, LLC (Kids Line); LaJobi, Inc. (LaJobi); Sassy, Inc. (Sassy), and CoCaLo, Inc. (CoCaLo) designs and markets branded infant and juvenile products in a number of categories, including, among others: infant bedding and related nursery accessories and decor, nursery appliances, bath/spa products and diaper bags (Kids Line and CoCaLo); nursery furniture and related products (LaJobi), and developmental toys and feeding, bath and baby care items with features that address the various stages of an infant�� early years, including Kokopax line of baby gear (Sassy). In addition to its branded products, it also markets certain categories of products under various licenses, including Carter��, Disney, Graco and Serta.
The Company�� products are sold primarily to large, national retail accounts and independent retailers (including toy, specialty, food, drug, apparel and other retailers). The Company maintains relationships with international distributors to service certain retail customers in several foreign countries, as well as with several independent representatives to service select domestic and foreign retail customers. The Company�� infant and juvenile product line consists of approximately 7,400 products that principally focus on newborn to three year old children. It also caters to the age range between three through seven, including toddler bedding and beds, as well as kitchen products. Kids Line products, which are marketed primarily under the Kids Line, Carter�� and Disney brands, and CoCaLo products, which are marketed primarily under the CoCaLo Baby, CoCaLo Couture, and CoCaLo Naturals brands, each consist primarily of infant bedding and related nursery accessories and decor, such as blankets, rugs, mobiles, nightlights, hampers, lamps and wall art, as well as nurser! y appliances, diaper bags and spa/bath products. LaJobi products, which are marketed primarily under the Babi Italia, Europa Baby, Bonavita, Graco and Serta brands, consist primarily of cribs, mattresses and other nursery furniture. Sassy products, which are marketed primarily under the Sassy, Carter��, Garanimals and Kokopax brands, consist primarily of developmental toys and feeding, bath and baby care items and baby gear with features that address the various stages of an infant�� early years. The Company has five product categories: Hard Good Basics, Soft Good Basics, Toys and Entertainment, Accessories and Decor, and Other. Hard Good Basics includes cribs and other nursery furniture, feeding, food preparation and kitchen products, baby gear and organizers. Soft Good Basics includes bedding, blankets and mattresses. Toys and Entertainment includes developmental toys, bath toys and mobiles. Accessories and Decor includes hampers, lamps, rugs and decor. Other includes all other products that do not fit in the above four categories.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Eric Volkman]
Kid Brands (NYSE: KID ) has put a new individual in the CEO chair. The man formerly occupying that position, Guy Paglinco, will depart in order to, as the company put it, "pursue other activities." His replacement is James Christl, who will also serve as senior vice president. The transition is effective immediately, although Paglinco will remain a full-time employee of Kid Brands until July 5. Following that, he will make himself available in an advisory capacity for a further six months.
Top Healthcare Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Manning & Napier Inc (MN)
Manning & Napier, Inc., incorporated on June 22, 2011, is an independent investment management firm. The Company provides a range of investment solutions through separately managed accounts, mutual funds and collective investment trust funds. The Company offers equity and fixed income portfolios as well as a range of blended asset portfolios, such as life cycle funds, that use a mix of stocks and bonds. The Company focuses on building an internal organization of specialists to provide additional consultative services beyond investment management. Effective June 2014, Manning & Napier Inc acquired 2100 Xenon Group LLC.
The Company serves clients, including individuals and institutions, which include 401(k) plans, pension plans, Taft-Hartley plans, and endowments and foundations. The Company�� operations are based principally in the United States. The Company�� operating subsidiaries include Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, Exeter Advisors, LLC, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., Manning & Napier Alternative Opportunities, LLC and Exeter Trust Company.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Michael Hamlett Jr.]
Manning and Napier Inc. (MN) is an investment management firm involved in providing financial solutions for individual and institutional clients. Since 1970, MN has been offering portfolios with different asset classes, such as equity and fixed income, to clients with various accounts including seperately managed accounts, 401(k) plans, pension plans, endowments, and even foundations. For these services, clients pay a fee, and this is the way MN generates revenue.
