Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. Earnings: Can the Stock Keep Soaring?

On Tuesday, Smith & Wesson Holding (NASDAQ: SWHC  ) will release its quarterly report, and shareholders have been pleased to see continued share-price gains from the gunmaker. Yet along with rival Sturm, Ruger (NYSE: RGR  ) , Smith & Wesson is in danger of seeing earnings top out, and many investors wonder whether the good times for the gun industry will last or whether the recent move from Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK  ) to spin off its firearms and sporting segment marks a high-water mark for Smith & Wesson and other gun manufacturers.

Smith & Wesson has been the ultimate contrarian investing play, as many people expected that tougher gun regulation would hurt sales and bring Smith & Wesson, Sturm, Ruger, and other gunmakers to their knees. Yet in many ways, the opposite has been true, as the threat of tighter gun regulation has led to higher short-term sales. Still, even the gun companies themselves have warned that short-term effects could eventually give way to slower growth, and the question is whether that time has come or whether further growth opportunities still exist. Let's take an early look at what's been happening with Smith & Wesson over the past quarter and what we're likely to see in its report.

Source: Smith & Wesson.

Stats on Smith & Wesson

Analyst EPS Estimate	$0.39
Change From Year-Ago EPS	(11.4%)
Revenue Estimate	$163.55 million
Change From Year-Ago Revenue	(8.5%)
Earnings Beats in Past 4 Quarters	3

Source: Yahoo! Finance.

Will Smith & Wesson earnings start shrinking?
In recent months, analysts have boosted their views on Smith & Wesson earnings, raising April-quarter estimates by $0.02 per share and increasing their fiscal 2015 projections by about 4%. The stock has kept soaring, with gains of 37% since late February.

Most of Smith & Wesson's gains came early in the quarter, when the gunmaker announced its earnings for the January quarter. Sales jumped more than 7% from the year-ago quarter despite the loss of revenue from Smith & Wesson's arrangement with Walther Arms, and net income from continuing operations rose nearly 35% on a roughly 30% rise in handgun sales. Moreover, Smith & Wesson gave positive guidance for the April quarter, boosting estimates for the full fiscal year as well.

Source: Smith & Wesson.

What was particularly impressive about Smith & Wesson's results is that investors were so much more pleased with them than they were with what rival Sturm, Ruger posted. For its part, Sturm Ruger saw a 33% jump in earnings per share, but shareholders weren't satisfied with that performance and sold off the shares accordingly. Investors have clearly gotten spoiled from such high demand last year that Sturm Ruger wasn't able to keep up, but they nevertheless appear to be concerned about what might be the looming end of the current strength in gun sales, as background-check volume has plunged in recent quarters and sporting-goods retailers have seen weaker sales as well. That might also be part of the justification for Alliant Techsystems choosing to spin off its Savage Arms and other sporting-goods brands into a separate entity.

Still, Smith & Wesson appears to be holding up well. Earlier this month, one analyst firm upgraded the company's stock, arguing that Smith & Wesson's new handgun launches are faring well, especially in jurisdictions that allow concealed handguns. If Smith & Wesson can demonstrate its superiority over Sturm Ruger in the eyes of consumers, then it might be a long-term winner even if gun demand returns to more normal levels.

In the Smith & Wesson earnings report, watch to see what comments the company's management has about the future trends in gun sales. Given how long skeptics have been calling for weaker sales, it wouldn't be surprising if Smith & Wesson could forestall the long-awaited setback for at least one more quarter.

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Joy Global: Primed for a Short Squeeze

It’s not quite love, but at least JPMorgan is considering the potential upside in Joy Global (JOY), one of the market’s least love stocks, next week when it releases earnings.

Rio Tinto

JPMorgan’s Ann Duignan and team wonder if Joy Global’s earnings will take its cues from Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) or Caterpillar (CAT), but decides that either way Joy Global could be poised for a short squeeze. They explain:

Expectations are mixed going into the quarter, as commentary from mining companies remains negative (earlier this week, Cliffs Natural Resources reduced its capex budget by $100MM, or ~25%), but Caterpillar’s reported dealer retail sales for the Resource segment in NA appear to be stabilizing (down 3% in JOY’s FQ2 vs. down 26% in FQ1)…JOY remains one of the most-heavily-shorted names in our coverage universe, and any positive news (particularly in the aftermarket business) could present upside risk in the form of a "short squeeze." While we remain Neutral on the back of a challenging outlook for mining equipment demand, our Equity Derivatives Strategy team recommends investors capitalize on upside risk to the earnings report through options.

Shares of Joy Global have fallen 1.7% to $57.20 at 1:51 p.m. today, while Caterpillar has dropped 1.8% to $101.71 and Cliffs Natural Resources has declined 4.7% to $15.82, as its battle with Casablanca Capital heats up.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now

 As any elementary school nerd or frat house pledge will tell you, there are few things in life that are more painful than having someone grab your shorts from behind and yank them as far up your backside as possible.   In the world of YouTube pranks, it's called a "wedgie." In the stock market, we call it a short squeeze. And – like a wedgie – if you're on the wrong side of one, it hurts...   A short squeeze happens when a heavily shorted stock rockets higher overnight – usually as the result of a favorable news announcement or corporate press release. The gains are unusually large as traders rush to buy as much as possible and press the share price high enough to force short-sellers to capitulate, buy back their shares, and push the stock even higher.  

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Pegasystems Inc.(PEGA)

Pegasystems Inc. develops, markets, licenses, and supports software to automate business processes primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, and rest of Europe. The company offers PegaRULES Process Commander, which provides a platform to build, deploy, and change enterprise applications; purpose or industry-specific solution frameworks that enable organizations to implement new customer-facing practices and processes, and provide customized or specialized processing to meet the needs of different customers, departments, geographies, or regulatory requirements; and Pega customer relationship management software to automate customer service inquiries and marketing, and apply analytics to predict and adapt customer service processes. It also offers Pega decision management products, which include Pega Decision Strategy Manager and Next-Best-Action Advisor that support decision-making for offer management, risk, and other marketing and customer management solutions; and Pega Cloud, which enables customers to create and/or run Pega applications using an Internet-based infrastructure. In addition, the company provides implementation, consulting, training, and technical support services to its customers. The company markets its software and services primarily through its direct sales force to financial services organizations, healthcare organizations, insurance companies, communications and media organizations, and government agencies. Pegasystems Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Patricio Kehoe]

  The firm is currently Zacks Rank # 3 - Hold, and it also has a longer-term recommendation of ��utperfom�� For investors looking for a Zacks Rank # 1 ��Strong Buy, Dealertrack Technologies Inc (TRAK), Open Text Corporation (OTEX), Pegasystems Inc. (PEGA) Solera Holdings (SLH) or Ultimate Software Group Inc. (ULTI) could be the options.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Green Automotive Co (GACR)

Green Automotive Company, incorporated on November 15, 1996, is a vehicle design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution company. The Company also provides after sales program. It possesses a portfolio of businesses and is active in three main market segments: Cutting edge technology development, engineering and design with a focus on zero and low emission vehicle solutions; Manufacturing and customization of vehicles for markets with the potential to be converted into low emission or electric vehicles, such as shuttle buses, taxis, commercial vehicles, and After sales services for electric or low emission vehicles, including servicing and repair. On December 14, 2012, the Company closed its merger with Matter of Time I Co. As per the merger agreement, Matter of Time I Co. dissolved into and became a part of Green Automotive Company, with Green Automotive Company being the surviving corporation. In January 2014, Green Automotive Co Inc acquired a 21.63% interest in Viridian Motor Corp Inc.

The Company's two divisions servicing the three segments are Liberty Electric Cars Ltd and Newport Coachworks Inc. Liberty Electric Cars Ltd designs and develops EV technologies for use in its own converted vehicles and for sale to original equipment manufacturers (OEM��) for incorporation into its production. In addition, it provides an aftermarket program for electric vehicle users to ensure the longevity of their vehicles. Newport Coachworks Inc. specializes in building shuttle buses, running on a variety of energy sources from petrol and diesel though to compressed natural gas (CNG).

The Company competes with Zytec, AMPD, Siemens, Tiffany, Krystal, Ford, and General Motors, Cummins and Freightliner.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  While Green Automotive Co. (OTCMKTS:GACR) is certainly no Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NSANY) or Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (FRA:BMW) (better known as BMW)� in terms of size or notoriety, the two larger car companies certainly seem to be validating the work that GACR is doing. Both Nissan and BMW are betting big on electric vehicles, partly because they want to, and partly because they have to. Either way, Green Automotive is just as capable of tapping into this EV megatrend as its bigger and more established brothers are.

• [By John Udovich]

  When most people think of electric vehicle stocks, they probably think of troubled Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) or one of the several Chinese stocks active in the space, but North America based large cap Magna International Inc (NYSE: MGA) and small caps Polypore International, Inc (NYSE: PPO), UQM Technologies Inc (NYSEMKT: UQM) and Green Automotive Company (OTCMKTS: GACR) are all players, one way or the other, in the electric vehicle space that most investors have probably overlooked or just aren�� aware of. Of course, we can argue�about whether or not purely electric vehicles or some sort of hybrid vehicles are the way of the future, but what cannot be argued about is the fact that the following electric vehicle stocks are at the forefront of EV or�hybrid technology and design:

• [By John Udovich]

  There has been plenty of interesting news�coming from the electric vehicle industry as well as from large cap stock Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) and small cap players like� Kandi Technologies Group Inc (NASDAQ: KNDI), HydroPhi Technologies Group, Inc (OTCMKTS: HPTG) and Green Automotive Co (OTCMKTS: GACR):

Best Biotech Stocks To Invest In 2015: Hercules Technology Growth Capital Inc (HTGC)

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (HTGC), incorporated on December 18, 2003, is an internally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company. The Company is a specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in technology-related markets, including technology, biotechnology, life science, and clean-technology industries at all stages of development. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the Company's portfolio total return by generating current income from its debt investments and capital appreciation from its equity-related investments. The Company invests primarily in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. The Company also makes investments in qualifying small businesses through two wholly-owned, small business investment company (SBIC) subsidiaries, Hercules Technology II, L.P. (HT II) and Hercules Technology III, L.P. (HT III).

The Company focuses its investments in companies active in the technology industry sub-sectors characterized by products or services that requires advanced technologies, including, but not limited to, computer software and hardware, networking systems, semiconductors, semiconductor capital equipment, information technology infrastructure or services, Internet consumer and business services, telecommunications, telecommunications equipment, renewable or alternative energy, media and life science. Within the life science sub-sector, the Company generally focuses on medical devices, bio-pharmaceutical, drug discovery, drug delivery, health care services and information systems companies. Within the clean technology sub-sector, the Company focuses on sustainable and renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency and monitoring technologies. The Company refers to all of these companies as technology-related companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of its assets in such businesses. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chad Tracy]

  StreetAuthority expert analyst Amy Calistri has had incredible success with BDCs in her Daily Paycheck portfolio. When she recommended Hercules Technology (NYSE: HTGC) in February 2010, the stock was trading for a little more than $10 a share.

• [By James Brumley]

  So why did MRLN stock get cut nearly in half earlier in the year even though other small-cap stocks didn’t? Good question — the answer still isn’t clear. That may be why shares have finally perked up the last couple of weeks. The recovery may also have something to do with the fact that the forward-looking P/E of 12 for a steady-Eddie grower like Marlin Business is a bargain.

  Hercules Technology Growth Capital (HTGC)

  Ever wanted to invest in small caps that aren’t publicly-traded? Hercules Technology Growth Capital (HTGC) is one way of doing so.

• [By Helix Investment Research]

  Keating Capital is far from the only publicly traded pre-IPO investment company. There are several others, including GSV Capital (GSVC) and Firsthand Technology Value Fund (SVVC). Hercules Technology Growth Capital (HTGC) is also a pre-IPO fund, but with the bulk of its assets (over 92%) invested into loans to and debt of private companies, as opposed to their equity, the company's investment philosophy is different than that of these other pre-IPO funds. Unlike GSV Capital and Firsthand, Keating Capital, as a matter of policy, always purchases equity directly from portfolio companies, never from secondary markets such as SharesPost or SecondMarket. Mr. Keating outlined that this is due to the company's requirement that it be given access to all relevant financial data and managerial projections of its portfolio companies at all times, something that Mr. Keating believes is essential to being able to make informed investor decisions. We note that shares of Facebook (FB) and Twitter are conspicuously absent from Keating Capital's portfolio; the company declined to purchase shares of either company due to an inability to acquire direct financial information regarding these companies. In addition, Keating Capital has a stated goal of investing in the most senior equity securities available at each portfolio company.

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  Business development companies like Hercules Technology Growth Capital (HTGC) invest money into middle-market companies that are experiencing fast growth.� Often, these investments take the form of mezzanine debt paying interest in the teens, and some warrants.� Hercules likes to focus more on senior secured revolvers and term loans to refinance existing debt, and will even take second-liens.� It has more attractive upside with its investments than other BDCs because it focuses on tech, energy tech, healthcare, life sciences and business services — all of which can fetch higher multiples upon exit.� It pays out a sturdy 7.3% dividend.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc.(GMCR)

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. engages in the specialty coffee and coffee maker business. The company sources, produces, and sells approximately 200 varieties of coffee, cocoa, teas, and other beverages in K-Cup portion packs and coffee in traditional packaging, including whole bean and ground coffee selections in bags and ground coffee in fractional packs for use in at-home (AH) and away-from-home (AFH). It sells its products primarily in North America through supermarkets, club stores, and convenience stores; in restaurants and hospitality; and to office coffee distributors, as well as directly to consumers through its Website. The company also manufactures gourmet single-cup brewing systems and brewing equipment. In addition, it sells AH single-cup brewers; accessories; and coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and other beverages in K-Cup portion packs, as well as offers other licensed roasters to retailers, department stores, and mass merchandisers. Further, the company sells AFH single-cup brewers to distributors for use in offices. It provides its products under the Van Houtte, Br�erie St. Denis, Br�erie Mont-Royal, and Orient Express brands, as well as licensed Bigelow and Wolfgang Puck brands. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Waterbury, Vermont.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  After markets closed on Friday, Standard & Poors announced several changes in its indexes. The big news in the announcement was the addition of Keurig Green Mountain Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) to the S&P 500 Index effective after the close on March 21. Keurig replaces WPX Energy Inc. (NYSE: WPX). WPX will take Keurig�� place on the S&P MidCap 400 Index.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc (ARCO)

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc., incorporated on December 9, 2010, is a McDonald�� franchisee. As of December 31, 2010, the Company operated or franchised 1,755 McDonald��-branded restaurants, which represented 6.7% of McDonald�� total franchised restaurants globally. It operates McDonald��-branded restaurants under two different operating formats, Company-operated restaurants and franchised restaurants. As of December 31, 2010, of its 1,755 McDonald��-branded restaurants in the territories, 1,292 (or 74%) were Company-operated restaurants and 463 (or 26%) were franchised restaurants. It generates revenues from two sources: sales by Company-operated restaurants and revenues from franchised restaurants, which consist of rental income, which is based on the greater of a flat fee or a percentage of sales reported by franchised restaurants. As of December 31, 2010, it owned the land for 510 of its restaurants (totaling approximately 1.2 million square meters) and the buildings for all but 12 of its restaurants. It divides its operations into four geographical divisions: Brazil; the Caribbean division, consisting of Aruba, Curacao, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas; North Latin America division (NOLAD), consisting of Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama, and South Latin America division (SLAD), consisting of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. As of December 31, 2010, 35.1% of its restaurants were located in Brazil, 29.7% in SLAD, 27.1% in NOLAD and 8.1% in the Caribbean division. The Company conducts its business through its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary Arcos Dorados B.V.

Company-Operated and Franchised Restaurants

The Company operates its McDonald��-branded restaurants under two basic structures: Company-operated restaurants operated by the Company and franchised restaurants operated by franchisees. Under both operating alternatives the real estate location may ! either be owned or leased by the Company. It owns, fully manages and operates the Company-operated restaurants and retains any operating profits generated by such restaurants, after paying operating expenses and the franchise and other fees owed to McDonald�� under the Master Franchise Agreements (MFAs). In Company-operated restaurants, it assumes the capital expenditures for the building and equipment of the restaurant and, if it owns the real estate location, for the land as well. Under its franchise arrangements, franchisees provide a portion of the capital required by initially investing in the equipment, signs, seating and decor of their restaurants, and by reinvesting in the business over time. It is required by the MFAs to own the real estate or to secure long-term leases for franchised restaurant sites. It subsequently leases or subleases the property to franchisees.

In exchange for the lease and services, franchisees pay a monthly rent to the Company, based on the greater of a fixed rent or a certain percentage of gross sales. In addition to this monthly rent, it collects the monthly continuing franchise fee, which generally is 5% of the United States dollar equivalent of the restaurant�� gross sales, and pays these fees to McDonald�� pursuant to the MFAs. However, if a franchisee fails to pay its monthly continuing franchise fee, it remains liable for payment in full of these fees to McDonald��. As of December 31, 2010, it was engaged in several joint ventures, which collectively owned 24 restaurants, in Argentina, Chile and Colombia.

Restaurant Categories

The Company classifies its restaurants into one of four categories: freestanding, food court, in-store and mall stores. Freestanding restaurants are the type of restaurant, which have ample indoor seating and include a drive-through area. Food court restaurants are located in malls and consist of a front counter and kitchen and do not have their own seating area. In-store restaurants are part ! of a larg! er building and resemble freestanding restaurants, except for the lack of a drive-through area. Mall stores are located in malls like food court restaurants, but have their own seating areas. As of December 31, 2010, 808 (or 46.2%) of its restaurants were freestanding, 359 (or 20.5%) were food court, 265 (or 15.1%) were in-stores and 319 (or 18.2%) were mall stores. In addition, it has four non-traditional stores, such as food carts.

Reimaging

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had completed the reimaging of 308 of 1,569 restaurants. Many of the reimaging projects include the addition of McCafe locations to the restaurant. It has developed system-wide guidelines for the interior and exterior design of reimaged restaurants.

McCafe Locations and Dessert Centers

McCafe locations are stylish, separate areas within restaurants where customers can purchase a range of customizable beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, hot and iced premium coffees and hot chocolate. As of December 31, 2010, there were 267 McCafe locations in the Territories, of which 12% were operated by franchisees. Argentina, with 71 locations, has McCafe locations, followed by Brazil, with 67 locations. In addition to McCafe locations, it has Dessert Centers. Dessert Centers operate from existing restaurants, but depend on them for supplies and operational support. As of December 31, 2010, there were 1,306 Dessert Centers in the Territories.

Product Offerings

The Company�� menus feature three tiers of products: affordable entry-level options, such as its Big Pleasures, Small Prices or Combo del Dia (Daily Extra Value Meal) offerings, core menu options, such as the Big Mac, Happy Meal and Quarter Pounder, and premium options, such as Big Tasty or Angus premium hamburgers and chicken sandwiches and low-calorie or low-sodium products, which are marketed through common platforms rather than as individual items. These platforms can be based on the ty! pe of pro! ducts, such as beef, chicken, salads or desserts, or on the type of customer targeted, such as the children�� menu.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE: ARCO  ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 30. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

  The 10-second takeaway
  Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Arcos Dorados Holdings's revenues will grow 4.4% and EPS will decrease -58.3%.

• [By Chris Hill]

  In this segment of Friday's Investor Beat, Motley Fool analyst Ron Gross gives investors one stock that he'll be watching closely this week. He takes a look at Arcos Dorados (NYSE: ARCO  ) , which holds the franchise rights to McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company reports earnings next week, and while it has been a long-time holding for Ron in the Motley Fool's Million-Dollar Portfolio service, he sees reasons to be concerned here. The company's store growth is slowing, so he'll be watching closely to see what the company has to say next week.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Passport Potash Inc (PPI)

Passport Potash Inc. is a Canada-based exploration-stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties. The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of potash properties. The Company has an interest in or has the right to earn an interest in six properties, Southwest Exploration Property, Twin Buttes Ranch, Sweetwater/American Potash, Mesa Uranium, Ringbolt Property and Fitzgerald Ranch (the Holbrook Basin properties), which are all located in Arizona. The Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral property interests. The Company's Holbrook Basin project is located seven miles east of Holbrook, Arizona. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Arrow Analysis]

  The merger between the two companies had been in the works since September, but hit many a bump on the road. The two major obstacles in the path were the Chinese regulations and the ongoing tax investigation regarding Nokia�� Indian plant, operating in Chennai. While China green-lighted the deal easily, the Indian authorities were less obliging. The end result is that the Indian facility was not a part of the acquisitions and will be retained by Nokia. Although Nokia has not announced any conclusive plans, the fact that it offered its 7500+ Indian workers early retirement scheme suggests that the plant may soon be shut down. Also, noticeably absent from the terms of the merger was the ��tate of the art��South Korean plant in Masan. The deal closed for $7.5 billion. As previously decided, Nokia�� former CEO Stephen Elop will be reporting to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella and will be appointed executive vice president of Microsoft Devices Group. He will be overseeing the division that, from hence on, will be in charge of expanding the business of Lumia smartphones and tablets, Xbox hardware, Perceptive Pixel (PPI) products and accessories. Microsoft also plans to export more than 25,000 of Nokia�� former 90,000 employees.What does it mean for Microsoft�� future?

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Ibio Inc (IBIO)

iBio, Inc. (iBio), incorporated on April 17, 2008, is a biotechnology company focused on commercializing its technologies, the iBioLaunch platform for vaccines and therapeutic proteins, as well as the iBioModulator platform for vaccine enhancement. Vaccine candidates on its platform are applicable to newly emerging strains of hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1 (H1N1), swine-like influenza, hemagglutinin type 5 and neuraminidase type 1 (H5N1) avian influenza, yellow fever, and anthrax. The Company licenses or otherwise grants use rights to government and non-governmental organization (NGO) entities for not-for-profit applications of the intellectual property for the development or application for which they granted or were granted funding, and to Fraunhofer USA, Inc. (FhCMB) for research purposes and applications in other fields.

The Company�� platform technology is referred to as iBioLaunch technology or the iBioLaunch platform, and the category of this technology is referred to as plant-based technology or as a plant-based platform. The Company has exclusive control over, and the rights to ownership of, the intellectual property related to all human health and veterinary influenza applications of the plant-based technology developed by FhCMB. Its property consists of the technology platform pursuant, to which hydroponically grown green plants can be used for the accelerated development and manufacture of high-value proteins of interest as candidate therapeutic products and vaccines applicable to a range of disease agents, such as influenza, sleeping sickness, anthrax, plague, human papillomavirus (HPV), and veterinary influenza applications.

Through FhCMB and their funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it is developing vaccine candidates targeting pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) viruses based upon the iBioLaunch platform. These candidates have demonstrated immunogenicity and have been successfully tested in mice and ferrets for protective efficacy.! Like its candidate vaccines for seasonal influenza, its candidate vaccines for avian influenza are subunit vaccines. iBio has commercial rights to vaccine candidates developed pursuant to its business structure based on fusing a protein component of HPV called the E7 antigen, to the LicKM protein of the bacterium Clostridium thermocellum. It has commercial rights to an oral anthrax booster vaccine candidate developed by FhCMB in collaboration with the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  If the name Ibio Inc. (NYSEMKT:IBIO) rings a bell, it may be because I put some bullish thoughts into print regarding the stock back on June 21st. I reiterated my optimism on July 12th. What can I say? It's fun to be right. IBIO shares have advanced 17% since my first look in late June. Then again, most of that big jump has unfurled in the last couple of days, meaning Ibio Inc. is overbought. Do we trust the breakout move, or do we fear a pullback? Answer: That depends.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  With just a quick glance, Ibio Inc. (NYSEMKT:IBIO) doesn't look like anything particularly special. The stock's just bouncing around, and we've not heard any particularly meaningful news from IBIO in a few weeks.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Bowl America Inc (BWL.A)

Bowl America Incorporated, incorporated in July 22, 1958, is engaged in the entertainment business. The Company operates in one segment. Its principal source of revenue consists of fees charged for the use of bowling lanes and other facilities and from the sale of food and beverages for consumption on the premises. Merchandise sales, including food and beverages, were approximately 30% of operating revenues. The balance of operating revenues (approximately 70%) represents fees for bowling and related services. During the fiscal year ended July, 1 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries operated 19 bowling centers. These 19 bowling centers contain a total of 756 lanes. As of September 1, 2012 the Company and its subsidiaries operated 10 bowling centers in the greater metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., one bowling center in the metropolitan area of Baltimore, Maryland, one bowling center in Orlando, Florida, three bowling centers in the metropolitan area of Jacksonville, Florida, and four bowling centers in the metropolitan area of Richmond, Virginia.

These establishments are air-conditioned with facilities for service of food and beverages, game rooms, rental lockers, and meeting room facilities. All centers provide shoes for rental, and bowling balls are provided free. In addition, each center retails bowling accessories. Most locations are equipped for glow-in-the-dark bowling, popular for parties and non-league bowling. The bowling equipment essential for the Company's operation is readily available. Two of the Company's bowling centers are located in leased premises, and the remaining seventeen centers are owned by the Company.

The Company competes with Brunswick Corporation and AMF Bowling Worldwide, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Fredrik Arnold]

  The balance of the top ten included one technology firm, AT&T Inc. (T) in fourth place; one consumer goods, Altria Group Inc. (MO), placed fifth; Bowl America Class A (BWL.A) in seventh place was the lone service dog. Two utilities, Northwest Natural Gas (NWN), and Consolidated Edison (ED), in ninth and tenth places completed the representation of market sectors in the champions index.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Kronos Worldwide Inc (KRO)

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. engages in the production and marketing of titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2) primarily in Europe and North America. It produces TiO2 in two crystalline forms, rutile and anatase to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity, and durability for products, such as coatings, paints, plastics, papers fibers, and ceramics, as well as for various specialty products, including inks, food, and cosmetics. The company also offers ilmenite, a raw material used directly as a feedstock by sulfate-process TiO2 plants; iron-based chemicals, which are co-products and processed co-products of the TiO2 production process and used as treatment and conditioning agents for industrial effluents and municipal wastewater, as well as in the manufacture of iron pigments, cement, and agricultural products; and titanium oxychloride and titanyl sulfate that are side-stream products from the production of TiO2. Its titanium oxychloride is used in the formulation of pearlescent pigments, production of electroceramic capacitors for cell phones, and other electronic devices; and titanyl sulfate is used in pearlescent pigments, natural gas pipe, and other specialty applications. In addition, the company provides technical services. Kronos Worldwide, Inc. sells its products through distributors and agents to paint, plastics, decorative laminate, and paper manufacturers under the Kronos brand name. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Kronos Worldwide, Inc. is a subsidiary of Valhi, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Notable earnings releases expected on Thursday include:

  Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $1.02 on revenue of $4.63 billion, compared to last year�� EPS of $0.97 on revenue of $4.21 billion. Kronos Worldwide Inc (NYSE: KRO) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.01 on revenue of $371.45 million, compared to last year�� loss of $0.12 per share on revenue of $396.80 million. Christopher & Banks Corporation�(NYSE: CBK) is expected to report a fourth quarter loss of $0.03 on revenue of $106.64 million, compared to last year�� loss of $0.11 on revenue of $115.98 million.

  Economics

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Typically, when the chairman of a company dies, its shares drop. That hasn’t been the case for Valhi (VHI), Kronos Worldwide (KRO) and NL Industries (NL), which have all advanced today after Harold Simmons passed away.

• [By John Udovich]

  Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons died over the weekend with investors sending shares of some of his publically traded companies like Valhi, Inc (NYSE: VHI), Kronos Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: KRO), NL Industries, Inc (NYSE: NL) and�CompX International Inc (NYSEMKT: CIX)to higher levels as they anticipate changes���such as asset sales or spin offs. Harold Simmons was the embodiment of the American dream because he was born during the depths of the Great Depression in Golden, Texas to schoolteacher parents and he spent�his early years living without indoor plumbing or electricity. However and by recognizing�underpriced assets and through the use of massive amounts of leverage (e.g. junk bonds),�he built an empire and�ranked #40 on the 2013 Forbes 400 with a fortune estimated to be worth some $10 billion.

• [By GuruFocus]

  Kronos Worldwide Inc. (KRO): Vice Chairman of the Board and CEO Steven L. Watson Bought 14,250 Shares

  Vice Chairman of the Board and CEO of Kronos Worldwide Inc. (KRO) Steven L. Watson bought 14,250 shares during the past week at an average price of $14.81. Kronos Worldwide Inc. is a Delaware Corporation. The company is a global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2). Kronos Worldwide Inc. has a market cap of $1.72 billion; its shares were traded at around $14.81 with a P/E ratio of 42.60 and P/S ratio of 0.95. The dividend yield of Kronos Worldwide Inc. stocks is 4.05%. Kronos WorldwideInc. had an annual average earnings growth of 5.4% over the past 10 years.

Best Diversified Bank Companies To Own In Right Now: Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp (TKMR)

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference (RNAi) therapeutics and providing its lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology to pharmaceutical partners. On March 1, 2012, it announced that the Company had secured a license from Alnylam to develop TKMALDH2, an RNAi therapeutic that utilizes Tekmira's LNP for the treatment of Alcohol Dependence (AD). Its lead oncology product candidate, TKM-PLK1, targets PLK1, a protein involved in tumor cell proliferation and a validated oncology target. On February 8, 2012, it announced that Phase I clinical trial for TKM-Ebola had been initiated. The Phase 1 TKM-Ebola clinical trial is a placebo-controlled, single-blind, single-ascending dose study with additional multiple-ascending dose cohorts in healthy human volunteers. In the field of RNAi therapeutics, the Company has licensed its LNP delivery technology to Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TKMR) shares climbed 34.11% to $13.25. The volume of Tekmira Pharmaceuticals shares traded was 2187% higher than normal. Tekmira signed a development agreement with Monsanto (NYSE: MON) on delivery technology for agricultural applications.

In Budget Faceoff, Obama Warns of 'Economic Chaos'

AP, Pablo Martinez Monsivais WASHINGTON -- A potential federal shutdown looming, President Barack Obama on Monday warned congressional Republicans they could trigger national "economic chaos" if they demand a delay of his health care law as the price for supporting continued spending for federal operations. House Republican leaders were to meet Tuesday in hopes of finding a formula that would avoid a shutdown on Oct. 1 without alienating party conservatives who insist on votes to undercut the Affordable Care Act. Even more daunting is a mid- to late-October deadline for raising the nation's borrowing limit, which some Republicans also want to use as leverage against the Obama administration. "Are some of these folks really so beholden to one extreme wing of their party that they're willing to tank the entire economy just because they can't get their way on this issue?" Obama said in a speech at the White House. "Are they really willing to hurt people just to score political points?" The Republicans don't see it that way. House Speaker John Boehner, who opposes the threat of a shutdown, said, "It's a shame that the president could not manage to rise above partisanship today." Obama, said Boehner, "should be working in a bipartisan way to address America's spending problem, the way presidents of both parties have done before," and should delay implementation of the health care law. While some conservatives supported by the tea party have been making shutdown threats, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said Monday that was "a dumb idea." At a community meeting in Louisville, he said, "We should fight for what we believe in and then maybe we find something in between the two. ... I am for the debate, I am for fighting. I don't want to shut the government down, though. I think that's a bad solution." Obama timed his remarks for the fifth anniversary of the bankruptcy of Wall Street giant Lehman Brothers, a major early event in the near-meltdown of the U.S. financial system and a severe global recession that preceded his presidency. He used the occasion to draw attention to the still-recovering economy and to what he called a "safer" financial system now in place. He delayed his remarks as authorities responded to the shootings that officials said left at least 13 people dead at the Washington Navy Yard just a few miles from the White House. While unemployment has dropped to 7.3 percent from a high of 10 percent and the housing market has begun to recover, the share of long-term unemployed workers is double what it was before the recession, and a homebuilding revival has yet to take hold. A new analysis conducted for The Associated Press shows that the gap in employment rates between America's highest- and lowest-income families has stretched to its widest level since officials began tracking the data a decade ago. Obama conceded the problems. "As any middle class family will tell you or anybody who's striving to get in the middle class, we are not yet where we need to be," he said. Still, his National Economic Council argued his case for progress, issuing a report detailing policies that it said had helped return the nation to a path toward growth. Those steps ranged from the unpopular Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, that shored up the financial industry and bailed out auto giants General Motors and Chrysler, to an $800 billion stimulus bill and sweeping new bank regulations. Of the $245 billion that the government injected into the banking system, virtually all of it has been paid back, the report noted. "After all the progress that we've made over these last four and a half years, the idea of reversing that progress because of an unwillingness to compromise or because of some ideological agenda is the height of irresponsibility," Obama said. He reiterated his stance that he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling. Failure to raise it could lead to the first national default in U.S. history. Conservative Republicans, on the other hand, say the health care law, which has yet to take full effect, will place a burden on businesses and the public and will damage the economy. As a result, they insist that it be starved of taxpayer money or at least delayed. Chances are fading for a complicated GOP leadership plan that would allow the House to also vote to "defund Obamacare" but automatically separate the measures when delivering them to the Senate to ease the way for quick passage of a "clean" funding measure for delivery to Obama. The next steps aren't clear, but one option under consideration is to accede to conservatives' demands to deliver to the Democratic Senate a combined bill that pays for government and defunds the health care law. The Senate would be virtually certain to strip away the attack on the health care law and bounce the funding measure right back to the House. That scenario might frustrate conservatives, with the funding measure probably gaining enough votes to win passage in the House and proceed to the White House for Obama's signature. Stopgap spending bills are usually routine, so the difficult path for the current one hardly inspires confidence for an even more important measure to raise the government's borrowing cap. Republicans want to use the debt limit measure as a mechanism to win further spending cuts on top of those they forced upon Obama two years ago. It's not clear how the debt limit conundrum will be solved, though a time-tested recipe would be to add mostly symbolic reforms like a "no budget, no pay" proposal that worked early this year when House leaders orchestrated a debt limit increase that was intended to last through July or so but is now likely to suffice until mid-late October. The idea was that lawmakers wouldn't get paid if the chamber in which they served didn't pass a budget. It was a House GOP jab aimed at the Senate, which hadn't passed a budget since 2009. This year it did but there's been no effort to reconcile it with a competing House measure. Obama intends to continue pressuring Congress with daily events this week, including a speech Wednesday to the Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs from the top U.S. companies, and a trip Friday to Kansas City to visit a Ford plant, where he will promote the strength of the auto industry.

Why Donald Sterling Might Win in the Sale of the Clippers

Source: Flickr / Noize Photography.

Think Donald Sterling is appropriately being punished by being forced to sell the L.A. Clippers? Troublingly, it turns out this may actually be a good thing for him.

The demand of the league
It isn't worth rehashing the awful remarks that brought Sterling into this mess. And it should come as no surprise ESPN reported he was going to fight the demands of the NBA "to the bloody end," and would do all he could to ensure his Clippers weren't sold.

What is regrettably lost in all of this is Sterling might be the big winner as a result of his disgusting remarks.

Staples Center. Source: Flickr / David Jones.

The troubling truth
Consider the reality that there is only one Clippers team.

When supply is fixed at one, the price is only determined by demand. It's a straight line, and it will only get sold for what people are willing to pay for it.

And in the case of Donald Sterling, that may be exactly what is happening. With the widespread media attention surrounding the controversy, it's not difficult to imagine some of the possible groups interested in buying the Clippers are those who would've never considered it otherwise. Perhaps their thought to buy the Clippers was driven solely by the fact it's such a well-known sale.

After all, it was just last month when the Milwaukee Bucks were sold for $550 million, and Sports Illustrated said, "The sale of the team concludes a quiet, extended process carried out with specific ends in mind." 

And while there would undoubtedly be more demand for the Clippers than the Bucks under normal circumstances, a "quiet" and "extended process" is the exact opposite of what the sale of the Clippers will ultimately be.

ESPN said today there are "at least six serious groups" who've approached Sterling's wife to buy the team already. And last week it also reported "the number of bidders for the Clippers is expected to stray well into double digits," provided the league is able to "force the sale of the team."

So does that mean demand will double? While we cannot say for certain, we do know the sale is expected to top $1 billion. But it was just this January when Forbes pegged the value of the Clippers at "just" $575 million. With the demand on the rise, and the supply fixed at one, the price is apparently only moving up. Meaning Sterling will only get more from the sale.

The surprising bright spot
To think a deplorable man like Sterling could actually benefit by getting a higher price than he would otherwise as a result of the attention devoted to him is somewhat defeating. Yet there is one lone bright spot.

Sterling's remarks note:

On top of that punishment, forcing a sale rather than allowing the team to pass by succession to the remaining spouse or heirs would trigger an avoidable capital gains tax estimated to be more than $300 million to $500 million.

If the price rises, it means Sterling will end up having to pay more in taxes. And while we may all think what we will about taxes, it turns out this may be one instance where the taxes appropriately make all Americans -- but one -- a little richer.

Your credit card may soon be completely worthless
The news about the possibility of Sterling coming out on top is troubling, but it turns out supply and demand can actually benefit us all. The plastic in your wallet is about to go the way of the typewriter, the VCR, and the 8-track tape player. When it does, a handful of investors could stand to get very rich as the demand for one company's product sky rockets. You can join them -- but you must act now. An eye-opening new presentation reveals the full story on why your credit card is about to be worthless -- and highlights one little-known company sitting at the epicenter of an earth-shaking movement that could hand early investors the kind of profits we haven't seen since the dot-com days. Click here to watch this stunning video.

Costco earnings up, but not enough for Wall St.

Costco Wholesale net income rose 3% in the third-quarter as the warehouse club operator's sales and membership fees improved.

A key sales figure rose both in the U.S. and abroad, but its earnings fell short of Wall Street expectations. Its shares slipped in pre-market trading Thursday.

Costco's stores offer members the ability to buy items in bulk at low prices.

Net income for the 12 weeks ended May 11 rose 3% to $473 million, or $1.07 per share. That compares with net income $459 million, or $1.04 per share. Analysts expected $1.09 per share, according to FactSet.

Revenue rose 7% to $25.79 billion from $24.08 billion last year. Analysts expected $25.68 billion.

Revenue in stores open at least one year rose 5% in the U.S. and 3% internationally. Excluding gas prices and foreign currency fluctuation, the figure rose 6% in the U.S. and 8% internationally.

Costco, based in Issaquah, Wash., operates 655 warehouses, including 464 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 87 in Canada, 33 in Mexico, 25 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Japan, 10 in Taiwan, 10 in Korea, six in Australia, and one in Spain.

Its shares were trading between $112.85 and $113.80 ahead of market opening today, down from the previous day's close of $113.87.

Industrial Look: Eye on Japan’s Imaging Companies with High Yield

In the 80s and 90s, it seemed everyone had to own a prized Nikon camera. The digital revolution came along and obliterated much of the demand for film and dark rooms. Then camera technology became universal in smart phones, yet again reorganizing the demand for cameras and how we capture images. Moreover, advances to digital imaging technology translated well beyond cameras to copiers, printers, scanners, microscopes, telescopes and other precision instruments.

Here's a look at two long-established Japanese camera and imaging equipment companies in a 52-week low. The companies selected are more than 20% off a 52-week high.

Industry Sector: Industrial Products – Business Equipment

The industrial products sector currently has 15 companies out of 239 on a 52-week low. The low ratio is 0.06.

Canon Inc. (CAJ)

Down 9% over 12 months, Canon Inc. has a market cap of $36.95 billion, and trades with a P/B of 1.40.

The current share price is around $32.05, or 21.7% off the 52-week high of $40.94. The yield is 4.03%.

Canon Inc. was incorporated under the laws of Japan in 1937. The company manufactures office multifunction devices (MFDs), plain paper copying machines, laser printers, inkjet printers, cameras and lithography equipment. It operates in three business segments: office business, imaging system business, industry and other business.

The company reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2013 with net sales of $966,880 (millions of yen), compared to $899,205 in the same period a year ago, reflecting an increase of 7.5%. Operating profit for the quarter was $98,354 (millions of yen), compared to $92,596 in the same period a year ago. Net income is $66,496 (millions of yen) compared to a year ago at $51,714. (Note: 1 Japanese ten currently equals 0.010 US Dollar.)

Guru Action: As of June 30, 2013, there are six guru stakeholders.

The top Guru stakeholder is Charles Brandes who reduced his position by 1.67%, selling 37,8! 19 shares at an average price of $35.33 per share, making a loss of 9.3%. He currently holds 2,222,128 shares or 0.19% of shares outstanding.

In five years of holding, he has averaged a loss of 2% on 6,120,506 shares bought at an average price of $32.68 per share. He has averaged a loss of 28% on 3,898,468 shares sold at an average price of $44.26 per share.

Steven Cohen sold out his holding.as of June 30, 2013, selling 7,716 shares at an average price of $35.33 for a loss of 9.3%. In eleven quarters, the holding consistently lost in every quarter.

Track share pricing, revenue and net income:

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Nikon: (NINOY) (NINOF)

Down 43 % over 12 months, Nikon (NINOY) has a market cap of $6.58 billion, and trades with a P/E of 21.00.

The current Nikon company shares traded in the US are priced as follows: NINOY shares are selling at around $16.60, or 46.3% off the 52-week high of $30.94, with a yield of 6.98%. Nikon's NINOF share price is around $16.42, or 45.5% off the 52-week high of $30.12, with a yield of 1.49%.

On the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nikon is traded as TSE: 7731.

Founded in Tokyo in 1917, Nikon manufactures and sells visual imaging, optical and video equipment, operating in four business segments: precision equipment, imaging products, instruments, and other. The company utilizes advanced technology for consumer and industrial products and equipment. Nikon is a company in the Mitsubishi Group.

The company reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2013 with net sales of $238,981 (millions of yen), compared to $259,431 in the same period a year ago. Gross profit for the quarter was $83,125 (millions of yen), compared to $96,975 in the same period a year ago. Net income is $4,436 (millions of yen) compared to a year ago at $15,770. (Note: 1 Japanese ten currently equals 0.010 US Dollar.)

Last week Nikon Inc. released a ne! w advance! d technology, high definition camera called the COOLPIX P7800 to capture video and images.

Guru Action: There are no current US Guru stakeholders to report. To access Nikon Inc. in Japan, try a GuruFocus Global Premium Membership.

Tracking NINOY share pricing, revenue and net income:

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Try a GuruFocus Global Premium Membership to access Nikon in Japan and other companies around the world.

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10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015

What kind of investor are you? If you don't know, you might have a problem. It's useful to have a handle on your investment strategy, so that you can better focus on it.

There are many different ways to categorize investing. For example, a Goldilocks-like approach might divide investing strategies into these groups:

Too-aggressive investing: This approach puts your dollars in danger. It can include any of a host of riskier-than-average types of investments, such as options, commodities, currency bets, penny stocks, and even lottery tickets. It's true that some options strategies can be conservative, but many are not, and it's very, very common for options to expire unexercised and worthless.

Too-cautious investing: It might seem smart to be very conservative with your money, but if you do that, it might not grow enough to support you in retirement. That's especially true these days, in our environment of ultra-low interest rates. With inflation historically averaging about 3% annually in the U.S., even earning 2% in your bank account or via a bond or CD will leave you losing purchasing power over time.

Just-right investing: For many people, a long-term portfolio mixed with both stocks and bonds is a sound way to grow your net worth.

The bond world features many kinds of bonds, such as government bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds. Government bonds, such as U.S. Treasury bills, bonds, and notes, are the safest, backed by the U.S. government. They pay interest that's taxable on your federal tax return, but is exempt from state and local taxes. Municipal bonds can be riskier, as some local governments are on somewhat shaky ground, but they can therefore offer higher interest rates and their interest is exempt not only from state and local taxes, but also from federal taxes. Corporate bonds are issued by companies that want to raise money. They, too, offer rates higher than government bonds, and their interest is not tax-exempt. In general, the higher their interest rate, the lower their credit rating and healthiness.

Stock investing approaches
A sound stock investment strategy is hard to beat, for long-term growth. Here's a quick rundown of some key approaches. Note that many investors engage in one or more of them -- they're not all mutually exclusive.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Portland General Electric Company (POR)

Portland General Electric Company operates as an integrated electric utility in Oregon. The company engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity. Its generating portfolio consists of thermal, hydro, and wind resources. The company also sells electricity and natural gas in the wholesale market to utilities, brokers, and power marketers in the western United States and Canada. As of March 31, 2011, it served approximately 821,193 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Utility operator�Portland General Electric� (NYSE: POR  ) �announced yesterday�its second-quarter dividend of $0.275 per share, a near-2% increase over last quarter's payout of $0.27 per share.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Dot Hill Systems Corporation(HILL)

Dot Hill Systems Corp. designs, manufactures, and markets a range of software and hardware storage systems for the entry and midrange storage markets worldwide. Its storage solutions consist of integrated hardware, firmware, and software products employing a modular system that allows end-users to add various protocol, performance, capacity, or data protection schemes. The company offers AssuredSAN products, a flexible line of networked data storage solutions for open systems environments, including fiber channel, Internet small computer systems interface, and serial attached small computer systems interface, or SAS storage markets. Its AssuredSAN product lines range from approximately 146 gigabyte to 192 terabyte storage systems. The company also provides RAID software for industry standard Windows and Linux servers, as well as storage management applications, which manage its storage system configurations. In addition, it sells DMS software products comprising AssuredSna p, AssuredCopy, AssuredRemote, and RAIDar. Further, the company offers standalone storage software products, such as AssuredUVS, a unified virtual storage appliance product; and AssuredVRA. It sells its products through original equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, distributors, and value added resellers. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Longmont, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap storage stock Dot Hill Systems Corp (NASDAQ: HILL) is up 193.4% since the start of the year for a much better performance than its larger cap peers Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ: WDC) and SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), which are 55.5% and 35.3%, respectively, since the start of the year. So why has this relatively unknown small cap storage stock been a better performer than its better known storage stock peers?

• [By John Udovich]

  On Monday, small cap storage stock Violin Memory Inc (NYSE: VMEM) surged 21.56% after booting out its CEO in the wake of disappointing earnings and IPO, meaning its time to take a closer look at the stock along with the performance of potential or better known storage peers like large caps SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) and Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ: WDC) plus small cap Dot Hill Systems Corp (NASDAQ: HILL).

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Owens-Illinois Inc.(OI)

Owens-Illinois, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells glass container products primarily in Europe, North America, South America, and the Asia Pacific. The company produces glass containers for beer, ready-to-drink low alcohol refreshers, spirits, wine, food, tea, juice, and pharmaceuticals, as well as for soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages, including returnable/refillable glass containers. It serves brewers, wine vintners, distillers, and food producers. The company sells its products directly to customers under annual or multi-year supply agreements, as well as through distributors. Owens-Illinois, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Owens-Illinois Inc. (NYSE: OI) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral by J.P. Morgan, sending shares up almost 4%.

  Also see a guide to oil and stocks based up military action in Syria �prepared by UBS.

• [By Anora Mahmudova]

  Owens Illinois Inc. (OI) �fell 1.9%. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch reportedly downgraded the glass company to neutral from buy , according to the Analyst Ratings Network.

• [By Ben Eisen and Saumya Vaishampayan]

  Owens Illinois Inc. (OI) �was down 2.1% Friday. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch reportedly downgraded the glass company to neutral from buy , according to the Analyst Ratings Network.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Total System Services Inc.(TSS)

Total System Services, Inc. provides electronic payment processing and other services to card-issuing and merchant acquiring institutions. The company offers issuer account solutions, including processing the card application, initiating service for the cardholder, processing each card transaction for the issuing retailer or financial institution, and accumulating the account's transactions; fraud management services; and other services, such as customized communications to cardholders, and information verification associated with granting credit, debt collection, and customer service. It also provides merchant processing and related services that comprise processing various payment forms, such as credit, debit, prepaid, electronic benefit transfer, and electronic check; authorization and capture of transactions; clearing and settlement of transactions; information reporting services related to transactions; merchant billing services; and point-of-sale equipment sales and service. In addition, the company offers issuer and merchant card solutions. Total System Services, Inc. provides its services through online accounting and electronic payment processing systems. It operates primarily in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Asia Pacific, and Brazil. The company was founded in 1982 and is based in Columbus, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Paperless payments provider�Total System Services� (NYSE: TSS  ) �announced yesterday�its second-quarter dividend of $0.10 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past six quarters.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Total System Services (NYSE: TSS  )
  Buffett may have been a bit gun-shy with technology and finance stocks of late, but he could combine the best of both worlds by purchasing Total System Services, a software developer and payment processor for the credit card industry.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Innoprise Plantations Bhd (INNO)

Innoprise Plantations Berhad is a Malaysia-based company engaged in investment holding and provision of management services to its subsidiary. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the principal activities of log extraction contractor and operation of oil palm plantations, producer and supplier of renewable energy. The Company operates in three segments: Plantation, Timber and Corporate. The Plantation segment includes cultivation of oil palm. The Timber segment includes log extraction services. The Corporate segment includes group level corporate services, treasury functions and investment in marketable securities. The Company�� subsidiaries include Serijaya Industri Sdn. Bhd. and IPB Bio Energy Sdn. Bhd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Respect Your Universe Inc (OTCMKTS: RYUN), Global Gaming Network (OTCMKTS: GBGM) and Innocap, Inc (OTCBB: INNO) have been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters thanks in part to paid promotions or investor relations activities. Of course there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed paid promotions or investor relations type of activities, but they can come back and bite unwary traders or investors. So what should you do with these three small cap stocks? Here is a quick reality check:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Rising India Inc (OTCMKTS: RSII), Innocap, Inc (OTCBB: INNO) and Amplitech Group Inc (OTCBB: AMPG) have all been the subject of recent paid for promotions or investor relation campaigns. And while there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotions, investors who aren�� traders and are looking for a long term investment need to be careful. With that said, do these three small caps have what it takes to succeed for the long haul? Here is a quick reality check before you jump in:

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: G-III Apparel Group Ltd (GIII)

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (G-III) designs, manufactures and markets a range of apparel, including outerwear, dresses, sportswear, women�� suits and women�� performance wear, as well as luggage and women�� handbags, small leather goods and cold weather accessories. It operates in three segments: wholesale licensed products, wholesale non-licensed products and retail operations. The wholesale licensed products segment includes sales of products under brands licensed by it from third parties. The wholesale non-licensed products segment includes sales of products under its own brands and private label brands. The retail operations segment consists almost entirely of the operations of its Wilsons outlet stores. The Company sells its products under its own brands, which include Andrew Marc, Marc New York and Marc Moto, licensed brands and private retail labels. In August 2012, the Company acquired Vilebrequin, a provider of swimwear, accessories and resort-wear. Effective November 4, 2013, G-III Apparel Group Ltd acquired GH Bass & Co.

The Company provides apparel under recognized brands to a cross section of retailers, such as Macy��, Bloomingdale��, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, The Bon-Ton Stores, Dillards, JC Penney, Belk and Kohl��. As of January 31, 2012, the Company operated 139 retail stores, of which 135 are outlet stores operated under the Wilsons Leather name and four are outlet stores operated under its Andrew Marc brand. It has licenses to produce branded fashion apparel under the Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Guess?, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi��, Dockers, Jessica Simpson, Ellen Tracy, Kensie, Mac & Jac, Jones New York, Sean John and Nine West brands, among others. It also has sports licenses with the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Touch by Alyssa Milano and over 100 United States colleges and universities. G-III sells outerwear, dresses and handbags under the Company�� own Andrew Marc, Marc ! New York and Marc Moto brands and has licensed these brands to select third parties in certain product categories. Its other owned brands include, among others, Jessica Howard, Eliza J, Black Rivet, G-III, G-III Sports by Carl Banks and Winlit.

The Company works with a group of retailers, such as JC Penney, Kohl�� and Express in developing private label product lines. G-III�� products are sold primarily to department, specialty and mass merchant retail stores in the United States. It sells to approximately 2,400 customers, ranging from national and regional chains to small specialty stores. It also distributes its products through its retail outlet stores. It also markets its products in Canada, Europe and the Far East.

G-III�� branded apparel also consists of both women�� and men�� products. The Andrew Marc line of women�� and men�� luxury apparel is sold to upscale department and specialty retail stores. The Marc New York line of women�� and men�� better priced outerwear is sold to upper tier stores. The Marc Moto line is a men�� denim lifestyle collection of sportswear and accessories. The Jessica Howard label is a moderate price dress line that sells to department stores, specialty stores and catalogs. Eliza J is a better dress line that sells to better department and specialty stores. The Black Rivet line of apparel consists of women�� and men�� outerwear. It sells men�� sports-related apparel under its G-III Sports by Carl Banks label.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Express Inc.(EXPR), G-III Apparel Group Ltd.(GIII) and Oculus Innovative Sciences Inc.

• [By alicet236]

  G-III Apparel Group Ltd. (GIII): CEO, 10% Owner Morris Goldfarb Sold 200,000 Shares

  CEO, 10% Owner of G-III Apparel Group Ltd. (GIII) Morris Goldfarb sold 200,000 shares on 01/14/2014 at an average price of $70.9. G-III Apparel Group Ltd is a Delaware corporation that was formed in 1989. G-III Apparel Group Ltd. has a market cap of $1.46 billion; its shares were traded at around $71.45 with a P/E ratio of 20.60 and P/S ratio of 0.91. G-III Apparel Group Ltd. had an annual average earnings growth of 22.20% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated G-III Apparel Group Ltd. the business predictability rank of 3.5-star.

• [By Amal Singh]

  G-III Apparel (NASDAQ: GIII  ) has a strong portfolio of 30 licensed brands, marketing apparel, outerwear, beachwear, luggage, women's handbags, small leather goods, and accessories, to name a few of its products. The company sells its apparel�offerings under popular brand names like Andrew Marc, Jessica Howard, Calvin Klein, Levi's, and Tommy Hilfiger. The company has also announced plans to revive the Starter Statin jacket franchise�. It is also looking at acquisitions and mergers to grow its business moving forward�.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Fifth Third Bancorp (FFH)

Fifth Third Bancorp (the Bancorp), incorporated on October 7, 1974, is a diversified financial services company. As of December 31, 2011, the Bancorp had $117 billion in assets, operated 15 affiliates with 1,316 full-service Banking Centers, including 104 Bank Mart locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores, and 2,425 automated teller machines (ATMs) in 12 states throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States. The Bancorp operates in four business segments: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Investment Advisors. The Bancorp also has a 49% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC.

Commercial Banking

Commercial Banking offers credit intermediation, cash management and financial services to large and middle-market businesses and government and professional customers. In addition to the traditional lending and depository offerings, Commercial Banking products and services include global cash management, foreign exchange and international trade finance, derivatives and capital markets services, asset-based lending, real estate finance, public finance, commercial leasing and syndicated finance.

Branch Banking

Branch Banking provides a range of deposit and loan and lease products to individuals and small businesses through 1,316 full-service Banking Centers. Branch Banking offers depository and loan products, such as checking and savings accounts, home equity loans and lines of credit, credit cards and loans for automobiles and other personal financing needs, as well as products designed to meet the specific needs of small businesses, including cash management services.

Consumer Lending

Consumer Lending includes the Bancorp�� mortgage, home equity, automobile and other indirect lending activities. Mortgage and home equity lending activities include the origination, retention and servicing of mortgage and home equity loans or lines of credit, sales and securitizations of t! hose loans, pools of loans or lines of credit, and all associated hedging activities. Indirect lending activities include loans to consumers through mortgage brokers and automobile dealers.

Investment Advisors

Investment Advisors provides a range of investment alternatives for individuals, companies and not-for-profit organizations. Investment Advisors is made up of four main businesses: Fifth Third Securities (FTS), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp; Fifth Third Asset Management, Inc. (FTAM), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp; Fifth Third Private Bank; and Fifth Third Institutional Services. FTS offers full service retail brokerage services to individual clients and broker dealer services to the institutional marketplace. FTAM provides asset management services and also advises the Bancorp�� family of mutual funds. Fifth Third Private Bank offers holistic strategies to affluent clients in wealth planning, investing, insurance and wealth protection. Fifth Third Institutional Services provide advisory services for institutional clients including states and municipalities.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bloomberg]

  Mattel (MAT), the world's largest toymaker, agreed to buy Mega Brands (MB) for $460 million, acquiring the biggest challenger to Lego A/S in the construction-toy market. Mattel is offering C$17.75 ($16) a share, according to a statement today, a 36 percent premium over yesterday's closing price. The board of Montreal-based Mega Brands unanimously approved the transaction, and investors holding 39 percent of the stock, including Chief Executive Officer Marc Bertrand and Fairfax Financial Holdings (FFH), agreed to the deal. The purchase of Mega Brands, the world's second-largest maker of snap-together blocks, will fill a product hole for Mattel. It doesn't have its own construction line, locking it out of a $4 billion market in the U.S. and Europe. The category also is a bright spot in a toy industry that has seen growth stall in the U.S. Mattel considered starting its own construction line, then opted instead to buy Mega Brands because it would be faster and less risky, Mattel CEO Bryan G. Stockton said on a call with reporters. Mattel got its first taste of construction in 2012 when it debuted blocks for its Barbie brand through a licensing deal with Mega Brands. Mattel realized that replicating this kind of expertise would take years, Stockton said. 'About Growth' "This acquisition is all about growth," Stockton said. "We see an opportunity to expand our brands in this category across boys, girls and preschool." Mattel shares rose 0.8 percent to $37.44 at 10:34 a.m. in New York. They had declined 9 percent over the past year through yesterday. Shares of Montreal-based Mega Brands surged 36 percent to C$17.73 today in Toronto. Mattel is coming off a lackluster holiday season, with sales sinking 6.3 percent -- the biggest quarterly drop since 2009. The El Segundo, California-based toymaker has looked to acquisitions to boost sales in the past. In February of 2012, it paid $680 million to buy HIT Entertainment, owner of Thomas the Tank Engine. It also acq

• [By gurufocus]

  Prem Watsa, highly regarded CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (FFH), wrote in March that ��e continue to fully hedge our common stock portfolios as our concerns about the United States��� You would think he has been wrong with the hedging as he is losing money with them. But the last time he was losing with hedging was during the last bull market from 2004 to 2006. He then made a killing with the hedges in 2007 and 2008.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: KLA-Tencor Corporation (KLAC)

KLA-Tencor Corporation engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related nanoelectronics industries. It offers equipment comprising wafer and integrated circuit (IC) defect monitoring, review, and classification; reticle defect inspection and metrology; packaging and interconnect inspection; critical dimension metrology; pattern overlay metrology; film thickness, surface topography, and composition measurements; measurement of in-chamber process conditions, wafer shape, and stress metrology; computational lithography tools; and yield and fab-wide data management and analysis systems. The company also provides products that serve the high brightness light emitting diode, data storage, and photovoltaic industries, as well as general materials research. It primarily offers its products to wafer, IC, reticle, and disk manufacturers in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Europe, Israel, Korea, and the Rest of Asia. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Milpitas, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alex Planes]

  What: Shares of KLA-Tencor (NASDAQ: KLAC  ) are down today by about 8% after bottoming at a 10% loss in the morning. The market is not happy with the company's forward guidance, despite a decent earnings report for the fiscal third quarter.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Federated Investors Inc. (FII)

Federated Investors, Inc. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to individuals, including high net worth individuals, banking or thrift institutions, investment companies, pension and profit sharing plans, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities, and registered investment advisors. Through its subsidiaries, it manages separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and money market mutual funds and separate client-focused equity, fixed income, and balanced portfolios. The firm invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. It invests in growth and value stocks of small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap companies. The firm makes its fixed income investments in ultra-short, short-term, and intermediate-term mortgage-backed, U.S. Government, U.S. Corporate, high yield, and municipal securities. It employs a fundamental and a quantitative analysis to make its equity investmen ts. The firm also makes sector-focused equity investments. Federated Investors was founded in 1955 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with an additional office in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  But there are winners–and they’re any stock that’s helped by higher rates. There are mutual fund companies with big money-market fund businesses, who wouldn’t be forced to run these funds for what is essentially free. Federated Investors (FII), for instance, has jumped 2.1% to $27.99. Life insurance companies, too, are rising because they should be able to earn more on their investments. MetLife (MET), for instance, has risen 1.3% to $53.03.

10 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Papa John's International Inc.(PZZA)

Papa John?s International, Inc. operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants under the Papa John?s trademark worldwide. The company also operates dine-in and restaurant-based delivery restaurants in certain international markets. As of December 25, 2011, the company operated 3,883 Papa John?s restaurants consisting of 628 company-owned and 3,255 franchised restaurants in 50 states of the United States and 32 countries. Papa John?s International, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  Papa's got a brand new bag
  Papa John's (NASDAQ: PZZA  ) founder and CEO John Schnatter is no fan of Obamacare. After the Affordable Care Act was first proposed, Schnatter told shareholders he expected the new legislation to cost his company around $5 million to $8 million a year, costing the company $0.11 to $0.14 more per pizza..�When asked by a reporter what he thought franchisees would do to cover costs, Schnatter predicted that owners would work around the Act by cutting employee hours to disqualify them from company coverage. (Read more on the exchange here.)

• [By John Maxfield]

  Rich Duprey's article "Will Obamacare Carve up the Restaurant Industry?" builds on these concerns. Rich cites statements from CEOs of multiple restaurant chains about the possibility that worker hours will be cut to avoid the added premiums. The head of Papa John's (NASDAQ: PZZA  ) said that it's "common sense" to do so, and Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI  ) , the parent company of Olive Garden and Red Lobster, experimented with a plan to hire more part-time workers last year before abandoning it in the face of a customer backlash.

• [By Rich Smith]

  That's less than half the rise of the broader S&P 500 index of companies. It's four times less than the 37% gain seen at Papa John's (NASDAQ: PZZA  ) , and less than a tenth of the gains at skyrocketing Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ  ) . But why is Pizza Hut's owner underperforming, and why might its laggard performance continue for longer than investors expect?

• [By Neil Macneale]

  Papa John's Pizza (PZZA) came in Number Two in the rankings, but had a significantly lower score, primarily due to its relatively high valuation numbers.

3 Stocks Under $10 Making Big Moves

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- At Stockpickr, we track daily portfolios of stocks that are the biggest percentage gainers and the biggest percentage losers.

>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings

Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

>>5 Rocket Stocks to Buy for Short-Week Gains

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at a several stocks under $10 that are making large moves to the upside.

Tonix Pharmaceuticals

Tonix Pharmaceuticals (TNXP), a development stage specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on the identification and development of pharmaceutical products for the disorders of central nervous system. This stock closed up 4.9% to $9.34 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $8.88-$9.42

52-Week Range: $3.00-$21.00

Tuesday's Volume: 98,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 122,864

From a technical perspective, TNXP jumped higher here right above its 200-day moving average of $8.57 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last five months, with shares moving lower from its high of $21 to its recent low of $8.14 a share. During that downtrend, shares of TNXP have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of TNXP have now started to bounce off its 200-day and it's starting to break out above some near-term overhead resistance at $9.27. Market players should now look for a continuation move to the upside if TNXP manages to clear Tuesday's intraday high of $9.42 with strong upside volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in TNXP as long as it's trending above Thursday's low of $8.88 or above its 200-day at $8.57 and then once it sustains a move or close above $9.42 with volume that hits near or above 122,864 shares. If that move materializes soon, then TNXP will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $9.93 to its 50-day moving average of $9.97. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give TNXP a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance levels at $10.44 to $11.93.

Conatus Pharmaceuticals

Conatus Pharmaceuticals (CNAT), a biotechnology company, focuses on the development and commercialization of novel medicines to treat liver diseases in the U.S. This stock closed up 8.7% to $6.09 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $5.60-$6.10

52-Week Range: $5.06-$15.67

Tuesday's Volume: 420,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 416,652

From a technical perspective, CNAT ripped higher here and broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $6 with above-average volume. This stock has been downtrending badly for the last three months, with shares moving lower from its high of $13.18 to its recent low of $5.06. During that downtrend, shares of CNAT have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of CNAT are now starting to rebound off that $5.06 low and it looks like its downtrend might be over in the short-term. Market players should now look for a continuation move to the upside in the short-term if CNAT manages to clear Tuesday's intraday high of $6.10 with strong volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CNAT as long as it's trending above Tuesday's low of $5.60 or above more near-term support at $5.40 and then once it sustains a move or close above $6.10 with volume that hits near or above 416,652 shares. If that move gets underway soon, then CNAT will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $6.40 to $6.87, or even its 50-day moving average at $7.05. Any high-volume move above $7.05 will then give CNAT a chance to tag $8.10 to $8.50.

Arotech

Arotech (ARTX), together with its subsidiaries, provides defense and security products and services. This stock closed up 5.1% to $4.67 a share in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Range: $4.41-$4.79

52-Week Range: $1.00-$6.61

Tuesday's Volume: 1.05 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.95 million

From a technical perspective, ARTX ripped higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $4.32 with decent upside volume. This spike higher on Tuesday is starting to push shares of ARTX within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if ARTX manages to take out Tuesday's intraday high of $4.79 and then once it clears more near-term overhead resistance levels at $4.85 to $5.15 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ARTX as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $4.32 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.95 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then ARTX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $5.75 to $6.

To see more stocks that are making notable moves higher, check out the Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>4 Big Stocks to Trade (or Not)

>>5 Stocks Poised for Breakouts

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar

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.

Good News for Automakers in August Sales Forecast

New U.S. car sales for the month of August, including fleet sales, are expected to reach 1.46 million units, remaining on track to reach total 2013 sales of 15.6 million units, according to Kelley Blue Book's latest data. The forecast calls for sales to rise 13.6% year-over-year and 11% month-over-month.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) is expected to post the largest year-over-year gain, up 17.3%, which Kelley attributes to the company's redesigned Accord, Civic and CR-V models. Honda also posts a market share gain of 0.3% year-over-year to 10.5%, the biggest gain of any automaker in the Kelley Blue Book data.

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) is expected to post a 9.8% gain year-over-year and maintain its hold on second place in the battle for market share with 14.8% share, just 0.1% better than Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM). The U.S. market share leader continues to be General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) which claims 18.7% share.

Full-size pickup truck sales are expected to rise 21.8% above August 2012 sales and up 0.9% from July 2013. Only the compact crossover segment, expected to rise by 22.1% over last August, shows a bigger yearly increase. Pickup truck sales are expected to grow even more in what is traditionally a better time of year for truck sales. Good news for Ford, GM, and Chrysler Group's Ram pickups.

Sales of mid-size cars are forecast to decline by nearly 2% this month compared with August 2012, but the segment still claims the largest market share with 15.8%. A redesigned Toyota Corolla is due out next month and that may push the compact segment's market share, currently at 15.4% and rising, into the top spot.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now

LONDON -- Disappointing economic news from China sent Japan's Nikkei index down 7% overnight and had a knock-on effect on the FTSE 100 (FTSEINDICES: ^FTSE  ) this morning: The blue-chip index is down 1.8% to 6,719 points as of 8:15 a.m. EDT. News from the U.S. Federal Reserve that economic stimulus could be cut back in the coming months didn't help, either.

Plenty of company shares are falling today as well, but here are three from the various indexes that look set to hold up against the FTSE.

United Utilities
Final results from United Utilities sent the firm's share price up 1.2% this morning after the final dividend was raised 7.2% to 22.9 pence per share to take the total annual dividend to 34.3 pence per share. That's in keeping with policy and bang in line with expectations, and it represents a yield of 4.3% on the current share price.

The water company recorded an 8% rise in underlying pre-tax profit to 拢354.3 million, with underlying earnings per share up 11% to 39.1 pence. On those earnings, the shares are on a P/E of 20 today, with forecasts for 2014 dropping that to 18.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS)

Vestas Wind Systems A/S is a Denmark-based company active within the wind power industry. The Company operates within four business areas: Finance, Sales, Manufacturing & Global Sourcing, and Technology & Service Solutions. The Finance business area focuses on business support services. The Sales business area is divided into six geographical units: Americas, Asia Pacific & China, Central Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Offshore. The Manufacturing & Global Sourcing business area is engaged in the manufacturing of assembly, blades, components, controls and generators. The Technology & Service Solutions business area is responsible for the engineering solutions, platform and product management, as well as service engineering, among others. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated globally through a network of subsidiaries located in Denmark, Germany, Italy, China, the United States, Spain, Estonia, Sweden and Norway. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Pato Kehoe]

  Within the power infrastructure segment, GE is especially keen on advancing in clean-energy products, such as gas and wind turbines. Wind turbines have contributed significantly to generating a solid competitive advantage, even allowing the firm to surpass the Danish industry giant Vestas Wind Systems (VWS), thanks to superior customer care and manufacturing expertise. Hence, the road seems paved for continued success in this new industry sector, which is bound to continue growing as clean energy becomes more popular.

• [By Tom Stoukas]

  Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS) surged 11 percent to 66.30 kroner, its highest price since February 2012. Credit Suisse Group AG raised the world�� biggest wind-turbine maker to neutral from underperform, citing benefits from cost cuts.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Solar Thin Films Inc (SLTZ)

Solar Thin Films, Inc. is engaged in the business of designing, manufacturing and installation of thin-film amorphous silicon (a-Si) photovoltaic manufacturing equipment. The equipment is used in plants that produce photovoltaic thin-film a-Si solar panels or modules. The Company operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kraft Elektronikai Zrt (Kraft). Kraft is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and installation of a-Si photovoltaic manufacturing equipment. The primary buyers of photovoltaic thin-film manufacturing equipment are businesses, as well as investment partnerships, engaged in the production of photovoltaic thin-film modules. In May 2010, the Company acquired Atlantis Solar LLC. In May 2013, Solar Thin Films Inc acquired Quality Resource Technologies Inc. In October 2013, Solar Thin Films Inc announced the sale of all of its ownership stake of Hungarian subsidiary, Kraft, R.t. (Kraft), to GJR Collectibles LLC.

Kraft has been providing equipment that is incorporated into a single manufacturing line capable of manufacturing a-Si solar modules that produce approximately 5megawatt (MW) of solar power annually. The Company focuses, directly and through joint ventures or alliances with other companies or governmental agencies, to sell equipment for and participate financially in solar power facilities using thin film a-Si solar modules or metallurgical and other crystalline solar modules as the power source to provide electricity to municipalities, businesses and consumers.

The Company competes with Applied Materials and Oerlikon.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Alliance Creative Group Inc (OTCMKTS: ACGX), Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure Inc (OTCMKTS: DJRT), Inscor Inc (OTCMKTS: IOGA) and Solar Thin Films Inc (OTCMKTS: SLTZ) have all been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters and it should come as no surprise that two out of four of these stocks have been the subject of paid promotions ��which tend to benefit traders. However, two out of four of these stocks also have pretty good financials for being small cap OTC stocks and that might make them attractive to investors with a long term time horizon. So which of these stocks might make traders some profits in the short term and investors some profits over the longer term? Here is a closer look to help you decide:

Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Invest In Right Now: MagneGas Corp (MNGA)

MagneGas Corporation, incorporated on December 09, 2005, is an alternative energy company that creates and produces hydrogen based alternative fuel through the gasification of liquid waste. The Company has developed a process which transforms various types of liquid waste through a plasma arc machine. The result of the product is to carbonize the waste for normal disposal. A byproduct of this process is to produce an alternative to natural gas sold in the metalworking market. The Company produces gas bottled in cylinders for the purpose of distribution to the metalworking markets as an alternative to acetylene. In addition, the Company markets, for sale or licensure, its plasma arc technology. Through the course of the Company's business development, the Company has established a retail and wholesale platforms to sell its fuel for use in the metalworking and manufacturing industries. In August 2012, the Company purchased a 3.5 acre site in Tarpon Springs, FL.

The Company focuses on producing and selling fuels and equipment for the metalworking fuel market. The Company has distributors in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Michigan and Florida. The Company also has a retail operation in Florida selling fuel directly to end users. The Company has obtained approval from the Department of Transportation to deliver fuel in Florida and has several customers purchasing fuel directly. The Company has two products: the fuel called MagneGas and the machines that produce that gas known as Plasma Arc Flow refineries. The Company produces MagneGas for the metalworking market from a feedstock of virgin ethylene glycol (automotive anti-freeze) which is purchased in bulk from outside suppliers. The fuel is hydrogen based and can be used to replace natural gas. It is sold as a replacement for acetylene in the metalworking market. The Plasma Arc Flow technology can gasify many forms of liquid waste such as ethylene glycol, sewage and sludge. Plasma Arc Flow refineries are configured in various sizes ranging from 50kil! owatts (KW) to 500KW depending on the application.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  You're welcome. Back on March 12th when yours truly penned some bullish thoughts on MagneGas Corporation (NASDAQ:MNGA), nobody cared, largely because nobody had heard of the company, and there was no particular reason anybody had to find MNGA. Now less than a full week later, this once-obscure name is all the rage; no less than 21 different market-centric websites have made mention of the stock's explosive growth over the past few days. MagneGas has been proverbially put on the map, with shares surging 90% (as of right now) since the first exploration last Wednesday. So, like I said, you're welcome.... if you got in on the 12th, or even more realistically, got in on the 14th when MNGA finally crossed above the ceiling at $0.94 I was talking about a little less than a week ago.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: KiOR Inc (KIOR)

KiOR, Inc. (KiOR), incorporated on July 23, 2007, is development- stage company. KiOR is a renewable fuels company engaged in producing cellulosic gasoline and diesel from abundant non-food biomass. Cellulosic fuel is derived from lignocellulose found in wood, grasses and the non-edible portions of plants. The Company generates hydrocarbons from renewable sources . Its end products are fungible hydrocarbon-based gasolines and diesels that can be used as components in formulating finished gasoline and diesel fuels, rather than alcohols or fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) such as ethanol or biodiesel. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company commenced construction of its initial-scale commercial production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, designed to process 500 bone dry ton per day (BDT) of feedstock per day, As of December 31, 2011, the Company had not generated any revenues.

The Company has developed a process that converts non-food lignocellulose into gasoline and diesel that can be transported using the existing fuels distribution system for use in vehicles on the road. Its biomass-to-cellulosic fuel technology platform combines catalyst systems with fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes that have been used in crude oil refineries to produce gasoline. The biomass fluid catalytic cracking (BFCC) process operates at moderate temperatures and pressures to convert biomass in a matter of seconds into the renewable crude oil that can be processed using standard refining equipment into its cellulosic gasoline and diesel. In its demonstration unit the Company varies its volume output of gasoline from 37% to 61%, diesel from 31% to 55% and fuel oil from 8% to 9% from its renewable crude oil. The Company focuses on its commercialization efforts with respect to its gasoline and diesel. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 76 pending original patent application families containing over 2,300 pending claims.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  KiOR (Nasdaq: KIOR) is one of three advanced biofuel companies that venture capitalist Vinod Khosla took public in 2011. The other two were Amyris (Nasdaq: AMRS) and Gevo (Nasdaq: GEVO). Each of these companies has seen its share price drop sharply since the IPO. While KiOR is one of the few companies to have produced advanced biofuel for sale, the volumes have consistently come in below company guidance, and I expect production costs to remain above the sales price for the foreseeable future.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another biodiesel player that's starting to move within range of triggering a big breakout trade is KiOR (KIOR), which is a next-generation renewable fuels company, producing cellulosic gasoline and diesel from abundant non-food biomass. This stock has been trashed by the bears so far in 2013, with shares off by 62%.

  If you look at the chart for KiOR, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways and consolidating for the last month, with shares moving between $2.06 on the downside and $3.10 on the upside. Shares of KIOR are now starting to spike higher right above its 50-day moving average of $2.20 a share, and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a big breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in KIOR if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.54 to $2.62 a share, and then once it takes out more near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.87 to $3.10 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 882,812 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then KIOR will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 200-day moving average of $4.05 to $5 a share.

  Traders can look to buy KIOR off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below its 50-day at $2.20 a share, or around its recent low of $2.06 a share. One can also buy KIOR off strength once it takes out that breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Green Technology Solutions Inc (GTSO)

Green Technology Solutions Inc (GTSO), incorporated on February 22, 1991, is in the business of identifying and acquiring rights in early stage, green technologies, with the plan to develop these technologies into marketable products. The Company has identified several technology endeavors.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has identified the advancement of mining technologies, with an emphasis on rare earth and precious metals mining applications, the development of additional markets for existing paint products that are being marketed in the United States, and smart grid technology. GTSO has also identified additional joint venture in China and South America.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, GTSO surged (+10.29%) up +0.0035 at $.0375 with�55,329 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:20PM EDT August 27, 2013).

  Green Technology Solutions, Inc. is negotiating a potentially lucrative spot transaction with joint venture partner Chilerecicla to export a large quantity of e-waste to one of the largest smelters in the world.

  According to the terms of the spot transaction, GTSO joint venture partner Chilerecicla will collect several metric tons of e-waste from suppliers based in Bolivia and Chile, and then ship materials to a smelter overseas. The buyers consist of the world�� largest smelter, who has meticulously screened Chilerecicla to become one of its suppliers. The smelter has noted that its capacity to purchase e-waste from Chilerecicla exceeds our partner�� current e-waste forecast for the near and present future.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, GTSO has shed (-10.51%) -0.0041 at $.0349 with 1,304,937 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 2:03PM EDT August 13, 2013).

  Green Technology Solutions, Inc. and its partner, Chilerecicla, are preparing to expand recycling operations into Bolivia.

  One of South America�� top recyclers of e-waste, Chilerecicla operates the first e-waste recycling plant in Southern Chile and maintains crucial relationships with overseas smelters, with the right to sell them as many recovered metals and minerals as GTSO and Chilerecicla can provide. With a feasibility study on the region now complete, the joint venture has targeted Bolivia as an ideal territory for growth.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, GTSO surged (+0.32%) up +0.0001 at $.0309 with 12,300 shares in movement thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 10:31AM EDT June 20, 2013).

  Green Technology Solutions, Inc. previously reported it has finalized a joint venture agreement with leading Latin American e-waste recycler Chilerecicla.

  Latin America is a key emerging market in the booming the global e-waste recycling and reuse services industry, which Transparency Market Research predicts accounted for more than $9 billion in 2012. The firm expects the worldwide e-waste market to reach $18 billion in 2017, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 13.2 percent from 2012 to 2017.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, GTSO surged (+13.33%) up +0.0040 at $.0340 with�43,370 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:18PM EDT September 20, 2013).

  With heightened tensions in the Middle East expected to push oil prices to their highest levels in years, Green Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB: GTSO) is aggressively looking into the more economical option of advanced biofuels.

  A potential military strike by the United States against Syria is expected to elevate oil and gasoline prices to unprecedented heights. GTSO, an environmentally conscious company with an ongoing interest in delivering ��reen friendly��solutions to a global market, is exploring the option of comparatively inexpensive biofuels, assets that have the potential to figure prominently once again amidst current global chaos.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: SunPower Corp (SPWR)

SunPower Corporation, incorporated in April 1985, is a vertically integrated solar products and services company that designs, manufactures and delivers solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial, and utility-scale power plant customers. The Company operates in two business segments: the Utility and Power Plants (UPP) Segment and the Residential and Commercial (R&C) Segment. The UPP Segment refers to its solar products and systems business, which includes power plant project development and project sales, turn-key engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for power plant construction, and power plant operations and maintenance (O&M) services. UPP Segment also sells components, including huge volume of sales of solar panels and mounting systems to third parties, sometimes on a multi-year, firm commitment basis. The R&C Segment focuses on solar equipment sales into the residential and small commercial market through its third-party global dealer network, as well as direct sales and EPC and O&M services in the United States and Europe for rooftop and ground-mounted solar power systems for the new homes, commercial and public sectors. In May 2012, K Road Power Holdings, LLC (K Road) and SunPower Corp announced that K Road acquired the 25-megawatt (AC) McHenry Solar Project, which the Company designed. In January 2013, the Company MidAmerican Solar acquired the 579-megawatt Antelope Valley Solar Projects (AVSP), two co-located projects in Kern and Los Angeles Counties in Calif from SunPower.

In January 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of the wholly owned Total SA subsidiary Tenesol SA, a global solar provider. In September 2011, NRG Energy Inc. acquired 250 megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) project from SunPower. In June 2011, the Company introduced SunPower E20 Series Solar Panel (E20) series. The Company�� customers in its UPP Segment include investors, financial institutions, project developers, electric utilities, and independent po! wer producers in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In its R&C Segment, the Company primarily sells its products to commercial and governmental entities, production home builders, and its third-party global dealer network serving residential owners and small commercial building owners.

Solar Cells

The A-300 solar cell is a silicon solar cell with a specified power value of 3.1 watts and a conversion efficiency averaging between 20.0% and 21.5%. The Company�� A-330 solar cell delivers 3.3 watts with a conversion efficiency of up to 22.7%.

Solar Panels

The Company�� SunPower solar panel series include solutions, such as SunPower E18 Series Solar Panel (E18), SunPower E19 Series Solar Panel (E19), and SunPower E20 Series Solar Panel (E20). Available in a 72-cell configuration, the E18 series panel uses its A300 all back-contact solar cells and delivers a total panel conversion of 18.1% to 18.5%. Available in a 72, 96, and 128-cell configuration, the E19 series panel uses its A300 all back-contact solar cells and delivers total panel conversion of 19.3% to 19.7%. Available in a 96-cell configuration, the E20 series panel uses its A-330 all back-contact solar cells and delivers total panel conversion of up to 20.1%.

Inverters

The Company sells a line of SunPower branded inverters. The inverters are manufactured by third parties.

Roof Mounted Products

The roof mounted products include SunPower T-5 Solar Roof Tile System (T-5), SunPower T-10 Commercial Solar Roof Tiles (T-10), PowerGuard Roof System (PowerGuard) and SunTile Roof Integrated System (SunTile). Tilted at a 5-degree angle, the T-5 roof tile is a non-penetrating photovoltaic rooftop product that combines solar panel, frame, and mounting system. The T-5 solar roof tile systems are primarily sold through its R&C Segment.

Tilted at a 10-degree angle, the T-10 commercial solar roof tiles is a non-penetrating panel interlock system! . Dependi! ng on geographical location and local climate conditions, this can allow for the generation of up to 10% more annual energy output than traditional flat roof-mounted systems. The T-10 commercial solar roof tile is primarily sold through its R&C Segment.

PowerGuard is a non-penetrating roof-mounted solar panel that delivers electricity while insulating and protecting the roof membrane from ultraviolet rays and thermal degradation. The PowerGuard roof system is primarily sold through its R&C Segment. SunTile solar shingles are designed to replace multiple types of roof panels, including the common concrete flat, low and high profile S tile and composition shingles. The SunTile roof system is also sold through its R&C Segment.

Ground Mounted Products

The ground mounted products include SunPower T-0 Tracker (T-0) & SunPower T-20 Tracker (T-20), SunPower Oasis Power Plant (SunPower Oasis), SunPower C-7 Tracker (C-7), and Fixed Tilt and SunPower Tracker Systems for Parking Structures. The T-0 and T-20 trackers are single-axis tracking systems that automatically pivot solar panels to track the sun's movement throughout the day. This tracking feature increases the amount of sunlight that is captured and converted into energy by up to 30% over flat or fixed-tilt systems, depending on geographic location and local climate conditions. A single motor and drive mechanism can control 10 to 20 rows, or more than 200 kilo watts of solar panels. The T-0 and T-20 trackers have been installed in a range of geographical markets principally in the United States, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Korea, and Spain. The T-0 and T-20 trackers are sold through both its UPP and R&C Segments.

The Oasis is a solar power block that scales from 1 mega watts distributed installations to central station power plants. Oasis provides a way to deploy utility-scale solar power systems, streaming the development and construction process while optimizing the use of available land. The SunPow! er Oasis ! is sold through its UPP Segment. The C-7 combines a horizontal single-axis tracker with rows of parabolic mirrors, reflecting light onto linear arrays of its solar cells. The C-7 tracker is sold through its UPP Segment. SunPower has developed designs for solar power systems for parking structures in multiple configurations. These dual-use systems typically incorporate solar panels into the roof of a carport or similar structure to deliver onsite solar power while providing shade and protection. They are suited for parking lots adjacent to facilities. Fixed Tilt and SunPower Tracker Systems for parking structures are sold through both its UPP and R&C Segments.

Other System Offerings

SunPower�� metal roof system is designed for sloped-metal roof buildings, which are used in some winery and warehouse applications. This solar power system is designed for rapid installation. It also offers other architectural products, such as day lighting with translucent solar panels.

Balance of System Components

Balance of system components are components of a solar power system other than the solar panels. It includes SunPower branded inverters, mounting structures, charge controllers, grid interconnection equipment, and other devices depending on the specific requirements of a particular system and project.

The Company competes with Canadian Solar Inc., JA Solar Holdings Co., Kyocera Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Q-Cells AG, Sanyo Corporation, Sharp Corporation, SolarCity Corporation, SolarWorld AG, Sungevity, Inc., SunRun, Inc., Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd., Trina Solar Ltd., Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd., Abengoa Solar S.A., Acconia Energia S.A., AES Solar Energy Ltd., Chevron Energy Solutions, EDF Energy plc, First Solar Inc., NextEra Energy, Inc., OPDE Group, NRG Energy, Inc., Recurrent Energy, Sempra Energy, Skyline Solar, Inc., Solargen Energy, Inc., Solaria Corporation, SolFocus, Inc., SunEdison and Tenaska, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  While ReneSola doesn�� build and operate massive solar farms like solar stocks FSLR and SunPower (SPWR), its modules are becoming the choice for smaller independent power producers due to their efficiency and price. That�� given SOL stock an edge on other solar stocks, too. Recent projects for SOL include supplying 2 MW of solar modules to the Uenohara-shi solar farm in Japan and 1 MW worth of modules to Hecate Energy for a project in Georgia.

• [By Steve Symington]

  17. Construction began just a few days ago on one of those projects, the 579 Megawatt Antelope Valley Solar joint venture with�SunPower Corporation� (NASDAQ: SPWR  ) . When all is said and done, it will have provided 650 jobs and more than $500 million in regional economic impact over the course of its three-year construction period, and should�provide enough energy to power around 400,000 average California homes.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Osage Exploration and Development Inc (OEDV)

Osage Exploration and Development, Inc. (Osage) is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with reserves and production in the country of Colombia and the state of Oklahoma. The Company�� pipeline is located in Colombia. The Companys focuses on developing its 28,000-acre Horizontal Mississippian block along the Nemaha Ridge in Logan County, Oklahoma, with their partners Slawson Exploration, and U.S. Energy Development Corp. The Company generates oil sales from its production operations in Colombia and in the state of Oklahoma and pipeline revenues from its Cimarrona property in Colombia. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company drilled two salt water disposal wells and commenced drilling the Wolfe#1-29H, the Company�� horizontal Mississippian well in Logan County, Oklahoma. In January 2012, the Company began drilling the Krittenbrink 2-36H, the Company�� second well in Logan County.

The Company�� subsidiary, Cimarrona LLC, owns a 9.4% interest in certain oil and gas assets in the Guaduas field, located in the Dindal and Rio Seco Blocks that consist of 21 wells, of which seven are producing, that covers 30,665-acres in the Middle Magdalena Valley in Colombia, as well as a pipeline with a capacity of approximately 30,000 barrels of oil per day. The Cimarrona property, but not the pipeline, is subject to an Ecopetrol Association Contract (the Association Contract) whereby the Company pays Ecopetrol S.A. (Ecopetrol) royalties of 20% of the oil produced.

The Company has acquired oil and gas leases in Logan County, Oklahoma targeting the Mississippian formation. The Mississippian formation is located on the Anadarko Shelf in northern Oklahoma and south-central Kansas. The top of this expansive carbonate hydrocarbon system is encountered between 4,000 and 6,000 feet and lies stratigraphically between the Pennsylvanian-aged Morrow Sand and the Devonian-aged Woodford Shale formations. The Mississippian formation reach 600 feet in gross thickness a! nd the targeted porosity zone is between 50 and 300 feet in thickness. The Company owns 100% of the working interest in certain producing oil and natural gas leases located in Osage County, Oklahoma (Hopper Property). The Property consists of 23 wells, 10 of which are producing wells, on 480 acres.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, OEDV surged (+1.96%) up +0.03 at $1.56 with 178,129 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:28PM EDT August 30, 2013).

  Osage Exploration and Development, Inc. previously reported preliminary production results on the Mallard 1-16H Horizontal Mississippian well in Logan County, Oklahoma. The well, located in Section 16-17N-3W, achieved a 24-hour peak initial production rate of 705 barrels of oil plus associated natural gas on an electric submersible pump and a 48/64��choke.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, OEDV surged (+6.78%) up +0.08 at $1.26 with 39,220 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:56AM EDT August 22, 2013).

  Osage Exploration and Development, Inc. previously reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and provided an update on field operations. For the quarter, the Company reported a 75.8% increase in revenues of $2.4 million compared to the same period in 2012, and operating income of $1.2 million versus a loss of $274,563 for the period ending June 30, 2012.

  Osage participated in drilling ten wells during the second quarter, bringing the total number of wells in which Osage has an interest to twenty-nine as of June 30, 2013. Additionally, the Company reported average daily production roughly in-line with first quarter production.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: HyperSolar Inc (HYSR)

Hypersolar, Inc., incorporated on February 18, 2009, is developing renewable hydrogen using sunlight and any source of water, including seawater and wastewater. Unlike hydrocarbon fuels, such as oil, coal and natural gas, where carbon dioxide and other contaminants are released into the atmosphere when used, hydrogen fuel usage produces pure water as the only byproduct. The Company�� technology includes HyperSolar H2Generator. Its nano-size particle is designed to mimic photosynthesis and contains a solar absorber that generates electrons from sunlight, as well as integrated cathode and anode areas to readily split water and transfer those electrons to the molecular bonds of hydrogen.

The HyperSolar H2Generator consists of the following primary stages: Reactor Vessels, Hydrogen Compressor and Hydrogen Storage. The reactor vessels resemble transparent rectangular boxes containing water and billions of nanoparticles suspended in solution. When exposed to sunlight, hydrogen gas will bubble up into an air gap on top for separation and collection. Produced hydrogen gas will be compressed for space efficient storage. Hydrogen can be stored in compressed gas tanks or chemical canisters depending on the application. The HyperSolar H2Generator will be a self-contained renewable hydrogen production system that requires only sunlight and any source of water.

The Company competes with Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and Air Liquide.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap hydrogen fuel stocks Hydrogenics Corporation (NASDAQ: HYGS), FuelCell Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FCEL), HyperSolar Inc (OTCMKTS: HYSR) and HydroPhi Technologies Group, Inc (OTCMKTS: HPTG) are some of the lesser known small caps that are�working with hydrogen fuel or hydrogen fuel cell related technology. I should say that small cap hydrogen stocks are not for risk adverse investors as there are considerable unanswered questions about hydrogen fuel related technology and whether it can be a viable green technology given the fueling infrastructure needed along with the�energy and expense involved in creating hydrogen�(Note: None of these small cap�stocks are profitable at ). But any new technology will pose the same types of risks for early stage investors���especially if its so-called green technology.�

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: Gevo Inc (GEVO)

Gevo, Inc., incorporated in June 2005, is a renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company. The Company is focused on the development and commercialization of alternatives to petroleum-based products. The Company operates in two segments: Gevo, Inc. Segment and Gevo Development/Agri-Energy Segment. Gevo, Inc. Segment is responsible for all research and development activities related to the future production of isobutanol, maintaining and protecting its intellectual property portfolio, developing future markets for its isobutanol and providing corporate oversight services. Its Gevo Development/Agri-Energy Segment is responsible for the production of ethanol and related products. In September 2010, the Company acquired a 22 MGPY ethanol production facility in Luverne, Minnesota that the Company intends to retrofit to produce isobutanol.

The Company�� isobutanol can also be converted by its customers into a range of hydrocarbons, which form the basis for the production of many products, including plastics, fibers, rubber and other polymers and hydrocarbon fuels, including jet and diesel fuel. Its technology platform consists of biocatalysts and a isobutanol separation unit. Together these technologies form the Gevo Integrated Fermentation Technology (GIFT). GIFT is designed to allow relatively low capital expenditure retrofits of existing ethanol facilities, enabling isobutanol production from a range of renewable feedstocks. The Company�� biocatalysts are microorganisms that have been designed to metabolize sugars to produce isobutanol.

GIFT consists of two components, biocatalysts which convert sugars derived from multiple renewable feedstocks into isobutanol through fermentation, and a separation unit which is designed to continuously separate isobutanol from water during the fermentation process. The Company developed its technology platform to be compatible with the existing approximately 20 BGPY of global operating ethanol production capacity, as estimated by the R! enewable Fuels Association (RFA).

The Company competes with Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC (Butamax), BP p.l.c. (BP), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Butalco GmbH, Cathay Industrial Biotech Ltd., METabolic EXplorer S.A., TetraVitae Bioscience, Inc., Cobalt Technologies, Inc., Green Biologics Ltd. Shell Oil Products US (Shell Oil), BP, DuPont-Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, Abengoa Bioenergy, S.A., POET, LLC, ICM, Mascoma, Range Fuels, Inbicon A/S, INEOS New Planet BioEnergy LLC, Coskata, Archer Daniels Midland Company, BlueFire Ethanol, Inc., KL Energy Corporation, ZeaChem Inc., Iogen Corporation, Qteros, Inc., and AE Biofuels, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  The real news came this morning, when�Gevo (NASDAQ: GEVO  ) �announced that it had resumed commercial production of isobutanol at its Luverne biorefinery. The company had outlined its plans in prior conference calls, and its guidance earlier this year. But, given contamination obstacles at Luverne last summer, I suppose investors have reserved the right to remain cautious. Now that commercial production of isobutanol is finally happening, what exactly does this mean for investors?

• [By John Udovich]

  As a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report comes out about wasteful spending on biofuels, small cap renewable biofuel stock Gevo, Inc (NASDAQ: GEVO) reported earnings that came in below expectations -�meaning its worth taking a closer look at the GAO report, the stock and the performance of KiOR Inc (NASDAQ: KIOR), Solazyme Inc (NASDAQ: SZYM) and Syntroleum Corp (NASDAQ: SYNM).

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  Dozens of companies with the capacity to produce next-generation renewable fuel -- fuels may or may not be the primary focus of each -- have answered the call. The latest comes from industrial biotech company Gevo (NASDAQ: GEVO  ) , which has begun supplying the U.S. Coast Guard with initial quantities of renewable isobutanol-blended gasoline for maritime vessels. This comes after an earlier collaboration with the U.S. Air Force in 2011, an extension of which calls for an additional 45,000 gallons of isobutanol-derived jet fuel to be supplied by the end of October. What do these partnerships with Uncle Sam mean for the future of the company?

• [By Dallas Salazar]

  Gevo Inc (GEVO), the worlds only commercial producer of bio based isobutanol, has made incredible strides over the last two quarters in the way of improving the fundamentals of their company. Essentially, GEVO has had to do a complete rebuild of the foundation of their company along with learn an entirely new operating process. They have successfully been able to do both along with begin commercial production, expand production to a second production train, and begin supplying the US Coast Guard with isobutanol. They have made all of these fundamental improvements to the company while the stock has remained largely unchanged since before production. This is what makes Q3/2013 so important.

Best New Stocks To Watch Right Now: OriginOil Inc (OOIL)

OriginOil, Inc., incorporated on June 1, 2007, is a technology company. The Company is primarily involved in research and development activities, and sales of pilot and demonstration equipment. The Company has developed an energy production process for harvesting algae and cleaning up oil and gas water. To develop the energy and ancillary markets, the Company sells smaller-scale equipment, such as the Algae Appliance. The Company�� process, CLEAN-FRAC, represents a generation of water treatment that is chemical free. The Company's water cleanup technology, Electro Water Separation (EWS), is a chemical-free process that extracts organic contaminants from large quantities of water. Its products include EWS Algae, EWS Algae A4, EWS Algae A60, EWS Algae A200, EWS Petro P160, and EWS Aqua Q60.

The Company intends to embed its technology into larger systems through licensing and joint ventures. The Company is in the process of pursuing secondary licensing opportunities outside of energy, including aquaculture. EWS Algae A4 is an entry-level algae harvester designed to make it easier and faster for producers and researchers to try and buy the Company's harvesting technology. EWS Algae A60 is a pilot scale algae harvester providing a low energy, chemical-free, continuous flow wet harvest system to dewater and concentrate the microalgae. EWS Petro Model 160 is designed to remove organics, such as crude oil, and suspended solids and bacteria from process water, such as produced or frac flowback water at a continuous flow rate of one barrel per minute or 160 liters per minute in continuous, chemical free operation. EWS Aqua Q60 is a commercial fish farming pond water treatment system, designed to clean pond water of ammonia, bacteria and aquatic animal pathogens in a continuous loop.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, OOIL�has shed (-3.12%) down -0.01 at $.31 with 95,929 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 2:04PM�EDT October 15, 2013).

  OriginOil, Inc. previously reported it has signed its first pay-per-barrel agreement with Industrial Systems, Inc. (ISI) for a water treatment system integrating OriginOil�� process as the first stage of treatment.

  Delta, Colorado-based ISI has agreed that it will operate the Model P160 as part of its overall frac flowback water cleanup service, and pay OriginOil a fee for each barrel processed.