Take that Goldman Sachs. Nomura’s started covering biotech companies–and boy are its analysts feeling bullish. Of the 11 stocks it covers, eight get a Buy rating, including large-caps Gilead (GILD), Celgene (CELG) and�Biogen (BIIB).
APEarlier this week, remember, Goldman Sachs came out and panned the biotech industry, citing valuation. Nomura’s M. Ian Somaiya and team explain why they feel more optimistic:
A combination of increased productivity (i.e., positive Phase III data and new product launches) and a muted impact from Obamacare has reinvigorated top-line growth at large-cap biotechs and spurred an increasing number of profitable companies. The net result has been renewed interest among generalists and significant outperformance for the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NBI) over the past three years. We expect upside in the group to continue into 2014 but focus in the new year to be more on commercial execution and less on clinical data, given the record number of potential blockbuster product launches from 2013-2014E.
Top 5 Tech Companies For 2015: The9 Limited(NCTY)
The9 Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and operation of online games, and Internet and Website related businesses in the People?s Republic of China. The company offers online games, including MMORPGs, Web, and SNS games. As of December 31, 2010, it owned or had exclusive licenses to operate SUN, EA Sports FIFA Online 2, Atlantica, World of Fighter, Kingdom Heroes 2 Online, Winning Goal, ShenXianZhuan, Planetside 2, Free Realms, and Seoyugi games in China. The9 Limited also involves in the provision of Internet protocol television services and SMS services; Website solutions and advertising services, and mobile game platform; and licensing of its proprietary games to third parties. The company was formerly known as GameNow.net Limited and changed its name to The9 Limited in February 2004. The9 Limited was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sally Jones]
Here’s a look at three application software companies currently on a 52-week low and still held by a few billionaires. The9 Ltd. (NCTY), Merge Healthcare Inc. (MRGE) and FAB Universal Corp. (FU) are more than 52% off a 52-week high.
Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Dephasium Corp (DPHS)
Dephasium Corp., formerly Pay Mobile, Inc., incorporated on November 17, 2005, is a development-stage company. As of December 31, 2012, the Company was seeking new business opportunities. On June 3, 2013, Dephasium Corp announced that it has completed the acquisition of the ANCILIA from Dephasium Ltd.
The Company was engaged in the business of providing integrated payment solutions for consumers and corporate clients by incorporating its mobile payment technology with the issuance of open-loop prepaid Visa and MasterCard cards. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had no operations.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks BluForest Inc (OTCMKTS: BLUF), Dephasium Corp (OTCMKTS: DPHS) and IceWEB, Inc (OTCBB: IWEB) have been getting some attention for at least a few weeks now thanks to paid for promotional activity. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed stock promotions, but one of these stocks also has a former shareholder who has filed a civil action against it alleging there is an illegal ��ump and dump��scheme going on. So what�� the whole story and more importantly, what will happen with these small cap stocks when the well from promoters eventually goes dry? Here is a closer look and a quick reality check:
Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Knightsbridge Tankers Limited(VLCCF)
Knightsbridge Tankers Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the seaborne transportation of crude oil and dry bulk cargoes worldwide. The company?s customers include oil companies, tanker companies, dry bulk companies, petroleum products traders, government agencies, and other entities. As of September 6, 2011, it owned and operated a fleet of four double-hull very large crude carriers, and four Capesize dry bulk carriers. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Maxx Chatsko]
The horrendous flops
I wrote a blog post explaining why Knightsbridge Tankers (NASDAQ: VLCCF ) made the right move in slashing its dividend and why its prospects were looking up. The shipping company was extremely undervalued at the time, so why was I wrong? I made the mistake of thinking that a company trading below book value represented good value for shareholders. In reality, many shipping companies were -- and are -- trading below shareholders' equity because their fleets are enormously valuable assets. Unfortunately, that inflates book value enormously. It may not seem so harmful at first, but perpetually low charter rates have actually forced many shippers -- including Knightsbridge -- to sell tankers at less than market value to keep the lights on. Those practices can erase large chunks of book value overnight.
Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Chanticleer Holdings Inc (HOTR)
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., incorporated in 1999, is a business operator focused on expanding the Hooters casual dining restaurant brand in international markets. Chanticleer has rights to develop and operate Hooters restaurants in South Africa and has joint ventured with the current franchisee in Australia. The company also has franchise rights to develop Hungary and parts of Brazil while evaluating several additional opportunities internationally. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Chanticleer and a group of private equity investors acquired Hooters of America, Inc. (HOA). HOA is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 28 foreign countries. In October 2013, Chanticleer Holdings Inc purchased American Roadside Burgers, Inc. In December 12, 2013, Chanticleer Holdings Inc acquired a 51% interest in JF Restaurants LLC, an owner and operator of restaurants. In February 2014, it acquired Hooters' United States Pacific Northwest franchise rights and two existing restaurants in Oregon and Washington.
The Company operates in two business segments: Hooters franchise restaurants, and investment management and consulting services businesses. Hooters has also branched out to other areas, including licensing its name to a golf tour and the sale of packaged food in supermarkets. Its subsidiaries include Chanticleer Advisors, LLC, (Advisors), Avenel Ventures, LLC (Ventures), Avenel Financial Services, LLC (AFS), Chanticleer Holdings Limited (CHL), Chanticleer Holdings Australia Pty, Ltd. (CHA), Chanticleer Investment Partners, LLC (CIP), DineOut SA Ltd. (DineOut), Kiarabrite (Pty) Ltd (KPL), Dimaflo (Pty) Ltd (DFLO), Tundraspex (Pty) Ltd (TPL), Civisign (Pty) Ltd (CPL), Dimalogix (Pty) Ltd (DLOG) and Crown Restaurants Kft. (CRK).
South Africa
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had four Hooters locations in South Africa in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg (two locations), which are owned by four companies, which it control. The Com! pany formed a management company to operate the current South African Hooters locations. It owns 80% of the management company, with two members of local management owning the remaining 20%. The management company charges a management fee of 5% of net revenues to the Hooters locations in South Africa.
Other Countries
The Company has acquired development rights for Hooters in five states of Brazil, which would include Rio de Janeiro. It has applied to HOA for franchise rights in Hungary, where it own 80% of the entity the Company anticipate will hold the franchise rights and its local partner owns the remaining 20%. The Company has partnered with the Hooters franchisee in a joint venture in which it owns 49% and its partner 51%. The first Hooters restaurant under this joint venture (which would be the third Hooters restaurant open in Australia) opened in January 2012 in Campbelltown, a suburb of Sydney. It has a non-binding letter of intent with a franchisee to purchase 100% of an existing Hooters location.
Management and consulting services
The Company provides management and consulting services for small companies, which are seeking to become publicly traded. The Company also provides management and investment services for Investors LLC and Investors II, which are affiliates of the Company.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Konrad Kuhn]
Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR), a franchisee of international Hooters restaurants, has exploded through its upside target prices; however, in our view, the stock has a long way to go, as it expands its restaurants abroad, and in the US.
- [By Chris Isidore]
Restaurant chains are trying to hold the line on prices. Mark Allison, senior vice president of culinary operations at Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR), which operates the American Roadside Burger chain, said his chain raised prices about 12%, even though their beef costs are up even more than that.
Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Canon Inc (CAJ)
Canon Inc. (Canon), incorporated on August 10, 1937, is a manufacturer of network digital multifunction devices (MFDs), plain paper copying machines, laser printers, inkjet printers, cameras and steppers. Canon sells its products principally under the Canon brand name and through sales subsidiaries. Canon has manufacturing subsidiaries in variety of countries, including the United States, Germany, France, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Canon operates its business in three segments: the Office Business Unit, the Consumer Business Unit, and the Industry and Others Business Unit. On February 19, 2010, Canon acquired shares of OPTOPOL Technology S.A. On March 9, 2010, Canon acquired shares of Oce N.V. In May 2011, the Company incorporated Canon Information and Imaging Solutions, Inc.
Office Business Unit
Canon manufactures, markets and services a range of monochrome network digital MFDs, color network digital MFDs, office copying machines and personal-use copying machines. Canon�� lineup of digital MFDs include the imageRUNNER (iR) series, which performs a range of functions, such as copying, printing, scanning, faxing and data-sharing functions on the Internet and customer intranets. Canon offers color network digital MFDs for users ranging from professional graphic designers to business offices. Canon�� MFDs and color digital MFDs are available in the print-on-demand market.
Developed and fostered by Canon, laser beam printers are standard output peripherals for offices. Canon has adopted a user-replaceable toner cartridge system containing optical components. Most of Canon�� laser beam printer sales are on an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) basis. The Office Business Unit also includes the related sales of paper and chemicals, service and replacement parts.
The Company competes with Xerox Corporation/Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Ricoh Company, Ltd., Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company and Lexmark Internationa! l Inc.
Consumer Business Unit
Canon manufactures and markets digital cameras and digital video cameras as well as lenses and various other camera accessories. Canon released the EOS-1D Mark IV for professionals in December 2009. This model includes a newly developed approximately 16-megapixel APS-H size CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 4 and features an expanded range of ISO settings for normal use between 100 and 12800, achieving beautiful images with low noise levels throughout the entire ISO range. Canon markets a variety of scanners for a spectrum of user needs, including image scanners in the CanoScan LiDE series using Contact Image Sensor (CIS) and scanners with Charge-Coupled Devices (CCD) for high resolution. CIS is a close-contact method that allows for a significant reduction in scanner weight and size.
The Company competes with Nikon Corporation, Sigma Corporation, Sony Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.; Ltd., Victor Company of Japan, Ltd., Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Company and Seiko Epson Corporation.
Industry and Others Business Unit
Medical imaging equipment sold by Canon includes X-ray image sensors, retinal cameras, autorefractometers and image-processing equipment for computerized systems. Canon�� pioneering digital radiography system takes X-ray photography and medical imaging into the digital age. Other Canon products such as electronic components are sold primarily to equipment manufacturers. These components include magnetic heads for audio and video tape recorders and micro-motors for printers and other components. Canon also offers business information products, which primarily consist of personal computers, servers, document scanners, calculators and micrographic equipment. Personal computers and servers sold by Canon are manufactured by third parties under the manufacturers��own brand names.
The Company competes with Ni! kon Corpo! ration and ASML Holding N.V.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Smith]
When you think "U.S. defense contractors," Japan's camera-making corporate giant Canon (NYSE: CAJ ) probably isn't the first name that comes to mind. Nevertheless, Canon just just won a sizable contract from the U.S. Department of Defense.
- [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks weakened in early Thursday trading as the yen rose and Wall Street ended mixed, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) falling 1.2% to 15,929.74 after a 1.9% advance a day earlier. With the yen (USDJPY) slightly firmer than in the previous session, some investors sold currency-sensitive exporters, with Fanuc Corp. (JP:6954) (FANUF) down 2%, Kyocera Corp. (JP:6971) (KYOCF) off 1.9%, and Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) losing 2.3%. News that China would lift a ban on some sales of videogame consoles had sent shares of Nintendo Co. (JP:7974) (NTDOF) shooting 11% higher on Wednesday, but apparent profit-taking sent the stock down 4.2% in early Thursday action. Shares of rival Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) , however, followed with a 4% rise, also possibly buoyed by a Nikkei Asian Review report that it was planning a "smartphone offensive" in the U.S. and China. Canon Inc. (JP:7751) (CAJ) fell 2% on a separate Nikkei report that the company's 2013 operating profit would miss forecasts. Toshiba Corp. (JP:6502) (TOSYY)
- [By Sean Williams]
Printers
First of all, yes, people still use printers; and that's very good news for Canon (NYSE: CAJ ) , which topped the printer category yet again. The ease of use for Canon printers, and the amount of specialization they can provide in an enterprise work environment, makes Canon a logical choice to continue topping this category for years to come. As a leader in customer service and a provider of stylish designs to personal consumers, Canon is a leading gadget designer. - [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- With the yen holding on to its gains and investors cautious as earnings season kicks off, Japanese stocks slid lower Friday after closing the previous day with some late-session gains. The Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) fell 0.9% to 14,358.28, with the Topix down 0.8%, as the dollar bought 97.36 yen, little changed from 24 hours earlier. The relatively strong yen weighed on some names with high global exposure, as Sharp Corp. (JP:6753) (SHCAF) lost 1%, Pioneer Corp. (JP:6773) (PNCOF) dropped 1.6%, and Bridgestone Corp. (JP:5108) (BRDCF) fell 1.2%. An outlook cut from Canon Inc. (JP:7751) (CAJ) helped send its shares down 1%, while rival Nikon Corp. (JP:7731) (NINOF) lost 1.8%, though Olympus Corp. (JP:7733) (OCPNF) gained 1%. Telecoms were weak, with Softbank Corp. (JP:9984) (SFTBF) falling 2.5%, KDDI Corp. (JP:9433) (KDDIF) down 1.7%, and NTT DoCoMo Inc. (JP:9437) (NTDMF)
Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Enzymotec Ltd (ENZY)
Enzymotec Ltd., incorporated on March 08, 1998, is engaged in manufacturing of ingredients and medical foods company. Its technologies, research, and clinical validation process enables the Company to develop differentiated solutions across a variety of products. The Company markets its product portfolio primarily to established global consumer companies and target large and growing consumer health and wellness markets. Its clinically validated products include bio-functional lipid-based compounds designed to address dietary needs, medical disorders and common diseases. The Company operates in two segments: Nutrition and VAYA Pharma. In addition to its existing products, the Company has several other products to address additional indications in the development phase. enzyme processes; lipid modification; lipid analysis; and process technology and development.
Nutrition
The Company�� Nutrition segment develops and manufactures nutritional ingredient products based on lipids, such as phospholipids, which form the structural basis of cell membranes and are easily recognized, incorporated and used by the body. Its customer base for this segment includes formula and nutritional supplement companies such as Biostime and IVC. Its two selling nutritional ingredient products are InFat, a clinically-proven fat ingredient for infant formula, and krill oil. Its other products in this segment are targeted at improving brain health and providing benefits in memory, learning abilities and concentration.
VAYA Pharma
VAYA Pharma, develops, manufactures and sells branded, prescription-only medical foods for the dietary management of patients with certain medical conditions or diseases having special, medically determined nutrient requirements. Although medical foods must be safe and effective as demonstrated in human clinical studies, they do not require the same expensive and time consuming regulatory approval process typical of prescription drugs. In addition to! its existing products, it has several other products to address additional indications in the development phase.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Victor Selva]
Finally, as opposed to what we just discussed, the firm is currently Zacks Rank # 4��ell, and it also has a longer-term recommendation of ��eutral�� A Sell rating indicates that the stock, over the next 1 to 3 months, will perform at an annualized rate of 4.8%, which is not attractive for investors. For investors looking for a Strong Buy Rank, BioLife Solutions, Inc. (BLFS) and Enzymotec Ltd. (ENZY) could be the options.
Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Questar Corporation(STR)
Questar Corporation operates as an integrated natural gas holding company. The company develops and produces natural gas and crude oil from its properties located in the Rocky Mountain region, primarily in the Pinedale, Moxa Arch, Vermillion, and Uinta producing areas. It also provides interstate natural gas-transportation and underground-storage services in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado; and wellhead automation and measurement services for Rockies oil and gas producers. The company owns and operates approximately 2,568 miles of interstate pipeline with total firm-capacity commitments of 4,983 Mdth per day transporting natural gas from Rocky Mountain producing areas to other pipeline systems, distribution systems, and other utility systems; the Overthrust Pipeline in southwestern Wyoming and the eastern segment of Southern Trails Pipeline, a 487-mile line that extends from the Blanco hub in the San Juan Basin to just inside the California state line near the Arizona border; the White River Hub facilities that connect with 6 interstate-pipeline systems and a processing plant near Meeker, Colorado; the Clay Basin storage facility, an underground-storage reservoir in the Rocky Mountain region; and gathering lines and processing facilities, which provide gas-processing services for third parties near Price, Utah. In addition, it distributes natural gas as a public utility in Utah, southwestern Wyoming, and a small portion of southeastern Idaho. Questar Corporation was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alexander Valtsev]
Questar Corporation (STR) is a natural gas holding company based in the Rockies, USA. The company operates three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Wexpro, Questar Pipeline, and Questar Gas. Wexpro is engaged in natural gas and oil E&P and in the past twelve months has produced ~58Bcf of natural gas and ~657,000BOE. It has an investment base of approximately $531M and enjoys the highest return on assets (ROA) among the three segments (~19%). Wexpro contributes the least in terms of revenue streams to the firm but provides more than half of Questar Gas's supply requirements. Questar Gas's share of total revenues attributable to the holding company approaches 80%. This subsidiary represents a gas-distribution utility that operates mainly in Utah, where 97% of its customers live. The company has been adding an average of 8.4K customers since 2008 and now approaches a customer base of one million people (the current number is about 931K). Questar Gas, according to the company's 2012 10-K, keeps its costs 30% below the national average partially because of Wexpro's dedicated and continuous production. Questar Pipeline provides natural gas-transportation and underground-storage services in three states: Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. The company operates 2,638 miles of pipeline with a total daily capacity of 5,039K decatherms. In 2013, the company plans to add another 7.5K dth/d to the existing capacity. In 2012, Questar Corporation earned almost $1.1B in revenues and $568M in Adjusted EBITDA. Since 2008 the company has generated approximately $350M in Free Cash Flows. It offers a dividend of $0.72 per share with an effective yield 2.95%. Recently, the company has declared its 275th consecutive dividend payable on September 9th, 2013.