Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2014

Yesterday, Humana (HUM) left investors feeling sick. Is the recent weakness a buying opportunity or is today’s relative strength chance to sell into strength?

Shares of Humana dropped 1.8% yesterday after it met fourth-quarter earnings forecast, maintained its 2014 guidance, and reported higher-than-expected revenue thanks to rapid Medicare membership growth.

Citigroup’s Carl McDonald worries that “[growing much faster than the rest of the industry rarely ends well in managed care." He explains why:

In Humana�� case, Medicare Advantage enrollment did quite well in 2012, but the company missed earnings, while PDP enrollment did quite well in 2008, but the company missed earnings. This year, Medicare Advantage retail enrollment will increase 50% more than Humana initially expected, while PDP enrollment will grow 375% more than Humana�� first guidance.

Humana believes 2014 will be different,�McDonald says, but worries that "Humana is picking up
members that competing plans are eager to lose." He rates Humana's stock Neutral with a $95 price target.

Best Supermarket Companies To Own In Right Now: Shire PLC (SHPG)

Shire plc (Shire), incorporated on January 28, 2008, is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, human genetic therapies (HGT) and regenerative medicine (RM), as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas. As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� products included VYVANSE/VENVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), ADDERALL XR (mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine), INTUNIV (extended release guanfacine), EQUASYM (methylphenidate hydrochloride) modified release (XL), LIALDA (mesalamine)/ MEZAVANT(mesalazine), PENTASA (mesalamine), RESOLOR (prucalopride), FOSRENOL (lanthanum carbonate), XAGRID (anagrelide hydrochloride), REPLAGAL (agalsidase alfa), ELAPRASE (idursulfase), VPRIV (velaglucerase alfa), FIRAZYR (icatibant) and DERMAGRAFT(Human Fibroblast-Derived Dermal Substitute). As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� products under development included INTUNIV (extended release guanfacine), VYVANSE/VENVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), INTUNIV, Guanfacine Carrier Wave, LIALDA (mesalamine)/MEZAVANT (mesalazine), RESOLOR (prucalopride), RESOLOR (prucalopride), SPD 557(M0003), XAGRID, VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), REPLAGAL (agalsidase alfa), HGT-4510, HGT-2310, HGT-1410, HGT-1110, HGT-3010, and DERMAGRAFT. On January 31, 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved VYVANSE for the maintenance treatment of ADHD in adults. In March 2013, it announced the acquisition Of Premacure AB. In January 2014, Shire Plc sold its DERMAGRAFT assets to Organogenesis Inc. In January 2014, Shire Plc acquired 79.5% interest in ViroPharma Inc.

VANSE/ VENVANSE

VYVANSE is a New Chemical Entity (NCE) and is the pro-drug stimulant for the treatment of ADHD, where the amino acid l-lysine is linked to d-amphetamine. VYVANSE is therapeutically inactive until metabolized in the body. The United Stat! es Food and Drug Administration approved VYVANSE as a once-daily treatment for children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD in February 2007, for adults in April 2008 and for adolescents aged 13 to 17 in November 2010. VYVANSE is available in the United States in six dosage strengths: 20 milligram, 30 milligram, 40 milligram, 50 milligram, 60 milligram and 70 milligram. Health Canada approved VYVANSE for the treatment of ADHD in pediatric patients aged 6 to 12 in February 2009, and for adolescents and adults in November 2010. In April 2012, ANVISA, the Brazilian health authority, granted marketing authorization approval for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of ADHD in children aged 6-12.

ADDERALL XR

ADDERALL XR is an extended release treatment for ADHD, which uses MICROTROL drug delivery technology and is designed to provide once-daily dosing. It is available in 5 milligram, 10 milligram, 15 milligram, 20 milligram, 25 milligram and 30 milligram capsules and can be administered either as a capsule or sprinkled on soft food. The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved ADDERALL XR as a once-daily treatment for children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD, for adults in and for adolescents aged 13 to 17. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (Teva) and Impax Laboratories, Inc. (Impax) commenced commercial shipment of their authorized generic versions of ADDERALL XR in April and October 2009, respectively. Shire receives royalties from Impax�� sales of authorized generic ADDERALL XR.

INTUNIV

INTUNIV is a selective alpha-2A receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of ADHD. Alpha-2A-adrenoceptors strengthen working memory networks by inhibiting cAMP-HCN channel signalling in the prefrontal cortex (Cell. 2007; 129:397-410). INTUNIV is non-scheduled and has no known potential for abuse or dependence. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved INTUNIV in September 2009, as a once-daily monotherapy treatment of ADHD in children and adolesce! nts aged ! 6 to 17. It is available in 1 milligram, 2 milligram, 3 milligram and 4 milligram tablets.

EQUASYM

Shire has acquired from UCB the worldwide rights (excluding the United States, Canada and Barbados) to EQUASYM (methylphenidate hydrochloride) IR and XL for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. At December 31, 2012,EQUASYM XL was commercially available in 10 countries in 10mg, 20mg and 30mg strengths. EQUASYM XL is marketed in Mexico and South Korea under the trade name METADATE CD.

LIALDA/MEZAVANT

LIALDA is indicated for the induction ofmild to moderately active UC and for the maintenance of remission of UC. The addition of the indication for maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis was approved by Health Canada in February 2011, and by the United States Food and Drug Administration in July 2011. LIALDA is once-daily oral formulation of mesalamine indicated for the induction and maintenance of remission. As of December 31, 2012, LIALDA/MEZAVANT (this product is marketed outside the United States as MEZAVANT) was commercially available in 19 countries either directly or through distributor arrangements.

PENTASA

PENTASA controlled release capsules are approved in the United States (marketed by Shire in the United States and by Ferring outside of the United States) and indicated for the induction of remission and for the treatment of patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. PENTASA is an ethylcellulose-coated, controlled release capsule formulation designed to release therapeutic quantities of mesalamine throughout the gastrointestinal tract. PENTASA is available in the United States in 250 milligram and 500 milligram capsules.

RESOLOR

RESOLOR (prucalopride), a 5-HT4 receptor agonists that stimulates gastrointestinal motility and acts primarily on different parts of the lower gastrointestinal tract (enterokinetic). In October 2009, RESOLOR was appr! oved by t! he EMA throughout the European Union as a once daily oral treatment for symptomatic treatment of chronic constipation in women in whom laxatives fail to provide adequate relief. In July 2010, Swissmedic granted RESOLOR marketing authorization in Switzerland for the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation in adults. RESOLOR is available in milligram and 2 milligram dose strengths, both for once-daily dosing. At December 31, 2012, RESOLOR was available in six European Union countries. Formulated as a chewable tablet, FOSRENOL is available in 500 milligram, 750 milligram and 1,000 milligram dosage strengths.

XAGRID

XAGRID (anagrelide hydrochloride) is marketed in Europe for the reduction of elevated platelet counts in at-risk ET patients. XAGRID has been granted orphan drug status in the European Union. In the United States, anagrelide hydrochloride is sold by the Company under the name AGRYLIN for the treatment of thrombocythemia secondary to a MPD.

REPLAGAL

REPLAGAL is for the treatment of Fabry disease. Fabry disease is a genetic disorder resulting from a deficiency in the activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A, which is involved in the breakdown of fats. REPLAGAL is a human alpha-galactosidase A protein made in human cells that replaces the deficient alpha-galactosidase A with an active enzyme to ameliorate certain clinical manifestations of Fabry disease. At December 31, 2012, REPLAGAL was approved in 46 countries.

ELAPRASE

ELAPRASE is a treatment for Hunter syndrome (also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II or MPS II). Hunter syndrome is a genetic disorder mainly affecting males that interferes with the body's ability to break down and recycle waste substances called mucopolysaccharides, also known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). ELAPRASE was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and granted marketing authorization by the EMA for the long term treatment of patients with Hunter ! syndrome.! ELAPRASE has been granted orphan drug by both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the EMA. ELAPRASE received approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. At December 31, 2012, ELAPRASE was approved in 51 countries.

VPRIV

VPRIV is a treatment for Type 1 Gaucher disease. Gaucher disease is an inherited genetic disorder, which results in a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase. VPRIV was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in February 2010, for the long-term treatment of patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease. The EMA approved the marketing authorization for the use of VPRIV in August 2010. VPRIV was authorized as an orphan medicine through the Centralised Procedure in Europe. At December 31, 2012, VPRIV was approved in 38 countries.

FIRAZYR

FIRAZYR is a peptide-based therapeutic developed for the symptomatic treatment of acute attacks of HAE. In July 2008 the EMA granted marketing authorization throughout the European Union for the use of FIRAZYR for the symptomatic treatment of acute attacks of HAE, and in May 2011 approved FIRAZYR for self-administration after training in subcutaneous injection technique by a healthcare professional. In August 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted marketing approval for FIRAZYR in the United States for treatment of acute attacks of HAE in adults aged 18 and older. After injection training, patients may self-administer FIRAZYR. FIRAZYR has been granted orphan drug by both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the EMA. At December 31, 2012, FIRAZYR was approved in 38 countries globally.

DERMAGRAFT

DERMAGRAFT is a bio-engineered skin substitute that assists in restoring damaged tissue. DERMAGRAFT is indicated for use in the treatment of full-thickness Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) greater than six weeks in duration, which extend through the dermis, but without tendon, muscle, joint capsu! le, or bo! ne exposure. DERMAGRAFT is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a Class III medical device for the treatment of DFUs. DERMAGRAFT is also approved for the treatment of DFUs in South Africa, Israel and Singapore.

The Company competes with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, Medice, Eli Lilly, Warner Chilcott, Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ARYx Therapeutics, Theravance, Inc., Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Albireo, Actelion Ltd., Protalix BioTherapeutics Inc, Genzyme, CSL Behring, Pharming Group N.V., ViroPharma, Dyax Corporation, Organogenesis, Healthpoint, Soluble System, KCI, Smith & Nephew, Aurobindo and Apotex.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By George Budwell]

  Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPG  ) is in the process of buying orphan drug-specialist ViroPharma (NASDAQ: VPHM  ) for $4.2 billion, strengthening Shire's already robust commercial drug portfolio for rare diseases. The deal is expected to be finalized no later than Jan. 9, after Shire extended its tender offer to acquire all outstanding ViroPharma shares last week.

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  AbbVie's (NYSE: ABBV) board of directors stated that it is reconsidering its recommendation to investors to approve its $55-billion takeover of Shire (NASDAQ: SHPG) due to proposed changes in U.S. tax rules that discourage takeovers of foreign firms as a tax-inversion. Shares of AbbVie gained 0.92 percent, closing at $54.63, while shares of Shire plunged 30.29 percent, closing at $170.49.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  AbbVie (ABBV) has dipped 2.1% to $56.21 after upping its bid for Shire (SHPG) to more than $51 billion. Shire has risen 0.9% to $239.65.

  Delta Air Lines (DAL) has fallen 1.7% to $36.26 after it said it would cut some 85% of its flights to Venezuela to reduce its exposure to the bolivar.

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  Shares of ViroPharma (VPHM) spiked nearly 26% after the rare-disease company said it was being acquired by U.K. biopharmaceutical firm Shire (SHPG). Shire is paying $4.2 billion, or $50 a share, to ViroPharma. Shire�� ADRs rose 0.7%

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Uranerz Energy Corp (URZ)

Uranerz Energy Corporation (Uranerz), incorporated on May 26, 1999, is a uranium company focused on commercial in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium production. The Company is principally focused on the development of its properties in the Powder River Basin area into commercial ISR uranium mines. The Company operates in two segments: Arkose Mining Venture (Arkose) and the Company�� remaining operations. Its Wyoming properties, all in the Powder River Basin, totaling 87,414 acres include 100% owned properties, totaled 25,261 acres as of December 31, 2011, and properties of Arkose Mining Venture, in which it held an 81% interest, totaling 62,153 acres as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, a total of 380 drill holes were completed on Powder River Basin properties, representing approximately 288,404 feet of drilling at an average depth of 755 feet per hole. The Arkose Mining Venture properties consist of unpatented mineral lode claims, state leases and fee (private) mineral leases.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� Powder River Basin properties include both its 100% owned properties and those properties included within the Arkose Mining Venture. These principal properties comprise in total approximately 87,414 acres and consist of a combination of federal mining claims, state mineral leases and private fee mineral leases. Its 100% owned properties in the Powder River Basin include Jane Dough, Collins Draw, North Rolling Pin, Hank, Nichols Ranch, Willow Creek, West North-Butte, East Nichols and North Nichols.

The Company had interests in several projects that lie within the Powder River Basin but outside of the project areas. These properties include the Verna Ann, Niles Ranch, Reno Creek, and South Reno Creek projects which cover approximately 1,694 acres. Within the Nichols Ranch Unit, Uranerz had 36 unpatented lode mining claims, two fee surface and mineral leases and one surface use agreement. Within the Hank Unit, it had 66 unpatented lode mining claims, two fe! e surface and mineral leases and one surface use agreement. The Hank Unit permit boundary encompasses approximately 2,250 acres.

The West North-Butte property covers approximately 1,960 acres of land and consists of 125 unpatented lode mining claims and one surface use agreement. The east portion of the West North-Butte property covers approximately 325 acres of land and is consists of 17 unpatented lode mining claims and one surface use agreement. The Willow Creek property covers approximately 220 acres of land and is consists of 11 unpatented lode mining claims and one surface use agreement.

The Arkose Mining Venture properties consist of unpatented lode mining claims, fee mineral leases, and state mineral leases. The land surface consists of private, federal and state lands. There are 2,641 unpatented lode mining claims included in the Arkose Property, which comprise 43,207 acres and 65 fee mineral leases and three state leases included in the Arkose Property which comprise 18,946 acres.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Since the start of the week, small cap nuclear fuel stock USEC Inc (NYSE: USU) more than doubled for investors, something that has not happened for investors in uranium stocks like Uranium Resources, Inc (NASDAQ: URRE), Denison Mines Corp (NYSEMKT: DNN), Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSEMKT: URG) and Uranerz Energy Corp (NYSEMKT: URZ). To recap: USEC Inc closed at the $6 level on Friday, but then it surged to the $15 level on Monday only to open at the $10 level on Tuesday when it ultimately closed at $12.46. So what in the world is going on with USEC Inc and is it time to revisit nuclear fuel and uranium stocks?

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Connecticut Water Service Inc. (CTWS)

Connecticut Water Service, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a regulated water company in Connecticut. It operates in three segments: Water Activities, Real Estate Transactions, and Services and Rentals. The Water Activities segment supplies drinking water. The Real Estate Transactions segment involves in the sale or donation of its real estate holdings. The Services and Rentals segment provides contracted services to water and wastewater utilities and other clients, which include contract operations of water and wastewater facilities; Linebacker, an optional service line protection program that comprises repairing or replacing leaking or broken water service line, curb box, curb box cover, meter pit, meter pit cover, meter pit valve, and in-home water main shut off valve before the meter; and providing bulk deliveries of emergency drinking water to businesses and residences through tanker trucks. This segment also engages in leasing and renting residential and c ommercial properties. As of December 31, 2009, Connecticut Water Service, Inc. served 88,534 customers in 54 towns in Connecticut. The company was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Clinton, Connecticut.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Dittman]

  Answer: Water utilities have great track records of dividend growth: Aqua America, American Water Works Co Inc (NYSE: AWK) and Connecticut Water Service Inc (NSDQ: CTWS).

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Austin Engineering Ltd (ANG)

Austin Engineering Limited is engaged in the manufacture, repair, overhaul and supply of mining attachment products, general steelwork structures and other associated products and services for the industrial and resources-related business sectors. The Company operates in four segments: Australia, which includes mining equipment, other products and repair and maintenance services; Americas, which includes mining equipment and other products, consisting of North America and South America; Asia, which includes Indonesia for mining equipment and other products, and the Middle East, which includes aluminum smelter equipment and products. In October 2013, Austin Engineering Limited completed the acquisition of the business of Servigrut. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Julia Leite]

  South African miners rallied after a recovery in gold prices. The FTSE/JSE Africa All-Share Index climbed 1.5 percent in Johannesburg, with Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HAR) and AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG) adding at least 5.2 percent.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Evertec Inc (EVTC)

EVERTEC, Inc. (EVERTEC), formerly Carib Latam Holdings, Inc., incorporated on January 26, 1989, is a full service transaction processing business in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Company provides a range of merchant acquiring, payment processing and business process management services across 19 countries in the region. It processes over 1.8 billion transactions annually, and manages the electronic payment network for over 4,100 automated teller machines (ATM) and over 104,000 point-of-sale payment terminals. It is the merchant acquirer in the Caribbean and Central America and in Latin America. The Company owns and operates the ATH network, one of ATM and personal identification number debit networks in Latin America. In addition, it provides a suite of services for core bank processing, cash processing and technology outsourcing. It serves a diversified customer base of financial institutions, merchants, corporations and government agencies with technology solutions.

The Company serves a diversified customer base of financial institutions, merchants, corporations and government agencies with technology solutions that are essential to their operations, enabling them to issue, process and accept transactions securely. The Company�� broad suite of services span the entire transaction processing value chain and include a range of front-end customer facing solutions as well as back-end support services. These include: merchant acquiring services, which enable POS and e-commerce merchants to accept and process electronic methods of payment such as debit, credit, prepaid and electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards; payment processing services, which enable financial institutions and other issuers to manage, support and facilitate the processing for credit, debit, prepaid, ATM and EBT card programs; and business process management solutions, which provide mission critical technology solutions such as core bank processing, as well as information technology (IT) outsourcing and cash mana! gement services to financial institutions, enterprises and governments. The Company offers its customers end-to-end products and solutions across the transaction processing value chain from a single source across numerous channels and geographic markets.

Merchant Acquiring

Merchant Acquiring business provides services to merchants at over 25,000 locations that allow them to accept electronic methods of payment such as debit, credit, prepaid and EBT cards carrying the ATH, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express brands. Its suite of merchant acquiring services includes, but is not limited to, the underwriting of each merchant�� contract, the deployment of POS devices and other equipment necessary to capture merchant transactions, the processing of transactions at the point-of-sale, the settlement of funds with the participating financial institution, detailed sales reports and customer support. The Company�� Merchant Acquiring business generated 20.4%, of total revenues and 26.6%, of total segment income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Payment Processing

It provide diversified suite of payment processing products and services to blue chip regional and global corporate customers, government agencies, and financial institutions across Latin American and the Caribbean. These services provide the infrastructure technology necessary to facilitate the processing and routing of payments across the transaction processing value chain. At the point-of-sale, it sell transaction processing technology, similar to the services in its Merchant Acquiring business, to other merchant acquirers to enable them to service their its merchant customers. It also offer terminal driving solutions to merchants, merchant acquirers (including its Merchant Acquiring business) and financial institutions, which provide the technology to securely operate, manage and monitor POS terminals and ATMs. It also sells and rent POS devices to financial insti! tution cu! stomers who seek to deploy them across their own businesses. As of December 31, 2012, the Company provides technology services for over 4,100 ATMs and over 104,000 POS terminals in the region and is continuously certifying new machines and devices to expand this reach. The Company�� Payment Processing business accounted for 27.7%, of total revenues and of total segment income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Business Solutions

The Company provides its financial institution, corporate and government customers with a full suite of business process management solutions including specifically core bank processing, network hosting and management, IT consulting services, business process outsourcing, item and cash processing, and fulfillment. The Company�� Business Solutions business accounted for 51.9%, of total revenues and 31.3%, of total segment income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The Company Competes with Vantiv, Inc., First Data Corporation, Global Payment Inc., Elavon, Inc., Sage Payment Solutions, Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., Fiserv, Inc. and Total System Services, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Shares of EVERTEC (NYSE: EVTC) got a boost, shooting up 8.91 percent to $22.99 after the company reported the commencement of offering by selling holders.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Celanese Corporation (CE)

Celanese Corporation, a technology and specialty materials company, engages in manufacture and sale of value-added chemicals, thermoplastic polymers, and other chemical-based products. It operates through four business segments: Advanced Engineered Materials, Consumer Specialties, Industrial Specialties, and Acetyl Intermediates. The Advanced Engineered Materials segment offers specialty polymers for application in automotive, medical, and electronics products, as well as other consumer and industrial applications. The Consumer Specialties segment provides cellulose acetate flake, film, and tow that are primarily used in filter products applications; Sunett, a sweetener; and food protection ingredients, such as sorbates and sorbic acid for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. The Industrial Specialties segment produces emulsions and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) performance polymers. Its emulsions products are used in applications, such as paints and coatings, adhesives, construction, glass fiber, textiles, and paper; and EVA performance polymers are used in flexible packaging films, lamination film products, hot melt adhesives, medical products, automotive, carpeting and photovoltaic cells. The Acetyl Intermediates segment offers acetyl products, including acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer, acetic anhydride, and acetate esters for use as starting materials for colorants, paints, adhesives, coatings, and medicines. It also provides organic solvents and intermediates for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical products. The company offers its products directly, as well as through distributors and electronic marketplaces in North America, Europe, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and South America. Celanese Corporation was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of chemical maker Celanese (NYSE: CE  ) jumped as much as 16% today after the company released earnings.

  So what: Revenue fell slightly in the first quarter, to $1.61 billion, but adjusted earnings per share jumped 44%, to $1.14. Revenue was in line with expectations, and earnings crushed the $0.79 that analysts expected.�

• [By Magic Diligence]

  Given this fact, and the fact that consumer electronics (CE) is a cyclical industry, flash supply and demand balance is very tenuous. Frantic production to catch up to demand often leads to dramatic over-supply when the CE market cools off. One needs only to look at SanDisk's financials to see this. The company swung from a $917 dollar operations loss in 2008 to a $1.5 billion dollar profit in 2011, and which was then cut in half to just a $700 million profit the following year!