Fed says economy improving a little

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Let the tapering continue!

The Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to reduce its monthly bond purchases -- one of its key efforts to stimulate the economy -- to $45 billion starting in May, down from the prior rate of $55 billion.

The move was widely expected by Wall Street and comes as part of a gradual winding down process for the Fed's bond-buying program. Stocks were trading modestly higher following the announcement, as they had been most of the day. The Dow is close to a record high.

With no press conference scheduled this afternoon, the Fed's latest policy statement came and went with little fanfare or surprise, although Wall Street continued to look for clues on how healthy Fed board members believe the economy is.

In a statement, the Fed characterized the economy as having "picked up recently, after having slowed sharply during the winter in part because of adverse weather conditions."

Earlier in the day, a separate report showed the economy stalled in the first quarter. Economists shrugged off the disappointing news, chalking it up to a colder than usual winter. Other data, including a solid report on private sector job growth, are pointing to an improving economy in the spring.

  Yellen: U.S. banks stronger than Europe's

The Federal Reserve has been buying bonds since December 2008 in an effort to stimulate the U.S. economy, but recently policymakers decided the job market had improved enough to warrant a little less of the Fed's extra juice.

That said, the Fed isn't getting completely ! out of the stimulus game anytime soon.

Even after the bond purchases come to an end (which is expected to occur around October), the central bank has said it will continue supporting the economy by keeping short-term interest rates low. It reiterated that commitment again on Wednesday.

Low interest rates can stimulate spending by making it cheaper for consumers and businesses to take out loans to buy things or invest. The Fed has been trying to jump-start this kind of spending since the middle of the Great Recession.

The recovery, however, has been slower than many would like, dragging on for nearly five years.

The unemployment rate was 6.7% as of March, and while it's expected to have fallen slightly in April, it's nowhere near the 4% to 5% range from before the recession.

Top Building Product Companies To Invest In Right Now

It takes money to make money. Most investors know that, but with business media so focused on the "how much," very few investors bother to ask, "How fast?"

When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to Quanex Building Products (NYSE: NX  ) .

Let's break this down
In this series, we measure how swiftly a company turns cash into goods or services and back into cash. We'll use a quick, relatively foolproof tool known as the cash conversion cycle, or CCC for short.

Why does the CCC matter? The less time it takes a firm to convert outgoing cash into incoming cash, the more powerful and flexible its profit engine is. The less money tied up in inventory and accounts receivable, the more available to grow the company, pay investors, or both.

Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Buy For 2015: Jones Soda Co.(JSDA)

Jones Soda Co., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, markets, distributes, and licenses premium beverages primarily in the United States and Canada. The company provides Jones Soda, a carbonated soft drink; Jones Zilch, a zero calories product in black cherry, pomegranate, and vanilla bean flavors; WhoopAss Energy Drink, an energy supplement drink; and WhoopAss Zero Energy Drink, an energy supplement drink with zero sugar. It also offers various products, including soda with customized labels, wearables, candy, and other items online. The company sells and distributes its products through its network of independent distributors and national retail accounts. Jones Soda Co. was founded in 1986 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Mark Lennihan/AP PepsiCo (PEP) thinks that protein drinks and low-calorie sparkling beverages to counter the slow growth of the U.S. carbonated beverage industry. "Expect to see from us an interesting number of mid- to low-calorie sparkling beverage platforms," in 2015 said Simon Lowden, Pepsi's chief marketing officer of Pepsi Beverages North America, in an interview with TheStreet. Lowden said that "Tropicana will see news around sparkling juices and waters," while "you will see protein as an ingredient come in across more and more beverages." Protein could be added to Gatorade, which will come out with more energy chews and bars. Year-to-date volume for Gatorade sports drinks have increased by a mid-single digit percentage. Coconut water, an industry that ballooned to $400 million in U.S. sales last year, according to research firm Euromonitor, is being targeted in a larger way by Pepsi aside from it leveraging its majority stake in O.N.E. coconut water. O.N.E was third in terms of 2013 annual sales in the coconut water category, behind the privately held Vita Coco and Zico, which is owned by Coca-Cola (KO). "You will see more news from us on coconut water next year as an ingredient across brands like Mountain Dew," said Lowden. A Focus on Health The healthy theme that underlies Pepsi's innovation push next year, and also recently at Coca-Cola with its Life product that has 35 percent fewer calories than a typical cola, is meant to counteract demand shifts in the carbonated soda industry. "In the last 18 months, the conversation in the U.S. has gone from 'How many calories am I taking in?' to 'Is it artificial?' " Pepsi has jumped ahead of Coca-Cola in the race to reignite consumer interest in soda by entering the emerging craft soda industry with its new brand Caleb's Kola. The naturally sweetened soda in a brown glass bottle is named after Pepsi's founder, Caleb Bradham. Available at Costco (COST) locations in Maryland, New York, Virginia and Wa

• [By John Udovich]

  Monster Beverage Corp (NASDAQ: MNST), a mid cap marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages, has been a monster of a performer since the end of the financial crisis as the stock is up around 308% over the past five years, but could new or overlooked players like small cap beverage stocks�Jones Soda Co (OTCMKTS: JSDA), Celsius Holdings, Inc (OTCMKTS: CELH) and Konared Corp (OTCBB: KRED) repeat that performance? A look strictly at the long term performance of all three small caps might have you thinking otherwise. After all, none of these small cap beverage stocks are profitable while�the beverage industry can be a long hard expensive slog just to increase market share by one or two points when you are competing for shelf space with industry giants like Pepsi and Coke. But past performance is just that���the past and only part of the story as there is much more to consider about these small cap beverage stocks which could also make them potential acquisition targets by larger beverage players seeking to expand their product line up with innovative products:

Top Building Product Companies To Invest In Right Now: GTT Communications Inc (GTT)

GTT Communications, Inc., formerly Global Telecom & Technology, Inc., incorporated on January 3, 2005, is a global network integrator providing a portfolio of Wide-Area Network (WAN), dedicated Internet access and managed data services. The Company combines multiple networks and technologies, such as traditional OC-x, MPLS and Ethernet, to deliver solutions designed for each client�� requirements. The Company improves its client performance through its Client Management Database (CMD), providing customers with an integrated support system for all of their services. It is provides solutions, project management and 24x7 global operations support. In May 2012, the Company acquired nLayer Communications Inc. In April 2013, Neutral Tandem Inc acquired the global data services business of Global Telecom & Technology Inc.

The Company�� global operations consist of two parts: global customer operations, and global network operations and engineering. Customer operations include project management and development of its CMD system. Global project management assures the implementation of a customer services after the sale. Network operations and engineering consists of global Network Operations Center (NOC) and Engineering and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The NOC receives, prioritizes, tracks and resolves network outages or other customer needs, along with provisioning and testing of services. Engineering provides support for the NOC and the sales team, as well as carrying out all provisioning for GTT Network Services. ICT manages all internal desktop, and network and server infrastructure.

The Company competes with Level 3, Qwest, KPN, XO Communications, COLT, Verizon Business, AT&T, British Telecom, NTT and Deutsche Telekom.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By The GeoTeam]

  This brings us to Global Telecom (GTT), a company that provides customers with innovative connectivity solutions by utilizing its own network assets.

Top Building Product Companies To Invest In Right Now: WiLan Inc (WILN)

WiLAN Inc. (WiLAN), incorporated on May 14, 1992, is a licensing company. WiLAN develops, acquires, and licenses a range of intellectual property that drives products in communications and consumer electronics markets. Through both internal research and development and acquisitions from third parties, the Company has acquired intellectual property in the form of patents and patent applications in many countries that it has licensed to more than 255 companies in telecommunications markets around the world. As of December 31, 2011, WiLAN had a portfolio of approximately 3,000 patents, including issued and pending patents and foreign equivalents. WiLAN has five directly wholly-owned subsidiaries, Wi-LAN Capital Inc. (WiLAN Capital), Wi-LAN International Inc. (WiLAN International), Wi-LAN International Hong Kong Inc. (WiLAN Hong Kong), Wi-LAN International Japan Inc. (WiLAN Japan) and Wi-LAN International Taiwan Inc. In July 2012, it acquired a global portfolio of more than 40 patents and applications from Siemens AG related to telecommunication network management and mobile multimedia. In October 2012, the Company acquired a global portfolio of more than 150 patents and patent applications from Alvarion Ltd. In June 2013, WiLan Inc acquired a portfolio of patents from Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. In November 2013, the Company acquired a portfolio of semiconductor patents from IXYS CH GmbH related to microcontroller technology.

In the Company's licensing business, the Company has signed licenses with companies that sell products utilizing technologies, including CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access-a cellular telecommunications specification); Wi-Fi (the underlying technology of wireless local area networks based on various IEEE 802.11 specifications); WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access-a standards-based broadband wireless technology that provides metropolitan area network connectivity based on IEEE 802.16 specifications); LTE (Long Term Evolution-high performance air! interface for cellular mobile communication systems designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile telephone networks), and ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line-a standards-based access technology that provides broadband Internet access over twisted pair telecommunications wiring). The Company has also signed licenses with companies that sell products utilizing technologies, including DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications-a standards-based access technology that provides broadband Internet access over cable networks); Bluetooth (a wireless protocol for exchanging data over short distances between fixed and mobile devices), and V-Chip (a technology that permits the blocking of television programs at a receiver (such as a television, multi-media equipped personal computer or set-top box) by viewers based on ratings information carried on the television signal).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Often accused of being a patent troll,�non-performing entity�WiLAN� (NASDAQ: WILN  ) wrangled a settlement out of Dell (NASDAQ: DELL  ) with details of the deal remaining confidential.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Breaking news

  Wi-LAN (NASDAQ: WILN) today announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a process to explore and evaluate a broad range of strategic alternatives for the Company to enhance shareholder value. To read the full news, click here. MannKind (NASDAQ: MNKD) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged the resubmission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for AFREZZA庐 (insulin human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder. To read the full news, click here. lululemon athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) today announced that Tara Poseley has been appointed to its Senior Leadership Team as Chief Product Officer. To read the full news, click here. Nice Systems (NASDAQ: NICE) reported a drop in its third-quarter profit. To read the full news, click here.

  Posted-In: Bank of America FOMC US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Pre-Market Outlook Markets

Top Building Product Companies To Invest In Right Now: OBA Financial Services Inc.(OBAF)

OBA Financial Services, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for OBA Bank that provides financial services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. The company offers various deposit accounts, including statement savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, commercial and regular checking accounts, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan portfolio comprises one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, commercial business loans, construction loans, and consumer loans. The company provides its services through a main office and four full-service branches located in Montgomery County and Howard County, Maryland; and Washington, D.C. OBA Financial Services, Inc. was founded in 1861 and is headquartered in Germantown, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  NWBI stock trades at 1.12 times book value and serves a very attractive market. It would be a great acquisition for a bank looking to expand into the region, which includes part of the Marcellus Shale fields. Investors get paid to wait for good things to happen, as the dividend yield is currently 3.65%.

  OmniAmerican Bancorp�(OBAF)

  It is very surprising to me that OmniAmerican Bancorp�(OBAF) hasn’t yet been bought out by another bank in the red-hot Texas banking market. The bank has 15 branches located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex region and total assets of about$385 million of assets. It has held onto its capital, and the equity-to-asset ratio is more than 16. Non-performing assets are just 0.18% of total assets, so this is another financially solid bank.

• [By Tim Melvin]

  Mr. Seidman also announced an increased stake in OBA Financial (OBAF) in Germantown, Md. He now owns a little over 8% of the six-branch bank and has publicly called for the sale OBAF. He was pretty blunt about his assessment of the bank in a letter to the board, which read:

Top Building Product Companies To Invest In Right Now: ViaSat Inc.(VSAT)

ViaSat, Inc. designs, produces, and markets satellite and other wireless communication, and networking systems for government and commercial customers. The company?s Government Systems segment offers network-centric Internet protocol (IP) based government communications systems, including tactical radio and information distribution systems that enable real-time collection and dissemination of video and data using transmission links between command centers, communications nodes, and air defense systems; information security and assurance products, which enable military and government users to communicate information securely over networks, and that secure data stored on computers and storage devices; and government satellite communication systems, such as portable, mobile, and fixed broadband modems, terminals, network access control systems, and antenna systems. The company?s Commercial Networks segment provides various satellite communication systems and ground networki ng equipment. It offers satellite network infrastructure and ground terminals to access high capacity satellites; antenna systems for terrestrial and satellite applications, such as geo-special imagery, mobile satellite communication, Ka-band gateways, and other multi-band antennas; enterprise very small aperture terminal networks and products; and mobile broadband satellite communication systems. This segment also provides satellite networking systems design and technology development, including the analysis, design, and specification of satellites and ground systems, ASIC and MMIC design and production, and wide area network compression for enterprise networks. The company?s Satellite Services segment provides wholesale and retail satellite-based broadband Internet services, as well as managed network services for the satellite communication systems of its consumer, enterprise, and mobile broadband customers. ViaSat, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Carlsb ad, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Jim Cramer, the host of CNBC�� Mad Money, recently touted ViaSat, Inc (NASDAQ: VSAT) as an in-flight WiFi or satellite communications related play, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of small cap in-flight WiFi provider Gogo Inc (NASDAQ: GOGO) and small cap satellite communications firm Iridium Communications Inc (NASDAQ: IRDM). I should mention that I have written about Gogo Inc in the past (Small Cap Gogo Inc (GOGO): Is There Turbulence Ahead? IRDM�and Is In-flight WiFi Stock Gogo, Inc. (GOGO) the Next Iridium?) and Cramer also touched on some of the differences between the in-flight wifi service offerings of both. Cramer also interviewed ViaSat, Inc�� CEO who said they had been waiting for a new satellite to ��isrupt��the market.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  ViaSat (NASDAQ: VSAT  ) has taken an early stage tech firm under its wing. The company announced it has acquired LonoCloud, a privately held start-up that focuses on cloud networking software. Like its new owner, LonoCloud is based in Southern California. Its employees will be assigned to ViaSat's broadband networking group.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  ViaSat (NASDAQ: VSAT) is projected to post its Q4 earnings at $0.11 per share on revenue of $348.98 million.

  Biodel (NASDAQ: BIOD) is expected to post a Q1 loss at $0.24 per share.

• [By Rich Smith]

  The U.S. Department of Defense announced a half dozen new contracts benefiting the U.S. Navy Wednesday. Of these, five went to publicly traded companies, namely:

Top Building Product Companies To Invest In Right Now: TOR Minerals International Inc(TORM)

TOR Minerals International, Inc., a specialty chemical company, engages in the manufacture and marketing of mineral products. Its mineral products are used as pigments, pigment extenders, functional fillers, and flame retardants for the manufacture of paints, coatings, plastics, catalysts, and solid surface applications. The company?s principal product includes HITOX, a light buff-colored titanium dioxide pigment used in paints, coatings, plastics, paper, and various other types of products. It also offers ALUPREM (premium alumina) products that are used for color critical applications as fillers and flame retardants; BARYPREM, which provides whiteness for color critical applications; TIOPREM, a series of heat stable colored TiO2 hybrid pigments used in various applications, such as engineered plastics, laminates, window profiles, plastic lumber, roofing granules, and ceramic coatings; and SYNTHETIC RUTILE used as a feed stock for white TiO2 and as a component in welding rod flux. In addition, the company provides BARTEX, an inert extender pigment, which offers weight and body to products comprising powder coatings used in automotive, appliance, and office furniture finishes; rubber products, such as carpet and curtain backings; and plastics, including billiard balls and poker chips; and HALTEX/OPTILOAD used in technical applications, including thermoset composites, sheet molding compounds/bulk molding compounds, thermoplastic profiles, electrical wire and cable insulation, mining conveyor belts, specialty coatings, and adhesives and sealants. TOR Minerals International sells its products through a network of direct sales representatives and independent stocking distributors in the United States, as well as through distributors and agents internationally. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  TOR Minerals International (NASDAQ: TORM) shares touched a new 52-week low of $9.76. TOR Minerals shares have dropped 9.95% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 27.45% in the same period.

Top Building Product Companies To Invest In Right Now: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ARIA)

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of small-molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer. The company?s lead cancer product, ridaforolimus is being studied in multiple clinical trials in patients with various types of cancers, including metastatic sarcomas, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Its product pipeline also includes ponatinib, a pan BCR-ABL inhibitor in phase 2 clinical trial for applications in various hematological cancers and solid tumors; and AP26113, an anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor in preclinical studies for the treatment of various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, lymphoma, and neuroblastoma. In addition, the company focuses on a drug discovery program centered on small-molecule therapies that are molecularly targeted to cell-signaling pathways implicated in cancer. Further, it licenses its ARGENT cell-sign aling regulation technologies to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to develop and commercialize therapeutic products, and to conduct drug discovery research. The company has collaboration and license agreements with Merck & Co., Inc. for the development, manufacture, and commercialization of ridaforolimus; and license agreements with Medinol Ltd. and ICON Medical Corp. to develop and commercialize stents and other medical devices to deliver ridaforolimus to prevent restenosis of injured vessels. ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Equities Trading UP
  Ariad Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARIA) shot up 34.05 percent to $3.72 after the company announced positive opinion by EMA on continued availability of Iclusig.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Third Point reduced its stake in lots of companies, including Murphy Oil�and Yahoo! Among holdings in which it increased its stake were AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV  ) and ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARIA  ) . AbbVie was split off from�Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT  ) and kept the pharmaceutical business. Detractors don't like its heavy debt or the impending patent expiration of its rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira, which is expected to generate more than $10 billion in annual sales. It has other drugs on the market and in its pipeline, tackling Hepatitis C, among other conditions. (A Hep C treatment just received FDA breakthrough designation.) It also sports a 3.5% dividend yield, and its chief scientific officer is retiring, which should interest investors.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Stocks on the Move: Voxeljet AG (NYSE: VJET) is up 121.8% at $28.83 after a blazing hot IPO. Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) is down 40.7% at $2.67 on a failed drug trial. ParkerVision Inc. (NASDAQ: PRKR) is up 17.9% at $6.40 after gaining more than 60% yesterday on a Florida jury�� ruling in the company�� favor in a patent suit against Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM). J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) is down 4.8% at $7.00, after posting a 33-year low of $6.97 a share earlier today.

• [By CRWE]

  ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARIA) reported the initiation of the randomized Phase 3 trial of ponatinib, its investigational pan-BCR-ABL inhibitor, in adult patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Financial advice is about more than just building portfolios

Technology has brought unprecedented change to our lives but it's only just begun to transform the financial advisory business. To date, most technology innovation in our industry has focused on lowering the cost and improving efficiencies of asset management. Yet there's another, tremendously exciting, trend just beginning to unfold — using technology as a powerful driver of business growth. The world will look very different by 2020 because of it.

There are 3.5 trillion dollars of untapped assets across 20 million mass affluent families not working with financial advisers. Unlocking it requires helping these households grow assets over time — through cash flow management across a client's full financial life.

It's not just Gen-Y and mass affluent households who stand to benefit. High net worth clients, too, can use state-of-the-art cash flow analytics to identify additional cash that can be directed toward an investment target or other financial goal and to lock in habits that can transform their lives for years to come.

5 Best Valued Stocks To Buy Right Now

Every quarter, many money managers have to disclose what they've bought and sold, via "13F" filings. Their latest moves can shine a bright light on smart stock picks.

Today, let's look at Viking Global Investors, founded in 1999 by Andreas Halvorsen and David Ott, who had previously worked together at Julian Robertson's respected Tiger Management firm. Viking is known as a long-short global equity fund, meaning that it aims to maintain long positions in companies on which it's bullish and short positions in those where it's bearish.

The company's reportable stock portfolio totaled $16.7 billion in value as of March 31, 2013.

Interesting developments
So what does Viking's latest quarterly 13F filing tell us? Here are a few interesting details:

The biggest new holdings are Boeing�and cement giant Cemex. Other new holdings of interest include Sarepta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SRPT  ) and National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV  ) . Sarepta stock has soared more than�tenfold over the past year. After the company petitioned the FDA for accelerated approval for its Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug, eteplirsen, the FDA requested more information, sending shares lower. But management is optimistic about its recent interactions with the FDA, and new data reported this week was encouraging. Some see the stock as reasonably or attractively valued, but there are risks to consider.

Top 10 Logistics Companies To Watch In Right Now: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)

Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Maxfield]

  Shares of older, industrial companies like Alcoa (NYSE: AA  ) and Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT  ) are leading the Dow lower this afternoon. One reason could be speculation that the Federal Reserve will taper its monthly bond purchases by the end of the year. According to The Wall Street Journal, "more than half of the 49 economists who participated in the latest ... forecasting survey" believe that it will do so.

• [By Blake Bos]

  Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT  ) came in only just slightly below analyst estimates this quarter, but in the video below, Motley Fool industrials analyst Blake Bos tells investors why short-term quarterly earnings are far from the real story. Blake gives investors a clear picture of Caterpillar's continuing problem with high inventory levels, and he shines a light on the inventory mismanagement that has led to Caterpillar's awful days inventory outstanding numbers. The stock has ticked up recently due to the expectation that these inventory issues should be clearing up ��Blake tells investors exactly where to look to know if that narrative is really playing out.

5 Best Valued Stocks To Buy Right Now: Dollar Tree Inc.(DLTR)

Dollar Tree, Inc. operates discount variety stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores offer merchandise primarily at the fixed price of $1.00. The company operates its stores under the names of Dollar Tree, Deal$, Dollar Tree Deal$, Dollar Giant, and Dollar Bills. Its stores offer consumable merchandise, including candy and food, and health and beauty care, as well as household consumables, such as paper, plastics, household chemicals, in select stores, and frozen and refrigerated food; variety merchandise, which includes toys, durable housewares, gifts, party goods, greeting cards, softlines, and other items; and seasonal goods, such as Easter, Halloween, and Christmas merchandise. As of April 30, 2011, it operated 4,089 stores in 48 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 88 stores in Canada. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Supervalu have dropped 8.3% to $6.31 at 2:59 p.m., within spitting distance of Goldman’s $6 target price, while competitors Family Dollar Stores (FDO) has gained 0.2% to $70.16,�Dollar General�(DG) has fallen 0.4% t0 $59.02,�Dollar Tree (DLTR) is off 1% to $59.33 and Wal-Mart (WMT) is little changed at $79.19.

5 Best Valued Stocks To Buy Right Now: Tupperware Corporation(TUP)

Tupperware Brands Corporation operates as a direct seller of various products across a range of brands and categories through an independent sales force. The company engages in the manufacture and sale of kitchen and home products, and beauty and personal care products. It offers preparation, storage, and serving solutions for the kitchen and home, as well as kitchen cookware and tools, children?s educational toys, microwave products, and gifts under the Tupperware brand name primarily in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific, and North America. The company provides beauty and personal care products, which include skin care products, cosmetics, bath and body care, toiletries, fragrances, nutritional products, apparel, and related products principally in Mexico, South Africa, the Philippines, Australia, and Uruguay. It offers beauty and personal care products under the Armand Dupree, Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo, and Swissgar de brand names. The company sells its Tupperware products directly to distributors, directors, managers, and dealers; and beauty products primarily through consultants and directors. As of December 26, 2009, the Tupperware distribution system had approximately 1,800 distributors, 61,300 managers, and 1.3 million dealers; and the sales force representing the Beauty businesses approximately 1.1 million. The company was formerly known as Tupperware Corporation and changed its name to Tupperware Brands Corporation in December 2005. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Oliver Pursche]

  European large-cap pharmaceuticals like Novartis (NVS) �and Bristol Meyers Squibb (BMY) �count amongst some of our favorite stocks right now, as do U.S. multinationals that are growing revenue and margins in Asia ��Tupperware (TUP) �is a shining example. Stay away from utilities and energy stocks, as they are likely to be the laggards over the next year.

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, household products company Tupperware Brands (NYSE: TUP  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

5 Best Valued Stocks To Buy Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

Schlumberger Limited, together with its subsidiaries, supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide. The company?s Oilfield Services segment provides exploration and production services; wireline technology that offers open-hole and cased-hole services; supplies engineering support, directional-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, and logging-while-drilling services; and testing services. This segment also offers well services; supplies well completion services and equipment; artificial lift; data and consulting services; geo services; and information solutions, such as consulting, software, information management system, and IT infrastructure services that support oil and gas industry. Its WesternGeco segment provides reservoir imaging, monitoring, and development services; and operates data processing centers and multiclient seismic library. This segment also offers variou s services include 3D and time-lapse (4D) seismic surveys to multi-component surveys for delineating prospects and reservoir management. The company?s M-I SWACO segment supplies drilling fluid systems to improve drilling performance; fluid systems and specialty tools to optimize wellbore productivity; production technology solutions to maximize production rates; and environmental solutions that manages waste volumes generated in drilling and production operations. Its Smith Oilfield segment designs, manufactures, and markets drill bits and borehole enlargement tools; and supplies drilling tools and services, tubular, completion services, and other related downhole solutions. The company?s Distribution segment markets pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as mill, safety, and other maintenance products. This segment also provides warehouse management, vendor integration, and inventory management services. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Claudia Assis]

  Oil-field-services company Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB) �added 1.9%. Debt-ratings agency Standard & Poor�� on Friday raised its corporate credit rating on Schlumberger one notch to AA- from A+, saying the company�� competitive advantage and profitability are superior to peers.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  A day before it's to release its latest quarterly results, Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) has declared a fresh dividend. The company announced it will hand out a $0.3125 per share common stock distribution on October 11 to shareholders of record as of September 4. That maintains Schlumberger's dividend policy, as it has paid that amount in both of its preceding quarters. The most recent of the pair was disbursed last Friday. Prior to that, the firm paid $0.275 per share.

• [By Richard Moroney, Editor, Dow Theory Forecasts]

  Founded in 1926, Schlumberger (SLB), operates in all major facets of oilfield services, essentially covering the lifespan of reservoirs that house natural gas and oil.

How Congress Uses Donor Money as Slush Funds

Apparently an annual salary of $174,500 and a vast array of taxpayer-funded perks is not enough for most members of Congress.

Otherwise, why would they need "Leadership PACs" - personal political action committees that supposedly raise money for political activities but in practice provide a pipeline of cash to subsidize their already-elite lifestyle.

Now remember, in addition to official salaries more than triple what the average American household earns, members of Congress have an average net worth of about $966,000, according to OpenSecrets.org.

And yet these greedy elitists still feel the need to siphon off some political donations to pay for luxuries they could easily afford anyway.

As Trevor Potter, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), told "60 Minutes," Leadership PAC money "can be used for literally anything."

By law - a law Congress wrote and passed - Leadership PAC money has but a single limitation: It cannot be spent directly on the PAC owner's own election campaign.

How convenient...

"You can use [Leadership PACs] for babysitting..., you can use them for paying for car service. You can use them for travel," Peter Schweizer, a fellow at the Hoover Institution, told CBS News "60 Minutes" in a segment broadcast on Sunday. Schweizer's book on the topic, Extortion: How Politicians Extract Your Money, Buy Votes and Line Their Own Pockets, comes out today (Tuesday).

Hot Rising Companies For 2015

Some lawmakers have used their Leadership PAC money to entertain friends on elite golf courses or to treat them to NFL games.

"It's a political slush fund," Potter told "60 Minutes." "Over time, we've had them. They've been outlawed. They spring back in new guises, and this is the latest guise."

And that's not all. When members of Congress leave office, they can keep their Leadership PAC money and use it for their second career as a lobbyist, or in retirement to finance the maintenance of old political connections.

As long as they can dream up a political pretext for spending the money, no matter how vague or stretched, it's a "legitimate" Leadership PAC expense.

Where Leadership PACs Came From

According to the "60 Minutes" segment, Leadership PACs were invented specifically to bypass the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, which stated that campaign funds could not be converted for personal use.

At first only the most senior members of Congress had Leadership PACS, which originally were set up to raise money that could be distributed to other members of their party to secure political alliances and ensure the election of those allies.

But now nearly every U.S. senator - and about two-thirds of the House of Representatives - has a Leadership PAC.

Leadership PACs have become so de rigueur, in fact, that incoming members of Congress now create them before they're even sworn into office.

Some don't even wait to get elected.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who just last week won the open seat left by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ, created his Leadership PAC in June - of 2011.

And because Leadership PACs are so handy, they enjoy full bipartisan support. While their political brinksmanship forced a government shutdown earlier this month, Republicans and Democrats hold identical positions on political slush funds: They love them.

And it's easy to see why. In addition to providing supplemental income, Leadership PACs allow members of Congress to double-dip from donors who had already given the legal maximum to their regular campaign fund.

The few legislative attempts to restrict the personal use of Leadership PAC funds have been routinely ignored.

What Leadership PAC Money Gets Spent On

Let's have a look at some of the frills our elected officials have spent their Leadership PAC donations on:

Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-FL, spent $32,000 in Leadership PAC money to take some defense industry donors on a tour of some California wineries. Rep. Robert Andrews, D-NJ, spent $16,000 to fly his family to Scotland for the wedding of a friend that he was considering hiring as a political consultant. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-GA, spent $100,000 over the past two years treating his political cronies to some of world's top golf courses. Rep. George Meeks, D-NY, dropped $35,000 on tickets to NFL games for his friends' football watching pleasure. Disgraced presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, used $114,000 to pay mistress Reille Hunter to make a campaign video. In one case, the misuse of funds extended beyond even the lawmaker's death. In 2007, after Rep. Paul Gillmor, R-OH, died suddenly from a heart attack, his staff spent his Leadership PAC money on dinners and pizza parties.

And there are other abuses.

"60 Minutes" noted that many members of Congress also use Leadership PAC money to hire relatives to work on their campaigns.

And the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) found that at least 15 members of Congress have loaned their campaign funds money, then charged ridiculously high interest rates.

Such schemes can yield serious money, but the profits come directly out of the pockets of their unsuspecting contributors.

One enterprising congresswoman, Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-CA, loaned her campaign $150,000 at 18% interest. Over 12 years, she collected a tidy $228,000.

"Congress has created this domain that allows them to decide whether something is ethical or whether something is good," Schweizer said. "And it's another example, unfortunately, where the rules that apply to the rest of us don't really apply to members of Congress."

Are you outraged over Congressional abuse of Leadership PAC money? Are you tired of an ineffective government run by a privileged class that has forgotten what it's like to be a hard-working, struggling citizen? Go here to tell Washington how you really feel!

Related Articles:

Money Morning:
Congress Handing Out Stock Tips to Hedge Fund Managers Money Morning:
How the Richest Members of Congress Made Their Fortunes Money Morning:
While the Middle Class Suffers, Congress Is Getting Richer - With Help from Legal Insider Trading CBS News:
Washington's Open Secret: Profitable PACs CREW:
CREW and 60 Minutes Expose Another Congressional Scheme

Methode Electronics Gains 33%, Yes 33%, On Really Good Earnings

Methode Electronics (MEI) has gained 33% to 23.43 today after the company reported better revenue and profit numbers than even the most positive analyst had expected. It also raised its guidance well above previously announced levels.

AFP/Getty Images

The component maker reported a profit of 36 cents a share, above forecasts for 21 cents, and sales of $167.3  million dollars, beating forecasts for $148.5 million. It also said that it expected full-year earnings to fall in a range of $1.40 to $1.60, well above analyst forecasts for $1.05.

Baird’s David Leiker and Joseph Vruwink call it a “breakout quarter.” They write:

Upside across all segments and all line items with 41% revenue surge coming in 10% above expectations. One-half of the beat from revenue with balance split among gross margin, SGA and lower tax rate. Launches going very well, continuing the performance seen in April quarter.

Best Valued Companies To Buy For 2015

Automotive results accounted for two-thirds of the upside at the pre-tax line. The upside was spread between stronger revenues ($0.03), gross profits ($0.03) and expense control ($0.02). While North American sales improved 86% on the K2XX launch (we assumed 56% growth), international revenues also contributed favorably with 26% growth in Europe (new business and Ford's (F) recovery) and 22% growth in Asia.

Competitor AVX Corp. (AVX) has gained 1.1% to $12.96, while Molex (MOLX) has dropped 0.2% to $29.28 and Amphenol (APH) has ticked up 0.3% to $76.32.

Best Construction Material Stocks For 2014

We're getting down to the last minute for holiday shopping, and I know at least one entrepreneur or small-business owner must be on your gift list.

This year, instead of compiling my own list of gift ideas, I thought I would ask a number of entrepreneurs what's on their own wish lists.

COLUMN: Gifts suitable for entrepreneurs
GREAT GIFT IDEAS FROM YEARS PAST: 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Dave Burgess, chief technology officer of a San Francisco start-up called Social in SoMa (it's still in 'stealth' mode, so I can't tell you what it does), says tech entrepreneurs need a full collection of mobile devices ��iPad, Android tablet, iPhone and Android phone ��so they can test their new products. Since every business owner needs to think of mobile first, that certainly would help make sure the company's digital presence looks good on a variety of mobile devices.

Hot Semiconductor Stocks To Own For 2015: Societe Libanaise des Ciments Blancs SAL (CBN)

Societe Libanaise des Ciments Blancs SAL is a Lebanon-based joint stock company that operates in the construction materials industry sector. The Company is engaged in the production and sale of white cement. The Company is a 65.99% owned by Holcim (Liban) SAL. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CanadianValue]

  Nigeria�� reformed banking system has provided many foreigners with an attractive means to invest in the fast-growing domestic economy. The banking industry is important, not only because of the rise of microfinance, but because of the move by banks into consumer banking. Until recently, banks were mainly financing large businesses or the government through bond purchases. Following a banking crisis in 2008, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) conducted an audit of the commercial banking sector. All banks that failed the audit had their CEOs replaced. The state-owned Asset Management Corporation (AMCON) was created to purchase non-performing loans and recapitalize the unhealthy banks. A recent review of the country�� banks by the IMF showed a dramatic increase in profits for the industry in 2012, while the capital adequacy ratio was above the minimum requirement of 10% and non-performing loans were below the mandated threshold of 5%5.

Best Construction Material Stocks For 2014: Texas Industries Inc (TXI)

Texas Industries, Inc., incorporated on April 19, 1951, is a supplier of construction materials in the southwestern United States. The Company operates in three segments: cement, aggregates and consumer products. Its cement segment produces gray portland cement and specialty cements. The Company�� cement production and distribution facilities are concentrated primarily in Texas and California. Its aggregates segment produces natural aggregates, including sand, gravel and crushed limestone. The Company�� consumer products segment produces ready-mix concrete. It is also a supplier of natural aggregates and ready-mix concrete in Texas and northern Louisiana and in Oklahoma and Arkansas. As of May 31, 2013, the Company had 123 manufacturing facilities in five states.

Cement Segment

The Company produces specialty cements, such as masonry and oil well cements. Its cement production facilities are located at Midlothian, Texas, south of Dallas/Fort Worth, Hunter, Texas, between Austin and San Antonio, and Oro Grande, California, near Los Angeles. It also operates a cement terminal and packaging facility at its Crestmore plant near Riverside, California, and the Company operates its gray portland cement grinding facility on an as needed basis. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013 (fiscal 2013), it produced approximately 4.3 million tons of finished cement. The Company shipped approximately 4.4 million tons during fiscal 2013, of which 3.8 million tons were shipped to outside trade customers.

Aggregates Segment

The Company�� operations are conducted from facilities primarily serving the Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin areas in Texas; the southern Oklahoma area, and the Alexandria and Monroe areas in Louisiana. The Company produced approximately 14.2 million tons of natural aggregates during fiscal 2013. It shipped approximately 14.8 million tons of natural aggregates during fiscal 2013, of which 11.3 million tons were shipped to outside trade customers! . The Company shipped approximately 1.0 million cubic yards of lightweight aggregates during fiscal 2013, of which approximately 0.9 million cubic yards were shipped to outside trade customers.

Consumer Products Segment

The Company�� ready-mix concrete operations are situated in three areas in Texas (the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton area of north Texas, the Austin area of central Texas and from Beaumont to Texarkana in east Texas), in north and central Louisiana, and in southwestern Arkansas. It is also a 40% partner in a joint venture that has ready mix concrete operations in the northern part of central Texas area centered around Waco, Texas. It shipped approximately 2.8 million cubic yards of ready-mix concrete during fiscal 2013. The Company manufacture and supply a substantial amount of the cement and aggregates raw materials used by our ready-mix plants. The Company also marketed its Maximizer packaged concrete mixes in southern California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Competitively advantaged holdings continued to demonstrate the value of moats at FedEx (FDX), Melco, and Texas Industries (TXI). These holdings were among our largest contributors to performance, and they exemplify activity prevalent across most of our holdings throughout the year.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Texas Industries (NYSE: TXI) was down, falling 4.36 percent to $65.78 after Longbow Research downgraded the stock from buy to neutral.

  Commodities
  In commodity news, oil traded down 1.37 percent to $97.07, while gold traded up 1.73 percent to $1,223.10. Silver traded up 3.69 percent Thursday to $20.09, while copper fell 0.34 percent to $3.39.

• [By Ben Fox Rubin]

  Building materials company Texas Industries Inc.(TXI) is considering a sale, Bloomberg News reported, citing three people familiar with knowledge of the matter. Shares of the company jumped 12% premarket to $65.50.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Vulcan have gained 7.6%, and given a lift to other cement makers today, including Martin Marietta Materials (MLM), which has risen 4.9% and reports earnings on Thursday, Cemex (CX), which has advanced 1.5%, and Texas Industries (TXI), which is up 4.9%.

Best Construction Material Stocks For 2014: Holcim Ltd (HOLN)

Holcim Ltd (Holcim) is a Switzerland-based holding company that specializes in the manufacture, distribution and marketing of building materials. The Company operates four business segments, including Cement, Aggregates, Other construction materials and services, and Corporate. The Cement segment is engaged in the development of cement and comprises clinker and other cementitious materials, among others. The Aggregates business segment includes crushed stone, gravel and sand. The Other construction materials and services business segment comprises ready-mix concrete, concrete products, asphalt, construction and paving, and trading, among others. Additionally, other construction materials and services segment provides environmental services, including waste management, among others. The Corporate segment is engaged in holding activities and general management. It operates through subsidiaries in Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, North America, Africa and Middle East regions. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  Holcim Ltd. (HOLN) lost 0.9 percent to 68.15 francs in Zurich. Bank of America Corp.�� Merrill Lynch unit cut its rating on the world�� largest cement maker to underperform, similar to a sell recommendation, from neutral. Merrill Lynch cited the company�� exposure to emerging markets.

Best Construction Material Stocks For 2014: Ply Gem Holdings Inc (PGEM)

Ply Gem Holdings, Inc. (Ply Gem Holdings), incorporated on January 23, 2004, is a manufacturer of residential exterior building products in North America. The Company operates in two segments: Siding, Fencing, and Stone and Windows and Doors. These two segments produce a product line of vinyl siding, designer accents, cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) trim, vinyl fencing, vinyl and composite railing, stone veneer and vinyl windows and doors used in both new construction and home repair and remodeling in the United States and Western Canada. It also manufactures vinyl and aluminum soffit and siding accessories, aluminum trim coil, wood windows, aluminum windows, vinyl and aluminum-clad windows and steel and fiberglass doors, enabling it to bundle complementary and color-matched products and accessories with its core products. The Company�� subsidiaries includes including Ply Gem Industries, MWM Holding, AWC Holding Company, MHE, and Pacific Windows. On July 30, 2012, Ply Gem acquired substantially all of the assets of Greendeck Products, LLC.

Siding, Fencing, and Stone Segment

In the Siding, Fencing, and Stone segment, its principal products include vinyl siding and skirting, vinyl and aluminum soffit, aluminum trim coil, J-channels, wide crown molding, window and door trim, F-channels, H-molds, fascia, undersill trims, outside/inside corner posts, rain removal systems, injection molded designer accents, such as shakes, shingles, scallops, shutters, vents and mounts, vinyl fence, vinyl and composite railing, and stone veneer. It sells its siding and accessories under its Variform, Napco, Mastic Home Exteriors, and Cellwood brand names and under the Georgia-Pacific brand name through a private label program. It also sells its Providence line of vinyl siding and accessories to Lowe�� under its Durabuilt private label brand name. Its vinyl and vinyl-composite fencing and railing products are sold under its Kroy and Kroy Express brand names. Ply Gem Holdings stone veneer produ! cts are sold under its United Stone Veneer brand name.

The Company sells the siding and accessories to specialty distributors (one-step distribution) and to wholesale distributors (two-step distribution). Its specialty distributors sell directly to remodeling contractors and builders. Its wholesale distributors sell to retail home centers and lumberyards who, in turn, sell to remodeling contractors, builders and consumers. In the specialty channel, it has developed a network of approximately 800 independent distributors, serving over 22,000 contractors and builders nationwide.

Windows and Doors Segment

In the Windows and Doors segment, its principal products include vinyl, aluminum, wood and clad-wood windows and patio doors, and steel, wood, and fiberglass entry doors that serve both the new home construction and the repair and remodeling sectors in the United States and Western Canada. Its products in its Windows and Doors segment are sold under the Ply Gem Windows, Great Lakes Mastic by Ply Gem, and Ply Gem Canada brands.

The Company competes with Alsco, Gentek, U.S. Fence, Homeland, Westech, Bufftech, Royal, Azek., Eldorado Stone, Coronado Stone, Jeld-Wen, Simonton, Pella and Andersen, MI Home Products, Atrium, Weathershield, Milgard, Jeld-Wen, Gienow, All Weather and Loewen.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Ply Gem Holdings (NYSE: PGEM) shares reached a new 52-week low of $11.48 after the company reported wider-than-expected Q4 loss and issued a weak Q1 revenue forecast.

Best Construction Material Stocks For 2014: Boral Ltd (BLD)

Boral Limited (Boral), is engaged in the manufacture and supply of building and construction materials in Australia, the United States and Asia. The Company�� operating segments include Construction Materials & Cement, Building Products, Boral Gypsum, and Boral USA. The Construction Materials & Cement is engaged in quarries, concrete, asphalt, transport, landfill, property, cement and concrete placing. The Building Products segment is engaged in Australian bricks, roof tiles, masonry, timber products and windows. The Boral Gypsum involves Australian and Asian plasterboard. The Boral USA is engaged in Bricks, cultured stone, roof tiles, fly ash, concrete and quarries. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Lam]

  Ballard Power (BLD), which designs and manufactures hydrogen fuel cells, slumped 15 percent to C$1.42, the biggest decline since March. The company yesterday said it will sell about 9 million units at $1.40 a unit for proceeds of about $12.6 million. The cash generated will be used to fund working capital, support growth and general corporate purposes, the company said.

Top Beverage Companies To Own For 2015

Top Beverage Companies To Own For 2015: CirTran Corp (CIRC)

CirTran Corporation, incorporated on March 23, 1987, manufactures, markets, and distributes internationally an energy drink under a license with Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (Playboy) through its subsidiary, CirTran Beverage Corporation. It operates in Beverage Distribution and Contract Manufacturing segments. In the United States, it provides a mix of high- and medium-volume turnkey manufacturing services and products using various high-tech applications for electronics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the communications, networking, peripherals, gaming, law enforcement, consumer products, telecommunications, automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries. The Companys services include pre-manufacturing, manufacturing, and post-manufacturing services.

Beverage Distribution

CirTran Beverage Corporation (CirTran Beverage) manufactures, markets, and distributes Playboy-licensed energy drinks, flavored water beverages, and related merc handise through various distribution channels. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 65 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Australia, the Pacific, and the Middle East.

Contract Marketing

CirTran Products Corp. pursues contract-manufacturing relationships in the domestic consumer products markets, including products in areas, such as home/garden, kitchen, health/beauty, toys, licensed merchandise, and apparel for film, television, sports, and other entertainment properties. The Company concentrates its product development efforts into three areas: home and kitchen appliances, beauty products, and licensed merchandise. Through CirTran - Asia, Inc., the Company designs, manufactures, and supplies products in the international electronics, consumer products, and general merchandise industries for various marketers, distributors, and retailers selling overseas. This subsidiary provides manufacturing services to the direct-response and reta! il consum er markets.

The Company competes with Hansens Energy, Diet Red, Monster Energy, Lost Energy, Joker Mad Energy, Ace Energy, Unbound Energy, Rumba energy juice, Red Bull, Rockstar, Full Throttle, No Fear, Amp, Adrenaline Rush, 180, Extreme Energy Shot, Red Devil, Rip It, NOS, Boo Koo, and Vitaminenergy.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Last Friday, CIRC remained (0.00%) +0.000 at $.0005 at the close (ref. google finance August 30, 2013 Close).

  CirTran Corporation has recently filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013, showing continued growth in sales and a dramatic improvement in profits. CirTrans sales were again driven by its Playboy Energy Drink line, which has grown to represent nearly 98% of revenues.

  For the quarter, CirTran previously reported sales of $1,096,691, a 247% increase over the $315,755 reported for the same period a year ago. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, CirTran reported sales of 1,964,843, a 110% improvement over the $934,455 reported for the first half of 2012.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-beverage-companies-to-own-for-2015.html

Lower Oil Prices: Which Stocks Stand to Benefit Most?

Crude oil’s massive price collapse is among this year’s biggest market stories.

But who wins and who loses? It’s pretty intuitive why many energy stocks are hurting, and that the extra cash in Americans’ pockets will wind up somewhere. Morgan Stanley’s equity research team does an impressively deep dive across industries to corral some less clear-cut winners and losers.

Airlines consume a huge amount of fuel, so much in fact that fuel accounts for roughly one-third of the industry’s operating expenses. Most airlines hedge the price of fuel to reduce price volatility. Not American Airlines (AAL) or Allegiant Travel (ALGT), Morgan Stanley says, making them the two clearest beneficiaries of lower oil prices.

For autos, most worries are directed at electric-car maker Tesla Motors (TSLA): “While Tesla's current addressable market is not terribly influenced by the price of gasoline (considering average transaction prices track well in excess of $100k), lower-for-longer oil certainly hurts the case for mass-market adoption of electric vehicles.”

So-called alternative asset managers that have an opportunity to be nimble and snap up profitable energy assets might also shine. Morgan Stanley likes private-equity company KKR & Co (KKR), which has lots of cash on hand: “Dislocations create ‘buy-low’ opportunities which often lead to higher future returns and robust cash performance fees.”

Morgan Stanley also likes Monster Beverage (MNST) in part because Americans getting cheaper gas might be more ready to splurge on energy drinks. Gas station/convenience stores account for three-fourths of Monster’s sales, Morgan Stanley says. It also like spirits maker Constellation Brands (STZ), assuming that consumers will be more ready than ever to pony up for higher-priced booze.

In food, Morgan Stanley suggests that WhiteWave Foods (WWAV), which makes products such organic dairy and almond milks, might benefit from “consumers' ability to’"trade up’ out of conventional foods.” The same principle applies to Texas Roadhouse (TXRH).

Lower gas prices also are likely to make shipping costs lower. Morgan Stanley sees lower fuel prices trickling into per-unit shipping costs in the first quarter at Amazon.com (AMZN).

What about apparel companies and retailers? Morgan Stanley likes companies that target brands that are most popular with “lower-income consumers,” who they deem as most likely to put the money they save into new purchases. Analysts like The Children's Place (PLCE), Foot Locker (FL), Finish Line (FINL), Brown Shoe (BWS), and Skullcandy (SKUL). The same applies for retailers including Aeropostale (ARO) Burlington Stores (BURL) and Ross Stores (ROST).

Top 10 International Stocks For 2015

Top 10 International Stocks For 2015: NxStage Medical Inc.(NXTM)

NxStage Medical, Inc., a medical device company, develops, manufactures, and markets products for the treatment of kidney failure, fluid overload, and related blood treatments and procedures. Its primary product, the NxStage System One, is a portable hemodialysis system used for home hemodialysis and a range of dialysis therapies for chronic home hemodialysis treatment, and the treatment of acute kidney failure and fluid overload. The NxStage System One comprises components, such as The NxStage Cycler, a compact portable electromechanical device; The NxStage Cartridge, a single-use integrated treatment cartridge; and premixed dialysate for hemodialysis applications. The company also sells a line of extracorporeal disposable products for use primarily for in-center dialysis treatments for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD); and needles and blood tubing sets primarily to dialysis clinics for the treatment of ESRD. NxStage Medical, Inc. markets its products primaril y to dialysis clinics, nephrologists, and hospitals through distributors and sales representatives in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. The company was formerly known as QB Medical, Inc. and changed its name to NxStage Medical, Inc. NxStage Medical, Inc. founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap dialysis stock Rockwell Medical Inc (NASDAQ: RMTI) looks set to decline when the market opens after Brean Capital initiated coverage with a sell rating and a price target of $4.00, meaning it might be time to take a closer look at what is going on with the stock along withthe performance of large cap dialysis stocks DaVita Healthcare Partners (NYSE: DVA)and Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS) along with small cap dialysis stocks NxStage Medical, Inc (NASDAQ: NXTM).

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksforum.com/top-10-international-stocks-for-2015.html

10 Best Recreation Stocks To Own Right Now

Writing in today�� sissified, politically correct environment ain�� easy. In the old days, you could just tell it like it was, and if people got mad, so be it. But now, make a comment about one certain group of individuals, and it�� immediately, ��oo-Hoo, I�� being repressed.�� Constantly crying discrimination, these people have become so hyper-sensitive that they will twist the most innocuous comment in order to brand me a bigot.

I�� talking, of course, about pot smokers. Who did you think I was referring to?

See, every time I write about the tax implications of the recent recreational marijuana revolution ��with Washington and my home state of Colorado becoming the first states to approve the sale and use of the drug for non-medicinal purposes ��my obligatory slew of tired, predictable pothead jokes are met with a backlash that is far more intense than one would expect from what should be a laid-back weed-smoking community.

The argument goes like this: ��hy do you have to perpetuate the same tired clichés by painting cannabis users as futon-dwelling watchers of inane television? Do a little bit of research, and you��l find that there are millions of cannabis users who are high functioning members of society:  lawyers, teachers, politicians and yes, even doctors.��/p>

Top 10 Casino Companies To Watch In Right Now: Sealand Natural Resources Inc (SLNR)

Sealand Natural Resources Inc. (SLNR), incorporated on May 13, 2011, is a research and new product development company that manufactures, markets and sells new age functional beverages (SealandBirk), organic nutriceuticals, health supplements, medicinal raw materials and health food worldwide. SLNR specializes in research of natural new product development and mass market consumer product distribution. Its Products include Sealand BIRK, Sealand Living and Sealand research and development (R&D). Sealand Living Anew products offer supply of healing nutrients to athletic training.

Anew omega premium is a food supplement consists of shark cartilage powder, fish bone powder, and omega three polyunsaturated fatty acids. Anew omega premium is designed to reduce the decomposition, to stimulate resynthesis of the joint cartilage and to reduce pain. Omega Premium consists of shark cartilage powder, codfish backbone powder, and fish oil powder. Anew nutripeptin is a food supply. Sealand BIRK consists of five flavors original, elderflower, raspberry, blueberry, ginger and lime.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, SLNR remains (0.00%) +0.000 at $7.23 with 100 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 10:29AM EDT June 24, 2013).

  Sealand Natural Resources Inc. previously reported recent company milestones as of May 31, 2013.

  Lars Poulsen, Chief Executive Officer of Sealand Natural Resources Inc., commented, ��ealand BIRK beverage has made significant progress on a number of important fronts. Sealand BIRK is a ‘first mover,’ in the market place offering a unique organic harvested beverage, packed with micro nutrients, no added sugar, less than 60 calories with health hydration attributes for consumers. In the market today, only extremes are available for consumers, ranging from water to high sugar, high calorie, nutritionally-deficient beverages. We organically harvest and deliver Sealand BIRK beverages for consumers that encourage improved health, while being clear that our products have key differentiating factors that set us apart from the competition.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, SLNR has shed (-0.14%) down -0.01 at $7.27 with 125 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:13AM EDT June 28, 2013), but don�� let this get you down.

  Sealand Natural Resources Inc. previously reported recent company milestones as of May 31, 2013.

  Lars Poulsen, Chief Executive Officer of Sealand Natural Resources Inc., commented, ��ealand BIRK beverage has made significant progress on a number of important fronts. Sealand BIRK is a ‘first mover,’ in the market place offering a unique organic harvested beverage, packed with micro nutrients, no added sugar, less than 60 calories with health hydration attributes for consumers. In the market today, only extremes are available for consumers, ranging from water to high sugar, high calorie, nutritionally-deficient beverages. We organically harvest and deliver Sealand BIRK beverages for consumers that encourage improved health, while being clear that our products have key differentiating factors that set us apart from the competition.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, The Company remains (0.00%) +0.000 at $7.35 with 125 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 10:01AM EDT July 22, 2013).

  Sealand Natural Resources Inc. previously reported it has reached a distribution agreement with Nature’s Best.

  Nature’s Best, in business since 1969, is the largest privately owned wholesaler-distributor of health and natural food products in the Natural Products Industry. Nature’s Best provides a full-line of Certified Organic, Natural and Specialty products to retail stores throughout the Central, Southern and Western U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Asia. Nature’s Best specializes in Retail Marketing Support, Web Services, Business Analysis Tools and Sales/Category Management Consulting.

10 Best Recreation Stocks To Own Right Now: mCig Inc (MCIG)

MCIG, INC. (mCig), incorporated on December 30, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company is a technology company. The Company focused on two long-term secular trends sweeping the globe: the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes and the adoption of electronic vaporizing cigarettes (eCigs).

The mCig provides a smoking experience by heating (not burning) plant material, waxes, and oils delivering a smoother inhalation experience. As of October 31, 2013, the Company did not generate any revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joel Elconin]

  One such example is mCig (OTC: MCIG).

  ��CIG started off with a $10 vape pen," he said. "They almost envision themselves as being the Apple of the industry. CEO and founder Paul Rosenberg [is] strictly a businessman, he owns about half the stock. He then brought on some talent and gave them his stock to help the company. Why? Because he knows the stock is overvalued, but if you can [evolve a company] without diluting your shareholders, that's what I mean by doing the right thing.��/p>

• [By John Udovich]

  Last week, I talked about small cap electronic cigarette stocks Vapor Corp (OTCMKTS: VPCO) and Hop-On Inc (OTCMKTS: HPNN) as being among the last of the e-Cig�stocks not controlled by ��ig Tobacco,��but Victory Electronic Cigarettes Corp (OTCMKTS: ECIG), mCig Inc (OTCBB: MCIG) and American Heritage International (OTCBB: AHII)�are also�positioning themselves or their technology to exploit opportunities in the e-Cig market or even in�marijuana or cannabis. Last year, industry experts were already saying that�US retail sales of e-cigarettes could reach $1 billion for the year�for roughly�1% of the country's cigarette market. That number might appear small, but its more than double 2012 sales�as sales increasingly�move off the Internet and into more mainstream retailers thanks to their positioning as a���ealthier��alternative to smoking.

• [By John Udovich]

  After marijuana, the electronic cigarette sector and e-Cig stocks or industry players�like�Reynolds American, Inc (NYSE: RAI), mCig Inc (OTCBB: MCIG), Victory Electronic Cigarettes Corp (OTCMKTS: ECIG) and American Heritage International Inc (OTCBB: AHII) is looking like the next hot niche sector for investors. However, electronic cigarette stock investors should be aware of the following�recent good and bad news from the sector that needs to be digested:

10 Best Recreation Stocks To Own Right Now: Callaway Golf Co (ELY)

Callaway Golf Company, incorporated on May 7, 1999, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures and sells golf clubs (drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters) and golf balls, and also sells golf accessories (such as golf bags, golf gloves, headwear, towels, umbrellas and travel gear) under the Callaway Golf and Odyssey brand names. The Company sells pre-owned golf products through its Website, www.callawaygolfpreowned.com. In addition, it sells Callaway Golf and Odyssey products direct to consumers online through its Websites shop.callawaygolf.com and www.odysseygolf.com. The Company also licenses its trademarks and service marks in exchange for a royalty fee to third parties for use on golf related accessories, including apparel, footwear, eyewear, rangefinders and practice aids. Its products are sold in the United States and in approximately 100 countries around the world.

The Company designs, manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and designs and sells golf accessories. The Company�� products are designed for golfers of all skill levels, both amateur and professional. The Company�� principal products include Drivers, Fairway Woods and Hybrids; Irons; Putters; Golf Balls, and Accessories, Softgoods and Other. Drivers, Fairway Woods and Hybrids product category includes sales of the Company�� drivers, fairway woods and hybrid products, which are sold under the Callaway Golf brand. Irons include sales of the Company�� irons and wedges, which are sold under the Callaway Golf brand. Putters include sales of the Company�� putters, which are sold under the Odyssey brand. Golf Balls includes sales of the Company�� golf balls, which are sold under the Callaway Golf and Strata brands. Accessories, Softgoods and Other includes sales of golf bags, golf gloves, golf footwear, rangefinders, golf apparel, packaged club sets, headwear, towels, umbrellas, eyewear and other accessories, as well as sales of pre-owned products through www.callawaygolfpre! owned.com. Additionally, this product category includes royalties from licensing of the Company�� trademarks and service marks on products such as golf apparel, golf footwear, rangefinders and practice aids.

The Company competes with TaylorMade, Ping, Acushnet, Puma, SRI Sports Limited, Mizuno, Bridgestone, and Nike.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Charley Blaine]

  Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) was also up, gaining 19.83 percent to $8.70 after the company reported a narrower third-quarter loss and lifted its 2013 forecast. DA Davidson upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and lifted its price target from $7.50 to $11.

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  Callaway Golf (ELY) is the ultimate consumer discretionary play, since its drivers and golf bags are hardly something people splurge on when times are tough. However, consumer spending continues to improve and the hopes of a decent Christmas shopping season and strong 2014 could bode well for Callaway.

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Analysts at Raymond James upgraded Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) to Strong Buy from a previous Market Perform with a price target of $9.50. The analysts are confident in the company's turnaround prospects. Shares gained 7.16 percent, closing at $8.53.

10 Best Recreation Stocks To Own Right Now: IMAX Corp (IMAX)

IMAX Corporation, incorporated on January 1, 2002, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, is an entertainment technology companies, specializing in motion picture technologies and presentations. The Company�� customers who purchase lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theatre systems are theatre exhibitors, which operate commercial theatres, museums, science centers, and destination entertainment sites. IMAX theatre systems combine the Company�� digital re-mastering movie conversion technology (IMAX DMR), projectors with equipment and automated theatre control systems, sound system components, screens, theatre geometry, and theatre acoustics.

The Company�� principal business is the design, manufacture and delivery of theater systems (IMAX theater systems). The Company�� customers who purchase, lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theater systems through joint revenue sharing arrangements are theater exhibitors that operate commercial theaters (particularly multiplexes), museums, science centers, or destination entertainment sites. The Company does not own IMAX theaters, but licenses the use of its trademarks along with the sale, lease or contribution of the IMAX theater system.

IMAX Systems, Theater System Maintenance and Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

The Company provides IMAX theater systems to customers on a sales or long-term lease basis with an initial 10-year term. These agreements consist of initial fees and ongoing fees (which can include a fixed minimum amount per annum and contingent fees in excess of the minimum payments) and maintenance and extended warranty fees. The initial fees vary depending on the system configuration and location of the theater and generally are paid to the Company in installments between the time of system signing and the time of system installation. Ongoing fees are paid over the term of the contract, commencing after the theater system has been installed and are generally equal to the greater of a fixed minimu! m amount per annum or a percentage of boxoffice receipts. The Company also provides IMAX theater systems to customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements, pursuant to which the Company provides the IMAX theater system in return for a portion of the customer�� IMAX box-office receipts, and in some cases concession revenues and/or a small upfront or initial payment. As at December 31, 2012, the Company had 316 theaters in operation under joint revenue sharing arrangements.

Production and Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR)

The Company�� technology digitally re-masters Hollywood films into IMAX digital cinema package format or 15/70-format film. IMAX DMR digitally enhances the image resolution of motion picture films for projection on IMAX screens while maintaining or enhancing the visual clarity and sound quality to levels for which The IMAX Experience is known. This technology enabled the IMAX theater network to release Hollywood films simultaneously with domestic release. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company will receive a percentage of net box-office receipts of any commercial films released in the IMAX network, which is generally 10-15%, from a film studio for the conversion of the film to the IMAX DMR format and access to its distribution platform. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 35 films converted through the IMAX DMR process were released to theaters within the IMAX network. As of December 31, 2012, the Company released 23 IMAX DMR titles to theaters within the IMAX network. During 2012, five local language IMAX DMR films were released, including one French film, Houba! On the Trail of the Marsupilami: The IMAX Experience and four Chinese IMAX DMR titles: Tai Chi 0: An IMAX 3D Experience, Tai Chi Hero: An IMAX 3D Experience, Back to 1942: The IMAX Experience and CZ12: The IMAX Experience.

Film Distribution and Post-Production

The Company is also a distributor of large-format films, primarily catering to its institution! al theate! r partners. The Company generally distributes films, which it produces or for which it has acquired distribution rights from independent producers. The Company generally receives a percentage of the theater box-office receipts as a distribution fee. Films produced by the Company are typically financed through third parties, whereby the Company will generally receive a film production fee in exchange for producing the film and a distribution fee for distributing the film. The Company utilizes third-party funding for the majority of original films it produces and distributes. In 2012, the Company, along with Warner Bros. Pictures (WB) and MacGillivray Freeman Films (MFF) released an original title, To the Artic 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience.

The Company derives a small portion of its revenues from other sources. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had four owned and operated theaters. In addition, the Company has a commercial arrangement with one theater resulting in the sharing of profits and losses and provides management services to two theaters. The Company also rents its two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) large-format film and digital cameras to third party production companies. The Company maintains cameras and other film equipment and also offers production advice and technical assistance to both documentary and Hollywood filmmakers. Additionally, the Company generates revenues from the sale of after-market parts and 3D glasses. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 54.2% of IMAX systems in operation were located in the United States and Canada. As at December 31, 2012, approximately 45.8% of IMAX systems in operation were located within international markets (other than the United States and Canada).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  The main rival that RealD faces is IMAX (NYSE: IMAX  ) , and the biggest challenge IMAX poses for RealD is that IMAX and its huge-screen theaters give viewers an impressive experience even with 2-D films. That flexibility has been a key component driving IMAX's growth, with a global footprint extending to hundreds of theaters in more than 50 countries worldwide. RealD has tried to match that with its precision white-screen technology, but RealD can't make theater-operators install the huge screens to match up to IMAX.

• [By Tim Beyers]

  Iron Man 3 is a huge hit everywhere, especially in China, where IMAX (NYSE: IMAX  ) booked $1.8 million in gross receipts -- a new record -- as Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS  ) set a high watermark of its own.

10 Best Recreation Stocks To Own Right Now: Digital Cinema Destinations Corp (DCIN)

Digital Cinema Destinations Corp., incorporated on July 29, 2010, operates eight theatres and 73 screens located in Westfield, New Jersey (Rialto), Cranford, New Jersey (Cranford), Bloomfield, Connecticut (the Bloomfield 8) and five theatres located in central Pennsylvania (Cinema Centers). During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company operates eight theatres, two in New Jersey, with a total of 11 screens, one in Connecticut, with a total of 8 screens and five in central Pennsylvania, with a total of 54 screens. In March 2014, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of a seven screen theater in Churchville, MD from Flagship Cinemas.

The Rialto is a six-screen theatre located in downtown Westfield, New Jersey, which has a population of approximately 30,000 people. The Bloomfield 8 is an eight-screen theatre located at the Wintonbury Mall in the town of Bloomfield, Connecticut, which is a New England town of over 20,000 people that is home to many sites that are on the National Register of Historic Places and is approximately 5.5 miles from downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Cinema Centers consists of a chain of five theatres with 54 screens located throughout central Pennsylvania. All of the Cinema Centers theatres are in free zones. The 11-screen Cinema Center of Bloomsburg theatre is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Bloomsburg, a college town of approximately 13,000 people, is located midway between Wilkes Barre and Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The 12-screen Cinema Center of Camp Hill theatre is located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is the state capital of Pennsylvania with a population of approximately 50,000 people.

The 10-screen Cinema Center at Fairgrounds Square Mall is located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Company�� Cinema Centers, had one digital projector, RealD 3D enabled. The 12-screen Cinema Center at Selinsgrove is located in Selinsgove, Pennsylvania. Selinsgrove is ! a historic town located on the Susquehanna River with a population of approximately 27,000 people located within five miles of the theatre. The nine-screen Cinema Center of Williamsport is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Company competes with Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment Inc., Clearview and Cinemark USA, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Erin McCarthy]

  Carmike Cinemas Inc.(CKEC), the nation’s fourth-largest movie theater chain, said Thursday it is acquiring Digital Cinema Destinations Corp.(DCIN), a smaller rival that does business as Digiplex.

10 Best Recreation Stocks To Own Right Now: Marine Products Corp (MPX)

Marine Products Corporation (Marine Products), incorporated on August 31, 2000, designs, manufactures and sells recreational fiberglass powerboats in the sportboat, deckboat, cruiser, sport yacht and sport fishing markets. The Company sells its products to a network of 135 domestic and 69 international independent authorized dealers. The Company focuses to remain a manufacturer of recreational powerboats for sale to a range of consumers globally. The Company manufactures Chaparral sterndrive and inboard-powered pleasure boats including H2O Sport and Fish & Ski boats, SSi and SSX Sportboats, Sunesta Sportdecks and Xtreme Tow boats, Signature Cruisers, Premiere Sport Yachts and Robalo outboard sport fishing boats. The Company offers a range of products to the family recreational, cruiser and sport yacht markets through its Chaparral brand, and to the sport fishing market through its Robalo brand.

The Company's products include Chaparral - H2O Sport Series, which is a fiberglass multipurpose runabouts; Chaparral - SSi Wide tech, which is a fiberglass closed deck runabouts; Chaparral - SSX Sportdecks, which is a fiberglass bowrider crossover sportboats; Chaparral - Sunesta Xtreme Tow Boats, which is a fiberglass pleasure boats; Chaparral - Signature Cruisers, which is a fiberglass, accommodation-focused cruisers; Chaparral - Premiere Sport Yacht, which is a fiberglass sport yacht, and Robalo - Sport Fishing Boats, which is a sport fishing boats for freshwater lakes or saltwater use. Domestic sales are made through approximately 74 Chaparral dealers, 16 Robalo dealers and 45 dealers that sell both brands located in markets throughout the United States. Marine Products also has 69 international dealers.

The Company competes with Sea Hunt, Sea Fox, Grady-White, Boston Whaler, Everglades and Parker.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Marine Products (NYSE: MPX  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Sink or swim
  Sometimes the best short-sale opportunities are small, under-the-radar companies. One that I feel fits the bill perfectly is fiberglass boat maker Marine Products (NYSE: MPX  ) .

10 Best Recreation Stocks To Own Right Now: Nikon Corp (NINOF)

NIKON CORPORATION is mainly engaged in the manufacture and sale of image and video equipment. The Company operates in four business segments. The Precision Equipment segment offers semiconductor exposure apparatus and liquid crystal (LC) exposure apparatus. The Image segment provides digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, compact digital cameras and interchangeable lens. The Instruments segment offers microscopes, measuring machines and semiconductor inspection equipment. The Others segment provides LC photomask substrates and optical components. As of March 31, 2013, the Company has 87 subsidiaries and 10 associated companies. Advisors' Opinion:

• [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)

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks opened lower Thursday, as gains for the yen and losses for Wall Street conspired to drive the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) down 1.2% to 15,333.35, extending Wednesday's 0.6% loss. The Topix fell 0.7%, with the U.S. dollar (USDJPY) slipping to 102.46 yen, down from around 楼102.80 at the start of the previous session, but off its lows in late Wednesday trade. Electronics firms and other techs helped lead the loss, with Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) falling 1.4%, Nikon Corp. (JP:7731) (NINOF) off 2.4%, and Alps Electric Co. (JP:6770) 1.8% lower. The Nikkei Asian Review reported Thursday that Japan looked set to post its first trade deficit for electronics goods this year. Shares of Yahoo Japan Corp. (JP:4689) (YAHOF) lost 1.4%, even as Bloomberg reported the firm was offering its stake in market-research firm Macromill Inc. (JP:3730) to U.S. private-equity firm Bain Capital at a premium to its most recent close. Shares of Macromill were untraded. Among gainers, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. (JP:9432) (NTT) rose 2.1%, following a 1.1% gain for its U.S.-listed shares.