Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2014

Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls.

Earnings' unreliability is one of the reasons Foolish investors often flip straight past the income statement to check the cash flow statement. In general, by taking a close look at the cash moving in and out of the business, you can better understand whether the last batch of earnings brought money into the company, or merely disguised a cash gusher with a pretty headline.

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 Arabian American Development (NYSE: ARSD  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies To Buy For 2015: inContact Inc.(SAAS)

inContact, Inc. provides cloud-based contact center software services and network connectivity in the United States. Its solutions include inContact ACD, an automatic call distributor; inContact CTI, a computer telephony integration that integrates with customer data servers to provide agents pre-populated customer data; inContact IVR, an interactive voice response solution to create specialized call flows; and inContact Integrations for integration of various hardware and software solutions already in place at customer sites. The company also offers inContact ECHO that gathers the opinion of the customer and presents the analysis of the feedback directly to supervisors and agents; inContact Workforce Management, which forecasts demand, schedules workforce, analyzes and optimizes staffing, and reports real-time adherence in contact centers; inContact Quality Monitoring that provides insights into agent performance and customer satisfaction; and InContact Screen Recording, which provides compliance level screen recording functionality for voice channel interactions. In addition, it provides inContact eLearning that offers targeted, prioritized training, communications, and testing to the agent?s desktop during dips in call volumes; and inContact Network Connectivity, which includes time division multiplexing and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) connectivity, and toll-free and local-number services. Further, inContact, Inc. offers professional services, as well as operates as a domestic and international long distance reseller and aggregator. The company was formerly known as UCN, Inc. and changed its name to inContact, Inc. in January 2009. inContact, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Damian Illia]

  Since 1973 Compuware Corp (CPWR) has been providing software solutions both on-premise and through a software as a service (SaaS) model, as well as professional technical services related to mobile application developments and mainframe systems. The company reported revenues of $944.5 million in fiscal 2013, working through four segments: Performance Management (APM), Mainframe, Changepoint and Uniface. Through the APM segment Compuware provides services to maximize efficiency of web, non-web, mobile, streaming and cloud applications. Mainframe solutions are designed for organizations which require high developer productivity and enhanced service quality at lower costs, and through Changepoint it provides Professional Services Automation (PSA) and Project Portfolio Management services (PPM). Uniface, a rapid application development platform, creates renews and integrates enterprise applications. Currently, more than 7,100 companies, including many of the world's largest organizations, depend on Compuware and our new generation approach to performance management to do just that.

• [By James Oberweis]

  While revenues grew 34% in 2013, the transition from license to Systems-as-a-Service (SaaS) masked a faster underlying growth rate.

  As the SaaS business continues to grow, the firm will have better revenue visibility in the years to come and fairly attractive margin expansion possibilities as the business matures.

• [By James Miller Phd]

  Within the cloud computing applications, Salesforce has become a leading supplier and platform vendor, positioning itself in a strong position among other cloud application providers. Currently, through Sales Cloud, the company�� most popular product, it has succeeded in expanding its addressable market towards the purchase of Service Cloud as well. Providing different on-demand Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), such as the Sales Cloud, Service Cloud and Chatter applications, it allows customers to improve communication and sales to their respective customers. Moreover, it offers other platforms such as The Force.com Platform, or Heroku Platform, and developer tools like Database.com and The AppExchange, enabling its users to customize its applications.

Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2014: Stone Energy Corporation(SGY)

Stone Energy Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and operation of oil and gas properties in the Gulf of Mexico and the Appalachia region. As of December 31, 2010, it had estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves of approximately 473.9 billion cubic feet of gas equivalent. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana with additional offices in New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; and Morgantown, West Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Caiman Valores]

  But its reserves are lower than U.S. domiciled small-cap Stone Energy (SGY) and mid-cap Whiting Petroleum (WLL). However, in the case of Stone Energy a larger portion of its proved and probable reserves are lower margin and less profitable natural gas, with natural gas making up 51% of its reserves and oil and NGLs the remaining 49%.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  In trading on Tuesday, energy shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 1.41 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY), up 9 percent, and Westmoreland Coal Co (NYSE: WLB), up 7.8 percent. Industrials services shares gained by just 0.02 percent in Tuesday's trading.

• [By John Udovich]

  Yesterday, small cap Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited (NASDAQ: EXXI)�announced a deal to acquire�EPL Oil & Gas Inc (NYSE: EPL) to create the largest publicly held independent oil producer on the Gulf of Mexico shelf, meaning it might be a good idea to look at other small cap Gulf oil stocks like W&T Offshore, Inc (NYSE: WTI), Stone Energy Corporation (NYSE: SGY) and Contango Oil & Gas Company (NYSEMKT: MCF). Energy XXI�� CEO John Schiller has talked about the details of the acquisition�with Jim Cramer on CNBC's "Mad Money" and he noted that��EPL Oil & Gas offers areas of expertise that EXXI currently lacks. However, investors who missed out on�yesterday�� 29% surge for EPL Oil & Gas�may want to check out these other small cap Gulf Oil stocks:

• [By John Udovich]

  While the Bakken formation is already on most investor radars,�few American investors may realize that the formation stretches North into the oil and gas rich Canadian province of Saskatchewan where�stocks like Surge Energy Inc (TSE: SGY), Questerre Energy Corp (TSE: QEC), Crescent Point Energy Corp (TSE: CPG), Keyera Corp (TSE: KEY) and Centor Energy Inc (OTCBB: CNTO) have been pumping out a good flow of newsworthy news in recent weeks. I should mention that Canada�� oil reserves are ranked #3 after to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia with over 95% of these reserves being the oil sands of Alberta while the neighboring province of Saskatchewan (which the Bakken formation stretches into from South Dakota and Montana) along with offshore areas of Newfoundland also contain substantial production and reserves (Note:�Excluding oil sands, Alberta would have 39% of Canada�� remaining conventional oil reserves,�followed by�offshore Newfoundland with�28% and Saskatchewan with 27%).

Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2014: MS Structured Asset Corp Saturns GE Cap Corp Series 2002-14 (MKS)

MKS Instruments, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides instruments, subsystems, and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor, and analyze parameters of manufacturing processes worldwide. It offers instruments and control systems, such as pressure measurement and control, materials delivery, gas composition analysis, and control and information technology products. The company also provides power and reactive gas products comprising power delivery, reactive gas generation, processing thin films, and equipment cleaning products; and vacuum products, including vacuum containment components, vacuum gauges, vacuum valves, effluent management subsystems and custom stainless steel chambers, vessels, and pharmaceutical process equipment hardware and housings. Its products are used in the semiconductor processing steps, such as depositing thin films of material onto silicon wafer substrates, and etching and cleaning circuit patterns; manufacture of f lat panel displays, light emitting diodes, solar cells, data storage media, and other coatings, including architectural glass; energy generation and environmental monitoring processes, such as nuclear fuel processing, fuel cell research, greenhouse gas monitoring, and chemical agent detection; medical instrument sterilization; consumable medical supply manufacturing; and pharmaceutical applications. In addition, the company offers maintenance and repair, software maintenance, installation, and training services. It serves semiconductor capital equipment and device manufacturers, thin film capital equipment manufacturers, energy generation, environmental monitoring, and manufacturing companies, as well as government, universities, and industrial research laboratories. The company sells its products primarily through its direct sales force, as well as through sales representatives and agents. MKS Instruments, Inc. was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Andover, Massachuse tts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS) slipped 7.2 percent for the worst performance on the FTSE 100. Marks & Spencer Group Plc (MKS) paced a decline among retailers. BT Group Plc (BT/A) climbed 1 percent after Citigroup Inc. raised its recommendation on the shares.

Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2014: Bravo Brio Restaurant Group Inc.(BBRG)

Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. owns and operates Italian restaurant brands in the United States. Its brands include BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, and BRIO Tuscan Grille. The company also operates an American-French bistro restaurant under the brand Bon Vie. As of March 02, 2012, it owned and operated 95 restaurants in 30 states. The company was formerly known as Bravo Development, Inc. and changed its name to Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. in June 2010. Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is based in Columbus, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Shaun Currie, CFA]

  Bravo Brio Restaurant Group (BBRG) presented at a retail/restaurant conference on Tuesday and provided very important information to investors. To give some background, the stock has been an underperformer for two reasons:

Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2014: FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (FCH)

FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated is a publicly owned real estate investment trust. The firm engages in investment and management of properties in the hospitality industry. It invests in the real estate markets of the United States. The firm primarily invests in hotels with a focus on the ownership of upper-upscale, full-service hotels and resorts. It was formerly known as FelCor Suite Hotels, Inc. FelCor Lodging Trust was founded in 1994 and is based in Irving, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Irving, Texas-based FelCor Lodging Trust (NYSE: FCH  ) will soon have a new chief financial officer.

  On Monday, the real estate investment trust announced that CFO Andrew J. Welch intends to retire from the company at the end of this year. He will resign his post on July 1 but remain with the company a few months longer to facilitate the transition to a new CFO. Said new CFO will be Michael C. Hughes, the current company treasurer and senior vice president for finance, who will be promoted to CFO on July 1.

Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2014: Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.(RS)

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. operates as a metals service center company primarily in the United States and Canada. The company provides metals processing services and distributes a line of approximately 100,000 metal products, including alloy, aluminum, brass, copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, and specialty steel products to mills and original equipment manufacturers. Its processing services comprise cutting, leveling, sawing, machining, or electropolishing. The company also offers a range of metal perforating and fabrication services; and steel and alloy pipes, tube and bar products, and precision manufacturing of various tools designed for the global energy service companies. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. serves manufacturers and end-users in the general manufacturing, non-residential construction, transportation, aerospace, energy, electronics, and semiconductor fabrication and related industries. As of December 31, 2011, it maintained approximately 220 metals service center processing and distribution facilities in the United States, Belgium, Canada, China, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  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 Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE: RS  ) .

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co (NYSE: RS) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $1.20 per share on revenue of $2.54 billion.

  PulteGroup (NYSE: PHM) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.36 per share on revenue of $1.46 billion.

Best Healthcare Equipment Stocks To Invest In 2014: Blue Calypso Inc (BCYP)

Blue Calypso, Inc., formerly JJ&R Ventures, Inc. (JJ&R), incorporated on March 2, 2007, is a development stage company. The Blue Calypso platform consists of two primary components. The Blue Calypso Network, or back-end, includes the data warehouse of ad and related content, the ad rendering engine, endorser portal, brand portal, agency portal, administrative portal, and Web services and communications clusters responsible for receipt and transmission of data and content. The second component is the mobile platform, installed on endorser smartphone devices or accessed via an endorser Web portal, www.calyp.com, and called Calyp. The Calyp mobile application and Website are the portals for endorsers to enter the community, initiate endorsements and interact with other endorsers. The Company owns four registered trademarks in the United States. Blue Calypso Holdings (Texas Corporation) merged into Blue Calypso, Inc. (Delaware Corporation), on December 17, 2011.

On September 1, 2011, Blue Calypso Acquisition Corp., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, merged with and into Blue Calypso Holdings, Inc., with Blue Calypso Holdings, Inc. On October 17, 2011, the Company merged with and into Blue Calypso, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary, for the sole purpose of changing its state of incorporation from Nevada to Delaware. Aztec Systems, Inc. provides administrative and technical support services to the Company. The Company outsources the endorser reloadable Visa Debit card processing to an organization that is responsible for filing necessary taxes documents, preserving personally identifying information (PII/PCI) and maintaining and issuing the cash rewards to the endorsers.

The Company competes with MyLikes, Zuberance, WeReward (IZEA), Dunnhumby, BzzAgent, Groupon and Living Social.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, BCYP surged (+1.29%) up +0.002 at $.157 with 593,972 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:00PM EDT September 23, 2013).

  Blue Calypso, Inc. previously increased its intellectual property portfolio by purchasing proprietary mobile gamification technology in an all-stock transaction for approximately $150,000.

  Blue Calypso has already applied for one new patent based on the integration of this technology with its own platform. Management expects to further develop the intellectual property purchased as well as file a family of patent applications. This new family of patents combined with Blue Calypso�� existing patents, creates an unprecedented IP portfolio in the social media space.

• [By CRWE]

  Today, BCYP surged (+1.17%) up +0.002 at $.173 with��631,330 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 2:29PM EDT September 26, 2013).

  Blue Calypso, Inc. previously increased its intellectual property portfolio by purchasing proprietary mobile gamification technology in an all-stock transaction for approximately $150,000.

  Blue Calypso has already applied for one new patent based on the integration of this technology with its own platform. Management expects to further develop the intellectual property purchased as well as file a family of patent applications. This new family of patents combined with Blue Calypso�� existing patents, creates an unprecedented IP portfolio in the social media space.