Bear of the Day: Coach (COH) - Bear of the Day

Top 5 Asian Companies To Own In Right Now

Remember when Coach (COH) was the fashion growth stock you had to own a few years ago as their international growth accelerated and China's upper middle class citizenry was buying their designer handbags like they were going out of style?That growth story paid off handsomely if you invested in it. From the March 2009 lows near $11.50, Coach shares returned nearly 7 times in the three years to March 2012. But the story started to go south a year ago and it hasn't gotten much better lately.Ahead of Coach's FY fourth-quarter report last week, analysts were already taking earnings estimates down and this forced COH shares to earn a Zacks #4 Rank (Sell) on July 16.Drop that BagThen following Coach's report on July 30 which took the stock down over 8% from $58 to $53, more analyst downward revisions to the earnings outlook handed the company a Zacks #5 Rank (Strong Sell) on August 1.North American Sales, which account for 63% of Coach's total sales, were the major factor behind this setback. Same-store sales declined by 1.7% in the latest quarter.The drop in sales of women's handbags in the North American region is at the root of the company's problems. And this was not an isolated event as a fall in comparable-store sales occurred for the second time in three quarters.The Zacks proprietary Price & Consensus chart below tells the tale of a steadily deteriorating profit outlook for the past year, that picked up downward momentum into July.Fashion WarfareIt seems the company has lost some ground to young shoppers who are well informed about current fashion trends. The company's executives accepted this criticism on the conference call. In fact, Coach expects only a low-double-digit percentage increase in sales of handbags and accessories in North America.With agg! ressive, youth-oriented designers to compete with like Vera Bradley (VRA) and Michael Kors (KORS), the handbag wars are taking their toll on the more staid Coach designs. And the situation has been compounded by the departure of several key managers. President for North America Mike Tucci, a ten-year veteran, and chief operating officer Jerry Stritzke (5 years) said they will be quitting the company next month.Such departures are a matter of deep concern as the company tries to reposition itself as a lifestyle brand and attempts to expand into clothing, jewelry and shoes.This Year, the Purse Goes to KORSWhile the appeal of the Coach brand and the company's staying power in fashion are not in question, the current sales outlook certainly is. The company may have some re-invention to do to regain the hearts and minds of the fashionistas and that will take time.In the meantime, just watch the Zacks Rank to tell you when Wall Street retail analysts who intensely follow all these companies and trends have decided the comeback is for real. Their upward revisions to earnings estimates will show up and make the stock a buy again.Until then, KORS appears to be running away with their customers. In full disclosure, I don't follow fashion trends and retail stocks intensely. But I do own two Kors ties, and the stock. Kevin Cook is a Senior Stock Strategist with Zacks.com

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015

KMG Chemicals (NYSE: KMG  ) reported earnings on June 10. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended April 30 (Q3), KMG Chemicals beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank. GAAP earnings per share shrank significantly.

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
KMG Chemicals chalked up revenue of $59.9 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $57.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 10.0% lower than the prior-year quarter's $66.6 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.25. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.22 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.25 for Q3 were 26% lower than the prior-year quarter's $0.34 per share. (The prior-year quarter included $0.01 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Clariant AG (CLN)

Clariant AG is a Switzerland-based holding company engaged in the chemical sector. The Company's key markets include Paints, comprising decorative interior and exterior, primers, varnishes, anticorrosion and industrial applications, Construction, comprising concrete applications, roofing, tiling, sealants and primers, Adhesives, comprising wood, paper, lamination, packaging and Pressure Sensitive Adhesives, and Textile, leather and paper, comprising various functional effects and coatings. The Company diversifies its business into several units, including Additives, Catalysis & Energy, Emulsions, Functional Materials, Industrial & Consumer Specialties, Leather Services, Masterbatches, Oil & Mining Services, Paper Specialties, Pigments and Textile Chemicals. In every business unit, the Company diversifies five geographical regions, including Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia/Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. In January 2014, it sold its Detergents & Intermediates business. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tom Stoukas]

  Clariant slid 1.6 percent to 15.57 francs, dropping for a seventh day. UBS removed the company from its most preferred list because of the shares��recent rally. Clariant (CLN) has surged 26 percent this year, while the SPI has gained 21 percent.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Naturalnano Inc (NNAN)

NaturalNano, Inc. (NaturalNano), incorporated on February 18, 2000, is engaged in the development and commercialization of material science technologies with an emphasis on additives to polymers and other industrial and consumer products by taking advantage of technology advances developed in-house. During the year ended December 31, 2011,the Company�� activities are directed toward research, development, production and marketing of its technologies relating to the treatment and separation of nanotubes from halloysite clay and the development of related commercial applications for cosmetics, health and beauty products, and polymers, plastics and composites.

The company�� halloysite natural tube (HNT) products involve filling HNTs with active agents for use in the polymer composites, health and beauty, household product, and agrichemical industries. The filled tube product contains a material of interest within the tubes, such as an antimicrobial compound to provide antimicrobial properties to the resulting polymer composite material. The filled-tube products will focus on the utilization of the tubular nature of the halloysite nanotubes, by filling or adsorbing the tubes with active agents for the polymer nanocomposites, household products, cosmetics, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries. The Company designs, manufactures and sells custom designed error prevention/safety checklist boards.

The Company competes with Air Products and Chemicals, BASF, Dow, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Applied Minerals, Davis International and Imagexpress.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Naturalnano Inc (OTCMKTS: NNAN), Global Payout, Inc (OTCMKTS: GOHE) and Blue Water Global Group Inc (OTCBB: BLUU) were either jumping higher or diving lower yesterday. To complicate matters for investors, two of these small cap stocks have been subjects of disclosures about paid promotion or investor relation campaigns. So what will these three small caps do for the rest of this week? Here is a closer look to help you decide on a trading or investing strategy:

Top Income Companies To Buy Right Now: K&S AG (KPLUY)

K&S AG is a Germany-based holding company which is active in the chemical sector. The Company divides its activities into four main business segments. The Potash and Magnesium Products segment is engaged in the crude potash and magnesium salts extraction and in processing raw materials into products for industrial, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. The Nitrogen Fertilizers business segment distributes fertilizers for almost all agricultural crops, and products for home and garden, plant care and plant protection, specialty fertilizers for public green areas, tree nurseries, horticulture and various special crops are offered. The Salt segment offers food grade salt, industrial salt and salt for chemical use, as well as de-icing salt applied to ensure road safety. The Complementary Business segments include recycling activities and the disposal and reutilization of waste salt mines, granulation of CATASAN, logistics, and trading in different basic chemicals. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Yet, Europe's leading potash player K+S (NASDAQOTH: KPLUY  ) just said that, because of the upheaval that's occurred in the market, it was slashing its dividend by 82% for 2013,�reducing the payout ratio to just 11% of adjusted after tax�earnings, a far cry from the miner's usual�ratio of between 40% and 50%. Could this signal a new era of austerity that will ultimately see Potash,�Agrium (NYSE: AGU  ) , and Mosaic (NYSE: MOS  ) �end up whacking their payouts, as well?

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: AZ Electronic Materials SA (AZEM)

AZ Electronic Materials SA is a producer and supplier of specialty chemical materials. AZ operates in four segments: IC Materials, which includes products for use in integrated circuits and devices; Optronics, which includes products used in the production of flat panel displays for use in televisions, computer monitors and similar equipment and light emitting diode technology; Printing and Other, which includes printing and similar products used in photo lithographic processes, and Corporate. The Company�� products enable the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs) and flat panel displays (FPDs) that are integral to a range of electronic devices and applications, including computers and tablet devices, flat screen televisions, mobile communication devices, industrial and automotive applications and the developing light and energy markets. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  AZ Electronic (AZEM) surged 43 percent, the most since its at least November 2010, after Merck on Dec. 5 said it had agreed to buy the company for about 1.6 billion pounds. Merck added 0.4 percent. Shareholders will get 403.5 pence for each share, Merck said. The price is 53 percent above the Dec. 4 closing level in London trading.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Huntsman Corporation(HUN)

Huntsman Corporation engages in the manufacture and sale of differentiated organic and inorganic chemical products worldwide. The company offers polyurethane chemicals, including methyl diphenyl diisocyanate, propylene oxide, polyols, propylene glycol, thermoplastic polyurethane, aniline, and methyl tertiary-butyl ether products, which are used to produce rigid and flexible foams, as well as coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers; and performance products, such as amines, carbonates, surfactants, linear alkyl benzene, maleic anhydride, performance chemicals, ethylene glycol, olefins, and technology licenses. It also provides advanced materials comprising epoxy resin compounds and formulations; cross-linking, matting agents, and curing agents; and epoxy, acrylic and polyurethane-based adhesives, and tooling resin formulations. In addition, Huntsman Corporation offers textile chemicals, dyes, and titanium dioxide. The company?s products are used in various applicatio ns, including adhesives, aerospace, automotive, construction products, durable and non-durable consumer products, electronics, medical, packaging, paints and coatings, power generation, refining, synthetic fiber, textile chemicals, and dye industries. Huntsman Corporation was founded in 1970 and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Neha Chamaria]

  On the same day that DuPont declared its intentions, Tronox (NYSE: TROX  ) , another big TiO2 producer, chipped in with a similar announcement to increase prices effective June 1. These two were among the only major TiO2 companies that were left to jump on the price-hike bandwagon. Others, like Huntsman (NYSE: HUN  ) and Kronos Worldwide, already took the plunge some weeks back.

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Olin Corp (OLN)

Olin Corporation, incorporated on August 13, 1892, is a manufacturer focused in three business segments: Chlor Alkali Products, Chemical Distribution and Winchester. Chlor Alkali Products manufactures and sells chlorine and caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, bleach products and potassium hydroxide. Chemical Distribution manufactures bleach products and distributes caustic soda, bleach products, potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. Winchester products include sporting ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, and industrial cartridges. On August 22, 2012, the Company acquired K. A. Steel Chemicals Inc. (KA Steel). KA Steel is a distributor of caustic soda in North America and manufactures and sells bleach in the Midwest.

The Company's subsidiary, Olin Canada ULC, operates one chlor alkali facility in Becancour, Quebec, which sells chlor alkali-related products within Canada and to the United States and also sells and distributes ammunition within Canada. The Company's subsidiary, Winchester Australia Limited, loads and packs sporting and industrial ammunition in Australia.

Chlor Alkali Products

The Company is engaged in the United States chlor alkali industry. Chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen are co-produced commercially by the electrolysis of salt. These co-products are produced simultaneously, and in a fixed ratio of one ton of chlorine to 1.1 tons of caustic soda and 0.03 tons of hydrogen. The Company also manufactures and sells other chlor alkali-related products. These products include chemically processed salt, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), hydrogen, and potassium hydroxide. The Company refers to these other chlor alkali-related products as co-products. During the year ended December 31, 2012, sales of co-products represented approximately 32% of Chlor Alkali Products' sales.

The Company's chlorine/caustic soda products are used in pulp and paper processing, chemical! manufacturing, water purification, manufacture of vinyl chloride, bleach, swimming pool chemicals and urethane chemicals. Its sodium hypochlorite are used in household cleaners, laundry bleaching, swimming pool sanitizers, semiconductors, water treatment, textiles, pulp and paper, and food processing. Its hydrochloric acid are used in steel, oil and gas, plastics, organic chemical synthesis, water and wastewater treatment, brine treatment, artificial sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and ore and mineral processing. Its potassium hydroxide is used in fertilizer manufacturing, soaps, detergents and cleaners, battery manufacturing, food processing chemicals and deicers. Its hydrogen is used in fuel source, hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid.

The Company competes with Dow Chemical Company and the Occidental Chemical Corporation.

Chemical Distribution

The Company's KA Steel comprises the Chemical Distribution segment. KA Steel is a distributor of caustic soda in North America and manufacturers and sells bleach in the Midwest. KA Steel also sells small quantities of potassium hydroxide and maintains infrastructure to be, a distributor of hydrochloric acid.

The Company competes with Univar Inc. and Brenntag AG.

Winchester

Winchester is a developer and manufacturer of small caliber ammunition for sale to domestic and international retailers (commercial customers), law enforcement agencies and domestic and international militaries. The Company's Winchester product line includes gauges and calibers of shotgun shells, rimfire and centerfire ammunition for pistols and rifles, reloading components and industrial cartridges. Its Winchester sporting ammunition, which include shot-shells, small caliber centerfire and rimfire ammunition, are used by hunters and recreational shooters, and law enforcement agencies. Its small caliber military ammunition are used in infantry and mounted weapons. Its industrial products, which i! nclude ei! ght gauge loads & powder-actuated tool loads, are used in maintenance applications in power and concrete industries and powder-actuated tools in construction industry.

The Company competes with Alliant Techsystems Inc. and Remington Arms Company, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Dzombak]

  Olin (NYSE: OLN  ) is a chemical company that also owns Winchester Ammunition. The company distributes its ammunition under the Super X, Supreme, Supreme Elite, AA, and Winlite brand names, among others. While the company trades at a P/E ratio of 13, Winchester only makes up 20% to 25% of the business, so you are mainly investing in a chemical company. If you are looking for a pure play on firearms, you are better off looking elsewhere.

• [By Steve Symington]

  Meanwhile, Winchester ammunition manufacturer Olin (NYSE: OLN  ) has benefited from a relentless upward trend in ammunition purchases, which it says began the Saturday before Election Day. As of the company's most recent quarterly results, Olin management bluntly stated that the demand has only been "limited by product availability."�

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Passport Potash Inc (PPI)

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

• [By Arrow Analysis]

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

Best Chemical Stocks To Buy For 2015: Cereplast Inc (CERPQ)

Cereplast, Inc. (Cereplast), incorporated on September 29, 2001, is engaged in developing and commercializing bio-based resins through two product families: Cereplast Compostables Resins, which are compostable, renewable, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics, and Cereplast Sustainables resins (including the Cereplast Hybrid Resins product line), which replaces up to 90% of the petroleum-based content of traditional plastics with materials from renewable resources. The Company primarily conducts its operations through product families, such as Cereplast Compostables resins, Cereplast Hybrid Resins and Cereplast Algae Plastic resins. In October 2011, the Company purchased a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara).

Cereplast Compostables resins are compostable and bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily compostable bags, single-use food service products and packaging applications. The Company offers 13 commercial grades of Compostable resins in this product line. Cereplast Sustainables resins are partially or fully bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for fully petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily durable goods, packaging applications. The Company offers six commercial grades of Sustainable resins in this product line. Cereplast Hybrid Resins products replace up to 55% of the petroleum content in conventional plastics with bio-based materials, such as industrial starches sourced from plants. The Hybrid resins line is designed to offer similar properties to traditional polyolefins, such as impact strength and heat deflection temperature, and is compatible with existing converter processes and equipment. The first commercial product with Cereplast Algae Plastic resin is being produced and sold as part of the Company's Sustainables resin family.

The Company's Compostable resins are renewable substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily single-use disposables. The Company's Compost! able Resins have been used to produce foodservice ware, including the first line of fully biodegradable and compostable foodservice ware. Cereplast Hybrid Resins uses renewable materials such as starches from corn and tapioca.

Cereplast competes with BASF, Dow Chemical, Lyondell Basell, DuPont, SABIC, Novamont, NatureWorks and Telles.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  The whole thing may seem a little "out there" at first glance, but truth be told, what Metabolix, Inc. does isn't terribly unusual anymore. It's just a little less sexy than what traders and stock speculators usually want to see and hear with their picks. Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. (NYSE:KRA) and the now-bankrupt Cereplast Inc. (OTCMKTS:CERPQ) are/were in the same business, along with several others. [Don't let the Cereplast bankruptcy filing deter you - it wasn't a lack of opportunity that up-ended CERP.]

3 Reasons Google's Chromecast Will Benefit Apple, Too

Just how much does Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) hate cable companies? Enough to create a low-margin device that lets cord-cutters stream the entire Web to a TV.

Chromecast sold so fast that Google stopped offering three months of Netflix as a kicker. Source: Google.

Google's Chromecast costs just $35, but the rebellion it's kicked off is likely to be worth billions. Every major cable and satellite operator faces the prospect of having consumers cancel service because of the what the dongle can do.

Not that they need the push. A recent study from research firm GfK found that more than 19% of U.S. households use antennas to capture free over-the-air broadcasts, up from 14% in 2010. Some 60 million Americans refuse to pay for basic cable or satellite as of this writing.  

A portion of this group can afford pay TV but would rather stream. These are the early adopters most likely to try Google's Chromecast. I'd also guess they account for at least a plurality of Netflix's (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) 30 million domestic streaming subscribers.

Meanwhile, investors are left to wonder whether Chromecast's arrival spells trouble for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) . The prevailing wisdom says the dongle makes Apple TV obsolete. No more would consumers need to spend spare dollars on iTunes credits when the entirety of the Internet is available for just $35. Or so the thinking goes.

Yet the true potential of disruptive technology is rarely so simple. Very often, disruptions create unintended or unforeseen consequences. Think of Tesla Motors and how proving the electric-vehicle concept has made consumers more interested in hybrid cars. Ford's hybrid sales have never been higher than in recent years.

We're too early in the process to know how Google's Chromecast will affect Apple's entertainment business, but I see three reasons for Apple investors to welcome the device:

1. Tablets are televisions, none more so than the iPad. In its latest quarter, Apple sold another 14.6 million iPads last quarter. More than 100 million of the Mac maker's tablets are now in use around the world. An increasing number stream TV and movies. According to another GfK study, millennials (those born between 1977 and 1994) spend 23% of their time watching TV and video on tablets. The law of large numbers says a good portion of this group -- a natural audience for Google's Chromecast -- uses iPads to get their video fix.

2. iTunes has a massive and engaged installed base. Meanwhile, Apple has a huge installed base when it comes to TV and video rentals and sales. Every day, viewers download more than 800,000 TV episodes and 350,000 movies from iTunes. Other than Netflix and possibly YouTube, no other service has proved to be so adept at giving viewers access to top-rated content.

3. Google isn't done adding services. While today's Chromecast only offers access to YouTube, Chrome, Netflix, and Google Play, the search king says there are plans to add support for other services. The simple act of supporting streaming of local content (e.g., a TV episode bought in iTunes and downloaded to an iPad) could disrupt Apple TV while also catering to tens of millions of Apple's best customers.

Whatever happens next, it's a sure bet that neither Google nor Apple is done making products that revolutionize the way we consume televised content. That's good news for investors in both companies, and bad news for the cable and satellite incumbents they're disrupting.

Now it's your turn to weigh in. Will you be buying Google's Chromecast? Do you see the device as a threat or an opportunity for Apple?

Either way, it's probably fair to say that the battle to be our daily digital go-to is only just beginning. Find out "Who Will Win the War Between the 5 Biggest Tech Stocks" in The Motley Fool's latest free report, which details the knock-down, drag-out battle being waged among Apple, Google, and three more of the five kings of tech. Click here to keep reading.

What’s Driving Growth for MLP Distributions?

Master limited partnerships (MLPs) historically have generated multiple benefits to investors including attractive yields, solid total returns and diversification from traditional asset classes.

New York-based Yorkville Capital Management gives some interesting insights into the value of the partnerships’ distribution increases in a recent study.

Yorkville points to three elements in MLPs’ total return: current income, growth of income and price appreciation.

Distributions influence all three factors, and provide several primary benefits, according to the report: (1) a hedge against inflation — preserving the purchasing power of the investment; (2) protection against rising interest rates — capital preservation; and (3) powers price appreciation — growing income streams increase the principal value of the investment.”

Looking at its universe of listed MLPs, Yorkville identifies and ranks the partnerships that showed the “highest quality distribution growth” from first quarter of 2008 through the fourth quarter of 2013.

The highest ranked securities became the components of the Yorkville Distribution Growth Leaders Index (YGMLP, YGMLPX).

The component MLPs are equally weighted in the index, and Yorkville will review the list quarterly and adjust it as needed on a regular basis.

Large and mid-cap partnerships represented 90% of the index as of the late 2013, and infrastructure MLPs accounted for 65% of it.

Growth Case

Yorkville compared the performance of the distribution-growth leaders with its overall MLP index.

The results of the study make a strong case for using distribution growth when evaluating a partnership’s investment potential.

When asked how financial advisors should use the information, Darren Schuringa, managing partner at Yorkville Capital, said: “The takeaway for advisors is that distribution growth represents the most productive way to evaluate the MLP asset class and underpins the investment thesis for MLP investing.

“MLP Distribution Growth Leaders provide more reliable income than the broad MLP universe, while growing income streams preserve purchasing power by serving as a hedge against inflation and protection against rising interest rates,” Schuringa added. “Growth MLPs offer optimal fundamental total return exposure to MLPs.”

(The report, “Yorkville MLP Distribution Growth Leaders Index: A Complete Study of Fundamentals, Returns, Risk, and Correlations,” is available online.)

The Huge Mistake Millennials Are Making With Their Money

For decades, young adults have gotten themselves in trouble by maxing out their credit cards and digging themselves into a huge debt hole. Yet while millennials have developed what many believe is a healthy aversion to credit cards, their choice to give up on them entirely rather than using them prudently and responsibly will create its own problems.

A recent study from Fair Isaac's (NYSE: FICO  ) FICO took a look at the demographics of credit card use lately. What they found is that outstanding credit card debt among 18- to 29-year-olds dropped from just over $3,000 in late 2007 to a bit over $2,000 last October. That move comes as part of a broader reduction in overall indebtedness, with drops in outstanding mortgage, auto, and most other debt more than offsetting a substantial rise in student-loan debt. Even more surprisingly, the proportion of young adults going without credit cards entirely has risen to nearly one in six, almost double the level from late 2005.

Aren't millennials being smart about credit cards?
Many consumer-finance experts are applauding the decisions of young adults to avoid credit cards, noting the effectiveness of regulations like the CARD Act that limited access to credit cards for those under 21. Moreover, using alternatives like electronic payments and debit cards can help people avoid spending beyond their means, as such payment methods are usually tied to accounts that need to have money present for transactions to get approved.

President Obama signing the CARD Act. Source: White House.

The fact that more young people have chosen not to carry balances and pay high interest rates for unnecessary loans is an unqualifiedly positive result. Yet not having credit cards at all is one step too far, as it prevents young adults from enjoying many benefits that credit cards have over alternatives:

Credit cards offer built-in protection from fraudulent charges, with a dispute mechanism allowing you to question charges on your account. The law limits your liability for credit card losses at $50 even if you don't make a report until well after those charges are made. By contrast, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act sets a much higher liability limit of $500 if you don't report a loss promptly after you find out about it, and you could be responsible for all the losses if you wait more than 60 days after a statement is sent. That's at least one reason why major banks Prudent credit card use is the best way to establish a credit history that can help you improve your chances of qualifying for a mortgage, obtaining a car loan, or even seemingly unrelated things like getting a job. Certain transactions are a major hassle without a credit card. For car rentals, for instance, companies will often debit your checking account immediately for a deposit, yet a credit card authorization is sufficient without an immediate charge for credit card users. Many credit cards offer much more lucrative rewards like cash back or airline miles than you'll find with debit cards. The threat of future debit-card fees still exists. Even though Bank of America (NYSE: BAC  ) , Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC  ) , and Citigroup (NYSE: C  ) all backed down from test programs or plans to start imposing fees for debit cards a couple years ago, there's nothing stopping them from potentially doing so in the future.

Many millennials answer these objections by arguing that they don't want to add to their debt levels. Yet there's no requirement that you misuse credit cards by carrying a balance. One strategy you can follow is to treat credit cards exactly as you would debit cards, entering every purchase in your checkbook and taking the money mentally out of your account. Then, all you have to do is make your payment in full every month to reconcile your account balance and get all the benefits of credit cards without any of the hassles.

Give credit a try
Not carrying a credit card balance is smart, but not having a credit card at all is a big mistake. If millennials are prudent enough to live without credit cards entirely, they should be able to avoid temptation once they have one -- while reaping the potential benefits that can come in handy from time to time.

Once you have debt under control, the smartest next step is to get your money to work harder for you. In our brand-new special report, "Your Essential Guide to Start Investing Today," The Motley Fool's personal finance experts show you why investing is so important and what you need to do to get started. Click here to get your copy today -- it's absolutely free.

Hot Up And Coming Stocks For 2014

Hot Up And Coming Stocks For 2014: Valhi Inc.(VHI)

Valhi, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates in the chemicals, component products, and waste management businesses. Its Chemicals segment produces and markets titanium dioxide pigment, a white inorganic pigment used to impart whiteness, brightness, and opacity for applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, inks, food, and cosmetics. It also mines ilmenite in Norway. The company?s Component Products segment manufactures mechanical and electrical cabinet locks and other locking mechanisms, including disc tumbler locks, pin tumbler locking mechanisms, and electronic locks for the postal, transportation, furniture, banking, vending, general cabinetry, and other industries. Its security products are used in various applications, including ignition systems, mailboxes, file cabinets, desk drawers, tool storage cabinets, vending and gaming machines, high security medical cabinetry, electrical circuit panels, storage compartments, gas station security, bank bags, and p arking meters. It also provides furniture components comprising precision ball bearing slides and ergonomic computer support systems for use in applications, such as file cabinets, desk drawers, computer related equipment, home appliances, tool storage cabinets, imaging equipment, and automated teller machines. In addition, this segment manufactures and distributes stainless steel exhaust components, gauges, throttle controls, hardware, and accessories primarily for performance boats. Valhi?s Waste Management segment engages in processing, treating, storing, and disposing hazardous, toxic, and low-level radioactive wastes. This segment serves chemical, aerospace, and electronics businesses, as well as governmental agencies. Valhi also offers insurance brokerage and risk management services; holds marketable securities; provides utility services; and owns and develops properties. The company w! as founded in 1932 and is based in Dallas, Texas. Valhi, Inc. is a subsidiary of Co ntran Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

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

• [By Ben Levisohn]

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

source from Top Stocks Blog:http://www.topstocksblog.com/hot-up-and-coming-stocks-for-2014-2.html

3 Horrendous Health-Care Stocks This Week

A great week for the overall market didn't trickle down to every stock. Here are three of the most horrendous health-care stocks this week.

Not so merry
Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: MACK  ) shareholders have had reason to party since early May, with the stock surging more than 60%. The merriment came to a stop this week, though, as shares tanked by 27%.

As is often the case with small pharmaceutical companies, the culprit was the sale of new shares. On Wednesday, Merrimack announced a secondary offering to sell $50 million of new stock and plans to issue $75 million in senior notes maturing in 2020. Those numbers changed the following day, though, when the company announced that it would instead sell $25 million worth of shares and issue senior notes of $125 million.

The initial figure represented potential share dilution of around 10%, with the revised number half as large. Merrimack plans to use the cash it raises primarily to fund development and to seek regulatory approval for its pancreatic cancer drug MM-398.

War of words
In the stock market, the old saying that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" doesn't hold water. GTx (NASDAQ: GTXI  ) investors experienced that reality firsthand this week, with shares dropping 15% from an online article published on Wednesday.

The Street's Adam Feuerstein wrote about why a fund manager he knows is shorting GTx stock. This fund manager has accurately predicted negative clinical results for other biotech stocks recently. Investors quickly dumped shares of GTx in response to the article.

Wedbush responded to the article the next day, calling the criticisms of the phase 2 study of GTx's Enobosarm "unfounded." Wedbush analyst David Nierengarten said, "While we usually do not respond to a journalist repeating a short-seller's thesis on a covered stock, the 25% drop intraday compels us to respond." The firm reiterated its outperform rating on GTx and its price target of $9 per share.

Down on da Vinci
Long a health-care technology darling, the market doesn't feel the love so much these days for Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG  ) . Shares fell 15% this week after the company announced disappointing preliminary second quarter numbers.

Sales for Intuitive's da Vinci robotic surgical systems declined around 6% in the last quarter compared with a year ago. The company attributed the drop to "increased economic pressure on hospitals" and to "moderating growth" in benign gynecologic procedures. Intuitive's statement that the slowdown in gynecologic procedure growth is due to "a trend by payers toward encouraging conservative management and treatment in outpatient settings" caused lots of eyebrows to rise.

Analysts piled on with more bad news after Intuitive's announcement. Several downgraded the stock, including Canaccord Genuity, Goldman Sachs, and JMP Securities. Lazard Capital maintained its "buy" rating on Intuitive but lowered its price target to $480 from $625.

Foolish pick(s)
Of this week's three horrendous stocks, I suspect that Merrimack has the biggest opportunity to mount a strong comeback in the coming months. The share dilution is only a temporary setback. 

Over the long run, though, I think Intuitive Surgical is still a solid investment. My view is that this week's sell-off was overdone. I like that the company gets nearly $0.60 from every dollar it makes from recurring revenue. The old razor-and-blades business model works for robots, too.

Even great companies have horrendous stretches every now and then. The best investing approach, though, is to choose these well-run companies and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool's free report "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich" names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.

Airlines rank below IRS in customer satisfaction

Airlines receive the lowest customer satisfaction ratings among all travel-related industries, according to a new report released Tuesday.

For the second year in a row, airlines earned a score of 69 out of 100 points, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index travel report. That is among the lowest of any industry or agency, hovering above only the IRS, subscription television providers and social media sites.

The survey found that passengers appreciate that airlines are mishandling fewer bags and a check-in process that's been made simpler by technology. But the flight itself is making some passengers unhappy, with seat comfort and in-flight service particularly dissatisfying.

"In the middle is where airlines are having some problems,'' David VanAmburg, managing director of the ACSI, said of the flying experience. "Unfortunately, both for the airlines and the traveler, that's the most important part.''

Seat comfort scored 63 out of 100 points, while in-flight service rated an index score of 67 points.

"While we're on the plane, most of what we're doing is sitting, and we're not generally comfortable doing it,'' VanAmburg says. Meanwhile, "the beverage service, the customer service, the entertainment ... are not rated very high either.''

Fliers were most satisfied with lower-cost carriers. JetBlue, with a score of 79 points, came out on top among airlines for the third year in a row, and Southwest followed close behind with a score of 78. But both carriers saw their scores drop, from 83 and 81 respectively, in 2013.

United was at the bottom with a score of 60 points out of 100. And though American, US Airways, and Delta, saw their scores rise, the series of mergers that have swept the airline industry may be generally dampening customer satisfaction, VanAmburg says.

"We've seen the best (scoring) of the big legacy airlines, Delta, doing better now but just a couple years ago they were way down in the mid-50s,'' VanAmburg said of the carrier! which merged with Northwest in 2008.

United and Continental, which joined together in 2010, and Southwest which bought AirTran in 2011, have also had struggles as they integrate, he says. "When you're trying to merge loyalty programs and reservation technologies and so on, there tends to a much greater chance that things will go wrong for a significant portion of their customer base, and that will be reflected in less satisfaction.''

Victoria Day, spokeswoman for the industry trade group Airlines For America, said "U.S. airlines continue to do a great job for their customers despite many circumstances beyond their control, including historically severe weather and air traffic controller furloughs. We are in the safest period of aviation, air travel remains a bargain, and airlines are investing back into the business at a very high level, including new planes, new seats, Wi-Fi and other amenities."

Still, the airline industry's overall score was its best in nearly two decades, likely helped by fliers' ability to tap into technology to find, book and check into flights.

"It's certainly much easier now to self-service an airline experience,'' VanAmburg says.

Hotels, which had a three-year streak of record-high satisfaction scores, took a slight dip in the index from 77 points in 2013, to 75 points this year. VanAmburg says the decline may be due in part to travelers seeing hotel prices go up as the economy gets stronger, but not seeing a similar uptick in the quality of amenities.

"When you feel like you're seeing an increase in price, but nobody is throwing more goodies into the bag . . . that will tend to dampen satisfaction a bit,'' VanAmburg said, noting that during the recession hotels were offering discounts and perks to entice guests through the door.

Marriott, with a score of 81, was the highest ranking hotel company, followed by Hilton and Hyatt, with 78 points each. Wyndham ranked lowest with a score of 72.

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Online travel sites saw their overall customer satisfaction score inch up to 77 points this year. But some consumers found those sites hard to navigate, and were inclined to use online travel agencies to shop for deals but then go to the actual hotel or airline website to book a room or ticket.

As for airlines, VanAmburg says the uncomfortable seating that's turning off some passengers may not change any time soon, as carriers ensure their planes fly full by not offering more seats than they can fill.

"They're not going to go back to more spacious seating that's going to knock 30 passengers off the plane,'' he says.

The travel index's findings were based on interviews with 7,445 travel consumers between Oct. 21, 2013, and March 11.

Caution: You Earn Less Than You Think

Getty Images Quick quiz: How much do you make per hour? If you're an hourly employee, that was easy to answer. If you're salaried, you had to do a little math: $X annual salary divided by 52 weeks, then divided by X hours per week equals your hourly wage. For example, $50,000 a year divided 52 weeks equals $961.53 per week, and $961.53 divided by 40 hours per week equals $24.03 per hour. Got your number? Good. Now hold that number in your mind for a moment, then let it go. Because what you're actually making per hour is likely much less. Say What? However you calculated that number, chances are you were missing out on one big piece of the equation: We all have to pay something in order to have the ability to make money. Let's say you work a traditional 9-to-5 office job. You'll have certain expenses because of that job that you wouldn't have without it. You have to pay for the gas (or public transit) to get to commute. If you drive, you may also have to pay for parking. Maybe if you didn't have a job you needed to commute to, or you had one closer to home, you could get rid of your car. If you're like most people, you probably grab some food or beverages during the workday. Maybe it's a daily stop for your morning coffee, lunch out or a snack from the vending machines. Unless your office is super-casual, you've had to invest in a work wardrobe. If you have kids, you may have to pay for child care. And, if you're like most people, you probably treat yourself with something (whether it's a nice dinner or drinks with friends) when the weekend comes to reward (or forget about) all the hard work you put in. All of these expenses count against your take-home income. You know the saying "you need to spend money to make money"? Well, it's true, and not just if you're an entrepreneur. Every dollar you spend in order to maintain your employment is a dollar you're not able to spend on the rest of your life. But, you need to spend it so that you can stay employed. Sound like a catch-22? It is, but here's how you can make it work for you rather than against you. The True Value of a Dollar There isn't much you can do when it comes to work-related expenses. Sure, you can cut back on those daily coffees and brown-bag your lunch more often, but things like commuting costs and child care are still going to be there. What you can do is shift your money mindset so you make the most out of every dollar you do get to take home. Let's do a little more math. (It will be worth it, I promise.) Rough out your monthly work-related expenses. Multiply by 12 to find you annual work-related expenses. Now, plug that number into the equation you did earlier: $X annual salary minus annual work-related expenses, then divided by 52 weeks, then divided by X hours per week equals your true hourly wage. Got your number now? Good. Now consider this: that amount is how much money you make for every hour you spend at work. If your true hourly wage worked out to be $10, that means you have to spend one hour working for every $10 you spend. There's a good chance you feel slightly (or more than slightly) uncomfortable with this number. But there's a reason I'm putting you through all of this. Unless you know how to value your time, you'll have a hard time valuing your money. Throwing away $10 here or there may not feel like much, but when you consider that you're actually throwing away an hour of your time, suddenly that impulse purchase you're considering takes on new weight. So, if you're brave, take a long, hard look at that final number you came up with, and every time you're faced with a spending decision, remember how much your money is really worth. You can make the most of your money and your time by realizing what goes into each dollar you spend. Would you rather get that shiny new doodad that's trending today or have a few extra hours to spend with your family? Is owning the latest technology worth several more weeks in the office? It's your choice. Just be aware of what you're spending.

Best Media Companies To Own In Right Now

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over daily movements, we do like to keep an eye on market changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

Stock market investors were generally pleased with the congressional testimony that Fed chair nominee Janet Yellen gave today, with new expectations that accommodative monetary policy will continue as long as any hint of economic weakness persists. The Dow and S&P 500 reached new record highs yet again, with Dow 16,000 and S&P 1,800 now within a single percentage point. But Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO  ) , Tile Shop Holdings (NASDAQ: TTS  ) , and Millennial Media (NYSE: MM  ) all missed the record run, falling by more than 10% each.

Cisco Systems dropped 11% following its disappointing earnings report last night. Missing revenue estimates for the October quarter didn't distinguish Cisco from a number of other suffering tech giants lately, but guidance for a steep 9% plunge in year-over-year revenue in the current quarter showed just how serious the situation is for the networking giant. As Fool contributor Anders Bylund noted earlier today, rival Alcatel-Lucent's (NYSE: ALU  ) deal to sell networking equipment to Chinese wireless giant China Mobile might have represented a missed opportunity for Cisco.

Best Media Companies To Own In Right Now: Gannett Co. Inc. (GCI)

Gannett Co., Inc. operates as a media and marketing solutions company in the United States and internationally. Its Publishing segment publishes 83 U.S. daily newspapers with affiliated online sites, including USA TODAY, a national, general-interest daily newspaper; USATODAY.com; USA WEEKEND, a magazine supplement for newspapers; Clipper Magazine, a direct mail advertising magazine; bi-weekly Nursing Spectrum and NurseWeek periodicals; and military and defense newspapers. This segment also includes 17 paid-for daily newspapers; approximately 200 weekly newspapers, magazines, and trade publications; and approximately 600 non-daily publications, as well as involves in commercial printing, newswire, marketing, and data services operations. The company?s Digital segment owns and operates CareerBuilder, an employment Web site, which offers online recruitment and career advancement services for employers, employees, recruiters, and job seekers; ShopLocal, which provides multicha nnel shopping and advertising services; Planet Discover, which offers hosted search and advertising services; PointRoll, which provides digital marketing services and technology; and Schedule Star, which offers scheduling solution for high school athletic departments. Its Broadcasting segment operates 23 television stations and affiliated Web sites, which produce local programming, such as news, sports, and entertainment programming. This segment also includes Captivate Network, a national news and entertainment network that delivers programming and full-motion video advertising on video screens located in elevators of office towers and select hotel lobbies in North America. The company has strategic business relationships with online affiliates, including Classified Ventures, ShopLocal.com, Topix, and Metromix LLC, as well as strategic marketing agreement with Microsoft. Gannett Co., Inc. was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Here's something no one ever said: We don't see enough daily sports coverage, so we need a new website dedicated to cover it.�Yet USA Today, the�Gannett� (NYSE: GCI  ) newspaper dedicated to giving you national news in bite-size snippets and graphics, is launching a new website dedicated to just that. Calling it "For The Win," it expects the new division to attract fans inside and out of sports.

Best Media Companies To Own In Right Now: Time Warner Cable Inc(TWC)

Time Warner Cable Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cable operator in the United States. It offers video, high-speed data, and voice services over its broadband cable systems to residential and commercial customers. The company provides a range of video services, including on-demand, high-definition (HD), and digital video recorder (DVR) services; residential high-speed data services with connection to the Internet; wireless mobile broadband Internet services; and digital phone services to residential customers. It offers video programming tiers and music services; high-speed data, networking, and transport services; and commercial digital phone service to small and medium-sized businesses under the Time Warner Cable Business Class brand. Further, Time Warner Cable Inc. sells advertising to various national, regional, and local customers. As of June 30, 2011, the company served approximately 14.5 million residential and commercial customers in the New Yor k State, the Carolinas, Ohio, southern California, and Texas. Time Warner Cable Inc. is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Reuters]

  Gene J. Puskar/AP WASHINGTON and NEW YORK -- Comcast (CMCSA) sought to rebut critics of its planned $45.2 billion takeover of Time Warner Cable (TWC), arguing that newcomers such as Google and Apple would ensure competition in both Internet and video markets. In a 175-page filing with the Federal Communications Commission that coincides with the formal launch of the controversial deal, Comcast argued that either all or key areas of its and Time Warner Cable's businesses compete with an "array of sophisticated companies with national or even global footprints." The U.S. Department of Justice will conduct the antitrust review and the FCC will examine whether the deal is in the public interest. Comcast has pledged to divest some cable subscribers so the combined company would serve just under 30 percent of the U.S. pay television video market. The company said it would serve between 20 and 40 percent of the U.S. broadband subscribers. MoffettNathanson research estimates the company would cover about 33 percent of the high-speed Internet market. Opponents have raised concerns that the combined company will have too much power over what Americans can watch on television and do online, becoming a powerful buyer of Web and pay-TV content. The cable companies are expected to face those concerns on Wednesday when their officials, Comcast's executive vice president David Cohen and Time Warner Cable's finance chief Arthur Minson, testify in Congress. In Tuesday's filing, Comcast argues that such concerns are unwarranted, especially given the growing competitiveness of both the video and internet markets. The filing names Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Verizon Communications (VZ), Netflix (NFLX), Dish Network (DISH) and DirecTV (DTV) as companies making progress over the last decade in competing against Comcast with video content, while cable operators have lost subscribers. "In the evolving video marketplace in which these comp

Hot Healthcare Technology Companies To Own In Right Now: Charter Communications Inc.(CHTR)

Charter Communications, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers in the United States. The company offers cable video programming services, such as basic and digital video, premium channels, OnDemand, pay-per-view, high definition television, digital video recorder, and online video services; Internet services; Charter.net, which provides multiple e-mail addresses, as well as various entertainment, games, news, and sports content; and telephone services. It also provides broadband communications solutions, such as Internet access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cellular towers and office buildings, video entertainment services, and business telephone services under the Charter Business brand name to business and carrier organizations. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4.1 million video customers; approximately 3.5 million Internet customers; appr oximately 1.7 million telephone customers; and approximately 476,200 commercial primary service units. Charter Communications, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Lewis]

  In case you haven't noticed, there are some serious consolidation efforts going around the cable and telecom industries. On one end, there are satellite TV providers chasing spectrum as if it's the gold rush of 1849. Now, it appears that Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC  ) may be courting Liberty Media (NASDAQ: LMCA  ) for a merger in an attempt to leverage Charter Communications' (NASDAQ: CHTR  ) �highly coveted network. Let's determine who is the biggest winner in this latest media M&A dance, and where you should be putting your funds.

• [By Sean Williams]

  What specifically led both stocks higher today was speculation that Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR  ) is on the acquisition hunt. According to CNBC, Time Warner Cable's CEO Glenn Britt has discussed the possibility of merging with Charter; however, CNBC also commented that Time Warner Cable isn't likely to pursue the deal. That still proved more than enough to send Time Warner Cable and rival Cablevision higher, as any M&A acquisition in this sector would only serve to improve pricing power for these broadcasting companies.

Best Media Companies To Own In Right Now: DIRECTV(DTV)

DIRECTV provides digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. The company provides direct-to-home (DTH) digital television services, as well as multi-channel video programming distribution services in the United States. It offers various channels of digital-quality video entertainment and CD-quality audio programming directly to subscribers' homes or businesses, as well as video-on-demand services; and approximately 160 national high-definition television channels and 4 3D channels. The company also provides premium professional and collegiate sports programming, such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, which allows subscribers to view the NFL games. In addition, it offers DTH digital television services in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. The company provides its local and international programming under the DIRECTV and SKY brand names. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 19.2 million subscribers in the United States; and 8.9 million subscribers in Latin America. The company was founded in 1990 and is based in El Segundo, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt Thalman]

  The first few of the companies are the major cable providers, such as Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA  ) , Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH  ) , and�DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV  ) . For every new home built, one of the cable companies is going to receive a new customer. In Comcast's situation, the lines must be laid, but Dish and DirecTV only need to install a satellite in your yard. General Electric (NYSE: GE  ) is another company that derives a decent portion of its revenue from appliances and lighting, and this unit should see increased revenues as new homes are built.

• [By Ian Wyatt]

  And DirecTV (DTV) has shot up 20.5% as consumers flock to digital television with DVR capabilities.

  By owning shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), you essentially own a slice of all those stocks.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  The Fund had only three detractors in the quarter: Mosaic, Abbott Labs, and DIRECTV (DTV), with only Mosaic negatively impacting YTD results. We bought and exited Mosaic during the third quarter. Our case changed quickly with the potash industry drama that caused prices to drop. Abbott was down 4% in the quarter following FX headwinds, concerns over tougher rules for device approval in Europe, and issues at a dairy supplier leading to a meaningful product recall in the baby formula division in China. DIRECTV slipped 3% on increased subscriber churn amidst a challenged Brazilian economy. DIRECTV Latin America remains well positioned to benefit from rising pay-TV penetration in the region, and the mature U.S. business continues to generate higher ARPU (average revenue per user).

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  Revenue and earnings have consistently improved on an annual basis, capital allocation is superb, and the stock should be somewhat resilient if any stock market corrections should occur. In addition to those factors, analysts love the stock: 12 Buy, 10 Hold, 1 Sell.

Best Media Companies To Own In Right Now: Comcast Corporation(CMCSA)

Comcast Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides entertainment, information, and communications products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Cable Communications segment provides video, high-speed Internet, and phone services to residential and business customers. As of June 30, 2011, its cable systems served approximately 22.5 million video customers, 17.5 million high-speed Internet customers, and 9.1 million phone customers. The company?s Cable Networks segment operates cable entertainment networks, such as USA Network, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4, Chiller, Sleuth, and Universal HD; news and information networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, and CNBC World; cable sports networks comprising Golf Channel and VERSUS; regional sports and news networks; international entertainment, and news and information networks, such as CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, and Universal Networks International portfolio of networks; cable television production oper ations; and digital media properties consisting primarily of brand-aligned Websites and other Websites, such as DailyCandy, Fandango, and iVillage. Its Broadcast Television segment operates the U.S. broadcast networks, NBC and Telemundo; 10 NBC and 15 Telemundo owned local television stations; broadcast television productions; and related digital media properties. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment operates Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets, and distributes filmed entertainment and stage plays worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television, and other distribution platforms. Its Theme Parks segment operates Universal Studios Hollywood park and Wet ?n Wild water park, as well as licenses intellectual properties and provides services to third parties that own and operate Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore. Comcast Corporation was founded in 1963 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By DAILYFINANCE]

  Elise Amendola/AP NEW YORK -- Netflix has reached a deal with Comcast to ensure that its TV shows and movies are streamed smoothly to households, the first deal the online video streaming service has reached with an Internet service provider. The two companies said in a joint statement Sunday they're establishing a more direct connection to provide a better service to customers that will also allow for future growth in Netflix traffic. The companies say the arrangement is already giving customers a better experience. Netflix (NFLX) had 33 million U.S. streaming subscribers at the start of the year and accounts for about one third of all traffic at peak times on the Internet, according to research firm Sandvine. As the video steaming company has grown, Internet service providers like Comcast (CMCSA) (CMCSK) have pushed the company for more structured deals to enable its content to be transmitted smoothly and reduce the strain on their networks. While the companies didn't disclose the terms of the deal, Netflix investors will want to know how much this deal will affect the company's bottom line and whether the costs will be passed on customers. Netflix has been resisting paying fees to Internet companies and this deal could open the door to similar agreements with other providers. Netflix is already experimenting with different rate plans that charge slightly more for households that want to stream its shows and movies on four different screens simultaneously. The deal comes after months of collaboration with Comcast though Netflix will receive no preferential network treatment under the multiyear deal, the statement said. Comcast was ranked as the 14th fastest Internet service provider in January, according to a table on Netflix's website. By connecting directly to Comcast's network, Netflix should be able to boost the quality and speed of its video streaming as it adds more customers and prepares to start streaming its content in the ultra high defin

• [By Paul Ausick]

  The country�� two largest cable operators, Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) have reportedly had discussions in the past few months related to a combination. Time Warner took the lead in an apparent attempt to forestall a bid from Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR).

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  Charter Communications (CHTR) and Comcast (CMCSA) are each also contemplating bids. The WSJ reported late�today that Charter is arranging $25 billionin debt to fund its bid.

Porn Crackdown Gives Weibo More to Cheer

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BEIJING (TheStreet) -- China's cyberspace nannies handed Weibo (WB) an unintentional gift in the form of a pornography crackdown Friday, one day after the mainland's Twitter-like (TWTR) service debuted on Nasdaq.

Weibo postings jumped thanks to a thread debating the pros and cons of the latest campaign against online lewdness launched by the government's Ministry of Public Security.

The handle #扫黄打非净网2014# -- which means "eliminate pornography and illegal publications, clean Internet 2014" -- drew so many posts that it was the top trending topic all day and well into the evening. Parents voiced support, romance writers complained.

The forum pointed to a Weibo strength as an authoritative outlet for government, company, police, celebrity and public service announcements. Most seekers of fast access to a nationwide audience use Weibo first, state media second. It also highlighted two weaknesses: Chinese government censorship that's at the heart of the anti-porn campaign, and Weibo's reliance on hot news topics that stir emotions but steer clear of anything that might upset censors. Sina works with police and is not shy about closing Weibo accounts that "spread rumors," a crime that can be subject to case-by-case interpretation. Moreover, Weibo users are invited to rat on suspected violators. Meanwhile, Weibo benefits from compelling but safe topics that spark comments and threads. In a report Friday about Weibo's IPO, the Chinese business magazine Caijing said postings linked to news about a Malaysia Airlines flight's disappearance were a key reason for a 9% month-on-month jump in average daily Weibo users in March. The rise to 67 million users a day was "closely related to Malaysia Airlines (news) and other big events," the report said. News about the airliner search, which is continuing, fueled Weibo activity for weeks after the March 8 disappearance of the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 153 mainlanders on board. On top of Weibo's weaknesses, which indeed affect every media business in China, the online service and its parent Sina (SINA) have ample competition in the race for online communicators. Rivals include popular services run by Tencent such as QQ, Tencent Weibo and Weixin, also known as WeChat. Although the government blocks Twitter, some mainlanders use VPNs to access it anyway. Chinese also communicate online through Microsoft (MSFT) services Skype and MSN Messenger, which was killed in other parts of the world but still lives in China, and various smartphone apps. So far, must-have information and compelling forum topics have helped Weibo ride high in this sea of communication options, and amid information restrictions. Now, to keep stock investors happy, it will have to keep the ball rolling. That may be difficult at times, as shown by Friday's Weibo activity. Trending topics ranked below the porn crackdown late Friday were, in descending order, the death of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, news about the Weibo IPO, and a thread answering the question, "What's your favorite food from your hometown?" At the time of publication, the author held no positions in any of the stocks mentioned. This article represents the opinion of a contributor and not necessarily that of TheStreet or its editorial staff.

Stock quotes in this article: WB, TWTR, SINA, MSFT 

Saving for Retirement Advice From Around the Web

April is Financial Literacy Month, so it's a good reminder to review how much you know about managing your money. Chances are you might be making some mistakes. For example, a recent T.Rowe Price "Parents, Kids and Money Survey" found that more than half of the parents surveyed mistakenly think it's more important to save for their kids' college rather than their own retirement. Why is that a mistake? You won't get any grants, scholarships or federally guaranteed loans to support you in your old age, nor will you have the income or time to catch up once you retire. And by forgoing tax-favored retirement accounts, such as a 401(k), you not only miss out on any employer match but also lose the tax benefit and opportunity for long-term growth that these accounts offer.

SEE ALSO: Why You Need a Roth IRA

Take our Are You Saving Enough for Retirement? quiz to make sure you're on track to building a nest egg that's large enough to cover your expenses when you're no longer working. Then read on for advice on saving for retirement from some of our favorite personal finance bloggers.

5 Easy Investment Strategies That Build Wealth [Mint Life]
"Whether you're thinking of investing your tax refund or pushing your 401k or IRA to grow bigger, here are five ways to get more from your money immediately."

Financing Your Bucket List [Get Rich Slowly]
"The biggest mistake people make when thinking about retirement planning is treating it as a finish line instead of a starting point. There are four cornerstones that help you plan ahead so you can spend time on your own bucket list, and enjoy what's ahead."

Top 6 Mistakes That Will Screw Up Your Retirement [Good Financial Cents]
"I've been a financial advisor for over 12 years now and I've seen plenty of people screw themselves out of a successful retirement. The most frustrating aspect on my end is that many of it could have been avoided if those people took a little bit of time to review their situation."

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Are You Forgetting to Include This Key Factor in Your Retirement Plan? [MoneyNing]
"Here's how you can protect your nest egg from the destructive power of inflation, both before and after you retire."

2 Stocks to Watch Right Now

The following video is from Wednesday's Investor Beat, in which host Chris Hill and analysts Jason Moser and Bryan Hinmon dissect the hardest-hitting investing stories of the day.

In this installment of Investor Beat, our analysts explain why they're watching Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA  ) and RPX (NASDAQ: RPXC  ) .

Tesla's plan to disrupt the global auto business has yielded spectacular results. But giant competitors are already moving to disrupt Tesla. Will the company be able to fend them off? The Motley Fool answers this question and more in our most in-depth Tesla research available. Get instant access by clicking here now.

The relevant video segment can be found between 6:54 and 8:33.

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More Expert Advice from The Motley Fool

The Motley Fool's chief investment officer has selected his No. 1 stock for the next year. Find out which stock in our brand-new free report: "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2013." I invite you to take a copy, free for a limited time. Just click here to access the report and find out the name of this under-the-radar company.

Stocks Going Ex-Dividend on Tuesday, April 15 (QCOR, FL, More)

Ex-dividend dates are very important to dividend investors, since you must purchase a stock prior to its ex-dividend date in order to receive its upcoming dividend payout. For more information, check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates.

Below are seven stocks going ex-dividend on Tuesday, April 15.

1. Questcor Pharmaceuticals

Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc (QCOR) offers a dividend yield of 1.50% based on Friday's closing price of $80.12 and the company's quarterly dividend payout of 30 cents. The stock is up 47.14% year-to-date. Dividend.com currently rates QCOR as “Neutral” with a DARS™ rating of 3.4 stars out of 5 stars.

2. Foot Locker

About Face! California Passes Retroactive Small Business Stock Tax Break

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 15: California Gov. Jerry Brown speaks during The Governor's Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California's Future on December 15, 2011 in San Francisco, California. California Gov. Jerry Brown hosted a one day conference on climate change and how it may affect California. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

California's Gov. Jerry Brown is known for raising taxes not cutting them. He championed sweeping retroactive tax hikes in November 2012, sending rates for $1 million-plus-earners to 13.3%, up from 10.3%. And he's generally not viewed as a friend to business either.

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Yet Brown signed into law a widely watched bill retroactively allowing Qualified Small Business Stock exclusions and deferrals for 2008-2012. Yes, that's a tax cut and one favoring business and investors with money. Broadly stated, Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) is issued by a C corporation with no more than $50 million of assets and at least 80% of its assets used in an active business (excluding personal services, finance, farming, restaurants, hotels, etc). See Tax-Free In 2011: Qualified Small Business Stock. 

California's version of the tax break allowed the exclusion of 50 percent of capital gains earned from investments under $50 million. But California's version also required virtually everything to be in California. In Frank Cutler v. Franchise Tax Board, (2012) 208 Cal.App.4th 1247, the California Supreme Court held that was unconstitutional.

But that didn't stop California's notoriously obstreperous tax collectors who pushed assessments anyway saying that even those who did clearly qualify for the break would be taxed. In response to Cutler, California's FTB announced in FTB Notice No. 2012-03 (December 21, 2012) that the QSBS statute was invalid in its entirety. Many were facing crippling tax liabilities.

Fortunately, AB 1412 breaks with California's fiercely fought tax rules. Now there is no requirement for the company to have 80 percent of its assets and payroll in California while the taxpayer held the stock. What's more, California taxpayers who have not yet filed their 2012 return can claim the QSBS exclusion or deferral. For taxpayers who filed their 2008 – 2012 tax returns and were contacted by California's Franchise Tax Board regarding their QSBS election, the FTB will notify them that:

Kilroy Realty Maintains Dividend at $0.35

Real estate investment trust Kilroy Realty  (NYSE: KRC  )  announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.35 per share, the same rate it's paid since 2009.

The board of directors said the quarterly dividend is payable on July 17 to the holders of record at the close of business on June 28. The REIT has made a quarterly payout every year since 1997.

The board also declared dividends for its two classes of preferred shares. On the 6.875% Series G cumulative redeemable preferred stock it will pay a dividend of $0.4296875 per share. For the 6.375% Series H cumulative redeemable preferred stock Kilroy will pay a dividend of $0.3984375 per share. Both preferred dividends will be payable on August 15 to shareholders of record on July 31.

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The regular dividend payment equates to a $1.40-per-share annual dividend, yielding 2.4% based on the closing price of Kilroy Realty's stock on May 23.

KRC Dividend data by YCharts

Why The Gap (GPS) Stock Is Slipping Today

Top 10 Retail Stocks To Buy Right Now

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The Gap Inc (GPS) is sliding on Friday after posting continued softness in its monthly same-store sales report.

By early afternoon, shares had dipped 2% to $38.50.

The apparel retailer said overall March same-store sales fell 6% year over year, a slight quarter-to-quarter increase from February's 7% drop.

By brand, Gap Global sales dropped 7%, Banana Republic fell 4%, and Old Navy Global dove 7%. "While March performance has been challenging, we remain confident in the opportunities ahead," said CEO Glenn Murphy in a statement. The company noted declining same-store sales were partially due to a later-than-usual Easter holiday this year compared to last (Easter falls in April in 2014, March in 2013). "Given this shift in peak spring selling weeks, the company expected March to be negatively impacted," Gap said. Management reaffirmed previous full-year earnings guidance of $2.90 to $2.95 per share. Must Read: Warren Buffett's 10 Favorite Growth Stocks STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more. TheStreet Ratings team rates GAP INC as a Buy with a ratings score of A. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation: "We rate GAP INC (GPS) a BUY. This is based on the convergence of positive investment measures, which should help this stock outperform the majority of stocks that we rate. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity, good cash flow from operations, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, increase in stock price during the past year and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income." Highlights from the analysis by TheStreet Ratings Team goes as follows: The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. Compared to other companies in the Specialty Retail industry and the overall market, GAP INC's return on equity significantly exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500. Net operating cash flow has slightly increased to $752.00 million or 5.76% when compared to the same quarter last year. The firm also exceeded the industry average cash flow growth rate of -9.26%. Compared to where it was a year ago today, the stock is now trading at a higher level, regardless of the company's weak earnings results. Turning our attention to the future direction of the stock, it goes without saying that even the best stocks can fall in an overall down market. However, in any other environment, this stock still has good upside potential despite the fact that it has already risen in the past year. GAP INC's earnings per share declined by 6.8% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. But, we feel it is poised for EPS growth in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, GAP INC increased its bottom line by earning $2.75 versus $2.32 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($2.95 versus $2.75). The current debt-to-equity ratio, 0.46, is low and is below the industry average, implying that there has been successful management of debt levels. Although the company had a strong debt-to-equity ratio, its quick ratio of 0.81 is somewhat weak and could be cause for future problems. You can view the full analysis from the report here: GPS Ratings Report STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.

Stock quotes in this article: GPS 

Ensco Dividend Safety Analysis

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Offshore drillers have been getting hammered in the market the past few months as demand for rigs has waned and driving rates have declined, causing analysts to cut forecasts. Although oil prices have remained relatively stable, a decrease in capital spending programs by oil exploration companies has been the primary driver for the decrease in demand of these offshore rigs.

Offshore drilling companies have become a popular destination for income investors looking for high yields. But with the downturn in the industry, should investors be concerned with the safety of these fat dividend payments? Today we will look at one of those high yielders, Ensco Plc (ESV). With a current yield near 6.0% and a recent history of impressive dividend growth, Ensco offers an enticing income option.

Utilizing our Dividend Safety scoring system, let's look at some important metrics that provide insight into Ensco's dividend health.

Using our analysis, there are two things that should immediately jump out at investors.

1) The company has not been generating free cash flow to keep up with its dividend payment.

2) The company has an enviable debt load, especially for an offshore driller.

So why do Ensco's free cash flow payout numbers look so bad? The company significantly increased capital expenditures in 2012 and 2013 in order to build additional offshore rigs. It currently has seven offshore rigs under construction that are expected to come on-line in the next two to three years. These new rigs are intended to drive future growth for the company, which would allow it to continue to grow its dividend.

Because Ensco's management decided to primarily fund these new rigs internally, the company has been able to keep its debt level quite low. Ensco enjoys an investment grade bond rating, low debt-to-total capital, and has enough cash on hand to comfortably cover its debt payments.

If Ensco's investments in the new rigs do provide the growth expected then the current valuation and dividend yield provide investors a nice entry point. But if the market for rigs continues to deteriorate and the new rigs are forced to be idle then the company may need to take on debt in order to cover the current dividend payment.

Disclosure: The 4% Portfolio Retirement Service has made no recommendations on ESV.

About the author:4PercentThe 4% Portfolio is designed to provide a smarter way for retirees to follow the 4% rule without having to sell a portion of their stock portfolio each year. Our portfolio is based around financially sound corporations spread across multiple industries who reward investors through regular dividend payments. When invested evenly among the stocks in our Portfolio, an investor will yield at least 4% in dividend income each year.

Visit 4Percent's Website

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