Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Whiting Petroleum Corporation(WLL)
Whiting Petroleum Corporation engages in the acquisition, development, exploitation, exploration, and production of oil and gas primarily in the Permian Basin, Rocky Mountains, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast, and Michigan regions of the United States. As of December 31, 2010, its estimated proved reserves were 304.9 million barrels equivalent of oil; and had interests in 9,698 gross productive wells covering approximately 1,115,000 gross developed acres. The company sells its oil and gas to end users, marketers, and other purchasers. Whiting Petroleum Corporation was founded in 1983 and is Denver, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Matt DiLallo]
Last year Hess (NYSE: HES ) and Whiting (NYSE: WLL ) represented 33% and 25%, respectively, of Bakken-based Power Fuel's revenue before it merged with Nuverra. Both companies represent big future opportunities, as Hess expects to drill 175 wells this year and has plans to double its daily production by 2015, while Whiting sees the potential for more than 4,000 future wells on its Northern Rockies acreage. If Nuverra can continue to work with both companies to capture that�growth and up-sell�value-added services like solid waste, then it speaks to a bright future for the company.�
- [By Lee Jackson]
Whiting Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: WLL) just acquired more than 17,000 net acres of land in the oil-rich Bakken Shale for $260 million. Net oil and gas production from the properties is estimated to average 2,420 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day last month. Whiting estimates proved reserves at 17.1 million BOE with 85% of reserves being oil. The UBS price objective for the stock is $55, and the consensus stands at $62.
- [By Robert Rapier]
Whiting Petroleum (WLL) is one of Continental's biggest competitors in the Bakken. Whiting is the second-largest oil producer in North Dakota, averaging 82,500 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) of production in 2012, across more than 700,000 acres of leased land.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Walgreen Co (WAG)
Walgreen Co. (Walgreens), incorporated on February 15, 1909, together with its subsidiaries, operates the drugstore chain in the United States. The Company provides its customers with access to consumer goods and services, pharmacy, and health and wellness services in communities across America. The Company offers its products and services through drugstores, as well as through mails, by telephone and online. The Company sells prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as general merchandises, including household items, convenience and fresh foods, personal care, beauty care, photofinishing and candy. On August 2, 2012, it acquired 45% interest in Alliance Boots GmbH (Alliance Boots). In September 2012, the Company completed the purchase of a regional drugstore chain in the mid-South region of the United States that included 144 stores operated under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May��, Med-X and Drug Warehouse names. In September 2012, WP Carey & Co LLC acquired five retail stores leased to Walgreen Co. In December 2012, the Company completed a transaction giving company a ownership stake in Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Pharmacy LLC.
The Company's pharmacy, health and wellness services include retail, specialty, infusion and respiratory services, mail service, convenient care clinics and worksite health and wellness centers. These services help improve health outcomes and manage costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The Company's Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is a manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the United States.
As of August 31, 2012, Walgreens operated 8,385 locations in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. In 2012, the Company opened or acquired 266 locations for a net increase of 175 locations after relocations and closings. As of August 31, 2012, the Com! pany had 7,930 of Drugstores, 366 of Worksite Health and Wellness Centers, 76 of Infusion and Respiratory Services Facilities, 11 of Specialty Pharmacies and two of Mail Service Facilities. The Company's drugstores are engaged in the retail sale of prescription and non-prescription drugs and general merchandise. General merchandise includes, among other things, household items, convenience and fresh foods, personal care, beauty care, photofinishing and candy.
The Company offers specialty pharmacy services that provide customers nationwide access to a variety of medications, services and programs for managing complex and chronic health conditions. In addition, the Company offers its customers infusion therapy services, including the administration of intravenous (IV) medications for cancer treatments, chronic pain, heart failure, and other infections and disorders which must be treated by IV. Walgreens provides these infusion services at home, at the workplace, in a physician's office or at a Walgreens alternate treatment site. The Company also provides clinical services, such as laboratory monitoring, medication profile review, nutritional assessments and patient and caregiver education.
Customers can also access the Company's e-commerce solutions, which extend the convenience to purchase most products available within its drugstores, as well as additional products sold exclusively online through its walgreens.com and drugstore.com Websites, including beauty.com and visiondirect.com. The Company's Websites allow consumers to purchase general merchandise including beauty, personal care, home medical equipment, contact lenses, vitamins and supplements and other health and wellness solutions. The Company's mobile applications also allow customers to refill prescriptions through their mobile device, download weekly promotions and find the nearest Walgreens drugstore. The Company also offers services through Take Care Health Systems, which manages its Take Care Clinics at select Wa! lgreens d! rugstores throughout the country.
Alliance Boots is a pharmacy-led health and beauty retailing and pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution business. As of March 31, 2012, its fiscal year end, Alliance Boots had, together with its associates and joint ventures, pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses in 11 countries and operated more than 3,330 health and beauty retail stores, of which over 3,200 had a pharmacy. In addition, Alliance Boots had approximately 625 optical practices, approximately 185 of which operated on a franchise basis. Its pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution businesses, including its associates and joint ventures, supplied medicines, other healthcare products and related services to more than 170,000 pharmacies, doctors, health centers and hospitals from over 370 distribution centers in 21 countries.
Alliance Boots�� stores located in the United Kingdom, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Thailand and Lithuania and through its associates and joint ventures in Switzerland, China, Italy, Russia and Croatia. In addition, as of March 31, 2012, there were 58 Boots stores operated in the Middle East on a franchised basis. In its Health & Beauty Division, Alliance Boots has product brands such as No7, Soltan and Botanics, together with other brands, such as Boots Pharmaceuticals and Boots Laboratories. Through its Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division and several of its associates, Alliance Boots sells Almus, its line of generic medicines, in five countries and Alvita, its line of patient care products, in six countries.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Chuck Saletta]
On the flip side, the best performer on the week for the IPIG portfolio was pharmacy retailer Walgreen (NYSE: WAG ) , which rose a touch better than 10% in the week. Anchoring the retailer's surge was its announcement that it will raise its dividend an awesome 14.5%, beginning with its September payment. The stock price gain was nice, but the dividend increase is what should really help the IPIG portfolio in its effort to build an income stream that rises at least as fast as inflation.
- [By Reuters]
Julio Cortez/AP NEW YORK -- Many U.S. retailers had to ramp up promotions last month as shoppers continued to watch their spending during the holiday season, hitting profits at several chains. L Brands (LB) cut its earnings forecast for the holiday quarter Thursday after reporting disappointing December sales at its Victoria Secret and La Senza chains. The company said it had to offer more deals than expected, the second month in a row it has had to do so. Family Dollar Stores (FDO) and teen retailer Zumiez (ZUMZ), which both reported sales declines for December, also slashed their profit forecasts. Even retailers that saw big sales gains, such as Kay Jewelers parent Signet Jewelers (SIG), weren't spared. "Additional discounting was necessary in a highly promotional retail environment," Signet Chief Executive Officer Mike Barnes said in a statement. A group of nine U.S. retailers in the Thomson Reuters same-store sales index are expected Thursday to report a sales rise of 1.9 percent in December at stores open at least a year, well below the 7.2 percent increase of a year earlier. Including drugstore chains Walgreen (WAG) and Rite Aid (RAD), analysts estimate the rise at 2.7 percent. Gap (GPS) will report after the markets close Thursday. Faced with reticent shoppers worried about their job prospects and modest economic growth, retailers offered more discounts during the holiday season than a year earlier. Between Nov. 3 and Jan. 4, eight retailers, including Walmart Stores (WMT), Target (T) and Macy's (M) , increased the number of circulars published by 6 percent and sent 57 percent more promotional emails, according to data prepared for Reuters by MarketTrack. Retailers also had to deal with shoppers who were less willing to go into stores: Data firm ShopperTrak this week said foot traffic had dropped 14.6 percent this holiday season. Walgreen, whose comparable sales of general merchandise rose 2.5 percent in December, said fewer shoppers had com
- [By Shauna O'Brien]
On Tuesday, drugstore chain Walgreen Company (WAG) reported higher fourth quarter earnings, which came in above analysts’ estimates.
The Deerfield, IL-based company recorded fourth quarter earnings of $657 million, or 69 cents per share, up from $353 million, or 39 cents per share, a year ago. Excluding special items, earnings were $702 million, or 73 cents per share. Analysts expected to see earnings of 72 cents per share.
Total revenue was $17.94 billion for the quarter, up from $17.07 billion last year. Analysts expected to see revenue of $17.95 billion.
During the quarter, total comparable store sales increased 4.6%, while front end comps rose 1.6%. Customer traffic decreased by 1.9%, while basket size rose 3.6%.
Walgreen shares were up 26 cents, or 0.48%, during pre-market trading Tuesday. The stock is up 45% YTD.
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Next week investors will be waiting for several key earnings reports including�Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG), Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI), and Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON)
Top 10 Shipping Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Alliance Holdings GP L.P.(AHGP)
Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., through its subsidiaries, produces and markets coal primarily to utilities and industrial users in the United States. It produces a range of steam coal with varying sulfur and heat contents. The company operates nine underground mining complexes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia. As of December 31, 2010, it had approximately 697.4 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In addition, the company leases land; and operates a coal loading terminal, with a capacity of 8.0 million tons with ground storage of approximately 60,000 to 70,000 tons, on the Ohio River at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Further, it engages in purchasing and selling coal; and providing services, including ash and scrubber sludge removal, coal yard maintenance, and arranging alternate transportation services. Alliance GP, LLC, serves as the general partner of the company. Allian ce Holdings GP, L.P. is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Alliance Holdings GP (Nasdaq: AHGP ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Robert Rapier]
The National Association of Publicly Traded Partnerships (NAPTP) lists five MLPs in the category ��atural Resources – Coal,��although two of the five are Alliance Holdings (NYSE: AHGP) and its operating affiliate, Alliance Resource Partners (NYSE: ARLP). The other three are Natural Resource Partners (NYSE: NRP), Rhino Resource Partners (NYSE: RNO), and Oxford Resource Partners (NYSE: OXF).
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Guggenheim CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust (FXC)
Guggenheim CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, formerly CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar Trust, is a grantor trust. The Trust issues shares (the Shares) in blocks of 50,000 (a Basket) in exchange for deposits of Canadian dollars and distributes Canadian dollars in connection with the redemption of Baskets. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the price of Canadian Dollars. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Trustee. The Trust�� sponsor is Rydex Specialized Products LLC, which is doing business as Rydex Investments.
The Shares are focused on offering investors an opportunity to participate in the market for the Canadian Dollar through an investment in securities. The Shares are backed by the assets of the Trust, which does not hold or use derivative products. The Trust�� each outstanding Share represents a proportional interest in the Canadian dollars held by the Trust. The Trust�� assets primarily consist of Canadian dollars on demand deposit in two deposit accounts maintained by JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (the Depository): a primary deposit account, which may earn interest, and a secondary deposit account that does not earn interest.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Karen Canella]
The best way for direct exposure to a rising Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar is through foreign exchange (forex) trading. If you'd rather keep it simple, the Rydex CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar ETF (NYSE: FXC) will do the job.
- [By Sean Bellamy McNulty]
The Bank of Canada (BOC) interest rate decision Wednesday precipitated much positioning in the USDCAD (FXC) Tuesday. As soon as traders were in from their Memorial Day holiday, they started selling CAD. This resulted in the currency being one of the worst performers against the USD, losing 0.56% by the close.
- [By Dan Caplinger]
One of the primary worries that would-be Bitcoin users have about digital currency is that its existence relies on computer networks beyond their control. By contrast, existing currency and commodity ETFs can in many cases point to actual physical assets. SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEMKT: GLD ) and iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV ) , for instance, publish lists of physical bullion bars to support the underlying value of their shares. Currency ETFs CurrencyShares Canadian Dollar (NYSEMKT: FXC ) and CurrencyShares Japanese Yen (NYSEMKT: FXY ) usually turn to short-term investments denominated in their respective currencies.�
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Tidewater Inc.(TDW)
Tidewater Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides offshore service vessels and marine support services to the offshore energy industry through the operation of a fleet of marine service vessels. It provides services in support of offshore exploration, field development, and production, including towing of and anchor handling for mobile offshore drilling units; transporting supplies and personnel necessary to sustain drilling, workover, and production activities; offshore construction and seismic support; and various specialized services, such as pipe and cable laying. The company?s vessels include platform supply vessels, and anchor handling towing supply vessels that are used in transporting supplies and equipment from shore bases to deepwater and intermediate water depth offshore drilling rigs, platforms, and other installations; towing-supply and supply vessels used in intermediate and shallow waters; and crewboats and utility vessels that are chartered for transporti ng personnel and supplies from shore bases to offshore drilling rigs, platforms, and other installations. It also operates offshore tugs used for towing floating drilling rigs; assisting in the docking of tankers; towing barges; assisting in pipe laying, cable laying, and construction barges; and commercial towing operations, including towing barges carrying various bulk cargoes and containerized cargo. In addition, the company operates inshore tugs; production, line-handling, and various other special purpose vessels. Further, it operates two shipyards, which construct, modify, and repair vessels. As of March 31, 2011, the company had 378 vessels serving the global offshore energy industry. The company has operations in the United States, Gulf of Mexico, the Persian/Arabian Gulf, and areas offshore Australia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Trinidad, Venezuela, and West Africa. Tidewater Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisi ana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Tidewater (NYSE: TDW ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Tidewater (NYSE: TDW ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Jon C. Ogg]
Tidewater Inc. (NYSE: TDW) was started as Buy at Wunderlich Securities.
Whole Foods Market Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM) was started as Buy at Deutsche Bank.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: USANA Health Sciences Inc.(USNA)
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells nutritional and personal care products worldwide. It offers the USANA Nutritionals product line, which consists of essentials, which include vitamin and mineral supplements that provide a foundation of nutrition for various age groups; optimizers that are targeted supplements supporting needs, such as cardiovascular health, skeletal/structural health, and digestive health; and foods comprising low-glycemic meal replacement shakes, snack bars, and other related products that offer optimal macro-nutrition. Its Sense product line comprises personal care products that support healthy skin and hair. The company also offers materials and online tools, such as associate starter kit and product brochures that are designed to assist associates in building their businesses and in marketing our products. USANA Health Sciences, Inc. primarily distributes its products through a network marketing system of indepe ndent distributors. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of NuSkin (NUS), which has its own China problems, have fallen 2.6% to $71.10 at 1:38 p.m. after being up much of the day, while Usana Health Sciences (USNA) has dropped 5.78% to $68.80 after being up as well. Prices are moving fast, so these will have changed by the time you read this.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Epazz Inc (EPAZ)
EPAZZ, Inc., incorporated on March 23, 2000, develops a Web portal infrastructure operating system product called BoxesOS v3.0. The Company offers seven primary product lines. The Epazz BoxesOS v3.0 product is offered through Epazz, Inc., the Desk/Flex Software product is offered through Desk Flex, Inc., the Agent Power product is offered through Professional Resource Management, Inc., the AutoHire software is offered through Epazz, Inc., IntelliSys offers the Integrated Plant Management Control (IPMC) software product, K9 Bytes offers a series of Point of Sale software products for pet care, boarding and retail pet stores. In July 2012, the Company acquired K9 Bytes Software. In August 2012, the Company acquired MS Health Software Corporation (MS Health), a cloud-based solution for behavioral healthcare, mental health and social services providers.
BoxesOS provides a Web portal infrastructure operating system designed to satisfaction of key stakeholders (students, faculty, alumni, employees, and clients). BoxesOS creates sources of revenue for Alumni Associations and Non-Profit organizations through utilizing a Web platform to conduct e-commerce and provides e-commerce tools for small businesses to easily create my accounts for their customers. BoxesOS can also link a college or university's resources with the business community by allowing businesses to better train their employees by utilizing courseware development from higher education institutions.
Epazz BoxesOS v3.0
Epazz BoxesOS v3.0 (Web Infrastructure Operating System) is the Company's flagship product. Epazz BoxesOS integrates with each organization's back-end systems and provides a customizable personal information system for each stakeholder. The Company's Services include Single sign-on, which provides a single-sign-on with security procedure to protect users' information and identity; Course Management System, which manages distance, traditional courses and Calendar; Enterprise Website Content Man! agement, which manages public sites with multi contributors; Integration Management Services, which integrated into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Mainframes; E-mail Management, which is an e-mail server and Web client; Instant Messenger Services, which is an instant messaging and alerts; Customer Relationship Management, which includes prospective students and alumni; Calendar/Scheduler Management, which includes event directory, groupware, and personal calendar; Administrative Support Services, which is an online payment services, and Business Services, which includes facility Management and Online Bookstore.
AutoHire Software
The AutoHire system provides a tool to power career centers, post job ads to sites and job boards, and to collect resumes online. One features of the AutoHire system is the interactive question and online screening and ranking system. The interactive question system provides a means for the client to maintain their own library of questions and to attach selected questions to job opportunities posted. Responses obtained can be used to screen and rank candidates to permit hiring managers to focus their attention on only the most suitable candidates.
Desk Flex Software
DFI developed the Desk/Flex Software (Desk/Flex) to enhance the value of businesses' real estate investments and modernize their office space. Desk/Flex lets businesses make better use of office space restrictions by enabling employees to instantly access their workstation tools from multiple areas in and outside of the office. Desk/Flex lets employees reserve space in advance or claim space instantly. It adjusts the telephone switch (Private Branch Exchange (PBX)) so that calls ring at the desk du jour, or go directly to voice mail when a worker is not checked in. Key Features of Desk/Flex include Quick and Easy Check-In, Point-and-Click Floor Maps, PBX Interaction, Web Browser and Local Kiosk Access, Advance Reservations and Occupancy Reports. Desk/Flex i! s respons! ive to office size and needs, servicing small to large businesses. Desk/Flex can be configured to administer a single site or multiple sites locally or remotely. Desk/Flex has full integration capabilities with both Nortel and Avaya, which combined represent the majority of the telecommunications and inbound automatic call distributor (ACD) market.
Agent Power Software
Agent Power Software (Agent Power) is Professional Resource Management, Inc.�� (PRMI's) software line. Agent Power is a suite of six applications. The applications feature workforce management components, which include planning and scheduling; agent adherence; agent performance; automatic call distributor (ACD) group performance; real-time agent status, and info screen. All modules of Agent Power have full integration capabilities with Nortel, Avaya, and ROLM ACDs, and the Planning and Scheduling module works with any modern ACD system.
IntelliSys Software
IntelliSys developed the Integrated Plant Management Control (IPMC) Software, which is a software system design for water and wastewater facility management. IPMC is the technology-based strategy for optimizing operations by automatically collecting, managing, organizing and disseminating information for the operations, management, laboratory, maintenance, and engineering functions.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap tech stocks Epazz Inc (OTCMKTS: EPAZ) and Pulse Network Inc (OTCBB: TPNI) have been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters. That�� due in part to a few paid for promotions on behalf of both of these stocks. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotions, but investors with a long term time horizon need to be more cautious as promotions tend to help traders. With that said, do these two small cap tech stocks have what it takes to succeed? Here is a quick reality check:
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks IN Media Corp (OTCMKTS: IMDC), Epazz Inc (OTCMKTS: EPAZ) and Polaris International Holdings (OTCMKTS: PIHN) have been busy developing new devices/products or making acquisitions. Moreover, at least two of these small cap stocks have been the subject of paid promotions or investor relations types of activities. Keeping that in mind, will new devices/products or acquisitions help these small caps along with their investors or traders? Here is a closer look:
- [By James E. Brumley]
It's probably a pretty safe bet that Epazz Inc. (OTCMKTS:EPAZ) isn't a familiar name to most long-term investors. For that matter, EPAZ isn't even a familiar name to short-term traders. Both groups may want to put the stock on their radar though (for different reasons), as the recent action evident on the chart suggests something is brewing here.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Broadwind Energy Inc.(BWEN)
Broadwind Energy, Inc. provides products and services to the energy, mining, and infrastructure sector customers, primarily in the United States. The company?s Towers and Weldments segment manufactures towers designed for two megawatt and larger wind turbines. This segment also manufactures specialty fabrications and weldments for mining and other industrial customers. Its Gearing segment engineers, builds, and remanufactures precision gears and gearing systems for wind, oil and gas, mining, and other industrial applications. The company?s Services segment offers a range of services, including non-routine blade and gearbox maintenance services for both kilowatt and megawatt turbines primarily to wind farm developers and operators. It also provides field services to the wind industry; dedicated drivetrain services; and industrial gearboxes precision repair and testing services. The company provides its products and services to various wind energy customers that include wi nd turbine manufacturers, wind farm developers, and wind farm operators, as well as oil and gas, mining, and other industries. It sells its products through its sales force and manufacturers' representatives. The company was formerly known as Tower Tech Holdings Inc. and changed its name to Broadwind Energy, Inc. in 2008. Broadwind Energy, Inc. is headquartered in Naperville, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
Broadwind Energy (NASDAQ: BWEN) is projected to post a Q4 loss at $0.19 per share on revenue of $56.54 million.
Orexigen Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OREX) is estimated to post a Q4 loss at $0.19 per share on revenue of $900.00 thousand.
- [By John Udovich]
Small cap wind stock Broadwind Energy Inc (NASDAQ: BWEN) is up 203.7% since the start of the year, but investors might want to contain their excitement when they look closer at the�stock and�consider its�long term performance along with the performance of other wind investments like First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (NYSEARCA: FAN) and wind energy stocks Vestas Wind Systems (OTCMKTS: VWDRY) and China Ming Yang Wind Power Group Ltd (NYSE: MY) to see whether BWEN is just blowing more hot air.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Mattress Firm Holding Corp (MFRM)
Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (Mattress Firm), incorporated on January 5, 2007, is a specialty retailer of mattresses and related products and accessories in the United States. The Company conducts its operations through its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Mattress Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries. As of August 2, 2011, the Company and its franchisees operated 620 and 107 stores, respectively, primarily under the Mattress Firm name, in 60 markets across 25 states. The Company focuses on the national brands, but also offers its customers its Hampton and Rhodes private label mattresses. The Company has introduced its YuMe brand. On October 15, 2010, the Company acquired Peak Management, LLC. On December 1, 2010, the Company acquired Maggie's Enterprises, Inc. In May 2012, Mattress Firm announced the completion of its acquisition of regional bedding company, Mattress Giant Holding Corp. Effective September 9, 2013, Mattress Firm Holding Corp, a unit of JW Childs Associates LP, acquired Olejo Inc, a provider of ecommerce retail services.
The Company�� stores carry national mattress brands, with a range of styles, sizes, price points and features. The Company provides its customers with their choice of traditional mattresses, including Sealy and Simmons, as well as specialty mattresses, such as Tempur-Pedic. In addition to its mattress selection, the Company offers a range of bedding-related products and accessories.
Conventional Mattresses
Conventional mattresses, such as those of Sealy (including Sealy Posturepedic and Stearns and Foster) and Simmons (including Simmons Beautyrest), utilize steel-coil innersprings. During the fiscal year ended February 1, 2011, the conventional mattresses represented approximately 75% of bedding industry sales in the United States and approximately 60% of the Company�� total sales. In addition to these national brands, the Company also offers its Hampton and Rhodes private label mattresses.
Specialty Mattresses
Specialty mattresses, such as those manufactured by Tempur-Pedic and select comfort, utilize materials other than steel-coil innersprings to provide comfort and support. In fiscal 2010, the specialty mattresses represented approximately 30% of the Company�� total sales. The Company is expanding its assortments in the categories, including viscoelastic foam mattresses and yume sleep system. Viscoelastic foam, also referred to as memory foam or polyurethane foam, features a temperature sensitive foam core that reduces pressure points and tossing and turning by contouring to one's body. The Company has introduced a sleep system made of foam produced from coconut oil, utilizing a technology that uses ambient air to heat and cool the mattress surface.
Furniture and Accessories
During fiscal 2010, the Company was in the process of introducing new headboards and footboards, which complement its current bedding products. All of the Company�� stores carry an assortment of bedding-related accessories, including bed frames, mattress pads and pillows. In fiscal 2010, bedding-related products and accessories represented approximately 7% of the Company�� total sales from Company-operated stores.
The Company competes with Mattress Giant, American Mattress, Haverty's, Rooms-To-Go, Macy's, Sears, JC Penney, Walmart, Costco and Original Mattress.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Caplinger]
Tomorrow, Mattress Firm (NASDAQ: MFRM ) will release its latest quarterly results. As the consumer segment of the economy has picked up steam over the past several years, discretionary spending on things like mattresses is finally starting to grow, and Mattress Firm has managed to capitalize on that trend.
- [By John Kell]
Mattress Firm Holding Corp.(MFRM) tempered expectations for 2013, as the company said results were hurt by poor winter weather and lower margins tied to efforts to drive sales and traffic during the final quarter of the year. Shares slumped 9.9% to $37.17 premarket.
Top 10 Prefered Companies To Watch For 2015: Nomura Holdings Inc (NRSCF)
Nomura Holdings, Inc. is engaged in the investment and financial services business with a focus on securities business. The Company's business operations include financing, asset management, securities trading and brokerage, underwriting and sale of securities, private placement of securities, own funds Investment activities, and other securities and finance-related activities. As of March 31, 2013, the Company owned 738 consolidated subsidiaries. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Daniel Inman]
Securities firms were in focus in Tokyo after Nomura Holdings (JP:8604) � (NRSCF) �and Daiwa Securities Group (JP:8601) � (DSECF) �reported second-quarter earnings. Daiwa rose 3.4% after reporting its net profit slid 38% on the previous quarter on decreased equity trading, which was above consensus expectations. Analysts say it already is factored into the price.
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