In the diverse and challenging world of the foreign exchange, there is an investment method commonly referred to as "forex news trading." Encouraging traders to rely on news releases and economic data trends, it is an exceptionally popular method, as global events are often a catalyst for short-term movements in the financial market.
Ordinary investors may well want to employ the same methods used by forex traders glued to their trading screens. If individuals in the U.S. want to take strict control of their finances and avoid the issues posed by long-term cyclical debt, for example, they may need to follow economic news trends and learn how to use them in the quest to both save and make money. With nearly real-time news now available over the internet, it's simple to follow fluctuations in regularly released data.
Inflation and Unemployment: The Key Consumer Economic Date Trends
In terms of understanding economic data trends and using them to your advantage, inflation and unemployment represent two of the most important economic factors, as they highlight the general cost of living and the status of the constantly evolving labor market. While inflation is defined as a general increase in prices and a fall in the purchasing value of money, for example, labor market statistics can reveal the national rate of employment and the financial prospects for job seekers throughout the country.
When it comes to managing your finances, it is important to be proactive and understand how these factors work in tandem with one another. If you take the current economic situation in the U.S., for example, you will see that the cost of living climbed steadily for three months between May and July. While the unemployment rate has also fallen to just 7.4% during this time, economists have suggested that this rate of job growth has been distorted by the creation of part-time work in low-wage industries. This has forced White House policymakers to monitor the sustained rise in inflation carefully, as a situation where the cost of living continues to rise disproportionately to the national wage could cause a significant downturn in the economic fortunes of U.S. residents.
As a homeowner or consumer you may need to monitor these trends. Regardless of whether or not you have a job, it is crucial to budget your income and determine how much disposable cash you have available each month. Use resources such as the U.S. Inflation Calculator to view monthly rates and identify any prominent trends. In instances where inflation is rising out of proportion to your level of disposable income, you could choose to adopt a more conservative approach to spending and borrowing.
Interest Rates: Diminishing Debt and Irresponsible Borrowing
On a similar note, consumers who are looking to manage their finances must understand the nature and importance of interest rates. As consumer confidence soared between March and June, borrowing also increased heavily in the real estate and automotive markets. Auto lending in particular increased by $20 billion during the second financial quarter and this represented the single biggest gain in more than seven years. While government-backed low interest rates have been at the heart of this increased rate of borrowing, economists have already warned that the current scenario may create instability and trigger long-term inflation.
As a consumer, you must remember that low interest rates are often contrived by governments that wish to reduce the cost of secured lending and encourage a greater level of reinvestment into the economy. While this is a standard economic practice, the prime interest rate at which you borrow is subject to change and subsequently have an impact on the long-term value of your investments. It is therefore your responsibility to invest and spend cautiously, as a failure to appreciate the fluctuating nature of interest rates and their vulnerability to government manipulation could ultimately lead you to spend outside of your means.
As the recent economic decline has shown, governments tend to adopt extreme fiscal measures during periods of recovery. While the Fed has reduced interest rates in a bid to encourage consumer spending, this doesn't mean you should splurge on a new car or justify some other extravagant debt. It is crucial that you resist the urge to overspend when interest rates fall, and instead make purchasing decisions based solely on your disposable income levels, existing debt liability and the long-term value of any potential investment. In short, low interest rates need to be seen as an opportunity to get ahead on your bills, not to take on more payments.
The Bottom Line
While there is a world of difference between investing in the forex market and buying monthly groceries, the fundamental goals of achieving value for your money and establishing a healthy return remain unchanged. Just as a trader can use economic data trends to evaluate his or her investment options and make a responsible decision, consumers can also apply their understanding of inflation, interest rates and the labor market to determine their spending outlook and successfully manage their personal finances.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Option Strategy Review
Today I would like t provide a handy strategy review. Helping to translate your market vision into a hedged option strategy. Note that I say hedged. I do not believe in buying or selling stocks and futures naked, ie with no protection. The same goes with buying options outright. Always spread, is my motto.
Mega Bullish? Buy stock with puts. Just plain Bullish? Buy vertical call spread, sell vertical put spread.
Bullish at lower level with an eye to dividend yield or short term cash generation? Sell cash covered put. Bullish on current dividend yield? Buy stock with Collar.
Particular price target? Do Butterfly with short strike at target.
Neutral to range bound? Condor, Iron Condor, Iron Butterfly.
First down, then up? Buy call calender spread. First up then down? Buy put calender spread.
Mega Bearish? Sell stock or deep ITM call short with long protective call above it. Just plain Bearish? Buy vertical put spread, sell vertical call spread.
If any of these strategies are unfamiliar or strange to you, please fell free to contact me at any time. Click the Contact heading above.
Finally, do note that with the possible exception of the short cash covered put, all these strategies are hedged with a well defined maximum loss. I hope this review has been helpful and Happy Trading!
Traders & Investors Summit
Mega Bullish? Buy stock with puts. Just plain Bullish? Buy vertical call spread, sell vertical put spread.
Bullish at lower level with an eye to dividend yield or short term cash generation? Sell cash covered put. Bullish on current dividend yield? Buy stock with Collar.
Particular price target? Do Butterfly with short strike at target.
Neutral to range bound? Condor, Iron Condor, Iron Butterfly.
First down, then up? Buy call calender spread. First up then down? Buy put calender spread.
Mega Bearish? Sell stock or deep ITM call short with long protective call above it. Just plain Bearish? Buy vertical put spread, sell vertical call spread.
If any of these strategies are unfamiliar or strange to you, please fell free to contact me at any time. Click the Contact heading above.
Finally, do note that with the possible exception of the short cash covered put, all these strategies are hedged with a well defined maximum loss. I hope this review has been helpful and Happy Trading!
The following article is from one of our external contributors. It does not represent the opinion of Benzinga and has not been edited.
Posted-In: Options Markets Trading Ideas
Originally posted here...
Around the Web, We're Loving... Petition urges Wal-Mart, McDonald's to pay more Obama's Syria Waffle Huge Blow to US Credibility in Mideast Microsoft Buys Nokia Phone Unit for $7.2B - And CEO? What Should You Know About AMZN? Most Popular The Apple Stories You Missed Wednesday (AAPL) These Two Stocks Are Moving Closer to Death By The Day Bill Gates Admits Well-Known Windows Trick Was a Mistake REVIEW: Nexus 7 (2013 Edition) And Chromecast (GOOG) Is Carl Icahn Secretly Net Short Apple? (AAPL) PlayStation 4 Software Pre-Orders Top Xbox One By 55% (SNE, MSFT) Related Articles () Add Some Dang Downside Protection. Collect $50. Achillion Pharma Announces Unable to Resolve Clinical Hold Market Wrap For Friday, September 27: Dow Ends The Week Negative For First Time In Month Fed Fueled Friday – CASH Proves King as we Make $2,500 in 61 Minutes! Option Strategy Review Benzinga Weekly Preview: Italian Senate To Decide Berlusconi's Fate View the discussion thread. Partner Network #marketfy-ae-block { display: none; border: 2px solid #0a3f75; overflow: hidden; width: 300px; height: 125px; text-align: center; background-color: #45719E; position: relative; z-index: 1; } #marketfy-ae-block a { display: block; width: 300px; height: 125px; position: relative; z-index: 2; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown-text { color: #f9fc99; padding: 0px 0 0 0; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown-text-start { font-size: 12px; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown { padding: 5px 0 5px 0; font-size: 26px; } #marketfy-ae-block-signup { padding: 5px 47px; } #marketfy-ae-block-signup:hover { background-color: #457a1a; } #marketfy-ae-block #marketfy-ae-block-logo { display: block; padding: 3px 0 0 0; margin: 0; } #marketfy-ae-block-logo { text-indent: -9999px; } #marketfy-ae-block-free { display: block; position: absolute; top: 7px; right: -23px; width: 80px; height: 16px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; opacity: 1; -webkit-transform: rotate(45deg); -moz-transform: rotate(45deg); -ms-transform: rotate(45deg); transform: rotate(45deg); font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; color: #333333; background-color: yellow; z-index: 500; text-shadow: 1px 1px #999999; } #marketfy-ae-block-arrow { position: relative; width: 60px; height: 60px; z-index: 10; margin: -80px 0 13px -21px; } #marketfy-ae-block-arrow img { height: 60px; width: auto; } Marketfy's InternationalTraders & Investors Summit
Friday, September 27, 2013
Europe's Stocks to Watch: Nokia, Centrica, H&M
Nokia is likely to be in focus Thursday, following a Wall Street Journal report that the Finish company’s board of directors has discussed pursuing a tie-up with Alcatel-Lucent.
This follows Nokia’s recent deal to sell its handset business to Microsoft, and forms part of a broad review of the many potential options for its future business strategy. Once the mobile-phone business is gone, Nokia is set to focus on growing the wireless networks business and its mapping software business.
Nokia’s decision to get out of the handset business and focus on wireless-network equipment marked the end of an era–the demise of a national champion and onetime global tech giant.
That said, the move was well received in the markets, with Nokia’s share price climbing from a close of €2.96 (4$) the day before the Microsoft deal became public to trade at €4.88 Thursday. This is still some way below the €64.88 peak reached in the summer of 2000.
Hot Blue Chip Stocks To Watch Right Now
Shares in Centrica, the owner of British Gas, drop 1.3% Thursday, continuing Wednesday’s hefty fall of near on 4% as the ramifications of Tuesday’s speech by the leader of the U.K.’s opposition Labour Party, Ed Miliband, over the freezing of gas and electricity prices until the start of 2017 continue to rumble on.
J.P.Morgan Cazenove has today added to the company’s woe by downgrading its investment recommendation to ‘neutral’ from ‘overweight’, citing the Labour Party’s proposals. “Although there remains uncertainty surrounding the detail of the policies or whether Labour will even win the next election, we believe the risk level in the sector has now substantially increased.”
Centrica said, after Mr. Miliband’s speech, that if energy price controls were imposed, it wouldn’t be economically viable for it, or any other energy supplier, to continue to operate, much less to meet the sizeable investments required over the next few years.
Shares in Hennes & Mauritz soar over 6% Thursday after the Swedish clothing retailer said sales in China had been particularly strong in its third quarter, as it reported net profit rose 22% on the year.
Net profit rose to 4.43 billion Swedish kronor ($690 million) in the third quarter, from SEK3.62 billion last year. Analysts had expected a net profit of SEK4.14 billion.
This is a good quarter for H&M, said Citigroup, and full year consensus pretax profit forecasts are expected to rise by close to 2% to around SEK22.8 billion.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
How to Be Bearish and Bullish (At the Same Time) on Oil and Gas: SCO & IEO
At first glance, you might think it strange that we have both the ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF (NYSEARCA: SCO), a bearish bet on oil, and the iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Ex Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IEO), a more bullish bet on both domestic oil and gas, in our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio. But there is a method to our apparent madness as one can be both bearish and bullish on oil and/or gas at the same time.
How to Be Bearish on Oil With SCOThe ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF seeks daily investment results that correspond to two times the inverse (-2x) of the daily performance of the Dow Jones—UBS WTI Crude Oil Subindex which is composed of futures contracts on oil. This means the ETF is a leveraged investment on futures – meaning you need to have a big stomach for risk along with a stop loss order in place. Moreover, the ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF is down 29% since the start of the year, down 30.3% over the past year and down 78.1% since December 2008.
I should mention that the reason we have added ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF to our portfolio was due to the price of light sweet crude recently hitting a key technical profit taking level at $108 per barrel – giving short-term traders a potentially good opportunity to short oil. Oil also feel on Monday after poor housing data was reported while some analysts have been saying that the fundamental rules of supply and demand alone do not justify the recent rise in oil plus speculators have been doing their part to push oil prices higher.
How to Be Bullish on Domestic Oil and Gas With IEOThe iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Ex Index ETF seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Dow Jones US Select Oil Exploration & Production Index which consists of stocks largely focused on finding and exploiting domestic oil and gas reserves rather than pursuing international opportunities which can come with more risk. The iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Ex Index ETF is up 21.8% since the start of the year, up 26.1% over the past year and up 6% over the past five years.
The reason we have iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Ex Index ETF in our portfolio is simple: The recent discovery of vast deposits of shale oil and gas along with the advancement of fracking technology may not only mean US energy independence but also energy export opportunities.
Share Performance: SCO vs. IEOFinally, here is a quick look at the performance of the ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF verses the iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Ex Index:
As you can see from the above chart, betting against oil has not been a winning bet for the long-term. Nevertheless, the chart also indicates that the ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF is a good way to make short term bets against oil while the iShares Dow Jones US Oil & Gas Ex Index has been a good long term bet since the end of the financial crisis.
SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) has an open position in IEO and SCO. To find out what other open positions SCN EO currently has, and to learn why so many traders and investors are relying on this premium subscription service, click here to find out more.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Will Yahoo! Continue to Explode to the Upside?
With shares of Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO) trading around $31, is YHOO an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:
T = Trends for a Stock’s MovementYahoo is a technology company that provides search, content, and communication tools on the web and on mobile devices worldwide. It operates Yahoo.com, which offers Yahoo! Search, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Entertainment and Lifestyles, and Yahoo! Video. Being such a large content provider, Yahoo is able to reach a significant amount of consumers across the globe. As the internet attracts an increasing number of participants, look for Yahoo to continue to be a major player.
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has reported a number of significant victories since her appointment to the position more than a year ago, among them Yahoo's stock rally, its $1 billion acquisition of Tumblr, and the site's appealing homepage and email redesign.
While Yahoo once looked as if it could be at the end of its road, quickly losing more and more ground to Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), the Sunnyvale, California-based corporation has since convinced consumers and analysts that it may be down, but it's not out. It's orchestrating several facelifts, embarking on plans with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) that make it more mobile friendly, and partnering with high-profile celebrities to beef up the company's media offerings.
T = Technicals on the Stock Chart Are StrongYahoo stock has been on a strong bull run higher in the last several quarters. The stock is currently trading near highs for the year and looks ready to continue. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Yahoo is trading above its rising key averages, which signal neutral to bullish price action in the near-term.
Source: Thinkorswim
Taking a look at the implied volatility (red) and implied volatility skew levels of Yahoo! options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.
| Implied Volatility (IV) | 30-Day IV Percentile | 90-Day IV Percentile | |
| Yahoo! Options | 36.25% | 80% | 79% |
What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a very significant amount of call and put options contracts as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.
| Put IV Skew | Call IV Skew | |
| October Options | Flat | Average |
| November Options | Flat | Average |
As of today, there is an average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a very significant amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.
On the next page, let’s take a look at the earnings and revenue growth rates and the conclusion.
E = Earnings Are Increasing Quarter-Over-QuarterRising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Yahoo’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Yahoo look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?
| 2013 Q2 | 2013 Q1 | 2012 Q4 | 2012 Q3 | |
| Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y) | 66.67% | 52.17% | -2.15% | 1048.00% |
| Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y) | -6.78% | -6.62% | 1.64% | -1.23% |
| Earnings Reaction | 10.34% | -0.37% | -3.00% | 5.70% |
Yahoo has seen increasing earnings and mixed revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have had conflicting feelings about Yahoo’s recent earnings announcements.
P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and SectorHow has Yahoo stock done relative to its peers, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), AOL (NYSE:AOL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and sector?
| Yahoo! | | AOL | Microsoft | Sector | |
| Year-to-Date Return | 56.58% | 25.64% | 18.88% | 21.34% | 23.28% |
Yahoo has been a relative performance leader, year-to-date.
ConclusionYahoo is an Internet bellwether that provides a multitude of services to consumers and companies worldwide. The company continues to benefit from Marissa Mayer’s innovation that has propelled the stock much higher. In fact, it is currently trading near highs for the year and looks ready to continue. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been increasing while revenues have been mixed which has produced conflicting feelings among investors. Relative to its peers and sector, Yahoo has been a year-to-date performance leader. Look for Yahoo to continue to OUTPERFORM.
Oil Exploration and Production Companies Spending the Most to Find Oil
With oil prices consistently over the $100 level, the big exploration and production (E&P) companies are ramping up spending to take advantage of the high pricing. Wall Street estimates that between the E&P companies and the large integrateds, almost $160 billion dollars will be spent this year. The energy team at Jefferies sees little risk of a year-end onshore slowdown like the one that hit in 2012. Initial indicators also suggest that E&P companies are more willing than expected to invest more capital expenditure (capex) dollars into U.S. onshore drilling to benefit from efficiency-driven cost improvements. Here are some of the companies spending the most money to find oil.
Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA) has been the focus of some concern as it has a large operation in Egypt. The company is expected to spend $5.8 billion dollars this year, which is right in line with Wall Street estimates. The Thomson/First Call price target for the stock is $99. A move to the price target would represent almost a 30% gain from current trading levels. Investors are paid a 1.0% dividend.
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) consistently ranks as one of the top energy stocks to buy at the Wall Street firms that we cover. The company is adding rigs in the Permian basin, bringing the program total to eight, and is particularly excited about recent results in the Wolfcamp section of the basin. The company's biggest asset is in the Wattenberg field, DJ Basin, and there are 4,000 locations remaining in Anadarko's inventory there. Overall, the company is expected to spend $5.5 billion this year, which looks to be weighted more towards the third and fourth quarter. The consensus price target for the stock is $111. Investors are paid a small 0.8% dividend.
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) is a name that activist investor Carl Icahn is buying. A recent filing shows that he holds 66.5 million shares, which represents almost a 10% stake in the company. Chesapeake is expected to spend $5.85 billion this year to expand production. The consensus price target for the stock is posted at $24. Investors receive a 1.4% dividend.
Hess Corp. (NYSE: HES) is another top name that has had activist intervention in the stock. The company tossed the activists a bone in May when they split the role of chairman and CEO. The company is pressing ahead though and plans to spend $3.6 billion in its search for new oil and gas. The consensus price target for the stock is placed at $80. Investors are paid a small 0.5% dividend.
Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) is a company expected to benefit when Mexico opens the door for exploration and production from outside companies for the first time in 70 years. We recently wrote about other companies looking to cash in on Mexico. Noble also is revving up the spending to take advantage of higher oil prices. The company is expected to spend $2.37 billion this year. The consensus price objective for the stock is $70.50. Investors are paid a 0.5% dividend.
Newfield Exploration Co. (NYSE: NFX) is a smaller E&P looking to rise in stature. It was recently listed by Goldman Sachs as one of the 40 cheapest stocks to buy. It is expected to spend $1.5 billion this year in an effort to increase capacity and production. The consensus price target for the stock is set at $32. A move to the target price would be a 35% gain for investors.
Southwestern Energy Co. (NYSE: SWN) operates through two segments: Exploration and Production, and Midstream Services. It also plans to increase spending this year with an anticipated capex budget of $2 billion. The consensus price target is $44.
Whiting Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: WLL) really is stepping up to the plate on spending this year. In addition to being one of the top stocks held by legendary energy investor T. Boone Pickens, it is expected to spend almost $2.4 billion this year to expand production. The consensus price target for the stock is $62. A move to the target would be a 20% gain for shareholders.
Geopolitical mayhem in the Middle East and increasing demand from China and other emerging markets continues to drive demand and pricing. These top companies that are spending huge amounts of money to increase production are literally putting their money where their mouth is. Increased production should equal higher revenue. That is just what the doctor ordered to increase share prices for investors.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
FedEx Beats Estimates as Net Income Rises 7%
MEMPHIS (TheStreet) -- FedEx (FDX) beat Wall Street estimates as net income rose 7%, driven by growth in each of the company's transportation segment.
In pre-market trading about an hour before the opening bell, FedEx shares had gained $3.32 or 3% to $114.
The overnight package shipper reported earnings of $489 million, or $1.53 a share, for the fiscal first quarter ended Aug. 31. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had estimated $1.50. Revenue rose 2% to $11 billion, in line with estimates.
In the same quarter a year earlier, FedEx earned $459 million, or $1.45 a share. "Growth in overall demand for our broad global portfolio of solutions drove our improved first quarter results," said CEO Fred Smith, in a prepared statement. "FedEx Express remains focused on reducing costs while facing challenging global economic conditions. Meanwhile, FedEx Ground continues to generate strong profitability on growing customer demand for its services." Looking ahead, FedEx reaffirmed its forecast of full-year earnings per share growth of 7% to 13%, assuming the market outlook for fuel prices, U.S. GDP growth of 2.1% and world GDP growth of 2.6%. "We remain confident in our full year earnings outlook despite tepid global economic growth," said Chief Financial Officer Alan Graf. The company will increase shipping rates by an average of 3.9% for U.S. services, effective Jan. 6, 2014. During the quarter operating income rose 7% to $742 million while operating margin was 7.2%, up from 6.9% a year earlier. Trends were positive despite "significant headwinds from the net year-over-year impact from the timing lag that exists between when fuel prices change and (when) indexed fuel surcharges automatically adjust, as well as one fewer operating day," the company said. At FedEx Express, operating income rose 14% to $236 million, while revenue declined marginally $6.61 billion due to lower fuel surcharges and one fewer operating day. At FedEx Ground, operating income rose 5% to $468 million while revenue rose 11% to $2.73 billion due to increased rates and higher residential surcharge revenue, partially offset by lower fuel surcharges. At FedEx Freight, operating income rose 1% to $91 million, while revenue rose 2% to $1.42 billion. Follow @tedreednc -- Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C. >To contact the writer of this article, click here: Ted Reed
Friday, September 20, 2013
Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now
Health care has been a pretty solid sector so far in 2013, with the space rising above the overall market in the year-to-date time frame. While many investors have been focused in on the outperforming biotech segment, there has also been some strength in the often-overlooked medical device sector too.
This corner of the market has been a good performer as well to start the year, as the sector has fought through Obamacare tax worries to post strong long term gains. In fact, top ETFs in the space have beaten out the S&P 500 over the past five years by a decent margin, suggesting a pretty good track record for the industry (see Medical Device ETFs: A Better Way to Play Health Care?).
However, the recent run may be coming to an end thanks to some weakness in one of the sector�� key components. Surgical device maker Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) gave a bad warning for its Q2 results, pushing its shares sharply lower by about 18% on the day (ISRG currently has a Zacks Rank #4- Sell).! Throug! h Myriad RBM Inc., the Company provides biomarker discovery and companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical researches industries utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology. The Company's technology enables the Company to screen large sets of clinical samples from both diseased and non-diseased populations against the Company's menu of biomarkers. The Company's companion diagnostic services consist of Multi-Analyte Profile (MAP), Multiplexed Immunoassay Kits and TruCulture.
This corner of the market has been a good performer as well to start the year, as the sector has fought through Obamacare tax worries to post strong long term gains. In fact, top ETFs in the space have beaten out the S&P 500 over the past five years by a decent margin, suggesting a pretty good track record for the industry (see Medical Device ETFs: A Better Way to Play Health Care?).
However, the recent run may be coming to an end thanks to some weakness in one of the sector�� key components. Surgical device maker Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) gave a bad warning for its Q2 results, pushing its shares sharply lower by about 18% on the day (ISRG currently has a Zacks Rank #4- Sell).
Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Myriad Genetics Inc (MYGN.O)
Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Myriad) is a molecular diagnostic company. The Company is focused on developing and marketing predictive medicine, personalized medicine and prognostic medicine tests. It performs all of its molecular diagnostic testing and analysis in its own reference laboratories. These technologies include the cornerstone technologies of biomarker discovery, high-throughput deoxyribo nucleuc acid (DNA) sequencing, ribo nucleic acid (RNA) expression and multiplex protein analysis. The Company uses this information to guide the development of new molecular diagnostic tests that are designed to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life (predictive medicine), identify a patient's likelihood of responding to drug therapy and guide a patient's dosing to ensure optimal treatment (personalized medicine), or assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recurrence (prognostic medicine).
As of June 30, 2012, the Company h ad launched nine commercial molecular diagnostic tests. The Company markets these tests through its own approximate 385-person sales force in the United States. The Company also markets its BRACAnalysis, COLARIS, and COLARIS AP tests through its own European sales force and have entered into marketing collaborations with other organizations in selected Latin American, European and Asian countries. The Company also generates revenue by providing companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries and medical research institutions utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology.
Molecular Diagnostic Tests
The Company's molecular diagnostic tests are designed to analyze genes, their mutations, expression levels and proteins to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life, determine a patient's likelihood of responding to a particular drug, assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recu rrence and measure a patient's exposure to drug therapy to! e! nsure optimal dosing and reduced drug toxicity. The Company's BRACAnalysis test is a analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a woman's risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. BRACAnalysis accounted for 81.7% of the Company's total revenue during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. Its The Company's COLARIS test is an analysis of the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer or uterine cancer.
The Company's COLARIS AP test detects mutations in the APC and MYH genes, which cause a colon polyp-forming syndrome known as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a more common variation of the syndrome known as attenuated FAP, and the MYH-associated polyposis signature (MAP). The Company's MELARIS test analyzes mutations in the p16 gene to determine genetic susceptibility to malignant melanoma. The Company's OnDose test is a nanoparticle immunoassay that is designed to assist oncologists in optimizing 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy in colon cancer patients on an individualized basis. The Company's PANEXIA test is a comprehensive analysis of the PALB2 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer later in life. The Company's PREZEON test is an immunohistochemistry test that analyzes the PTEN gene and assesses loss of PTEN function in many cancer types.
The Company's Prolaris test is a 46-gene molecular diagnostic assay that assesses whether a patient is likely to have a slow growing, indolent form of prostate cancer that can be safely monitored through active surveillance, or a more aggressive form of the disease that would warrant aggressive intervention, such as a radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. The Company's TheraGuide 5-FU test analyzes mutations in the DPYD gene and variations in the TYMS gene to assess patient risk of toxicity to 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy.
< p>Companion Diagnostic Services and Other RevenueThe Company has compiled a library of over 550 individual human and rodent immunoassays for use in its multi-analyte profile (MAP) testing services. The Company has also developed RodentMAP, a panel for use in pre-clinical animal studies and OncologyMAP, which measures cancer-related proteins to assists researchers accelerate the pace of discovery, validation and translation of cancer biomarkers for early detection, patient stratification and therapeu tic monitoring. The Company has developed multiplexed immunoassay kits that enable its customers to leverage its technology services with their in-house capabilities. The Company's internally developed multiplexed immunoassay kits include all of the components necessary for a customer to perform a test on their own Luminex instrument. TruCulture is a simple, self-contained whole blood culture that can be deployed to clinical sites around the world for acquiring cell culture data without specialized facilities or training.
Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc.(SPPI)
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial-stage biotechnology company, primarily focuses on oncology and hematology. The company engages in acquiring, developing, and commercializing a broad and diverse pipeline of late-stage clinical and commercial products. It markets Zevalin, a prescribed form of cancer therapy, radioimmunotherapy; and Fusilev, a novel folate analog formulation and the pharmacologically active isomer of the racemic compound, calcium leucovorin. The company?s drugs in late stage development include Apaziquone, an anti-cancer agent; and Belinostat, a histone deacytelase inhibitor. Its drugs in development also include Ozarelix a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone antagonist, which is in Phase II clinical stage; SPI-1620, a peptide agonist of endothelin B receptors, which is in Phase I clinical stage; and RenaZorb, a lanthanum-based nanoparticle phosphate binding agent, which is in preclinical stage. The company was formerly known as NeoTherapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in December 2002. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is based in Henderson, Nevada.
Best Investments In 2014: Elan Corporation PLC (ELN)
Elan Corporation, plc (Elan), incorporated in December 1969, is a neuroscience-based biotechnology company. The Company is focused on discovering and developing advanced therapies in neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. Elan�� business focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer�� disease and Parkinson�� disease; autoimmune diseases, including MS and Crohn�� disease and neo-epitope based targets for treatments across a range of therapeutic indications. Tysabri is a treatment for MS and Crohn�� disease that the Company markets and distributes with Biogen Idec. On September 16, 2011, Elan sold its EDT business to Alkermes, Inc. In November 2011, Elan launched a collaboration with the University of Cambridge, England, the Cambridge-Elan Centre for Research Innovation and Drug Discovery (Cambridge-Elan Centre). On December 21, 2012, the Company completed the demerger of Prothena Corporation plc. In April 2013, it closed the TYSABRI (natalizumab) Collaboration Transaction with Biogen Idec.
Tysabri
Tysabri, which is an alpha-4 integrin inhibitor, is a therapy for MS, a neurological disorder involving central nervous system dysfunction among adults. Tysabri is approved in more than 65 countries. Tysabri is approved in the United States as a monotherapy for relapsing forms of MS, for patients who have had an inadequate response to, or are unable to tolerate, an alternative MS therapy. In the European Union, it is approved for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in adult patients who have failed to respond to beta interferon or have rapidly evolving, severe RRMS. As of December 31, 2011, there were approximately 64,400 patients on Tysabri therapy worldwide.
In June 2011, the European Commission (EC) approved the inclusion of the anti-JCV antibody status as an additional factor in stratifying patients at risk for developing PML in the Summary of Product Characteristics��(SmPC) for Tysabri in the European Union. The Company has developed a two-step ! enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), STRATIFY JCV, with Biogen Idec. The assay detects anti-JCV antibodies in the blood of patients, and is commercially available in Europe. In January 2012, the FDA cleared the assay for commercial use in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, over 80,000 tests had been administered using the assay. Tysabri is marketed and distributed by Elan and Biogen Idec. The Company�� research group, Neotope, is focused on creating monoclonal antibodies based on neo-epitope targets for the treatment of a range of therapeutic indications.
Beta Amyloid Immunotherapies (AIP)
Beta amyloid immunotherapy includes the treatment of Alzheimer�� disease by inducing or enhancing the body�� immune response in order to clear toxic species of beta amyloid from the brain. The AIP includes bapineuzumab (intravenous and subcutaneous delivery) and ACC-001, as well as other compounds. Bapineuzumab is an experimental humanized monoclonal antibody delivered intravenously that is being studied as a treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer�� disease. It is designed to provide antibodies to beta amyloid directly to the patient (passive immunotherapy).
ELND005, an A� Aggregation Inhibitor
The small molecule ELND005 (Scyllo-inositol) is a beta amyloid anti-aggregation agent. Preclinical data suggest that ELND005 may act through the mechanism of preventing and reversing the fibrilisation of beta amyloid (the aggregation of beta amyloid into clumps of insoluble oligomers). ELND005 may have additional applications in psychiatric indications, such as bipolar disorder. In November 2011, the Company entered into a manufacturing agreement for the supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient for ELND005 with Lonza Group AG.
Neotope Biosciences Limited
Neotope Biosciences Limited (Neotope) is the Company�� wholly owned subsidiary that focuses on the discovery and development of antibodies to neo-epitope related targ! ets for t! he treatment of a range of indications. It includes amyloidosis, diabetes, cancer and macular degeneration. Neotope�� portfolio of targets includes alpha-synuclein for the potential treatment of synucleinopathies, such as Lewy body dementia and Parkinson�� disease, tau for Alzheimer�� disease and other tauopathies. It also has a program for type 2-diabetes.
Onclave Therapeutics Limited
Elan�� wholly owned subsidiary Onclave Therapeutics Limited (Onclave) was formed to develop assets originating from Elan that have application in oncology related diseases. Onclave�� program, NEOD001, which originated from Neotope, is being investigated for the treatment of AL amyloidosis, which is a fatal disease involving abnormal accumulation of amyloid in organs and tissue. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Onclave filed for orphan drug designation of NEOD001. Onclave�� pipeline includes additional compounds with relevance in diverse cancer indications.
The Company competes with Biogen Idec, Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Bayer Schering Pharma, Merck Serono, Pfizer, Teva Neurosciences, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis AG.
Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Galena Biopharma Inc (GALE.PH)
Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Galena), formerly RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, incorporated on April 3, 2006, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies addressing unmet medical needs using targeted biotherapeutics. The Company is pursuing the development of cancer therapeutics using peptide-based immunotherapy products, including its main product candidate, NeuVaxTM (E75), for the treatment of breast cancer and other tumors. NeuVax is a peptide-based immunotherapy intended to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer in low-to-intermediate HER2-positive breast cancer patients not eligible for trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech/Roche). On January 19, 2012, the Company initiated enrollment in its Phase 3 PRESENT clinical trial for NeuVax (E75 peptide plus GM-CSF) vaccine in low-to-intermediate HER2 1+ and 2+ breast cancer patients in the adjuvant setting to prevent recurrence (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01479244). The Preven tion of Recurrence in Early-Stage, Node-Positive Breast Cancer with Low to Intermediate HER2 Expression with NeuVax Treatment study is a randomized, multicenter, multinational clinical trial that will enroll approximately 700 breast cancer patients. The Company�� Phase 2 trial of NeuVax achieved its primary endpoint of disease-free survival (DFS). On April 13, 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of Apthera, Inc.,(Apthera).
The Company focuses to start a Phase 2 trial comparing NeuVax in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin) versus trastuzumab, alone, in a 300-patient, randomized study in the adjuvant breast cancer setting. The Company's second product candidate, Folate Binding Protein-E39 (FBP), is a vaccine, consisting of the peptides E39 and J65, aimed at preventing the recurrence of ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers. On February 14, 2012, the Company announced the initiation of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in two gynecological cancers: ovari an and endometrial adenocarcinomas. Folate binding protein! h! as very limited tissue distribution and expression in non-malignant tissue and is over-expressed in more than 90% of ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as in 20% to 50% of breast, lung, colorectal and renal cell carcinomas.
In April 2011, the Company acquired Apthera Inc and its NeuVax product candidate. The Company focuses on developing a pipeline of immunotherapy product candidates for the treatment of various cancers based on the E75 peptide, the advanced of which is NeuVax, which is targeted at preventing the recurrence of breast cancer. NeuVax has had positive Phase 1/2 clinical trial results for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in patients who have had breast cancer and received the standard of care treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy as indicated). The Company had also initiated its Phase 3 PRESENT clinical trial of NeuVax for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in early-stage low-to-intermediate HER2 breast cancer patients. NeuVax directs killer T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells that express HER2/neu, a protein associated with epithelial tumors in breast, ovarian, pancreatic, colon, bladder and prostate cancers. NeuVax is comprised of a HER2/neu-derived peptide called E75. E75 is a nine-amino acid sequence that is immunogenic (produces an immune response) and GM-CSF is a commercially available protein that acts to stimulate and activate components of the immune system such as macrophages and dendritic cells.
The Company also develops novel applications for NeuVax based on preclinical studies and phases 2 clinical trials which suggest that combining NeuVax and trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech/Roche) can increase antigen presentation by tumor cells by promoting receptor internalization and subsequent proteosomal degradation of the HER2 protein. The Company also is pursuing additional therapeutic indications for NeuVax that are in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. RXI-109, is a dermal anti-scarring therapy that ! targ! ets! conne! ctive tissue growth factor (CTGF) and that may inhibit connective tissue formation in human fibrotic disease.
The Company competes with Roche Laboratories, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Bayer HealthCare AG, Sanofi-Aventis, US, LLC, Amgen, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Renovo Group plc, CoDa Therapeutics, Inc., Sirnaomics, Inc., FirstString Research, Inc., Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Capstone Therapeutics, Halscion, Inc., Garnet Bio Therapeutics, Inc., AkPharma Inc., Promedior, Inc., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eyegene, Derma Sciences, Inc., Healthpoint Biotherapeutics, Pharmaxon, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marina Biotech, Inc., Tacere Therapeutics, Inc., Benitec Limited, OPKO Health, Inc., Silence Therapeutics plc, Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Rosetta Genomics Ltd., Lorus Therapeutics, Inc., Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Arrowhead Research Corporation, Regulus Therapeutics Inc. and Santaris.
Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: OncoSec Medical Inc (ONCS)
OncoSec Medical Incorporated, incorporated on February 8, 2008, is an emerging drug-medical device company. The Company focused on designing, developing and commercializing medical approaches for the treatment of solid cancers. In March 2011, the Company acquired from Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Inovio) certain assets related to the use of drug-medical device combination products for the treatment of different cancers.
The Company�� acquired assets relate to certain non-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine technology and property relating to selective tumor ablation technologies, which it refers to as the OncoSec Medical System (OMS), a therapy which uses an electroporation device to facilitate delivery of chemotherapy agents, or nucleic acids encoding cytokines, into tumors and/or surrounding tissue for the treatment and diagnosis of various cancers. As of January 24, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenue from operations.
Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Scancell Holdings PLC (SCLP)
Scancell Holdings PLC is a United Kingdom-based company. The Company�� principal activity of the consists of the discovery and development of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for the treatment of cancer. In April 2012, the Company completed recruitment to the Phase 1 clinical trial of SCIBI. In May 2012, the Company commenced recruitment and treatment of the first patient in the second part of it Phase 1/2 clinical trial of SCIBI. The Phase 2 part of the trial is conducted in five United Kingdom centers in Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, and Southampton. On August 15, 2012, the Company announced the development of a platform technology, Moditope.Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Scancell Holdings PLC (SCLP.L)
Scancell Holdings PLC is a United Kingdom-based company. The Company�� principal activity of the consists of the discovery and development of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for the treatment of cancer. In April 2012, the Company completed recruitment to the Phase 1 clinical trial of SCIBI. In May 2012, the Company commenced recruitment and treatment of the first patient in the second part of it Phase 1/2 clinical trial of SCIBI. The Phase 2 part of the trial is conducted in five United Kingdom centers in Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, and Southampton. On August 15, 2012, the Company announced the development of a platform technology, Moditope.
Best Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Telik Inc (TELK.PH)
Telik, Inc. (Telik), incorporated in 1988, is a clinical-stage drug development company focused on discovering and developing small molecule drugs to treat cancer. The Company discovers its product candidates using the Company�� drug discovery technology, Target-Related Affinity Profiling (TRAP). TELINTRA, its principal drug product candidate in clinical development, is a small molecule glutathione analog inhibitor of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GST P1-1). TELCYTA, its other product candidate, is a small molecule cancer drug product candidate designed to be activated in cancer cells.
Clinical Product Development
TELINTRA is the Company�� lead small molecule product candidate in clinical development for the treatment of blood disorders, including cancer. It has a mechanism of action and acts by inhibiting GST P1-1, an enzyme that is involved in the control of cellular growth and differentiation. Inhibition of GST P1-1 results in the activation of the signaling molecule Jun kinase, a regulator of the function of blood precursor cells. Preclinical tests show that TELINTRA is capable of causing the death or apoptosis of leukemic or malignant blood cells, while stimulating the growth and development of normal blood precursor cells. TELINTRA has been studied in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) using two formulations. A liposomal formulation was developed for intravenous administration of TELINTRA and was used in Phase I and Phase II studies in MDS patients. The results from the Phase II intravenous liposomal TELINTRA clinical trials demonstrated that TELINTRA treatment was associated with improvement in all three types of blood cell levels in patients with all types of MDS, including those in intermediate and high-risk groups. An oral dosage formulation (tablet) was subsequently developed and results from a Phase I study with TELINTRA tablets showed clinical activity and the formulation to be well tole rated. In June 2011, the Company initiated a Phase II clini! c! al trial to evaluate TELINTRA tablets. In October 2011, the Company initiated an additional Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate TELINTRA tablets. '
The activity and safety profile of tablet formulation allowed the Company to complete a Phase II trial of TELINTRA tablets in MDS. The primary objective of the Phase II TELINTRA tablet study was to determine the efficacy of TELINTRA. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify MDS disease prognostic factors associated with erythroid improvement response rates, including prior MDS treatment, age, gender, the international prognostic scoring system (IPSS), risk, Eastern Cooperative Group performance status, years from MDS diagnosis, MDS World Health Organization subtypes, anemia only versus anemia plus other cytopenias, dose schedule and starting dose. Results from this study show that TELINTRA is the first GSTP1-1 enzyme inhibitor shown to cause clinically reductions in red blood cell transf usions, including transfusion independence in low to intermediate-1 risk MDS patients, as well as improvement in platelet count and white blood cell levels in certain patients. TELINTRA, administered orally twice daily, appeared to be convenient and flexible for chronic treatment administration.
TELCYTA is a small molecule drug product candidate that the Company is developed for the treatment of cancer. TELCYTA binds to GST. TELCYTA has been evaluated in multiple Phase II and Phase III clinical trials, including trials using TELCYTA as monotherapy and in combination regimens in ovarian, non-small cell lung, breast and colorectal cancer. Results from these clinical trials indicate that TELCYTA monotherapy was generally well-tolerated, with mostly mild to moderate side effects, particularly when compared to the side effects and toxicities of standard chemotherapeutic drugs. When TELCYTA was evaluated in combination with standard chemotherapeutic drugs, the tolera bility of the combinations was similar to that expected! of e! ac! h drug ! alone.
Clinical activity including objective tumor responses and/or disease stabilization was reported in the TELCYTA Phase II trials; however, TELCYTA did not meet its primary endpoints in the Phase III studies. Positive results from a Phase I-IIa multicenter, dose-ranging study of TELCYTA in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, were published in a peer reviewed publication. Clinical data demonstrated positive results of TELCYTA in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in the treatment of first-line lung cancer followed by TELCYTA maintenance therapy. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had an on-going investigator-led study at a single site of TELCYTA in patients with refractory or relapsed mantle cell lymphoma, diffuse B cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Preclinical Drug Product Development
The Company has a small molecule compound, TLK60 404, in preclinical development that inhibits both Aurora kinase and VEGFR kinase. Aurora kinase is a signaling enzyme whose function is required for cancer cell division, while VEGF plays a key role in tumor blood vessel formation, ensuring an adequate supply of nutrients to support tumor growth. These lead compounds prevented tumor growth in preclinical models of human colon cancer and human leukemia by inhibiting both Aurora kinase and VEGFR kinase. A development drug product candidate, TLK60404, has been selected.
The Company, using its TRAP technology has discovered TLK60357, a novel, potent small molecule inhibitor of cell division. TLK60357 inhibits the formation of microtubules that are necessary for cancer cell growth leading to persistent G2/M cancer cell cycle block and subsequent cell death. This compound demonstrates potent broad-spectrum anticancer activity against a number of human cancer cells. This compound also displays oral efficacy in multipl e, standard preclinical models of cancer. TLK6059! 6, a pote! nt! VGFR kin! ase inhibitor, blocks the formation of new blood vessels in tumors. Oral administration of TLK60596 to animal models of human colon cancer reduced tumor growth.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
4 Stocks Within Range of Breakouts
DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.
Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."
Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.
With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.
Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain (IRM) is a global provider of information protection and storage services. This stock closed up 1% at $26.88 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 2.16 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 1.41 million
Volume % Change: 95%
From a technical perspective, IRM bounced modestly higher here right above some near-term support at $26 with above-average volume. This stock looks like it might have formed a double bottom chart pattern at $25.91 to $25.53, after shares plunged sharply back in May to late June from $39.32 to $25.91. Shares of IRM have now started to rebound off that $25.53 low with strong upside volume flows. That move is quickly pushing IRM within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if IRM manages to take out Monday's high of $26.94 and then once it clears its 50-day moving average at $27.40 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in IRM as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $26 or above that recent low of $25.53 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 1.41 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then IRM will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $28.54 to $29.08. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give IRM a chance to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from June that started at $34.
Marketo
Marketo (MKTO) provides a cloud-based marketing software platform that enables organizations to engage in modern relationship marketing. This stock closed up 2.7% at $35.36 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 649,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 261,206
Volume % Change: 167%
From a technical perspective, MKTO spiked notably higher here right above some near-term support levels at $34 to $33.31 with above-average volume. This stock has been trending sideways inside of a consolidation pattern for the last month and change, with shares moving between $33.31 on the downside and $39.80 on the upside. This move on Monday is starting to push shares of MKTO within range of triggering a big breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern. That breakout will hit if MKTO manages to take out some key near-term overhead resistance levels at $37.35 to $37.61 and then once it takes out its all-time high at $39.80 with high volume.
10 Best Blue Chip Stocks To Invest In 2014
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in MKTO as long as it's trending above support at $34 or at $33.31 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 261,206 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then MKTO will set up to enter new all-time-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $45 to $50.
Receptos
Receptos (RCPT) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing and commercializing therapeutics for immune disorders. This stock closed up 5% at $23.19 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 69,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 55,356
Volume % Change: 50%
From a technical perspective, RCPT ripped higher here right above some key near-term support at $21 with decent upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of RCPT within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if RCPT manages to take out its all-time high at $25 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in RCPT as long as it's trending above support at $21 and then once it sustains a move or close above its all-time high at $25 with volume that's near or above 55,356 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then RCPT will set up to enter new all-time-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $30 to $35.
Portola Pharmaceuticals
Portola Pharmaceuticals (PTLA) is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes novel therapeutics in the areas of thrombosis, other hematologic disorders and inflammation for patients who currently have limited or no approved treatment options. This stock closed up 3.3% at $27.03 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 130,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 109,412
Volume % Change: 65%
From a technical perspective, PTLA ripped higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $23.36 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of PTLA within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if PTLA manages to take out Monday's high of $27.19 to its 52-week high at $27.57 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PTLA as long as it's trending above some near-term support at $25 or above its 50-day at $23.36 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 109,412 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then PTLA will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $30 to $35.
To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.
-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
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Best Cheap Stocks To Buy For 2014
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Top Growth Companies To Watch In Right Now
CBS Corporation (CBS) further strengthened its ties with Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) by announcing the extension of its multiyear streaming video deal for select library content. However, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The move is a strategic fit for CBS as the company continues to benefit from its streaming deals, evident from the strong double-digit growth in streaming revenues during first-quarter 2013. Moreover, the company�� strategy of adding diverse revenue streams makes it less susceptible to economic woes.
CBS has entered into long-term streaming deals for CW content with Netflix and Hulu, which is expected to boost its operating results. Moreover, the company entered into a deal with Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) that extends the latter�� archive of television shows and films currently available on its streaming video site, Amazon Prime Instant Video. These measures facilitate CBS in monetizing its TV content.
Top Growth Companies To Watch In Right Now: CNO Financial Group Inc. (CNO)
CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, marketing, and administration of health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. The company markets and distributes Medicare supplement insurance, interest-sensitive and traditional life insurance, fixed annuities, and long-term care insurance products; Medicare advantage plans through a distribution arrangement with Humana Inc.; and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans through a distribution and reinsurance arrangement with Coventry Health Care. It also markets and distributes supplemental health, including specified disease, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance products; and life insurance to middle-income consumers at home and the worksite through independent marketing organizations and insurance agencies. In addition, the company markets primarily graded benefit and simplified issue life insurance products directly to customers through television advertising, direct mail, Internet, and telemarketing. It sells its products through career agents, independent producers, direct marketing, and sales managers. CNO Financial Group, Inc. has strategic alliances with Coventry and Humana. The company was formerly known as Conseco, Inc. and changed its name to CNO Financial Group, Inc. in May 2010. CNO Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.
Top Growth Companies To Watch In Right Now: Sara Lee Corporation(SLE)
Sara Lee Corporation engages in the manufacture and marketing of a range of branded packaged meat, bakery, and beverage products worldwide. Its packaged meat products include hot dogs and corn dogs, breakfast sausages, sandwiches and bowls, smoked and dinner sausages, premium deli and luncheon meats, bacon, beef, turkey, and cooked ham. It also offers frozen baked products, which comprise frozen pies, cakes, cheesecakes, pastries, and other desserts. In addition, Sara Lee provides roast, ground, and liquid coffee; cappuccinos; lattes; and hot and iced teas, as well as refrigerated dough products. The company sells its products under Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Jimmy Dean, Sara Lee, State Fair, Douwe Egberts, Senseo, Maison du Caf Advisors' Opinion:
- [By Carlson]
Director of Sara Lee Corp., James S Crown, bought 37,500 shares on 9/12/2011 at an average price of $17.5. Sara Lee Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name products for consumers throughout the world. Sara Lee Corp. has a market cap of $10.24 billion; its shares were traded at around $17.5 with a P/E ratio of 19.9 and P/S ratio of 1.2. The dividend yield of Sara Lee Corp. stocks is 2.7%.
On August 11, Sara Lee Corp. reported earnings for the fourth quarter 2011. The fourth quarter included an 8% increase in adjusted net sales from continuing operations to $2.3 billion; 9% reported net sales increase, 40% increase in adjusted operating income to $189 million; and reported operating income increase of 19%.
Last week, Director James S Crown bought 37,500 shares of SLE stock. Executive Chairman Jan Bennink bought 58,400 shares in August.
Top Bank Companies To Watch In Right Now: Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc.(EIHI)
Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides workers compensation insurance and reinsurance products in the United States. The company?s Workers Compensation Insurance segment provides traditional workers compensation insurance coverage products, including guaranteed cost policies, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively-rated policies, deductible policies, and alternative market products to employers. This segment distributes its workers? compensation products and services through its independent insurance agents primarily in Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, Maryland, Indiana, and Virginia. Its Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment offers alternative market workers compensation solutions comprising program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, segregated portfolio cell rental, asset management, and segregated portfolio management services to individual companies, groups, and associations. Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Top Growth Companies To Watch In Right Now: Waste Management Inc.(WM)
Waste Management, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides waste management services to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in North America. It offers collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services. The company also owns, develops, and operates waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. Its collection services involves in picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility, or disposal site; and recycling operations include collection and materials processing, plastics materials recycling, and commodities recycling. In addition, it provides recycling brokerage, which includes managing the marketing of recyclable materials for third parties; and electronic recycling services, such as collection, sorting, and disassembling of discarded computers, communications equipment, and other electronic equipment. Further, the company e ngages in renting and servicing portable restroom facilities to municipalities and commercial customers under the Port-o-Let name; and involves in landfill gas-to-energy operations comprising recovering and processing the methane gas produced naturally by landfills into a renewable energy source, as well as provides street and parking lot sweeping services. Additionally, it offers portable self-storage, fluorescent lamp recycling, and medical waste services for healthcare facilities, pharmacies, and individuals, as well as provides services on behalf of third parties to construct waste facilities. The company was formerly known as USA Waste Services, Inc. and changed its name to Waste Management, Inc. in 1998. Waste Management, Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is based in Houston, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jonas Elmerraji]
Investors think Waste Management (WM) is a garbage stock right now. Why else would WM's short interest ratio hover around 12.6? Of course, Waste Management is in fact a garbage stock of sorts -- it is the largest waste management service provider in the country. The firm boasts more than 270 landfills and a massive fleet of trash collection vehicles that spans the U.S.
When I think garbage firms, the first thing that comes to mind is dividends: WM and its peers historically have generous, recession-resistant dividend payouts. Currently, Waste Management's yield adds up to 3.36% annually. Don't forget, dividends are like kryptonite to short sellers.
WM's willingness to embrace innovation has big potential in the years ahead. Right now, the firm's portfolio includes 22 waste-to-energy plants that are designed to turn the waste that WM literally gets paid to collect into renewable energy that the firm gets paid for again. At this point, the firm's energy plants make up a very small part of its total business, but waste-to-energy projects and the recent acquisition of small oil service firms should look attractive to investors right now.
Earnings in two months look like the next big catalyst for a short squeeze in WM.
- [By Sam Collins]
Houston-based Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM) is the largest trash hauling/disposal company in the United States. This company is a model for steady growth with earnings increasing steadily over many years.?
S&P has a “four-star buy” on WM with a 12-month target of $42. WM pays an annual dividend of $1.36 for a yield of 3.7%.?
Technically, the stock is in a powerful bull channel with support at $36 and resistance at $39. Buy WM as a long-term growth opportunity.
- [By Tom Konrad]
The only household name in this year's list, Waste Management is coming back for an encore performance in 2013. WM is the North American leader in recycling and renewable biogas among waste and environmental services companies. The industry has been in a cyclical downturn, and WM's well-covered 4.2% dividend makes it a solid anchor for this portfolio of small and micro-cap clean energy stocks.
Top Growth Companies To Watch In Right Now: Crocs Inc.(CROX)
Crocs, Inc. and its subsidiaries engage in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and children. The company primarily offers casual and athletic shoes, and shoe charms. It also designs and sells a range of footwear and accessories that utilize its proprietary closed cell-resin, called Croslite. The company?s footwear products include boots, sandals, sneakers, mules, and flats. In addition, it provides footwear products for the hospital, restaurant, hotel, and hospitality markets, as well as general foot care and diabetic-needs markets. Further, the company offers leather and ethylene vinyl acetate based footwear, sandals, and printed apparels principally for the beach, adventure, and action sports markets; and accessories comprising snap-on charms. The company sells its products through the United States and international retailers and distributors, as well as directly to end-user consumers th rough its company-operated retail stores, outlets, kiosks, and Web stores primarily under the Crocs Work, Crocs Rx, Jibbitz, Ocean Minded, and YOU by Crocs brand names. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 164 retail kiosks located in malls and other high foot traffic areas; 138 retail stores; 76 outlet stores; and 46 Web stores. Crocs, Inc. operates in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company was formerly known as Western Brands, LLC and changed its name to Crocs, Inc. in January 2005. Crocs, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Niwot, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Paul]
They’re back! Two years ago everyone was convinced that Crocs (CROX: 23.33 0.00%) was just a fad, but their stock price exploded in 2010 gaining 206%. Revenues are expected to climb 20% this year and analysts are looking for 27% earnings growth in 2011. That type of growth could make Crocs a hot item again in 2011, especially if they can continue to top Wall Street’s estimates each quarter.
Top Growth Companies To Watch In Right Now: Intuitive Surgical Inc.(ISRG)
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets da Vinci surgical systems for various surgical procedures, including urologic, gynecologic, cardiothoracic, general, and head and neck surgeries. Its da Vinci surgical system consists of a surgeon?s console or consoles, a patient-side cart, a 3-D vision system, and proprietary ?wristed? instruments. The company?s da Vinci surgical system translates the surgeon?s natural hand movements on instrument controls at the console into corresponding micro-movements of instruments positioned inside the patient through small puncture incisions, or ports. It also manufactures a range of EndoWrist instruments, which incorporate wrist joints for natural dexterity for various surgical procedures. Its EndoWrist instruments consist of forceps, scissors, electrocautery, scalpels, and other surgical tools. In addition, it sells various vision and accessory products for use in conjunction with the da Vinci Surgical System as surgical procedures are performed. The company?s accessory products include sterile drapes used to ensure a sterile field during surgery; vision products, such as replacement 3-D stereo endoscopes, camera heads, light guides, and other items. It markets its products through sales representatives in the United States, and through sales representatives and distributors in international markets. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon] Intuitive Surgical is the maker of the da Vinci Surgical System, a breakthrough in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. It provides technology and procedural innovation across cardiac, thoracic, urology, gynecologic, colorectal, pediatric and general surgical disciplines and allows patients to recover in record time.
In the last year, this fast-growing company�� stock has surged 66% to $529.54. Its revenue over the last ten years has grown at a rate of 38%, and it grew 24.5% last year with 72.5% gross profit and 39.5% operating margin. The company expects fiscal 2012 revenue growth of 17-19%.
The da Vinci System is new technology first introduced to market in July 2000 after the US FDA approved it for laparoscopic surgery. Its new S model was released in April 2009. Already there are more than 1,933 systems installed in over 1,560 hospitals worldwide.
Apple Inc. (AAPL)
Apple Inc. is the maker of popular consumer products such as the Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Its stock has famously increased 569% over the past five years to hit a record of $600 per share last week. Apple has split its stock 2 for 1 three times in the past on June 15, 1987, June 21, 2000 and February 28, 2005. CEO Tim Cook said as recently as this morning that the company saw little reason to that a split would help the stock but if it was in the best interest of shareholder the company would have one. The company also announced this morning that it would initiate a $2.65 per share quarterly dividend and buy back up to $10 billion of its common stock.
In the last ten years, Apple�� annual growth rate for revenue was 34.5%, EBITDA 112.4% and book value 36.3%. Free cash flow increased 11% in the last five years and 58% in the last year. The rapidly growing company still has a relatively low P/E ratio of 16.68.
Google Inc. Cl A (GOOG)
Google Inc. is the search engine company founded in 1998 that has expanded to offer dozens of advertising and web services. Since going public i! n 2004, its stock has increased 485% to $633.98 per share on Monday. It has never had a stock split or paid a dividend.
Google has also grown rapidly. Its revenue per share over the last 10 years has increased at an annual rate of 52.3%, EBITDA at 51.9%, free cash flow at 64.8% and book value at 74.8%.Its P/E ratio is 20.
The company is also launching its 7-inch Nexus table in May to compete with Apple�� iPad and Amazon�� Kind Fire and is in the process of the biggest revamp of its Internet search formula in company history.
Google has an expressed long-term focus in its business, rather than quarter-to-quarter goals, as stated in its IPO letter which quotes Warren Buffett. The company�� higher stock price may help discourage frequent trading and encourage high-quality shareholders, as Buffett has mentioned in the past.
Priceline.com (PCLN)
Priceline.com Inc. is an online travel booking company that debuted on the Nasdaq in 1999. In the last five years its stock increased 1,248%. Priceline.com�� stock price cratered to under $10 after the dot-com bubble and driven it up to almost $1,000. In 2003 it announced a 1 for 6 reverse stock split.
"This reverse stock split enhances our position by expanding investor interest, reducing transaction costs for trading our stock, making our results more comparable to peer companies with far fewer outstanding shares, and allowing priceline.com's earnings per share on a post-split basis to more precisely reflect the Company's operating results," said priceline.com President and CEO Jeffery H. Boyd.
On Monday it had climbed to $696.93 per share and its financial results have been strong and growing once again. Revenue in 2011 was $4.4 billion from $3 billion in 2010, earnings increased to $1.1 billion from $528 billion and free cash flow increased to $1.3 billion from $755 million. The company also has over $2.7 billion in cash, $164 in long-term liabilities and no debt.
The stock has become expensive ! in the la! st several years and has a P/E of 30.3.
NVR Inc. (NVR)
NVR Inc. consists of two operating segments: homebuilding and mortgage banking. The homebuilding unit makes homes under the trade names Ryan Homes, NVHomes and Fox Ridge Homes, and NVR Mortgage primarily focuses on serving NVR homebuyers.
NVR�� is older than most of the other companies on the over-$500 share-price list, having gone public in 1993. Since then its stock price has increased 7,219% to $741 per share on Monday. It has never split its stock.
Seaboard Corp. (SEB)
Seaboard is also an older company founded more than 90 years ago and has focused on grain and agriculturally derived products. In the last 10 years its stock has appreciated 543%, and on Monday one share costs $1,955. It has never split its stock.
Seaboard is still a growing company. In the last ten years it increased revenue per share at an average rate of 12.5%, EBITDA at 9.8%, and book value at 18.2%. It also has a low P/E of 6.8, its lowest since about 2007.
Berkshire Hathaway-A (BRK.A)
Berkshire Hathaway is the multinational conglomerate founded by Warren Buffett and is the eighth largest company in the world. They are the highest priced shares on the New York Stock Exchange, partially due to never splitting their stock or paying a dividend. Rather, they reinvest corporate earnings to continue growth.
In the last 10 years, Berkshire Hathaway stock has increased 67%. On Monday, one share of BRK.A cost $122,115.
Berkshire management has grown book value at an annual rate of 20.3% for the last 44 years. Growth has been continuing in recent history. In the last 10 years, revenue per share increased at a rate of 11.4%, EBITDA at 7.5% and free cash flow at 3.3%. Its P/E is 17.1.
These stocks are not necessarily expensive or not expensive based on how much one share costs but are subject to the same va
Monday, September 9, 2013
Hot Financial Companies To Own In Right Now
In this segment of The Motley Fool's everything-financials show,�Where the Money Is, banking analysts Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson tell investors what to be on the lookout for when Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase report second-quarter earnings tomorrow morning.
Matt and David highlight a few concerns, but also, some sliver linings.
Gearing up for bank earnings season
Banks are set to begin reporting second-quarter earnings over the next few weeks. Many investors are terrified about investing in big banking stocks after the crash, but the sector has one notable stand-out. In a sea of mismanaged and dangerous peers, it rises above as "The Only Big Bank Built to Last." You can uncover the top pick that Warren Buffett loves in The Motley Fool's�new report. It's free, so�click here to access it now.
Hot Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: City National Corporation (CYN)
City National Corporation operates as the bank holding company for City National Bank that provides various banking, investing, and trust services to small to mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and affluent individuals. Its deposit products include demand and interest checking deposits, savings deposits, and money market accounts. The company�s loan portfolio comprises commercial loans, including lease financing; residential mortgage loans; commercial real estate mortgages; real estate construction loans; equity lines of credit; and installment loans. It also offers cash management, international banking, equipment financing, and other products and services. In addition, the company provides investment management, advisory, and brokerage services, including portfolio management, securities trading, and asset management; personal and business trust and investment services comprising employee benefit trust services, and 401(k) and defined benefit plans; and estate and financial planning, and custodial services. Further, it offers various asset classes and investment styles, including fixed-income instruments, mutual funds, domestic and international equities, and alternative investments, such as hedge funds. City National Corporation provides its services through 79 offices, including 16 full-service regional centers in Southern California; the San Francisco Bay area; Nevada; New York City; Nashville, Tennessee; and Atlanta, Georgia. The company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Hot Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: JUPITER FUND MANAGEMENT PLC ORD GBP0.02 WI(JUP.L)
Jupiter Fund Management Plc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm manages mutual funds, hedge funds, client focused portfolios, and multi-manager products for its clients. It invests in the public equity markets across U.K., Europe and global emerging markets. The firm also invests in fixed income markets, fund of funds products, hedge funds, and absolute return funds. Jupiter Fund Management Plc was founded in 1985 and is based in London, United Kingdom.
Best Growth Companies To Invest In 2014: Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF)
Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in the securities of companies operating across the diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in senior secured floating rate loans. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index. Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust was formed on October 30, 1998 and is domiciled in the United States.
Hot Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Old Second Bancorp Inc.(OSBC)
Old Second Bancorp, Inc. operates as a bank holding company for Old Second National Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services. It offers various consumer and commercial products and services, including demand, NOW, money market, savings, time deposit, individual retirement, and Keogh deposit accounts. The company also provides business loans comprising lines of credit for working capital and operational purposes; term loans for the acquisition of equipment; commercial and residential real estate loans; construction loans; and consumer loans, such as motor vehicle, home improvement, home equity, signature loans, and small personal credit lines. In addition, the company offers installment lending services comprising direct and indirect loans to consumers and commercial customers; and residential mortgages, which include conventional, government, and jumbo loans, as well as provides a range of trust, investment, agency, and custodial services for individual, c orporate, and not-for-profit clients. Further, it offers wealth management services; and additional services, such as the acquisition of the United States treasury notes and bonds, the sale of traveler?s checks, money orders, cashier?s checks and foreign currency, direct deposit, discount brokerage, debit and credit cards, and other special services. Additionally, the company provides electronic banking services that comprise Internet banking; and corporate cash management products consisting of remote deposit capture, investment sweep accounts, zero balance accounts, automated tax payments, ATM access, telephone banking, lockbox, automated clearing house transactions, account reconciliation, controlled disbursement, detail and general information reporting, wire transfers, vault services for currency and coin, and checking accounts. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 27 branches and 1 satellite facility in Illinois. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered i n Aurora, Illinois.
Hot Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Radian Group Inc.(RDN)
Radian Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a credit enhancement company in the United States. The company offers credit-related insurance coverage, primarily through private mortgage insurance, and risk management services to mortgage lending institutions. Its private mortgage insurance protects the holders of the company?s insurance from default-related losses on residential mortgage loans made generally to home buyers, as well as facilitates the sale of these mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market. The company primarily serves mortgage originators, such as mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions, and community banks. Radian Group Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Hot Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Brown & Brown Inc. (BRO)
Brown & Brown, Inc., a diversified insurance agency, engages in the marketing and sale of insurance products and services in the United States. Its Retail division provides insurance products and services to commercial, public and quasi-public entity, professional, and individual customers. This division offers property insurance relating to physical damage to property, and resultant interruption of business or extra expense caused by fire, windstorm, or other perils; casualty insurance relating to legal liabilities, workers� compensation, and commercial and private passenger automobile coverage; fidelity and surety bonds; group and individual life, accident, disability, health, hospitalization, medical, and dental insurance, as well as provides risk management and loss control surveys and analysis, and consultation services. The company�s National Programs division offers professional liability and related package insurance products for dentists, lawyers, accountants, o ptometrists, opticians, insurance agents, financial service representatives, benefit administrators, real estate brokers, real estate title agents, and escrow agents. This division also markets its products and services to specific industries, trade groups, public and quasi-public entities, and market niches through independent agents. The company�s Wholesale Brokerage division markets and sells excess and surplus commercial insurance products and services to retail insurance agencies; and reinsurance products and services to insurance companies. Its Services division offers insurance-related services, including third-party claims administration and comprehensive medical utilization management services for the workers� compensation and various liability arenas; medicare set-aside services; and social security disability and medicare benefits advocacy services. Brown & Brown, Inc. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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