The Labor Department is poised to take a closer look at whether investors are protected in company retirement plans that enable employees to go beyond the plan's menu to choose investments.
The department is scheduled to release a request for comment in April on so-called brokerage windows in 401(k) plans. The mechanisms provide a way for workers to select investment vehicles that are not offered offered in the plan.
In 2012, the DOL addressed concerns about brokerage windows in two Field Assistance Bulletins. But the answers to the frequently-asked-questions posed in the documents generated more questions in the financial industry.
Top 5 Supermarket Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Trans World Entertainment Corp.(TWMC)
Trans World Entertainment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of entertainment software products, including music, video, video games, and other related products through its retail stores and e-commerce sites in the United States. The company?s other related products include electronics, accessories, and trend items. As of January 29, 2011, it operated 376 mall-based stores under the For Your Entertainment (f.y.e.), Suncoast Motion Pictures, and Saturday Matinee brand names in regional shopping malls; 84 freestanding stores under the f.y.e. brand name; and 3 retail Websites, including fye.com, wherehouse.com, and secondspin.com. The company operates retail stores in the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Trans World Entertainment Corporation was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Albany, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tim Melvin]
The safe and cheap undervalued stocks will go right up, but your chances of being destroyed when the party is over are diminished. Stocks like Richardson Electronics (RELL) and Transworld Entertainment (TWMC) have the ability to go up as the market bubbles higher but their asset value will act as sort of a floor in a decline.
Top Net Payout Yield Companies To Invest In Right Now: H&R Block Inc. (HRB)
H&R Block, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides tax preparation, retail banking, and various business advisory and consulting services. It operates in three segments: Tax Services, Business Services, and Corporate. The Tax Services segment offers H&R Block At Home, an income tax preparation software, as well as a range of online tax services, including tax advice, professional and do-it-yourself tax return preparation, and electronic filing services through its Web site at hrblock.com primarily in the United States, Canada, and Australia. This segment also provides the H&R Block Prepaid Emerald MasterCard and Emerald Advance lines of credit through H&R Block Bank, as well as other retail banking services, including checking and savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, and certificates of deposit; and sells refund anticipation loans and refund anticipation checks offered by third-party lending institutions, as well as offers income tax return preparation course s to the public. The Business Services segment provides tax and consulting services, wealth management, and capital markets services to middle-market companies. The Corporate segment engages in various operations, which include interest income from the United States passive investments, interest expense on borrowings, net interest margin and gains or losses relating to mortgage loans held for investment, real estate owned, residual interests in securitizations and other corporate expenses principally related to finance, legal, and other support departments. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Myra P. Saefong , Sital S. Patel]
Shares of H&R Block Inc. (HRB) �rose more than 6%, with the tax preparation and banking services provider getting a boost ahead of the April 15 U.S. tax filing deadline.
- [By Jose Pagliery]
H&R Block (HRB) said it's still reviewing its computer systems but has "found no risk to client data." It isn't clear whether the H&R Block was ever vulnerable or if it was, then patched it. The tax preparer told CNN its websites weren't using the vulnerable version of OpenSSL, the program that encrypts sensitive information for security purposes.
Top Net Payout Yield Companies To Invest In Right Now: CardioNet Inc.(BEAT)
CardioNet, Inc. provides real-time ambulatory outpatient management solutions for monitoring clinical information regarding an individual's health to cardiologists and electro physiologists in the United States. The company focuses on the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias through its Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry (MCOT) system, and event and Holter monitors. Its MCOT system is a real-time arrhythmia monitoring solution that incorporates a patient-worn sensor attached to leads, which captures ECG data and communicates wirelessly with a compact monitor that analyzes incoming information by applying proprietary algorithms and automatically transmits the ECG data to the CardioNet Monitoring Center, where cardiac monitoring specialists analyze the sent data and report results in the manner prescribed by the physician. The company also provides event monitoring services by using event monitors to record and store up to 540 seconds of ECG signal; Holter monito ring services by using Holter monitors to record a continuous ECG signal for one to two days; and pacemaker monitoring services for the periodic monitoring and evaluation of pacemakers implanted on patients. In addition, it engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of medical devices and related software to medical companies, clinics, and hospitals. CardioNet, Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Small cap cardiac monitoring stock BioTelemetry Inc (NASDAQ: BEAT) has more than tripled in value since the start of the year���far outperforming large cap cardiac peers like Medtronic, Inc (NYSE: MDT) and St. Jude Medical, Inc (NYSE: STJ). We have also had BioTelemetry in our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio since June 12 and even we have not been late to the party as we are sitting on a 96.67% gain since then. But will the beat go on for investors and what about the performance of large caps Medtronic and St. Jude Medical?
- [By Bryan Murphy]
Look out Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), and step aside BioTelemetry Inc. (NASDAQ:BEAT). There's a new cardiac name in town, and its name is Stereotaxis Inc. (NASDAQ:STXS). This small company's stock is soaring today on the heels of encouraging news, though the prompt for the stock's strength has been brewing for quite some time. This nudge for STXS, however, may well mean it has a lot more potential than ISRG or BEAT do for the foreseeable future.
- [By Roberto Pedone]
Coming it at just above $10 is BioTelemetry (BEAT), which provides ambulatory, continuous, real-time outpatient management solutions for monitoring relevant and timely clinical information regarding an individual's health. This stock has been exploding to the upside in 2013, with shares up a whopping 342%.
If you take a look at the chart for BioTelemetry, you'll notice that this stock has been uptrending strong for the last four months, with shares moving higher from its low of $3.09 to its recent high of $10.90 a share. During that uptrend, shares of BEAT have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of BEAT within range of triggering a major breakout trade.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BEAT if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $10.63 to its 52-week high at $10.90 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 833,131 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then BEAT will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $13 to $15 a share.
Traders can look to buy BEAT off weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $9.52 to $8.94 a share, or just below its 50-day at $8.51 a share. One can also buy BEAT off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.
- [By John Udovich]
Formerly known as CardioNet, small cap�heart monitoring stock�BioTelemetry Inc (NASDAQ: BEAT) has been a big winner has racked up a 247.7% return since the start of the year. And while we were sort of�late to the party when we added it to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO)�back in June, we still have a respectable 59.38% return in the stocks. But is there reason to believe the beat will go on for investors, even those still not yet in on the returns?
Top Net Payout Yield Companies To Invest In Right Now: Apollo Residential Mortgage Inc (AMTG)
Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc. is a holding company, which conducts its business primarily through ARM Operating, LLC and its other operating subsidiaries. The Company is a residential real estate finance company that invests in residential mortgage assets in the United States. The Company invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae (Freddie Mac), or an agency of us the United Sates Government, such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, the Agencies, with RMBS being issued or guaranteed by the Agencies being referred to as Agency RMBS), whose underlying collateral includes fixed rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and interest-only and inverse interest-only securities (collectively, Agency Derivatives). The Company also invests in RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by the United Sates government Agency (non-Agency RMBS) and considers investing in residential mortgage loans and other residential mortgage assets. As of December 31, 2011, the Company held a diversified portfolio. The Company is externally managed and advised by ARM Manager, LLC.
The assets that the Company targets for investment: Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, residential mortgage loans and other residential mortgage assets. Agency RMBS includes primarily whole pool Agency RMBS, and Agency collateralized mortgage obligations. Non-Agency RMBS includes highly rated, as well as non-investment grade and unrated, tranches backed by Alt-A mortgage loans, subprime mortgage loans and prime mortgage loans. Residential mortgage loans includes prime mortgage loans, jumbo mortgage loans, Alt-A mortgage loans and subprime mortgage loans. Other residential mortgage assets consist of interest-only and principal-only Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS, inverse floating rate and floating rate securities, and other Agency and non-Agency RMBS derivative securities, as well as other financial assets, includi! ng common stock, preferred stock and debt of other real estate-related entities.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tim Melvin]
I sat down this morning and spent some time looking for cheap stocks that might do well regardless of market action in 2014. While bargains are scarce there are still a few to be found. One such bargain is mortgage REIT Apollo Residential Mortgage (AMTG). The stock is trading at less than 80% of quarter-end book value, and management also announced a $50 million share buyback at the same time. There may be some erosion of book value as they look to adopt more credit-sensitive portfolio policies, but I doubt it will be substantial.
Top Net Payout Yield Companies To Invest In Right Now: Liquidmetal Technologies Inc (LQMT)
Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. (Liquidmetal Technologies), incorporated in 1987, is materials technology company that develops and commercializes products made from amorphous alloys. The Company's Liquidmetal family of alloys consists of a variety of bulk alloys and composites that utilize the advantages offered by amorphous alloy technology. The Company designs develop and sell products and components from bulk amorphous alloys to customers in various industries. The Company also partners with third-party manufacturers and licensees to develop and commercialize Liquidmetal alloy products. The Company focused to commercializes its Liquidmetal alloys on three identified product areas, such as Components for Non-Consumer Electronic Products, Sporting Goods and Leisure Products and Medical Devices. On December 1, 2011, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with LMTK Holdings, Inc. (LMTK Holdings) to sell its former Korean subsidiary and manufacturing facility, Liquidmetal Technologies Korea (LMTK). Under the Share Purchase Agreement, the Company sold all of LMTK�� shares of common stock to LMTK Holdings.
The Company designs, develops and produces components for non-consumer electronic devices utilizing its bulk Liquidmetal alloys. The product categories in the non-consumer electronics field include, but are not limited to, parts for high end printers, commercial imaging devices, aerospace components, medical devices and industrial machines. The Company is also developing a variety of applications for Liquidmetal alloys in the sporting goods and leisure products area.
The Company develops a variety of applications for Liquidmetal alloys in the sporting goods and leisure products area. In the sporting goods industry the Company focuses on products that meet its design criteria. The Company has produced prototype rings made from an amorphous Liquidmetal platinum alloy that is harder, in the leisure products category. The Company emphasis on surgical instrument appl! ications for Liquidmetal alloys. These include, but are not limited to, specialized blades, orthopedic instruments utilized for implant surgery procedures, dental devices and general surgery devices
The Company is engaged in product development efforts relating to various medical devices that could be made from bulk Liquidmetal alloys. The properties of bulk Liquidmetal alloys provide a combination of performance that makes them a replacement to incumbent materials, such as stainless steel and titanium.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
While it may be melodramatic to say my following of Liquidmetal Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:LQMT) has been something of a 'saga', it wouldn't be unfair to say it's one of those small cap stocks that's had its fair share of twists and turns. Yours truly turned explicitly bullish on LQMT back on November 22nd, after the stock broke above a key falling resistance lines. Then, on January 14th, I made a point of saying the rally had run its course, and it was time to lock in your 47% gain on Liquidmetal Technologies and walk away... at least for a while.
- [By James E. Brumley]
Looking for a couple of near-term trades that have a decent shot at rallying even if the broad market feels like it might pull back? Then take a look at Liquidmetal Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:LQMT) and NanoTech Entertainment, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NTEK). Although both LQMT and NTEK will be dismissed by some traders simply because they're OTC-listed stocks, for those traders willing to look past the exchange and appreciate the opportunity, the risk-versus-reward ratio is actually quite compelling.
Top Net Payout Yield Companies To Invest In Right Now: CommunityOne Bancorp (COB)
CommunityOne Bancorp , formerly FNB United Corp., incorporated in 1984, is a bank holding company. The Company has two banking subsidiaries: CommunityOne Bank, N.A. (CommunityOne), a national banking association, and through Bank of Granite Corporation (Granite Corp.), Bank of Granite (Granite), a state-chartered bank headquartered in Granite Falls, North Carolina. As of December 31, 2011, CommunityOne had 45 branches, $843.9 million in loans and $1.4 billion in deposits. As of December 31, 2011, Granite had 18 branches, $373.9 million in loans and $688.5 million in deposits. Through its banking subsidiaries, it offers a line of consumer, mortgage and business banking services, including loan, deposit, cash management, investment management and trust services, to individual and business customers through operations located in Alamance, Alexander, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Chatham, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland, Watauga and Wilkes counties in North Carolina. On October 21, 2011, it acquired Granite Corp., through the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Gamma Merger Corporation, merging into Granite Corp, with Granite Corp. continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. On June 8, 2013, CommunityOne Bank, N.A., the principal bank subsidiary of FNB United Corp. announced that it had completed the merger of its sister bank, Bank of Granite, into CommunityOne.
Lending Activities
The Company's loan portfolio segments are commercial and agricultural, real estate - construction, real estate - mortgage, and consumer loans. The commercial and agricultural portfolio includes owner occupied and non-owner occupied. The real estate - construction portfolio includes retail properties, multi-family, industrial and warehouse, and other commercial real estate. The real estate - mortgage portfolio includes one-to four-family residential and commercial and othe! r. As of December 31, 2011, its total loan portfolio totaled $1.2 billion.
Investment Activities
The Company�� available-for-sale investment securities portfolio includes obligations of the United Sates treasury and government agencies, obligations of the United Sates government sponsored agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, residential mortgage-backed securities- (government-sponsored enterprise (GSE)), residential mortgage-backed securities-(Private), and corporate notes. As of December 31, 2011, it no longer had securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio.
Sources of Funds
Traditional deposit accounts are the primary source of funds for the Company. As of December 31, 2011, deposits totaled $2.1 billion, consisting of approximately $234.6 million of non-interest-bearing demand deposits, $349 million of interest-bearing demand deposits, $68 million of savings deposits, approximately $431.7 million of money market deposits, $112 million of brokered deposits, $538 million of time deposits less than $100,000, and $398 million of time deposits $100,000 or more. As of December 31, 2011, it had $8.8 million of total short-term borrowings. As of December 31, 2011, its long-term debt included $58 million of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and $56 million of junior subordinated debt. Funds are borrowed on an overnight basis through retail repurchase agreements with bank customers and federal funds purchased from other financial institutions. Retail repurchase agreement borrowings are collateralized by securities of the United Sates Treasury and the United Sates Government agencies and corporations. As of December 31, 2011, CommunityOne and Granite had no lines of credit at the Federal Reserve Bank. As of December 31, 2011, CommunityOne had an available line of credit of $80.5 million with the FHLB and Granite had no line of credit with the FHLB.
Subsidiary Activity
CommunityOne owns three subsidiari! es, which! include Dover Mortgage Company (Dover), First National Investor Services, Inc. and Premier Investment Services, Inc. (Premier). Dover ceased operations during the year ended December 31, 2011, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 15, 2012. First National Investor Services, Inc. holds deeds of trust for CommunityOne. Premier is inactive. Through Granite Corp., it also own Granite Mortgage, Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 15, 2012. FNB also owns FNB United Statutory Trust I, FNB United Statutory Trust II, and Catawba Valley Capital Trust II, which were formed to facilitate the issuance of trust preferred securities.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Namitha Jagadeesh]
Cobham Plc (COB) retreated 4.6 percent to 272.9 pence, the biggest drop in six months. A shareholder of the world�� largest maker of airborne-refueling kit is selling 39.1 million shares in the company, terms obtained by Bloomberg News show.
- [By Sofia Horta e Costa]
Cobham Plc (COB), the world�� largest maker of airborne refueling kits, tumbled 4.6 percent to 272.9 pence. An investor, who was not named, was sold 39.1 million shares at 273.5 pence to market price, according to terms obtained by Bloomberg News.
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