October 23, 2013: U.S. markets opened lower Wednesday morning as U.S. investors followed their international counterparts in worrying about a possible tightening of China�� monetary policy. China�� banks were also reported to have tripled their bad debt write-offs. Mortgage applications fell slightly last week and crude oil prices are falling and inventories are rising.
European, Asian, and Latin American all closed lower today.
Thursday�� calendar includes the following scheduled data releases and events (all times Eastern).
8:30 a.m. – International trade 8:30 a.m. – New claims for unemployment benefits 8:58 a.m. – Flash PMI manufacturing index 10:00 a.m. – Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) 10:30 a.m. – EIA weekly natural gas storage report 11:00 a.m. – Kansas City Fed manufacturing index 1:00 p.m. – 30-year TIPS auction 4:30 p.m. – Fed balance sheet and money supplyHere are the closing bell levels for Wednesday:
Best Canadian Companies For 2015: Laclede Group Inc (LG)
The Laclede Group, Inc. (Laclede Group), incorporated on October 18, 2000, is a utility holding company. The Company operates in two segments: Regulated Gas Utility and Gas Marketing. The Gas Utility segment includes the regulated operations of Laclede Gas Company (Laclede Gas or the Utility), Laclede Group's subsidiary and core business unit. Laclede Gas is a public utility engaged in the retail distribution and sale of natural gas. Laclede Gas is the natural gas distribution utility in Missouri, serving more than 1.13 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The Gas Marketing segment includes Laclede Energy Resources, Inc. (LER), a wholly owned subsidiary is engaged in the marketing of natural gas and related activities on a non-regulated basis. Effective September1, 2013, Laclede Group Inc through its newly formed subsidiary acquired Missouri Gas Energy, a provider of natural gas distribution services.
Gas Utility
The Utility focuses its gas supply portfolio around a number of natural gas suppliers with equity ownership or control of assets strategically situated to complement its regionally diverse firm transportation arrangements. During fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 (fiscal 2013), the Utility purchased natural gas from 35 different suppliers to meet current gas sales and storage injection requirements. Natural gas purchased by the Laclede Gas for delivery to its service area through the Enable Mississippi River Transmission LLC (MRT) system totaled 55.0 billion cubic feet (Bcf). Laclede Gase also holds firm transportation on several other interstate pipeline systems that provide access to gas supplies upstream of MRT. In addition to deliveries from MRT, 8.6 Bcf of gas was purchased on MO Gas, 13.4 Bcf on the Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. (Southern Star Central), 0.03 Bcf on the Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company system, and 0.1 BCF on the Postrock system. Some of the Utility�� commercial and industrial customers purchased their own! gas with the Utility transporting 17.0 Bcf to them through the Utility�� distribution system.
The Utility has a contractual right to store 23.1 Bcf of gas in MRT�� storage facility located in Unionville, Louisiana, 16.3 Bcf of gas storage in Southern Star Central system storage facilities located in Kansas and Oklahoma, and 1.4 Bcf of firm storage on Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company�� system storage. In addition, the Utility supplements flowing pipeline gas with natural gas withdrawn from its own underground storage field located in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties in Missouri.
Gas Marketing
LER is engaged in the marketing of natural gas and providing energy services to both on-system utility transportation customers and customers outside of the Utility�� traditional service area. During fiscal year 2013, LER utilized 12 interstate pipelines and 93 suppliers to market natural gas to its customers primarily in the Midwest. LER served more than 205 retail customers and 100 wholesale customers. Through its retail operations, LER offers natural gas marketing services to large industrial customers, while its wholesale business consists of buying and selling natural gas to other marketers, producers, utilities, power generators, pipelines, and municipalities. LER also serves power plants that use natural gas to generate electricity.
OTHER
Laclede Pipeline Company, a wholly owned subsidiary, operates a propane pipeline under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) jurisdiction. This pipeline connects the propane storage and vaporization facilities of the Utility to third-party propane supply terminal facilities located in Illinois, which allows the Utility to receive propane that is vaporized to supplement its natural gas supply and meet peak demands on its distribution system. Laclede Pipeline Company also provides transportation services to third parties. Other also includes Laclede Group�� subsidiaries that are engaged in,! among ot! her activities, oil production, real estate development, compression of natural gas, and financial investments in other enterprises. These operations are conducted through seven subsidiaries.
The Other category also includes the Utility�� non-regulated propane services business which involves providing propane-related services and storage to third parties and its affiliate, Laclede Pipeline Company. Beginning July 1, 2013, propane-related services are included within Gas Utility operations pursuant to the Utility's new rate case.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Earnings Releases Expected:�Nuance Communications, New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE: NJR), Laclede Group, Inc. (NYSE: LG)
Economic Releases Expected:�U.S. pending home sales, Italian trade balance, Swiss employment level
- [By IBTimes]
Getty Images Not all smartphones that receive high ratings from expert reviewers end up being popular, according to an analysis of ratings data from FindTheBest. The report analyzed the ratings that expert reviewers gave smartphone models and compared them to consumers' ratings of the same. It found that some phones that get very high ratings from expert reviewers don't get the same glowing reviews from users. For example, expert reviewers thought the Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II was a fantastic phone. It received a rating of 88 out of 100 on FindTheBest, a website that aggregates and analyzes ratings from tech review sites. However, smartphone users gave the phone a rating of 2.5 out of 5. The reverse held true in some cases. Although expert reviewers gave the LG Optimus Elite (LG) a low rating -- 48 out of 100 -- the same phone got an average rating of 4 out of 5 from users. Here's a scatterplot of a variety of smartphones, as rated by both expert ("smart") reviewers and users: (Click on the chart to view a larger version.)
- [By Ahmed A. Namatalla]
Egypt�� biggest publicly traded company agreed to pay about 7 billion Egyptian pounds ($1 billion) over five years to settle the tax dispute on the sale of its cement unit to Lafarge SA (LG) in 2007, Amsterdam-based parent OCI NV said yesterday. The payments will start in May and end in 2017. OCI NV shares had the biggest increase since the company�� Dutch public offering in January.
Top 10 Asian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Barclays PLC(BCS)
Barclays PLC provides various financial products and services in Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia. It offers retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. The company?s products include current account and savings products, Woolwich branded mortgages, unsecured loans, protection products, general insurance, credit cards, Sharia-compliant products, installment finance and commercial property finance, commercial loans, and personal loans. It also offers money transmission, international and private banking, investment management, fiduciary, and brokerage services, as well as payment solutions and mobile banking services. In addition, the company provides fixed income, currency and commodities, foreign exchange, emerging markets, money markets, and credit services; equities, which include cash and equity derivatives and prime services; investment banking products and services that comprise fi nancial advisory, and equity and debt underwriting; and advisory services. It serves individual, commercial, corporate, institutional, retail, and mass affluent customers. The company was formerly known as Barclays Bank Limited and changed its name to Barclays PLC in January 1985. Barclays PLC was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roland Head]
Today, I'm going to take a look at the PE10 for the U.K.'s third-largest bank,�Barclays� (LSE: BARC ) (NYSE: BCS ) .
Is Barclays a buy?
Barclays shares have risen by 79% over the last year. Are they now fully priced, or is there still more to come? - [By Michael Burnick, Director of Research and Client Communications, Weiss Capital Management, Inc.]
Most at risk are the money-center banks that are primary dealers with the Federal Reserve. Those include not only the big four, but also Goldman Sachs (GS) and even foreign banks like Barclays (BCS) and UBS (UBS).
Top 10 Asian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Inca Minerals Ltd (ICG)
Inca Minerals Limited, formerly Condor Metals Limited, is an Australia-based exploration company. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 (fiscal 2011), the Company's principal activities were conducting exploration and evaluation work on its existing tenements, as well as seeking out additional tenements. It focuses on nickel, iron, manganese and base metals exploration in Australia. During fiscal 2011, it concentrated on the Kallona iron and manganese prospect in the East Pilbar, where the first drilling was commenced in June 2011. Results received confirmed the presence of manganese, along with consistent iron intersections. The Company also continued to explore on the Dingo Range tenements south east of Wiluna. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Fede Zaldua]
For its third quarter, Citi reported net earnings of $3.2 billion or Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $1, which was just below consensus expectations of $1.02 per share. The bank explained its poor performance through lower than expected earnings at the Institutional Clients Group (ICG) division (mainly trading activities in equities, commodities and fixed income) but also lower Consumer Banking revenues on weaker mortgage results. Its extremely relevant to stress that third quarter ICG and mortgage related results came weaker than expected at most banking institutions, including JP Morgan (JPM) and almighty Goldman Sachs (GS). On my opinion, much more relevant metrics (because they can be more directly affected by management's decisions) such as those metrics related to expenses and credit quality came in line with expectations.
Top 10 Asian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Transocean Inc.(RIG)
Transocean Ltd. provides offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells worldwide. It offers deepwater and harsh environment drilling, oil and gas drilling management, and drilling engineering and drilling project management services. The company also offers well and logistics services. In addition, it engages in oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities primarily in the United States offshore Louisiana and Texas, and in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea. As of February 10, 2011, the company owned, had partial ownership interests in, and operated 138 mobile offshore drilling units, including 47 high-specification floaters, 25 midwater floaters, 9 high-specification jackups, 54 standard jackups, and 3 other rigs, as well as 1 ultra-deepwater floater and 3 high-specification jackups under construction. Transocean Ltd. was founded in 1953 and is based in Zug, Switzerland.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Chris Hill]
In this segment, Jason and Taylor tell investors why they'll be watching shares of Transocean (NYSE: RIG ) , Ensco (NYSE: ESV ) and McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) this week.
Top 10 Asian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Home Properties Inc. (HME)
Home Properties, Inc. is an independent real estate investment trust. The firm invests in the real estate markets of the United States. It is engaged in the ownership, management, acquisition, rehabilitation and development of residential apartment communities. The firm also invests in townhomes and offices. Home Properties, Inc. was founded in November 1993 and is based in Rochester, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Marc Bastow]
Apartment community real estate investment trust (REIT) Home Properties (HME) raised its quarterly dividend 4.3% to 73 cents per share, payable on Feb. 25 to shareholders of record as of February 13. At a 5% yield, HME is the highest yielder of this week’s list of dividend stocks increasing payouts.
HME Dividend Yield: 5.00%
Top 10 Asian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Apogee Enterprises Inc.(APOG)
Apogee Enterprises, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design and development of glass products, services, and systems. The company operates through two segments, Architectural Products and Services, and Large-Scale Optical Technologies. The Architectural Products and Services segment designs, engineers, fabricates, installs, maintains, and renovates the walls of glass, windows, storefront, and entrances comprising the outside skin of commercial and institutional buildings. This segment involves in the fabrication of coated and high-performance architectural glass; installation and renovation of full-service building glass; manufacture of aluminum window systems and curtain walls; painting and anodizing finishing of architectural aluminum and PVC shutters; and fabrication of aluminum storefront, entrance, and curtain wall products. Its architectural glass products and services are primarily used in commercial buildings, such as office towers, hotels, and retail centers; institutional buildings comprising education facilities and dormitories, health care facilities, and government buildings; and high-end condominiums. This segment markets its products through direct sales, and distribution and independent sales representatives to architects, building owners, general contractors, and glazing subcontractors in the commercial construction market. The Large-Scale Optical Technologies segment manufactures glass and acrylic products for the custom picture framing market. This segment distributes its products through independent distributors and mass merchandisers, as well as directly to museums, and public and private galleries. The company offers its products primarily in North America and Europe. Apogee Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of glass-product maker Apogee Enterprises (NASDAQ: APOG ) fell 10% today after releasing fiscal fourth quarter earnings.
So what: Revenue increased 7%, to $179.7 million, which was in-line with expectations. Net income jumped 48%, to $4.4 million, or $0.15 per share, but that fell $0.02 short of estimates, and that's why the stock is down today. For fiscal 2014, the company expects to earn $0.90 to $1.00 per share from continuing operations, which compares to the $0.97 estimate. �
- [By Rick Munarriz]
I went out on a limb last week, and now it's time to see how that decision played out.
I predicted that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL ) would close higher on the week. The consumer-tech giant was approaching new lows, and it seemed as if the fears of its demise and hype over recently introduced smartphones were overblown. Apple shares benefited from a bullish week of trading, climbing 1.6% on the week. I was right. I predicted that the tech-heavy Nasdaq would outperform the Dow Jones Industrial Average. (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) . This has been a tricky call lately, so how did it play out this time? Well, the market rallied in a major way this week, with secondary stocks leading the way. The Nasdaq soared 2.8% on the week. The Dow managed to close just 2.1% higher. I was right. My final call was for Apogee (NASDAQ: APOG ) to beat Wall Street's quarterly profit target. The maker of value-added glass products for the architectural and picture framing industries has been beating Wall Street estimates consistently over the past year. Why should that end? Analysts were looking for a profit of $0.17 a share during the quarter, and it came through with net income of $0.15. I was wrong.Two out of three? I can do better than that. Let me once again whip out my trusty, dusty, and occasionally accurate crystal ball to make three calls that may play out over the next few trading days.
- [By Rich Smith]
I won't deny it: I've been a longtime fan of glassmaker Apogee Enterprises (NASDAQ: APOG ) . Years ago, when the company decided to forgo some revenue by exiting the market for automotive windshields and focus instead on making higher-margin glass for building windows and picture framing, I thought that was the right call.
Top 10 Asian Stocks To Buy For 2014: Landec Corporation(LNDC)
Landec Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells polymer products for food and agricultural products, medical devices products, and licensed partner applications incorporating its patented polymer technologies. It has two polymer technology platforms that include Intelimer polymers, a proprietary class of crystalline, hydrophobic polymers, which respond to temperature changes in a controllable, predictable way; and Hyaluronan Biopolymer, a non-crystalline, hydrophilic polymer that exists naturally within the human body. The company?s Food Products Technology segment markets and packs produced and specialty packaged whole and fresh-cut vegetables utilizing the proprietary BreatheWay specialty packaging technology for the retail grocery, club store, and food services industry. This segment also sells BreatheWay packaging to partners for non-vegetable products. Its Food Export segment purchases and sells primarily whole commodity fruit and vegetable products to Asian markets. The company?s Hyaluronan-based Biomaterials segment sells products utilizing hyaluronan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is primarily distributed in the extracellar matrix of connective tissues in both animals and humans for medical use primarily in the ophthalmic, orthopedic, and veterinary markets. It also supplies hyaluronan to customers pursuing other medical applications, such as aesthetic surgery, medical device coatings, tissue engineering, and pharmaceuticals. Its Technology Licensing segment licenses Intellicoat, a proprietary seed coating technology to the farming industry; and Intelimer polymers for personal care products and other industrial products. The company sells its products in the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Belgium, Indonesia, China, and Japan. Landec Corporation was founded in 1986 and is based in Menlo Park, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Kell var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(func]
Landec Corp.(LNDC) said its fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 34% as its food business reported higher revenue.
Lindsay Corp.(LNN) said fiscal second-quarter revenue and earnings fell as the company’s irrigation business remains mired in a sales slump. The company’s results underperformed Wall Street expectations.
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Thursday
Earnings Expected From: Landec Corporation (NASDAQ: LNDC), Resources Connection, Inc. (NASDAQ: RECN) Economic Releases Expected: Indian manufacturing PMI, Spanish manufacturing PMI, Hong Kong retail sales, Italian manufacturing PMI, French manufacturing PMI, German manufacturing PMI, eurozone manufacturing PMI, US manufacturing PMI, Canadian manufacturing PMI, US manufacturing PMIFriday
- [By Lauren Pollock]
Landec Corp.'s(LNDC) fiscal first-quarter profit grew 8.8% as the food-packaging maker reported higher revenue due to strong demand for vegetables. Margins, however, fell due to an increase in lower-margin food service sales and higher-than-expected raw produce costs.
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