Top 10 Regional Bank Companies For 2014

Regional banker Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) on Monday received a big upgrade from analysts at Evercore Partners.

The firm lifted its rating on FITB from “Equal Weight” to “Overweight” while boosting its price target to $23. That new target suggests a 15% upside to the stock’s Friday closing price of $20.09.

Evercore analyst Andrew Marquardt commented, “We are upgrading shares of FITB to OW (from EW) based on above avg top line growth/profitability, expense flexibility, continued AQ leverage, and strong capital/deployment.” Accordingly, the firm also lifted its earnings estimates for the company through 2015.

Top 10 Beverage Companies To Buy For 2015: Triangle Energy(global)

Triangle Energy (Global) Limited engages in the exploration and production of gas primarily in Indonesia. The company holds a 100% working interest in the production sharing contract of the Pase Block consisting of 3 production wells covering an area of approximately 922 square kilometers located in Aceh province, north Sumatra, Indonesia. It also holds a 20% interest in Reid?s Dome gas field, which covers an area of 181 square kilometers located in the Bowen Basin, Queensland. The company is based in Cottesloe, Australia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Fiona MacDonald]

  ��eople are optimistic and believe the government will do something with the development plan,��Fouad Darwish, head of brokerage at Kuwait-based Global Investment House KSCC (GLOBAL), said by phone. ��he optimism is so strong that people even ignored the fact that many companies didn�� announce their results on time, which usually led to selling off.��

Top 10 Regional Bank Companies For 2014: Ultra Clean Holdings Inc.(UCTT)

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, engineering, manufacture, and sale of critical modules and subsystems primarily to original equipment manufacturers in semiconductor capital equipment, flat panel, medical, energy, and research industries. It offers gas delivery systems that control the flow, pressure, sequencing, and mixing of specialty gases into and out of the reaction chambers of semiconductor manufacturing tools; chemical mechanical planarization modules; chemical delivery modules, which deliver gases and reactive chemicals from a centralized subsystem to the reaction chamber; and top-plate assemblies that form the top portion of the reaction chamber. The company also provides frame assemblies that form the support structure to which other assemblies are attached and include pneumatic harnesses and cables that connect other critical subsystems together; process modules, which are subsystems of semiconductor manufacturing tools that process integrated circuits onto wafers; and other high level assemblies for use in semiconductor manufacturing, research, flat panel, energy, and medical equipment industries. It sells its products through its direct sales force primarily in North America, Asia, and Europe. Ultra Clean Holding, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Hayward, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Kell]

  Ultra Clean Holdings Inc.(UCTT) swung to a fourth-quarter profit as the company recorded a surge in revenue. The company also issued a rosy first-quarter outlook, pushing shares up 17% to $13.94 premarket.

Top 10 Regional Bank Companies For 2014: Triangle Capital Corporation (TCAP)

Triangle Capital Corporation is a private equity and venture capital firm specializing in leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, ESOPs, change of control transactions, acquisition financings, growth financing, and recapitalizations in lower middle market companies. The firm prefers to make investments in many business sectors including manufacturing, distribution, transportation, energy, communications, health services, restaurants, media, and others. It primarily invests in companies located throughout the United States, with an emphasis on the Southeast and Midatlantic. The firm typically invests between $5 million and $20 million per transaction, in companies having annual revenues between $10 million and $200 million and an EBITDA between $3 million and $20 million and can also co-invest. It primarily invests in senior subordinated debt securities secured by second lien security interests in portfolio company assets, coupled with equity interests. The firm also invests in senior debt securities secured by first lien security interests in portfolio companies. Triangle Capital Corporation was founded in 2002 and is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Helix Investment Research]

  Much has been made over Keating Capital's fee structure, and suggestions that company executives are using it as a "personal ATM" to funnel shareholder money to Keating Investments, Keating Capital's investment adviser (Keating Capital is an externally managed business development company). However, Keating's fees are not exorbitant, at least in comparison to the industry average. Per data sourced from Triangle Capital (TCAP), the average externally managed BDC has a management fee of 1.75%-2% of gross assets, and an incentive fee of 20%. Keating Capital's fee structure includes a 2% management fee, and a 20% incentive fee, in line with the industry average. The formula below represents Keating Capital's incentive fee:

• [By BDC Buzz]

  FDUS is one of the few BDCs to consistently grow its NAV on a quarterly basis over the last two years. This is because most BDCs are regulated investment companies ("RIC") required to distribute at least 90% of capital gains, dividends and interest to shareholders to avoid taxation at the corporate level and 98% of net investment income to avoid paying a 4% excise tax. Excluding American Capital (ACAS) which converted from a RIC to a Subchapter C and does not pay a dividend, only a few BDCs have been able to pay a healthy dividend while increasing value per share - as discussed in "Triangle Capital: Is It Priced For Total Return?" including Main Street Capital (MAIN) and Triangle Capital (TCAP).

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Triangle Capital (NYSE: TCAP  ) is continuing to set aside money to return to shareholders. The company has declared its latest quarterly dividend, which is to be $0.54 per share paid on June 26 to shareholders of record as of June 12. That amount matches the firm's previous distribution, which was paid in late March. Prior to that, it handed out $0.53 per share.

Top 10 Regional Bank Companies For 2014: Bruker Corporation(BRKR)

Bruker Corporation designs, manufactures, services, and sells proprietary life science and materials research systems worldwide. The company?s Scientific Instruments segment offers advanced instrumentation and automated solutions based on magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, X-ray, spark-optical emission spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, stylus and optical metrology, and infrared and Raman molecular spectroscopy technologies. This segment serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and molecular diagnostic companies; academic institutions, medical schools, and other non-profit organizations; clinical microbiology laboratories; government departments and agencies; nanotechnology, semiconductor, chemical, cement, metals, and petroleum companies; and food, beverage, and agricultural analysis companies and laboratories. Its Energy & Supercon Technologies segment provides superconducting materials, including metallic low temperature superconductors for use in magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance, fusion energy research, and other applications; and ceramic high temperature superconductors primarily for fusion energy research applications, as well as non-superconducting Cuponal materials and wires based on co-extruded copper and aluminum, and non-superconducting high technology tools. Its customers include companies in the medical industry; private and public research and development laboratories in the fields of fundamental and applied sciences, and energy research; academic institutions; and government agencies. This segment is also involved in the development of superconductors and superconducting-enabled devices for applications in power and energy, as well as industrial processing industries. The company markets its products through direct sales force; and distributors, independent sales representatives, and other representatives. Bruker Corporation was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Billerica, M assachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Bruker (NASDAQ: BRKR) was down, falling 8.85 percent to $18.65 on Q3 results.

  Commodities
  In commodity news, oil traded down 0.93 percent to $95.48, while gold traded down 0.62 percent to $1,315.50.

• [By Charley Blaine]

  Scientific-instrument maker Bruker (NASDAQ: BRKR) was down, falling 6.18 percent to $19.19 on Q3 results.

  Commodities
  In commodity news, oil traded down 1.84 percent to $94.61. It was crude's lowest settlement since June 21. Crude had been up as much as 20.4 percent for the year; that's been trimmed to 3.4 percent. Gold settled down 0.8 percent to $1,313.20.

Top 10 Regional Bank Companies For 2014: Aon Corporation(AON)

Aon Corporation provides risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resource consulting and outsourcing services primarily in the United States, the Americas, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company?s Risk Solutions segment offers retail brokerage products and services, including affinity products, general underwriting management services, placement services, and captive management services; and advisory services to technology, financial services, agribusiness, aviation, construction, health care, and energy industries, as well as facilitates various risk management solutions for property liability, general liability, professional liability, directors' and officers' liability, workers' compensation, and various healthcare products. This segment also provides risk consulting services comprising captive management; eSolutions products that enable clients to manage risks, policies, claims, and safet y concerns through an integrated technology platform; reinsurance brokerage services, such as actuarial, enterprise risk management, catastrophe management, and rating agency advisory services; property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines, which include professional liability, medical malpractice, accident, life, and health, as well as capital management transaction and advisory services. Its HR Solutions segment offers human capital services in the areas of health and benefits, retirement, compensation, and strategic human capital; and benefits administration and human resource business process outsourcing services. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Risk manager�Aon� (NYSE: AON  ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.175 per share, the same rate it paid last quarter after raising the payout 11%, from $0.1575 per share.

• [By Keith Speights]

  AON Hewitt, the human resources business unit of AON (NYSE: AON  ) , successfully enrolled more than 100,000 employees across the U.S. in health insurance plans last fall through its Corporate Health Exchange product. The company's survey of enrollees found that nearly 80% "felt confident they chose the health plan that offered the best value for them and their family." 93% liked being able to choose from multiple insurance carriers.

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  For the YTD, Aon (AON), the world's largest insurance broker and a leading benefits management firm, was among the Fund's largest contributors as the company's lower tax rate and increasing cash flow helped drive a 35% return. Higher interest rates will increase fiduciary income and help close the gap in the underfunded pension. Although nascent, Aon's healthcare exchange for corporate employees is gaining critical mass, most recently adding Walgreen Co in the third quarter. We applaud Greg Case and his team for their customer- focused, shareholder-oriented leadership.

Top 10 Regional Bank Companies For 2014: OMNOVA Solutions Inc.(OMN)

OMNOVA Solutions Inc. provides emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for commercial, industrial, and residential end uses primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company operates in two segments, Performance Chemicals and Decorative Products. The Performance Chemicals segment offers a range of emulsion polymers and specialty chemicals based primarily on styrene butadiene, styrene butadiene acrylonitrile, styrene butadiene vinyl pyridine, nitrile butadiene, polyvinyl acetate, acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic, glyoxal, phenolic and diphenylamine antioxidants, hollow plastic pigment, fluorochemicals, and bio-based chemistries. Its custom-formulated products include tailored resins, binders, adhesives, specialty rubbers, antioxidants, and elastomeric modifiers, which are used in paper, specialty coatings, carpets, nonwovens, construction, oil/gas drilling, adhesives, tapes, tire cords, floor care, textiles, graphic arts , polymer stabilization, industrial rubbers and hoses, bio-based polymers, and various other applications. This segment primarily sells its products directly to manufacturers. The Decorative Products segment develops, designs, produces, and markets a line of functional and decorative surfacing products, including coated fabrics, vinyl, paper and specialty laminates, and performance films. Its products are used in various applications, such as commercial building refurbishment, remodeling, and new construction; residential cabinets, flooring, and furnishings; retail display; transportation markets; recreational vehicles; manufactured housing; medical devices and products; and various industrial film applications. This segment distributes its products primarily through a direct sales force; and agents to manufacturers of cabinets, furniture, seating, health care and medical components, and other products. OMNOVA Solutions Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Fairla wn, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Chemical reaction
  The disappointments are starting to mount for investors in OMNOVA Solutions (NYSE: OMN  ) , an emulsion polymer and specialty chemicals maker that has missed the Street's estimates in worsening fashion for three straight quarters. Its first-quarter results, released earlier this month, showed a 9% decline in total revenue from the year-ago period because of lower volumes in Europe and India, and business seasonality. However, optimistic contentions could also be made based on this same earnings report.

Top 10 Regional Bank Companies For 2014: Microsoft Corporation(MSFT)

Microsoft Corporation develops, licenses, and supports a range of software products and services for various computing devices worldwide. The company?s Windows & Windows Live Division segment offers PC operating system that primarily includes Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems; Windows live suite of applications and Web services; and Microsoft PC hardware products. Its Microsoft?s Server and Tools segment provides Windows Server operating systems, Windows Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Azure, Windows Intune, Windows Embedded, Visual Studio, Silverlight, system center products, Microsoft consulting services, and product support services. This segment also offers enterprise consulting services; and training and certification to developers and information technology professionals, as well as builds standalone and software development lifecycle tools for software architects, developers, testers, and project managers. The company?s Online Services Division segment provides online information and content through Bing, MSN portals, and adCenter, as well as Atlas online tools for advertisers. Its Microsoft Business Division segment offers Microsoft office; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft SharePoint; Microsoft Lync; Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM; and Microsoft Office Web Apps, as well as office 365, an online service, offering Microsoft Office, Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync. The company?s Entertainment and Devices Division segment provides Xbox 360 entertainment platform, which includes the Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment console, Kinect for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 video games, Xbox LIVE, and Xbox 360 accessories; Mediaroom, an Internet protocol television software; and Windows Phone that provide Microsoft Office and Xbox LIVE functionality. It markets and distributes its products and services through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as through online. Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is headquartered i n Redmond, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alex Planes]

  At this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced iWork for iCloud, a direct competitive volley against Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) and (to a lesser extent) Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) in cloud-based productivity software. Chipping away at Microsoft's long-standing dominance with Office would go a long way toward eliminating the Windows-maker as a significant competitive threat in the mobile world. More recently, Apple partnered with Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX  ) HBO GO and Disney's (NYSE: DIS  ) WatchESPN to allow its TV set-top box users access to more diverse on-demand content. Even though Apple has come under significant pressure as the mobile space saturates, its shares are still worth looking into at today's prices.

• [By Chris Neiger]

  The smart watch rumors got a little more fuel on the fire today with reports that Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) has a prototype smart watch in the works. It's not surprising that the company would want to work on such a device -- considering that everyone in the tech world seems to be doing it -- but could such a device distract Microsoft from its other products?