Research Affiliates is best known for its fundamental indexing strategies that seek to capture inherent value that capitalization-based indexes based on market price overlook.
It is therefore something of a surprise to see in the August newsletter of Research Affiliates, the Newport Beach-based firm founded by Rob Arnott, a not entirely negative evaluation of momentum-based investing, which is, after all, a strategy that is opposite to value investing (on which fundamental indexing is based).
The article, “Hot Potato: Momentum as an Investment Strategy,” by Research Affiliates Vice President Ryan Larson, describes momentum as a “lively game of hot potato—buying rapidly appreciating stocks, holding them for a relatively short period, and selling them before their price trends reverse direction.”
Larson reviews evidence for momentum and cites studies showing it can have superlative results in favorable conditions. For example, he cites the first comprehensive study of the subject in 1993, which found momentum to be the best-performing strategy from 1965 to 1989. In that period, that entailed buying stocks that outperformed the previous 12 months while shorting losers and holding those positions for the subsequent three months.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: 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 Reuters]
Wendy Maeda/The Boston Globe via Getty Images NEW YORK -- Walgreen is moving 120,000 employees to a private health insurance exchange from coverage provided directly from carriers, the company will announce Wednesday. The pharmacy chain will join 17 other large employers on the Aon Hewitt Corporate Health Exchange as part of a growing movement to offer employees fixed dollar amounts to purchase their own plans on such exchanges. The end-cost to employees depends on the plan chosen, but they typically get more options than under traditional arrangements. Private exchanges mimic the coverage mandated as part of the Affordable Care Act. Enrollment in the public exchanges starts Oct. 1. "What happens to employer contributions over time? Will they put in as much as they put in the past? These are unanswered questions but potential negatives," says Paul Fronstin, a senior research associate with the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The benefit to Walgreen and other employers is unknown at this point, as their cost-savings aren't clear. Of the 180,000 Walgreen (WAG) employees eligible for health care insurance, 120,000 opted for coverage for themselves and 40,000 family members. Another 60,000 employees, many of them working part-time, weren't eligible for health insurance. Aon Hewitt (AON) says other participants in its program include retailer Sears Holding (SHLD) and Darden Restaurants (DRI). These new additions raise enrollment to 330,000 from 100,000 last year, and Aon Hewitt estimates enrollment will jump to 600,000 next year, a fivefold increase from 2012. By 2017, nearly 20 percent of employees nationwide could get their health insurance through a private exchange, according to Accenture Research (ACN). A recent report by the National Business Group on Health said that 30 percent of large employers are considering moving active employees to exchanges by 2015. Other major providers of private exchanges include Mercer, a division of Marsh & Mc
- [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.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: bebe stores inc.(BEBE)
bebe stores, inc. engages in the design, development, and production of women?s apparel and accessories. Its products include a range of separates, tops, dresses, active wear, and accessories in career, evening, casual, and active lifestyle categories. The company markets its products under the bebe, BEBE SPORT, bbsp, and 2b bebe brand names targeting 21 to 34-year-old woman. As of July 2, 2011, it operated 252 retail stores, and an online store at bebe.com in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Japan, and Canada, as well as 60 international licensee operated stores in south east Asia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Russia, Mexico, and Turkey. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Brisbane, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
Bebe Stores (NASDAQ: BEBE) shares declined 10.40% to $5.77 after the company reported a 5.7% drop in its Q3 same-store sales and issued a downbeat Q3 outlook.
Top Mid Cap Stocks To Own Right Now: Huaneng Power International Inc (HNP)
Huaneng Power International, Inc. is principally engaged in the investment, construction, operation and management of power plants. The Company�� electricity generation business covers Northeast China Grid, North China Grid, Northwest China Grid, East China Grid, Central China Grid and South China Grid, as well as grid in Singapore. The Company�� power plants are mainly located in Shandong province, Liaoning province, Zhejiang province, Guangdong province, Jiangsu province, Hebei province, Fujian province, Jiangxi province, Chongqing city, Gansu province, Beijing city and Shanghai city, among others. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had a wholly owned power operation subsidiary in Singapore.
The Company�� Huaneng Dalian Power Plant (Dalian Power Plant) is located on the outskirts of Dalian, on the coast of Bohai Bay. Dalian Power Plant, including Phase I and Phase II, has an installed capacity of 1,400 megawatts and consists of four 350 megawatts coal-fired units. Dalian Power Plant typically stores 200,000 tons of coal onsite. Dalian Power Plant sells all its electricity through the Liaoning Electric Power Co., Ltd. and the Northeastern Power Grid. Electricity generated by Dalian Power Plant is delivered to the Liaoning Provincial Power Grid. Huaneng Dandong Power Plant (Dandong Power Plant) is located on the outskirts of the city of Dandong in Liaoning. Dandong Power Plant comprises two 350 megawatts coal-fired units. All the electricity generated by Dandong Power Plant is delivered to the Liaoning Provincial Power Grid and is sold through the Liaoning Electric Power Co., Ltd. and the Northeastern Power Grid.
Huaneng Yingkou Power Plant (Yingkou Power Plant) is located in Yingkou City in Liaoning Province. Yingkou Power Plant Phase I has an installed capacity of 640 megawatts and consists of 2x320 megawatts supercritical coal-fired generating units. Yingkou Power Plant sells all its electricity through Liaoning Electric Power Co., Ltd. and the Northeastern Power ! Grid. Electricity generated by Yingkou Power Plant is delivered to the Liaoning Provincial Power Grid. The Company�� construction projects in the Liaoning Province include the Yingkou Power Plant Phase II, which is planned to consist of two 600 megawatts coal-fired generating units. The Company owns 100% equity interests in this project.
Power Plant in Fujian Province
The Company�� Huaneng Fuzhou Power Plant (Fuzhou Power Plant) is located on the south bank of the Min River, southeast of the city of Fuzhou. Fuzhou Power Plant, including Phase I and Phase II, has an installed capacity of 1,400 megawatts and consists of four 350 megawatts coal-fired units. All the electricity sales of Fuzhou Power Plant are made through the Fujian Electric Power Company, Ltd. Electricity generated by Fuzhou Power Plant is delivered to the Fujian Provincial Power Grid.
Power Plant in Hebei Province
Huaneng Shangan Power Plant (Shangan Power Plant) is located on the outskirts of Shijiazhuang. Shangan Power Plant has been developed in two separate expansion phases. The Shangan Power Plant Phase I has an installed capacity of 700 megawatts and consists of two 350 megawatts coal-fired units. Shangan Power Plant sells all its electricity through the Hebei Electric Power Corporation. Electricity generated by Shangan Power Plant is delivered to the Hebei Provincial Power Grid. Shangan Power Plant Phase III is planned to consist of two 600 megawatts coal-fired generating units. The Company owns 100% equity interests in this project.
Power Plants in Jiangsu Province
Huaneng Nantong Power Plant (Nantong Power Plant) is located in the city of Nantong. Nantong Power Plant, including Phase I and Phase II, has an installed capacity of 1,404 megawatts, and consists of two 352 megawatts and two 350 megawatts coal-fired units. Nantong Power Plant sells all its electricity through the Jiangsu Electric Power Company. Electricity generated by Nantong Power Pl! ant is de! livered to the Jiangsu Provincial Power Grid. The Company�� Huaneng Nanjing Power Plant (Nanjing Power Plant) has an installed capacity of 640 megawatts consisting of two 320 megawatts coal-fired units.
The Huaneng Taicang Power Plant (Taicang Power Plant) is located in the vicinity of Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou in the Jiangsu Province. Taicang Power Plant is an ancillary facility of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park and has a total planned capacity of 1,200 megawatts. Taicang Power Plant Phase I consists of 2 x 300 megawatts coal-fired generating units. Taicang Phase II Expansion consists of two 600 megawatts coal-fired generating units. The Huaneng Huaiyin Power Plant (Huaiying Power Plant) is located in the Centre of the Northern Jiangsu Power Grid. The plant has 2 x 220 megawatts coal-fired generating units.
Power Plants in Shanghai Municipality
Huaneng Shanghai Shidongkou First Power Plant (Shidongkou I) is located in the northern region of the Shanghai Power Grid. The plant comprises 3 x 325 megawatts, 1 x 300 and 1 x 320 coal-fired generating units, and has a total installed capacity of 1,270 megawatts. Electricity generated by Shidongkou I is delivered to the Shanghai Municipal Power Grid. Huaneng Shanghai Shidongkou Second Power Plant (Shidongkou II) is located in the northern suburbs of Shanghai. Shidongkou II has an installed capacity of 1,200 megawatts and consists of two 600 megawatts coal-fired supercritical units.
Power Plants in Guangdong Province
Located on the outskirts of the city of Shantou, the Huaneng Shantou Oil-Fired Power Plant (Shantou Power Plant) was set up with the support of the Shantou municipal government and the Guangdong provincial government. In 2007, Shantou Power Plant Phase I consisted of two 300 megawatts coal-fired units. The Company�� construction project in Guangdong Province consists of the Huaneng Haimen Power Plant (Haimen Power Plant), which is planned to consist of two 1,000 mega! watts gen! erating units with a total installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts. The Company owns 100% equity interest in this project.
Power Plants in Shandong Province
Huaneng Dezhou Power Plant (Dezhou Power Plant) is located in Dezhou City, near the border between Shandong and Hebei Provinces. Dezhou Power Plant consists of three Phases, with Phases I consisting of one 320 megawatts and one 330 megawatts coal-fired generating units, Phase II consisting of two 300 megwatts coal-fired generating units, and Phase III consisting of two 700 megawatts coal-fired generating units. Dezhou Power Plant sells its electricity through Shandong Electric Power Corporation. Electricity generated by Dezhou Power Plant is delivered to the Shandong Provincial Power Grid. Huaneng Jining Power Plant (Jining Power Plant) is located in Jining City, near the Jining load Centre and near numerous coal mines.
Huaneng Weihai Power Plant (Weihai Power Plant) is located approximately 16 kilometers southeast of Weihai City, on the shore of the Bohai Gulf. The Company holds a 60% interest in Weihai Power Plant, the remaining 40% interest of which is owned by Weihai Power Development Bureau (WPDB). Weihai Power Plant, developed in two phases, consists of four coal-fired generating units with an aggregate design capacity of 850 megawatts. Huaneng Xindian Power Plant (Xindian Power Plant) is located in Zibo Municipality of Shandong Province.
Power Plants in Zhejiang Province
Huaneng Changxing Power Plant (Changxing Power Plant) is located at the intersection of Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province and Anhui Province. Changxing Power Plant has one 125 megawatts and one 135 megawatts coal-fired generating units. Changxing Power Plant sells its electricity to Zhejiang Provincial Electric Power Company. The Yuhuan Power Plant is located in Taizhou of Zhejiang Province and consists of two 1,000 megawatts ultra-supercritical, coal-fired generating units with a total installed capacity of ! 2,000 meg! awatts.
Power Plant in Shanxi Province
Huaneng Yushe Power Plant (Yushe Power Plant) is located in Yushe County of Shanxi Province. Yushe Power Plant Phase I has an installed capacity of 200 megawatts and consists of two 100 megawatts coal-fired generating units. Yushe Power Plant sells all its electricity through the Shanxi Electric Power Corporation. Electricity generated by Yushe Power Plant is delivered to the Shanxi Provincial Power Grid.
Power Plant in Henan Province
Qinbei Power Plant is located in Jiyuan Municipality of Henan Province. Its installed capacity is 2,400 megawatts, which consists of four 600 megawatts supercritical coal-fired generating units.
Power Plant in Jiangxi Province
Huaneng Jinggangshan Power Plant (Jinggangshan Power Plant) is located in Jian City of Jiangxi Province, and has an installed capacity of 600 megawatts and consists of two 300 megawatts coal-fired generating units. Jinggangshan Power Plant sells its electricity through the Jiangxi Electric Power Corporation. Electricity generated by it is delivered to the Jiangxi Provincial Power Grid.
Power Plant in Hunan Province
Huaneng Yueyang Power Plant (Yueyang Power Plant) is located in Yueyang City of Hunan Province. Yueyang Power Plant Phase I has an installed capacity of 725 megawatts and consists of two 362.5 megawatts sub-critical, coal-fired generating units. Yueyang Power Plant Phase II consists of two coal-fired generating units with installed capacity of 600 megawatts. Yueyang Power Plant sells its electricity through the Hunan Electric Power Corporation. Electricity generated by Yueyang Power Plant is delivered to the Hunan Provincial Power Grid.
Power Plant in Chongqing Municipality
Huaneng Luohuang Power Plant (Luohuang Power Plant) is located in Chongqing Municipality. Each of Phase I and Phase II of Luohuang Power Plant has an installed capacity of 720 megawatts and consists ! of two 36! 0 megawatts coal-fired generating units. Luohuang Power Plant Phase III consists of two 600 megawatts coal-fired generating units with an installed capacity of 1,200 megawatts.
Power Plant in Gansu Province
Huaneng Pingliang Power Plant (Pingliang Power Plant) is located in Pingliang City of Gansu Province. It has an installed capacity of 1,200 megawatts and consists of four 300 megawatts coal-fired generating units.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Utilities stocks gained Friday, with Korea Electric Power (NYSE: KEP) leading advancers. Meanwhile, gainers in the sector included Huaneng Power International (NYSE: HNP), with shares up 1.8 percent, and Hawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE: HE), with shares up 1.4 percent.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. (GPRE)
Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. engages in the production, marketing, and distribution of ethanol and related distillers grains in the United States. It also involves in grain warehousing and marketing; selling and servicing agronomy and petroleum products; the production and sale of corn oil; and the marketing and distribution of company-produced and third-party ethanol and distillers grains. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By STOCKPICKR]
Green Plains (GPRE) produces, markets, and distributes ethanol in the U.S. This stock closed up 4.8% at $31.54 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 1.54 million
Three-Month Average Volume: 1.03 million
Volume % Change: 50%From a technical perspective, GPRE spiked sharply higher here and broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $30.94 with above-average volume. This spike higher on Monday is quickly pushing shares of GPRE within range of triggering of triggering another big breakout trade. That trade will hit if GPRE manages to clear Monday's intraday high of $31.89 to its 52-week high of $32.60 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in GPRE as long as it's trending above some near-term support at $30 or above its 50-day at $28.59 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.03 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then GPRE will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $35 to $40.
- [By Tristan R. Brown]
Three months ago I wrote that the stock performance YTD of independent ethanol producer Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) was an "aberration", especially in light of the performance of its industry peers' shares. The discrepancy between Pacific Ethanol's share price and those of its peers has only grown more pronounced since July (see figure). Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and REX American Resources (REX) have continued to greatly outperform the S&P 500. Even Biofuel Energy, which fell behind on its interest and debt payments over the summer and is facing a shareholder-ruining liquidation, has seen its share price perform significantly better than Pacific Ethanol's in 2013. The oddest part about the stock's performance over the last three months, however, is that the period has been marked by multiple positive announcements from the company. It late July it reported its first positive EPS in almost two years for Q2 (0.07). Its Q2 EBITDA of $3.8 million was its highest since Q4 2011. Its current ratio is well above its previous lows, its ratio of total assets to total liabilities is increasing, and its total shareholders' equity is at a 3-year high. Despite these improvements, the company's price/book ratio is a mere 0.77.
- [By Nickey Friedman]
Other biofuel companies
Unlike KiOR, Renewable Energy Group (NASDAQ: REGI ) and Green Plains Renewable Energy (NASDAQ: GPRE ) are ending the year with stock prices at more than double where they started it due to their excellent operational performance. For example, last quarter Renewable Energy Group reported revenue leaped 42% to $458.4 million. Net income had a dramatic turnaround, from a loss of $6.9 million to positive $78.5 million or $2.31 per share, though $42.1 million of that was an IRS tax benefit. Analysts expect Renewable Energy Group to report positive EPS of $1.66 next year while KiOR is expected to lose nearly a buck per share.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: Nintendo Co Ltd (NTDOY)
Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japan-based company mainly engaged in the leisure machine business. The Company operates in two business segments. The Leisure Machine segment is engaged in the development, manufacturing and sale of portable and console game machines as well as game software. The Others segment is engaged in the manufacture and sale of poker cards and karuta (Japanese-style playing cards), the sale of Pokemon (a Japanese animation character) goods, the management of intellectual property rights and the provision of electronic registration services of home use console machines, among others.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
AOL Well, it had a good, long life. At the beginning of 2013, Sony (SNE) halted production of its iconic game console, the PlayStation 2, after more than a dozen years on the market. Its successor, the PlayStation 3, probably won't even be around as long: The company introduced the PlayStation 4 at the end of 2013. Sony has pledged to support the PS3 (released in 2006) for "as long as there is a good business there for us." It's a rather tepid promise. Most likely, by the time of its demise, PS3 won't be the blockbuster its older brother proved to be. The latter's total global sales were in the neighborhood of 160 million units. Now, toward the apparent tail end of its life, the PS3 has sold just something a bit north of 80 million consoles. Dedicated consoles like the PS2 were nearly synonymous with video gaming earlier this decade, but competing platforms have eaten away at their dominance. And that chomping looks set to continue. Losing the Game The big two combatants in the console market are Sony and Microsoft (MSFT), which in line with its rival unveiled its own new-generation machine, the Xbox One, prior to last year's holiday season. On the surface, both companies have so far enjoyed smashing business with their latest models, moving millions of units. However, zooming in a bit on those sales reveals some cause for concern. According to popular IT news website Tech Crunch, parsing data from researcher NPD, around 271,000 PS4s were sold this past January. For January 2007 -- the month just after the previous generation of consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, etc.) were introduced -- the figure isn't much higher than the PS3's tally of 244,000, and it's beaten by the PS2's nearly 300,000. Remember, at that point PS2 was yesterday's model for Sony. The numbers for Microsoft are more stark. January saw the company sell roughly 141,000 Xbox Ones -- less than half of the 294,000 in sales of the then-fresh Xbox 360 the same month seven years ago. Worse still is t
- [By Tim Beyers, Nathan Alderman, and Alison Southwick]
Then, we review the catalytic potential of Nintendo's (NASDAQOTH: NTDOY ) Mario Kart 8 and explain why Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX ) agreed to make a third season of Orange Is the New Black in the days before the Season 2 premiere.
- [By Sam Mattera]
Discontinuing video-game consoles is far from unprecedented. Sega released, and then rapidly abandoned, four consoles between 1992 and 1999, before ultimately exiting the hardware business entirely. Nintendo (NASDAQOTH: NTDOY ) has had its own failure -- it gave up on the Virtual Boy after just seven months.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation(PVH)
PVH Corp. designs and markets branded dress shirts, neckwear, sportswear, footwear, and other related products worldwide. The company?s Calvin Klein Licensing segment licenses Calvin Klein Collection, ck Calvin Klein, and Calvin Klein brands for sportswear, jeanswear, underwear, fragrances, eyewear, men?s tailored clothing, women?s suits and dresses, hosiery, socks, footwear, swimwear, jewelry, watches, outerwear, handbags, leather goods, home furnishings, and accessories; and to operate retail stores. Its Wholesale Dress Furnishings segment markets dress shirts and neckwear principally under the ARROW, Calvin Klein, ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Collection, IZOD, Eagle, Sean John, Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, JOE Joseph Abboud, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Elie Tahari, J. Garcia, and MICHAEL Michael Kors brands. The company?s Wholesale Sportswear and Related Products segment offers sportswear, including men?s knit and w oven sport shirts, sweaters, bottoms, swimwear, boxers, and outerwear principally under the IZOD, Van Heusen, ARROW, Geoffrey Beene, Timberland, and Calvin Klein brands; and women?s sportswear, including knit and woven sport shirts, sweaters, bottoms, and outerwear under the IZOD brand. Its Retail Apparel and Related Products segment provides men?s dress shirts; neckwear and underwear; men?s and women?s suit separates; men?s and women?s sportswear, including woven and knit shirts, sweaters, bottoms, and outerwear; men?s and women?s accessories; sportswear; and men?s fragrance. The company?s Retail Footwear and Related Products segment offers casual and dress shoes for men, women, and children; and apparel and accessories. The company was formerly known as Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation and changed its name to PVH Corp. in June, 2011. The company was founded in 1881 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Adem Tahiri]
Yet with strong competitors like PVH Corp (NYSE: PVH ) and Ralph Lauren� (NYSE: RL ) for its signature menswear lines, this stock may be stuck in neutral for a bit. Let's take a closer look at both the quarter and the competitive landscape for Perry Ellis International.
- [By Wallace Witkowski]
PVH Corp. (PVH) �fell 0.7% to $126.50 on moderate volume after the clothing company issued muted guidance for the fourth quarter.
- [By Rick Munarriz]
Wednesday
PVH (NYSE: PVH ) dresses up for its fresh financials on Wednesday. The company behind Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and other popular apparel brands is expected to earn $1.35 a share in its latest quarter, just ahead of the $1.30 it posted a year earlier. PVH has landed ahead of analyst profit targets in each quarter over the past year, so don't be surprised if it earns more than the $1.35 the market is settling for this time around. - [By Ben Levisohn]
Over at the S&P 500, HCP (HCP) has dropped 2.8% $40.62, making it the biggest loser in the benchmark, after the healthcare REIT fired its CEO. PVH (PVH), meanwhile, has gained 5.7% to $124.06, making it the S&P 500′s biggest winner at 9:48 a.m., after the company said it would sell its GH Bass division.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: EverBank Financial Corp (EVER)
EverBank Financial Corp, incorporated in 2004, is an unitary savings and loan holding company. The Company provides a range of financial products and services directly to customers through multiple business channels. Its operating subsidiary is EverBank. As of December 31, 2011, EverBank had $ 10.3 billion deposits. EverBank offers a range of banking, lending and investing products to consumers and businesses. EverBank provides services to customers through Websites, over the phone, through the mail and at 14 Florida-based Financial Centers. The Company operates in two operating business segments: Banking and Wealth Management, and Mortgage Banking. Its Banking and Wealth Management segment includes earnings generated by and activities related to deposit and investment products and services and portfolio lending and leasing activities. Its Mortgage Banking segment consists of activities related to the origination and servicing of residential mortgage loans. In April 2012, the Company acquired MetLife Bank�� warehouse finance business. In October 2012, it acquired Business Property Lending, Inc.
Asset Origination and Fee Income Businesses
The Company has a range of asset origination and fee income businesses. The Company generates generate fee income from its mortgage banking activities, which consist of originating and servicing one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. It originates prime residential mortgage loans using a centrally controlled underwriting, processing and fulfillment infrastructure through financial intermediaries (including community banks, credit unions, mortgage bankers and brokers), consumer direct channels and financial centers. Its mortgage origination activities include originating, underwriting, closing, warehousing and selling to investors prime conforming and jumbo residential mortgage loans. From its mortgage origination activities, it earns fee-based income on fees charged to borrowers and other noninterest income from gains on sales from ! mortgage loans and servicing rights. During the year ended December 31, 2011, it originated six billion dollars of residential loans. It generates mortgage servicing business through the retention of servicing from its origination activities, acquisition of bulk mortgage servicing rights (MSR) and related servicing activities.
The Company�� mortgage servicing business includes collecting loan payments, remitting principal and interest payments to investors, managing escrow funds for the payment of mortgage-related expenses, such as taxes and insurance, responding to customer inquiries, counseling delinquent mortgagors, supervising foreclosures and liquidations of foreclosure properties and otherwise administering its mortgage loan servicing portfolio. It earns mortgage servicing fees and other ancillary fee-based income in connection with these activities. It services a portfolio by both product and investor, including agency and private pools of mortgages secured by properties throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2011, its mortgage servicing business, which services mortgage loans for itself and others, managed loan servicing administrative functions for loans with unpaid principal balance (UPB) of $54.8 billion.
The Company originates originate equipment leases nationwide through relationships with approximately 280 equipment vendors with networks of creditworthy borrowers and provide asset-backed loan facilities to other leasing companies. Its equipment leases and loans finance essential-use health care, office product, technology and other equipment. Its commercial financings range from approximately $25,000 to $1.0 million per transaction, with typical lease terms ranging from 36 to 60 months. Its commercial finance activities provide it with access to approximately 25,000 small business customers nationwide, which creates opportunities to cross-sell its deposit, lending and wealth management products. It focuses to offer warehouse loans, which are short-ter! m revolvi! ng facilities, primarily securitized by agency and government collateral. It provides financial advisory, planning, brokerage, trust and other wealth management services to its mass-affluent and high-net-worth customers through its registered broker dealer and recently-formed registered investment advisor subsidiaries.
Interest-Earning Asset Portfolio
As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� interest-earning assets were $11.7 billion. As of December 31, 2011, its loan and lease held for investment portfolio was $6.5 billion. As of December 31, 2011, the carrying values of its interest-earning assets are: residential, government-insured (residential), securities, commercial and commercial real estate, Bank of Florida (covered), lease financing receivables, and other.
Residential includes primarily prime loans originated and retained from its mortgage banking activities, acquired from third parties or held for sale to other investors. government-insured (residential) includes Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) pool buyouts with government insurance, sourced from its mortgage banking segment and third-party sources. Securities include non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) purchased at significant discounts. This portfolio includes protection against credit losses from purchase discounts, subordination in the securities structures and borrower equity. Commercial and commercial real estate includes a range of commercial loans, including owner-occupied commercial real estate, commercial investment property and small business commercial loans. As of December 31, 2011, Bank of Florida (Covered) includes commercial, multi-family and commercial real estate loans with $71.3 million of purchase discounts. Lease financing receivables include covered lease financing receivables. As of December 31, 2011, the lease portfolio had $64.7 million of total discounts. Other includes home equity loans and lines ! of credit! , consumer and credit card loans and other investments.
Deposit Generation
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $10.3 billion in deposits. Its market-based deposit products, consisting of its WorldCurrency, MarketSafe and EverBank Metals Select products, provide investment capabilities for customers seeking portfolio diversification with respect to foreign currencies, commodities and other indices. Its financial portal includes online bill-pay, account aggregation, direct deposit, single sign-on for all customer accounts and other features. Its Website and mobile device applications provide information on its product offerings, financial tools and calculators, newsletters, financial reporting services and other applications for customers to interact with it and manages all of their EverBank accounts on a single integrated platform. Its new mobile applications allow customers using iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices to view account balances, conduct real time balance transfers between EverBank accounts, administer billpay, review account activity detail and remotely deposit checks.
The Company generates deposit customer relationships through its consumer direct, financial center and financial intermediary distribution channels. Its consumer direct channel includes Internet, e-mail, telephone and mobile device access to product and customer support offerings. Its direct distribution with a network of 14 financial centers in Florida metropolitan areas, include Jacksonville, Naples, Ft. Myers, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa Bay and Clearwater. As of December 31, 2011, its financial centers had average deposits of $130.5 million, which is approximately double the industry average. In addition, it generates noninterest-bearing escrow deposits from its mortgage servicing business.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Nicole Seghetti]
3. Build your savings account
Take this opportunity to bolster your savings such that you have at least three months' worth of living expenses socked away. Money market or savings accounts will provide you with the best rates. For example, American Express' (NYSE: AXP ) high-yield savings account pays 0.85%, and Capital One Financial's (NYSE: COF ) Capital One 360 offers a 0.75% APY. Both accounts boast no minimum balances and no fees. Meanwhile, EverBank Financial (NYSE: EVER ) pays an attractive 1.01% money market rate but requires a $1,500 minimum opening balance. �
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: Hydrogenics Corp (HYGS)
Hydrogenics Corporation, incorporated on June 10, 2009, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops and provides hydrogen generation and fuel cell products based on water electrolysis technology and proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology. The Company conducts its business through two business units: OnSite Generation, which focuses on hydrogen generation products for renewable energy, industrial and transportation customers, and Power Systems, which focuses on fuel cell products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) systems integrators and end users for stationary applications, including backup power, and motive applications, such as forklift trucks. The Company�� products include HySTAT hydrogen generation equipment in its OnSite Generation business and HyPM fuel cell products in its Power Systems business.
The Company maintains operations in Belgium, Canada and Germany. Its OnSite Generation business segment is based in Oevel, Belgium and develops products for industrial gas, hydrogen fueling and renewable energy storage markets. The Company�� Power Systems business segment is based in Mississauga, Canada, with a satellite facility in Gladbeck, Germany, and develops products for energy storage, stationary and motive power applications.
OnSite Generation
The Company�� OnSite Generation business segment, is based on water electrolysis technology, which includes the decomposition of water into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen gas (H2) by passing an electric current through a liquid electrolyte. Its brand includes HySTAT electrolyzer products, which is configured for both indoor and outdoor applications. Its OnSite Generation products are sold to merchant gas companies, such as Air Liquide and Linde Gas and end-users requiring hydrogen produced on-site for industrial applications. The Company also sells and services products for oil and gas companies, such as Shell Hydrogen, requiring hydrogen fueling stations for transportation applications.
Power Systems
The Company�� Power Systems business segment is based on PEM fuel cell technology, which transforms chemical energy liberated during the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. It also develops and delivers hydrogen generation products based on PEM water electrolysis, which can also be used to serve the energy storage markets. Its target markets include backup power for telecom and data centre installations and motive power applications, such as buses, trucks and utility vehicles. The Company�� Power Systems products are sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as CommScope, Inc. (CommScope) to provide backup power applications for telecom installations and vehicle and other integrators for motive power, direct current (DC) and alternative current (AC) backup. In addition, its products are sold for prototype field tests. The Company also sells its Power Systems products to the military.
HySTAT Hydrogen Stations
HySTAT Hydrogen Stations offer an on-site supply of hydrogen for a range of hydrogen applications, including vehicle fuelling, distributed power, and a variety of industrial processes. It also provides spare parts and service for its entire installed base.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company offered its HySTAT Hydrogen Station in multiple configurations based on the amount of hydrogen required. This product is suitable for producing continuous or batch supplies of hydrogen for industrial processing applications and generates between 10 - 60 normal cubic meters per hour (Nm3/hr) of hydrogen.
HyPM Fuel Cell Products
The Company�� HyPM fuel cell products provide electrical power from clean hydrogen fuel. Its HyPM fuel cell products include HyPM Fuel Cell Power Modules, HyPX Fuel Cell Power Pack, Integrated Fuel Cell Systems and Engineering Development Services. Its HyPM power module runs on hydrogen and produces direct current (DC) power. This product! is suita! ble for a range of stationary, mobile and portable power applications. The HyPM XR model is targeted at backup power applications and the HyPMHD model is targeted at motive power applications. The Company�� HyPX Power Pack includes a HyPM power module integrated with hydrogen storage tanks and ultracapacitors that provide higher power in short bursts. Its integrated fuel cell systems are built around its HyPM power modules and used for portable and stationary applications, including portable and auxiliary power units for military applications and DC backup power system for cellular tower sites. The Company also enters into engineering development contracts with certain customers for new or custom products.
The Company competes with Air Liquide and Linde Gas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Small cap hydrogen fuel stocks Hydrogenics Corporation (NASDAQ: HYGS), FuelCell Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FCEL), HyperSolar Inc (OTCMKTS: HYSR) and HydroPhi Technologies Group, Inc (OTCMKTS: HPTG) are some of the lesser known small caps that are�working with hydrogen fuel or hydrogen fuel cell related technology. I should say that small cap hydrogen stocks are not for risk adverse investors as there are considerable unanswered questions about hydrogen fuel related technology and whether it can be a viable green technology given the fueling infrastructure needed along with the�energy and expense involved in creating hydrogen�(Note: None of these small cap�stocks are profitable at ). But any new technology will pose the same types of risks for early stage investors���especially if its so-called green technology.�
- [By Paul Ausick]
Peers Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), Ballard Power Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDP), and Hydrogenics Corp. (NASDAQ: HYGS) have also shared in the stock price run-up. Any investor expecting more from FuelCell�� results was, perhaps, being irrationally exuberant.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: Syntel Inc.(SYNT)
Syntel, Inc. provides information technology (IT) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) services worldwide. It operates in four segments: Applications Outsourcing, KPO, e-Business, and TeamSourcing. The Applications Outsourcing segment provides software applications development, maintenance, testing, migration, and infrastructure services. The KPO segment offers a host of outsourced solutions for knowledge and business processes. It focuses on middle and back-office business processes of the transaction cycle in the capital markets, banking, healthcare, and insurance industries. The e-Business segment provides technology services in the areas of architecting, implementing, and maintaining Web solutions, data warehousing/business intelligence, enterprise application integration, business process management, and enterprise resource planning solutions. The TeamSourcing segment offers professional IT consulting services directly to customers on a staff augmentation basis. It s services include systems specification, design, development, implementation, and maintenance of complex IT applications involving computer hardware, software, data, and networking technologies and practices. Syntel, Inc. provides services to a range of companies primarily in the financial services, healthcare and life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, automotive, retail, logistics, and telecom industries. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Troy, Michigan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brian Pacampara]
Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, IT services specialist Syntel (NASDAQ: SYNT ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.
10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch For 2015: SearchCore Inc (SRER)
SearchCore, Inc., formerly General Cannabis, Inc., incorporated in 2003, is a technology service provider. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was engaged in the medicinal cannabis industry. The Company assists the physicians, dispensaries, and end-users within the medicinal cannabis industry in finding each other and in advertising their businesses. All of its operations are conducted through its wholly owned subsidiaries. On January 5, 2012, WeedMaps, LLC (WeedMaps) acquired substantially all the assets of MMJMenu, LLC. On October 31, 2011, General Merchant Solutions, Inc. discontinued all retail credit card processing operations. On January 11, 2011, the Company acquired all the assets of Revyv, LLC. On December 31, 2012, the Company acquired Sports Asylum, Inc. In February 2013, it acquired ModularHomes.com.
WeedMaps Media, Inc. is its wholly owned subsidiary, and its primary operation is the Internet Website, www.weedmaps.com. WeedMaps.com is an online finder site service that allows patients to find local medical cannabis dispensaries, which are also referred to as collectives. Dispensaries are locations where patients who have received letters of recommendation from a healthcare provider can purchase medicinal cannabis, as well as a variety of other non-cannabis related items including, but not limited to, apparel accessories, posters, bumper stickers, concert tickets, books and musical compact disc�� (CD��).
General Marketing Solutions, Inc. is its wholly owned subsidiary, and its primary operation is the Internet Website, www.cannabiscenters.com. General Management Solutions, Inc. is its wholly owned subsidiary that oversees and provides all of the human resources issues for employees, including hiring, terminating and employee benefits. The Company has two additional wholly owned subsidiaries; General Processing Corporation, CannaCenters Corporation (CannaCenters), and two subsidiaries, namely LV Luxuries Incorporated (which operated as makeup.com) and General ! Health Solutions, Inc. (CannaCenters.com).
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap communications or Internet stocks American Community Development Group Inc (OTCMKTS: ACYD), Globalstar, Inc (OTCMKTS: GSAT) and SearchCore Inc (OTCMKTS: SRER) have been rather quiet lately for investors after making some noise back in September. Nevertheless, all three are still getting some mentions in various investment newsletters or alerts and not because they are the subject of paid promotions. So are these small cap stocks about to make some noise? Here is a closer look:
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