This is a post I started to write last week, got sidetracked and now it seems a bit timely once more. I’m talking about Tesla (TSLA), the electric car manufacturer, and frankly I don’t see what the hype is about, why the stock has gone through the roof and why anyone would buy into the secondary offering at these prices.
Let’s start with the business. Tesla makes an electric car, specifically a high-end fairly expensive electric car. Fans rave about the fit, finish and the performance. The reviews from the automotive press have been no less effusive. Fair enough, the company has managed to build a beautiful piece of machinery. But it’s a piece of machinery with a fatal flaw – it can’t go very far without stopping for a long time to recharge. The now infamous NY Times article about a road trip in an earlier model highlighted the challenges of operating an electric vehicle outside of a fairly limited box. But let’s leave the discussion about the utility of electric vehicles to another day, this is about the financial and stock performance of the company.
Top 10 Forestry Stocks To Watch For 2015: Fidia SpA (FDA)
Fidia SpA is an Italy-based company primarily engaged in the production of numerical controls and machine tools. The Company�� activities are divided into three main business lines. In the High-speed Milling Systems, it is involved in the production and sale of milling heads kits and cutting-edge equipment. Through the Numerical Controls, Dives and Software sector, it is active in the manufacture of numerical controls for milling systems, as well as in the development and distribution of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. The After-sales Service sector includes the provision of technical services, sale of spare parts and scheduled maintenance contracts. The Company operates in Germany, France, Brazil, China, Poland and India, among others. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rahul Chattaraj]
Every year more and more people are becoming health conscious and healthcare is one such industry which I feel can never be in slump. It�� is just brilliant of Apple to embed a hardware in a smartphone which will be able to cash on this opportunity. The iPhone 5S already has the hardware components to support the Healthbook app and once the iOS 8 is released for the next iPhone model and upgrades are available for the iPhone 5S, Apple will be poised to see huge surge in the demand for its devices. Certain incidents such as the top Apple executives meeting the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and former Mashimo Corp. Chief Medical Officer Michael O'Reilly joining Apple are clearly hinting that the company�� mobile health dreams will very soon turn into reality.
- [By Steven Silver]
Its Apremilast is currently under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review for the anti-inflammatory condition, psoriatic arthritis, and has also shown promise in such indications as psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis.
- [By Patricio Kehoe]
Despite recent anti-tobacco laws passed by the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S, the company�� pricing power has helped maintain its margins. In 2012, for example, Phillip Morris hiked prices on its products in Russia, Germany, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece and Spain, among others. Although the necessary measure caused substantial volume declines in these countries, consumers rapidly became accustomed to the increased prices, and returned to their habitual product consumption. Given the success of this strategy, the firm is likely to rely on it in Japan for 2014, where taxes are expected to increase yet again by 8%, after the 40% spike in October 2010.
Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Buy Right Now: Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc (RSI)
Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., incorporated on July 19, 1996, is engaged in the designing, development, engineering, manufacturing and marketing of laser-based products used for cutting, welding and marking a range of materials. The Company offers a range of laser products and related services for three material processing applications: cutting, welding, and surface treatment (macro applications); marking, and fine cutting, fine welding, micro drilling, and micro structuring (micro applications). It provides a range of laser sources and laser-based system solutions to markets, such as the machine tool, automotive, semiconductor, electronics, and photovoltaic industries. Its product categories include Laser macro products, Laser marking products, Laser micro products and Components. The products are sold directly to end-users and to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
As of September 30, 2013, the Company had over 4,000 customers (including multinational companies with multiple facilities purchasing from the Company). During the year ended September 30, 2013 (fiscal 2013), approximately 38%, of the Company�� revenues related to sales of laser products for macro applications, approximately 13%, related to sales of components, and approximately 49%, related to sales of laser products for marking and micro applications.
LASER MACRO PRODUCTS
The Company�� carbon dioxide laser products for macro applications consist of DC Slab Series, SC Series, XL Series, STS Series, FH Series and SM Series. Its XL, STS, FH and SM Series fast-axial flow carbon dioxide lasers are used for both cutting and welding applications and are marketed under the PRC and NELC brand. XL, STS, FH, SM, FA, and PLS Series products are used primarily by the machine tool industry. Its SC Series diffusion cooled, wave-guide carbon dioxide lasers are developed and produced by Rofin-Sinar UK Ltd. The SC Series are sealed-off lasers, used for cutting and structuring applications. Markets for the! se include machine tool, electronics, and packaging industries. The Company�� DQ Series of Q switched, solid-state lasers are designed for applications, such as removal, cleaning and insulation of various materials in the automotive, consumer electronics and photovoltaic markets. The Company�� FL Series of high-brightness single or multi-mode fiber lasers use fiber optics as the active medium. These fiber lasers are used for cutting and welding applications, as well as for new applications, such as remote cutting. Its diode lasers are designed to meet the requirements of a range of welding, soldering and surface treatment applications.
LASER MARKING PRODUCTS
Rofin offers standardized and customized laser marking systems in different power ranges and wavelengths for use in various industrial segments. The Company�� standard PowerLine marking products consist of a range of lasers with output power from 2 watts to 100 watts with a galvo-head, a personal computer with processor, and Rofin�� VisualLaserMarker software. Special options and accessories include a double marking head allowing speeds of up to 1,600 characters per second in certain applications, as well as beam-switching and -splitting options for marking of products in multiple production lines using a single laser. It is used in the semiconductor and electronics industries. MultiScan vector scanning marker utilizes a 100 watts sealed-off carbon dioxide laser. It is used in marking of consumer goods in the packaging industry. LabelMarker Advanced is a laser-based system is Rofin�� solution. This laser system is used in any production area without additional safety requirements. The EasyMark is a transportable desktop device. The EasyMark offers a program-controlled z-axis and a rotary axis, which can optionally be integrated. An aluminum T-slot plate facilitates mounting of customer-specific work piece carriers. The EasyJewel is a transportable desktop device developed to mark jewellery. CombiLine Cube/CombiLi! ne Advanc! ed compact laser workstations have been designed for small and medium-size batches. NuQ pulsed fiber laser sources are produced and marketed under the Nufern brand and are designed for OEM customers and integrators.
LASER MICRO PRODUCTS
The Company markets and sells a range of laser products, including, pulsed, fiber and other solid-state lasers for various spot welding and fine cutting applications; carbon dioxide Slab lasers for perforating applications; Q switched, solid-state lasers for surface structuring, and diode lasers for soldering and plastic welding applications. The Company's manual welders for micro applications, which are sold under the name Performance Tool Open and Internal, consist of pulsed, solid-state lasers in the range of 60 watts to 200 watts, which are primarily used for fine welding applications in the medical device, jewelry and mold making industries. The StarPulse Series consists of pulsed Nd:YAG rod lasers with power ratings from 40 to 500 watts. These are designed for use in fine welding applications, such as laser welding of reflective materials in the medical device and electronics industry.
The StarFiber Series achieve nominal powers of 100 watts up to 600 watts. The lasers can be operated in either pulse-modulated or continuous wave mode. The StarFiber Series is designed for a range of applications for fine welding and fine cutting, such as welding of electromechanic components or fine cutting. The X-Lase Series consists of picosecond pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems with an output power of upto 24 watts. Markets are in the semiconductor, electronics and display industries. In these industries, the X-Lase products can be used for thin film patterning, ablation and scribing applications. Its StarFemto Series consists of femtosecond pulse mode-locked laser systems with a maximal output power of 5 watts. Main markets are medical implants and other fine cutting or structuring applications. The PerfoLas Systems consist of a carbo! n dioxide! laser in combination with a galvo scanning head and is used for precise cutting, drilling, and surface structuring.
The Universal Workstation (UW) and Modular Processing System (MPS) Series are modular laser-based systems that are designed to meet a variety of applications, including welding, cutting, surface modification and ablation. Depending on the application, the UW and MPS Systems can be equipped with different laser sources (femtosecond, fiber, diode, or solid-state laser) and modified for specific handlings. Series 800 are flash-lamp pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers, and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDP and LEP are diode pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDPP are diode pulse-pumped Nd:YAG lasers that are designed to cut thin metals. Market is the medical devices industry. Series LFP are hybrid diode pumped, solid state, picosecond lasers that are produced and marketed under the Lee Laser brand and are sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro applications.
The COMPACT and MINI Diode Laser System Series are laser systems are available in a range of output powers and wavelengths, including fiber-coupled direct beam or line source solutions, and are engineered for utilization in industrial laser materials processing, mainly for plastic welding, soldering and brazing applications in the automotive, medical device and electronic industries. The KLS Series lasers are pulsed solid-state lasers which are used for fine cutting, drilling and scribing applications. The FLS Series are lamp pumped, pulsed, solid-state lasers with high peak power for deep penetration cutting, welding and drilling. SLS CL Series are pulsed Nd:YAG solid-state lasers with output powers in the range of 5 to 250 watts. The KLS 246, FLS, LFS and SLS CL Series are all manufactured by the Company's Switzerland-based subsidiary LASAG.
COMP! ONENT PRODUCTS
The Company offers power supplies for pulsed and continuous wave solid-state lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, diode lasers, as well as radio frequency (RF) generators for acousto-optic Q-switches through its wholly owned subsidiary PMB Elektronik GmbH. Fiber and Optics Technology are special fiber lasers, fiber coupling products and optical engines, for use in fiber lasers are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� Finland-based subsidiary Corelase Oy. Laser Diodes and Modules are high-power semiconductor components, such as high power, high-brightness laser diodes and modules are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� subsidiaries Dilas Diodenlaser GmbH, Dilas Diodelaser Inc., Dilas Diodelaser China and m2k-laser GmbH. Fibers, fiber components, beam splitters or switches and beam combiners designed for use in industrial lasers or as beam delivery systems are manufactured and marketed by Optoskand AB. Fibers and fiber laser technology components are developed, manufactured and marketed by Nufern, East Granby. The Company�� high-technology components are either integrated by other laser manufacturers into their products or are used for the Company�� own product portfolio.
The Company competes with Trumpf, GSI Group, Unitek Miyachi, Han's Laser, Fanuc, Synrad, Coherent, IPG, Laserline and Jenoptik.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Greg Harmon]
The Fresh Market (TFM), has been rising off of a bottom in March. It recently went through a 'W' consolidation and jumped higher, but is now retesting the top of the 'W'. The relative strength index (RSI) has held the mid line during the pullback and remains bullish while the moving average convergence divergence indicator (MACD) is not as positive. A turn higher, back over 53.50 could be a catalyst for a long entry, but a fall under 52 sets a target for a measured move (MM) lower to 50. This stock does not report earnings until late August.
Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Buy Right Now: Flowserve Corp (FLS)
Flowserve Corporation, incorporated on May 1, 1912, is a manufacturer and aftermarket service provider of flow control systems. The Company develops and manufacture precision-engineered flows control equipment integral to the movement, control and protection of the flow of materials in its customers' critical processes. The Company operates in three segments: Engineered Product Division (EPD), which includes long leads time, custom and other engineered pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems and replacement parts and related services, Industrial Product Division (IPD), which includes pre-configured engineered pumps and pump systems and related products and services, and Flow Control Division (FCD), which includes engineered and industrial valves, control valves, actuators and controls and related services. Effective December 10, 2013, Flowserve Corp acquired Innovative Mag-Drive LLC.
Through the Company's manufacturing platform and global network of Quick Response Centers (QRCs), the Company offers an array of aftermarket equipment services, such as installation, advanced diagnostics, repair and retrofitting. The Company's product portfolio of pumps, valves, seals, automation and aftermarket services supports global infrastructure industries, including oil and gas, chemical, power generation and water management, as well as certain general industrial markets where the Company's products and services add value. The Company sells its products and services to more than 10,000 companies, including some of the engineering, procurement and construction firms (EPC), original equipment manufacturers, distributors and end users.
Engineered Product Division
The Company designs, manufactures, distributes and services engineered pumps and pumps systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts and related equipment. The business primarily consists of long lead time, engineered, configured products, which require extensive test requirements a! nd project management skills. EPD products and services are primarily used by companies that operate in the oil and gas, power generation, chemical, water management and general industries. The Company markets its pump and mechanical seals products through its global sales force and its regional QRCs and service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. A portion of the Company's mechanical seal products are sold directly to original equipment manufacturers for incorporation into rotating equipment requiring mechanical seals. The Company's pump products are manufactured in a range of metal alloys and with a variety of configurations to meet the critical operating demands of the Company's customers.
The Company also manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal that is used in high-speed compressors for gases pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets. The Company's products are manufactured at 29 plants worldwide, nine of which are located in Europe, 11 in North America, four in Asia Pacific and five in Latin America. The Company also conducts business through strategic foreign joint ventures. The Company has six unconsolidated joint ventures that are located in China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, where a portion of its products are manufactured, assembled or serviced in these territories. The Company manufactures more than 40 different active types of pumps and approximately 185 different models of mechanical seals and sealing systems.
The Company's EPD products include between bearings pumps, which include single case- axially split, single case- radially split, double case; overhung pumps, which includes api process; positive displacement pumps, which includes multiphase, reciprocating and screw; mechanical seals and seal support systems, which includes gas barrier seals and dry-running seals, and specialty products, which includes nuclear pumps, nuclear seals, cryogenic p! umps, cry! ogenic liquid expander, hydraulic decoking systems, and API slurry pumps. The Company�� EPD Brand Names include BW Seals, Byron Jackson, Calder Energy Recovery Devices, Cameron, Durametallic, Five Star Seal, Jeumont-Schneider, and Interseal. EPD Services includes provision of engineered aftermarket services through its global network of 128 QRCs, some of which are co-located in manufacturing facilities, in 41 countries. Its EPD service personnel provide a comprehensive set of equipment services for flow management control systems, including installation, commissioning, repair, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and retrofit programs, machining and comprehensive asset management solutions. The Company provides asset management services and condition monitoring for rotating equipment through special contracts with many of its customers that reduce maintenance costs.
Industrial Product Division
The Company designs , manufactures, distributes and services pre-configured engineered pumps and pumps systems, including submersible motors, for industrial markets. IPD's standardized, general purpose pump products are primarily utilized by the oil and gas, chemical, water management, power generation and general industries. The Company's products are manufactured in 12 manufacturing facilities, three of which are located in the United States and six in Europe. IPD operates 20 QRCs worldwide, including 11 sites in Europe, three in the United States , five in Asia Pacific and one in Latin America. The Company manufactures approximately 40 different active types of pumps available in a wide range of metal alloys and non-metallics with a variety of configurations. The products includes Overhung, which includes Chemical Process ANSI and ISO, Industrial Process , and Slurry and Solids Handling ; Specialty Products, which includes Molten Salt VTP Pump, Submersible Pump, Thruster, Geothermal Deepwell, and Barge Pump; Between Bearings, which includes Single Case- Axially Split and Single Case- Radia! lly Split! ; Vertical, which includes Wet Pit, Deep Well Submersible Motor, Slurry and Solids Handling, and Sump; Positive Displacement, which includes Gear. The Company�� brands include Aldrich, Durco, IDP, Pacific, Pleuger, Scienco, Sier Bath, Western Land Roller, TKL, Worthington, and Worthington-Simpson. The Company markets its pump products through its worldwide sales force and its regional service and repair centers or through independent distributors and sales representatives. The Company provide an array of aftermarket services including product installation and commissioning services, spare parts, repairs, re-rate and upgrade solutions, advanced diagnostics and maintenance solutions through its global network of QRCs.
Flow Control Division
The Company�� FCD designs, manufactures, distributes and services a portfolio of industrial valve and automation solutions, including isolation and control valves, actuation, controls and related equipment. In addition, FCD offers energy management products, such as steam traps, boiler controls and condensate and energy recovery systems. FCD products are used to control, direct and manage the flow of liquids and gases and are an integral part of any flow control system. The Company's valve products are often customized and engineered to perform specific functions within each customer's unique flow control environment. The Company's flow control products are primarily used by companies operating in the chemical (including pharmaceutical), power generation (nuclear, fossil and renewable), oil and gas, water management and general industries (including aerospace, pulp and paper and mining). FCD has 58 sites worldwide, including 25 principal manufacturing facilities ( five of which are located in the United States and 13 of which are located in Europe) and 33 QRCs, including three consolidated joint ventures. A small portion of the Company's valves are also produced through an unconsolidated joint venture in India.
The Company's pr! oducts ar! e used in a variety of applications, from general service to the severe and demanding services, including those involving high levels of corrosion, extreme temperatures and/or pressures, zero fugitive emissions and emergency shutdown. The Company's smart valve and diagnostic technologies integrate sensors, microprocessor controls and software into high performance integrated control valves, digital positioners and switchboxes for automated on/off valve assemblies and electric actuators. These technologies permit real-time system analysis, system warnings and remote indication of asset health. These technologies have been developed in response to the growing demand for reduced maintenance, improved process control efficiency and digital communications at the plant level. The Company's valve automation products encompass a range of pneumatic, electric, hydraulic and stored energy actuation designs to take advantage of whatever power source the customer has available.
The Company�� products includes valve automation systems, control valves, ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, lined plug valves, lubricated plug valves, diagnostic software, digital positioners, pneumatic positioners, intelligent positioners, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, diaphragm actuators, direct gas and gas-over-oil actuators. steam traps, boiler controls, digital communications, and valve and automation repair services. The Company�� brands include Accord, Anchor/Darling, Argus, Atomac, Durco, Edward, Flowserve, Gestra, Kammer, Limitorque, McCANNA/MARPAC, NAF, NAVAL, Noble Alloy, Norbro, Nordstrom, PMV, Serck Audco, Schmidt Armaturen, Valbart, Valtek, Vogt, and Worcester Controls. The Company provides equipment maintenance services for flow control systems, including advanced diagnostics, repair, installation, commissioning, retrofit programs and field machining capabilities.
The Company competes with Sulzer Pumps, Ebara Corp., SPX Corp., Eagle Burgmann, A. W. Chesterton Co. an! d AES Cor! p, John Crane Inc., and Weir Group Plc, ITT Industries, KSB Inc., Sulzer Pumps, Pentair Ltd., Cameron International Corp., Emerson Electric Co., General Electric Co. and Crane Co.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jim Jubak]
So, why did shares of Flowserve (FLS) soar 5.7%, yesterday?
Sure, the maker of all things that move water and other fluids beat Wall Street earnings projections for the fourth quarter by 6 cents a share (after excluding one-time charges) and revenue climbed 4.6% year over year, matching analyst estimates.
- [By Charles Carlson]
If you are new to DRIP investing, treat yourself to a few DRIPs this holiday season. Trust me��t'll change your life.
American Water Works (AWK)��ielding 2.7% with a DRIP minimum of $100
Cincinnati Financial (CINF)��ielding 3.2% with a DRIP minimum of $25
CVS Caremark (CVS)��ielding 1.4% with a DRIP minimum of $100
Dominion Resources (D)��ielding 3.4% with a DRIP minimum of $40
Domino's Pizza (DPZ)��ielding 1.2% with a DRIP minimum of $65
Eaton (ETN)��ielding 2.3% with a DRIP minimum of $100
Flowserve (FLS)��ielding 0.8% with a DRIP minimum of $100
Kellogg (K)��ielding 3.0% with a DRIP minimum of $50
New Jersey Resources (NJR)��ielding 3.7% with a DRIP minimum of $100
Quest Diagnostics (DGX)��ielding 2.0% with a DRIP minimum of $100
Tim Hortons (THI)��ielding 1.7% with a DRIP minimum of $25
Subscribe to Dow Theory Forecasts here��/p>
- [By Damon Churchwell]
Increasing sales and margins
A second, even larger, flow technology company to consider is Flowserve (NYSE: FLS ) . The company's flow control systems are utilized by a wide range of industries, led by oil & gas, chemicals, and power generation.
Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Buy Right Now: Eastern Co (EML)
The Eastern Company, incorporated in October, 1912, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of industrial hardware, security products and metal products from four United States operations and six wholly owned foreign subsidiaries. The Company maintains ten physical locations. The Company operates in three segments: Industrial Hardware, Security Products and Metal Products. The Industrial Hardware segment consists of Eberhard Manufacturing, Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd., Canadian Commercial Vehicles Corporation, Eastern Industrial Ltd. and Sesamee Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. The Security Products segment is made up of Greenwald Industries, Illinois Lock Company/CCL Security Products/Royal Lock, World Lock Company Ltd. and World Security Industries Ltd. The Metal Products segment is based at the Company�� Frazer & Jones facility.
Industrial Hardware
The industrial hardware segment units design, manufacture and market a diverse product line of industrial and vehicular hardware throughout North America. The segment�� locks, latches, hinges, handles, lightweight honeycomb composite structures and related hardware can be found on tractor-trailer trucks, moving vans, off-road construction and farming equipment, school buses, military vehicles and recreational boats. They are also used on pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and fire and rescue vehicles. In addition, the segment manufactures a selection of fasteners and other closure devices used to secure access doors on various types of industrial equipment, such as metal cabinets, machinery housings and electronic instruments.
Eastern Industrial expands the range of offerings of this segment to include plastic injection molding. Typical products include passenger restraint locks, slam and draw latches, dead bolt latches, compression latches, cam-type vehicular locks, hinges, tool box locks, light-weight sleeper boxes for Class eight trucks and school bus door closure hardware. The products are sold directly to ! original equipment manufacturers and to distributors through a distribution channel consisting of in-house salesmen and outside sales representatives. The industrial segment sells its products to an array of markets, such as the truck, bus and automotive industries, as well as to the industrial equipment, military and marine sectors.
Security Products
The Security Products segment manufactures electronic and mechanical locking devices, both keyed and keyless, for the computer, electronics, vending and gaming industries. The segment also supplies its products to the luggage, furniture, laboratory equipment and commercial laundry industries. Greenwald manufactures and markets coin acceptors and other coin security products used primarily in the commercial laundry markets, as well as hardware and accessories for the appliance industry. In addition, the segment provides a level of security for the access control, municipal parking and vending markets through the use of smart card technology.
Greenwald�� products include timers, drop meters, coin chutes, money boxes, meter cases, smart cards, value transfer stations, smart card readers, card management software, access control units, oven door latches, oven door switches and smoke eliminators. Illinois Lock Company/CCL Security Products/Royal Lock sales include cabinet locks, cam locks, electric switch locks, tubular key locks and combination padlocks. Many of the products are sold under the names SEARCHALERT, PRESTOSEAL, DUO, WARLOCK, SESAMEE, BIG TAG, PRESTOLOCK and HUSKI. These products are sold to original equipment manufacturers, distributors, route operators and locksmiths.
Metal Products
The Metal Products segment produces expansion shells for use in supporting the roofs of underground mines. This segment also manufactures specialty malleable and ductile iron castings. Typical products include mine roof support anchors, couplers for railroad braking systems, adjustable clamps for con! struction! and fittings for electrical installations. Mine roof support anchors are sold to distributors and directly to mines, while specialty castings are sold to original equipment manufacturers.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sally Jones]
Eastern Co. (EML) - Market Cap $96.49 Million
Eastern Co. is down 16% over 12 months. The company has a market cap of $96.49 million; its trades at around $15.55 with a P/E ratio of 13.60 and a P/B ratio of 1.30.
Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Buy Right Now: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp (WAB)
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Wabtec), doing business as Wabtec Corporation, is a providers of value-added, technology-based equipment and services for the global rail industry. It provides its products and services through two business segments: the Freight Group and the Transit Group, both of which have different market characteristics and business drivers. Effective November 18, 2011, Wabtec acquired Fulmer Company, a manufacturer of motor components for rail, power generation and other industrial markets. Effective November 3, 2011, Wabtec acquired Bearward Engineering, a manufacturer of cooling systems and related equipment for power generation and other industrial markets. On June 29, 2011, the Company acquired an aftermarket transit parts business from GE Transportation, a parts supply business for propulsion and control systems for the passenger transit car aftermarket in North America. On February 25, 2011, the Company acquired Brush Traction Group, a provider of locomotive overhauls, services and aftermarket components. In July 2012, it acquired Tec Tran Corp. and its affiliates. In October 2012, it acquired LH Group. Effective July 30, 2013, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp acquired Turbonetics Inc, a manufacturer of turbochargers and components. Effective September 24, 2013, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp acquired Longwood Industries Inc.
The Freight Group manufactures and services components for freight cars and locomotives, builds new switcher locomotives, rebuilds freight locomotives, supplies railway electronics, positive train control equipment, signal design and engineering services, and provides related heat exchange and cooling systems. Its customers include railroads, leasing companies, manufacturers of original equipment, such as locomotives and freight cars, and utilities. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Freight Group accounted for 61% of its total sales, with about 75% of its sales in North America and the remainder! to international customers.
The Transit Group manufactures and services components for new and existing passenger transit vehicles, which include subway cars and buses, builds new commuter locomotives and refurbishes subway cars. Customers include public transit authorities and municipalities, leasing companies, and manufacturers of subway cars and buses globally. During 2011, the Transit Group accounted for 39% of its total sales, with about half of its sales in North America and the remainder to international customers. During 2011, about 66% of the Transit Group�� sales are in the aftermarket and the remainder in the original equipment market.
The Company�� specialty products and electronics include positive train control equipment and electronically controlled pneumatic braking products; railway electronics, including event recorders, monitoring equipment and end of train devices; signal design and engineering services; freight car truck components; draft gears, couplers and slack adjusters; air compressors and dryers; heat exchangers and cooling products for locomotives and power generation equipment, and track and switch products. Its brake products include railway braking equipment and related components for freight and transit applications, and friction products, including brake shoes and pads. Its remanufacturing, overhaul and build products include new commuter and switcher locomotives, and transit car and locomotive overhaul and refurbishment. Its transit products include rail and bus door and window assemblies; accessibility lifts and ramps for buses and subway cars, and traction motors.
The Company competes with Knorr-Bremse AG, Electro-Motive Diesel, GE Transportation Systems and Faiveley Transport.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
The board of directors of railroad products manufacturer Wabtec (NYSE: WAB ) was busy yesterday, announcing it was increasing its quarterly dividend payment by 60% while simultaneously splitting the company's stock.
Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Buy Right Now: CNH Industrial NV (CNHI)
CNH Industrial NV is a Netherlands-based company primarily engaged in the manufacture of heavy machinery and vehicles equipment. It divides its activities into four main businesses. The Agricultural Equipment offers agricultural equipment under the New Holland Agriculture, Case IH brands and the Steyr brand. The Construction Equipment produces excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, compactors and other construction equipment under the New Holland Construction and Case Construction Equipment brands. The Trucks & Commercial Vehicles manufactures trucks and a commercial vehicles, including buses, coaches and special vehicles under Iveco, Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus brands, as well as it produces quarry and mining equipment through Iveco Astra, and fire fighting vehicles through the Iveco Magirus brand. The Powertrain offers transmission systems, engines for marine application and power generation through FPT Industrial brand. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
The largest detractor for the quarter was CNH Industrial (CNHI), a global agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer, which fell 11%.� CNH released its nine-month results, which showed revenue growth of 0.6%, but the company�� margins were adversely affected by Iveco, its trucks and commercial vehicles segment.� Iveco�� margins fell short of expectations due to tough pricing, high launch costs, negative mix and increases in bad debt provisions.� Management maintains full-year guidance of 3-4% revenue growth.� We believe improvements in the Iveco division will help CNH Industrial achieve its long-term margin targets.�
Top 10 Machinery Stocks To Buy Right Now: Chart Industries Inc (GTLS)
Chart Industries, Inc., incorporated on June 25, 1992, is an independent global manufacturer of engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. The Company supplies engineered equipment used throughout the global liquid gas supply chain. It operates in three segments: energy and chemicals (E&C), distribution and storage or (D&S), and biomedical. The E&C and D&S segments manufacture products used primarily in energy-related and general industrial applications, such as the separation, liquefaction, distribution and storage of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. Through its BioMedical segment, it supplies cryogenic and other equipment used in the storage and distribution of biological materials and oxygen, used primarily in the medical, biological research and animal breeding industries.
The Company�� products, including vacuum insulated containment vessels, heat exchangers, cold boxes and other cryogenic components, are used throughout the liquid gas supply chain for the purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. It is a manufacturer of standard and engineered equipment primarily used for low-temperature and cryogenic applications. The Company�� primary customers are multinational producers and distributors of hydrocarbon and industrial gases and their suppliers. The Company sells its products and services to more than 2,000 customers worldwide.
Energy and Chemicals Segment
The Company is a designer and manufacturer of cryogenic brazed aluminum and air cooled heat exchangers. The Company�� brazed aluminum heat exchangers are incorporated into assemblies and cold boxes to facilitate the progressive cooling and liquefaction of air or hydrocarbon mixtures for the subsequent recovery or purification of component gases. In hydrocarbon processing industries, its brazed aluminum heat exchangers allow producers to obtain purified hydrocarbon by-products, such ! as methane, ethane, propane and ethylene, which are commercially marketable for various industrial or residential uses. In the industrial gas market, its brazed aluminum heat exchangers are used to produce high purity atmospheric gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen and argon, which have diverse industrial applications. The Company�� air cooled heat exchangers are used in multiple markets to cool fluids to allow for further processing or to provide condensing of fluids, including hydrocarbon, petrochemical, natural gas processing, and power generation. Its compact Core-in-Kettle heat exchangers are designed to replace shell-and-tube exchangers, offering significantly more heat transfer surface per unit volume and improving the efficiency of chillers, vaporizers, reboilers and condensers in hydrocarbon applications including ethylene, propylene and LNG.
The Company is a designer and fabricator of cold boxes. Cold boxes are engineered systems used to reduce the temperature of gas mixtures to the point where component gases liquefy and can be separated and purified for further use in multiple industrial, scientific and commercial applications. In the hydrocarbon processing industry, its cold box systems are used in natural gas processing and in the petrochemical industry. In the industrial gas industry, cold box systems are used to separate air into its atmospheric components, including nitrogen, oxygen and argon, where the gases are used in a diverse range of applications, such as metal production and heat treating, enhanced oil and gas production, coal gasification, chemical and oil refining, the quick-freezing of food, wastewater treatment and industrial welding. The construction of a cold box system generally consists of one or more brazed aluminum heat exchangers and other equipment packaged in a box consisting of a structural metal frame encasing a complex system of piping, valves and instrumentation.
The Company designs and manufactures of engineered hydrocarbon process syst! ems speci! fically for those markets requiring cryogenic processing technology. These Concept-to-Reality process systems incorporate many of Chart�� core products, including brazed aluminum heat exchangers, Core-in-Kettles, cold boxes, vessels, pipe work and air cooled heat exchangers. These systems are used for global LNG projects, including projects in the United States and China for both domestic LNG production for diesel displacement and in the conversion of LNG import terminals to export terminals, and also for use in global nitrogen rejection units (NRU) and propane dehydrogenation (PDH).
Distribution and Storage Segment
The Company is a supplier of cryogenic equipment to the global bulk and packaged industrial gas industry as well as for energy-related applications. Its products span the entire spectrum of industrial gas demand from small customers requiring cryogenic packaged gases to large users requiring custom engineered cryogenic storage systems. Its products in the D&S segment include Cryogenic Bulk Storage Systems, Cryogenic Packaged Gas Systems, Cryogenic Systems and Components, LNG Applications, Beverage Liquid CO2 Systems, and Cryogenic Services. The Company is a supplier of cryogenic bulk storage systems (stationary tanks, trailers, and ISO tanks) of various sizes ranging from 500 gallons to 250,000 gallons. End use customers for its cryogenic storage equipment include industrial gas producers and distributors, chemical producers, manufacturers of electrical components, health care organizations, food processors and businesses in the oil and natural gas industries.
The Company is supplier of cryogenic packaged gas systems of various sizes ranging from 160 liters to 3,000 liters. Cryogenic liquid cylinders are used extensively in the packaged gas industry to allow smaller quantities of liquid to be easily delivered to the customers of industrial gas distributors on a full-for-empty or fill-on-site basis. Principal customers for its liquid cylinders are th! e same gl! obal industrial gas producers and the North American industrial gas distributors who purchase its cryogenic bulk storage systems. It has developed two technologies in the packaged gas product area: ORCA Micro-Bulk systems and Tri-fecta Laser Gas assist systems. ORCA Micro-Bulk systems bring the ease of use and distribution economics of bulk gas supply to customers formerly supplied by high pressure or cryogenic liquid cylinders. The Tri-fecta Laser Gas assist system was developed to meet the assist gas performance requirements for new high powered lasers being used in the metal fabrication industry. The Company�� line of cryogenic components, including VIP, engineered bulk gas installations, specialty liquid nitrogen (LN2), end-use equipment and cryogenic flow meters are recognized in the market for their reliability, quality and performance. These products are sold to industrial gas producers, as well as to a diverse group of distributors, resellers and end users.
The Company supplies cryogenic solutions for the storage, distribution, vaporization, and application of LNG. LNG may be utilized as a primary source of heat or power at industrial or residential complexes located away from a natural gas pipeline. LNG may also be used for peak shaving or as a backup supply at remote locations. It refers to its LNG distribution products as a Virtual Pipeline as the natural gas pipeline is replaced with cryogenic distribution to deliver the gas to the end user. It supplies cryogenic trailers, bulk storage tanks, tap-off facilities, and vaporization equipment specially configured for LNG into Virtual Pipeline applications. LNG may also be used as a fuel to power vehicles or ships. The Beverage Liquid CO2 Systems product line consists primarily of vacuum insulated, bulk liquid CO2 containers used for beverage carbonation in restaurants, convenience stores and cinemas, in sizes ranging from 100 pounds to 750 pounds of liquid CO2 storage. It also manufactures and market non-insulated, bulk fountain ! syrup con! tainers for side-by-side installation with its CO2 systems. Its beverage systems are sold to national restaurant chains, soft drink companies and CO2 distributors. Its primary competitors for bulk liquid CO2 beverage delivery systems are Taylor-Wharton and other producers of high-pressure gaseous CO2 cylinders. The Company operates locations in the United States and Europe providing installation, service, repair and maintenance of cryogenic products, including storage tanks, liquid cylinders, cryogenic trailers, cryogenic railcars, cryogenic pumps, cryogenic flow meters and VIP.
BioMedical Segment
The Company�� BioMedical segment consists of various product lines built around its core competencies in cryogenics and pressure swing adsorption, but with a focus on the respiratory and biological users of the liquids and gases instead of the large producers and distributors of cryogenic liquids. Its products in the BioMedical segment include Respiratory Products, Cold Storage Systems, and Commercial Oxygen Generation Systems. Its respiratory oxygen product line consists of a range of medical respiratory products, including liquid oxygen systems and ambulatory oxygen systems, both of which are used primarily for the in-home supplemental oxygen treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.
The Cold Storage Systems product line consists of vacuum insulated containment vessels for the storage of biological materials. The primary applications for this product line include medical laboratories, biotech/pharmaceutical, research facilities, blood and tissue banks, veterinary laboratories, large-scale repositories and artificial insemination, particularly in the beef and dairy industry.
The Company competes with Linde, Sumitomo, Kobe, Fives, Linde, Air Products, Praxair, Air Liquide, Taylor-Wharton International or Taylor-Wharton and CVA/INOX, Taylor-Wharton and Beijing Tenhai Industrial Cylinders, Acme Cr! yogenics,! Vacuum Barrier Corporation, and Ind-Burma Petroleum Company.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Chart Industries (Nasdaq: GTLS ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on April 25. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Chart Industries's revenues will increase 32.2% and EPS will increase 39.6%. - [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Top losers in the sector included Chart Industries (NASDAQ: GTLS), Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE: JEC), and ABB (NYSE: ABB).
Top Headline
Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) reported a 7% rise in its first-quarter profit. Merck's quarterly profit surged to $1.71 billion, or $0.57 per share, compared to a year-ago profit of $1.59 billion, or $0.52 per share. Excluding certain items, Merck earned $0.88 per share, up from $0.85 per share Its revenue dropped 4% to $10.26 billion versus $10.67 billion. However, analysts were estimating earnings of $0.79 per share on revenue of $10.43 billion. Merck reiterated its full-year earnings forecast of $2.15 to $2.47 per share.
