We’ve written about the ongoing rise in food demand in a number of previous Investing Daily articles. There are two main factors driving this trend: the rising global population and increasing wealth, particularly in the developing world.
Below, we’ll examine an agriculture ETF that’s poised to capitalize on rising food demand, but first, here are a few reasons why rising food consumption—and prices—will be a fact of life for many years to come.
Basic Lack of Supply, Rising Demand Fuel This Agriculture ETF
The global population is not only eating more food but demanding better quality fare. For the most part, higher quality means more meat. That directly translates into rising crop consumption, because it takes about 10 pounds of corn and grain to produce a single pound of beef.
“Meanwhile, the amount of arable land is on the decline,” wrote Investing Daily analyst Benjamin Shepherd in a February 2012 article. “According to UN data, there was half an acre of arable land available for every person on earth in 1964. But due to development, pollution, population growth and a variety of other factors, that figure had dropped to 0.2 acres per capita by 2008.”
TiVo Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides technology and services for television solutions, including digital video recorders (DVRs) and connected televisions in the United States and internationally. The company offers subscription-based TiVo service, which enhances home entertainment by providing consumers with a way to record, watch, and control live television, as well as to receive videos, pictures, and movies from cable, broadcast, and broadband sources in one interface. It also provides a platform for advertising and audience research measurement services. TiVo Inc. distributes the TiVo DVR through consumer electronics retailers and its online store at TiVo.com, as well as the TiVo service through agreements with satellite and cable television service providers; and broadcasting companies. As of January 31, 2011, it had approximately 1.5 million subscriptions to the TiVo service. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Alviso, California. Advisors' Opinion:
- [By Myra P. Saefong]
TiVo (TIVO) , meanwhile, said it saw third-quarter earnings of 10 cents a share on revenue of $117.3 million. The maker of TV set-top boxes was expected to report earnings-per-share of 6 cents on revenue of $104 million.
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Next week investors will be waiting for several key earnings reports, �including�Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ), Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF), Nuance Communications, Inc.(NASDAQ: NUAN) and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO).
Top 10 Quality Stocks To Buy For 2014: Thor Industries Inc.(THO)
Thor Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells a range of recreation vehicles and small and mid-size buses, as well as related parts and accessories in the United States and Canada. The company offers a range of travel trailers and motorhomes under the trade name of Airstream, which include Airstream Safari, International, Flying Cloud, and Bambi travel trailers, as well as Interstate Class B motorhomes. It also manufactures and sells conventional travel trailers and fifth wheels under the trade names of Dutchmen, Four Winds, Aero, Grand Junction, Colorado, Cruiser, Seville, Zinger, and Sunset Trail; travel trailers and fifth wheels under trade names of Montana, Springdale, Hornet, Sprinter, Outback, Laredo, Everest, Mountaineer, Challenger, Cougar, Komfort, and Trailblazer; and gasoline and diesel Class C, Class A, and Class B motorhomes under the trade names of Four Winds, Hurricane, Windsport, Mandalay, Dutchmen, Chateau, Serrano, Ventura, and Fun Mover. In addition, it manufactures and sells gasoline and diesel Class A motor homes under the trade names of Daybreak, Challenger, Astoria, Tuscany, Outlaw, and Avanti; travel trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers, and park models under the trade name of General Coach; and park models under the trade names of Tranquility, Westchester, and Breckenridge. Further, the company manufactures small and mid-size transit and commercial buses under the trade names of Aerolite, AeroElite, Aerotech, Escort, MST, Transmark, EZ Rider, Axess, Challenger, Defender, Crusader, American Cruiser, Classic Coach, EZ Trans, GC II, and Pacer. It markets its vehicles through independent dealers to municipalities and private purchasers, such as rental car companies and hotels. The company has a joint venture agreement with Cruise America, Inc. to provide short-term rentals of motorized recreation vehicles to the public. Thor Industries was founded in 1980 and is based in Jackson Center, Oh io.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of recreational vehicle maker Thor Industries (NYSE: THO ) popped 10% today after its quarterly results topped Wall Street expectations.
- [By Roberto Pedone]
My first earnings short-squeeze trade idea is recreational vehicle maker Thor Industries (THO), which is set to release numbers on Thursday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Thor Industries to report revenue of $964.54 million on earnings of 95 cents per share.
The current short interest as a percentage of the float Thor Industries is notable at 6.7%. That means that out of the 50.23 million shares in the tradable float, 3.01 million shares are sold short by the bears. If the bulls get the earnings news they're looking for, then shares of THO could easily rip sharply higher post-earnings.
From a technical perspective, THO is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last six months, with shares moving higher from its low of $34.38 to its recent high of $55.93 a share. During that uptrend, shares of THO have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of THO within range of triggering a big breakout trade post earnings.
If you're bullish on THO, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $55.29 to its 52-week high at $55.93 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average action of 397,012 shares. If that breakout hits, then THO will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $65 to $70 a share.
I would simply avoid THO or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout, and then drops back below some key near-term support levels at its 50-day moving average of $53.11 to $52.52 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then THO will set up to
- [By Lauren Pollock]
Thor Industries Inc.'s(THO) fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 33% on the strength of higher sales and wider margins. But results came in lower than expected.
Top 10 Quality Stocks To Buy For 2014: American Water Works(AWK)
American Water Works Company, Inc. provides water and wastewater services to residential, commercial, industrial, public, and other customers in the United States and Canada. As of December 31, 2010, the company served approximately 15 million people with drinking water, wastewater, and other water-related services in approximately 30 states and 2 Canadian provinces. It owned approximately 90 surface water treatment plants, 600 groundwater treatment plants, 1,200 groundwater wells, 60 wastewater treatment facilities, 1,300 treated water storage facilities, 1,300 pumping stations and 100 dams, and 49,000 miles of mains and collection pipes. American Water Works Company also enters into public/private partnerships, including operation and maintenance contracts; and design, build, and operate contracts for the provision of services to water and wastewater facilities for municipalities and the United States military. In addition, it enters into contracts to operate and maintai n water and wastewater facilities for the United States military, municipalities, the food and beverage industry, and other customers; and provides services to domestic homeowners to protect against the cost of repairing broken or leaking pipes inside and outside their homes. Further, the company provides biosolids management, transport, and disposal services to municipal and industrial customers. Additionally, it offers granular carbon technologies and products for cleansing water and wastewater, wastewater residuals management services, and water and wastewater facility engineering services. The company was founded in 1886 and is based in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Ben Levisohn]
Strategist Andrew Garthwaite and team explain why companies like Sprint (S),� American Water Works (AWK), Volcano (VOLC), Southern (SO) and Level 3 Communications�(LVLT) could get hit by the taper:
- [By David Dittman]
Answer: Water utilities have great track records of dividend growth: Aqua America, American Water Works Co Inc (NYSE: AWK) and Connecticut Water Service Inc (NSDQ: CTWS).
- [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 Jon C. Ogg]
We still have many key oil and energy companies reporting in the week ahead but we have now seen the sector leaders report earnings. Earnings previews have been prepared for the following stocks:
CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTZ) Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) Office Depot Inc. (NYSE: ODP) and OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) American Water Works Company Inc. (NYSE: AWK) Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) QUALCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) Whole Foods Market Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM) Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) Molycorp Inc. (NYSE: MCP) The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) Priceline.com Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLN) The Wendy’s Company (NYSE: WEN) CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) reports earnings on Monday morning. With all of the exchange mergers of the last decade this remains one of the dominant exchanges. Estimates are $0.73 EPS and $713.3 million in revenue. Keep in mind that this exchange is now worth $25 billion. At $74.70, the consensus analyst price target is only just barely higher at almost $75.50.
Top 10 Quality Stocks To Buy For 2014: ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (ASA)
ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited is a self management investment trust. The firm invests in the public equity markets across the globe. It primarily invests in stocks of companies engaged in the exploration, mining or processing of gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, or other precious minerals. ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited was founded in 1958 and is based in San Mateo, California.
Advisors' Opinion: Top 10 Quality Stocks To Buy For 2014: California Water Service Group (CWT)
California Water Service Group, incorporated on August 2, 1999, is a holding company. The Company operates California Water Service Company (Cal Water), New Mexico Water Service Company (New Mexico Water), Washington Water Service Company (Washington Water), Hawaii Water Service Company, Inc. (Hawaii Water), and CWS Utility Services and HWS Utility Services LLC are collectively called Utility Services. Cal Water, New Mexico Water, Washington Water, and Hawaii Water are regulated public utilities. Utility Services provides non-regulated services to private companies and municipalities. The Company�� business is conducted through its operating subsidiaries. Its bulk business consists of the production, purchase, storage, treatment, testing, distribution and sale of water for domestic, industrial, public and irrigation uses, and for fire protection. It also provides non-regulated water-related services under agreements with municipalities and other private companies. The non-regulated services include full water system operation, billing and meter reading services. Non-regulated operations also include the lease of communication antenna sites, lab services, and promotion of other non-regulated services.
Regulated Business
California water operations are conducted by the Cal Water and CWS Utility Services entities, which provide service to approximately 473,100 customers in 83 California communities through 25 separate districts. Of these 25 districts, 23 districts are regulated water systems, which are subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Cal Water operates two leased water systems, the City of Hawthorne and the City of Commerce, which are governed through their respective city councils and are outside of the CPUC's jurisdiction. California water operations account for approximately 94% of its total customers and approximately 94% of its total consolidated operating revenue.
Hawaii Water provides service to approximately 4,2! 00 water and wastewater customers on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, including several resorts and condominium complexes. Hawaii's regulated operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Hawaii Water accounts for less than 1% of its total customers and approximately 3% of its total operating revenue.
Washington Water provides domestic water service to approximately 15,800 customers in the Tacoma and Olympia areas. Washington Water's utility operations are regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Washington Water accounts for approximately 3% of its total customers and approximately 2% of its total consolidated operating revenue.
New Mexico Water provides service to approximately 7,600 water and wastewater customers in the Belen, Los Lunas and Elephant Butte areas in New Mexico. New Mexico's regulated operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. New Mexico Water accounts for approximately 2% of its total customers and approximately 1% of its total consolidated operating revenue.
Non-Regulated Businesses
Non-regulated activities consist primarily of operating water and waste water systems, which are owned by other entities; providing meter reading and billing services; leasing communication antenna sites on its properties; operating recycled water systems; providing lab services for water quality testing; billing of optional third-party insurance program to its residential customers; selling surplus property, and other services as requested by the client. The Company provides operating and maintenance, meter reading and customer billing services for several municipalities in California. It also provides sewer and refuse billing services to several municipalities. The Company leases antenna sites to telecommunication companies, which place equipment at various Company-owned sites. The antennas are used in cellular phone and personal communic! ation app! lications.
Advisors' Opinion: Top 10 Quality Stocks To Buy For 2014: Jinzanghuang Tibet Pharmaceuticals Inc (JZHG)
Jinzanghuang Tibet Pharmaceuticals, Inc. distributes Tibetan pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products in the People�� Republic of China (PRC) through Leling Jinzanghuang Biotech Co., Ltd. (Leling JZH). The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tibet Medicine, Inc., owns 100% of Beijing Taibodekang Consulting Co., Ltd. (Beijing Taibodekang), a wholly foreign owned entity. Beijing Taibodekang had entered into four agreements with Leling Jinzanghuang Biotech Co., Ltd. (Leling Jinzanghuang) and with the equity owners in Leling Jinzanghuang. Collectively, the agreements provide Beijing Taibodekang exclusive control over the business of Leling Jinzanghuang. Leling Jinzanghuang engages in the distribution of the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products that Tibetans have used for centuries to treat diseases and facilitate health. The distributed products are classified by Leling Jinzanghuang in three major categories: pharmaceuticals, therapeutic supplements, and dietary supplements.
The 13 Tibetan health products that Leling Jinzanghuang distributes are among those Tibetan medicines made with modern drug manufacturing techniques. The manufacturing equipment and techniques used by its supplier are certified under China�� national standards of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and are in compliance with applicable regulations of the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), which regulates both the pharmaceutical and the nutraceutical industries in China.
Ying Huang Tablet
Ying Huang Tablet is one the two pharmaceutical products marketed by Leling Jinzanghuang that been approved by SFDA. The effective ingredients in the Ying Huang Tablet are extracts from the honeysuckle and the Huangqin herb. It can be used to treat upper respiratory infections including pharyngitis, encephalitis and conjunctivitis. It can also be used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
San Qi Capsules
San Qi Capsules is a dietary supplements certified! by SFDA. San Qi Capsules lower blood lipid and cholesterol levels. Thus they can be used as a precautionary therapy to prevent cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, heart angina and stroke. In addition, the San Qi Capsules enhance immune system functions, which may help in the prevention of cancer.
Foshou Capsules
Foshou Capsules is a Tibetan nutraceutical. The effective ingredients, Xue Yu, Dongchong Xiacao, Fozhang, and Ginseng, are extracts of several plants and animals that are native to the Tibet Plateau.
Bai He Capsules
Bai He Capsules is a Tibetan dietary supplement. The effective ingredients consist of Baihe, Fozhang Ginseng and Himalayan purple jasmine. The Bai He Capsules are used to treat male erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunction problems.
The Company competes with Jingqiu Tibetan Medicine, Jinhe Tibetan Medicine and Tibetan Pharmaceutical Factory, Tibet Cheezheng Tibetan Medicine and Niemula Tibet Medicine.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Peter Graham]
Small cap medical technology stock Sanomedics International Holdings (OTCMKTS: SIMH) recently completed financing and an acquisition while JinZangHuang Tibet Pharmaceuticals, Inc (OTCMKTS: JZHG) surged 48.28% on Friday. However, that�� only part of the story as one of these stocks has been the subject of paid promotions while the other has no new news for investors. So are either of these small cap stocks the cure for any portfolio pains you may be suffering from? Here is a quick reality check:
Top 10 Quality Stocks To Buy For 2014: adidas AG (ADDYY)
adidas AG designs, develops, produces, and markets through its own retail activities a range of athletic and sports lifestyle products. The Company operates in six segments: Wholesale, Retail, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Rockport, Reebok-CCM Hockey and Other Centrally Managed Brands. adidas AG is the ultimate parent if the adidas Group. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 169 subsidiaries worldwide. In June 2012, the Company announced that its TaylorMade-adidas Golf business segment completed the acquisition of Adams Golf, Inc.
The Wholesale segment consists of all business activities relating to the distribution of adidas and Reebok products to retail customers. The Retail segment consists of all business activities relating to the sales of adidas and Reebok products directly to consumers through own retail and own e-commerce platforms. adidas and Reebok branded products include footwear, apparel and hardware, such as bags and balls. TaylorMade-adidas Golf includes the three brands: TaylorMade, adidas Golf and Ashworth. TaylorMade designs, develops and assembles golf clubs, balls and accessories. adidas Golf branded products include footwear, apparel, and accessories. Ashworth designs and distributes men�� and women�� lifestyle sportswear. Rockport designs and markets leather footwear for men and women. Reebok-CCM Hockey designs, produces and markets hockey equipment, such as sticks and skates, as well as apparel mainly under the brand names, Reebok Hockey and CCM. The Other Centrally Managed Brands segment primarily includes the business activities of the Y-3 label, under which premium footwear and apparel are designed and distributed.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Jake Mann]
Enter Rich Froning
Rich Froning, the sport's equivalent of Michael Jordan, recently won a record fourth-straight CrossFit Games title. The victory came days after he signed a�long-term endorsement contract with�Adidas� (NASDAQOTH: ADDYY ) �subsidiary�Reebok.
