AP/Paul Sakuma NEW YORK -- NFL Playoff parties may have one fewer dip option this year. Kraft Foods (KRFT) says some customers may not be able to find Velveeta cheese over the next few weeks. A representative for the company, Jody Moore, didn't give any reasons for the apparent shortage, saying only that it happens from time to time given the "nature of manufacturing." She noted that the lack of availability is more noticeable because of the seasonal demand during the football playoffs. The company has been airing TV commercials featuring a recipe for a chili con queso dip made with Velveeta. Moore says it should be a short-term situation and that Kraft hasn't yet heard from any customers who are having problem finding the products. She did not say whether the company experienced a similar shortage last year. The trade publication Ad Age reported the issue Tuesday, quoting an employee at a Brooklyn-area grocery store who didn't expect shipments again until February due to "a plant issue." Representatives for supermarket chain operators Kroger (KR) and Safeway (SWY) were not immediately available to comment on whether they were having difficulty stocking Velveeta cheeses. The shortage affects only the Velveeta hard cheese products, but was not limited to a specific area. "It is possible consumers in any part of the country may not be able to find some Velveeta products," Moore said in an email. Kraft Foods Group Inc., based in Northfield, Ill., also owns brand including Jell-O, Oscar Mayer and Maxwell House.
Top Stock Picks 2015: Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc.(CNSL)
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services to residential and business customers in Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Its telecommunications services include local and long-distance services, high-speed broadband Internet access, standard and high-definition digital television, digital telephone services, custom calling features, private line services, carrier access services, network capacity services over its regional fiber optic network, and competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) services. The company also offers telephone directory publishing services, wholesale transport services on its fiber-optic network in Texas, billing and collection services, inside wiring services, and maintenance services. In addition, it provides automated calling services for correctional facilities; and sells and supports telecommunications equipment, such as key, private branch exchange, and IP-based telephone system s to business customers in Texas and Illinois. The company serves residential customers, and universities and hospitals, as well as retail, commercial, light manufacturing, and service industry accounts in Illinois; manufacturing and retail industries, hospitals, local governments, and school districts in Texas; and small to mid-sized businesses, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2011, it had 227,992 local access lines, 110,913 digital subscriber lines, 34,356 Internet protocol digital television subscribers, 9,199 voice over Internet protocol, and 89,774 CLEC access line equivalents. The company was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Consolidated Communications Holdings (Nasdaq: CNSL ) is expected to report Q1 earnings on May 9. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
- [By Anna Prior]
Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc.(CNSL) has agreed to acquire broadband communications provider Enventis Corp.(ENVE) in an all-stock deal that values Enventis at about $228 million. The deal values Enventis at about $16.50 a share, a 17% premium to Friday’s close.
- [By David Dittman]
Answer: I�� leery of the rural telecoms right now. I do recommend Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc (NSDQ: CNSL) in the UF Income Portfolio, but it benefits from a JV with Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) that generates substantial cash flow and sets it apart from its peers, who are otherwise struggling against declines in traditional wireline businesses as well as intense competition from bigger, better-funded national players in broadband and business service.
Top 10 Supermarket Stocks To Invest In Right Now: VisionChina Media Inc.(VISN)
VisionChina Media Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides advertising services in the People?s Republic of China. The company operates out-of-home advertising network using real-time mobile digital television broadcasts to deliver content and advertising on mass transportation systems. Its mobile digital television advertising network delivers real-time content provided by the local television stations. The company?s network also displays real-time news and stock quotes, weather and traffic updates, sports highlights, and other programs, as well as disseminates public-interest messages and programs that promote the general welfare of society and other urgent messages during emergency situations, such as typhoons, earthquakes, and other events that concern public safety. Its advertising network consists of digital television displays primarily located on buses, and in subway trains and subway platforms that receive mobile digital television broadcasts of real-time conten t and advertising. The company also operates various closed-circuit advertising digital displays in subway platforms and subway trains in Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen, and Tianjin, as well as in subway trains in Hong Kong. As of December 31, 2010, its network and supplemental subway advertising platform covered 23 cities in China and consisted of approximately 137,395 digital displays. The company sells its advertising time through direct sales force and third party advertising agencies. VisionChina Media Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
VisionChina Media (NASDAQ: VISN) surged 31.25% to $31.75 in the pre-market session after the company announced an exclusive strategic cooperation with Baidu Games.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
In trading on Wednesday, cyclical consumer goods & services shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.41 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in energy sector included Autobytel (NASDAQ: ABTL), with shares up 20.6 percent, and VisionChina Media (NASDAQ: VISN), with shares up 15.5 percent. - [By Monica Gerson]
VisionChina Media (NASDAQ: VISN) soared 5.13% to $32.80 in the pre-market trading. VisionChina's trailing-twelve-month revenue is $98.39 million.
The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) surged 0.90% to $45.00 in the pre-market session. Dow Chemical's trailing-twelve-month revenue is $56.61 billion.
Top 10 Supermarket Stocks To Invest In Right Now: The Ultimate Software Group Inc.(ULTI)
The Ultimate Software Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, and markets unified human capital management software-as-a-service solutions to businesses in the United States and Canada. Its UltiPro software solution offers businesses with cloud-based functionality to manage the employment life cycle from recruitment to retirement. The UltiPro solution includes feature sets for talent acquisition and onboarding, human resource management and compliance, benefits management and online enrollment, payroll, performance management, salary planning and budgeting for compensation management, succession management, reporting and analytical decision-making tools, and time and attendance, as well as role-based access for executives, managers, administrators, and employees. The company offers its products and services for various industries, including manufacturing, food services, sports, technology, finance, insurance, retail, real estate, transportation, com munications, healthcare, and other services. It also provides implementation, training, maintenance, and technical support services. The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. markets its products under the UltiPro Enterprise and UltiPro Workplace brand names through its direct sales teams. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Weston, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alexandra Scaggs]
Then the bank appeared to backpedal a bit in its note yesterday, cutting back on its recommended holdings in Ultimate Software Group(ULTI) and Mastercard(MA) and adding to its recommended positions in Anadarko Petroleum Corp.(APC), an energy stock, and Philip Morris International Inc.(PM), a consumer-staples stock. Morgan Stanley strategist Adam Parker �and his�team found that times when value stocks outperform growth stocks by such a wide margin “are typically followed by periods where value outperforms.”
Top 10 Supermarket Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Plains Exploration & Production Company(PXP)
Plains Exploration & Production Company, an independent oil and gas company, primarily engages in acquiring, developing, exploring, and producing oil and gas in California, Texas, and Louisiana. It owns oil and gas properties with principal operations in onshore California; offshore California; the Gulf Coast region, including Haynesville Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, and south and east Texas; the Mid-Continent region; and the Rocky Mountains. As of December 31, 2010, the company had estimated proved reserves of 416.1 million barrels of oil equivalent. Plains Exploration & Production Company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Matt DiLallo]
While it has diversity among metals, the company is also in the final stages of adding even more diversity among commodities. It has pending deals to acquire both McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR ) and Plains Exploration and Production (NYSE: PXP ) . When the deals close, Freeport will shift its revenue mix from 100% mining related to around 75% mining and 25% oil and gas. That makes the company a truly diversified economic indicator as copper, oil, and natural gas are much more important to our economy than aluminum.
- [By David Smith]
The pending purchases
Aside from its current core metals operations, Freeport is in the process of acquiring a pair of independent oil and gas producers, Plains Exploration & Production (NYSE: PXP ) and McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR ) . In December, Freeport announced that it would pay 0.6531 shares of its common stock and $25 in cash for each outstanding share of Plains. In addition, for McMoRan it stated that it would pay $14.75 in cash and 1.15 units of a royalty trust that will hold a 5% overriding royalty interest in McMoRan's shallow water and ultra-deepwater prospects. - [By Dan Caplinger]
1 (tie). Louisiana, March 29
Louisiana climbs to the top spot by keeping property taxes below $750 and collecting just a 4% sales tax, although local options add nearly 5 percentage points to that figure and make the state one of the highest-collecting sales-tax states. Although extensive activity from energy producers Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK ) , Encana (NYSE: ECA ) , and Plains Exploration (NYSE: PXP ) in the Haynesville-Bossier shale play could boost incomes and lead to higher taxes, much of Louisiana's sales tax revenue comes from out-of-state tourists visiting the state, leaving the actual amount borne by residents even lower. A 6% income tax isn't enough to push Louisiana out of the top spot.
Top 10 Supermarket Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Gannett Co. Inc. (GCI)
Gannett Co., Inc. operates as a media and marketing solutions company in the United States and internationally. Its Publishing segment publishes 83 U.S. daily newspapers with affiliated online sites, including USA TODAY, a national, general-interest daily newspaper; USATODAY.com; USA WEEKEND, a magazine supplement for newspapers; Clipper Magazine, a direct mail advertising magazine; bi-weekly Nursing Spectrum and NurseWeek periodicals; and military and defense newspapers. This segment also includes 17 paid-for daily newspapers; approximately 200 weekly newspapers, magazines, and trade publications; and approximately 600 non-daily publications, as well as involves in commercial printing, newswire, marketing, and data services operations. The company?s Digital segment owns and operates CareerBuilder, an employment Web site, which offers online recruitment and career advancement services for employers, employees, recruiters, and job seekers; ShopLocal, which provides multicha nnel shopping and advertising services; Planet Discover, which offers hosted search and advertising services; PointRoll, which provides digital marketing services and technology; and Schedule Star, which offers scheduling solution for high school athletic departments. Its Broadcasting segment operates 23 television stations and affiliated Web sites, which produce local programming, such as news, sports, and entertainment programming. This segment also includes Captivate Network, a national news and entertainment network that delivers programming and full-motion video advertising on video screens located in elevators of office towers and select hotel lobbies in North America. The company has strategic business relationships with online affiliates, including Classified Ventures, ShopLocal.com, Topix, and Metromix LLC, as well as strategic marketing agreement with Microsoft. Gannett Co., Inc. was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Gannett (GCI) rose 3.6% to $26.67 after Belo (BLC) shareholders approved a merger of the two companies. Belo’s stock fell 0.6% to $13.72.
Carnival (CCL) fell 5.3% to $32.70 today, a day after falling nearly 8% on disappointing earnings. Barron’s says it’s time to buy.
- [By Mike Deane]
Early on Monday morning, Gannett (GCI) had its price target raised to $35 from $34 at FBR Capital. The ratings company also affirmed that Gannett is a “Top Pick.”�
Gannett, a publishing and broadcasting company that operates in the U.S. and the U.K., currently has a price of $29.76, and FBR’s new target suggests an 18% upside.
FBR analyst William Bird had the following comments about GCI’s PT raise: “Based on our analysis, we estimate that Gannett’s spectrum is worth approximately $2.2 billion, or $9 per share, roughly doubling in value from the�acquisition�of BLC (i.e., pre-deal valuation of ~$1.1 billion). Separately, we are lowering our 2014 EPS estimate by $0.07 to reflect the previously announced sale of three stations to MDP (note: an expected midyear close means that the stations will not be in operating results from January 1, but the proceeds will not be received until midyear). We are increasing our price target to $35 from $34 to reflect shareholder accretion from the sale. We like Gannett’s improving business mix, growth profile, and ability to drive growth with its own propeller through higher retrans, synergies, and potential TV acquisitions.”
Gannett stock was inactive in pre-market trading. So far this year, the company’s stock is up 0.61%.
- [By Jon Friedman]
On June 13, Gannett (NYSE: GCI ) sent Wall Street a clear message: We are much more than the nation's leading newspaper chain.
That was the day that Gannett announced plans to acquire television company Belo Corp. for $1.5 billion, transforming Gannett's image overnight�from an old-fashioned newspaper chain (bad, bad image) to a more promising television operation (very good one).
- [By Monica Gerson]
Gannett Co (NYSE: GCI) is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.41 per share on revenue of $1.27 billion.
VMware (NYSE: VMW) is projected to report its Q3 earnings at $0.82 per share on revenue of $1.29 billion.
Top 10 Supermarket Stocks To Invest In Right Now: LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc (RIT)
LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund�� primary investment objective is to provide high current income. Its secondary investment objective is capital appreciation. Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) is the Fund�� investment manager and AEW Management and Advisors, L.P. (AEW) is the Fund�� subadviser. LMPFA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc.
The Fund invests in securities related to the real estate industry. Its portfolio includes common stocks, preferred stocks and short-term investments. The Fund invests in sectors, such as office, healthcare, diversified, apartments, industrial, shopping centers, home financing, lodging/resorts, regional malls and specialty.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Joe Eqcome]
Actionable Items:
Highest Positive Spread: Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund (JLS)Focus Stock: LMP Real Estate Income Fund (RIT)Last Week's Focus Stock: ASA Gold and Precious Metals (ASA)ECB cuts its rates: The European Central Bank (ECB) will cut its benchmark rate a quarter-of-a-point to 0.5%.
- [By GURUFOCUS]
Special Purpose Funds- Eaton Vance Tax-Adv. Global Dividend Oppor. Fund (ETO) | Yield: 7.3%
- The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (GLU) | Yield: 6.2%
- Pimco Global Stocksplus Income Fund (PGP) | Yield: 9.5%
- LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (RIT) | Yield: 7.0%
Top 10 Supermarket Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Ishares Trust S & P Global (IXC)
iShares S&P Global Energy Sector Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poor�� Global Energy Sector Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the Standard & Poor�� Global 1200 Index, and measures the performance of companies that Standard & Poor�� deems to be part of the energy sector. Component companies in the Index include those engaged in oil equipment and services, oil exploration and production, and oil refineries.
The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Benjamin Shepherd]
So far, 2014 has been a year of heightened geopolitical risk. Russia has annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine, Syria remains embroiled in a civil war, political protests continue in Egypt and Turkey, and North Korea has once again fired missiles into the sea to protest joint US-South Korea military exercises.
Earlier this month, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, pointed to these simmering geopolitical tensions as an impediment to global economic growth.
Geopolitical risk can affect a variety of asset classes, ranging from energy and gold to bonds and equities. In the energy space, Brent crude, essentially the equivalent of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), traded above $109 a barrel thanks to worries that Russia might make a play for more Ukrainian territory. While WTI also spiked, it finished the week essentially flat following a stronger than expected inventory report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Even as oil prices are on the rise, so is production. In the US, the EIA reports that crude production average 7.5 million barrels per day (BPD) last year, 1 million BPD over 2012 and the highest annual rate since 1989. The agency estimates that production should run about 8.5 million BPD this year and hit 9.6 million BPD next year, the highest level of production since 1970.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which produces about 40 percent of the world�� oil, is forecasting similar supply growth. This past January production rose by 28,000 BPD to 29.71 million BPD, largely thanks to increased production from Libya. Including America�� production increase, non-OPEC countries are expected to boost their supply by 1.29 million BPD to 55.43 million BPD.
With consumption forecast to grow by about 1.3 million BPD in 2014, that leaves supply and demand in almost perfect balance, supporting strong oil prices even when and if the crisis in Ukraine abates. - [By Aaron Levitt]
While the previously mentioned XLE is a great fund, the iShares Global Energy (IXC) may be a better bet. The key is the fund�� global exposure. The exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracks 91 different oil stocks — with about 48% of its exposure to those energy firms located outside the United States.
- [By Russ Koesterich]
The list above is based on my team's analysis of whether sector valuations appropriately price in each sector's expected earnings growth, profitability and risk. Based on these factors, I have a preference for the energy and informational technology sectors, accessible through the iShares S&P Global Energy Sector Fund (IXC) and the iShares S&P Global Technology Sector Fund (IXN). And as I write in my new Investment Directions commentary piece, if it turns out that we do see more investors rotating out of defensives and into more attractively priced cyclicals, these two sectors are poised to especially benefit.
- [By Louis Navellier]
The ishares Dow Jones U.S. Energy Sector Fund (IYE) tracks the performance of 99 major energy stocks in the U.S. IYE is actually up 20% for the year, but it has been trending downward over the past month. Meanwhile, the ishares S&P Global Energy Sector Fund (IXC) is up just 10% so far for the year. This fund, which also contains 99 holdings from all over the world, provides perhaps the best view of how the energy sector is faring on the global level. It has also fallen in the past month.
No comments:
Post a Comment