Biotech news this week was dominated by a number of healthcare and biotech related IPOs, including Parnell Pharmaceuticals Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ: PARN), Signal Genetics Inc (NASDAQ: SGNL), ZS Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: ZSPH), Ardelyx Inc (NASDAQ: ARDX)�and Zafgen Inc (NASDAQ: ZFGN) with Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: KITE), Microlin Bio Inc (NASDAQ: MCLB) and�Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: SNDX) presumably set to debut today (Note:�See�This Week�� Biotech IPOs: Two Losers and One Winner So Far (PARN, SGNL & ZSPH)):
Biotech IPO Summary Performance. It was a mixed performance bag for the biotech IPOs so far this week with Parnell Pharmaceuticals Holdings Ltd sinking 19.5% on its first day of trading, Signal Genetics Inc�falling 9.10%, ZS Pharma Inc�surging 22%, Ardelyx Inc surging 53% and Zafgen Inc surging 23.44%.
Top 10 Consumer Service Stocks To Buy For 2015: Catamaran Corp (CTRX)
Catamaran Corporation (Catamaran), formerly SXC Health Solutions Corp., incorporated on June 27, 2007, is a provider of pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services and healthcare information technology (HCIT) solutions to the healthcare benefit management industry. The Company�� product offerings and solutions combine a range of applications and PBM services designed to assist its customers in reducing the cost and managing the complexity of their prescription drug programs. The Company�� customers include organizations in the pharmaceutical supply chain, such as pharmacy benefit managers, managed care organizations, self-insured employer groups, unions, third party health care plan administrators, and state and federal government entities. In January 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of HealthTran LLC (HealthTran). On July 2, 2012, the Company acquired Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc. On October 1, 2013, the Company acquired RESTAT, LLC.
The Company�� PBM services, which are marketed under the Catamaran PBM brand, include electronic point-of-sale pharmacy claims management, retail pharmacy network management, mail pharmacy claims management, specialty pharmacy claims management, Medicare Part D services, benefit design consultation, preferred drug management programs, drug review and analysis, consulting services, data access, and reporting and information analysis. The Company's PBM services include owning and operating a network of mail and specialty pharmacies. In addition, the Company is a national provider of drug benefits to its customers under the federal government�� Medicare Part D program. The Company�� HCIT solutions include RxCLAIM, an on-line transaction processing system that provides instant adjudication of prescription drug claims, RxMAX, the Company�� rebate management system, RxTRACK, the Company�� data warehouse and analysis system, Zynchros, the Company�� suite of on-demand formulary management tools, the Company�� pharmacy management system! for retail, chain, institutional and mail-order pharmacies, as well as a number of other software products for customers in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The Company�� HCIT solutions are available on a license basis with on-going maintenance and support or on a transaction fee basis using an application service provider (ASP) model.
PBM Services
The Company�� informedRx offering is a suite of customizable PBM services that provide an alternative to traditional PBM offerings typically employed by health plans, government agencies and employers. The Company provides a range of pharmacy spend management solutions and information technology capabilities to managed care organizations, self-insured employer groups, unions, third party health care plan administrators, and state and federal government entities. Formulary Administration provides support for customers��existing formularies and preferred drug lists or collaborate to create models supported by formulary predictive modeling and impact analysis. Pharmacist, physician and member-focused intervention protocols provide controls to drive generics, preferred drug products and appropriate use. Formularies are administered based on specific plan designs, or by enabling customers with the tools to maintain their own custom formularies online.
The Company specializes in applying data-driven insights to help customers understand the medical risk drivers within their population and take a strategic approach to plan design. The Company provides benefit design configuration and support to customers, in accordance with mutually developed processes. Benefit designs can be modified online, in real time, by the Company or by the customer�� staff. Pharmacy Network Management provides a range of retail network options, including supporting existing networks or assisting customers in developing networks that meet specific geographic access requirements, desired price discounts, or other service requirements. A national! retail n! etwork, which consists of pharmacies in all 50 states and in Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands, provides access to the Company�� customers.
Drug Utilization Review (DUR) is pre-dispensing DUR edit checks are performed on an online, real-time basis between mail and retail pharmacies to encourage appropriate drug utilization, enhance member outcomes, and reduce drug costs. All prescriptions are checked for member eligibility and plan design features and are then compared against previous histories of prescriptions filled by the same pharmacy, by other participating retail network pharmacies and by the mail service pharmacy. Clinical Services and Consulting provides consultative and technical expertise to augment, develop, deploy, and support any additional clinical programs. Reporting and Information Analysis Solutions provides two levels of reporting: a reporting package (which includes a menu of reports), and an online analytical decision support tool, RxTRACK. The Company offers mail and specialty services to its PBM members, as well as other members of its pharmacy network. suite of Web-based services that enables customers to interact with the claims processing system using a standardized protocol in a secure environment. A member Website, RxPORTAL, invites members to learn more about their prescription benefit programs, medication histories, drug information and related industry news. RxPROVIDER PORTAL is a Web-based interface that allows pharmacists and physicians to obtain information from RxCLAIM on a member's plan to assist in providing more cost effective prescription medications.
Healthcare IT
The Company's HCIT offerings deliver applications on a license, ASP, or fee-for-service basis to customers who administer and manage pharmacy benefits. HCIT products and services serve a diversified group of payor customers that include health plans, federal, state and provincial government programs, pharmacy benefit managers, workers' compensation programs! , and lon! g-term and/or chronic care facility operators. In addition, SXC's technology serves as the engine for the Company's service PBM solutions.
Technology Products and Services
RxCLAIM is an on-line transaction processing system designed to provide instant on-line adjudication of third-party prescription drug claims at the point of service, including claims management, as well as payment and billing support and real-time functionality for updating benefit, price, member, provider and drug details. RxCLAIM is designed to provide the Company�� customers control by facilitating the real-time processing of pharmacy claims and payments against eligibility, plan benefits, formularies, price, drug utilization review, prior authorization, and rebates in addition to many other features.
Other products
Integrail Pathfinder PRO is a software application that enables a array of users to understand the impact of healthcare resource allocation and medical decision-making through the incorporation of risk prediction and episode profiling technologies. The application offers users an intuitive system for integrating disparate data sources to pinpoint variations in resource utilization and care. IntegrailRx features the ability to measure and predict both pharmacy and total risk using pharmacy claims. RxBUILDER is a Web-based interface for formulary creation and maintenance utilizing a Medi-Span based product file. RxPORTAL allows customers to interact with the patient's formulary and drug history in a secure environment allowing patients and health plans to access industry tools and up to date information. RxAUTH is a prior authorization (PA) management solution, which offers automating the PA process from end-to-end. RxAUTH is also available in a Web-based application. RxMAX is a rebate management system that is designed to assist health plans in managing their relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers through contract management, record keeping, calculating market share! , and cre! ating billing details and summaries. Zynchros provides a suite of on-demand formulary management tools to help payors effectively manage their formulary programs, and to maintain Medicare Part D compliance in their programs. Enhanced Coordination of Benefits integrates external data sources with unique algorithms and eligibility data to identify beneficiaries with other coverage. This enables accurate identification of third party liability in real-time prior to the claim being paid.
Medicare Part D
The Company has offered an array of services to the Medicare marketplace, all compliant with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations. As a full-service PBM and a National Prescription Drug Plan, the Company supports a variety of Medicare Part D Plan Sponsors. The Company provides prescription benefit management support for Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (MAPDs) and prescription drug plans (PDPs), including implementation of specific Medicare Part D plan designs, creation and maintenance of Medicare Part D formularies (including CMS submission), CMS reporting requirements and consultative, proactive account management.
The Company competes with Express Scripts, Inc., CVS/Caremark Corporation and OptumRx.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
What: Shares of Catamaran (NASDAQ: CTRX ) , a pharmacy-benefits management and health care information technology services provider, jumped as much as 15% after the company announced a long-term deal with CIGNA (NYSE: CI ) .
Hot Industrial Disributor Companies To Own For 2014: Columbia Sportswear Company(COLM)
Columbia Sportswear Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, sourcing, marketing, and distribution of outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment in the United States, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Canada. It provides apparel, accessories, and equipment for men, women, and youth under Columbia and Mountain Hardwear brands used during outdoor activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, camping, hunting, fishing, trail running, water sports, and adventure travel. The company also offers footwear products, including lightweight hiking boots, trail running shoes, rugged cold weather boots, sandals, and casual shoes for men and women under Columbia, Sorel, and Montrail brands, as well as for youth under the Columbia and Sorel brands. Columbia Sportswear Company sells its products through wholesale distribution channels, independent distributors, direct-to-consum er channels, and licensees, as well as online to independent distributors and consumers. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 43 outlet retail stores and 8 branded retail stores in the United States; 7 outlet retail stores and 3 branded retail stores in various locations in western Europe; and 2 outlet retail stores in Canada, as well as 111 and 236 dealer-operated, branded, outlet, and shop-in-shop locations in Japan and Korea. Columbia Sportswear Company was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Columbia Sportswear (COLM) is engaged in the design, develop, market and distribute active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment under four brands namely Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel and Montrail. This stock closed up 1% to $65.29 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 126,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 75,362
Volume % Change: 50%From a technical perspective, COLM trended modestly higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $62.08 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last five months, with shares pushing higher from its low of $54.66 to its recent high of $66.69. During that move, shares of COLM have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move is now pushing shares of COLM within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if COLM manages to take out some key near-term overhead resistance levels at $65.90 to its 52-week high at $66.69 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in COLM as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $62.08 or above more support at $61.75 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 75,362 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then COLM will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $70 to $75.
- [By Dan Caplinger]
The other big prospect for high-margin sales is the action-outdoor space, where VF has a nice lead in terms of financial performance. Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ: COLM ) has much lower margins but also has a well-known brand presence that will pose a threat to VF in the long run. Bigger competitors such as Under Armour (NYSE: UA ) will also bear watching, especially if Under Armour decides to do what it's done in the past with footwear and expand into new markets with particularly promising profit potential.
- [By Will Ashworth]
Summit Sports, a Michigan-based retailer of sporting goods, had this to say about the cold: ��ur apparel sales are through the roof on Amazon ��We��e seen a 50% to 60% increase in sales on Amazon.��According to Compete Inc., the average weekly traffic in January for seven big-time retailers of cold-weather gear increased by 22% year-over-year. Both Columbia Sportswear (COLM) and Timberland, part of VF Corp. (VFC), saw YOY increases of more than 40%.
Hot Industrial Disributor Companies To Own For 2014: Blue Sphere Corp (BLSP)
Blue Sphere Corp. (Blue Sphere), incorporated on July 17, 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company is a project integrator in the clean energy production and waste to energy markets. The Company focuses its business primarily on the United States, Africa and China. The Company seeks to generate revenue through sales of energy, carbon credits, project development and through the sale of compost, soil amendments and by-products. The Company�� service solution includes managing the entire process of producing clean energy based on a BOO model (Build, Own and Operate), selecting the suitable technology for the project, arranging project financing (debt and equity), arranging feedstock supply, devising and implementing ways for the project to become more energy efficient, obtaining eligibility for and receive carbon credits, renewable energy credits and other ecologically-related benefits, constructing and equipping the project on a turnkey basis and managing the project for the duration of its revenue-producing life.
On January 31, 2012, the Company lent an Israeli company, CTG Clean Technology Group Limited. In August 2012, the Company signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Biogas Nord AG (BGN), which is one of Germany�� anaerobic digestion (AD) companies with almost 400 AD installations in operation throughout the world, including the United States.
As of September 30, 2012, the Company was focusing on seven projects for which the Company had signed, definitive agreements to own and implement such projects and which are in various stages of development. Two of its seven projects are organic food waste to energy with compost as a by-product. The remaining five projects are landfill gas to energy projects. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiaries include Eastern Sphere, Ltd. and Blue Sphere USA, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By E. Michael Greenberg]
Blue Sphere Corp. (OTCQB: BLSP) is on the cusp of breaking ground on two significant electrical production plants in the United States, using Anaerobic Digestion technology.� Blue Sphere�� plants located in Charlotte, North Carolina and Johnston, Rhode Island are expected to produce 5.2 MW and 3.2 MW of electricity daily.� Blue Sphere�� management believes they are at the forefront of a technological shift that will change how the United States will process waste and produce a substantial amount of its energy.� There are many practical and regulatory factors that point to success for Blue Sphere�� initiatives.
- [By E. Michael Greenberg]
Blue Sphere is a small company with a big future and that future starts now. Over the last two weeks Blue Sphere Corp. (OTCQB: BLSP) has announced commitments for over $25 million dollars of financing for their Charlotte, North Carolina based 5.2 Mega Watt (Mw) anaerobic digestion facility. Blue Sphere, in two press releases, announced a commitment for $17.785 million in debt financing from Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, the financial services arm of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) and $7.5 million in an equity commitment from a leading environmental finance fund.
- [By E. Michael Greenberg]
Blue Sphere Corp. (OTCQB: BLSP), �a company in the cleantech sector which develops waste-to-energy and other renewable energy projects has been attracting the attention of investors and media as they ramp up their innovative projects in the U.S. �The Company aspires to become a key player in the global waste-to-energy and renewable energy markets and CEO Shlomi Palas, took time to answer questions about his firm.
Hot Industrial Disributor Companies To Own For 2014: iShares MSCI France ETF (EWQ)
iShares MSCI France Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the French market, as measured by the MSCI France Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the French equity market. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index that aims to capture 85% of the (publicly available) total market capitalization. Component companies are adjusted for available float and must meet objective criteria for inclusion in the Index. The Index is reviewed quarterly.
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 Tom Aspray]
A few weeks ago, I focused on some of the euro countries' debt levels, as well as the improvement in some of their manufacturing data. Their stock markets have continued to rally sharply as the iShares MSCI France (EWQ) is up over 13% since early July and is doing just slightly better than Germany (EWG).
- [By Jeff Reeves]
So how can you play this trend? The iShares MSCI France ETF (EWQ) is one way, via a diversified fund that owns some of the biggest names in France. There�� also oil giant Total (TOT), which is headquartered in France but has a global flavor, as well as French healthcare giant Sanofi (SNY)
Hot Industrial Disributor Companies To Own 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 Rich Duprey]
Specialty vehicle maker Thor Industries� (NYSE: THO ) is selling substantially all of the assets of its ambulance division, SJC Industries, to privately held Wheeled Coach Industries, a subsidiary of Allied Specialty Vehicles, which is based in Orlando. Fla.�
- [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.
Hot Industrial Disributor Companies To Own For 2014: Real Goods Solar Inc.(RSOL)
Real Goods Solar, Inc. operates as a residential and commercial solar energy integrator primarily in California and Colorado. The company provides engineering, procurement, and construction services. It offers various turnkey solar energy services, including design, procurement, permitting, build-out, grid connection, financing referrals, and warranty and customer satisfaction services. The company installs residential and small commercial systems that range between 3 kilowatts and 1 megawatt output. It also engages in the retail sale of renewable energy products. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Louisville, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bryan Murphy]
Last Thursday when I suggested American Community (OTCMKTS:ACYD) was a stock that should be shed immediately, and replaced with a position in Real Goods Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:RSOL), I didn't win a lot of friends. After all, ACYD was the market's newest darling, in the middle of a red-hot runup, while RSOL was "just another solar name" that happened to be lucky enough to stumble its way above a key support line. Well, I hate to be the one to day I told you so, but, I told you so. American Community shares are down 35% since then, while Real Goods Solar shares are up 36% in the meantime. Both stocks seem pretty well entrenched in their current trends too.
- [By Bryan Murphy]
If you were lucky enough to be in an American Community (OTCMKTS:ACYD) position anytime before October 8th, then congratulations - you're up big. Now get out. Instead, use freed-up that capital to take on a position in Real Goods Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:RSOL), which looks like it's at the beginning of a good-sized rally.
- [By Bryan Murphy]
My enthusiasm regarding Real Goods Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:RSOL) and Westinghouse Solar Inc. (OTCMKTS:WEST) hasn't exactly been a veiled secret. Though I've favored one over the other at various times since the entire solar panel industry went back into high gear in the middle of the second quarter, I've been a fan of both RSOL as well as WEST for a while. The trick has been finding the right entry spot for both of these volatile stocks.
- [By John Udovich]
Small cap solar stock Andalay Solar Inc (OTCMKTS: WEST) has largely cratered for investors�verses solar stock peers Real Goods Solar, Inc (NASDAQ: RSOL) and SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ: SCTY), but is the company finally turning itself around after a failed deal to be acquired?
Hot Industrial Disributor Companies To Own For 2014: Computershare Ltd (CPU)
Computershare Limited is an Australia-based company. The Company is engaged in the operation of investor services, plan services, communication services, business services, shareholder relationship management services and technology services. The Company operates in six geographical segments: Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, Canada, Continental Europe, United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Ireland & Africa (UCIA) and the United States. In addition, technology and other segment comprise the provision of software specializing in share registry, employee plans and financial services globally, as well as the production and distribution of interactive meeting products. In December 2013, Computershare Ltd completed the acquisition of the Olympia Corporate and Shareholder Services assets (OCSS) from Olympia Financial Group Inc. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Toshiro Hasegawa]
Leighton dropped 6 percent to A$16.24 in Sydney as profit missed analyst estimates amid a slump in mining industry demand. Computershare Ltd. (CPU) sank 6.3 percent to A$9.75 in Sydney, the most in three years, after the share-registry firm reported profit fell.
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