Hot Shipping Stocks To Watch For 2014

Orlin Wagner/AP The Energy Department again slashed its prediction for next year's average price of gasoline across the U.S., this time to $2.60 a gallon. That would be 23 percent below this year's projected average and the lowest full-year average since 2009. If that comes to pass, the price drop will save U.S. drivers $100 billion over the course of the year based on current consumption levels. That will boost the overall economy by reducing shipping and transportation costs, and leaving consumers more money to spend on other things. In its most recent short-term energy outlook, released Tuesday, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration cut its gasoline price forecast for 2015 by 35 cents a gallon. It was the second time in two months that the EIA cut the forecast by more than 30 cents a gallon. Daily Drops Since Sept. 26 The average national price of gasoline to $2.66 a gallon on Tuesday according to AAA, 61 cents less than last year at this time. The national average has fallen every day since Sept. 26. The steep drop in gasoline prices is a result of a drop in crude oil supplies. Global crude prices have fallen to around $66 per barrel from a June high of $115 per barrel. Global supplies are high thanks in part to rising production in the U.S., while global demand is relatively weak because of slowing economic growth in Europe and Asia. The lower crude prices are forcing oil companies to scale back drilling plans for next year. As a result, the EIA trimmed its forecast for U.S. production growth. U.S. crude oil output is expected to rise by 300,000 barrels per day to 9.3 million barrels a day. The EIA had previously expected production to rise by 400,000 barrels per day. Despite a colder than normal November, the EIA expects home heating costs to fall this winter compared to last year. Weather forecasters do not expect a repeat of last year's consistently low temperatures, and prices for propane and heating oil are much lower than last year. Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. More from The Associated Press
•Congress Unveils Massive $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill •Nissan Offers Brake Settlement for 350,000 Vehicles •Citigroup to Take $3.5 Billion Charge This Quarter

Top 5 Healthcare Equipment Companies To Invest In Right Now: News Corporation(NWSA)

News Corporation operates as a diversified media company worldwide. Its Cable Network Programming segment produces and licenses news, business news, sports, general entertainment, and movie programming for distribution through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators primarily in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. The company?s Filmed Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in entertainment media, as well as produces and licenses television programming worldwide. Its Television segment operates 27 broadcast television stations in the United States. The company?s Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segment distributes programming services via satellite and broadband directly to subscribers in Italy. Its Publishing segment provides newspapers and information services, such as publishing national newspapers in the United Kingdom, approximately 146 newspapers in Australia, and a metropolitan and a national newspaper in the United States; book publishing services, including the publishing of English language books worldwide; and integrated marketing services comprising the publishing of free-standing inserts, which are marketing booklets containing coupons, rebates, and other consumer offers, as well as provides in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers in the United States and Canada. The company also sells advertising, sponsorships, and subscription services on the company?s various digital media properties and outdoor advertising space on various media primarily in Russia and eastern Europe; and provides data systems and professional services that enable teachers to use data to assess student progress and deliver individualized instructions. News Corporation was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corey Rosenbloom]

  We’ll skip News Corp. (NWSA) and focus on the other names for candidates.

  Specifically, Newmont Mining (NEM) has formed an interesting retracement to compress again between the 20- and 50-day EMAs:

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  News Corp. is a media and information services company that has recently spun-off of its very profitable entertainment segment. It is being reported that the company recently made a profit which is a turn around from last year, signaling signs of improvement. The stock has seen progress but is now pulling-back as markets book gains. Over the last four quarters, earnings and revenues have been on the rise which has left investors optimistic about the company. Relative to its peers and sector, News Corp. has been a weak year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what News Corp. does this quarter.

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  News Corp. provides highly sought entertainment and information through a wide range of mediums to interested consumers and companies worldwide. The stock has been on a surge higher, in recent years, but is now digesting gains from the first half of this year. Over the last four quarters, investors have been optimistic about the company as earnings and revenue figures have been rising. Relative to its strong peers and sector, News Corp. has been a year-to-date average performer. Look for News Corp. to continue to OUTPERFORM.

Hot Shipping Stocks To Watch For 2014: Beeston Enterprises Ltd (BESE)

Beeston Enterprises Ltd, incorporated on July 12, 1999, is an exploration stage company that engages principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of resource properties. The Company acquired a 100% interest in 19 mineral claims, comprising over 9,200 hectares, known as the Ruth Lake Property, located 25 kilometers from Lac La Hache, British Columbia, Canada. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owns five mineral claims in this area, all of which are in good standing.

The Company's British Columbia, Canada property is located in the Quesnel Trough. This belt is known for hosting skarn and porphyry copper and copper-gold deposits. The property is being investigated by the Company in Arizona, United States of America is also in a well known gold/silver mining area.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Beeston Enterprises Ltd (OTCMKTS: BESE) and HD Retail Solutions Inc (OTCMKTS: HDRE) surged 33.33% and 11.54%, respectively, on Black Friday while Frontier Beverage Company Inc (OTCMKTS: FBEC) sank 18.18%. And while Black Friday might be the most important shopping day of the year for retailers, its probably not a day that sees a lot of action from investors and traders still digesting their Thanksgiving meals (or busy looking for deals at their favorite retailers). So what direction will these three small cap stocks do for investors and traders this week? Here is a closer look to help you decide:

Hot Shipping Stocks To Watch For 2014: Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH)

Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as a healthcare solutions company that provides health care products and services. The company operates in two segments, Pharmaceutical and Medical. The Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical, over-the-counter healthcare, specialty pharmaceutical, and consumer products to retail customers, hospitals, and alternate care providers in the United States and Puerto Rico. This segment also operates nuclear pharmacies and cyclotron facilities that prepare and deliver radiopharmaceuticals for use in nuclear imaging and other procedures in hospitals and clinics; offers third-party logistics support services; franchises retail pharmacies under the Medicine Shoppe and Medicap brands; and provides pharmacy and pharmaceutical repackaging services, as well as other services comprising distribution, inventory management, data/reporting, new product launch support, and contract and chargeback administration. The Medical segment distributes a range of medical, surgical, and laboratory products to hospitals, surgery centers, laboratories, physician offices, and other healthcare providers. This segment also develops, manufactures, and sources medical and surgical products, including sterile and non-sterile procedure kits; single-use surgical drapes, gowns, and apparel; exam and surgical gloves; and fluid suction and collection systems. Its medical and surgical products are sold directly or through third-party distributors in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and the Asia/Pacific region. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dividend King]

  Earnings per share for the last 12 months are $2.59, and these are expected to reach $2.81 in its next fiscal year (ending September 2012). These numbers place the shares on a trailing P/E ratio of 15.43, and a forward multiple of 12.30. Comparing the forward ratio to that of direct competitors Cardinal Health (CAH) and McKesson (MCK) Amerisource trades on a slightly higher rating, though not markedly so. Cardinal Health�� forward multiple is 11.99 and McKesson�� is 11.22.

• [By Sure Dividend]

  Health care will be necessary until we find a cure for everything. There is a less than infinitesimal chance of us finding a cure for everything in the next several decades. The following companies are Dividend Aristocrats whose revenue is generated primarily in the health care sector:

  HCP, Inc. (HCP) AbbVie (ABBV) Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Walgreen (WAG) Medtronic (MDT) Becton Dickinson (BDX) Cardinal Health (CAH) C.R. Bard (BCR)

  Not to be outdone by the food and beverage industry (or perhaps due to negative health effects from the food and beverage industry), the health care industry counts nine Dividend Aristocrats in its ranks. They operate in more diverse lines of business than the food companies. HCP is a REIT that focuses on health care properties. C.R. Bard, Medtronic, and Becton Dickinson manufacture and distribute health care devices and supplies. Abbott Laboratories and Johnson & Johnson (and to a lesser extent, Cardinal Health) are well-diversified health care businesses. AbbVie was recently spun-off from Abbott Laboratories (notice the vaguely similar names), and is a pharmaceutical company.

• [By Rich Smith]

  Yesterday, the Pentagon announced awards of just $347 million in new contracts to contractors. Some were not the kind of companies you'd expect. For example:

  Dell (NASDAQ: DELL  ) landed a $9.6 million contract to supply the U.S. Army with desktop computers and tablets. Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH  ) won $18.6 million as a contract modification exercising an option year on a contract to supply various Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps locations, and federal civilian agencies, with laboratory supplies through April 12, 2014.

  On the other hand, traditional defense contractors are still earning money by working for the Pentagon. On Tuesday, Raytheon (NYSE: RTN  ) was awarded a $35.2 million order for AN/ALE-50 towed decoys, which aircraft can deploy to distract incoming missiles. Raytheon is expected to complete deliveries on this contract by March 31, 2015.

• [By Keith Speights]

  This market reaction doesn't mean that Lymphoseek lacks solid potential. It does. The product should appeal to oncologists. Navidea has a tight relationship with Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH  ) , which has exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Lymphoseek. Cardinal operates the largest nuclear pharmacy network in the nation with 140 pharmacies.

Hot Shipping Stocks To Watch For 2014: Supertex Inc.(SUPX)

Supertex, Inc., together with its subsidiary, Supertex Limited, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets high voltage analog and mixed signal integrated circuits (IC) primarily in Asia, the United States, China, and Europe. The company offers high voltage analog multiplexer switches, pulsers, high-speed MOSFET drivers, and discrete high voltage MOSFETs and arrays for the medical electronics market. It also provides LED driver products, including linear regulators and switching regulators for general lighting in automotive, industrial, and consumer applications; and for backlighting in LCD TVs, monitors, and laptop screens. In addition, the company offers electroluminescent lamps for backlighting hand-held instruments, such as cell phone keypads, watches, monochrome flat screens, and MP3 players; and driver ICs for driving non-impact printers and plotters. Further, it provides high voltage amplifier ICs to drive optical micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for use in optical switching applications in the telecommunications market; high voltage electronic switch ICs for use in telephones; high voltage ICs for use as ring generators; and protection ICs for line cards. Additionally, the company offers ICs and DMOS devices primarily for various industrial applications. It markets and sells its products through direct sales personnel, independent sales representatives, and distributors primarily to original equipment manufacturers of electronic products. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are AutoNavi Holdings Ltd.(AMAP), Dick's Sporting Goods Inc.(DKS) and Supertex Inc.(SUPX)

Hot Shipping Stocks To Watch For 2014: Ship Finance International Limited(SFL)

Ship Finance International Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership and operation of vessels and offshore related assets in Bermuda, Cyprus, Malta, Liberia, Norway, the United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Marshall Islands. The company also involves in the charter, purchase, and sale of assets. As of March 22, 2011, it owned 29 oil tankers, 8 oil/bulk/ore carriers, 3 dry bulk carriers, 9 container vessels, 2 jack-up drilling rigs, 3 ultra-deepwater drilling units, 6 offshore supply vessels, and 2 chemical tankers. The company offers its services to various sectors of shipping and offshore industry, including oil transportation, drybulk shipments, chemical transportation, container transportation, drilling rigs, and offshore supply vessels. Ship Finance International Limited was founded in 2003 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  While�[Seadrill] will continue to lean on [Seadrill Partners (SDLP)] and potentially [Ship Finance International (SFL)] to meet its funding requirements, a lot has to break right for�[Seadrill] to meet these funding requirements.

• [By John Buckingham, Chief Investment Officer, Al Frank Asset Management, Inc. (AFAM)]

  Ship Finance International (SFL) primarily engages in the transportation of crude oil and oil products, dry bulk, and containerized cargos, and in offshore drilling and related activities.

• [By James Brumley]

  But they’re also potent. Not only do they contain the possibility for significant capital appreciation, but they also offer plenty as far as dividends are concerned. In fact, of the following four small caps, the weakest dividend yield is still a very healthy 8%.

  Ship Finance International Limited (SFL)

  SFL Dividend Yield: 9.1%

Hot Shipping Stocks To Watch For 2014: Active Control Techn (ACTV)

The Active Network, Inc. provides organization-based cloud computing applications services to business customers in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers ActiveWorks, an organization-based cloud computing platform, which transforms the way organizers record, track, manage, and share information regarding activities and events. Its ActiveWorks back-office system pulls customers� participant management, operational reporting, volunteer management, and service and payment processing functions into one hosted system. The company also provides consulting services, which consist primarily of business mapping, project management services, and guidance on best practices in using its services; and implementation services, including system set-up and configuration, and data conversion, as well as develops customized training and education programs relating to both the use and administration of its services. It serves a range of customers, including communit y and sports organizations, large corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, federal and state government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other related entities. The company was formerly known as Racegate.com, Inc. and changed its name to The Active Network, Inc. in May 2001. The Active Network, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Active Network (NYSE: ACTV  ) is on the hunt for a new chief executive following the resignation of Matthew Landa. His place will be taken, on an interim basis, by Jon Belmonte. The appointment is effective immediately. Belmonte is the firm's former chief media officer and COO.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Lethargic networks
  As Home Depot rose in value over the past year, Active Network (NYSE: ACTV  ) , an online event-management service, has been going in the opposite direction, suffering a yearlong decline that's resulted in the loss of 70% of the company's value. Yesterday, though, it went in the other direction, jumping more than 10% after announcing that it will soon be reporting its earnings.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Equities Trading UP
  The Active Network (NYSE: ACTV) shot up 25.66 percent to $14.32 after the company agreed to be taken private by Vista Equity Partners for $1.05 billion.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  The biggest new holdings are Liberty Media�and AbbVie. Other new holdings of interest include The Active Network (NYSE: ACTV  ) , which specializes in online registrations for endurance events such as marathons and triathlons. The company recently signed a three-year deal with Ironman, and its most recent quarterly earnings report featured revenue up 12% and shrinking losses. Some have questioned the company's solvency, while others like its valuation.

Hot Shipping Stocks To Watch For 2014: Marine Products Corp (MPX)

Marine Products Corporation (Marine Products), incorporated on August 31, 2000, designs, manufactures and sells recreational fiberglass powerboats in the sportboat, deckboat, cruiser, sport yacht and sport fishing markets. The Company sells its products to a network of 135 domestic and 69 international independent authorized dealers. The Company focuses to remain a manufacturer of recreational powerboats for sale to a range of consumers globally. The Company manufactures Chaparral sterndrive and inboard-powered pleasure boats including H2O Sport and Fish & Ski boats, SSi and SSX Sportboats, Sunesta Sportdecks and Xtreme Tow boats, Signature Cruisers, Premiere Sport Yachts and Robalo outboard sport fishing boats. The Company offers a range of products to the family recreational, cruiser and sport yacht markets through its Chaparral brand, and to the sport fishing market through its Robalo brand.

The Company's products include Chaparral - H2O Sport Series, which is a fiberglass multipurpose runabouts; Chaparral - SSi Wide tech, which is a fiberglass closed deck runabouts; Chaparral - SSX Sportdecks, which is a fiberglass bowrider crossover sportboats; Chaparral - Sunesta Xtreme Tow Boats, which is a fiberglass pleasure boats; Chaparral - Signature Cruisers, which is a fiberglass, accommodation-focused cruisers; Chaparral - Premiere Sport Yacht, which is a fiberglass sport yacht, and Robalo - Sport Fishing Boats, which is a sport fishing boats for freshwater lakes or saltwater use. Domestic sales are made through approximately 74 Chaparral dealers, 16 Robalo dealers and 45 dealers that sell both brands located in markets throughout the United States. Marine Products also has 69 international dealers.

The Company competes with Sea Hunt, Sea Fox, Grady-White, Boston Whaler, Everglades and Parker.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Sink or swim
  Sometimes the best short-sale opportunities are small, under-the-radar companies. One that I feel fits the bill perfectly is fiberglass boat maker Marine Products (NYSE: MPX  ) .