It's pretty safe to say that Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) Windows 8 has been a train wreck for the PC industry. In fact, Windows 8's radical departure has appeared to slow the PC market to the point where worldwide PC shipments posted their steepest quarterly decline ever in the first quarter. It also isn't helping matters that users have been very vocal about their distaste for the operating system's modernized experience from previous Windows versions.
As a result, Microsoft will be releasing Windows version 8.1 in "late 2013" in hopes to address some of Windows 8's the biggest complaints from users. The hope is that these measures will improve the user experience enough to improve the PC's prospects.
The good
Topping the list of Windows 8 complaints has been the omission of the classic Start Button/Menu that's been part of the Windows franchise since Windows 95. Naturally, Windows 8.1 brings back the Start Button/Menu combination, but reinvents the experience to be more tailored for the age of mobile computing and touchscreens. Instead of bringing up the familiar Start Menu, you can either be directed to the Metro Start Screen or the Metro Apps view. The former option is essentially useless for non-touch users and will not please die-hard Start Menu enthusiasts, but the latter option gives keyboard and mouse users a functional list of apps that isn't awkward or inefficient to use without a touch screen. In other words, non-touch users may no longer feel as alienated from the touch-preferred Metro interface.
Hot Clean Energy Companies To Own In Right Now: Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (FITX)
Creative Edge Nutrition Inc. (CENergy), formerly Laufer Bridge Enterprises Inc, incorporated on January 10, 2008, is engaged in the development, marketing and sales of nutraceuticals and health supplements. The Company�� product categories include lean, energy, essentials, mass, vitamins and apparel. In July 2012, it acquired Innovative Fulfillment Corp. In August 2012, the Company acquired SCD Enterprises, LLC. In September 2012, the Company acquired A-Z-Nutrition.com. In September 2012, the Company acquired Sci-Fit and Nature's Science product brands. In March 2013, it announced its entrance into the Medical Marijuana Sector through Hemp Protein Powder, Naturals Line, Hemp-plex and Chia-plex. In May 2013, Creative Edge Nutrition Inc acquired Canadian Nutrition Super Stores.
Metabolic Xtreme utilizes the technology and advancement in weight loss technology. Cenergy�� Amino Acid Complex is the supplement for athletes, bodybuilders and anyone who's trying to live a healthy lifestyle.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks CD International Enterprises Inc (OTCMKTS: CDII), Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (OTCMKTS: FITX) and Metrospaces Inc (OTCMKTS: MSPC) have all been the subject of recent as well as past paid for stock promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed stock promotions or investor awareness campaigns, but they can and do often backfire on unwary investors and traders alike. With that in mind, will investors and traders come out winners with these small caps or should they just be left to the promoters? Here is a quick reality check:
Top 5 Sliver Companies To Buy For 2014: Post Properties Inc. (PPS)
Post Properties, Inc., a real estate investments trust (REIT), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, ownership, and management of multifamily apartment communities in the United States. As of December 31, 2007, the company owned 22,578 apartment units in 63 apartment communities, including 1,747 apartment units in 2 communities held in unconsolidated entities and 2,266 apartment units in 7 communities. It is also developing and selling 535 for-sale condominium homes in 4 communities and converting 349 apartment homes into for-sale condominium homes in 2 communities. The company primarily operates in Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Tampa, Florida metropolitan areas. Post Properties has elected to be taxed as REIT under the Internal Revenue Code and would not be subject to federal income taxes, if it distributes approximately 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. The company was founded in 1971 and is based in Atlanta, Ge orgia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Philip Springer]
Post Properties Inc. (NYSE: PPS): 14.7%
Here are the largest homebuilders and their shares’ performance so far this year:
Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN): -2.3% - [By Sally Jones] ng>Rate of Return: 30.76%
Down 6% over 12 months, Post Properties Inc., a residential REIT, has a market cap of $2.46 billion; its shares were traded at around $45.02. The tangible book value is 20.98. PPS trades with a P/E ratio of 29.00 and a P/B of 2.10. The earnings yield is 2.80%.
Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, Third Avenue Management holds 422,734 shares values at around $20.9 million.
PPS is a relatively new holding for the firm, first bought in the second quarter of 2013. The firm bought 422,734 shares at an average price of $49.04, for a loss of 8.2%.
Track historical pricing, revenue and net income since 1993:
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Valley National Bancorp (VLY)
Rate of Return: 26.4%
Up 5% over 12 months, Valley National Bancorp has a market cap of $2.07 billion; its shares were traded at around $10.40. The tangible book value is 5.28. VLY trades with a P/E ratio of 14.60 and a P/B of 1.30. The earnings yield is 3.80%.
Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, Third Avenue Management holds 1,462,501 shares values at around $13.8 million.
VLY is another new holding for Third Avenue, first buying 1,462,501 shares in the second quarter of 2013, at an average price of $9.34, for a gain of 11.3%.
Track historical pricing, revenue and net income since 1990:
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Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (BKD)
Rate of Return: 23.14%
Up 11% over 12 months, Brookdale Senior Living Inc. has a market cap of $3.35 billion; its shares were traded at around $26.94. The tangible book value is 5.97. BKD trades with a P/B of 3.30. The earnings yield is 1.80%.
Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, Third Avenue Management holds 658,866 shares values at around $17.429 million.
Bought in the second quarter of 2013, BKD is another new holding for Third Avenue. The firm made a new buy of 658,866 shares at an average price of $27.55, for a 2.2% loss.
Track historical pricing,
Top 5 Sliver Companies To Buy For 2014: Bolt Technology Corporation(BOLT)
Bolt Technology Corporation engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of marine seismic data acquisition equipment and underwater remotely operated robotic vehicles worldwide. It operates through four segments: Seismic Energy Sources, Underwater Cables and Connectors, Seismic Energy Source Controllers, and Underwater Robotic Vehicles. The Seismic Energy Sources segment offers marine seismic energy sources, such as marine air guns for use in seismic exploration; and replacement parts. The Underwater Cables and Connectors segment provides underwater cables, connectors, hydrophones, depth and pressure transducers, and seismic source monitoring systems. The Seismic Energy Source Controllers offers air gun controllers/synchronizers, data loggers, and auxiliary equipment. The Underwater Robotic Vehicles segment offers underwater remotely operated robotic vehicles for various underwater tasks. The company serves marine seismic exploration contractors, oil and gas companie s, defense industry, fire and rescue organizations, and educational institutions, as well as federal, state, and local governmental units. Bolt Technology Corporation markets its products directly, as well as through sales agents and a network of distributors. The company was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
Teledyne Technologies (NYSE: TDY) announced its plans to acquire Bolt Technology (NASDAQ: BOLT) for $22 per share. Bolt shares climbed 38.84% to $21.71 in the after-hours trading session, while Teledyne shares fell 0.29% to close at $97.40 yesterday.
Top 5 Sliver Companies To Buy For 2014: Brady Corp (BRC)
Brady Corporation (Brady), incorporated in 1914, is an international manufacturer of identification solutions and specialty materials that identify and protect premises, products and people. Brady provides customers with a range of customized and diverse products for use in various applications. The Company is organized and managed on a geographic basis within three regions: Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific, which are the segments. Across these regions, the Company operates three primary business platforms: Identification Solutions (ID Solutions), Direct Marketing and Die-Cut. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012), the Company�� revenue included Americas 45%, EMEA 29% and Asia-Pacific 26% respectively. During fiscal 2012, the Company�� ID Solutions generated 56%, Direct Marketing 27% and Die-Cut 17% of revenue. In December 2012, Water Street Healthcare Partners sold Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) to the Company.
ID Solutions
Within the ID Solutions platform, Brady�� product categories include workplace safety and compliance, which includes facility identification, labeling systems, spill control, lockout/tagout, and software services; product identification, which includes materials and printing systems for product identification, brand protection labeling, work in process labeling, finished product identification, and bar coding that performs under a range of harsh or demanding conditions; wire identification, which includes handheld printers, wire markers, sleeves and tags, and people identification, which includes self-expiring name tags, badges, lanyards, and access control software and products. Approximately 75% of ID Solutions products are sold under the Brady brand.
Safety and facility identification products are also marketed under the Safety Signs Service brand, with some lockout/tagout products offered under the Scafftag brands. In the United States, identification products for the u! tility industry are marketed under the Electromark brand, and spill-control products are marketed under the Sorbent Products Company brand; security and identification badges and systems are included in the Temtec, B.I.G., Identicard/Identicam, STOPware, J.A.M. Plastics, PromoVision, and Brady People ID brands; wire identification products are marketed under the Modernotecnica brand in Italy and the Carroll brand in Australia; hand-held regulatory documentation systems are available under the Tiscor brand, and custom labels and nameplates are available under the Stickolor brand in Brazil.
The Company�� ID Solutions platform offers products with rapid response and superior service to provide solutions to customers. The business markets and sells products through multiple channels, including distributors, direct sales, mail-order-catalog marketing, and electronic access through e-commerce. The ID Solutions platform serves customers in many markets, which include industrial manufacturing, electronic manufacturing, chemical, oil, gas, food and beverage, aerospace, defense, mass transit, electrical contractors, and telecommunications, among others. The ID Solutions platform provides differentiated, products, many which have been internally developed and manufactured. These internally developed products include materials, printing systems, and software.
Direct Marketing
Within the Direct Marketing business platform, Brady�� product categories include workplace safety and compliance products, which include informational signs, tags, security and traffic related products, first aid supplies, material handling, asset identification, safety and facility identification, and regulatory products. Products within the Direct Marketing platform are sold under a range of brands, including safety and facility identification products offered under the Seton, Emedco, Signals, Safetyshop, Clement and Personnel Concepts brands; spill-control products under the D.A.W.G. brand, and ! first aid! supplies under the Accidental Health and Safety, Trafalgar, and Securimed brands. The Direct Marketing platform markets and sells products through multiple channels, which include catalog, telemarketing and e-commerce. The business serves customers in many markets, which include process industries, manufacturers, government, education, construction, and utilities. The Direct Marketing platform manufactures a range of stock and custom identification products, and also sells a range of related resale products.
Die-Cut
Within the Die-Cut business platform, the Company's products include customized precision die-cut products used to seal, dissipate heat, insulate, protect, shield, or provide other mechanical performance properties. Products within the Die-Cut platform are sold primarily under the Brady brand, with some European business marketed as Balkhausen products. The business sells through a technical direct sales force, and is supported by global strategic account management. The Die-Cut platform serves customers in many markets, which include mobile handset, hard disk drive, consumer electronics, other computing devices, as well as products for the automotive and medical equipment markets. The Die-Cut platform consists of engineered customized products, manufactured to specific customer requirements.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Shauna O'Brien]
Robert Baird announced on Friday that it has cut its rating on Brady Corp (BRC).
The firm has downgraded BRC from “Outperform” to “Neutral,” and has given the company a $33 price target. This price target suggests a 8% upside from the stock’s current price of $30.52.
Analysts see the company’s WPS segment growing faster than expected.
Brady shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Friday. The stock is down 9% YTD.
- [By Michael Flannelly]
Before the opening bell on Thursday, identification solutions provider Brady Corp (BRC) posted a loss in the fourth quarter, despite a rise in revenues, as it was negatively impacted by a number of charges. However, excluding these charges, the company was able to top Wall Street analysts’ earnings and sales estimates. Nonetheless, BRC shares are plummeting in Thursday’s trading.
The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based company posted a loss from continuing operations of $176.2 million, or $3.41 per share, in the fourth quarter, versus last year’s fourth quarter earnings from continuing operations of $20.9 million, or 40 cents per share. Furthermore, Brady posted a net loss of $177.2 million, or $3.43 per share, compared to net earnings of $11.6 million, or 22 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.
The fourth quarter loss includes non-cash impairment charges of $204.4 million, $15.6 million in restructuring charges, and $4 million in acquisition-related charges. Excluding these charges, Brady Corp said earnings would have been 53 cents per share in the quarter. According to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, the company was expected to earn an adjusted 51 cents per share in the fourth quarter.
The company’s fourth quarter sales came in at $309.1 million, up 15% from $269.1 million in sales posted last year. On average, analysts were expecting the company to see $307.13 million in revenues for the quarter.
Looking ahead, Brady Corp. sees fiscal 2014 earnings coming in between $1.80 and $2.00 per share, below the analysts’ view of $2.30 per share.
Brady Corp shares were down $1.71, or 5.25%, during early morning trading on Thursday. The stock is up 7.93% year-to-date.
- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Brady (NYSE: BRC ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Ben Levisohn]
Brady (BRC) has gained 1.7% to $28.38 after it was upgraded to Buy from Underperform at Merill Lynch.
Aeropostale (ARO) has gained 6.3% to $3.55 for no apparent reason, at least one I haven’t been able to find yet.
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