BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- If you want to think like the "smart money," you've got to get boring. No, I'm not criticizing how hedge fund managers spend their weekends. Instead, it's all about what they're doing with their portfolios in 2014.
>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings
For instance, hedge funds piled into utility stocks in a big way last quarter, making it one of just four sectors that saw net buying from professional investors during the quarter. Normally, utilities fall in the category of "widow and orphan stocks" -- they're the staid dividend-paying names that don't pack many surprises. But in the context of 2014's flight to yield, they've been delivering anything-but-boring performance.
Since the calendar flipped to January, the average utility stock has delivered nearly 8% gains. That's double what the S&P 500 has paid you -- and that's not counting dividends.
But we're not talking about the average utility stock today. Instead, we're focusing on the five utility names that hedge fund managers love the most. To figure those out, we've got to take a closer look at 13F filings.
Best Rising Stocks For 2016: Camtek Ltd (CAMT)
Camtek Ltd. (Camtek), incorporated in 1987, designs, develops, manufactures and markets automated solutions dedicated for enhancing production processes and yield for the semiconductor manufacturing and packaging and the printed circuit board (PCB) and integrated circuit (IC) substrate industries. Camtek also designs, develops, manufactures and markets automated optical inspection (AOI), systems and related products. The Company�� AOI systems are used to enhance both production processes and yields for manufacturers in the semiconductor manufacturing and packaging industry and PCB and IC Substrate industry. Through the acquisition of Printar's assets, it also engaged in developing, manufacturing, sale and marketing of direct digital material deposition systems and inks for the PCB industry, with two major fields of activity: Solder Mask and Legend. In addition, through the acquisition of Sela, it is also engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of automated scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) sample preparation equipment, primarily for the semiconductor industry.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had sold more than 2,500 AOI systems in 34 countries worldwide. The Company's PCB customer base includes the majority of the 100 PCB manufacturers worldwide. As of December 31, 2011, it had sold over 300 Falcon systems to more than 25 semiconductor manufacturers, among them outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT), integrated device manufacturers (IDM) and wafer level packaging subcontractors, including eight out of the top 10 semiconductors companies.
Camtek�� AOI systems consist of an electro-optical assembly unit, either movable or fixed, which consists of a video camera, precision optics and illumination sources. The electro-optical unit captures the image of the inspected product; a precise, either movable or fixed table, that holds the inspected product, and an electronic hardware unit, which operates the! entire system and includes embedded components that process and analyze the captured image by using its algorithms. Its systems can also compile and communicate statistical reports of inspection findings through the customer�� factory information system. The Company offers a range of systems for automated optical inspection of semiconductor wafers, IC substrates and PCBs. These systems are used to enhance production yields and assist in controlling manufacturing processes at wafer fabrication, test and assembly houses, and PCB plants worldwide.
The Company�� Falcon systems are designed for the back end market of the semiconductor industry. The Falcon�� advanced algorithms and inspection capabilities enable its dedicated models to detect defects in the die, which, if left undetected, may cause failure. The Condor is designed to meet the current and future inspection needs of the semiconductor industry. The Condor, through algorithms and advanced hardware configuration, is designed to enhance two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) detection abilities and increased throughput. The Condor family includes models for: 3D and 2D metrology and inspection of bumped-wafer prepared for packaging in the flip-chip technology; 2D metrology and inspection of finished wafers at the end of their manufacturing process and in test houses; Post-dicing inspection of frame-mounted wafers at assembly and packaging facilities, where it adds the value of detecting dicing-related damage, and inspection and metrology of micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) and other special applications.
Condor 5LED is an AOI system designed to provide solutions to a range of requirements that are to light emitting diode (LED) semiconductor manufacturers. The LED market�� special inspection requirements are characterized by 3-6 inch wafers, each of which may contain between 100 to over 200 thousand LED devices per wafer. Typically, the wafer is made of a translucent compound semiconductor, such as g! allium ar! senide, gallium phosphide and/or indium phosphide. The Gannet system is designed for the front end market of the semiconductor industry.
The Company�� AOI products for this industry consist of five product lines: the Phoenix, Dragon and Orion for the inspection of inner and outer layers of PCB panels and ultra-fine-line IC substrate; large area masks (LAM) dedicated for inspection of artwork; and the Pegasus for final inspection (AFI) of IC substrates and high density interconnect (HDI) panels. The Phoenix product family, introduced in November 2011, is designed to support a range of the demanding PCB and IC substrate applications, while keeping in pace with the dynamic technology changes in the industry. The Phoenix product family is enhanced with Spark - Camtek's and detection engine providing high detection capabilities, while minimizing false calls.
Dragon systems are high-throughput, automation-ready systems for inspection of all PCB types in a mass production environment. Dragon models are optimized for specific PCB technology ranges - from mainstream circuits of typically 100 (microns) conductor line width, up to high density substrates having 12 (microns) wide conductive lines. All Dragon models are designed to interface with automated material handling mechanisms provided by the Company or other automation suppliers. Orion systems are stand-alone AOI systems for high volume inspection of all PCB types designed to operate in inspectify mode of operation. Inspectify is a mode of operation enabling the operator to perform verification immediately after inspection on the same system, thus saving time and eliminating handling-related defects.
LAM is specially designed for main-stream LAM inspection. It offers unparalleled detection ability on LAM with down to 25 (microns) line/space width technology. The LAM incorporates advanced technology innovations to ensure the level of detection that these masks require at this critical production stage. Camtek offers! various ! stand-alone verification systems that enable verification of panels after inspection. The Pegasus line includes systems for automated inspection of finished IC substrates that are subsequently used in packaging of ball grid array (BGA) and Chip Scale Package (CSP) devices. The Pegasus inspects both sides of the substrate, detecting process and mechanical defects, in particular in the gold-plated areas, where the substrate will interconnect with the silicon die or the PCB, and in the solder-mask areas. Pegasus models handle substrates in strip format in magazines.
GreenJet is a SM digital printing system aimed to replace the conventional SM application lines for prototypes and high mix low volume production. The GreenJet system offers manufacturers flexible and digital SM printing technology solution. The LGP system incorporates PCB digital legend printing technologies with specially developed heat curable ink, resulting in output and system performance. Camtek has developed the inks for both LGP and GreenJet, which involves different chemicals mixed together in order to reach the required ink characterization.
The Company competes with Rudolph Technologies Inc., KLA-Tencor Corporation, Topcon Corporation, Toray Industries, Inc., Hitachi Ltd., Nidec Tosok Corporation., FEI Company, SII Nanotechnology Japan, Carl Zeiss, Inc., Orbotech Ltd., Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Company, Lloyd-Doyle Limited, Gigavis Co. Ltd., ATI Electronics Pty Ltd., Shirai Electronics Industrial Co. Ltd., First EIE SA and MicroCraft K.K.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Paul Ausick]
Stocks on the Move: Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) is up 35.7% at $5.13. Camtek Inc. (NASDAQ: CAMT) is up 71.7% at $4.55 after saying that a 3D printer is coming next year from the company. Sungy Mobile Ltd. (NASDAQ: GOMO) is up 28.8% at $17.19 after last Friday�� IPO. InterCloud Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ICLD) is down 28.2% at $9.20.
- [By Eddie Staley]
In trading on Tuesday, technology shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 1.68 percent. Top decliners in the sector included Camtek (NASDAQ: CAMT), down 15.54 percent, and MakeMyTrip (NASDAQ: MMYT), off 11.85 percent.
- [By Garrett Cook]
Technology shares gained around 1.13 percent in Tuesday’s trading. Top gainers in the sector included iGATE (NASDAQ: IGTE), up 7.7 percent, and Camtek (NASDAQ: CAMT), up 9.8 percent.
Best Up And Coming Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Weyerhaeuser Company(WY)
Weyerhaeuser Company, a forest products company, grows and harvests trees, builds homes, and manufactures forest products worldwide. It grows and harvests trees for use as lumber, other wood and building products, and pulp and paper. The company manages 6.4 million acres of private commercial forestland; and has long-term licenses on 13.9 million acres of forestland. It also offers timber; minerals, such as rock, sand, and gravel, as well as oil and gas to construction and energy markets; logs; timberland tracts; and seed and seedlings, poles, plywood, and hardwood lumber products. In addition, the company provides structural lumber products for structural framing; engineered lumber products for floor and roof joists, and headers and beams; structural panels for structural sheathing, subflooring, and stair treading for wood products dealers, do-it-yourself retailers, builders, and industrial users. Further, it offers building products comprising cedar, decking, siding, ins ulation, rebar, and engineered lumber connectors. Additionally, the company offers fluff pulp for use in sanitary disposable products; papergrade pulp for printing and writing papers, and tissues; specialty chemical cellulose pulp for use in textiles, absorbent products, specialty packaging, and high-bulking fibers; liquid packaging board converted into containers; and slush and wet lap pulp for manufacturing paper products. It also constructs single-family houses, as well as develops residential lots and land for construction and sale; and master-planned communities with mixed-use property. The company sells its cellulose fibers products through direct sales network, and liquid packaging products directly to carton and food product packaging converters; and wood products through sales organizations and distribution facilities. Weyerhaeuser Company has been elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust. The company was founded in 1900 and is headquartered in Federal Way, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
Pimco managing director Mark Kiesel mentions Whirlpool (WHR), Weyerhaeuser (WY), USG (USG), Toll Brothers (TOLL) and KB Home (KBH) as good plays on housing:�
Best Up And Coming Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Athersys Inc.(ATHX)
Athersys, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery and development of therapeutic products in various disease areas in the United States. Its clinical development programs are focused on treating cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions, inflammatory and immune disorders, and other conditions. Its product pipeline includes MultiStem, a novel allogeneic approach to stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine for treating a range of diseases. The company is also involved in the development of novel small molecule compounds for applications in indications, such as obesity and other areas, including the treatment of neurological conditions, and for the modulation of stem cells or related applications in the regenerative medicine area. It has product co-development collaboration with Pfizer Inc. to develop and commercialize MultiStem to treat inflammatory bowel disease for the worldwide market; Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop and commerciali ze MultiStem to treat certain cardiovascular diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction; and RTI Biologics, Inc. to develop and commercialize biologic implants for certain orthopedic applications in the bone graft substitutes market. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Athersys (ATHX) is a biopharmaceutical company focused in the field of regenerative medicine. This stock closed up 4% to $1.79 in Thursday's trading session.
Thursday's Range: $1.68-$1.80
52-Week Range: $0.95-$2.42
Thursday's Volume: 270,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 323,188From a technical perspective, ATHX bounced notably higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $1.67 with decent upside volume. This stock recently pulled back from $1.99 to its 50-day at $1.67. Shares of ATHX may now be down with that pullback, since the stock is starting to trend higher and move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if ATHX manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.90 to $1.99 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ATHX as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $1.67 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 323,188 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then ATHX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $2.16 to $2.25. Any high-volume move above those levels will put its 52-week high at $2.42 into range for shares of ATHX.
- [By Roberto Pedone]
Another under-$10 biotechnology player that's starting to trend within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Athersys (ATHX), which focuses on the research and development activities in the field of regenerative medicine. This stock has been destroyed by the bears over the last six months, with shares off sharply by 62%.
If you look at the chart for Athersys, you'll see that this stock has been downtrending badly for the last two months and change, with shares moving lower from its high of $1.99 to its recent low of $1.31 a share. During that downtrend, shares of ATHX have been making mostly lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, shares of ATHX are now starting to bounce off some near-term support at $1.31 and it's now starting to trend within range of triggering a big breakout trade above some near-term overhead resistance levels.
Market players should now look for long-biased trades in ATHX if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.40 to $1.49 a share and then back above its 50-day moving average of $1.52 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 384,325 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then ATHX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $1.70 to $1.78 a share, or even $1.99 a share.
Traders can look to buy ATHX off weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support at $1.31 a share. One can also buy ATHX off strength once it starts to bust above those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.
Read More: Warren Buffett's Top 10 Dividend Stocks
- [By Lisa Levin]
Athersys (NASDAQ: ATHX) shares fell 56.04% to reach a new 52-week low of $1.20 on failed trial results for ulcerative colitis.
Posted-In: 52-Week LowsNews Movers & Shakers Intraday Update Markets
Best Up And Coming Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Mackinac Financial Corporation(MFNC)
Mackinac Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for mBank that engages in commercial banking business. It offers interest bearing and non-interest bearing deposit products, including commercial and retail checking accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, individual retirement accounts, regular interest-bearing statement savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. The company?s loan portfolio comprises commercial real estate loans; commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; one-to-four family residential real estate loans; construction loans; and consumer loans. It operates 6 branch offices in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and 4 branch offices in Michigan?s Lower Peninsula; and also operates 10 automated teller machines. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Manistique, Michigan.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Marc Bastow]
Michigan-based bank holding company Mackinac Financial (MFNC) raised its quarterly dividend 25% to 5 cents per share, payable on Jan. 8 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 30.
MFNC Dividend Yield: 2.1%
Best Up And Coming Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Skyline Corporation(SKY)
Skyline Corporation and its subsidiaries engage in designing, producing, and marketing manufactured houses, modular homes, and towable recreational vehicles to independent dealers and manufactured housing communities in the United States and Canada. The company?s manufactured homes include two to four bedrooms, kitchen, dining area, living room, one or two bathrooms, kitchen appliances, and central heating and cooling, as well as exterior dormers and windows, interior or exterior accent columns, fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs. Its towable recreational vehicles comprise travel trailers and fifth wheels offered under the Aljo, Bobcat, Koala, Layton, Mountain View, Nomad, Texan, Wagoneer, Walkabout, and Weekender brands; and park models under the Cedar Cove, Cutlass, Cutlass Elite, Deerfield, Forest Brook, Shore Park Homes, and Vacation Villa brands, which consists of sleeping, kitchen, dining, and bath areas. The company markets its manufactured and modular housing to subur ban and rural areas of the continental United States and Canada. Skyline Corporation markets its recreational vehicles to vacationing families, traveling retired couples, and sports enthusiasts pursuing four-season hobbies. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon] rch 12, Third Avenue Management sold 55.7% of its stake in Skyline Corp. for a total value of $3,394,689. It now has 361,805 shares, or 4.31% of the company.
Third Avenue incurred a loss on Skyline. The firm has had the stock since before the second quarter of 2009 after it had been sliding for several years. That quarter, Third Avenue bought it for roughly $20 per share. Since 2009 its stock price has declined 60% and the firm has been mostly selling its shares since then. The stock closed at $7.98 per share on Friday.
Third Avenue Management was founded by legendary value investor Martin Whitman and manages mutual funds, separate accounts and hedge funds. Third Avenue managers believe that the current balance sheet rather than projected future figures are the best measure of a company�� value. Companies they invest in are also usually cheap and safe.
Skyline makes manufactured housing and recreational vehicles. Its revenue per share has been declining at a rate of 13.2% over the last 10 years, and 23.2% in the last 5 years. The company has been operating at a loss since 2008, and EBITDA and free cash flow has been negative since 2007.
NWQ Managers and PrivateBancorp (PVTB) Bob Evans Farms (BOBE)
On February 29, NWQ reduced its stake in PrivateBancorp (PVTB) by 28.48%. At $14.50 per share, the total value of the sale was $18.8 million. It now owns 3,253,454 shares or 4.49% of the company. NWQ initiated its holding in PrivateBancorp in the fourth quarter of 2009 with 4,334,692 shares at an average price of $12.15. It sold shares as the price rose during 2010, and added 2,008,454 shares in the third quarter of 2011 when its price dropped to an average of $10 per share. On Friday, the stock is trading near $15 per share.
PrivateBancorp is a small, regional bank based in Chicago. After its stock fell to a 52-week low of $6.44 in late 2011, its 2011 fourth-quarter and full-year results helped push it up 38% to $15 in 2012. Afte
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