Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Google (NASDAQ: GOOG ) will enter the gaming console fray as early as this fall -- but maybe not for the reasons you may think.
Google isn't looking to take on Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) or Sony's dominance in the space. Both companies have sold about 70 million units each of their latest consoles, and they're firmly planted within the gaming market with both their fan base and game makers. Google's angle would be to create an inexpensive console for playing Android games, rather than an expensive box for top-tier gaming.
It's not a revolutionary idea, but it's a good one. The daily revenue from the top 200 grossing apps in the Google Play store is $1.1 million. Obviously not all of those are games, but the majority of them are.
But it's likely that Google's entering the gaming space because it's afraid Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL ) is moving in that direction, too. Apple released some specs on a gamepad controller just last month, proving Apple TV is one step closer to becoming a gaming console. The new game controller standard would bring all of Apple's game developers onto the same page and create a unified gaming experience for its customers.
Top 10 Shipping Companies To Own In Right Now: Prometheus RxDx Corp (RXDX)
Prometheus RxDx Corp., incorporated in June 2009, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prometheus Laboratories Inc. The Company is engaged in the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products that enable physicians to provide individualized patient care. It focuses on the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disorders within the fields of gastroenterology and oncology. It operates in two segments: the pharmaceutical products segment that markets and sells prescription drugs, and the diagnostic testing services segment, which includes specific immunoassays to detect and differentiate diseases, pharmacogenetic testing and drug metabolite monitoring. The pharmaceutical products for gastrointestinal diseases and disorders includes ENTOCORT EC (budesonide) Capsules, which is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn�� disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon, and LOTRONEX (alosetron hydrochloride) Tablets, for use in female patients with severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gastroenterology Pharmaceutical Products
The pharmaceutical products for gastrointestinal diseases and disorders include Entocort EC for the treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn�� disease involving the ileum and/or ascending colon and Lotronex for treatment of a subset of women with severe diarrhea-predominant IBS. The Company sells but does not market, several other pharmaceuticals, including Imuran, Helidac Therapy, and Ridaura, in addition to a number of other diagnostic tests. It also manufactures a generic mercaptopurine product, which is sold through a third-party distributor. It only offers pharmaceutical products in the United States. It began selling Proleukin in February 2010 under an exclusive distribution and promotion agreement with Novartis. Proleukin is a recombinant human interleukin-2 for treatment in adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. Proleukin therapy is a form of im! munotherapy that uses the body�� natural immune system to fight cancer. In December 2010, it signed an agreement with ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, to sell Trandate and Zyloprim.
Entocort EC is the Food and Drug Association- approved drug indicated for the induction and maintenance of clinical remission in mild to moderate active Crohn�� disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon. Entocort EC consists of an encapsulated formulation of budesonide granules, a glucocorticosteroid. Entocort EC is designed to release primarily in the ileum and/or the ascending colon, so that as little as 10% of the drug enters systemic circulation. Entocort EC may benefit patients by reducing glucocorticosteroid-related side effects. Lotronex is indicated for use only in women with severe diarrhea-predominant IBS who have not responded adequately to conventional therapy, whose IBS symptoms are chronic, and who have had other gastrointestinal medical conditions ruled out.
Imuran is indicated for adjunctive use in the prevention of rejection in kidney transplants and in the management of active rheumatoid arthritis. Although Imuran is not indicated for the treatment of IBD and the Company does not promote it for that indication, physicians often prescribe it for various forms of IBD, including Crohn�� disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as other autoimmune disorders. Imuran is prescribed primarily by gastroenterologists, transplant surgeons, nephrologists, rheumatologists and internal medicine specialists. Helidac Therapy (Hediac), when taken with a hydrogen (H2 ) antagonist, is indicated for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, bacteria, which causes peptic ulcers, and for patients with duodenal ulcer disease. Ridaura is approved for the treatment of active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Ridaura is the oral formulation of a gold salt available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis for patients who have not responded adequately to one or mor! e non-ste! roidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Mercaptopurine is approved for maintenance for acute lymphatic leukemia as part of a combination regimen and, although it is not indicated for the treatment of certain gastrointestinal diseases and it does not promote it for those indications, physicians often prescribe it for various forms of IBD, including Crohn�� disease and ulcerative colitis.
Trandate is approved for the management of high blood pressure, or hypertension. Trandate can be used alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive agents, particularly thiazide and loop diuretics. Trandate is typically prescribed by cardiologists, family practitioners and internists. Trandate competes both with generics and many other drugs used to treat hypertension. In December 2010, the Company signed an agreement with ThePharmaNetwork, LLC, to sell Trandate. Zyloprim reduces serum and uric acid levels and is approved for the management of patients with gout, patients receiving certain types of chemotherapy to leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers, and patients with kidney or urinary stones. Zyloprim is prescribed by orthopedic specialists, rheumatologists, podiatrists, nephrologists and family practitioners.
Gastroenterology Diagnostic Testing Services
The diagnostic testing services are designed to aid physicians in making diagnoses with non-invasive testing and to assist them in determining therapy treatment and management, thereby helping a physician customize treatment to an individual patient. The Company performs all its diagnostic testing services in its laboratory located in San Diego, California. During the year ended December 31, 2010, it launched PROMETHEUS Crohn�� Prognostic, the serogenetic prognostic test for Crohn�� disease. The Company offers three celiac tests to physicians, including antibody tests, a genetics test and a panel that combines both the antibody and genetics tests.
The Company competes with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and La! boratory ! Corporation of America Holdings
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
Quick - what do CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ:CYTR) and Ignyta Inc. (NASDAQ:RXDX) have in common? Yes, they're both biotech stocks, but that's not the absolute best answer right now. The most meaningful common element between RXDX and CYTR right now is, each is on the verge of a big technical breakout and deserves a spot on your watchlist. Here's a closer look at each.�
Top Prefered Companies To Watch For 2014: First Commonwealth Financial Corporation(FCF)
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for First Commonwealth Bank that provides consumer and commercial banking services to individuals and small and mid-sized businesses in central and western Pennsylvania. The company offers personal checking accounts, interest-earning checking accounts, savings accounts, health savings accounts, insured money market accounts, debit cards, investment certificates, fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, and IRA accounts. It also provides secured and unsecured installment loans, construction and mortgage loans, safe deposit facilities, credit lines with overdraft checking protection, and student loans, as well as Internet and telephone banking, and automated teller machine services. In addition, the company offers commercial banking services, including commercial lending, small and high-volume business checking accounts, on-line account management services, ACH origination, payroll direct deposi t, commercial cash management services, and repurchase agreements. Further, it provides various trust and asset management services, as well as a complement of auto, home, business, and term life insurance. Additionally, the company offers annuities, mutual funds, stock, and bond brokerage services through an arrangement with a broker-dealer and insurance brokers. It operates 115 community banking offices in western Pennsylvania and 2 loan production offices in downtown Pittsburgh and State College, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Fede Zaldua]
Overall, the company is trying to resist European volume trends while successfully putting in practice its pricing power. Even when market-trends flow against Imperial's top-line, the company should be able to grow its Free Cash Flow (FCF) per share once again in 2013 -its 2013 FCF yield should be as high as 9%. Some businesses are simple great. They deliver growing cash yields to its owners even when conditions are tough.
- [By Holly LaFon]
��e own a collection of competitively advantaged, industry- leading companies that produce large amounts of free cash flow (FCF);
��e have more financial strength and flexibility across our holdings to potentially capture future opportunity after significant deleveraging over the last few years from a combination of our portfolio sales and our corporate partners' divestitures and restructurings;
- [By Ray Merola]
Global recession notwithstanding, International Paper has re-imagined itself as a strong cash generator. I focus upon Free-Cash-Flow (FCF), thereby subtracting routine capital expenditures from Operating Cash. What remains is what Warren Buffett refers to as "Owner Earnings," or what is left over after a company has handled all aspects of running and maintaining its business.
Top Prefered Companies To Watch For 2014: Renewable Energy Group Inc (REGI)
Renewable Energy Group, Inc., incorporated in August 2006, is a producer of biodiesel in the United States. The Company is engaged in each aspect of biodiesel production, from acquiring feedstock, managing construction and operating biodiesel production facilities to marketing, selling and distributing biodiesel and its co-products. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company sold approximately 150 million gallons of biodiesel. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated a network of six biodiesel plants, with an aggregate production capacity of 212 million gallons per year. On July 12, 2011, the Company acquired SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC (SoyMor), which has 30 million gallons per year biodiesel production facility in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In January 2012, it exercised its option to purchase the 60 million gallons per year facility in Seneca, Illinois, which it operated under a lease. In August 2013, the Company acquired biodiesel plant in Mason City, Iowa. In January 2014, Renewable Energy Group Inc acquired renewable chemical technology developer LS9, Inc.
The Company produces its biodiesel from a range of feedstocks, including inedible animal fat, used cooking oil and inedible corn oil. It also produces a smaller portion of its biodiesel from virgin vegetable oils. It owns biodiesel production facilities with capacities consisting of 12 million gallons per year facility in Ralston, Iowa; 35 million gallons per year facility near Houston, Texas, or the Houston facility; 45 million gallons per year facility in Danville, Illinois, and 30 million gallons per year facility in Newton, Iowa.
The Company competes with Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Incorporated, Louis Dreyfus Commodities Group, Ag Processing Inc., Mansfield, Astra, Gavilon, Tenaska, ED&F Man, Dynamic Fuels, LLC, Syntroleum Corporation, Tyson Foods, Inc., Diamond Green Diesel, LLC and Darling International.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Maxx Chatsko]
When it comes to the highly charged biodiesel industry, one company stands above the rest. Way above. Renewable Energy Group (NASDAQ: REGI ) is not only the leader in terms of pure production capacity, but it also displays plenty of desirables that should be on every investor's radar. What makes the company so great? It is no secret. In particular, REG has focused on three areas to become the top biodiesel stock.
- [By Lauren Pollock]
Renewable Energy Group Inc.(REGI) swung to a third-quarter profit due to strong sales of biodiesel, news that sent shares sharply higher as the results easily exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. The strong earnings report pushed shares up 14% to $13.45 in premarket trading.
- [By Maxx Chatsko]
RINs are created with each lot of biofuels produced and act as a way for the industry to track production. They are normally sold with the corresponding amount of biofuels, but can be sold on secondary markets without a physical volume to back it up. Speculation by third parties and fear of running into the 10% ethanol blend wall in 2013 and 2014 caused prices to spike. The volatility may continue for the medium term, but investors may be able to find solace in the country's leading biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group (NASDAQ: REGI ) . Fool contributor Maxx Chatsko explains why in the following video.
- [By Anna Prior]
Renewable Energy Group Inc.'s(REGI) shares dropped after the company tempered its expectations for the first quarter, saying unseasonably cold winter weather reduced demand for diesel. Shares fell 14% to $10.76 premarket.
Top Prefered Companies To Watch For 2014: Beneficial Mutual Bancorp Inc.(BNCL)
Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Beneficial Bank that provides financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. The company accepts a range of deposit products, such as non-interest bearing demand deposits, including individual checking accounts; interest-bearing demand accounts comprising negotiable order of withdrawal and money market accounts; savings accounts; certificates of deposit; and business banking deposit products, such as a commercial checking account and a checking account for small businesses, as well as offers cash management services, which consist of remote deposit, lockbox, and sweep accounts. It originates various loans, including fixed-rate and adjustable-rate one-to-four family residential loans; commercial real estate loans; commercial business loans, such as installment loans for capital improvements, equipment acquisition, and long-term working capital to professionals, sole proprietorships, an d small businesses; consumer loans comprising home equity loans and lines of credit, automobile loans, boat loans, loans for recreational vehicles, guaranteed student loans, and loans secured by passbook accounts and certificates of deposit; and construction loans. In addition, the company provides insurance brokerage and investment advisory services. It operates approximately 65 banking offices located in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania; and Burlington and Camden Counties in New Jersey. The company was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc. is a subsidiary of Beneficial Savings Bank MHC.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
spaxiax/Shutterstock Loans are inevitable for most adults. If you buy a house or car, use a credit card or go to college, you'll likely need to take out a loan. U.S. household debt stands at $11.7 trillion, according to a recent Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey that draws on information from 40 million individuals. But taking out a loan doesn't always work out well, as anyone who has dealt with a debt collector can attest. So what mistakes are you most likely to make in the loan process? A good rule of thumb: If there's a chance your loan can destroy your marriage, business or send you into bankruptcy, you're about to make the biggest mistake of all: taking out the loan in the first place. 1. Not Reading the Fine Print There are always important gems of information buried in all that legalese, so you owe it to yourself to take a good look at what you're signing up for, says Leslie Tayne, a financial attorney and debt specialist who runs the Tayne Law Group in New York City. "Many people have a tendency to simply sign the dotted line, listening to the salesperson and not double-checking the agreement," Tayne says. "I see this all the time. A client will come in and tell me that they didn't know about something in the loan, such as a balloon payment or increase in interest rate." But if you sign the contract, you're telling the lender that you do know –- even if you don't -– which, of course, is the problem. 2. Taking Out a Loan for Someone Else Co-signing is a mistake, but some people double that error by taking out a loan and giving the money to someone else. "You'd be surprised at how often this happens," says Michael Poulos, CEO of Michigan First Credit Union in Lathrup Village, Michigan. He says his staff has, on occasion, encountered loan scenarios such as parents coming in to borrow money for their children and customers needing money to bail out family members from jail. One of the more interesting cautionary tales about borr
Top Prefered Companies To Watch For 2014: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEC)
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides professional, technical, and construction services. Its services include engineering, design, and architectural services; construction and construction management services; operations and maintenance services; and process, scientific, and systems consulting services. The company serves a range of companies and organizations comprising industrial, commercial, and government clients across multiple markets and geographies. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides its services to various industries and markets consisting of oil and gas exploration, production, and refining; environmental programs; pharmaceuticals and biotechnology; chemicals and polymers; buildings; infrastructure; power; technology and manufacturing; consumer products; and pulp and paper. The company provides its services through its offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. was founded in 1947 and is based in Pa sadena, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Mid cap infrastructure construction stock Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. (NYSE: CBI) fell 7.23% after being trashed in an article by an apparent�short seller posted on Seeking Alpha, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of potential benchmarks like Jacobs Engineering Group Inc (NYSE: JEC), KBR, Inc (NYSE: KBR) and First Trust ISE Global Engineering and Construction Index Fund ETF (NYSEARCA: FLM).
- [By Ben Levisohn]
That leaves just five big losers that have kept on losing. Those would be Darden Restaurants (DRI), which has dropped 0.1% to $46.23 at 3:29.p.m., Jacobs Engineering Group (JEC), which has fallen 0.1% to $53.21, VeriSign (VRSN), which has declined 0.3% to $48.66, Express Scripts (ESRX), which is off 0.4% at $69.08, and Urban Outfitters (URBN), which has slipped 1.2% to $33.45.
- [By Bryan Murphy]
If the forecasters are on target (and they usually are), then construction and engineering names like Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:JEC) and Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. (NYSE:CBI) should have a very solid 2015. Construction in the United States, and heavy construction in particular, is projected to grow in the coming year, setting up something of a boost for tickers like CBI and JEC. Chicago Bridge & Iron Company and Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. aren't the only ways to play the trend, however. In fact, the blatant obviousness of� them as beneficiaries likely saps some of their upside for newcomers. Investors looking for the bigger opportunities built into the positive construction outlook may want to consider the names that also - but quietly - benefit from rising construction activity... off-the-radar names like CES Synergies Inc. (OTCBB:CESX).
Top Prefered Companies To Watch For 2014: Capral Ltd (CAA)
Capral Limited is an Australia-based company engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of semi-fabricated aluminium products. The Company operates in three segments: Residential, Commercial and Industrial. The Residential segment includes the supply of aluminum and other components for windows and doors, showers and wardrobes and security products. The Commercial segment includes the supply of aluminum and other components for windows and doors, internal fit outs and other commercial building related products. The Industrial segment includes the supply of aluminum extrusions and rolled products for industrial uses. The Company produces a range of extruded aluminium products and systems. The Company�� subsidiaries include Aluminium Extrusion & Distribution Pty Limited and Austex Dies Pty Limited. In October 2013, the Company acquired OneSteel Aluminium business from OneSteel Trading Pty Limited. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Live investor]
The company�� entered into an agreement with Competitive Carriers Association (CAA), representing tiny mobile operators, through which smaller mobile providers would be able to utilize Sprint�� nationwide network until they build their own. On the other hand, Sprint customers would be able to use the better network of smaller players. At the trade show in San Antonio Son said that the program�� aimed at providing high-speed internet service to areas which were devoid of it. This would intensify competition in the market.
Top Prefered Companies To Watch For 2014: Emeritus Corporation (ESC)
Emeritus Corporation operates senior living communities in the United States. The company�s communities offer Alzheimer�s and dementia care, independent living, assisted living, specialized memory care, and skilled nursing care services. It also provides management services to independent and related-party owners of assisted living communities. As of November 15, 2012, the company operated approximately 470 senior living communities in 44 states with a resident capacity for approximately 50,000 residents. Emeritus Corporation was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
One company with seemingly limitless upside potential today was senior housing operator Emeritus (NYSE: ESC ) , which gained 35.2% after agreeing to be purchased by Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD ) for $1.4 billion, excluding debt. Under the terms of the deal, Emeritus shareholders will receive 0.95 shares of Brookdale, and would effectively own 23% of the outstanding shares of the company once the merger is complete. Brookdale anticipates the deal being EPS neutral in 2014, and forecasts it adding $0.40 in EPS by the third year. The move certainly makes sense on paper, as cost synergies will help these two senior housing companies fight back against the expectation of declining Medicare reimbursement rates. However, over the long run, the Medicare reimbursement picture is still very cloudy, making Brookdale a riskier buy at the moment following today's announcement.
- [By John Kell]
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.(BKD) has agreed to merge with Emeritus Corp.(ESC) in a deal that values the operator of long-term, assisted-living facilities at about $1.4 billion, as the companies look to form a national senior-living-solutions company. Emeritus surged 34% to $28.75 premarket.
Getty ImagesMany workers claim Social Security as soon as possible, but they might regret that decision later. The most popular age to sign up for Social Security is 62, with 32 percent of men and 38 percent of women born in 1946 claiming benefits at that age. Starting benefits at age 62 provides valuable retirement income as soon as possible, but it also triggers a reduction in monthly payments because retirees collect them over a longer period of time. A 62-year-old who signs up for Social Security in 2014 will get 25 percent smaller checks than if he waited to claim at age 66, his full retirement age. Here's why many retirees claim Social Security at 62, even though it results in significantly smaller monthly payments. Already out of the workforce. People who are unemployed at age 62 and unable to find a new job often sign up for Social Security to bring some income into the household. "Some people who did not plan to sign up at age 62 may have experienced a job loss during a bad economy, and they need the income," says Andy Landis, author of "Social Security: The Inside Story." Those who are employed full time between ages 60 and 62 are 30 percent less likely to claim Social Security early than those who no longer work full time, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. "Many unemployed older workers struggle to find new jobs and may face unique re-employment challenges, such as employer reluctance to hire older workers or out-of-date skills. And, long-term unemployment can motivate older workers to claim early Social Security," according to the report. A strenuous job. People who work in physically demanding jobs including mechanics, construction, precision production, operators and farming are 55 percent more likely to claim Social Security benefits early than workers in other fields, GAO found. Those in managerial and professional jobs are 32 percent less likely to sign up early than other occupations. Workers without a college degree were also 23 percent more likely to claim early.