Mid cap networking solutions company Brocade Communications Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: BRCD) has pretty much been a sleeper for investors since the dot.com bust, but that has changed over the past year���meaning its worth revisiting the stock along with potential performance benchmarks�like QLogic Corporation (NASDAQ: QLGC), Emulex Corporation (NYSE: ELX) and iShares North American Tech-Multimedia Networking ETF (NYSEARCA: IGN). I should mention that we have recently Brocade Communications Systems to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio because the company has successfully transitioned from being a hardware company to supporting virtual networks via software and it continues to offer best-of-breed technology.
What is Brocade Communications Systems, Inc?Mid cap Brocade Communications Systems is an industry leader in providing reliable, high-performance network solutions that help the world�� leading organizations transition smoothly to a virtualized world where applications and information reside anywhere. With a complete family of Ethernet, storage, and converged networking solutions, Brocade Communications Systems helps organizations achieve their most critical business objectives through:
10 Best Forestry Stocks To Own Right Now: Bri-Chem Corp (BRY)
Bri-Chem Corp. is a North American distributor, blender, and manufacturer of drilling fluids and steel pipe for the oil and gas industry in North America. The Company operates in three segments: Fluids, Steel Distribution and Steel Manufacturing. Its Fluids segment includes the sale of fluids and chemical additives to the resource and industrial markets. The Steel Distribution segment includes the sale of tubular steel products to the resource, industrial and construction industries. The Steel Manufacturing segment produces seamless steel pipe through a thermal expansion process for sale to steel pipe distributors in North America. On May 31, 2011, it acquired all membership interest in Bri-Chem Supply Corp, LLC (BSU) and Stryker Transportation Ltd. (Stryker). In September 2013, Bri-Chem Corp acquired the cement blending business assets of Sun Coast Materials Co. and certain additional transportation assets from its affiliate Acme Trucking, Inc. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lawrence Meyers]
It�� no coincidence I have another energy play here, because energy is plentiful and always consumed.� Linn Energy (LINE) is an indie oil and gas player, and spread over the many states across the country.� Proven reserves are 4,796 billion cubic feet of oil and natural gas, and it operates a whopping 15,804 wells.� It also is unique in that it hedges 100% of its production vs. some 71% among other MLPs. �The stock pays a solid 11.2% dividend and may merge with Berry Petroleum (BRY) to solidify its balance sheet.
- [By Matt DiLallo]
The latest headlines point out that LINN is finally coming clean on its derivative costs, which shows that the company is overstating its cash flow. One article calls this a "surprise disclosure" that was "buried in a recently regulatory filing." The buried disclosure, found on page 257 of its registration statement for the joint deal with LinnCo (NASDAQ: LNCO ) for Berry Petroleum (NYSE: BRY ) says that mark-to-market losses on commodity derivatives:
- [By Victor Selva]
Competitors such as Sandridge Energy Inc. (SD), Penn Virginia Corp. (PVA), Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) also have a negative ROE. An alternative could be Cabot Oil &Gas Corp. (COG), Range Resources Corp. (RRC), SM Energy Co. (SM), Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PXD) or Whiting Petroleum Corp (WLL), Berry Petroleum Co. (BRY), but for investors searching for a higher ratio, Continental Resources Inc. (CLR) will be the best option.
Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Experian PLC (EXPGY)
Experian plc, incorporated on June 30, 2006, is a provider of global information services. The Company provides data and analytical tools to organizations in North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific. Clients use these to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision-making. Activities in the regions in which Experian operates are grouped into four global business lines: Credit Services, Decision Analytics, Marketing Services and Interactive. Experian provides data and analytical tools to organizations in North America, Latin America, United Kingdom and Ireland, EMEA and Asia Pacific. In November 2013, the Company acquired Passport Health Communications, Inc.
Credit Services
Experian helps organizations to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. The Company also provides credit monitoring and identity protection services to millions of consumers via the Internet. At the core of Credit Services are the databases that Experian builds and manages, that hold the credit application and repayment histories of consumers and businesses. Globally, Experian holds credit payment data on consumers and million businesses. In total, Experian operates approximately 20 consumer credit bureaux and approximately15 business credit bureau worldwide. Experian�� automotive business supplies vehicle history reports in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy. Reports typically include data on title, registration, history and accidents, manufacturer recall and repair records. The information is sold to automotive dealers, auction houses, automotive companies and direct-to-consumer. Clients principally include organizations that are extending or offering credit, such as financial services, telecommunications, utilities, insurance companies, hospitals and automotive dealers.
The Company competes with Dun & Bra! dstreet.
Decision Analytics
Solutions developed by Experian include application processing, customer management, fraud solutions and collections software and systems. Decision Analytics products are also used in the detection and prevention of fraud. Clients include financial services, telecommunications, utilities, retailers, insurance, automotive and the public sector.
It competes with Fair Isaac and SAS.
Marketing Services
Marketing Services provides data and segmentation tools to the organizations. Experian provides Marketing Services in some 30 countries. Marketing Services maintains databases of marketing information on consumers. Consumer profiles include data from many sources, including market surveys, postal addresses, electoral registers, Internet service providers and magazine subscription data. Globally, Experian holds demographic data on more than 700 million individuals in approximate 270 million households and online behavior data on Internet users across Websites. Experian has a Marketing Services presence worldwide, including Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Clients include financial services, retail, media, automotive and the public sector.
The Company competes with Acxiom, Epsilon, WPP, Omnicom, ExactTarget, Responsys, Neolane and eDialog.
Interactive
The Company�� Consumer Direct business provides credit monitoring and other information services directly to millions of consumers via the Internet. It enables consumers to monitor the accuracy of their credit report, to check their credit score and to protect against identity theft. Experian provides consumers with online access to their credit history. In the United States, CreditReport.com and freecreditscore.com, and in the United Kingdom, CreditExpert.co.uk, allow consumers to see the same information available to lenders. Experian�� identity protection services in ! the Unite! d States and the United Kingdom, ProtectMyID.com and ProtectMyID.co.uk, provide identity theft detection, protection and fraud resolution to consumers. In the United States, Safetyweb.com helps parents monitor their children�� online activity and its DataPatrol product provides realtime Web and social network monitoring to help prevent identity fraud before it happens.
The Company competes with Equifax, CallCredit, TransUnion and Fair Isaac.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Jupiterimages.com When it comes to understanding your credit, it can feel as complicated as trying to solve a Rubik's cube. Frustrated by this confusion, many consumers neglect their credit, which can have a devastating impact on their financial futures. A Consumer Action study recently revealed that 27 percent of Americans have never checked their credit report. That's alarming, because it's estimated that a large numbers of consumers have errors on their credit reports that could damage their credit. I found this out several years ago when I found an error -- a canceled account that was being reported as delinquent -- hurting my credit. In my research, I have identified three sneaky things that are hurting other people's credit, too. Surprisingly, they could be fixed in 15 minutes or less. First, you need to get your credit report, and you should go to AnnualCreditReport.com. From this site, you can request your free credit report once a year from the three major credit reporting agencies -- (Equifax (EFX), Experian (EXPGY) and TransUnion). You can also access your credit score there, but you'll have to pay a small fee. To get a free credit score, you can go to Credit.com or Creditkarma.com. Keep in mind that these two as well as a lot of other free sites offer a consumer education score, which isn't your actual FICO (FICO) score. This confused even me when I sought to find my real credit score. Your FICO score changes daily, so getting your credit scores from these free sites will give you a good gauge of approximately what your credit score is. 1. Wrong Information The wrong personal information on your credit report could hurt your credit. This could be things like your name, your home address, where you've worked in the past or even your Social Security number. How does a wrong address hurt your credit? Your information may be mixed up with someone else's, especially if you have a common name, or are a "Jr." or "Sr." Or it could indicate identity th
- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Karen Roach/Shutterstock When singles are looking for love, they typically don't start by checking out a potential mate's credit score. But maybe they should. A recent survey of 1,010 married people by Experian (EXPGY) Consumer Services division found that 95 percent of those polled rate financial responsibility as an important attribute in a spouse. Compare that to physical attractiveness -- often the first criterion we use to judge potential mates -- which was deemed an important trait for compatibility by just 86 percent. (Personal compatibility led the list at 98 percent.) Financial communication can be an important barometer of how successful a relationship will be, although women place more of a premium on it than men. Among those surveyed, 73 percent of women and 60 percent of men said that being open about personal finances and credit makes a person more attractive as a spouse. On the flip side, 59 percent of women and 44 percent of men say that a partner who avoids talking about those things is less attractive as a spouse. What's Your Number? "Financial debt and a person's credit score are so important to disclose before you tie the proverbial knot," says Les Parrott, co-author with his wife, Leslie, of "Making Happy" and "The Good Fight." "We can tell you about lots of disastrous money surprises when a person isn't up front about this." It's important to discuss all aspects of your individual and shared financial situations regularly with your significant other, but because your credit score will impact your ability to make major purchases like a home or a car, it's especially important to determine whether a low credit score tied to one or both of you may affect your long-term goals, says Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial (AMP). "An important step toward having a successful relationship is being willing to share your feelings about money with your partner. This includes being honest about past and p
Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Genesco Inc. (GCO)
Genesco Inc. engages in the retail and wholesale of footwear, apparel, and accessories. The company operates in five segments: Journeys Group, Schuh Group, Lids Sports Group, Johnston & Murphy Group, and Licensed Brands. The Journeys Group segment operates the Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, and Underground by Journeys retail stores that provide footwear and accessories for men, women, and younger children. It also sells footwear and accessories through direct-to-consumer catalog and e-commerce operations. The Schuh Group segment operates Schuh retail footwear stores, which offer casual and athletic footwear for 15 to 30 year old men and women, as well as engages in the e-commerce operations. The Lids Sports Group segment operates headwear and accessory stores under the Lids, Hat World, and Hat Shack banners; sports-oriented fan shops that offer licensed merchandise, such as apparel, hats and accessories, sports decor, and novelty products under the Lids Locker R oom, Sports Fan-Attic, and Sports Avenue banners; and as a Lids Team Sports athletic team dealer, as well as in e-commerce operations. The Johnston & Murphy Group segment is involved in Johnston and Murphy retail, catalog and e-commerce, and wholesale distribution operations. Its stores provide footwear, luggage, and accessories for business and professional customers. The Licensed Brands segment markets casual and dress footwear under the Dockers brand for men aged 30 to 55. As of May 31, 2013, the company operated 2,455 retail stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The company also sells its products through journeys.com, journeyskidz.com, shibyjourneys.com, undergroundbyjourneys.com, schuh.co.uk, and johnstonmurphy.com. Genesco Inc. was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Volkman]
Genesco (NYSE: GCO ) results for the company's fiscal Q1 2014 have been released. For the quarter, net sales came in at $591 million, a drop of 1.5% from the $600 million in the same period the previous year. Net profit also saw a slip, to $18.4 million ($0.77 per diluted share) from Q1 2013's figure of $20.6 million ($0.85). On an adjusted basis, those numbers were $22.2 million ($0.94 per diluted share) and $23.8 ($0.98), respectively.
- [By Reuters]
Steven Senne/AP BOSTON -- Companies that help Target process payments could face millions of dollars in fines and costs resulting from the unprecedented data breach that struck the retailer during the holiday shopping season. Investigators are still sorting through just how thieves compromised about 40 million payment cards and the information of about 70 million Target (TGT) customers. But people who have reviewed past data breaches believe Target's partners could face consumer lawsuits and fines that payment networks such as Visa (V) and MasterCard (MA) often levy after cybersecurity incidents. Target's partners "have deep pockets and are intimately involved in certain aspects of how Target gets paid," said Jamie Pole, a cybersecurity consultant in Asheboro, N.C., who works for government agencies and the financial industry. Fines and settlement costs could reach into the millions of dollars for individual companies, he said, though much will depend on how the ultimate liability for the breach is determined. Boston attorney Cynthia Larose of Mintz Levin said Target would likely seek to add its partners as defendants to lawsuits already filed over the breach. "These class-action lawsuits start to bring everyone in at some point," she said. After its systems were penetrated by hackers in the mid-2000s, retailer TJX Cos. (TJX) agreed to pay up to $40.9 million to cover fraud costs in a settlement with Visa. Visa also issued penalties of $880,000 against Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) of Ohio, which processed transactions for TJX. Asked about the business relationships and possible costs, Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation and pending suits. A Visa spokeswoman declined to comment. A MasterCard spokesman said the company couldn't discuss an ongoing investigation. Handling Target Transactions Several companies are involved in any purchase from a store such as Target. A bank issues the consumer's payment card
Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Utah Medical Products Inc.(UTMD)
Utah Medical Products, Inc. produces medical devices for the healthcare industry primarily in the United States and Europe. The company provides labor and delivery/obstetrics products, including fetal monitoring accessories, vacuum-assisted delivery systems, and other obstetrical tools, as well as neonatal intensive care products, such as DISPOSA-HOOD, an infant respiratory hood; DELTRAN PLUS, a blood pressure monitoring system; and GESCO, a biocompatible silicone catheter. It also offers umbilical vessel and artery, thermosensitive polyurethane, and peripherally inserted central venous catheters; enteral feeding devices; DIALY-NATE, a disposable peritoneal dialysis set; PALA-NATE, a silicone oral protection device; and MYELO-NATE for obtaining cerebral spinal fluid samples. In addition, the company provides gynecology/urology/electrosurgery products comprising LETZ System to excise cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; FINESSE electrosurgical generator; FILTRESSE evacuators ; EPITOME, an electrosurgical scalpel; PATHFINDER PLUS, an endoscopic irrigation device; LIBERTY system to treat and control urinary incontinence in women; ENDOCURETTE, a curette for uterine endometrial tissue sampling; TVUS/HSG-Cath to assess abnormal uterine bleeding; and LUMIN for manipulating the uterus. Further, it offers DELTRAN for blood pressure monitoring; and pressure monitoring accessories, components, and other molded parts. The company?s products are used in neonatal intensive care units, labor and delivery departments, and women?s health center in hospitals, as well as in outpatient clinics and physician's offices. It markets its products through direct sales representatives, independent manufacturers? representatives, specialty distributors, national hospital distribution companies, and other medical device manufacturers; and through other medical device companies and independent medical products distributors. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquar tered in Midvale, Utah.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Geoff Gannon]
Utah Medical Products (UTMD)
There are some interesting stories on that list. Buffett watchers know The Washington Post. Ben Graham fans know National Presto. Anyone who follows net-nets is familiar with Micropac. If you��e a high ROC investor you��e probably come across Utah Medical Products (operating margins are over 30%). Atrion has one of the most interesting histories of value creation starting in the 1990s. And Arden is a grocer that earns a 15% return on equity in a bad year.
Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Chalmers Ltd (CHR)
Chalmers Limited is an Australia-based company engaged in transport, logistic services, warehousing and container storage, repairs and sales. The Company operated in three segments: Transport, Containers and Property. Transport consists of road transport, predominantly import/export FCL containers and the interface with logistics/ warehousing/hubbing services. Containers represent the empty container park operations concerned with handling, storage, repairs, upgrades, pretrips and so on of empty containers on behalf of shipping and leasing company customers. Property represents the capital investment Chalmers has in freeholds located in Melbourne. The Company�� subsidiaries include Chalmers Industries Pty Ltd, Chalmers (Australia) Pty Ltd and Chalmers Industries (Brisbane) Pty Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Corinne Gretler]
Chr. Hansen A/S (CHR) slid 1.7 percent to 186 kroner after Credit Suisse Group AG cut the stock to neutral, the equivalent of hold, from outperform. The brokerage said that profit from its natural-color business remains under pressure. The world�� biggest maker of dairy enzymes cut its full-year sales forecast on July 3 because of lower prices for the red pigment carmine.
Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Fisher Communications Inc.(FSCI)
Fisher Communications, Inc., an integrated media company, through its subsidiaries, engages in television and radio broadcasting businesses. The company owns and operates network-affiliated television stations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California, as well as engages in Internet business; and radio stations and managed radio stations in Washington and Montana. It also owns and operates Fisher Plaza, a commercial building that includes a data center designed to enable companies to distribute analog and digital media content through various distribution channels, including broadcast, satellite, cable, Internet, broadband, and other wired and wireless communication systems, as well as houses various companies, including media and communications companies. The company owns and operates 13 full power television stations, 7 low power television stations, and 10 owned and managed radio stations in the Western United States. Its television stations reach 4.2 million househo lds. The company was formerly known as Fisher Companies, Inc. and changed its name in March 2001. Fisher Communications, Inc. was founded in 1910 and is based in Seattle, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Volkman]
In the latest of a string of acquisitions, Sinclair Broadcast Group (NASDAQ: SBGI ) is to buy Fisher Communications (NASDAQ: FSCI ) . The merger transaction will cost the former roughly $373 million. Fisher stockholders are to receive a cash payout of $41.00 per share, which, according to Sinclair, is a 44% premium to the stock's recent closing price.
Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Rio Tinto Plc(RIO)
Rio Tinto plc engages in finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. The company produces aluminum products, including bauxite, alumina, and aluminum; copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and nickel; diamonds; minerals, such as borates, titanium dioxide feedstocks, high purity iron, metal powders, zircon, and rutile; thermal and coking coal, and uranium; and iron ore and salt. It primarily operates in Australia, North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and southern Africa. The company was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Rio Tinto plc is a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Matt DiLallo]
Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO )
Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto has consistently grown its dividend over the past few years, and that trend isn't likely to end anytime soon. At more than 4%, the company's semiannual dividend is well covered by its diversified mining revenue. That being said, the miner has been hit by asset impairment-inspired losses after two major acquisitions failed to pan out as planned. These botched deals mean that Rio has a long comeback ahead of it as it tries to prudently grow while still rewarding shareholders with its generous dividend.
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