Best Industrial Disributor Companies To Buy For 2014

After closing out last week with a bang on a strong jobs report, stocks lost momentum today, ending mostly flat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) finished down 10 points, or 0.06%. Trading volume was low as the slower summer season approaches, and investors seemed ambivalent after several sessions of trying to read the Fed's tea leaves. There were no economic reports released today, but Standard and Poor's raised the U.S. credit outlook to stable from negative, which means the chances of a near-term down grade are less than one in three. S&P notoriously downgraded the U.S. credit rating in 2011 in the midst of Congress's debt-ceiling debacle, but while that development shocked Wall Street, today's announcement was mostly greeted with a shrug.

UnitedHealth (NYSE: UNH  ) was the big winner on the Dow, gaining 1.8% as the insurance giant got an upgrade from Susquehanna Group, which bumped up its price target from $72 to $79. UnitedHealth also upped its dividend 32% last week to $0.28 a share, giving it a 1.8% yield. The quarterly payout has gone up by nearly 10 times from just $0.03 at the beginning of 2011. Uncertainty in the industry continues to surround the company but rewards investors with cash -- as always, an easy way to ensure the stock will maintain its value. �

Top 5 Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2015: Barclays PLC (II)

Barclays PLC (Barclays) is a global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. The Company�� operations include its overseas offices, subsidiaries and associates. The Company operates in eight segments: UK Retail and Business Banking (UK RBB), Europe Retail and Business Banking (Europe RBB), Africa Retail and Business Banking (Africa RBB), Barclaycard, Barclays Investment Bank, Barclays Corporate Banking, Wealth and Investment Management, and Head Office and Other Operations. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Todd Sullivan]

  HHC has increased all our ownership percentage through the repurchasing of outstanding warrants.

  From the 13D/A
  On December 31, 2013, certain of the Reporting Persons entered into swaps for the benefit of certain Pershing Square Funds. Under the terms of the swaps, (i) the relevant Pershing Square Funds will be obligated to pay to the bank counterparty any negative price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number of Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of such swaps, plus interest rates set forth in the applicable contracts, and (ii) the bank counterparty will be obligated to pay the relevant Pershing Square Funds any positive price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of the swaps. During the term of the swaps, cash will be paid by the bank counterparty to the relevant Pershing Square Fund in an amount equal to the amount of notional distributions or dividends paid by the Issuer in respect of such notional number of Common Shares. All balances will be settled in cash. The Pershing Square Funds��counterparties for the swaps include entities related to Citibank, Nomura, Soci茅t茅 G茅n茅rale and UBS. The swaps do not give the Reporting Persons direct or indirect voting, investment or dispositive control over any securities of the Issuer and do not require the counterparty thereto to acquire, hold, vote or dispose of any securities of the Issuer. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons disclaim any beneficial ownership of any Common Shares that may be referenced in the swap contracts or Common Shares or other securities or financial instruments that may be held from time to time by any counterparty to the contracts.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. As stated in the current prospectus, the Fund�� Investor Class Share�� annual operating expense ratio (gross) is 1.28%. The Fund�� adviser has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit total annual operating expenses at 1.25%, which is in effect until October 31, 2015. Other share classes may vary. The Fund charges a 2.0% redemption fee on shares redeemed within six months of purchase. For the most recent month-end performance, please call (877)328-9437 or visit the Advisor�� website at www.auxierasset.com. The recent growth rate in the stock market has helped to produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future.Spring 2014 Market CommentaryAuxier Focus Fund�� Investor Class returned a modest 0.25% for the quarter ended March 31, while Standard and Poor�� 500 Stock Index (S&P) rose 1.81%. The Fund ended the quarter with 70% in U.S. stocks, 16% foreign stocks, 1.7 % bonds and 12.3% cash. Since inception in 1999, the Fund�� equity exposure has averaged 72%. Our stockholdings in the healthcare industry generally gained for the quarter. But many of our multinational and foreign stocks were hurt by the threat of currency repercussions from geopolitical events in Russia and Ukraine. The foreign portion of the Fund is easily the most undervalued. Longer term, we see a very favorable risk/reward potential with our UK and European holdings. Some emerging market companies we follow are the cheapest in over twenty years. In allocating capital, we much prefer the gloom of down to flat markets and the corrective process that tempers exuberance. We remember that one of th

Best Industrial Disributor Companies To Buy For 2014: Express Inc. (EXPR)

Express, Inc. operates specialty retail stores in the United States. The company?s stores offer apparel and accessories for women and men between 20 and 30 years old across various aspects of the lifestyles comprising work, casual, jeanswear, and going-out occasions. It also sells gift cards. As of January 29, 2011, the company operated 591 stores, including 547 dual-gender stores, 25 women?s stores, and 19 men?s stores located primarily in high-traffic shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and street locations in 47 states throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In addition, it operates seven Express stores in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates through its Development Agreement with Alshaya Trading Co.; and sells its products through e-commerce Website, express.com. The company was formerly known as Express Parent LLC and changed its name to Express, Inc. in May 2010. Express, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in C olumbus, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  Among stocks making headlines today was�Express� (NYSE: EXPR  ) . Shares jumped 21% after private equity firm Sycamore Partners said it was interested in acquiring the struggling apparel retailer. In a regulatory filing, Sycamore revealed it had accumulated a 9.9% stake in Express, and it sent a letter to the retailer expressing its interest in taking the company private. In response, Express established a special committee to "determine its best course of action," and adopted a shareholder rights plan, also known as a poison pill, to dissuade Sycamore, or another investor, from acquiring more than a 10% stake in the company. Express has stumbled upon tough times as same-store sales dropped 10% in its last quarter and it lowered its guidance, and the retailer has also missed earnings estimates in it last three reports. In recent years, Sycamore has taken clothing chains such as Hot Topic and Talbot's, private so the two may be a perfect match. Considering the steep sales declines Express has faced, a buyout may be the best option for shareholders.

• [By Johanna Bennett]

  In corporate news: Express (EXPR) fell 23% to $19 after the teen clothing retailer cut its full-year outlook.

  J.C. Penney (JCP) fell 4.45% to $9.66 as investors appeared disappointed by the 10.1% same-store sales growth reported for November.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Express (NYSE: EXPR) is expected to report its Q4 earnings at $0.59 per share on revenue of $721.13 million.

  Dresser-Rand Group (NYSE: DRC) is projected to report its Q4 earnings at $1.29 per share on revenue of $1.09 billion.

Best Industrial Disributor Companies To Buy For 2014: United Therapeutics Corporation(UTHR)

United Therapeutics Corporation, a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. It offers Remodulin, Tyvaso, and Adcirca for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The company also develops Oral Treprostinil (UT-15C), a new drug application filed with the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PAH. Its development products under Phase III clinical trials include Oral Treprostinil (UT-15C) Combination Therapy for PAH; Ch14.18 monoclonal antibody (MAb) targeting Neuroblastoma; and Remodulin for the treatment of PAH in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The company?s development products under Phase I clinical trials comprise Beraprost-MR for PAH in North America, Europe, Mexico, South America, Egypt, India, South Africa, and Australia; 8H9 MAb targ eting Metastatic brain cancer; and IW001 for the treatment of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and primary graft dysfunction. Its pre-clinical stage products consist of Glycobiology Antiviral Agents for viral infectious diseases; PLacental eXpanded cells targeting PAH; and pulmonary tissue replacement and remodeling products for the treatment of end-stage lung disease. The company serves pharmaceutical wholesalers through specialty pharmaceutical distributors and other distributors. United Therapeutics Corporation was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR) shares rose 22.55% to $107.65. The volume of United Therapeutics shares traded was 1074% higher than normal. United Therapeutics announced the FDA approval of Orenitram Extended-Release Tablets for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. JP Morgan upgraded the stock from Underweight to Neutral and raised the target price from $62 to $90.

Best Industrial Disributor Companies To Buy For 2014: Banco Santander S.A.(STD)

Banco Santander, S.A. provides a range of banking and financial products. It accepts customer demand, time, and notice deposits, and international and domestic interbank deposits, as well as offers auto financing, personal loans, and credit cards; and automated cash dispensers, savings books updaters, telephone banking services, and electronic and Internet banking services. The company also engages corporate banking, treasury, and investment banking activities. It provides transaction banking services in cash management, trade finance, and basic financing; and corporate finance services for mergers and acquisitions, and asset and capital structuring, as well as involves in the origination activities and risk management, and distribution of structured products and debt in the credit markets; structuring and trading activities in financial markets of interest rate and exchange rate instruments; and activities relating to the equity markets. In addition, it engages in the des ign and management of mutual and pension funds, and life and general insurance products. The company operates primarily in Spain, the United Kingdom, other European countries, Brazil and other Latin American countries, and the United States. As of December 31, 2010, it had 6,063 branch offices in continental Europe; 1,416 branches in the United Kingdom; 5,882 branches in Latin America; and 721 branches in the United States. The company was formerly known as Banco Santander Central Hispano S.A. and changed its name to Banco Santander, S.A. in June 2007. Banco Santander, S.A. was founded in 1857 and is based in Madrid, Spain.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chandan Dubey]

  This article will describe what a bank does. Then we will move on to reading the balance sheet of a bank. As an example, I take the balance sheet of one of my holdings, Banco Santander (STD).

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Charlie: Yes, I have a question. Do you think the opportunity is more in stocks or in debt, or both? If you look at Spain, the biggest companies in Spain, one is a bank, Bank Santander (STD). The other is Telefonica (TEF), a phone company. What other opportunities do you see there?

Best Industrial Disributor Companies To Buy For 2014: Ishares S&P Midcap 400 Index Fund (IJH)

iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poor�� MidCap 400 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 400/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The components stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The component stocks have a market capitalization between $1 billion and $4 billion (which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets), and are selected for liquidity and industry group representation.

The Index is adjusted to reflect changes in capitalization resulting from mergers, acquisitions, stock rights, substitutions and other capital events. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Moreover,�my guess is that the switch will be a wash for investors as funds and ETFs that track the S&P 500 will dump their positions in Advanced Micro Devices and SAIC Inc while those that track the S&P Mid Cap 400 will be obligated to take up positions in both. A quick look at the performance of the iShares S&P 500 Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IVV) verses the iShares Core S&P Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA: IJH) reveals the following:

Best Industrial Disributor Companies To Buy For 2014: Aceto Corporation(ACET)

Aceto Corporation engages in the sourcing, regulatory support, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical intermediates and active ingredients, finished dosage form generics, nutraceutical products, agricultural protection products, and specialty chemicals worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Health Sciences, Specialty Chemicals, and Agricultural Protection Products. The Health Sciences segment supplies raw materials used in the production of nutritional and packaged dietary supplements, including vitamins, amino acids, iron compounds, and bio chemicals used in pharmaceutical and nutritional preparations. The Specialty Chemicals segment provides various chemicals used in plastics, surface coatings, textiles, fuels, and lubricants; organic intermediates used in the production of agrochemicals; and dye and pigment intermediates used in the color-producing industries, such as textiles, inks, paper, and coatings. This segment also offers diazos and couplers to the paper, film, and electronics industries. The Agricultural Protection Products segment sells herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other agricultural chemicals that control weed growth, as well as control the spread of insects and other microorganisms that can damage plant growth. This segment also provides sprout inhibitor for potatoes and an herbicide for sugar cane. It serves pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, agricultural, coatings, and industrial chemical consuming industries. Aceto Corporation was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Port Washington, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Richard Moroney]

  Aceto (ACET) announced a 9% increase in its per-share dividend in August, the first increase since it switched to a quarterly payout schedule in 2012.

• [By Louis Navellier]

  Portfolio Grader has noted the strong fundamentals and upgraded HII stock to an “A” last month, making it a strong buy consideration at current prices.

  Aceto (ACET)

  Aceto (ACET) sources and sells the ingredients for pharmaceutical products. ACET operates in three divisions:

Best Industrial Disributor Companies To Buy For 2014: Gold Resource Corporation (GORO)

Gold Resource Corporation engages in the exploration for and production of gold and silver in Mexico. The company also explores for copper, lead, and zinc. It holds interest in the El Aguila project comprising 10 mining concessions aggregating approximately 20,055 hectares located in the State of Oaxaca. The company also holds interests in the El Rey property covering approximately 2,773 hectares; Las Margaritas property that covers an area of approximately 925 hectares; Alta Gracia property comprising approximately 5,175 hectares; El Chamizo property; Solaga property that include 2 mining concessions totaling 618 hectares; and El Fuego property covering approximately 2,554 hectares. Gold Resource Corporation was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Gold Resource (NYSE: GORO) dropped 20.90% to $6.44. Gold Resource shares have dropped 63.35% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 16.18% in the same period.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  We continue to recommend Newmont, [Coeur Mining (CDE)] and [Gold Resource Corp. (GORO)] as large cap, silver and small cap picks, respectively.

  Sterne Agee’s comments come one day after Ned Davis Research upgraded the gold sector to Neutral from Underweight. “…gold miners look to be finally bottoming,” John Laforge and Waren Pies wrote, though they say it’s too early to know if a new uptrend has begun.