The latest gold news out of China is yet another bullish development for investing in the yellow metal...
Increasing gold demand in China has put the Asian nation on track to become the world's biggest consumer of the precious metal.
According to the World Gold Council, China's gold consumption is on pace to increase to a record 1,000 tons this year, up 29% year over year, surpassing India as the leading global user of gold.
Gold has been flowing into mainland China this year even as local output increased. Over the first nine months of 2013, net imports from Hong Kong more than doubled to 826 tons.
In the first six month of 2013, the China Gold Association reports gold consumption in China climbed 54% to 706.36 tons. That compares to the country's 2012 tally of 776.1 tons and India's total of 864.2 tons, according to the WGC.
Demand for gold jewelry, bars, and coins has grown precipitously in China and nearby nations including India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. HSBC Holdings PLC reports the collective region currently makes up 60% of global gold demand, a strong 35% increase from 2004.
Top 5 Consumer Companies To Watch For 2015: Metrospaces Inc (MSPC)
Metrospaces, Inc., formerly Strata Capital Corp, incorporated on December 10, 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company is the parent of Urban Spaces, Inc. (Urban Spaces). The Company acquires land and design, build, develop and resell condominiums on it, principally in urban areas in Latin America, alone or together with investors. The Company also acquires condominiums that are under construction for resale, but do not intend to conduct business in this manner after these condominiums have been sold. Through Urban Spaces and its subsidiaries, the Company acquires and develops land in urban areas primarily for the construction of condominiums on such land, principally in Latin American markets, and offer them at different prices and with varying levels of options and amenities to customers who are able to make substantial payments upon signing purchase agreements and at agreed times as construction progresses. The Company is involved in projects in Argentina and Venezuela and considering projects in Colombia and Peru. The Company has investments in Chacabuco Project, Los Naranjos 320 Project, and Las Naranjos 450 Project. On August 13, 2012, the Company acquired Urban Spaces.
The Chacabuco Project
GBS Capital Partners Inc. is constructing a 26-unit condominium project at Chacabuco 1353, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon completion of the project, Urban Properties LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the wholly owned subsidiary of Urban Spaces (UPLLC), is entitled to receive nine loft-type units, each having an area of 46 square meters.
The Los Naranjos 320 Project
This project is located at Los Naranjos de Las Mercedes, Lot 320, in Caracas Venezuela. This land is owned by Promotora Alon-Bell, C.A., all of whose shares are held by GBS Fund, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (GBS Fund).
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
What�� the Catch With New China Global Inc? According to various disclosures, transactions of $7.5k, $10k, $20k, $30k, $60k and $140k have or will occur to mention New China Global Inc in various investment newsletters. Just this morning, New China Global Inc announced the expansion of language services to ten different language options (including Mandarin, German, Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian, Cantonese, Dutch, Russian and English) that will be available on the company website while last Wednesday, the company gave a corporate update that noted the recent hiring of a new Singapore based Marketing Director who is focused on a marketing campaign targeting Asian University students. The update noted that New China Global continues talks to develop partnerships with several high profile Universities in China and is in discussions to build partnerships with Universities in Tokyo and Singapore as part of a Corporate Strategic Plan. A couple of small cap research firms have also announced coverage of the stock. However, a look at the most recent financials for New China Global Inc reveals not much of an income statement or balance sheet ��meaning it must be another reverse merger or was previously just a shell company. So until some financials appear, its investor beware.
Metrospaces Inc (OTCMKTS: MSPC) Says One of Its Projects is Almost DoneSmall cap Metrospaces is a real estate investment and Development Company which acquires land, designs, builds, and develops then resells condominiums and Luxury High-End Hotels, principally in urban areas of Latin America. The company's current projects are located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Caracas, Venezuela. On Friday, Metrospaces fell 9.09% to $0.001 for a market cap of $2.34 million plus MSPC is down 98.7% since last June but up 100% in intermittent trading since March 2009 according to Google Finance.
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks Metrospaces Inc (OTCMKTS: MSPC), LEEP INC (OTCMKTS: LPPI) and Pioneer Exploration Inc (OTCMKTS: PIEX) have been getting some attention lately due to either promotions or share trading activity. Unfortunately, there are still unanswered questions about these three ��ark horse��stocks which make it more difficult for investors and traders alike to evaluate. With that in mind, let�� try to shine the light on what we know about all three small caps:
10 Best Asian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Medidata Solutions Inc.(MDSO)
Medidata Solutions, Inc. provides software-as-a-service based clinical development solutions for life science organizations worldwide. Its solutions comprise software and services that allow customers to increase the value of their development programs by designing, planning, and managing key aspects of the clinical trial process, including study and protocol design, trial planning and budgeting, site negotiation, clinical portal, trial management, randomization and trial supply management, clinical data capture and management, safety events capture, medical coding, clinical business analytics, and data flow and interoperability. The company primarily offers Medidata Rave, a comprehensive platform for capturing and managing clinical data. It also provides Medidata CTMS, a clinical trial management solution that streamlines operational workflows; Medidata Designer, a protocol development tool that enhances the efficiency of clinical trial start-up; Medidata Insights, a busi ness analytics platform; and Medidata Balance, a randomization and trial supply management solution, which streamlines the process of developing, building, and implementing subject allocation plans. In addition, the company offers Medidata Grants Manager, an application to benchmark the investigator budgets against industry data; Medidata contract research organization (CRO) Contractor, an analytical tool for CRO outsourcing, budgeting, and negotiation; and iMedidata, a hosted portal application that allows investigative sites and sponsor study teams to start trial activities. Further, it provides hosting, support, and professional services. The company serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies; academic institutions; and CROs and other entities engaged in clinical trials through a direct sales force; and through relationships with CROs and other strategic partners. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brian Stoffel]
But I'm not here to talk about these two companies
I offer those two up as examples that this trend of profiting while helping medical companies save money, is very real. The company I'd like to introduce you to today is much smaller: Medidata Solutions (NASDAQ: MDSO ) . - [By Ben Levisohn]
Einhorn mentioned operating margin estimates are too high and that similar companies to Athenahealth have margins around 10%. Our expectations aren�� that much higher, as we estimate Athenahealth will finish 2014 with adjusted operating margins of 10.3%, increasing to 11.4% and 12.0% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. While we expect some margin expansion, our absolute margin levels are in-line with other [software-as-a-service] peers 2014E operating margins including: Medidata (MDSO) at 8.9%, Salesforce.com (CRM) at 10.3%, and LinkedIn (LNKD) at 13.8%. While not expecting significant margin expansion in the near term, we expect Athenahealth�� margins to expand in the future, driven by declining marginal costs associated with adding additional providers to its user base. Additionally, as the top-line growth slows, we expect the company to cut back on its investments, allowing earnings to flow through the bottom line.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Medidata Solutions (NASDAQ: MDSO) were 27.49 percent to $38.21 after the company reported downbeat quarterly results. - [By Ben Levisohn]
The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has dropped 5.2% so far this year, while Mueller Industries (MLI), which has plunged 55%, Medidata Solutions (MDSO), which has plummeted 44%, Financial Engines (FNGN), which has slid 42%, and Isis Pharmaceuticals (ISIS), which has tumbled 42%, are the index’s biggest losers.
10 Best Asian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Arrowhead Research Corporation(ARWR)
Arrowhead Research Corporation, a clinical stage nanomedicine company, through its subsidiaries, develops therapeutic products at the interface of biology and nanoengineering to cure disease and improve human health. It focuses on the design and development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and obesity, as well as healing wounded or diseased tissue based on nucleic acid delivery, siRNA chemistry, and tissue targeting intellectual properties. The company?s lead products include CALAA-01, an oncology drug candidate based on the gene silencing RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism; and Adipotide, an anti-obesity peptide that targets and kills the blood vessels that feed white adipose tissue. It also plans to develop its internal preclinical and clinical pipeline, including RONDEL-enabled siRNA drug candidates, Dynamic Polyconjugate (DPC)-enabled drug candidate development, and the non-siRNA-based anti-obesity drug candidate, Adipotide. The company, formerly known as InterActive Group, Inc., was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Industrials sector surged 0.85 percent, saw Arrowhead Research (NASDAQ: ARWR) as the top gainer. Meanwhile, other gainers in the sector included ION Geophysical (NYSE: IO), with shares up 6.1 percent, and China Distance Education Holdings (NYSE: DL), with shares up 5 percent. In trading on Wednesday, technology shares gained by just 0.28 percent.
10 Best Asian Stocks To Invest In 2014: Esco Technologies Inc (ESE)
ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESCO), incorporated in August 1990, is a producer of engineered products and systems sold to customers worldwide, primarily for utility, industrial, aerospace and commercial applications. ESCO operates in three segments: Utility Solutions Group (Utility Solutions), RF Shielding and Test (Test) and Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration). On July 31, 2010, the Company acquired the capital stock of Crissair, Inc. On September 3, 2010, the Company acquired the capital stock of Xtensible Solutions, Inc. its subsidiaries include Aclara Power-Line Systems Inc. (Aclara PLS), Aclara RF Systems Inc. (Aclara RF), Aclara Software Inc., Doble Engineering Company, Doble Lemke AG, Doble Lemke GmbH, Doble PowerTest Limited, Doble TransiNor AS, Crissair, Inc., PTI Technologies Inc., TekPackaging LLC, VACCO Industries, Beijing Lindgren ElectronMagnetic Technology Co., Ltd., ETS-Lindgren L.P., ETS-Lindgren OY, ETS Lindgren Limited and ETS Lindgren Japan, Inc. In January 2013, the Company acquired the assets of Metrum Technologies LLC. In June 2013, ESCO Technologies Inc announced that it has acquired Canyon Engineering Products Inc.
UTILITY SOLUTIONS
The Utility Solutions segment accounted for approximately 57% of the Company�� total revenue during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (fiscal 2010). Aclara PLS is a manufacturer of two-way power line communication systems for the electric utility industry (the TWACS systems), which are composed of equipment (meter modules and equipment for central stations and substations), software and support services. The TWACS systems provide electric utilities with a communication technology for automatic meter reading, load control, interval data, outage assessment/restoration monitoring, remote service disconnect/connect, time-of-use data for critical peak pricing, tamper/theft detection and pre-paid metering. Revenue from the TWACS systems accounted for approximately 22% of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010. Aclara R! F provides, through its STAR network, wireless radio frequency (RF) data communications systems to gas, water and electric utilities for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) applications. In fiscal 2010, total revenue received by the Company from PG&E for all sales was 9.2% of the Company�� consolidated revenue. Revenue from STAR network products, accounted for approximately 17%, of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010.
Aclara Software Inc. provides utilities with software systems for energy and water information, delivering a scalable meter data management system (MDMS), AMI/meter device records and asset management, business applications addressing areas, such as revenue assurance and distribution asset analysis. Aclara�� analytics-based software applications are used by over 100 energy organizations worldwide. Doble provides electric utility customers with products and services to achieve the reliability and sustainability of electric power infrastructure. It combines three elements for customers: diagnostic test instruments, expert consulting and testing services. Revenue from Doble�� products and services, accounted for approximately 15%, of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010.
TEST
The Test segment accounted for approximately 23% of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010. ETS-Lindgren designs and manufactures products to measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. It supplies customers with a range of isolated environments including RF test enclosures, acoustic test enclosures, RF and magnetically shielded rooms, secure communication facilities and broadcast and recording studios. these facilities include shielded doors and windows. ETS-Lindgren also provides the design, program management, installation and integration services required to complete these types of facilities. ETS-Lindgren also supplies customers with a range of components, including RF absorptive materials, RF filters, active compensatio! n systems! , antennas, antenna masts, turntables and electric and magnetic probes, RF test cells, measurement software and other test accessories required to perform a variety of tests. ETS-Lindgren also offers a variety of services, including calibration for antennas and field probes, chamber certification, field surveys, customer training and a variety of product tests.
FILTRATION
The Filtration segment accounted for approximately 20%, of the Company�� total revenue in fiscal 2010. PTI is a supplier of filtration products serving the commercial aerospace, military aerospace and various industrial markets. The industrial markets include chemical processing, automotive and mobile equipment. Products include filter elements, assemblies, modules, indicators and other related components. VACCO supplies flow control products, valves and filters to the space, defense and commercial industries for use in aircraft, satellite propulsion systems, satellite launch vehicles and other space transportation systems, such as the Space Shuttle and its successor. VACCO also uses its etched disc technology to produce quiet valves and manifolds for the United States Navy applications. Crissair, Inc. supplies a variety of custom and standard valves and other various components to the aerospace, defense and commercial industries. Platform applications include fixed and rotary wing aircraft, air transport and business jets, and defense systems. TekPackaging LLC produces thermoformed products and packaging materials for medical, retail, food and electronic applications.
The Company competes with Itron, Inc., Silver Spring Networks, Landis+Gyr, Cannon Technologies Inc., Sensus Metering Systems Inc., Trilliant Inc., Elster Electricity, L.L.C., Comverge, Inc., Neptune Technology Group, e-Meter Corporation, Oracle Corporation, APOGEE Interactive Inc., Opower, Inc., Ecologic Analytics, LLC, SmartSynch, Inc.,Tantalus Systems Corp, OMICRON Electronics Corp. USA, OMICRON, Megger Group Limited, EM shiel! ding mark! et, TDK RF Solutions Inc., Albatross GmbH, IMEDCO AG, Cuming Corporation, Pall Corporation, Moog, Inc., SoFrance and Clarcor Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of engineered product maker ESCO Technologies (NYSE: ESE ) dropped 10% today after a disappointing earnings report.
So what: Net sales dropped 4.4% in the fiscal second quarter to $166.2 million, short of the $170.5 million estimate. Earnings per share after adjusting for non-operating charges were $0.28, still below the $0.34 estimate. �
10 Best Asian Stocks To Invest In 2014: AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc (ACG)
AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc. (the Fund), formerly known as ACM Income Fund Inc., is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide high current income consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in income producing securities. It normally invests at least 65% of its assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements pertaining to the United States Government securities. It may also invest up to 35% of its assets in other fixed-income securities, including those issued by non-governmental issuers in the United States and those issued by foreign governments. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in below-investment-grade securities. In addition, the Fund may utilize other investment instruments, including options and futures, and may employ leverage. On January 26, 2007, AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc. acquired ACM Government Opportunity Fund, Inc.
The Fund invests in sovereign debt obligations of countries that are considered emerging market countries at the time of purchase. Part of the Fund's assets will be invested in foreign securities. AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc.�� investment advisor is AllianceBernstein L.P. (formerly known as Alliance Capital Management L.P.).
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Harry Domash, Publisher, DividendDetective and Winning Investing]
For instance, AllianceBernstein Income, ticker (ACG), has about 70% of its holdings rated AAA, which is the highest rating you can get. We have some that invest in global real estate.
We have some invested in utility, preferreds, and common. We have some invested in emerging market debt. We try to cover the whole spectrum of investing. When you're looking at monthly payers, you're usually getting bond funds as opposed to stock funds.
Steven Halpern: Now among those closed-end funds is there a name or two that stands out that people should be looking at?
Harry Domash: Well, one that's really good for us has been Reaves Utility Income. It holds primarily US utility and telecom stocks and it's been a pretty good dividend raiser. The ticker is (UTG), paying about a 6.1% yield now and it's a good serial dividend increaser so it's a very good one.
If you're worried about rising interest rates then Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities, ticker (VTA), invests in below investment-grade floating rate bank loans. In other words, these are called senior loans.
They're bank loans that adjust their payouts based on prevailing interest rates, so if interest rates go up, these loans will pay higher dividends, so this is a good hedge if you are concerned about rising interest rates.
Another one that's really performed, and it's paying a 6.9% yield right now, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities, ticker (GOF), that's actually Claymore Guggenheim, holds corporate and government backed, that it's mostly investment-grade and it's paying a 10.1% yield right now, which is pretty high. Those are three that I could recommend right now.
Steven Halpern: Well, we really appreciate you joining us today and sharing your expertise. Thank you.
Harry Domash: You're welcome.
Subscribe to the Dividend Detective here...
10 Best Asian Stocks To Invest In 2014: iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC)
iShares Russell Microcap Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Microcap Index (the Index). The Index measures the micro-cap sector of the United States equity market and consists of those securities having the highest historical trading volumes of that index. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index and includes companies ranging in total market capitalization from approximately $50 million to $550 million.
The Index represents approximately 3% of the market capitalization of listed United States equity securities. The Fund uses a representative sampling strategy in seeking to track the Index. iShares Russell Microcap Index Fund's investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jim Fink]
Simply buying a small-cap ETF like the iShares Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) of the iShares Russell Microcap (NYSE: IWC) doesn’t work. Over the past 11 years, the Russell 2000 index (median market cap of $460 million) has declined in January seven times (64% of the time) and has actually performed worse than the S&P 500 a majority of the time (6 out of 11). The Russell Microcap index (median market cap of $152 million) has only been around for seven Januarys (since 2006) and it has underperformed the S&P 500 in four of those years (a majority of the time). December relative performance has been no better for IWM, which underperformed the S&P 500 a majority of the time over the past 11 years, but IWC has done much better in December, outperforming the S&P 500 in each of its first seven years of existence. Like I said earlier, however, microcap “gains” are suspect.
- [By Mark Hulbert]
Fosback nevertheless favors the microcap category for the seasonal portfolio he recommends to clients, though not by buying and selling individual stocks. Instead, he prefers the iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC) �, with an expense ratio of 0.72%. The fund replicates the performance of the smallest 1,000 stocks in the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) �; the average market cap of the stocks it owns is $420 million.
- [By Richard Moroney]
Micro-cap ETFs, which typically focus on stocks with market values below $500 million, can be volatile, but represent a nice diversifier for most portfolios. Up 35% this year, iShares Micro-Cap (IWC) is worth consideration.
10 Best Asian Stocks To Invest In 2014: U.S. Energy Corp.(USEG)
U.S. Energy Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, holding, sale, and/or development of mineral properties. It primarily explores for molybdenum, and other base and precious metals. The company holds interests in Mount Emmons property that covers approximately 9,311 acres located in Gunnison County, Colorado. It also holds interests in oil and gas properties located in Williston Basin North Dakota and Gulf Coast region. In addition, the company holds interests in geothermal properties. Further, it develops multifamily apartment project in Gillette, Wyoming. As of December 31, 2009, its estimated proved reserves were approximately 1,086,203 BOE. The company was founded in 1966 and is based in Riverton, Wyoming.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
US Energy (USEG), an independent energy company, focuses on the acquisition and development of oil and gas producing properties in the continental U.S. This stock closed up 6.9% to $3.53 in Thursday's trading session.
Thursday's Range: $3.29-$3.53
52-Week Range: $1.45-$4.06
Thursday's Volume: 116,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 219,710From a technical perspective, USEG bounced sharply higher here right off some near-term support at $3.27 and back above its 50-day moving average of $3.45 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock recently formed a triple bottom chart pattern at $3.32, $3.21 and $3.27. Since finding buying interest at those levels, shares of USEG are now spiking higher and moving within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if USEG manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $3.65 to $3.80 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in USEG as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $3.27 or at $3.21 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 219,710 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then USEG will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $4.06. Any high-volume move above that level will then give USEG a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance levels at $4.60 to $5.
No comments:
Post a Comment