Value Line is initiating coverage of Questcor Pharmaceuticals (QCOR) in The Value Line Investment Survey. This biotechnology company is something of a one-trick pony, but it appears to have a really good trick.

Orbital Sciences (ORB) develops and manufactures launch vehicles and satellites for commercial, military and civil government customers. Products include low-orbit, geosynchronous-orbit, and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; ground- and air-launched rockets; and missile-defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles.

The Annual Rates of Change Box located in the left-hand column of the Value Line page is a valuable, but often overlooked, tool for subscribers.  The box reports the historical growth trends for several key measures, including earnings and revenues, and shows the rates of growth implied by Value Line’s projections.  Reviewing these statistics can help investors in all categories, from the growth-oriented to the value-oriented, and to pinpoint companies in which they may be interested.

Value Line has initiated coverage of Spirit Airlines (SAVE). The company, which can trace its roots back to 1964, is a low-cost air carrier that provides flights predominantly to and from South Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America. 

There is usually a lot of exuberance surrounding an IPO among hopeful investors looking to get in on the next big thing. That is to be expected given that many of the companies that decide to go public are young, innovative, and fast-growing. But how do IPO’s stack up against other companies and, more important, are they a good investment?

The companies that design and manufacture the components, particularly the semiconductor chips, which make up the iPhone 4S stand to benefit considerably from the launch of the device. Essentially, the inclusion of these companies’ offerings not only ties their performance to iPhone sales, but also serves as an endorsement from the tech giant. So, who scored a spot in Apple’s supply chain?

With the global market for the next generation of hepatitis C therapies potentially worth about $16.5 billion in 2015, rising to $20 billion by 2020, there are a number of publicly traded drug companies, both large and small, that are working on medicines to combat this increasingly pervasive malady.

A dividend distribution that is increased over time suggests a company that is growing and a management team that cares about returning money to its shareholders. We screened our database of companies for those with the highest estimated dividend growth rates over the next three to five years to highlight such companies. CF Industries (CF), Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN), and National Oilwell Varco (NOV) all rose to the top of the list in this screen.

Ford Motor Company (F) is one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers. The company has a long, rich history as one of the most iconic American brands. It is also the largest family-controlled company in the world.

Some utility investors look for the highest yielding stocks available. But a low-yielding stock can be attractive, too, for some kinds of utility investors.

The Specialty Chemicals Industry is a mature sector. For decades, many industries have utilized specialty chemicals in manufacturing and finishing. Despite a lengthy history, however, there's still room for innovation. The stocks of Specialty Chemical companies are best classified as growth-and-income holdings.