Commentaries

Drug Roundup - May 17, 2013

Orly Seidman — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:10:28 GMT

There have been several noteworthy developments in the drug space recently, which will likely have a material impact on the companies in this sector and the markets they serve. Companies mentioned in this review include Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), and Actavis (ACT).

Automated Vending Machines: Thinking Outside the Retail Box

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:11:43 GMT

Modern vending machines can offer investors much more than just soda and snacks. As more companies incorporate this automated retail technology into their overall businesses, new avenues of growth will undoubtedly begin to materialize.

Technology Round Up - May 2, 2013

Orly Seidman — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:38:02 GMT

There have been many noteworthy developments in the technology space recently. Some of these will likely have a material impact on the companies in the sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured include Netflix (NFLX), Google (GOOG), International Business Machines (IBM), and Apple (AAPL).

Dark Pools Rising: Trading in the Dark

Kevin Downing — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:55:08 GMT

What is dark pool trading, and what does its increasing prevalence mean to the average investor?

Drug Roundup - April 22, 2013

Richard Gallagher — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:56:54 GMT

There have been several noteworthy developments in the drug space recently, which will likely have a material impact on the companies in this sector and the markets they serve. Companies mentioned in this review include Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The Dogs of the Dow Make It Three for Three

Richard Gallagher — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:38:17 GMT

Equities remained on a solid uptrend in the first quarter of 2013, with several of the broader indices carving out new all-time highs. Meanwhile, the Dogs of the Dow continued to impress, outperforming the 30 industrials for a third consecutive month.

Weak Jobs Report Gives Fed Cover to Continue Bond-Buying Program, but…

Richard Gallagher — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:33:54 GMT

The weak March government nonfarm payroll report almost certainly means the Federal Reserve will continue its monthly strategy of buying billions of dollars worth of United States Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities in the near future. That strategy promises to expand the Fed’s balance sheet even more than it has in recent years. But the central bank knows there are limits to what its policies can do.

Outsourcing for the Future: Biomedical Research Contractors

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:41:50 GMT

During the most recent economic downturn, many biotech, medical, and pharmaceutical companies turned to outsourcing as a way to boost bottom-line performance. In times of economic weakness, some companies will instinctively react by implementing cost-reduction strategies.

Bank Stress Tests: What Are They? How Did The Banks Do?

Richard Gallagher — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:40:50 GMT

The Federal Reserve Board recently finished testing 18 large banks and financial services companies to determine how they might hold up in an extremely stressful environment. The results of the exercise were mixed, and some think the tests aren’t useful, but we think they are here to stay.

Swinging for the Fences

Richard Gallagher — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:33:22 GMT

One useful investment tool the Value Line Investment Survey offers is a list of stocks with the highest 3- to 5-year capital appreciation potential. In this article, we take a glimpse at the stories behind five of these stocks.

Technology Round Up - April 2, 2013

Richard Gallagher — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:09:22 GMT

There have been many noteworthy developments in the technology space recently. Some of these will likely have a material impact on the companies in the sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured include Facebook (FB), Google (GOOG), HTC, Samsung, Apple (AAPL), BlackBerry (BBRY), GameStop (GME), Sony (SNE), and Microsoft (MSFT).

Money Market Mutual Funds: Proposed Changes

Orly Seidman — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:24:52 GMT

Money market mutual funds (MMFs) are highly popular with individual investors. But big changes to the money market fund business have been proposed that could change the funds’ appeal to investors and the industry’s role in the economy.

Gaming Industry Overview

Orly Seidman — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:58:22 GMT

The U.S. gaming market has undergone a tremendous shift. Once upon a time, consumers flocked to resorts in New Jersey and Las Vegas. Now, however, customers are converging on regional gaming centers. Although Macau, China will be hard pressed to repeat revenue growth rates reported in recent years, returns in this hotbed are probably going to remain superior to most other markets

Drug Roundup - March 21, 2013

Orly Seidman — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:03:50 GMT

There have been several noteworthy developments in the drug space recently, which will likely have a material impact on the companies in this sector and the markets they serve. Companies mentioned in this review include Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Novartis AG (NVS), and AstraZeneca (AZN).

Dogs Of The Dow Lengthen Their Lead

Matt Cottell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:17:57 GMT

Stocks continued to do well in February, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average recently plowing into new record territory. But the Dogs of the Dow, those 10 Industrials that started the year with the highest yields, have remained on a tear, outperforming the index as a whole for a second straight month. Computer giant Hewlett-Packard continues to lead the pack, but several of the Dogs have behaved well for the year to date.

A Test Drive to Remember

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:40:21 GMT

Tesla’s (TSLA) new Model S has blown away industry observers, but as one reviewer learned by experience, the electric car still suffers from an old foe, range anxiety.

Investing in Silver

Richard Gallagher — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:51:07 GMT

In recent years silver, has become a popular investment vehicle for both institutional and retail portfolios. Its price, which is derived from several factors such as supply and demand, industrial usage, and trading sentiment, is fairly volatile, thus presenting various investment opportunities. Further, its other desirable traits make it a worthwhile commodity.

Machine Vision: Peering into the Future

Orly Seidman — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:36:17 GMT

Machine learning, the movement to empower machines with vision capabilities, will likely continue to accelerate. Even the most adamant disbelievers and opponents of this technology have to admit that machine vision already plays a tremendous role in today’s global economy. So the question remains, do investing opportunities still exist, or has the ship already sailed?

Prospects of an Amazon Smartphone

Orly Seidman — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:20:35 GMT

Amazon.com's entry into the smartphone market has been eagerly awaited by the investment community. It now appears that it may be finally gearing up to join the fray, as it looks to more effectively compete with the tech moguls that dominate the mobile space.

All Aboard! Full Steam Ahead for Railroads in Mexico

Kevin Downing — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:05:41 GMT

Mexico is experiencing ample investment from international shippers and manufacturers as companies look to stem rising labor and transportation costs and capitalize on the country's close proximity to the United States.

Technology Round Up - March 5, 2013

Richard Gallagher — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:39:08 GMT

There have been many noteworthy developments in the technology space recently. Some of these will likely have a material impact on the companies in the sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured include Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Cisco Systems (CSCO), Dell (DELL), Microsoft (MSFT), Sony (SNE), and Intel (INTC).

You Can’t Stop Progress: Natural Gas Market Going Global

Kevin Downing — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:03:42 GMT

Revolutionary technology, such as drilling in shale-rock formations, doesn’t come around that often, but it changes how the world works when it does. Shale drilling has created a massive amount of recoverable natural gas reserves in North America that clearly have the potential to create a global market for the traditionally regional fuel.

Drug Roundup - February 21, 2013

Richard Gallagher — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:33:22 GMT

There have been several noteworthy developments in the drug space recently, which will likely have a material impact on the companies in this sector and the markets they serve. Companies mentioned in this review include Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), Merck & Co. (MRK), and Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD).

Dogs of the Dow: January Comes In Big

Orly Seidman — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:18:50 GMT

The equity markets are off to a strong start in January, and the Dogs of the Dow have been top-notch performers. Historically speaking, this should augur well for the rest of the year. Notably, Hewlett-Packard shares bounded out of the gate, but several other Dogs bested the averages for the month.

Carbon Fiber’s Move into the Mainstream

Richard Gallagher — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:54:57 GMT

Manufacturing processes for carbon fiber composites (CFCs), have made significant strides in recent years. Living up to the promise of this space-age material has proven very difficult, however, as manufacturing constraints have historically prevented its widespread use. Nevertheless, carbon-fiber producers have made great advances recently, and we may finally be seeing carbon fiber’s move into the mainstream.

Technology Round Up - February 5, 2013

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:26:29 GMT

There have been many noteworthy developments in the technology space recently. Some of these will likely have a material impact on the companies in the sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured include Facebook (FB), Google (GOOG), Netflix (NFLX), Apple (AAPL), and Research In Motion (RIMM)/ BlackBerry (BBRY).

The Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline

Orly Seidman — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:28:55 GMT

The Keystone XL pipeline remains a hot button issue in Washington. Indeed, President Obama’s rejection of the northern portion of that pipeline last year sparked praise from environmentalists and outrage from many Conservatives. This move may be temporary, as TransCanada (TRP) has submitted a new plan that would further limit environmental concerns. If approved, the project would transport approximately 1.3 million barrels per day from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The pipeline will ease bottlenecks and create additional opportunities for oil producers, refineries, and Engineering and Construction (E&C) companies.

View From the Top: Exxon Mobil’s Outlook for Energy To 2040

Kevin Downing — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:08:16 GMT

Oil giant Exxon Mobil’s (XOM) annual publication of its long-term view for energy supply and demand draws important conclusions that investors should consider when constructing their portfolios.

Drug Roundup - January 18, 2013

Kevin Downing — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:34:45 GMT

There have been several noteworthy developments in the drug space recently, which will likely have a material impact on the companies in this sector and the markets they serve. Companies mentioned in this review include Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), and Novartis AG (NVS).

The Ravenous Emerging Consumer

Richard Gallagher — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:32:46 GMT

Consumers in emerging markets have provided a vast source of steady, profitable expansion for America’s leading fast-food operators, including Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM) and McDonalds Corporation (MCD).

Dogs of the Dow 2013: A Fresh Start

Orly Seidman — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:12:09 GMT

The Dogs of the Dow strategy put in a good showing in 2012. Although they largely underperformed the other Dow stocks every month from August on, the full-year tally was a virtual draw right up until the final few weeks. Meanwhile, we have a new list for 2013, with only minor changes.

Technology Round Up - January 8, 2013

Kevin Downing — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:52:15 GMT

There have been many noteworthy developments in the technology space recently. Some of these will likely have a material impact on the companies in the sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured include Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), Research In Motion (RIMM), Zynga (ZNGA), and Facebook (FB).

The Automotive Industry: Recent performance and the Outlook for 2013

Richard Gallagher — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:18:02 GMT

The automotive industry faced numerous challenges in 2012 with mixed results. Many of the same headwinds remain a concern for 2013, but there are segments and companies that are better positioned.

Is Now the Time to Get In Too Deep: Part II

Kevin Downing — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:47:56 GMT

Evidence is building for a case of a turnaround in the deepwater drilling industry. Is now a good time to take a position here for the long-term investor?

What’s Ahead for the Bank Industry in 2013?

Richard Gallagher — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:55:20 GMT

Efforts to carry out the provisions of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act will continue in 2013, with many bank industry reform measures conceived after the 2008 downturn likely to take shape and perhaps move toward implementation in the year ahead.

Taking Advantage of the Fitness Trend

Orly Seidman — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:30:02 GMT

Despite a weakened economy and more conservative consumer habits, many Americans continue to lead a more active lifestyle and take fitness seriously around the country. The idea of living a longer and healthier lifestyle has always been popular, but has recently picked up steam. As such, certain companies seem well positioned to take advantage of this trend and use it as a profitability driver for the near future.

Drug Roundup - December 18, 2012

Richard Gallagher — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:17:28 GMT

There have been several noteworthy developments in the drug space recently, which will likely have a material impact on the companies in this sector and the markets they serve.

New Bank Capital Standards: A Snapshot

Kevin Downing — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:41:23 GMT

New international standards requiring banks to hold more equity capital relative to their assets are set to be phased in over the next six years. The proposal seems like a good idea, but is controversial and the details have yet to be worked out.

The Hybrid Memory Cube

Richard Gallagher — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:21:01 GMT

Micron Technology (MU) has joined up with Samsung to create what could be the next big advancement in dynamic random access memory. The Hybrid Memory Cube is a system memory unit that can process information faster while requiring less energy. Moreover, it can accomplish these tasks while requiring less operating space than DRAM units of the past.

Aluminum Industry Update

Orly Seidman — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:58:04 GMT

Aluminum markets are facing a number of obstacles, including the ongoing European debt crisis, unresolved impediments in the U.S., and moderating economic activity in China. Moreover, the confluence of these factors suggests aluminum prices should continue to exhibit turbulence.

Technology Round Up - December 4, 2012

Richard Gallagher — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:27:19 GMT

There have been many noteworthy developments in the technology space recently. Some of these will likely have a material impact on the companies in the sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured include Facebook (FB), Zynga (ZNGA), VeriSign (VRSN), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Nokia (NOK), and Siemens (SI).

Proposition 37 Defeated - Should Investors Celebrate?

Orly Seidman — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:57:46 GMT

Californians recently voted down Proposition 37, a bill that would have required mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods sold in the state. With the defeat of this measure, the food movement has encountered a temporary setback at the hands of big industry. A nine million-strong sampling of the American public has spoken. What are they actually saying, and how does that affect you, the investor?

Apple Eaters

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:42:49 GMT

Fermented apples have become a not-so-forbidden fruit in the beer market. This category’s impressive growth rates in recent years have caught the attention of some of the largest players in the industry.

Banks and The Fiscal Cliff

Richard Gallagher — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:31:18 GMT

With the Presidential Election in the United States now decided, attention has shifted to the nation’s budget deficit and what has been called the ‘’fiscal cliff”.

Getting Paid to Wait

Orly Seidman — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:38:19 GMT

Dividends can provide an income stream in retirement and make dealing with market sell offs a little easier.

Krispy Kreme vs. Dunkin Brands

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:15:43 GMT

Krispy Kreme (KKD) is refocusing its doughnut-based business model to emulate its more coffee-based competitor, Dunkin Brands (DNKN).

Drug Roundup – August 4, 2011

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:04:33 GMT

There have been several noteworthy developments in the drug space recently, which will likely have a material impact on the companies in this sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured in this review include Pfizer (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), Novartis (NVS), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY).

A Loss of Direction: The Rise and Fall of Personal Navigation Devices

Richard Gallagher — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:54:23 GMT

In-car navigation gadgets were intriguing when they were first introduced in the early 1990s. The ability to navigate unknown territory was groundbreaking and meant less time wasted in one’s journeys. However, as new technology continues to take over our everyday lives, these once-wondrous tools have now become obsolete to many people due to the rise in popularity of smartphones. In order to stay in business, personal navigation device manufacturers, such as Garmin (GRMN) are seeking new ways to pique customer interest and turn around struggling operations.

Technology Round Up - June 2, 2011

Kevin Downing — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:25:07 GMT

There have been a number of noteworthy developments in the technology space recently. They will likely have a material impact on the companies in the sector and the markets they serve. Companies featured include Microsoft (MSFT), LinkedIn (LNKD), Yandex (YNDX), Google (GOOG), MasterCard (MA), eBay (EBAY), Amazon (AMZN), and Barnes & Noble (BKS).

Funds are Good. Are Fund Companies Better?

Matthew Spencer — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:21:17 GMT

There are a wide variety of open-end (mutual) and closed-end funds out there for investors to sift through, ranging from mundane money market trusts to risky high-yield bond funds. However, we think there may be an even better, albeit more unconventional, alternative to investing in funds: buying the shares of the asset management firms. After all, the equities of investment managers have generally produced better returns over the long haul than the products they offer.

Airlines to Couple Up?

Jeanne McLaughlin — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:23:10 GMT

In October, 2008, Delta Air Lines acquired Northwest Airlines, creating the largest domestic air carrier in terms of revenue generation. Cost benefits gained from the combination, such as economies of scale, should assist Delta in contending with rising industry competition, among other challenges. It is a distinct possibility that further consolidation may be on tap for the Air Transport sector. If this occurs, it would likely help bring airlines back to profitability and improve their service offerings, though likely making it harder for consumers to find discounted airfares.

Consolidation in the Drug Industry

Jeanne McLaughlin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:38:00 GMT

The drug industry has been experiencing intense activity on the merger front over the past year. The two deals that have grabbed the most headlines, due to their sheer size, have been Pfizer’s (PFE) acquisition of Wyeth (WYE), valued at $68 billion, and Merck’s (MRK) purchase of Schering-Plough (SGP), worth $41 billion. Meanwhile, a host of smaller mergers, including Teva Pharmaceutical’s (TEVA) $7.5 billion buyout of Barr Pharmaceuticals (BRL), and licensing agreements, such as Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ (VRX) pact with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), have been completed or are in the works.

The Emerging Market for Electric-Car Batteries

Jeanne McLaughlin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:42:19 GMT

In recent years, “alternative energy” has become a hot topic not only in the public eye, but in the investment community as well. Billions of dollars have been pumped into dozens of companies, both startups and existing businesses, looking to take advantage of a potentially high-growth market. However, several forms of alternative energy, including ethanol fuel and solar power, have experienced a troubling pattern of events, which starts with skyrocketing stock prices and ends with a crash down to much lower valuations. Such a pattern may have recently begun in the market for electric automobile batteries.

Internet Overload

Marketing Department — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:41:05 GMT

Everyday, more and more individuals are making the switch from traditional news sources (newspapers, magazines, etc.) to the Internet. Unlike periodicals, which come out daily or weekly, the web updates continuously, offering faster access to breaking news stories, regardless of the time of day. In response to the population's shift to the Internet, most news corporations have bolstered their web-based operations and continue to seek new strategies that will attract additional readers.