Monday, September 29, 2014

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now

With shares of Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) trading around $282, is AMZN an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Amazon serves its customers through its retail websites and focus on selection, price, and convenience. The company also manufactures and sells Kindle devices. Amazon offers programs that enable sellers to sell their products on the company�� websites, including the sellers��own branded websites and fulfill orders through them. It also offers platforms that allow authors, musicians, filmmakers, app developers, and others to publish and sell content. Online commerce has been on the rise because of the convenience, efficiency, and the relatively low prices offered.

Amazon is still dominating the e-commerce world as recent data from the Securities and Exchange Commission seen by the Wall Street Journal shows that brick and mortar retailers are still having a difficult time making headway in online retail. The SEC asked a group of major retailers including Target (NYSE:TGT) and Staples (NASDAQ:SPLS) about their online performance, and data showed that Amazon still sells more online than its next twelve competitors combined.

Top 5 Rising Stocks For 2015: Koss Corporation(KOSS)

Koss Corporation, together with its subsidiary, Koss Classics Ltd., designs, manufactures, and sells stereo headphones and related accessories primarily in the United States and Europe. It offers a line of high-fidelity stereo headphones, speaker-phones, computer headsets, telecommunications headsets, active noise canceling stereo headphones, wireless stereo headphones, and compact disc recordings of American Symphony Orchestras under the Koss Classics label. The company sells its products through national retailers, international distributors, audio specialty stores, the Internet, direct mail catalogs, regional department store chains, discount department stores, military exchanges, and prisons under the Koss name. It also sells its products to distributors for resale to school systems, and directly to other manufacturers. The company was founded in 1953 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jason Rivera]

    Koss Corporation (KOSS) was no different because after looking over its balance sheet and profitability numbers I found substantial NOLs, little debt and reasonable profitability levels which usually are good signs that the company may be a good investment if the company is undervalued. This however is not an article about a company that I will ever invest in due to it being a grossly overvalued, dying company, which has major management concerns.

  • [By John Udovich]

    Yesterday after the market closed, small cap audio stock Skullcandy Inc (NASDAQ: SKUL) reported earnings and began rising in after hours trading, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of other audio stocks like mid cap Harman International Industries Inc (NYSE: HAR) and small caps Koss Corporation (NASDAQ: KOSS) and Parametric Sound Corp (NASDAQ: PAMT). I should mention that in�late 2012, Skullcandy had the dubious distinction of being the market�� most shorted stock (see: Long Live the Shorts or the Short Squeeze? SKUL, AM & UBNT) with short�interest of 86.47% and there would still be a lot of shorts out there who might start feeling the squeeze (Note: SKUL is at least no longer on the HighShortInterest.com list)

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Iconix Brand Group Inc (ICON)

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Iconix), incorporated in 1978, is a brand management company engaged in licensing, marketing and providing trend direction for a portfolio of consumer brands. The Company is the owner of the brands through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Candie's, Bongo, Badgley Mischka, Joe Boxer, Rampage, Mudd, London Fog, Mossimo, Ocean Pacific/OP, Danskin/Danskin Now, Rocawear, Cannon, Royal Velvet, Fieldcrest, Charisma, Starter, Waverly, Zoo York and Sharper Image, which it licenses directly to retailers (herein referred to as direct-to-retail), wholesalers and suppliers for use a range of product categories, including apparel, footwear, sportswear, fashion accessories, home products and decor, beauty and fragrance, and, in the case of Sharper Image brand, consumer electronics and novelty products. In July 2011, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary ZY Holdings, purchased the Zoo York brand and related assets from its IPH Unltd joint venture, increasing its ownership in the Zoo York brand from 51% to 100%. In October 2011, the Company acquired Sharper Image. In December 2012, the Company acquired Umbro brand and related intellectual property assets from NIKE Inc. In February 2013, the Company acquired a 51% stake in the Buffalo David Bitton brand. In February 2013, the Company acquired Lee Cooper. In May 2013, the Company acquired 49% interest in IP Holdings Unltd LLC (IPHU), owner of the Ecko Unltd. and Marc Ecko Cut & Sew.

Scion, a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% investment, owns the Artful Dodger brand; Hardy Way, a joint venture in which the Company has an 85% investment, owns the Ed Hardy brand; IPH Unltd, a joint venture in which the Company has a 51% investment, owns the Ecko portfolio of brands; MG Icon, a joint venture in which the Company has a 50% investment, owns the Material Girl and Truth or Dare brands; and Peanuts Holdings, a joint venture in which the Company has an 80% investment, owns the Peanuts brand and characters through its whol! ly owned subsidiary Peanuts . Products bearing the Company�� brands are sold across a range of distribution channels through direct-to-retail and wholesale licenses, from the mass tier to the luxury market. The Company also continues to arrange, as agent, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bright Star, for the manufacture of footwear products for mass market and discount retailers under their private label brands.

As of December 31, 2011, the combined brand portfolio of the Company and its joint ventures consisted of iconic consumer brands Candie��, Bongo, Badgley Mischka, Joe Boxer, Rampage, Mudd, London Fog, Mossimo, Ocean Pacific/OP, Danskin, Rocawear, Cannon, Royal Velvet, Fieldcrest, Charisma, Starter, Waverly, Zoo York and Sharper Image. Candie�� is a junior lifestyle brand, with products in the footwear, apparel and accessories categories. The primary licensee for Candie�� is Kohl�� Department Stores, Inc. (Kohl��) with a multi-category line of Candie�� lifestyle products, including sportswear, denim, footwear, handbags, intimate apparel, children�� apparel, fragrance and home accessories. The Candie�� brand is also sold through Candie�� retail stores being developed in Greater China through its Iconix China joint venture and is also licensed in South Korea and the Philippines. The Bongo brand is positioned as a California lifestyle brand, with a range of women�� and children�� casual apparel and accessories, including denim, sportswear, eyewear, footwear and watches. The Bongo brand is also licensed in categories in Latin America and Canada. The Badgley Mischka brand is an eveningwear brands. Badgley Mischka products are sold in the United States through luxury department and specialty stores, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, with its retail categories being women�� apparel, footwear, handbags and other accessories. Joe Boxer is an underwear, sleepwear and loungewear brand. The brand is also licensed in Mexico, Europe, Lat! in Americ! a, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East. Rampage products are sold through department stores, such as Macy��, with the retail categories being sportswear, footwear, intimate apparel and swimwear. The brand is also licensed in Canada, Latin America, South Korea, Thailand and the Middle East. Mudd is a junior lifestyle brand, particularly in the denim, footwear and accessories categories.

London Fog is a classic brand known for the Company's outerwear, cold weather accessories, umbrellas, luggage and travel products. The brand is sold in a range of categories through wholesale licenses in the United States, through the department store channel. The Company has a direct-to-retail license agreement for London Fog with Hudson�� Bay Corporation in Canada, covering apparel, accessories and lifestyle products and the brand has also been licensed in South Korea and Mexico. Mossimo is known as a contemporary, active and youthful lifestyle brand and is an apparel brands in the United States. Target Corporation (Target) has held the Mossimo license in the United States, covering apparel products for men, women and children, including casual sportswear, denim, swimwear, bodywear, watches, handbags and other fashion accessories. The brand is also licensed on a direct-to-retail basis to Falabella Retail S.A. in Argentina, Columbia, Chile and Peru and to licensees in Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, India and Japan.

Ocean Pacific and OP are global action-sports lifestyle apparel brands. The brand is distributed by Wal-Mart in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Argentina, and through licensees in Europe, the Middle East and Chile. In addition, the brand is licensed in Japan and its surrounding territories through its OP Japan joint venture.

Danskin is a brand of women's activewear, legwear, dancewear, yoga apparel and fitness equipment. The primary license for the Danskin brand is a direct-to-retail license with Wal-Mart for Danskin Now covering a range of women�! � and gi! rl�� apparel, footwear, accessories and fitness equipment. Rocawear is an urban lifestyle apparel brand established by Shawn Jay-Z Carter and his partners. The Rocawear brand is licensed in the United States in a range of categories, including men��, women�� and kids��apparel, outerwear, footwear, jewelry, handbags and fragrance. Rocawear products are sold through department and specialty stores. Cannon is a brand in home textiles.

Royal Velvet is a luxury home textile brand. Royal Velvet products include towels, sheets, rugs and shams. Fieldcrest is a brand for bed and bath textiles that are classic in style. Charisma home textiles are known for their classic designs. The brand is also licensed in the United States and Canada for distribution through better department stores, such as Bloomingdales. In addition, the brand is licensed in Australia and New Zealand. Starter is a brand in licensed team sports merchandise and is a brand of athletic apparel and footwear. Waverly is a home fashion and lifestyle brand in home decor. Waverly has a direct-to-retail agreement in the United States with Lowe�� Companies, Inc. for Waverly Home Classics for a range of select home furnishings. Zoo York is an East Coast based action lifestyle brand. Zoo York has licenses with wholesalers covering a range of products, including men��, women�� and kids��apparel and footwear. The brand is also licensed in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa, the Middle East and parts of Southeast Asia. Sharper Image is a brand in the consumer electronics industry. Its licenses for Sharper Image cover a range of products, including audio and video electronics, travel gear, personal home products, kitchen and bath accessories, massage products, air purification products and giftables, and in territories including the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Japan, Turkey and the Middle East.

Bright Star provides design direction and arr! anges for! the manufacturing and distribution of men�� private label footwear products primarily for Wal-Mart under its private labels. Bright Star acts solely as an agent. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Bright Star�� agency commissions represented less than 1% of the Company�� revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Louis Navellier]

    Iconix Brand Group (ICON) is in the business of licensing, marketing, and providing trend direction for a portfolio of consumer and entertainment brands. The company owns 33 well-known brands like Candie’s, Bongo, Joe Boxer, London Fog and Starter. It licenses the name for use in products like apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, home products and beauty products.

  • [By Marshall Hargrave]

    If we narrow these comps down to some of GIII's fellow small-cap apparel peers, we see just how cheap the stock is. GIII trades at an 8.4x EV/EBITDA multiple, while QuikSilver (ZQK) trades at 16.2x, Iconix Brand (ICON) at 11.5x and Jones New York (JNY) 8.8x.

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Extra Space Storage Inc (EXR)

Extra Space Storage, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. It engages in property management and development activities that include acquiring, managing, developing, and selling, as well as the rental of self-storage facilities. As of December 31, 2006, Extra Space Storage owned interests in 567 properties located in 32 states and Washington, D.C., as well as managed 74 properties owned by franchisees or third parties. As a REIT, the company would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 1977 and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Aaron Levitt]

    The exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracks 36 different REITs … including all of the ones on this list. REZ also includes exposure to the various public storage REITs like Extra Space Storage (EXR). Those firms have also been seeing huge demand as renters need additional space for all of their stuff … especially if they��e downsized from previous homeownership.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Real estate investment trust�Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR  ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.40 per share, the same rate it paid last quarter after raising the payout 60%, from $0.25 per share.

5 Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: GrafTech International Ltd (GTI)

GrafTech International Ltd (GTI) incorporated on April 26, 2010, is a manufacturer of graphite electrodes, products essential to the production of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel and various other ferrous and nonferrous metals. The Company also produces needle coke products, which are the primary raw material needed in the manufacture of graphite electrodes. The Company also manufactures carbon, graphite, and semi-graphite refractory products, which protect the walls of blast furnaces and submerged arc furnaces. The Company is manufactures and provides graphite and carbon materials used in the transportation, solar and oil and gas exploration industries. The Company's operating segments include Industrial Materials, which include graphite electrodes, refractory products and needle coke products, and Engineered Solutions, which includes advanced electronics technologies, advanced graphite materials, advanced composite materials, and advanced materials. The Company has seven product categories: graphite electrodes, refractory products, needle coke products, advanced graphite materials, advanced composite materials, advanced electronics technologies (formerly referred to as natural graphite products), and advanced materials.

Industrial Materials.

The Company's Industrial Materials segment manufactures and delivers graphite electrodes, refractory products and needle coke products. Approximately 70% of the Company's graphite electrodes sold is consumed in the EAF steel melting process. The remaining approximately 30% of the Company's graphite electrodes sold is primarily used in various other ferrous and non-ferrous melting applications, including steel refining ladle furnace operations for both EAF and basic oxygen furnace steel production, fused materials, chemical processing, and alloy metals. The Company is a producer of petroleum needle coke. Needle coke is the raw material in the manufacture of the graphite electrodes used in melting operations. The Company is also a leadi! ng global supplier of carbon, semi-graphitic and graphite refractory hearth linings for blast and submerged arc furnaces used to produce iron and ferro alloys.

The Company competes with SGL Carbon A.G. Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd. Showa Denko Carbon K.K. Graphite India Limited, HEG Limited, SEC Corporation Limited, Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd., Energoprom Group, Beijing FangDa Carbon Tech Co. Ltd., Sinosteel Corporation, Phillips 66, Petrocokes Japan Limited , Mitsubishi Chemical Company, Baosteel Group , C-Chem Co., Ltd. Indian Oil Company Limited, Hongte Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. JX Holdings Inc., Petrochina International Jinzhou Co., Ltd. and Sinosteel Anshan Research Institute of Thermo-Energy Co. Ltd.

Engineered Solutions

The Engineered Solutions segment includes advanced electronics technologies, advanced graphite materials, advanced composite materials and advanced materials. Advanced electronics technology products consist of electronic thermal management solutions, fuel cell components, and sealing materials. These products are used in transportation, alternative energy, metallurgical, chemical, oil and gas exploration and various other industries. Advanced composite materials are engineered carbon products that are woven into various shapes to primarily support the aerospace and defense industries. Advanced materials use carbon and graphite powders as components or additives in a variety of industries, including metallurgical processing, battery and fuel cell components, and polymer additives.

SGL Carbon A.G., Mersen S.A., Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd., Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd., SEC Carbon Ltd, Nippon Carbon Co. Ltd, Graphite India Ltd. (India) , Panasonic Corporation , and Kaneka Corporation .

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    Rhyu joins the company from IAC's (NASDAQ: IACI  ) Match.com, where he has filled the roles of both CFO and chief administrative officer since 2011. Previous to that, he was a senior vice president at News Corp's (NASDAQ: FOXA  ) Dow Jones & Company. He also served as corporate controller for both Sirius XM Radio and GrafTech International (NYSE: GTI  ) .

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