September is on pace to be a banner month for shipping stocks FreeSeas Inc. (NASDAQ:FREE), DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ:DRYS), and Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ:EGLE). They're up 290%, 62%, and 115%, respectively, month-to-date, overcoming an amazingly long dry spell. The question is, why have EGLE, FREE, and DRYS been so strong all of a sudden, and more than that, are these rallies built to last?
The answer to the first question is, because the Baltic Dry Index (of average maritime shipping rates) is on the rise in a major way. The answer to the second question: Yes, and no.
The Baltic Dry Index is the aggregation of daily charter rates being offered by the world's Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, and Handysize goods-carrying oceanic vessels. Oil tankers as well as container ships are specifically excluded from the aggregation, though it's not a stretch to say the charter prices for bulk cargo boats moves in tandem with costs to charter other types of maritime shipping vessels.
Top 10 Restaurant Companies To Own For 2015: Imperial Holdings Inc. (IFT)
Imperial Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. The company operates in two business segments: Life Finance and Structured Settlements. The Life Finance segment comprises life settlements and finance loan businesses. The Structured Settlement segment purchases structured settlements at a discounted rate and sells such assets to third parties. This segment primarily markets its products through the Internet and television. Imperial Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By DCResearch]
Imperial Holdings (IFT) fits the bill for all of those traits and investors today can buy Imperial Holdings for less than 0.75x book value. Upside to book value, an obvious valuation factor for most financial companies, would result in a greater than 40% return for a patient investor. I believe that this is far below the fair value for IFT�� book of life settlements, and upside is in excess of $13 per share.
- [By Whopper Investments]
Note: This is my response to the recent short case on Imperial Finance (IFT). Obviously, all humans are fallible, and I'm sure someone can find just as much to argue with my long case as I found to argue with his short case. Please read for yourself, do your own research, and make your own decision. I am long IFT and plan on fully participating in the rights offering.
Top Shipping Companies For 2014: Delek US Holdings Inc. (DK)
Delek US Holdings, Inc. operates as an integrated downstream energy company that operates in petroleum refining, logistics, and convenience store retailing businesses. The company operates in three segments: Refining, Logistics, and Retail. The Refining segment owns and operates two refineries in Tyler, Texas, and El Dorado, Arkansas; and produces various petroleum-based products used in transportation and industrial markets. The Logistics segment gathers, transports, and stores crude oil, as well as markets, distributes, transports, and stores refined products. It also offers crude oil transportation services for terminalling and marketing services; and markets light products using third-party terminals. This segment owns approximately 400 miles of crude oil transportation pipelines, 123 miles of refined product pipelines, 600-mile crude oil gathering system, and associated crude oil storage tanks with an aggregate of approximately 2.6 million barrels of active shell capa city. The Logistics segment serves oil companies, independent refiners and marketers, jobbers, distributors, utility and transportation companies, and independent retail fuel operators. The Retail segment markets gasoline, diesel, and other refined petroleum products, as well as convenience merchandise. As of May 8, 2013, this segment operated 373 retail fuel and convenience stores under the MAPCO Express, MAPCO Mart, Discount Food Mart, Fast Food and Fuel, East Coast, Delta Express, and Favorite Markets brands. The company was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. Delek US Holdings, Inc. is a subsidiary of Delek Petroleum Ltd.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
We believe capture rates [how much of the difference between the cost of oil and refined products a company can earn. Ed. ] troughed in 3Q13 and most US refiners will show a quarter-over-quarter improvement as differentials were widening and the WTI curve moved to contango from backwardation. Positive refining revisions will positively impact [Exxon Mobil] more than [Chevron], as�[Exxon Mobil] has significantly more absolute N. American refining capacity. Marketing margins [the margins from selling the finished product to the retail market. Ed.] also improved 17% q/q and 32% q/q on [West Coast] and [Gulf Coast] respectively, a positive indicator for refiners with retail operation [(Marathon Petroleum (MPC), Tesoro (TSO), Phillips 66 (PSX), Western Refining (WNR) & Delek US (DK))].
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Phillips 66 fell 2.6% yesterday, while Holly Frontier dropped 3.1%, Tesoro (TSO) declined 1.4%, Western Refining (WNR) plunged 4.3% and Delek US (DK) finished off 5.2%.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
The last three months were good for refiners like Phillips 66 (PSX), Western Refining (WNR) and Delek US (DK), which each gained more than 14% during that period.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Westlake also finds Western Refining (WNR) and�Delek US (DK) interesting, while upgrading�Calumet Specialty Products to Neutral from Underperform as “the themes which drove expected underperformance have now become more visible.”
Top Shipping Companies For 2014: Pacific WebWorks Inc (PWEB)
Pacific WebWorks, Inc. (Pacific WebWorks), incorporated on May 18, 1987, is an application service provider and software development firm that develops business software technologies and services for business merchants and organizations using Internet and other technologies. The Company�� product family provides tools for Website creation, management and maintenance, electronic business storefront hosting and Internet payment systems for the small- to medium-sized business and organization. Its four wholly owned subsidiaries include Intellipay, Inc., TradeWorks Marketing, Inc., FundWorks, Inc and Pacific WebWorks International, LTD.
Visual WebTools Version 4.1 (V4.1)
V4.1 is a suite of software programs that fit together to perform the basic business functions that are effective on the Internet. The products in this suite include WebWizard, ClipOn Commerce, WebContacts, WebChannels, Web Profiling tool, WebStats, Auction Connection and Increase My Margin. WebWizard is a Web page design program that possesses a user interface and templates for the novice, has a functionality for Web design professionals. In 2010, the Company released WebWizard 5 and it incorporates site components like tables, frames, flash and other multimedia capabilities in a straightforward, menu driven process.
The Company�� customers can manage their sites' layout, colors, contents, tables and graphics. WebWizard includes a library of hundreds of graphics that are freely accessible by its customers. WebWizard allows its customers to create, update and modify their Websites. ClipOn Commerce is an e-storefront and product management system, coupled with shopping cart technology. ClipOn Commerce allows the Company�� customers to build an Internet storefront. They can create a product catalog, organize and search products by unlimited categories and import/export to and from their database. ClipOn Commerce is designed to function with a third-party merchant account and is integrated with t! he Company�� Intellipay payment system, which allows its clients to accept all major credit cards online. ClipOn Commerce has support for QuickBooks accounting software enabling the Company�� customers to update between their accounting records and Internet storefront. ClipOn Commerce also features uninterrupted power supply (UPS) shipping integration.
WebContacts is a contact management program. Companies that use the Company�� system can utilize WebContacts to organize information about all the entities they do business with, including customers, suppliers and distributors. WebContacts will also enable them to capture information about people who visit their Website, if those visitors elect to supply contact information at the site. WebChannels is an e-mail distribution program that enables Pacific WebWorks��customers to send customized e-mails in either plaintext or hyper text markup language (HTML) format to their WebContacts database of visitors. By using WebChannels, a client can send out a weekly newsletter, coupons or special offers to an entire customer base, certain visitor types or to a segment of their customers.
Web profiling tool is a form and survey creation tool that helps capture feedback and demographic information from customers and Website visitors. The Company�� clients can create customizable forms, surveys and interactive questionnaires. The Web profiling tool includes a catalog of pre-designed questions, such as education level, hobbies and satisfaction level. The profiling forms may also be custom created by the Company�� customers. WebStats enables the Company�� customers to analyze visitor activities on their Websites in order to track pages viewed, hits and time of access. WebStats is a statistics program that provides detailed reports and graphs related to referring pages, geographic location of visitors, browsers and the operating systems Website visitors are using, what Web pages generate hits and what pages are the most popular. Au! ction Con! nection is a module that allows Visual WebTools users to list inventory items with eBay. Increase My Margin is a tool that allows eBay users to analyze information and data related to the sale of thousands of products sold on eBay over a period of time.
Intellipay Payment System
The Intellipay payment system group of products offers payment technologies for business-to-business and business-to-customer uses on the Internet and in physical store locations. These products allow the Company�� customers to accept real time credit card payments from their Website, Internet appliances, kiosks or at remote locations through their Nextel cell phone or at the physical point of sale. Point-of-sale professionals provide technical support and ePayment professionals help the business locate an Internet-approved merchant account if needed. Once customers enter the necessary data in a secure form, Intellipay processes the transaction in real-time (2 to 5 seconds) and returns the customer back to the business site. Intellipay also provides methods for enterprise-level businesses to link Intellipay products, services and features into their e-commerce Websites and transmit transactional data for use in back office systems.
The Company�� ePayment System supports all major card types, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club and JCB. It also provides support for Visa and MasterCard debit (check) cards and Level Two corporate/commercial cards through various bank networks. Transaction types include normal authorizations, pre-authorizations intended for delayed settlement, force allowing a transaction authorized offline (possibly a voice authorization) to be settled, credits for refunds, and Intellipay's address verification system (AVS) allows merchants to retrieve a score and verify the account validity. This Intellipay product allows the Company�� customers to control transaction level behavior depending on AVS scores and duplicate transaction attemp! t detecti! on. Intellipay also automatically settles merchant batches nightly so its customers are freed from forcing settlement via manual or programmatic methods. The Intellipay system is transportable meaning that a customer can switch Website hosting companies, move between e-commerce software programs or change to or from many merchant account providers.
ExpertLink is Intellipay's connection protocol for high-volume Internet businesses requiring high velocity real-time transaction authorizations linked to their own secure Website and/or back office systems. ExpertLink is a standards-based secure communications method allowing Web developers and application developers to build in the ePayment processing and various features, including batch management commands, duplicate transaction detection and management. The Company�� customers purchase ExpertLink or LinkSmart, and both come with Smart Terminal and the Secure Account Management System (SAMS).
LinkSmart provides the Company�� online customers with ePayment features with minimal technical installation on their side. With LinkSmart, the Company�� customer does not need to pay for installation and maintenance of secure servers since LinkSmart serves the secure, customizable payment pages for them. LinkSmart offloads mission-critical, e-commerce tasks from the merchant.
Smart Terminal allows Pacific WebWorks��customers to securely log into their Intellipay account from any Internet browser and authorize manual transactions and orders they have received through offline methods. Smart Terminal supports transactions, including normal authorizations, authorization-only for delayed settlement, settlement for non-Intellipay authorized transactions, credits and partial credits. Most clients receive Smart Terminal along with LinkSmart or ExpertLink, but Smart Terminal can also be purchased as a standalone product.
Secure Account Management System (SAMS) allows Intellipay customers to securely log into Intellip! ay's SAMS! from any Web browser to configure and control various Intellipay components and behaviors. Customers can also view transaction histories for any day in the past 180 day period. IntelliPay Desktop Terminal (IDT) brings all of the functionality of a virtual terminal application to the customers��desktop, while supporting hardware, such as a card reader and receipt printer. IntelliPay Wireless Terminal allows a merchant to accept either swiped or keyed transactions using a Nextel Cellular/Data phone using a card reader.
The Company competes with AuthorizeNet and VeriSign.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By CRWE]
Today, PWEB remains (0.00%) +0.000 at $.0185 with 2,891 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 9:34AM EDT July 19, 2013).
Pacific WebWorks, Inc. previously reported the following business update. For the first six months of 2013 the Company has focused on revitalizing its internet technology business model. As previously reported, Pacific WebWorks has expanded its software suite and established a framework for reaching new markets with its software products. The Company believes there is strong demand for its products and is aggressively pursuing the opportunity to obtain new customers through a variety of marketing methods.
Lance Bell, CEO, stated, ��e are excited to report a number of accomplishments during the first six months of 2013. We have rounded out our management team, finalized our infrastructure and have begun to market our software products. We are encouraged by the initial results of these efforts.��/p>
- [By CRWE]
Today, PWEB remains (0.00%) +0.000 at $.0231 with 1,000 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 9:30AM EDT July 16, 2013).
Pacific WebWorks, Inc. previously reported the following business update. For the first six months of 2013 the Company has focused on revitalizing its internet technology business model. As previously reported, Pacific WebWorks has expanded its software suite and established a framework for reaching new markets with its software products. The Company believes there is strong demand for its products and is aggressively pursuing the opportunity to obtain new customers through a variety of marketing methods.
Lance Bell, CEO, stated, ��e are excited to report a number of accomplishments during the first six months of 2013. We have rounded out our management team, finalized our infrastructure and have begun to market our software products. We are encouraged by the initial results of these efforts.��/p>
Top Shipping Companies For 2014: S&P GSCI(GD)
General Dynamics Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems, and munitions; military and commercial shipbuilding; and communications and information technology products and services worldwide. Its Aerospace group designs, manufactures, and outfits various large and mid-cabin business-jet aircraft; provides maintenance, repair work, fixed-based operations, and aircraft management services; and performs aircraft completions for aircraft. The company?s Combat Systems group offers tracked and wheeled military vehicles, weapons systems, and munitions. Its product lines include wheeled combat and tactical vehicles; battle tanks and infantry vehicles; munitions and propellant; rockets and gun systems; and axle and drivetrain components and aftermarket parts. This group also manufactures and supplies engineered axles, suspensions, and brakes for heavy-load vehicles for military and commercial customers. The company Advisors' Opinion:
- [By Dividends4Life]
Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of General Dynamics (GD). Below are some highlights from the above linked analysis: Company Description: General Dynamics is the world's fourth largest military contractor and also one of the world's biggest makers of corporate jets.
- [By Rich Smith]
This led to warnings of further weakness ahead, with Textron cutting its guidance for b-jet deliveries this year, saying it will deliver fewer than it did in 2012. Going forward, it bodes ill for rival General Dynamics (NYSE: GD ) , which has a big business jet division as well.
Top Shipping Companies For 2014: Ascena Retail Group Inc.(ASNA)
Ascena Retail Group, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of apparel for women and tween girls in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company operates its stores under the dressbarn, maurices, and Justice brand names. Its dressbarn and maurices stores offer casual and career fashion apparel and accessories; and Justice stores provide apparel, accessories, footwear, and intimates, as well as lifestyle products, such as bedroom furnishings and electronics primarily for tween girls. As of March 01, 2012, Ascena Retail Group operated approximately 2,500 stores. The company was formerly known as Dress Barn, Inc. and changed its name to Ascena Retail Group, Inc. in January 2011. Ascena Retail Group, Inc. was founded in 1962 and is based in Suffern, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Wallace Witkowski]
Ascena Retail Group Inc. (ASNA) �shares fell 6.5% to $17.65 a share after the operator of such retail chains as Justice and Lane Bryant forecast fiscal 2014 earnings of $1 to $1.05 a share. Analysts expect $1.16 a share.
Top Shipping Companies For 2014: CareFusion Corp (CFN)
CareFusion Corporation (CareFusion), incorporated on January 14, 2009, is a global medical technology company. The Company operates in two segments: Medical Systems and Procedural Solutions. The Medical Systems segment is organized around its medical equipment businesses. The Company�� Medical Systems segment�� business units and product lines include Infusion Systems, Dispensing Technologies, and Respiratory Technologies. The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around the Company�� disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. The Company�� Procedural Solutions segment�� business units and product lines include Infection Prevention, Medical Specialties and Specialty Disposables. In August 2011, the Company acquired Rowa. In June 2012, the Company acquired U.K. Medical Limited. In July 2012, Natus Medical, Inc. acquired the Nicolet neurodiagnostic business from CareFusion. Effective December 31, 2013, CareFusion Corp acquired Vital Signs Inc from GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co.
Medical Systems Segment
The Company�� develops, manufactures and markets capital equipment and related supplies for medication management, which includes its infusion and medication dispensing technologies, supply dispensing technologies and respiratory technologies. Its products are designed to enable healthcare professionals to improve patient safety by reducing medication errors and improving administrative controls, while simultaneously improving workflow and increasing operational efficiency. The Company sells these products primarily through its direct sales force, but use third-party distributors as well, particularly outside the United States. Many of its products in this segment are integrated with other information systems within the hospital, including financial and business systems that support patient admissions, discharges and transfers, operational systems that include inventory management and clinical systems that include pharmacy inf! ormation and electronic medical records.
The Company offers value-added services and programs, software technical services and clinical education, which are designed to enhance its customers��utilization of its medical equipment products. The Company�� project management, field service organization and customer call centers support its customers before, during and after product installation. The Company�� project management teams assist customers with the development of project implementation plans, which are designed to ensure rapid, seamless implementation of its products. The Company�� field service organization provides on-site expertise to resolve customers��service issues. The Company�� customer call centers provide additional support to its customers.
The Company is engaged in designing, developing and marketing of IV infusion systems that deliver medications and other fluids directly into a patient�� veins in precise, measured quantities over a range of infusion rates. The Company is provider of point-of-care systems that automate the dispensing of medications and supplies in hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the United States. The Company develops, manufactures, markets and services mechanical ventilators and associated consumables for patients with respiratory disorders.
The Company competes with Baxter International, B. Braun, Fresenius Kabi, Hospira, Omnicell, McKesson; Drager, and MAQUET.
Procedural Solutions Segment
The Procedural Solutions segment is organized around its disposable products and reusable surgical instruments businesses. In its Procedural Solutions segment, the Company develops, manufactures and markets single-use skin antiseptic and other patient-preparation products, non-dedicated IV infusion administration sets and accessories, reusable surgical instruments and non-dedicated ventilator circuits and other disposables used for providing respiratory therapy. The products in this segm! ent are u! sed in the operating room, interventional suites, and in the critical care departments of hospitals. The Company sells these products and services through a combination of direct sales representatives and third-party distributors.
The Company�� Infection Prevention business unit consists mainly of single-use medical products used in surgical and vascular access procedures, including skin preparation products and disposable IV infusion administration sets and accessories. The Company�� Medical Specialties business unit consists mainly of specialty medical devices used in delivering interventional care and reusable surgical instrumentation products. The Company�� Specialty Disposables business unit focuses on providing clinicians with respiratory consumable products that work either independently or in conjunction with its range of ventilators.
The Company competes with 3M, ICU Medical, Becton, Dickinson, Baxter International, B. Braun; Hospira; Smiths Medical; CR Bard, Integra Life Sciences, and Teleflex.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alanna Petroff]
Medical technology firm Becton, Dickinson and Co (BDX) is taking over CareFusion (CFN) in a cash and stock deal that values CareFusion shares at $58 each.
- [By John Udovich]
Overlooked mid cap medical�technology and systems�stock CareFusion Corporation (NYSE: CFN) could offer nice growth in the healthcare space, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of potential benchmarks like the iShares Dow Jones US Medical Device ETF (NYSEARCA: IHI) and SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (NYSEARCA: XHE). I should mention that we have recently added CareFusion Corporation to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio because the�stock continues to be in a long-term thrusting patter and we believe its also�undervalued based on current valuation.
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