The results are in and Consumer Reports has named�America's top appliance retailer. (Hint: It's Abt Electronics). But the winner's identity isn't the only thing coming out this month. In the course of describing what makes a retailer good or bad, CR also managed to "out" one of the biggest scams in retail: the extended warranty.
According to CR, you see, the level of a retailer's customer "service heavily influenced how satisfied subscribers were with major-appliance stores overall." Companies like Abt, which earned top marks for service, tended to perform well in the rankings. In contrast, companies that seemed more interested in milking their customers for every penny they were worth fared less well.
CR singled out one retailer in particular, P.C. Richard & Son, for opprobrium for being "among the pushiest" when pressuring customers to buy extended warranties. Not coincidentally, the company ranked dead last in the field of nine retailers ranked. Indianapolis-based hhgregg (NYSE: HGG ) and Abt neighbor Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD ) , which ranked Nos. 6 & 7, respectively, were also said to be "more likely than other retailers to push added coverage."
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: NRG Energy Inc.(NRG)
NRG Energy, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a wholesale power generation company. The company engages in the ownership, development, construction, and operation of power generation facilities. It also involves in the transacting in and trading of fuel and transportation services; the trading of energy, capacity, and related products in the United States and internationally; and the supply of electricity, energy services, and cleaner energy and carbon offset products to retail electricity customers in deregulated markets. The company operates natural gas- fired, coal- fired, oil-fired, nuclear, solar, and wind power plants. As of December 31, 2010, it had power generation portfolio of 193 operating fossil fuel and nuclear generation units with an aggregate generation capacity of approximately 24,570 megawatt (MW), as well as ownership interests in renewable facilities with an aggregate generation capacity of 470 MW. The company portfolio also includes appr oximately 24,035 MW generation capacity in the United States, and 1,005 MW generation capacity in Australia and Germany. In addition, it has a district energy business with steam and chilled water capacity of approximately 1,140 megawatts thermal equivalent. NRG Energy, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
The size of the investments Buffett is making is what makes his fascination with solar astounding. He owns two projects built by First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR ) , including 49% of Agua Caliente, which he co-owns with NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG ) , and a third project called Antelope Valley, the largest solar power plant in the world, which is currently under construction by SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR ) .
- [By John Udovich]
On Thursday, NRG Yield Inc (NYSE: NYLD), a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc (NYSE: NRG),�debuted in an IPO priced at $22 a share and closed the day at $27.25 a share. The offering of 19.575 million shares raised more than $430 million plus the IPO underwriters�have an option to buy 2.9 million more shares if demand is strong enough.
- [By Travis Hoium]
NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG ) and Edison International (NYSE: EIX ) are starting to make this transition. NRG has built a solar leasing subsidiary called Residential Solar Solutions, and Edison International subsidiary Southern California Edison was one of the first utilities to embrace solar, with a 250 MW plan for commercial solar in 2008. The parent company, Edison International also recently invested equity in Clean Power Finance itself so it's hoping to profit from the company's growing finance presence.�
- [By Sara Murphy]
David Crane, CEO of NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG ) , is the rare brand of leader who can do just that. At the recent Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) Summit, he laid out his vision for his company and the future of the energy sector.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: PMC Commercial Trust(PCC)
PMC Commercial Trust operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). It primarily originates loans to small businesses, principally in the limited service hospitality industry, collateralized by first liens on the real estate of the related business. The company has elected to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code and would not be subject to federal income tax, provided it distributes approximately 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. PMC Commercial Trust was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Top Casino Companies To Own In Right Now: Theravance Inc.(THRX)
Theravance, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule medicines for various therapeutic areas, including respiratory disease, bacterial infections, and central nervous system (CNS)/pain. The company?s key development programs with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) include the RELOVAIR, a Phase 3 clinical trial program for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or asthma; the LAMA/LABA program, a Phase 3 COPD program; and the Bifunctional Muscarinic Antagonist-beta2 Agonist (MABA) program, a Phase 2b program for the treatment of COPD, as well as Peripherally Selective Mu-Opioid Receptor Antagonist (P Advisors' Opinion:
- [By Sean Williams]
The buzz in the health-care sector this week has nothing to do with earnings reports and everything to do with an expected PDUFA decision by the FDA on GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK ) and Theravance's (NASDAQ: THRX ) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, inhaled drug, Breo Ellipta.
- [By Sean Williams]
On the bright side, GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK ) and Theravance (NASDAQ: THRX ) received a much-expected drug approval for once-daily inhaled COPD maintenance treatment Breo Ellipta from the Food and Drug Administration. Having proved non-inferior to the placebo in trials, and delivering a favorable safety profile while reducing flare-ups and helping relieve air flow obstruction, Breo Ellipta has a good shot at being a blockbuster drug within the next couple of years. Breo Ellipta is expected to be available to patients next quarter. In addition, as I've alluded to on numerous occasions, it could be the impetus that encourages Glaxo to gobble up Theravance's Royalty Management -- one of two proposed entities that Theravance plans to split into. This is certainly a big win for both companies.
- [By Keith Speights]
Breathing easier
Shares of Theravance (NASDAQ: THRX ) popped 34% this week. The nice gains came after Theravance and partner GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK ) announced that the FDA's Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9-4 to recommend Breo Ellipta for approval. - [By Jonas Elmerraji]
First up is $4 billion biopharmaceutical firm Theravance (THRX). It's been one heck of a year already for THRX's shareholders. Since the calendar flipped over to January, shares of the firm have rallied more than 75%. But the setup forming in shares points to even higher ground for the final quarter of 2013.
That's because Theravance is currently forming an ascending triangle pattern, a bullish setup that's formed by a horizontal resistance level above shares at $42 and uptrending support to the downside. Basically, as Theravance bounces in between those two technical levels, it's getting squeezed closer and closer to a breakout above that $42 resistance level. When that happens, traders have a buy signal.
Whenever you're looking at any technical price pattern, it's critical to think in terms of those buyers and sellers. Ascending triangles and other pattern names are a good quick way to explain what's going on in a stock, but they're not the reason it's tradable. Instead, it all comes down to supply and demand for shares.
That $42 is a price where there has been an excess of supply of shares; in other words, it's a place where sellers have been more eager to step in and take gains than buyers have been to buy. That's what makes a breakout above it so significant -- the move means that buyers are finally strong enough to absorb all of the excess supply above that price level.
Don't be early on this trade.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: USA Technologies Inc.(USAT)
USA Technologies, Inc. supplies cashless, remote management, reporting, and energy management solutions for the unattended point of sale market primarily in the United States. The company offers networked devices and associated services that enable the owners and operators of stand-alone distributed assets, such as vending machines, kiosks, personal computers, photocopiers, and laundry equipment the ability to remotely monitor, control, and report on the results of these distributed assets, as well as the ability to offer their customers cashless payment options. Its products include Intelligent Vending, an ePort connect solution for the vending industry; Kiosk, an ePort solution that offers an electronic payment option and Web-based remote monitoring and management for various kiosk types; eSuds, a solution for the commercial laundry industry; Business Express, which provides self-service business center solutions to the hotel and motel industry; and ePort Transact soluti on for the self-service business center devices, such as printers and copy machines. The company also manufactures and sells energy conservation products comprising VendingMiser, CoolerMiser, VM2IQ and CM2IQ, SnackMiser, and PlugMiser for various existing equipment, including refrigerated vending machines and glass front coolers. USA Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is based in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
USA Technologies (NASDAQ: USAT) is estimated to report its Q4 earnings at $0.02 per share on revenue of $9.89 million.
Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) is projected to post a Q4 loss at $1.71 per share on revenue of $117.82 million.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: SORL Auto Parts Inc.(SORL)
SORL Auto Parts, Inc., through its principal operating subsidiary, Ruili Group Ruian Auto Parts Co., Ltd., engages in the development, manufacture, and distribution of automotive brake systems and other safety related auto parts for commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses. The company, through its 90% ownership in Ruili Group Ruian Auto Parts Co., Ltd., a Sino-foreign joint venture, offers various products, including spring brake chamber, clutch servos, air dryers, relay valves, and hand brake valves. It also provides auto metering products, auto electric products, anti-lock brake systems, retarders, hydraulic brakes, and power steering products. SORL Auto Parts, Inc. markets its products under the SORL brand to automotive original equipment manufacturers and the related aftermarket customers in the People?s Republic of China and internationally. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Ruian City, the People?s Republic of China.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: LifePoint Hospitals Inc.(LPNT)
LifePoint Hospitals Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates general acute care hospitals in non-urban communities in the United States. The company?s hospitals provide a range of medical and surgical services comprising general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic care, coronary care, rehabilitation services, and pediatric services, as well as specialized services, such as open-heart surgery, skilled nursing, psychiatric care, and neuro-surgery. Its hospitals also offer outpatient services, including one-day surgery, laboratory, x-ray, respiratory therapy, imaging, sports medicine, and lithotripsy. As of December 31, 2009, LifePoint Hospitals owned or leased 47 hospitals with a total of 5,552 licensed beds in 17 states. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. Lifepoint Hospitals Inc. (NasdaqNM:LPNT) operates independently of HCA Inc. as of May 11, 1999.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Keith Speights]
The fun wasn't just limited to the big three hospital operators. Lifepoint Hospitals (NASDAQ: LPNT ) stock jumped 5% on the CMS news, reflecting a $109 million market cap expansion. Likewise, Vanguard Health Systems (NYSE: VHS ) shares climbed 5%, bumping its market cap up by�$55 million.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: Trailer Bridge Inc.(TRBR)
Trailer Bridge, Inc., an integrated trucking and marine freight carrier, provides freight transportation services between the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. It provides services through southbound containers and trailers, as well as through marine vessels that are configured to carry 48 inch and 53 inch long, and 102 inch wide high-cube equipment. The company also involves in moving new and used automobiles, non-containerized or freight not in trailers, and freight moving in shipper owned or leased equipment. It offers highway transportation services in the continental United States; and marine transportation services between Jacksonville, Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata, and the Dominican Republic. The company also provides rail transportation services. In addition, it engages in chartering its vessels that are not in liner service to third party operators. The company ships furniture, consumer goods, raw materials for manufacturing, electronics, new and used automobiles, and apparel to Puerto Rico; healthcare products, pharmaceuticals, electronics, shoes and recyclables from Puerto Rico; raw materials for manufacturing to the Dominican Republic; and apparel, raw materials for manufacturing, and recyclables from the Dominican Republic. As of December 31, 2010, it operated a fleet of 141 tractors comprising of 79 company owned units and 62 leased and owner operator units; 2 736' triple-deck ro/ro ocean-going barges and 5 triplestack box carriers; and 3,957 high cube containers, 3,157 chassis, 164 high-cube trailers, and 299 vehicle transport modules, as well as leased 435 chassis and 531 high-cube containers. Trailer Bridge, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: Tele Norte Leste Participacoes S.A.(TNE)
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes S.A. provides integrated telecommunication services in Brazil. It operates in three segments: Fixed-Line Services, Mobile Services, and Other. The Fixed-Line Services segment offers local fixed-line, long-distance, and fixed-line data transmission services, as well as interconnections to its fixed-line network. The Mobile Services segment provides mobile services, including voice, mobile data communications, and other value-added services, as well as interconnections to its mobile network. The Other segment offers pay television, Internet service provider, Internet portal, mobile phone payment system, and call center services. The company also offers data transmission services comprising broadband access. It serves residential customers, governmental agencies, and small, medium, and large companies. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tele Norte Leste Participacoes S.A. is a subsidiary of Telemar Pa rticipacoes S.A.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: Teleflex Incorporated(TFX)
Teleflex Incorporated designs, manufactures, and distributes specialty medical devices for a range of procedures in critical care and surgery worldwide. It offers disposable medical products for critical care that includes medical devices used in critical care procedures for vascular access, respiratory care, anesthesia and airway management, treatment of urologic conditions, and other specialty procedures; and devices used in the treatment of patients with severe cardiac conditions, including intra aortic balloon pump systems and intra aortic balloon catheters and accessories. The company also provides surgical devices and instruments used in general and specialty surgical procedures, such as ligation and closure products, including appliers, clips, and sutures; access ports used in minimally invasive surgical procedures comprising robotic surgery; fluid management products for chest drainage; and hand-held instruments for general and specialty surgical procedures under t he Deknatel, Pleur-evac, Pilling, Taut, and Weck brand names. In addition, it offers cardiac care products, including diagnostic catheters and capital equipment; instruments and devices for other medical device manufacturers; and customized medical instruments, implants, and components to original equipment manufacturers. The company sells its medical products through its sales forces, and independent representatives and distributor networks. Teleflex Incorporated was founded in 1938 and is based in Limerick, Pennsylvania.
10 Best Penny Stocks To Own Right Now: Orchids Paper Products Company(TIS)
Orchids Paper Products Company manufactures private label tissue products for the consumer market in the United States. Its product line includes paper towels, bathroom tissue, and paper napkins. The company also offers its products under the Orchids, Velvet, Colortex, Ultra Valu, Dri-Mop, Big Mopper, Soft & Fluffy, Tackle, My-Size, and Care brand names. It serves value retailers (dollar stores), discount retailers, grocery stores, grocery wholesalers and cooperatives, and convenience stores. The company markets its products directly, as well as through independent brokers. Orchids Paper Products Company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Pryor, Oklahoma.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By David Goodboy]
My next step was to locate stocks in this industry. One company stood out above the rest as a top performer with plenty of upside. That company is Orchids Paper Products Co. (NYSE: TIS).
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