Top Gas Companies To Buy Right Now

On a morning on which the National Association of Home Builders announced extremely favorable conditions for the housing industry, as well as rising industrial production figures, you'd expect the stock market to be primed to continue its run-up toward ever-higher record levels. Yet as of 10:45 a.m. EDT, the Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) are actually down four points, and the most likely culprit for the drop is the latest news on the Consumer Price Index.

Why the CPI rose sharply today
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that overall, prices rose 0.5% during the month of June. That marked the biggest increase since February, and it represents another data point suggesting that low interest rates could finally be starting to show up in rising prices at the retail level.

However, looking more deeply at the numbers once again reveals the huge influence that rising energy prices have had on the CPI. Energy prices rose 3.4% during the month, with gasoline prices jumping more than 6%. Yet both Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) and ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM  ) are trading lower today despite rising oil prices, showing that even energy stocks don't always benefit from inflationary pressure, because higher prices spur oil consumers to reduce their consumption. When you take out the volatile food and energy segments, core CPI rose just 0.2%, adding up to a 1.6% gain over the past year. That level is low enough to give the Federal Reserve latitude to maintain its accommodative monetary policies a bit longer.

Best Forestry Companies To Buy For 2015: Harvest Natural Resources Inc (HNR)

Harvest Natural Resources, Inc., incorporated on September 9, 1988, is a petroleum exploration and production company. The Company is engaged in the exploration, development and production of properties in geological basins with proven active hydrocarbon systems. The Company holds interest in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Venezuela). The Company's Venezuelan interests are owned through Harvest-Vinccler Dutch Holding, B.V. Through HNR Energia, B.V. (HNR Energia), the Company indirectly owns 80% of Harvest Holding and its partner, Oil & Gas Technology Consultants (Netherlands) Cooperatie U.A., indirectly owns the remaining 20% interest of Harvest Holding. Harvest Holding owns, indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries, a 40% of Petrodelta, S.A. (Petrodelta). The Company indirectly owns a net 32% interest in Petrodelta, and Venezolana de Inversiones y Construcciones Clerico, C.A. (Vinccler) indirectly owns 8%. Corporacion Venezolana del Petroleo S.A. (CVP) owns the remaining 60% of Petrodelta. Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVS) owns 100% of CVP. Harvest Holding has a direct controlling interest in Harvest Vinccler S.C.A. (Harvest Vinccler).

As of December 31, 2012, the Company's operations were located at Venezuela, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Gabon, Sultanate of Oman and People's Republic of China. In Venezuela operations are through the Company's Petrodelta. In Republic of Indonesia (Indonesia) the operations are mainly onshore in West Sulawesi in Indonesia through the Budong PSC. The Company owns a 64.51% interest in the Budong PSC. In Republic of Gabon (Gabon) operations are offshore of Gabon through the Dussafu PSC. The Company has a 66.667% interest in the Dussafu PSC. The Company is the operator. In Sultanate of Oman (Oman) the operations are onshore in Oman through the exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) Al Ghubar / Qarn Alam license (Block 64 EPSA). The Company has an 80% interest in Block 64 EPSA. The Company is the operator. In People's Republic o! f China (China) the exploration acreage is offshore of China in the South China Sea through the Wab-21 Petroleum Contract (Wab-21). The Company has a 100% interest in the WAB-21 petroleum contract. The Company is the operator.

Petrodelta is engaged the exploration, production, gathering, transportation and storage of hydrocarbons from the Petrodelta Fields. As of December 31, 2012, there were 86 oil and natural gas producing wells and seven water injection wells in the Petrodelta Fields. As of December 31, 2012, there were 15 oil producing wells and four water injection wells in the Tucupita Field. As of December 31, 2012, there were 28 oil producing wells in the Temblador Field. At December 31, 2012, there were 17 oil producing wells and one water injection well in the El Salto field.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ACHN), Active Network Inc.(ACTV) and Harvest Natural Resources Inc.(HNR)

Top Gas Companies To Buy Right Now: Atlas Energy LP (ATLS)

Atlas Energy, L.P. (Atlas Energy), incorporated on December 15, 2005, is a limited partnership. The Company's assets consist of the Company's ownership interests in the Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. (ARP), an independent developer and producer of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL), with operations in basins across the United States; Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (APL) a midstream energy service provider engaged in natural gas gathering, processing and treating services in the Anandarko and Permian Basins of the United States, and Lightfoot Capital Partners, LP (Lightfoot LP) and Lightfoot Capital Partners GP, LLC (Lightfoot GP), the general partner of Lightfoot L.P. (collectively, Lightfoot), entities which incubate new master limited partnerships (MLPs) and invest in existing MLPs. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had an approximate 16% general partner interest and 12% limited partner interest in Lightfoot.

On April 30, 2012, ARP acquired 277 billion cubic feet equivalent of proved reserves, including undeveloped drilling locations, in the core of the Barnett Shale from Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (Carrizo). The assets include 198 gross producing wells. On July 26, 2012, ARP acquired Titan Operating, L.L.C. (Titan), which owned approximately 250 billion cubic feet equivalent of proved reserves and associated assets in the Barnett Shale on approximately 16,000 net acres. Titan's assets are located in close proximity to the assets acquired from Carrizo in the Barnett Shale. On September 24, 2012, ARP acquired Equal Energy, Ltd�� (Equal) remaining 50% interest in approximately 8,500 net undeveloped acres. On December 20, 2012, ARP acquired 210 billion cubic feet equivalent of proved reserves in the Fort Worth basin from DTE Energy Company (DTE). The assets include 261 gross producing wells on over 88,000 net acres. The acreage position includes approximately 75,000 net acres prospective for the Marble Falls play, in which there are over 700 identified vertical drilling l! ocations..

In February 2012, APL acquired a gas gathering system and related assets, at its WestOK region. In June 2012, APL acquired a gas gathering system and related assets in the Barnett Shale in Tarrant County, Texas. In December 2012, APL acquired 100% interests held by Cardinal Midstream, LLC (Cardinal) in three wholly owned subsidiaries. The assets of these companies include gas gathering, processing and treating facilities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas as the Tupelo plant, the East Rockpile treating facility, a fixed fee contract gas treating business, a 60% interest in Centrahoma Processing, LLC (Centrahoma), the Coalgate and Atoka plants, and the prospective Stonewall plant.

Atlas Resource Partners

During the year ended December 31, 2012, ARP�� average daily net production was approximately 77.2 million cubic feet equivalent. As of December 31, 2012, ARP owned production positions, including the Barnett Shale and Marble Falls play in the Fort Worth Basin in northern Texas; the Appalachia basin, including the Marcellus Shale and the Utica Shale; the Mississippi Lime and Hunton plays in northwestern Oklahoma, and the Chattanooga Shale in northeastern Tennessee, the Niobrara Shale in northeastern Colorado, the New Albany Shale in southwestern Indiana, and the Antrim Shale in Michigan. ARP has ownership interests in over 525 wells in the Barnett Shale and Marble Falls play. ARP has ownership interests in over 10,200 wells in the Appalachian basin, including approximately 270 wells in the Marcellus Shale. The Chattanooga Shale in northeastern Tennessee, the Niobrara Shale in northeastern Colorado, the New Albany Shale in southwestern Indiana, and the Antrim Shale in Michigan.

Atlas Pipeline Partners

APL conducts its business in the midstream segment of the natural gas industry through two reportable segments: gathering and processing, and transportation, treating and other. The gathering and processing segment consist! s of the A! rkoma, WestOK, WestTX and Velma operations, which are comprised of natural gas gathering and processing assets servicing drilling activity in the Anadarko, Arkoma and Permian Basins, and natural gas gathering assets located in the Barnett Shale play in Texas and the Appalachian Basin in Tennessee. Gathering and processing revenues are derived from the sale of residue gas and NGLs and the gathering and processing of natural gas.

APL's gathering and processing operations, own, have interests in and operate 12 natural gas processing plants with aggregate capacity of approximately 1,090 million cubic feet per day located in Oklahoma and Texas; a gas treating facility located in Oklahoma, and approximately 10,100 miles of active natural gas gathering systems located in Oklahoma, Kansas, Tennessee and Texas. APL's gathering systems gather natural gas from oil and natural gas wells and central delivery points and deliver this gas to processing plants, as well as third-party pipelines.

APL's gathering and processing operations are located in Golden Trend, Mississippian Limestone and Hugoton field in the Anadarko Basin; the Woodford Shale; the Spraberry Trend, which is an oil play with associated natural gas in the Permian Basin, and the Barnett Shale. APL's gathering systems are connected to approximately 8,600 receipt points, consisting of individual well connections and secondarily, central delivery points, which are linked to multiple wells.

APL's transportation and treating operations consists of 17 gas treating facilities used to provide contract treating services to natural gas producers located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, and a 20% interest in West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership (WTLPG), which owns a common-carrier pipeline system, which transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. WTLPG is operated by Chevron Pipeline Company, an affiliate of Chevron Corporation (Chevron), which owns the remaining 80% i! nterest. ! The contract gas treating operations are located in various shale plays, including the Avalon, Eagle Ford, Granite Wash, Haynesville, Fayetteville and Woodford.

The Company competes with Access Midstream Partners, LP; Caballo Energy, LLC, Carrera Gas Company; Copano Energy, LLC; Crosstex Energy Services, L.P.; DCP Midstream, LLC; Energy Transfer Partners, LP.; Enogex, LLC; Lumen Midstream Partners, LLC; MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.; Mustang Fuel Corporation; ONEOK Field Services Company, LLC; Scissor Tail Energy, LLC; SemGas, L.P.; Southern Union Company; Superior Pipeline Company, LLC; Targa Resources Partners LP, and West Texas Gas, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Targa Resources Partners LP (NYSE: NGLS) and Targa Resources Corp (NYSE: TRGP) announced the purchase of Atlas Pipeline Partners LP and Atlas Energy LP (NYSE: ATLS) for $7.7 billion.

• [By WilliamBriat]

  
  Investors interested in oil and gas pipeline stocks can start researching any number of energy infrastructure companies, including Atlas Energy, L.P. (NYSE: ATLS), Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE), and Targa Resources Partners LP (NYSE: NGLS).

• [By David Smith]

  Several companies, including Pittsburgh-based Atlas Energy (NYSE: ATLS  ) , appear likely to submit proposals to participate in the effort by the August deadline. Atlas has already completed 450 natural gas wells in a four-county area of Tennessee.

Top Gas Companies To Buy Right Now: Sonde Resources Corp (SOQ)

Sonde Resources Corp. (Sonde) is engaged in the exploration for, and acquisition, development and production of, petroleum and natural gas with operations in Western Canada and North Africa. On June 23, 2011, the Company sold its interests in Block 5(c) and the assumption of certain liabilities in respect of the MG Block through the Niko Sale Agreement. On September 23, 2011, the Company acquired a block of producing and non-producing assets in Drumheller from a third party, which includes the bulk of producing interests in the Mannville I oil pool. On January 1, 2012, the Company amalgamated Seeker Petroleum Ltd., Challenger Energy Corp. and Sonde Resources Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. into Sonde Resources Corp. On February 8, 2012, the Company completed the sale of 26,240 gross undeveloped acres (24,383 net acres) in its Kaybob Duvernay play in Alberta. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  While Bakken formation oil and gas stocks have grabbed the attention of�American investors, small cap Alberta or Saskatchewan oil and gas stocks Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd (NYSE: AAV), Sonde Resources Corp (NYSEMKT: SOQ) and up and coming Centor Energy Inc (OTCBB: CNTO) have been largely overlooked as they seek to exploit oil and gas (including oil sands) in the resource rich Canadian provinces of Alberta or Saskatchewan or seek strategic alternatives for their assets in these areas or themselves. It should be mentioned that Canada�� oil reserves are third only to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia with over 95% of these reserves being the oil sands of Alberta plus that province contains much of the country�� conventional oil reserves as well. In addition, the province of Saskatchewan along with offshore areas of Newfoundland contain substantial production and reserves. Excluding oil sands, Alberta would have 39% of Canada�� remaining conventional oil reserves,�followed by�offshore Newfoundland with�28% and Saskatchewan with 27%.

Top Gas Companies To Buy Right Now: Alston Energy Inc (ALO)

Alston Energy Inc. (Alston) is a Canada-based petroleum and natural gas company. The Company is engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas reserves in Western Canada�� sedimentary basins. The Company�� projects include Alexander, Pembina and Chauvin. Alexander assets include a 14.0% average working interest in 10 proved producing gas/oil wells, three proved development locations, related production facilities and pipelines and 6,560 gross acres of mineral leases. Pembina assets include a 3.5% interest in 19 producing oil wells, one coal bed methane gas well, four standing or suspended wells, two oil batteries, related production facilities and pipelines and 5,690 gross acres of land in the Pembina/Cardium Pool. Alston has oil assets in the emerging Chauvin area resource play. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By victorselva]

  Furthermore, yesterday we found on the news that General Electric will buy Alstom SA (ALO), the French builder of power plants and transmission gear. The deal could consist on the separation of Alstom�� transport business, which manufactures high-speed TGV trains, to make easier the approval of the French government. A potential value for Alstom at about $13 billion would be about 25 percent more than its current market value. As a consequence, stock price surged as much as 18 percent in Paris, the biggest jump in the last nine years. General Electric will gain control of Alstom�� technology for power transmission and power plant maintenance.

Top Gas Companies To Buy Right Now: Southcross Energy Partners LP (SXE)

Southcross Energy Partners, L.P., incorporated on April 12, 2004, is a limited partnership. The Company owns, operates, develops and acquires midstream energy assets. The Company provides natural gas gathering, processing, treating, compression and transportation services and natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation services to its producer customers, under fixed-fee and fixed-spread contracts, and it also sources, purchases, transports and sells natural gas and NGLs to its power generation, industrial and utility customers. Its assets are located in South Texas, Mississippi and Alabama. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its South Texas assets, which consist of approximately 1,445 miles of pipeline and two processing plants and accounted for approximately 77% of its revenues. Its Mississippi and Alabama assets, which consist of approximately 626 and 519 miles of pipeline, respectively, provide transportation of natural gas to its power generation, industrial and utility customers, as well as to unaffiliated interstate pipelines. The assets in its South Texas region are located between Houston and Freer. These assets consist of approximately 1,445 miles of pipeline ranging in diameter from 2 inches to 20 inches. In March 2014, the Company acquired natural gas pipelines near Corpus Christi, Texas along with contracts related to those pipelines.

South Texas

The assets in the Company�� South Texas region are located between Houston and Freer, a city, which is located approximately 50 miles west of Corpus Christi. These assets consist of approximately 1,445 miles of pipeline ranging in diameter from 2 inches to 20 inches with an estimated design capacity of 590 million cubic feet per day. Its South Texas region also includes 29 compressors with total compression of approximately 35,000 horsepower, two processing plants with total processing capacity of 185 million cubic feet per day and contracted third-party processing capacity of 83 million cubic feet per day, two treatin! g plants and one fractionator. During 2011, the systems in this region had an average throughput of 379 million cubic feet per day, including the processing plants, which processed an average of 75 million cubic feet per day in that period. It divides its South Texas region into four asset systems Vanderbilt and Gulf Coast gathering systems, which it refers to collectively as the Gulf Coast system; CCNG Transmission, which refer to as the CCNG system; Gregory gathering system, Gregory processing plant and Gregory fractionation plant, and Conroe gathering system and Conroe processing plant.

The pipelines in its South Texas segment are connected to multiple producing fields, including the Eagle Ford shale area. In addition to tie-ins to its two processing plants, its gathering systems are also connected to two processing plants owned by third parties and to a range of intrastate and interstate pipelines.

The Gulf Coast system is located throughout 13 counties in South Texas, including parts of the Eagle Ford shale area, and consists of two pipeline systems. The Gulf Coast system includes approximately 743 miles of pipeline ranging from 2 inches to 20 inches in diameter with an estimated design capacity of 205 million cubic feet per day. The system also includes seven compressors with compression of approximately 7,136 horsepower on a combined basis. During 2011, this system had an average throughput of approximately 114 million cubic feet per day.

The Gulf Coast system acquires natural gas from over 100 producers at prices that are at a fixed discount to the Houston Ship Channel Index price. The gas is delivered to third-party processing plants, including the Formosa processing plant located in Point Comfort, Texas and the Hilcorp processing plant located in Old Ocean, Texas. In the case of the Hilcorp processing plant, its customers pay it gathering fees to transport approximately 25 million cubic feet per day from their wells to this processing plant. Its producer ! customers! on the Gulf Coast system range from small independent exploration and production companies to producers, such as Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy.

The CCNG system is located in the Eagle Ford shale area and consists of over 417 miles of transmission and gathering pipeline ranging from 2 inches to 20 inches in diameter. The system also includes one compressor with total compression of approximately 1,260 horsepower. During 2011, the system had an average throughput of 190 million cubic feet per day. Natural gas is supplied to this system from approximately 35 field receipt points, treating plants and third party gathering systems and pipelines, including Texas Eastern, Kinder Morgan and Conoco Lobo. Producers who supply or transport natural gas on the CCNG system include Swift Energy, EOG, Exxon, Comstock and Apache. Liquids-rich gas can be transported from the western end of the system to its Woodsboro and Gregory processing plants. Dry gas is brought into the dry gas portions of the system along with residue gas from the outlets of its processing plants. Gas in the system is purchased and sold, under fixed-spread arrangements, as well as transported on behalf of shippers. The CCNG system sells its dry natural gas in the industrial market around the city of Corpus Christi. A portion of the throughput on its CCNG system is processed at its Gregory processing plant or at the Formosa processing plant located in Point Comfort, Texas.

The Gregory gathering system is located near Corpus Christi, Texas and consists of approximately 266 miles of pipeline ranging from 4 inches to 18 inches in diameter. The system also includes one compressor. Its Gregory processing plant is a cryogenic natural gas plant comprised of two units collectively having a total capacity of 135 million cubic feet per day. Its Gregory processing plant processes natural gas from the Gregory gathering system, as well as gas originating in its CCNG System.

Produced NGLs are fractionated in the Compan! y�� fra! ctionator located on the same site as the Company�� Gregory processing plant. Purity ethane is shipped through pipeline to Dow Chemical while remaining NGLs are shipped through truck to local markets, which yield a premium to available pipeline rates. All of its customers on the Gregory gathering system pay a flat fee for natural gas to be gathered in the system and processed at the Gregory processing plant. Its Conroe processing plant is a 50 million cubic feet per day cryogenic natural gas plant. The plant recovers approximately 65% of the ethane contained in the inlet natural gas, depending on loads and temperatures.

Mississippi

The assets in the Company�� Mississippi region are located in the southern half of the state and comprise the intrastate pipeline system in Mississippi. The Mississippi assets consist of approximately 626 miles of pipeline ranging in diameter from 2 inches to 20 inches. The Mississippi system also includes two compressors. During 2011, the system had an average throughput of 86 million cubic feet per day. It generates revenues from its Mississippi assets by charging fixed transportation fees to shippers and by entering into fixed-spread contracts with suppliers and power generation, industrial and utility customers. During 2011, fixed-fee transportation contracts comprised 34.8% of the volumes it transported on its Mississippi system and fixed-spread contracts comprised the remaining 65.2% of its volumes.

Alabama

The assets in the Company�� Alabama region are located in northwest and central Alabama and consist of 519 miles of natural gas gathering pipeline ranging from 2 inches to 16 inches in diameter. The Alabama system also includes 22 compressors with total compression of approximately 24,537 horsepower. The system has an estimated design capacity of 375 million cubic feet per day. The gas supply to the system is coalbed methane gas from the Black Warrior Basin with incremental volumes gathered from conventional ! gas wells! . It gathers, transports, compresses, purchases and sells natural gas in Alabama and offers both intrastate transportation and interstate transportation services. During 2011, 81% of the volumes on its Alabama system were transported pursuant to fixed-fee transportation contracts and 19% of the volumes on the system were purchased from producers and then transported and sold to power generation, industrial and utility customers pursuant to fixed-spread contracts.

The Company competes with Copano Energy, L.L.C., Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., Enterprise Products Partners LP and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Southcross Energy Partners LP (NYSE: SXE) shares rose 11.05% to $20.61. The volume of Southcross Energy shares traded was 624% higher than normal. Southcross Energy and TexStar Midstream Services announced a combination agreement.

4 Big Stocks Making Headlines -- and How to Trade Them

Top 5 Biotech Stocks To Buy Right Now

BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- Put down the 10-K filings and the stock screeners. It's time to take a break from the traditional methods of generating investment ideas. Instead, let the crowd do it for you.

Must Read: Warren Buffett's Top 10 Dividend Stocks

From hedge funds to individual investors, scores of market participants are turning to social media to figure out which stocks are worth watching. It's a concept that's known as "crowdsourcing," and it uses the masses to identify emerging trends in the market.

Crowdsourcing has long been a popular tool for the advertising industry, but it also makes a lot of sense as an investment tool. After all, the market is completely driven by the supply and demand, so it can be valuable to see what names are trending among the crowd.

While some fund managers are already trying to leverage social media resources like Twitter to find algorithmic trading opportunities, for most investors, crowdsourcing works best as a starting point for investors who want a starting point in their analysis. Today, we'll leverage the power of the crowd to take a look at some of the most active stocks on the market today.

Without further ado, here's a look at today's stocks.

Must Read: 10 Stocks Billionaire John Paulson Loves in 2014

Facebook

Nearest Resistance: $82.50

Nearest Support: $72.50

Catalyst: Q3 Earnings

Facebook (FB) sold off on Wednesday, dragged 6% lower by the firm's third quarter earnings release after the bell on Tuesday. Facebook slightly edged out analysts' expectations for the quarter, earning profits of 43 cents. Wall Street was expecting 40-cent profits, on average. But the firm spooked investors by saying that costs are expected to outgrow revenues next year, ballooning between 55% and 75%.

While Wednesday's drop was ugly for the people who own FB, it wasn't particularly significant from a technical standpoint. Shares are still in the same uptrending channel that they've been in since late March. Investors should look for the next test of trend line support as the next low-risk buying opportunity here.

Must Read: 5 Stocks Insiders Love Right Now

Twitter

Nearest Resistance: $44

Nearest Support: $40

Catalyst: Q3 Earnings Hangover

Twitter (TWTR) is seeing big trading volume this week, following the firm's earnings call on Monday. The firm reported a 1-cent adjusted profit for the quarter, a number that met Wall Street's average best guess, but didn't spare the stock from selling off on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Twitter trade looks a whole lot less appealing than many of its post-earnings tech peers. That's because shares broke below their 2014 uptrend on Tuesday, and continued selling off nearly 4% lower on Wednesday. While shares are catching a bid at an intermediate support level as of Wednesday's close, the next meaningful support level at $40 could be tested next. I'd recommend avoiding shares of TWTR for the time being.

Must Read: 5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love

InvenSense

Nearest Resistance: $19

Nearest Support: N/A

Catalyst: Q2 Earnings

Small-cap tech company InvenSense (INVN) cratered more than 25% on Wednesday, jackhammered by a major earnings miss for the second quarter. INVN reported profits of 5 cents per share, falling well short of the 16-cent EPS that Wall Street was expecting. It didn't help that Lakewood Capital Management subsequently announced that it was short INVN due to some fundamental problems with the business.

While INVN had been looking attractive from a technical standpoint, shares broke to the downside of that setup with Wednesday's move. That big support violation means that further downside looks very likely in INVN.

Must Read: Sell These 5 Toxic Stocks Before November

U.S. Steel

Nearest Resistance: $46

Nearest Support: $32

Catalyst: Q3 Earnings

One of the few notable bright spots in Wednesday's trading session was U.S. Steel (X). The $5.5 billion basic materials stock rallied more than 5% on bullish third quarter earnings. U.S. Steel reported adjusted income of $2.16 per share, stomping analysts' $1.20 consensus estimate. That surprise profit comes after a nasty selloff in the materials sector that dragged X down from prior highs of $46 down to support at $32.

From here, though, a re-test of that $46 resistance level looks likely. Now looks like a decent time for nimble buyers to get in on that move -- but the real buy signal comes on a push through that $46 price ceiling.

-- Written by Jonas Elmerraji in Baltimore.

Must Read: 7 Stocks Warren Buffett Is Selling in 2014

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in the names mentioned.

Jonas Elmerraji, CMT, is a senior market analyst at Agora Financial in Baltimore and a contributor to

TheStreet. Before that, he managed a portfolio of stocks for an investment advisory returned 15% in 2008. He has been featured in Forbes , Investor's Business Daily, and on CNBC.com. Jonas holds a degree in financial economics from UMBC and the Chartered Market Technician designation.

Follow Jonas on Twitter @JonasElmerraji

Top 5 New Companies To Invest In 2014

With shares of BlackBerry�(NASDAQ:BBRY) trading around $6, is BBRY 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

BlackBerry is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software, and services it provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to information such as email, voice, instant messaging, SMS, Internet, intranet-based applications, and browsing. Its products and services feature the BlackBerry wireless solution, the Research In Motion Wireless Handheld product line, the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, software development tools, and other software and hardware.

BlackBerry�� new CEO John Chen wrote a letter to BlackBerry�� enterprise customers, pointing out that the company is still alive and promising that customers��investments in BlackBerry�� ��nfrastructure and solutions are secure,��contrary to what the press might be saying and what BlackBerry�� competitors might want people to think. The letter can be read on BlackBerry�� blog.

Hot Long Term Companies To Buy Right Now: SolarCity Corp (SCTY)

SolarCity Corporation (SolarCity), incorporated on June 21, 2006, is engaged in the design, installation and sale or lease of solar energy systems to residential and commercial customers, or sale of electricity generated by solar energy systems to customers. The Company sells renewable energy to its customers. As of December 12, 2012, the Company served customers in 14 states. The Company�� residential customers are individual homeowners and homeowners. The Company�� commercial customers represent several business sectors, including technology, retail, manufacturing, agriculture, nonprofit and houses of worship. The Company has installed solar energy systems for several government entities, including the the United States Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy, and the Department of Homeland Security. The Company purchases major components, such as solar panels and inverters directly from multiple manufacturers. As of September 30, 2012, its primary solar panel suppliers were Trina Solar Limited, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited and Kyocera Solar, Inc., among others, and its primary inverter suppliers were Power-One, Inc., SMA Solar Technology, AG, Schneider Electric SA, Fronius International GmbH and SolarEdge Technologies, among others.

Solar Energy Products

The Company�� solar energy products include Solar Energy Systems, and SolarLease and power purchase agreement finance products. The major components of its solar energy systems include solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical current. Most of its solar energy customers choose to purchase energy from the Company pursuant to one of two payment structures: a SolarLease or a power purchase agreement. In both structures, the Company charges customers a monthly fee for the power produced by its solar energy systems. In the lease structure, this monthly payment is pre-determined and includes a production guarantee. In the power purchase agreement structure, the Company charges customers a fee per kilowatt! hour based on the amount of electricity actually produced by the solar energy system.

Energy Efficiency Products and Services

The Company�� energy efficiency products and services include home energy evaluation and energy efficiency upgrades. The Company sells home energy efficiency evaluations to new solar energy system customers and existing customers. The Company�� energy efficiency upgrade products and services address heating and cooling, air sealing, duct sealing, water heating, insulation, furnaces, weatherization, pool pumps and lighting. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had completed over 13,000 home energy evaluations and performed more than 2,000 energy efficiency upgrades.

Other Energy Products and Services

The Company�� other energy products and services include electric vehicle charging and energy storage. The Company installs electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment that it sources from third parties. SolarCity markets EV equipment to residential and commercial customers through retail partnerships with companies, such as The Home Depot, and through EV manufacturers and dealerships, such as its partnership with Tesla Motors, Inc. The Company is developing a battery management system built on its solar energy monitoring communications backbone. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had over 100 energy storage pilot projects under contract. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had sold over 750 charging stations.

Enabling Technologies

The Company�� enabling technologies include SolarBid Sales Management Platform, SolarWorks Customer Management Software, Energy Designer, Home Performance Pro and SolarGuard and PowerGuide Proactive Monitoring Solutions. SolarBid is a sales management platform, which incorporates a database of rate information by utility, sun exposure, roof orientation and a range of other factors to enable a detailed analysis and customized graphical presentation of each customer� �s savin! gs.

SolarWorks is the software platform the Company uses to track and manage project. Energy Designer is a software application its field engineering auditors use to collect pertinent site-specific design details on a tablet computer. Home Performance Pro is its energy efficiency evaluation platform that incorporates the United States Department of Energy�� Energy Plus simulation engine. Home Performance Pro collects and stores details of a building�� construction and energy use. SolarGuard and PowerGuide provide its customers a view of their home�� or business�� energy generation and consumption.

The Company competes with American Solar Electric, Inc., Astrum Solar, Inc., Petersen Dean, Inc., Real Goods Solar, Inc., REC Solar, Inc., Sungevity, Inc., Trinity Solar, Inc., Verengo, Inc., SunRun Inc. and Ameresco, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  Investing in energy
  If you're even more ambitious than making these small changes there are a few other ways to you can save money, or even make money when energy costs are high. The first is by going solar. Sunrun, SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR  ) , and SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY  ) have wide networks of installers that will install solar panels on your roof for $0 down and at a lower cost than your electricity rate. In short, for nothing more than some rooftop space you can save money on your electricity bill every month.

• [By Travis Hoium]

  When we look at the residential space where SunPower is in direct competition with SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY  ) the company's big advantage is efficiency and cost of capital. SunPower estimates that a 1% lower cost of capital will add $0.40 per watt of residual value to its lease installations. That small difference is very significant considering SunPower estimates $1.75 per watt in residual value and SolarCity estimates $1.25. Whoever lowers borrowing costs can capture this value; it's the backing from Total that Werner thinks will help it generate more value than SolarCity. �

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Analysts at JPMorgan maintained an Overweight rating on SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY) with a price target raised to $77 from a previous $72. Shares lost 2.20 percent, closing at $65.37.

Top 5 New Companies To Invest In 2014: MagneGas Corp (MNGA)

MagneGas Corporation, incorporated on December 09, 2005, is an alternative energy company that creates and produces hydrogen based alternative fuel through the gasification of liquid waste. The Company has developed a process which transforms various types of liquid waste through a plasma arc machine. The result of the product is to carbonize the waste for normal disposal. A byproduct of this process is to produce an alternative to natural gas sold in the metalworking market. The Company produces gas bottled in cylinders for the purpose of distribution to the metalworking markets as an alternative to acetylene. In addition, the Company markets, for sale or licensure, its plasma arc technology. Through the course of the Company's business development, the Company has established a retail and wholesale platforms to sell its fuel for use in the metalworking and manufacturing industries. In August 2012, the Company purchased a 3.5 acre site in Tarpon Springs, FL.

The Company focuses on producing and selling fuels and equipment for the metalworking fuel market. The Company has distributors in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Michigan and Florida. The Company also has a retail operation in Florida selling fuel directly to end users. The Company has obtained approval from the Department of Transportation to deliver fuel in Florida and has several customers purchasing fuel directly. The Company has two products: the fuel called MagneGas and the machines that produce that gas known as Plasma Arc Flow refineries. The Company produces MagneGas for the metalworking market from a feedstock of virgin ethylene glycol (automotive anti-freeze) which is purchased in bulk from outside suppliers. The fuel is hydrogen based and can be used to replace natural gas. It is sold as a replacement for acetylene in the metalworking market. The Plasma Arc Flow technology can gasify many forms of liquid waste such as ethylene glycol, sewage and sludge. Plasma Arc Flow refineries are configured in various sizes ranging from 50kil! owatts (KW) to 500KW depending on the application.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  You're welcome. Back on March 12th when yours truly penned some bullish thoughts on MagneGas Corporation (NASDAQ:MNGA), nobody cared, largely because nobody had heard of the company, and there was no particular reason anybody had to find MNGA. Now less than a full week later, this once-obscure name is all the rage; no less than 21 different market-centric websites have made mention of the stock's explosive growth over the past few days. MagneGas has been proverbially put on the map, with shares surging 90% (as of right now) since the first exploration last Wednesday. So, like I said, you're welcome.... if you got in on the 12th, or even more realistically, got in on the 14th when MNGA finally crossed above the ceiling at $0.94 I was talking about a little less than a week ago.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Truth be told, had MagneGas Corporation (NASDAQ:MNGA) shares not surged 400% - and subsequently tumbled - in early January, it might not even be worth looking at now. MNGA did surge then, however, so what we've seen unfurl over the past few days can't be ignored now... as it suggests this small hydrogen supplier stock is about to take flight in a more controlled and longer-lasting way than it did at the beginning of the year.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  If the names Axxess Unlimited Inc. (OTCMKTS:AXXU) and MagneGas Corporation (NASDAQ:MNGA) ring a bell, it might be because yours truly posted some bullish thoughts on both names earlier this week. Although neither small cap stock had done everything they needed to do in order become a fully bullish trade at the time, both MNGA and AXXU have cleared those hurdles in the meantime. So, in case you forgot (or in case you missed the first look), an updated review of Axxess Unlimited and MagneGas is merited.

Top 5 New Companies To Invest In 2014: KiOR Inc (KIOR)

KiOR, Inc. (KiOR), incorporated on July 23, 2007, is development- stage company. KiOR is a renewable fuels company engaged in producing cellulosic gasoline and diesel from abundant non-food biomass. Cellulosic fuel is derived from lignocellulose found in wood, grasses and the non-edible portions of plants. The Company generates hydrocarbons from renewable sources . Its end products are fungible hydrocarbon-based gasolines and diesels that can be used as components in formulating finished gasoline and diesel fuels, rather than alcohols or fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) such as ethanol or biodiesel. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company commenced construction of its initial-scale commercial production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, designed to process 500 bone dry ton per day (BDT) of feedstock per day, As of December 31, 2011, the Company had not generated any revenues.

The Company has developed a process that converts non-food lignocellulose into gasoline and diesel that can be transported using the existing fuels distribution system for use in vehicles on the road. Its biomass-to-cellulosic fuel technology platform combines catalyst systems with fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes that have been used in crude oil refineries to produce gasoline. The biomass fluid catalytic cracking (BFCC) process operates at moderate temperatures and pressures to convert biomass in a matter of seconds into the renewable crude oil that can be processed using standard refining equipment into its cellulosic gasoline and diesel. In its demonstration unit the Company varies its volume output of gasoline from 37% to 61%, diesel from 31% to 55% and fuel oil from 8% to 9% from its renewable crude oil. The Company focuses on its commercialization efforts with respect to its gasoline and diesel. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 76 pending original patent application families containing over 2,300 pending claims.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of renewable fuel company KiOR (NASDAQ: KIOR  ) fell 10% today after reaching an operational milestone.

  So what: The company has made its first shipment of cellulosic gasoline and diesel and has been operating for 30 days. The company's first shipment since March was made on June 28, and now we should see continuous shipments going forward. �

Top 5 New Companies To Invest In 2014: Solazyme Inc (SZYM)

Solazyme, Inc. (Solazyme), incorporated on March 31, 2003, makes oil. The Company�� technology transforms a range of plant-based sugars into oils. Its renewable products can replace or enhance oils derived from the world�� three existing sources-petroleum, plants and animal fats. The Company is focused on commercializing its products into three target markets: fuels and chemicals, nutrition, and skin and personal care. In 2010, the Company launched its products, the Golden Chlorella line of dietary supplements. In March 2011, the Company launched its Algenist brand for the luxury skin care market through marketing and distribution arrangements with Sephora S.A. (Sephora International), Sephora USA, Inc. (Sephora USA), and QVC, Inc. (QVC).

The Company is engaged in development activities with multiple partners, including Chevron U.S.A. Inc., through its division Chevron Technology Ventures (Chevron), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Ecopetrol S.A. (Ecopetrol), Qantas Airways Limited (Qantas) and Conopoco, Inc., doing business as Unilever (Unilever).

In 2010, the Company entered into a 50/50 joint venture with Roquette Freres, S.A. (Roquette). In November 2010, the Company entered into a joint venture and operating agreement for Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals with Roquette. In December 2010, the Company entered into an exclusive distribution relationship with Sephora International, and in January 2011, the Company entered into a distribution relationship with Sephora USA. Under the arrangements, each of Sephora International and Sephora USA will distribute the Algenist product line in their respective territories.

In Fuels and Chemicals market its renewable oils can be refined and sold as drop-in replacements for marine, motor vehicle and jet fuels, as well as replacements for chemicals that are traditionally derived from petroleum or other conventional oils. The Company work with its refining partner Honeywell UOP to produce Soladiesel (renewable diesel), So! ladiesel renewable diesel for United States Naval vessels, and Solajet renewable jet fuel for both military and commercial application testing. In nutrition market the Company has developed microalgae-based food ingredients, including oils and powders that enhance the nutritional profile and functionality of food products while reducing costs for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. In Skin and Personal Care market the Company hs developed a portfolio of branded microalgae-based products. Its ingredient is Alguronic Acid, which the Company has formulated into a range of skin care products with anti-aging benefits. The Company is also developing algal oils as replacements for the oils used in skin and personal care products.

The Company competes with BP p.l.c., Royal Dutch Shell plc, and Exxon Mobil Corporation, jatropha, camelina, SALOV North America Corporation, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Incorporated, DSM Food Specialties and Danisco A/S

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of Solazyme (NASDAQ: SZYM  ) fell as much as 20% today after it agreed to dissolve a promising joint venture.

  So what: Solazyme and Roquette, a starch and starch-derivatives company, agreed to dissolve a joint venture formed in 2010 to create alternative foods from microalgae. The companies couldn't decide on a manufacturing and marketing strategy so they decided to go their separate ways. �

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  You call it cheating -- I call it looking ahead
  Who said biotech investments are confined to health care and pharmaceuticals? Solazyme (NASDAQ: SZYM  ) has nothing to do with either, but forward-thinking investors won't let that stop them. The industrial biotechnology company is developing a novel renewable oils platform that could one day produce commercial quantities of in-spec chemicals for a variety of applications including cosmetics, flavors and fragrances, specialty chemicals, and fuels.

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  Renewable oil and bioproducts company Solazyme (NASDAQ: SZYM  ) announced today that it is dissolving its joint venture with Roquette Fr猫res after nearly two years of collaboration.

Top 10 Low Price Companies For 2014

Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) has traditionally been a notable target among short-sellers. Even if the bears have been running for cover lately, the stock still carries a relatively high short interest ratio of around 10%. But shorting Netflix has been a losing proposition over the last years, and the way things are going, it could also be a very expensive mistake on a forward-looking basis.

Competitive strengths
One of the most popular arguments among Netflix short-sellers is that the company lacks the competitive strengths to succeed in the long term. Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) is usually seen as the most challenging competitor for Netflix over the coming years.

Amazon Prime offers free two-day shipping, access to the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, and more than 40,000 tittles available for streaming via its Prime Instant online video service for a conveniently low price of $79 per year. The service now has "tens of millions" of members, according to the company, and it gained more than 1 million new members in the third week of December alone, so it continues growing at full speed.

Best Japanese Companies For 2015: Levon Resources Ltd (LVNVF)

Levon Resources Ltd. (Levon) is an exploration-stage company. The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural resource properties in Mexico. The Company is focusing on silver and gold exploration. The Company owns approximately 50% leasehold interest in certain claims in the Lillooet Mining Division, British Columbia. It also owns approximately 50% interest in certain mineral claims in the Gold Bridge area, Lillooet Mining Division, British Columbia. The Cordero Sanson Property (Cordero) is located near Hidalgo Del Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico. Levon holds approximately 50% interest in certain lode mining claims located in Lander County, Nevada. It owns certain mineral claims in the Lillooet Mining Division, British Columbia. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By ValueInvestor7]

  I listen to investing advice from self-made billionaire investors, and I try to ignore advice from everyone else. I suspect readers on this website will appreciate this, where thankfully the Focus is still Gurus. To this end, I bring you the instructive story of Pershing Gold Corp (PGLC) and Levon Resources (TSE: LVN) (LVNVF).

Top 10 Low Price Companies For 2014: Mapfre SA (MAP)

Mapfre SA is a Spain-based holding company active in the insurance industry. It provides insurance services to businesses, professionals and individuals. The range of the Company�� products and services includes insurance policies of direct life, property and casualty, health, automotive and third party liability, among others. In addition, Mapfre SA is active in the management of pension funds, retirement plans and investment funds, as well as the provision of healthcare services in Spain. The Company is a parent of Grupo Mapfre, which comprises a number of entities active in the insurance, reinsurance, financial and real estate sectors with operations established worldwide. The Company operates such subsidiaries as Mapfre Familiar, Mapfre Vida, Mapfre Emperesas, MSG Portugal, Mapfre America, Mapfre Internatcional, Mapfre Re, Mapfre Global Risks and Mapfre Asistencia, among others. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tom Stoukas]

  Mapfre SA (MAP) slid 3.1 percent to 2.67 euros. Bankia SA sold a 12 percent stake, or 369.6 million shares, in Spain�� biggest insurer.

  Centrica Slides

  Centrica Plc (CNA), the largest energy supplier to U.K. homes, lost 2.3 percent to 366.9 pence. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded the shares to neutral from overweight, citing proposals from Britain�� Labour Party to freeze energy bills and break up the country�� six biggest power suppliers.

• [By Ruth David]

  Bankia, a Valencia-based bank that took state aid, did the third-biggest placing last quarter, when it dumped a 979 million-euro stake in Mapfre (MAP), Spain�� largest insurer. Bankia said the sale was a step in implementing its parent company�� strategy for the three years through 2015.

Top 10 Low Price Companies For 2014: Synalloy Corporation(SYNL)

Synalloy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells pipes and piping systems in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Metals and Specialty Chemicals. The Metals segment manufactures pipe and piping systems from stainless steel, carbon, chrome, and other alloys for use in the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, waste water treatment, LNG, mining, power generation, water treatment, brewery, food processing, petroleum, alternative fuels, and pharmaceutical sectors. The Specialty Chemicals segment produces specialty chemicals and dyes for the carpet, chemical, paper, metals, mining, agricultural, fiber, paint, textile, automotive, petroleum, cosmetics, mattress, furniture, janitorial, and other industries. Synalloy Corporation sells its metal products through outside and inside sales employees, manufacturers? representatives, and authorized stocking distributors, as well as directly to engineering firms, construction companies, and project owners. It markets its specialty chemicals directly to various industries through outside sales employees and manufacturers' representatives. The company was formerly known as Blackman Uhler Industries, Inc. and changed its name to Synalloy Corporation in July 1967. Synalloy Corporation was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GuruFocus]

  New Purchase: Synalloy Corporation (SYNL)

  Tom Gayner initiated holdings in Synalloy Corporation. His purchase prices were between $13.36 and $16, with an estimated average price of $14.21. The impact to his portfolio due to this purchase was 0.27%. His holdings were 485,343 shares as of 06/30/2013.

Top 10 Low Price Companies For 2014: IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones S.A. (IRS)

IRSA Investments and Representations Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in a range of diversified real estate investment and related activities in Argentina. The company is involved in the acquisition, development, and operation of shopping centers, offices, and other non-shopping center properties primarily for rental purposes; development and sale of residential properties; acquisition and operation of luxury hotels; and acquisition of undeveloped land reserves for future development purpose. It also engages in consumer financing activities, including credit card products to its consumers at shopping centers, hypermarkets, and street stores. IRSA Investments and Representations, Inc. was founded in 1943 and is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  In trading on Wednesday, financial shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.24 percent. Top losers in the sector included IRSA Investments and Representations (NYSE: IRS), down 3.2 percent, and OceanFirst Financial (NASDAQ: OCFC), off 2.5 percent.

Top 10 Low Price Companies For 2014: Washington Banking Company(WBCO)

Washington Banking Company operates as the bank holding company for Whidbey Island Bank that provides community commercial banking services in northwestern Washington. Its deposit products include interest-bearing demand and money market accounts, saving deposits, time deposits, NOW accounts, and noninterest-bearing demand deposits. The company?s portfolio of loans comprises secured and unsecured commercial loans for working capital and expansion; real estate mortgage loans, including one-to-four family residential and commercial real estate loans; and real estate construction loans, such as commercial real estate, one-to-four family residential construction, and speculative construction loans. Its consumer loan portfolio include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, home equity and home improvement loans, and other secured and unsecured personal loans, as well as SBA guaranteed loans for small and medium sized businesses. In addition, the company pro vides non-deposit managed investment products and services, and sweep investment options. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 30 branches in 6 counties located in northwestern Washington. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Washington Banking (NASDAQ: WBCO  ) is diverting some of its capital to repurchase its own stock. The company announced that its board has authorized a buyback program for up to 775,000 shares. The program is expected to continue through the end of 2014, although the firm stressed that it "is under no obligation to repurchase a specific number or dollar amount of shares and the repurchase program may be discontinued at any time."

Top 10 Low Price Companies For 2014: Northwest Bancshares Inc.(NWBI)

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for Northwest Savings Bank that offers various banking and consumer finance services. The company offers consumer and commercial deposits, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, term certificate accounts, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan portfolio comprises one- to four-family residential real estate loans, multifamily residential and commercial real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and commercial business loans, as well as consumer loans, including automobile loans, sales finance loans, unsecured personal loans, credit card loans, and loans secured by deposit accounts. It also offers trust, investment management, actuarial and benefit plan administration, brokerage services, title insurance, and municipal bonds, as well as involves in the ownership and operation of properties. As of December 31, 2009, the company operated 171 community-banking of fices in northwest, southwest, and central Pennsylvania; western New York; eastern Ohio; Maryland; and southeastern Florida. It also operated 51 consumer finance offices in Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  The financial crisis bought an end to the takeover activity, but as the industry has recovered and valuations have stabilized we should once again see the former thrifts become too tempting for growth-starved larger banks to ignore. It is a worthwhile exercise to look at some older thrift conversions that may be beyond their “sell by” dates.

  Northwest Bancshares�(NWBI)

  Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) did its conversion offering back in 2009, right near the bottom of the financial crisis. The bank has 65 community banking offices in central and western Pennsylvania, western New York, eastern Ohio, and Maryland as well as 52 consumer finance offices in Pennsylvania. The bank has an above-average equity-to-assets ratio of 13.42, and nonperforming assets are just 1.59% of total assets. That puts NWBI in solid financial shape.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ: NWBI  ) announced today that it will be paying a special dividend of $0.12 per share in May to�supplement the regular dividend for the first quarter of 2013, which it prepaid back in December in a bid to�accelerate the distribution of cash�to help shareholders offset some of the risk of higher taxes.

Top 10 Low Price Companies For 2014: McMoRan Exploration Company (MMR)

McMoRan Exploration Co. engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and natural gas in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and onshore in the Gulf Coast area of the United States. It is involved in lifting oil and natural gas to the surface; and gathering, treating, and processing hydrocarbons to extract liquids, such as ethane, propane, butane, and natural gasolines from natural gas. The company also provides exploration and production technologies, including the incorporation of 3-D seismic interpretation, offshore drilling to total depths, and horizontal drilling. As of December 31, 2012, it owned or controlled interests in 1,003 oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico, and onshore Louisiana and Texas covering approximately 511,000 net acres. The company had estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves totaling 219.9 billion cubic feet equivalent. McMoRan Exploration Co. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisi ana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  While it has diversity among metals, the company is also in the final stages of adding even more diversity among commodities. It has pending deals to acquire both McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR  ) and Plains Exploration and Production (NYSE: PXP  ) . When the deals close, Freeport will shift its revenue mix from 100% mining related to around 75% mining and 25% oil and gas. That makes the company a truly diversified economic indicator as copper, oil, and natural gas are much more important to our economy than aluminum.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  While there was a lot of grousing, the miner was returning to its roots as a multiline resources company -- it will also be purchasing McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR  ) , a driller it had spun out in the 1990s -- after a series of mishaps and deadly accidents at its huge Grasberg mine, it could be the drilling operations that Freeport relies upon to see it through.

• [By David Smith]

  As we move into June, the company's attention is being directed to the combination of starting its huge Grasberg copper and gold facility in Indonesia, following a pair of accidents, and buttoning up its purchase of Houston-based energy producer Plains Exploration and Production Company. At the same time, its preparing to close on its planned acquisition of McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR  ) , an event that's expected to occur early next week.

• [By David Smith]

  The pending purchases
  Aside from its current core metals operations, Freeport is in the process of acquiring a pair of independent oil and gas producers, Plains Exploration & Production (NYSE: PXP  ) and McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR  ) . In December, Freeport announced that it would pay 0.6531 shares of its common stock and $25 in cash for each outstanding share of Plains. In addition, for McMoRan it stated that it would pay $14.75 in cash and 1.15 units of a royalty trust that will hold a 5% overriding royalty interest in McMoRan's shallow water and ultra-deepwater prospects.

5 Best Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2014

One of my favorite businesses, Winmark (NASDAQ: WINA  ) , reported earnings this week. Earnings boosted 14% compared to the prior year's first quarter. Though the company continues to franchise its range of secondhand stores, the most compelling growth comes from the leasing division, which saw revenues jump by 30%. The company is underfollowed yet has been paying attractive special dividends while giving investors two-year capital appreciation of roughly 50%. As the company moves forward and pushes its leasing business to new heights, should you get in now?

Earnings recap
Winmark's core business is franchising secondhand-goods stores -- Plato's Closet (women's apparel), Play It Again Sports, Music Go Round, and Once Upon A Child. As of this past quarter, the company had nearly 1,000 franchised locations. Secondhand-goods stores tend to do great in rough economic times, and pretty good in boom times. Winmark has slowly and steadily grown the business over the years. This quarter, royalties from sales hit nearly $8.5 million, up from $8.22 million in the prior year's quarter. Now, 3.3% growth isn't too thrilling, especially for a business that isn't the most thrilling to begin with, but there were much more interesting figures from this quarter's earnings.

Top Penny Stocks To Buy Right Now: YPF Sociedad Anonima(YPF)

YPF SOCIEDAD ANONIMA, an energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Argentina. The company also involves in refining, marketing, transportation, and distribution of oil and a range of petroleum products, petroleum derivatives, petrochemicals, LPG, and bio-fuels; and gas separation and natural gas distribution operations. As of December 31, 2010, it had proved reserves of approximately 531 million barrels of oil and 2,533 billion cubic feet of gas; and retail distribution network of 1,622 YPF-branded service stations for automotive petroleum products. The company?s crude oil transportation network includes approximately 2,700 kilometers of crude oil pipelines with approximately 640,000 barrels of aggregate daily transportation capacity of refined products; crude oil tankage of approximately 7 million barrels; and terminal facilities at 5 Argentine ports. In addition, it participates in 3 power stations with an aggregate installed capacity of 1,622 megawatts. The company was founded in 1977 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. YPF SOCIEDAD ANONIMA is a subsidiary of Repsol YPF, S.A.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Energy shares dropped around 0.22 percent in today’s trading. Top decliners in the sector included Daqo New Energy (NYSE: DQ), PDC Energy (NASDAQ: PDCE), and YPF SA (NYSE: YPF).

• [By Dan Carroll]

  That's all Chevron's stock has done today, however, falling along with the broader energy sector. Strangely, Chevron's stock is on the downswing despite a release of good news. The Supreme Court of Argentina unfroze Chevron's assets in the South American nation, lifting an earlier embargo that had gone on for months. Chevron is looking to team up with Argentinian state-run energy firm YPF (NYSE: YPF  ) in developing the Vaca Muerta shale field, the world's second-largest shale-oil basin.

• [By Taylor Muckerman]

  This news is obviously great for a country that's been struggling with its ability to keep up with increased energy demand, along with some pretty serious bouts of inflation recently. But what does it mean for the energy companies that have been risking capital to explore for these reserves? Well, following the country's nationalization of YPF (NYSE: YPF  ) from Repsol last May, it needed some form of positive news to woo companies back.

5 Best Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2014: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company(DD)

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company operates as a science and technology company worldwide. It operates in seven segments: Agriculture & Nutrition, Electronics & Communications, Performance Chemicals, Performance Coatings, Performance Materials, Safety & Protection, and Pharmaceuticals. The Agriculture & Nutrition segment provides hybrid seed corn and soybean seed, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, value enhanced grains, and soy protein under the Pioneer brand name. The Electronics & Communications segment supplies materials and systems for photovoltaic products, consumer electronics, displays, and advanced printing. The Performance Chemicals segment offers fluorochemicals, fluoropolymers, specialty and industrial chemicals, and white pigments for various markets, such as plastics and coatings, textiles, mining, pulp and paper, water treatment, and healthcare. The Performance Coatings segment supplies high performance liquid and powder coatings for motor vehicle origi nal equipment manufacturers (OEM); the motor vehicle after-market; and general industrial applications, such as such as coatings for heavy equipment, pipes and appliances, and electrical insulation. The Performance Materials segment provides polymers, elastomers, films, parts, and systems and solutions for the automotive OEM and associated after-market industries, as well as electrical, electronics, packaging, construction, oil, photovoltaics, aerospace, chemical processing, and consumer durable goods. The Safety & Protection segment primarily offers nonwovens, aramids, and solid surfaces for the construction, transportation, communications, industrial chemicals, oil and gas, electric utilities, automotive, manufacturing, defense, homeland security, and safety consulting industries. The Pharmaceuticals segment represents its interest in the collaboration relating to Cozaar/Hyzaar antihypertensive drugs. The company was founded in 1802 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Dela ware.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Non-cyclical consumer goods & services shares dropped around 0.20 percent in today’s trading. Top decliners in the sector included K12 (NYSE: LRN), China Nepstar Chain Drugstore (NYSE: NPD), and Du Pont (NYSE: DD).

5 Best Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2014: L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (LLL)

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, L-3 Communications Corporation, provides command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C3ISR) systems; aircraft modernization and maintenance; and government services in the United States and internationally. Its C3ISR segment offers fleet management sustainment and support, such as procurement, systems integration, sensor development, modifications, and periodic depot maintenance for signals intelligence and communications intelligence systems; strategic and tactical signals intelligence systems; secure data links; secure terminal and communication network equipment and encryption management; and communication systems. The company?s Government Services segment provides communication software support, information technology services, and various engineering development services and integration support; engineering and information systems support services; teaching and training; h uman intelligence support services; command and control systems and software services; and technical and management services. Its Aircraft Modernization and Maintenance segment offers modernization and refurbishments, upgrades and sustainment, maintenance, and logistics support services, as well as turnkey aviation life cycle management services for military and various government and commercial customers. The company?s Electronic Systems segment provides components, products, subsystems, systems, and related services across various business areas, including power and control systems, electro-optic/infrared, microwave, simulation and training, precision engagement, warrior systems, security and detection, propulsion systems, avionics and displays, telemetry and advanced technology, undersea warfare, and marine services. L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  "Hey! Who's Flying This Thing?" you may ask. Well, assuming you're talking about unmanned aerial vehicles, chances are that at least initially, the answer to that question is going to be L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL  ) .

• [By Rich Smith]

  The U.S. Department of Defense awarded nine new contracts on Monday worth some $1.121 billion in aggregate. The largest of these awards, however, swallowed more than 85% of the funds on offer. Split among five publicly traded companies, and one privately owned, this monster IT contract envisions paying out $960 million over the course of time to contractors:

  Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT  ) Raytheon (NYSE: RTN  ) Harris� (NYSE: HRS  ) L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL  ) TYBRIN Corp., a subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering Group (NYSE: JEC  ) SRA International

  The multiple award, indefinite- delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract was awarded under the U.S. Air Force's Network-Centric Solutions-2 (NETCENTS-2) Application Services program, which the Air Force describes as being one of its primary vehicles for purchasing "sustainment, migration, integration, training, help desk support, testing and operational support" services. Over the course of the contract, the six named contactors will be the only ones entitled to bid (against each other) for task orders awarded under the umbrella IDIQ contract.

5 Best Dividend Stocks To Invest In 2014: Reynolds American Inc(RAI)

Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarette and other tobacco products in the United States. It offers cigarettes under the brand names of CAMEL, PALL MALL, WINSTON, KOOL, DORAL, SALEM, MISTY, and CAPRI; and cigarettes and other tobacco products under the NATURAL AMERICAN SPIRIT brand name, as well as manages various licensed brands, including DUNHILL and STATE EXPRESS 555. The company also provides smokeless tobacco products, including moist snuff under GRIZZLY and KODIAK brand names; pasteurized tobacco under CAMEL Snus brand name; milled tobacco under the brand name of CAMEL Dissolvables; other tobacco products, such as little cigars under WINCHESTER and CAPTAIN BLACK brand names; and roll-your-own tobacco under the brand name of BUGLER. RAI sells its products primarily through distributors, wholesalers, and other direct customers, including retail chains, as well as distributes its cigarettes to public warehouses. The compan y was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Tiffany surged 9.2% to $62.63 after raising its earnings guidance, while Netflix climbed 5.1% to $390.60 after announcing that it would expand into six European countries. Lorillard spiked 10% to $62.63 on reports that it’s in talks to be purchased by Reynolds American (RAI). Reynolds American gained 4.4% to $59.77.

• [By Anna Prior]

  Reynolds American Inc.(RAI) agreed to acquire Lorillard Inc. in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $25 billion, the companies said Tuesday. Under the terms, Lorillard shareholders will receive $50.50 in cash and 0.29 Reynolds shares in exchange for each Lorillard share, a value of $68.88 per share. The potential tie-up faces significant risks, including tough antitrust scrutiny. Additionally, Reynolds American said it reached a deal to sell the Kool, Salem, Winston, Maverick and Blue eCigs brands and other assets to Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT.LN) PLC for $7.1 billion in cash. Lorillard shares slipped 5.2% to $63.75 premarket, while Reynolds shares fell 2.3% to $61.71.

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  WATCH FOR: September Existing Home Sales (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time): seen +1.0% at 5.1 million; previously -1.8% at 5.05 million. ACE, Apollo Education, Brinker, Broadcom (BRCM), Coca-Cola (KO), Discover, E*Trade, Harley-Davidson (HOG), Illinois Tool Works (ITW), Interactive Brokers, Intuitive Surgical, Kimberly-Clark (KMB), Lexmark (LXK), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Manpower (MAN), McDonald's (MCD), Omnicom (OMC), Regions Financial (RF), Reynolds American (RAI), Six Flags Entertainment, Travelers, United Technologies Verizon Communications (VZ), VMware, Whirlpool (WHR) and Yahoo (YHOO) are among companies scheduled to report quarterly results.

• [By John Udovich]

  There is a new ��tudy��out that electronic cigarettes, or so-called e-cigarettes or e-cigs, may contain a comparable level of carcinogens to regular cigarettes; but that�� unlikely to stop big tobacco stocks like Altria Group Inc (NYSE: MO), Lorillard Inc (NYSE: LO) and Reynolds American, Inc (NYSE: RAI) who are rushing to get their products established in the sector. Specifically, a report released this week �in France�� National Consumer Institute magazine claims that�many e-cigarettes (approximately�3 in 10 e-cigarettes) actually contain "a significant quantity of carcinogenic molecules" than had been reported in earlier studies while the Wall Street Journal has recently reported that the FDA has been in discussions with the e-cigarette industry about a possible online-sales ban of the product. The Journal also noted estimates that US�electronic cigarette sales will hit the $1 billion mark this year while Wells Fargo Securities���onnie Herzog predicts sales could hit $10 billion in five years as smokers switch from tobacco to battery-operated nicotine-vaporizing technology. Moreover, electronic cigarettes don�� face the same sort of restrictions as their smoke emitting counterparts���meaning they are bound to catch on with the country�� 45 million or so smokers given the increasingly draconian smoking laws.

5 Best Internet Stocks To Invest In 2014

Check out Jim Cramer's latest trading recommendations on "Action Alerts Plus".

(Updates from 11:24 a.m. ET with closing information.)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Here's what Jim Cramer had to say on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" Monday.

Morgan Stanley upgraded American Express (AXP) to buy from hold. Cramer said the stock sold off following a "remarkable quarter," allowing investors a great opportunity to buy the stock. AXP ended higher 1.56% at $88.36.

William Blair upgraded St. Jude Medical (STJ) to buy from hold. The stock is going to move much higher by the end of the year "because of new products," Cramer said. St. Jude closed up 2.56% at $63.39. 

Cramer said Citigroup acknowledged that Meredith (MDP) could buy Time, which will likely be spun off by Time Warner (TWX). Meredith declined 0.16% to $44.26.  Goldman Sachs says to buy Rocket Fuel (FUEL) and initiated its price target at $69. Cramer seemed to like the company, saying it has figured out how to programmatically place ads all over the Internet. Rocket Fuel soared 8.10% to $55.10. Merrill Lynch/Bank of America downgraded Fairway Group (FWM) to sell from hold as analysts are "taking it to the woodshed" following its earnings release, Cramer said. Fairway Group closed unchanged at $8.12. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals'  (REGN) Eylea treatment has had positive results following its Phase III trials. Cramer said CEO Leonard Schleifer "continues to amaze," and suggested that the stock could take out its more recent high near $310. Regeneron rose 1.4% to $304.00. To sign up for Jim Cramer's free Booyah! newsletter, with all of his latest articles and videos, please click here. -- Written by Bret Kenwell in Petoskey, Mich. Follow @BretKenwell

At the time of publication, Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS, which he co-manages as a charitable trust, had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Top Airline Companies To Invest In Right Now: eBay Inc.(EBAY)

eBay Inc. provides online platforms, services, and tools to help individuals and merchants in online and mobile commerce and payments in the United States and internationally. Its Marketplaces segment operates ecommerce platform eBay.com; vertical shopping sites, such as StubHub, Fashion, Motors, and Half.com; and classifieds Websites, including Den Bl�Avis, BilBasen, Gumtree, Kijiji, LoQUo, Marktplaats.nl, mobile.de, Alamaula, Rent.com, eBay Anuncios, eBay Kleinanzeigen, and eBay Annunci, as well as provides advertising services. The company?s Payments segment offers payment and settlement services for consumers and merchants on and off eBay Websites and other merchant Websites. This segment operates PayPal, which enables individuals and businesses to send and receive payments online and through mobile devices; Bill Me Later that enables the United States merchants to offer, the United States consumers to obtain, credit at the point of sale for ecommerce and mobile tra nsactions; Zong, which allows users with mobile phones to purchase digital goods and have the transactions charged to their phone bill; and BillSAFE that enables customers pay for purchases upon receipt of an invoice. Its GSI segment offers an ecommerce services suite for enterprise clients that operate in general merchandise categories, including apparel, sporting goods, toys and baby, health and beauty, and home; and marketing services comprising full-service digital agency, enterprise email marketing, mobile advertising, affiliate marketing, advertisement retargeting, and in-depth analytics services. The company also offers X.commerce platform that provides software developers access to the company?s applications programming interfaces to develop functionality for various merchants; and Magento Connect, which allows developers to market and sell add-on functionality and solutions to merchants that use a Magento storefront. eBay Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquarter ed in San Jose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  In the past, such a move could’ve had a much bigger impact on the stock price, even though a split doesn’t fundamentally change anything about a company or its valuation.�As WSJ’s Jason Zweig previously wrote, Xerox(XRX) shares jumped 10% on Jan. 25, 1999, when the company said it would split two-for-one.�The next day, eBay(EBAY) went one better with a 3-for-1 announcement that sent its stock up 37.4%.

5 Best Internet Stocks To Invest In 2014: Symantec Corporation(SYMC)

Symantec Corporation provides security, storage, and systems management solutions internationally. The company?s Consumer segment delivers Internet security, PC tune-up, and online backup solutions and services to individual users and home offices. Its Security and Compliance segment provides solutions for endpoint security and management, compliance, messaging management, data loss prevention, encryption, and authentication services to large, medium, and small-sized businesses, as well as offers solutions through its software-as-a-service (SaaS) security offerings. This segment?s products enable customers to secure, provision, and remotely manage their laptops, PCs, mobile devices, and servers. The company?s Storage and Server Management segment provides storage and server management, backup, archiving, and data protection solutions across heterogeneous storage and server platforms, as well as solutions delivered through its SaaS offerings to large, medium, and small-s ized businesses. Symantec?s Services segment offers implementation services and solutions, including consulting, business critical services, education, and managed security services. The company also provides various enterprise support offerings, such as annual maintenance support contracts, including content, upgrades, and technical support. It sells its products through its eCommerce platform, as well as through distributors, direct marketers, Internet-based resellers, system builders, ISPs, and retail locations worldwide. Symantec markets and sells its products through distributors, retailers, direct marketers, Internet-based resellers, original equipment manufacturers, system builders, and Internet service providers; and its e-commerce channels, as well as direct sales force, value-added and large account resellers, and system integrators. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Traders Reserve]

  For some reason, certain companies can attract buyers no matter the circumstance. I would put Symantec (SYMC) in that category. Shares have gained nearly 20% this year even as Symantec�� prospects deteriorated.

• [By Wallace Witkowski]

  Symantec Corp. (SYMC) �shares dropped 7% to $19.44 on heavy volume, after a brief halted at the closing bell, as the security software company fired Chief Executive Steve Bennett.

5 Best Internet Stocks To Invest In 2014: IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI)

IAC/InterActiveCorp engages in the Internet business in the United States and internationally. The company�s Search segment develops, markets, and distributes various downloadable toolbars; provides search, reference, and content services through its destination search and other Websites, including Ask.com and Dictionary.com; and aggregates and integrates local advertising and content for distribution to publishers on Web and mobile platforms, as well as markets and distributes mobile applications through which it provides search and additional services. Its Match segment offers subscription-based and advertiser-supported online personals services through its Websites comprising Match.com, Chemistry.com, OurTime.com, BlackPeopleMeet.com, and OkCupid.com, as well as through mobile applications and Meetic-branded Websites. The company�s ServiceMagic segment offers Market Match service that matches consumers with service professionals; Exact Match service, which enables con sumers to review service professional profiles and select the service professional that meets their specific needs; and 1800Contractor.com, an online directory of service professionals. This segment also offers Website design and hosting services. Its Media and Other segment operates CollegeHumor.com, an online entertainment Website that targets young males; Vimeo, a Website on which users can upload, share, and view video; and Pronto.com, a comparison search engine. This segment also engages in the creation of video content for various distribution platforms; and operates as an Internet retailer of footwear and related apparel and accessories, as well as focuses on multimedia business. The company was formerly known as InterActiveCorp and changed its name to IAC/InterActiveCorp in July 2004. IAC/InterActiveCorp was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) shares fell 14.51% to $49.50 in the pre-market trading after the company reported downbeat Q3 revenue.

  Posted-In: PreMarket LosersNews Movers & Shakers Pre-Market Outlook Markets

5 Best Internet Stocks To Invest In 2014: Amazon.com Inc.(AMZN)

Amazon.com, Inc. operates as an online retailer in North America and internationally. It operates retail Web sites, including amazon.com and amazon.ca. The company serves consumers through its retail Web sites and focuses on selection, price, and convenience. It also offers programs that enable sellers to sell their products on its Web sites, and their own branded Web sites. In addition, the company serves developer customers through Amazon Web Services, which provides access to technology infrastructure that developers can use to enable virtually various type of business. Further, it manufactures and sells the Kindle e-reader. Additionally, the company provides fulfillment; miscellaneous marketing and promotional agreements, such as online advertising; and co-branded credit cards. Amazon.com, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Timothy Green]

  The Kindle Fire line of tablets from Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN  ) seems like an incredible bargain compared to higher-priced options. The latest entry, the Kindle Fire HDX, has technical specs that rival or surpass the new iPad Air from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) in most areas, while selling for a significantly lower price. The lower-end models are outrageously inexpensive for a tablet, with the most basic version selling for just $139. But a tablet is more than just technical specs, and in the case of the Kindle Fire, you get what you pay for. While the Kindle Fire seems to be a big threat to Google's and Apple's mobile business models, it's really nothing more than a niche product.�

Top New Stocks To Buy Right Now

Mortgage rates had to climb. Everybody knew it. The ability to borrow for 30 years at a fixed rate below 3.5% was simply too good to be true.

Earlier today, Freddie Mac released its weekly estimate of the average interest rate on a conventional 30-year fixed mortgage. While it came up short of the staggeringly high rate recorded at the end of last week, it nevertheless showed that the days of sub-4% mortgages are very likely in the rearview mirror.

According to Freddie Mac, the benchmark rate climbed by 22 basis points to 4.51% from 4.29% the prior week.

At first glance, the market's reaction to this news was perplexing.

One would have assumed that homebuilders' stocks would have been hammered, as they were last week. Yet, precisely the opposite has occurred. D.R. Horton (NYSE: DHI  ) is up by 8%,�PulteGroup (NYSE: PHM  ) by 7.5%, and Lennar (NYSE: LEN  ) by 8.2%.

Hot New Stocks To Invest In 2015: Enertopia Corp (ENRT)

Enertopia Corp (Enertopia), incorporated on November 24, 2004, is engaged in medicinal marijuana business. The Company is diverse in its pursuit of business opportunities in several sectors, including: Medicinal Marijuana, Oil and Gas, Solar PV (Photovoltaic), Solar Thermal (Hot Water), Energy Retrofits and Recovery, and Solar powered Filtered Drinking Water.

The Company no longer has any material oil and gas resources. The Company operates in two segments: renewable energy, and mining exploration and developments, which are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations nature.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  What�� the Catch With Lexaria Corp? According to various disclosures, a transaction or transactions of $1k has or will occur to mention Lexaria Corp in various investment newsletters. Last Friday, Lexaria Corp announced it had closed its Private Placement financing announced on March 5 for gross proceeds of $1,272,000 ��higher than the originally announced $960,000 figure due to ��verwhelming demand.��Lexaria Corp will issue 10,600,000 common shares at US$0.12 and 10,600,000 full warrants that expire on September 21, 2016 with an exercise price of US$0.25. However, the company may also accelerate the expiry date of the warrants if the stock price trades above CAD$0.40 cents for 20 consecutive days at any time after 6 months and one day has elapsed. Otherwise and in early March, Lexaria Corp reported that its board of directors had decided to make a strategic entry into the medical marijuana business by way of an ��mportant Joint Venture��with Enertopia Corp (OTCQB: ENRT). Under the terms of the Agreement, Lexaria Corp had agreed to pay Enertopia 1 million restricted common shares in return for Enertopia's participation plus 500,000 restricted common shares ENRT�� Chairman in return for his participation on the Lexaria Advisory Board. Following the issuance of these shares, Lexaria Corp will have a total of 18,431,452 shares issued and outstanding and 21,256,452 shares fully diluted. A quick look at Lexaria Corp�� financials reveals revenues of $160k (most recent reported quarter), $241k, $251k and $253k for the past four quarters along with net losses of $102k (most recent reported quarter), $126k, $58k and $48k. At the end of last January, Lexaria Corp had $66k in cash to cover $1,415k in current liabilities and $59k in other liabilities. So aside from the income statement, investors might want to look more closely at Lexaria Corp�� financing terms.

Top New Stocks To Buy Right Now: KiOR Inc (KIOR)

KiOR, Inc. (KiOR), incorporated on July 23, 2007, is development- stage company. KiOR is a renewable fuels company engaged in producing cellulosic gasoline and diesel from abundant non-food biomass. Cellulosic fuel is derived from lignocellulose found in wood, grasses and the non-edible portions of plants. The Company generates hydrocarbons from renewable sources . Its end products are fungible hydrocarbon-based gasolines and diesels that can be used as components in formulating finished gasoline and diesel fuels, rather than alcohols or fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) such as ethanol or biodiesel. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company commenced construction of its initial-scale commercial production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, designed to process 500 bone dry ton per day (BDT) of feedstock per day, As of December 31, 2011, the Company had not generated any revenues.

The Company has developed a process that converts non-food lignocellulose into gasoline and diesel that can be transported using the existing fuels distribution system for use in vehicles on the road. Its biomass-to-cellulosic fuel technology platform combines catalyst systems with fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes that have been used in crude oil refineries to produce gasoline. The biomass fluid catalytic cracking (BFCC) process operates at moderate temperatures and pressures to convert biomass in a matter of seconds into the renewable crude oil that can be processed using standard refining equipment into its cellulosic gasoline and diesel. In its demonstration unit the Company varies its volume output of gasoline from 37% to 61%, diesel from 31% to 55% and fuel oil from 8% to 9% from its renewable crude oil. The Company focuses on its commercialization efforts with respect to its gasoline and diesel. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 76 pending original patent application families containing over 2,300 pending claims.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  In 2011, Khosla took public Amyris (Nasdaq: AMRS), Gevo (Nasdaq: GEVO), and KiOR (Nasdaq: KIOR). Each of these stocks started out trading up from the IPO price, with Amyris gaining more than 90 percent at one point. But the challenges of producing fuels from biomass began to mount, and investors realized that this business is capital-intensive. Enthusiasm for these companies dissipated as they fell short of production expectations. Since their respective IPOs Amyris, Gevo, and KiOR are down 70 percent, 92 percent, and 88 percent.

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  To say KiOR Inc. (NASDAQ:KIOR) is one of today's biggest winners would still be an understatement. This clean-fuels company's stock is up nearly 60% in Thursday's trade on news of plans to grow its production capability significantly within the foreseeable future. Traders responded accordingly, rewarding the corporation's initiative by bidding up KIOR to a price of $2.86, as of the last look.

• [By Robert Rapier]

  Commercialization all the way to gasoline and diesel remains elusive however. One company that has attempted to commercialize a variant of the fast pyrolysis/upgrading pathway is KiOR (Nasdaq: KIOR), a biofuel company that famed venture capitalist Vinod Khosla took public in 2011.

Top New Stocks To Buy Right Now: Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS)

Vestas Wind Systems A/S is a Denmark-based company active within the wind power industry. The Company operates within four business areas: Finance, Sales, Manufacturing & Global Sourcing, and Technology & Service Solutions. The Finance business area focuses on business support services. The Sales business area is divided into six geographical units: Americas, Asia Pacific & China, Central Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Offshore. The Manufacturing & Global Sourcing business area is engaged in the manufacturing of assembly, blades, components, controls and generators. The Technology & Service Solutions business area is responsible for the engineering solutions, platform and product management, as well as service engineering, among others. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated globally through a network of subsidiaries located in Denmark, Germany, Italy, China, the United States, Spain, Estonia, Sweden and Norway. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tom Stoukas]

  Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS) surged 11 percent to 66.30 kroner, its highest price since February 2012. Credit Suisse Group AG raised the world�� biggest wind-turbine maker to neutral from underperform, citing benefits from cost cuts.

• [By Pato Kehoe]

  Within the power infrastructure segment, GE is especially keen on advancing in clean-energy products, such as gas and wind turbines. Wind turbines have contributed significantly to generating a solid competitive advantage, even allowing the firm to surpass the Danish industry giant Vestas Wind Systems (VWS), thanks to superior customer care and manufacturing expertise. Hence, the road seems paved for continued success in this new industry sector, which is bound to continue growing as clean energy becomes more popular.

Top New Stocks To Buy Right Now: SolarCity Corp (SCTY)

SolarCity Corporation (SolarCity), incorporated on June 21, 2006, is engaged in the design, installation and sale or lease of solar energy systems to residential and commercial customers, or sale of electricity generated by solar energy systems to customers. The Company sells renewable energy to its customers. As of December 12, 2012, the Company served customers in 14 states. The Company�� residential customers are individual homeowners and homeowners. The Company�� commercial customers represent several business sectors, including technology, retail, manufacturing, agriculture, nonprofit and houses of worship. The Company has installed solar energy systems for several government entities, including the the United States Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy, and the Department of Homeland Security. The Company purchases major components, such as solar panels and inverters directly from multiple manufacturers. As of September 30, 2012, its primary solar panel suppliers were Trina Solar Limited, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited and Kyocera Solar, Inc., among others, and its primary inverter suppliers were Power-One, Inc., SMA Solar Technology, AG, Schneider Electric SA, Fronius International GmbH and SolarEdge Technologies, among others.

Solar Energy Products

The Company�� solar energy products include Solar Energy Systems, and SolarLease and power purchase agreement finance products. The major components of its solar energy systems include solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical current. Most of its solar energy customers choose to purchase energy from the Company pursuant to one of two payment structures: a SolarLease or a power purchase agreement. In both structures, the Company charges customers a monthly fee for the power produced by its solar energy systems. In the lease structure, this monthly payment is pre-determined and includes a production guarantee. In the power purchase agreement structure, the Company charges customers a fee per kilowatt! hour based on the amount of electricity actually produced by the solar energy system.

Energy Efficiency Products and Services

The Company�� energy efficiency products and services include home energy evaluation and energy efficiency upgrades. The Company sells home energy efficiency evaluations to new solar energy system customers and existing customers. The Company�� energy efficiency upgrade products and services address heating and cooling, air sealing, duct sealing, water heating, insulation, furnaces, weatherization, pool pumps and lighting. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had completed over 13,000 home energy evaluations and performed more than 2,000 energy efficiency upgrades.

Other Energy Products and Services

The Company�� other energy products and services include electric vehicle charging and energy storage. The Company installs electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment that it sources from third parties. SolarCity markets EV equipment to residential and commercial customers through retail partnerships with companies, such as The Home Depot, and through EV manufacturers and dealerships, such as its partnership with Tesla Motors, Inc. The Company is developing a battery management system built on its solar energy monitoring communications backbone. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had over 100 energy storage pilot projects under contract. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had sold over 750 charging stations.

Enabling Technologies

The Company�� enabling technologies include SolarBid Sales Management Platform, SolarWorks Customer Management Software, Energy Designer, Home Performance Pro and SolarGuard and PowerGuide Proactive Monitoring Solutions. SolarBid is a sales management platform, which incorporates a database of rate information by utility, sun exposure, roof orientation and a range of other factors to enable a detailed analysis and customized graphical presentation of each customer� �s savin! gs.

SolarWorks is the software platform the Company uses to track and manage project. Energy Designer is a software application its field engineering auditors use to collect pertinent site-specific design details on a tablet computer. Home Performance Pro is its energy efficiency evaluation platform that incorporates the United States Department of Energy�� Energy Plus simulation engine. Home Performance Pro collects and stores details of a building�� construction and energy use. SolarGuard and PowerGuide provide its customers a view of their home�� or business�� energy generation and consumption.

The Company competes with American Solar Electric, Inc., Astrum Solar, Inc., Petersen Dean, Inc., Real Goods Solar, Inc., REC Solar, Inc., Sungevity, Inc., Trinity Solar, Inc., Verengo, Inc., SunRun Inc. and Ameresco, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Stocks on the Move: Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) is down 21.4% at $4.25. SolarCity Corp. (NASDAQ: SCTY) is up 23% at $47.16 on a higher forecast for 2014. Amarin Corp. plc (NASDAQ: AMRN) is down 20.1% at $5.09.

• [By Wade Michels]

  Lyndon Rive, Peter Rive, and Chairman Elon Musk are the leaders of one of the most exciting companies today. SolarCity (NASDAQ: SCTY  ) allows you to harness the power of the sun. It will save you money, its solutions help our planet, and if you invest in it, you have the potential to generate an exceptional return in the process.�