Saturday, October 4, 2014

5 Best Defense Stocks To Watch For 2014

The latest 13F season is commencing, when many money managers issue required reports on their holdings. It can be worthwhile to pay attention, as you might get an investment idea or two by seeing what some major investors have been buying and selling.

For example, consider Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's largest�hedge fund companies. According to its recently released 13F statement, the company has reduced�its positions in Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ  ) and Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY  ) , while eliminating its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO  ) .

Hewlett-Packard has been suffering in recent years, in part due to a weak PC market, which is expected to shrink by 6%�in 2014, per analysts at IDC. Its last quarter featured estimate-topping revenue and earnings, with earnings rising 10% over year-ago levels, and revenue dropping by 1%. The company has been cutting costs aggressively, but its enterprise services business has not been growing as quickly as hoped. Goldman Sachs�has slapped a sell rating on the stock. The printing giant plans to compete in 3-D printing, and it has been racking up some significant contracts, such as one worth up to $32 million from the Department of Homeland Security, and one worth up to $548 million�with the Department of Defense. It's also expanding in health-care�analytics, and generating solid free cash flow. Hewlett-Packard's stock has surged nearly 50%�during the past year, and yields 1.9%. With its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio near eight, some see more growth ahead for the stock.

Best International Companies For 2015: Embraer SA (EMBR3)

Embraer SA is a Brazil-based holding company primarily engaged in the manufacture of aircrafts. The Company�� business activities are divided into three business segments: Commercial Aviation; Defense and Security Business, and Executive Aviation. The Commercial Aviation segment is involved in the development, production and sale of commercial jets, as well as in the provision of support services, with emphasis on the regional aviation industry and aircraft leasing. The Defense and Security Business segment mainly includes the research, development, production and modification of defense aircrafts as well systems and software design. Through the Executive Aviation segment, the Company is active in the development, production and sale of business jets, provision of support services related to this sector of the market and aircraft leasing. The Company has subsidiaries, affiliated companies and representative offices in Brazil, the United States, France, Holland and China, among others. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ney Hayashi]

    The Ibovespa dropped for a third day as planemaker Embraer SA (EMBR3) led losses among exporters on speculation that a strengthening local currency will erode revenue from outside Brazil.

5 Best Defense Stocks To Watch For 2014: Airbus Group NV (EADSY)

Airbus Group NV, known as European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV, is a Netherlands-based company active within the aerospace and defense sector. The Company manufactures aircrafts, helicopters, commercial space launch vehicles, missiles, satellites, defense systems and defense electronics, and offers services related to these activities. The Company oprates four divisions. The Airbus division comprises the Airbus Commercial and Airbus Military segments, which develop, manufacture, market and sell commercial jet aircrafts, military transport aircrafts and special mission aircrafts, among others. The Eurocopter division develops, markets and sells civil and military helicopters. The Astrium division develops, manufactures and sells satellites, orbital infrastructures and launchers, as well as provides space-related services. The Cassidian division develops, manufactures and sells missiles systems, military combat and training aircrafts, among others. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Shares of Boeing have gained 1.9% to $127.89 at 2:07 p.m. today, but are still off 6.3% so far this year. Shares of Airbus (EADSY) have dropped 5.4% this year after rising 1.3% to $18.19 today, while Embraer’s (ERJ) 0.7% rise today puts it up 11% in 2014.

  • [By Katie Spence]

    A large portion of that commercial revenue comes from commercial airline sales. In fact, there's an estimated $100 billion-a-year jet market, for which a number of plane manufacturers compete. However, in the midst of that competition, Boeing is one of the top dogs and really sees major competition only from European Aeronautical Defense and Space's (NASDAQOTH: EADSY  ) Airbus. The rivalry between these two giants is intense, to say the least, because commercial airline revenue has a key impact on the companies' bottom line. �

5 Best Defense Stocks To Watch For 2014: Engility Holdings Inc (EGL)

Engility Holdings, Inc. (Engility), incorporated on November 18, 2011, is a provider of systems engineering services, training, program management, and operational support for the United States Government worldwide. The Company�� business is focused on providing a range of engineering, technical, analytical, advisory, training, logistics and support services. The Company operates in two segments: Professional Support Services and Mission Support Services. The Professional Support Services segment provides Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) services, program management support and software engineering lifecycle sustainment and support services. Through its Mission Support Services segment, it provides capabilities, such as defense related training, education and support services, law enforcement training, national security infrastructure and institutional development. In July 2012, L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (L-3) completed the spin-off of its subsidiary, Engility. In January 2014, Engility Holdings Inc completed the acquisition of Dynamics Research Corp.

The SETA services that it provides are categorized under the United States Government Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services spending. The Company�� customers include the United States Department of Defense (DoD), the United States Department of Justice (DoJ), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Department of State (DoS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and allied foreign governments. During the year ended December 31, 2011, it had revenues of 98% of which was derived from its United States Government customers.

Professional Support Services

Engility�� SETA services include systems engineering and integration, including requirements development and traceability; test and evaluation; field testing and data analysis; modeling and simulation (M&S), and systems training solut! ions assessment, development and delivery. The Company provides services for a range of systems, including combat systems, health and welfare systems, information technology (IT) networks and depot-level maintenance, including counter-improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Engility has supported Developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) and Operational test and evaluation (OT&E) for a range of DoD, DHS, and FAA customers, performing a variety of tests, including in management, planning, execution, integration, formal systems, interoperability, regression, reporting, end-to-end testing, and combined test force/integrated test team/integrated process team support.

The Company�� field testing and data analysis business provides staff developing research reports, white papers, test plans, test reports, monthly status reports and inputs for technology data calls and presentation materials. Engility�� M&S business supports the DoD, DHS, FAA and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Its Systems Training Solutions Assessment, Development and Delivery business provides systems training solutions assessment, development and delivery support. In addition, Engility provides training solutions across the DoD with regard to training requirements for several acquisition programs, as well as Air Operations Centers and Distributed Mission Operations. It provides technology training solutions for Command and Control, Command, Control and Communications, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, Air Traffic Control and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

The Company�� Program Management Support business provides qualified staff to perform all aspects of Program and Project Management, including support for planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources. It provides strategic planning and support to program management offices and business operations. It provides financial/budget analysis and management, acquisition manage! ment supp! ort, logistics, and supply chain management and lifecycle support. Engility�� field service representatives deliver technical and advisory services, such as system administration, tactical operations center process engineering, on-location Website development and implementation, analysis center operations process engineering, network implementation and operation, database design and implementation, and information assurance procedure development, documentation, and implementation.

Mission Support Services

This segment consists of six service and support lines: military and the United States Government mission support; defense related training, education and support services; law enforcement training, education and support services; capacity building; international development and support to USAID; linguist services; counter IED analytical operational support, and asset forfeiture support. The Company trains individual soldiers and operational units, and it assists the United States Armed Forces in developing and implementing doctrine-based training systems and programs. In addition, Engility is a provider of leader development programs. Engility is a provider of law enforcement training, support and technical services to international customers, and it holds two contracts through which the United States trains foreign police.

The Company provides integrated programs that help organizations, institutions and governments abroad develop the capacity to fulfill their legally-mandated functions. International Resources Group Ltd. (IRG), its wholly owned subsidiary, has completed over 850 contracts with USAID in 140 countries. Engility�� Translation and Interpretation business provides a range of language services in support of military, intelligence and law enforcement operations, as well as document translation and exploitation services. The Company provides staffing and support services to the agencies of the DoJ, including seized assets management and disposition! , program! management support, and legal and investigative support services.

The Company competes with Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Systems Company, SAIC, Booz Allen, DynCorp International, Inc., TASC, ManTech, AECOM, ITT Exelis, CSC, Cubic and CACI.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Smith]

    The Department of Defense ended the week with a bang (if you'll pardon the expression) Friday. Across a field of 26 contracts awarded, the Pentagon laid out plans to spend nearly $2.5 billion in total. A few of the publicly traded companies winning awards included:

  • [By Rich Smith]

    The Department of Defense awarded three of its favorite defense contractors a combined $220 million on Monday, hiring each of Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH  ) , SAIC (NYSE: SAI  ) , and Engility Holdings (NYSE: EGL  ) to "support shore networks with sustainment services for the Base Level Information Infrastructure."

  • [By Rich Smith]

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has selected Engility Holdings (NYSE: EGL  ) to be part of a $400 million contract to develop "clean energy" solutions. Most of the work will be done for foreign countries.

5 Best Defense Stocks To Watch For 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 Jayson Derrick]

    Analysts at CRT Capital downgraded L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) to Sell from Fairly Valued with a price target lowered to $90 from a previous $102. Also, analysts at Drexel Hamilton downgraded L-3 Communications to Hold from Buy while removing a previous $130 price target. Shares lost 12.27 percent, closing at $104.96.

  • [By Garrett Cook]

    Technology sector was the top decliner in the market on Thursday. Top losers in the sector included QuickLogic (NASDAQ: QUIK), Glu Mobile (NASDAQ: GLUU), and L-3 Communications Holdings (NYSE: LLL).

  • [By Rich Smith]

    The Department of Defense awarded a dozen separate contracts today, worth $949.1 million in aggregate. Nearly half the dollar value was accounted for by a single contract let out for environmental remediation services in New Jersey. But even so, several companies managed to win sizable contracts of their own, including:

  • [By Daniel Lauchheimer]

    Currently, three main companies supply security equipment to the TSA - Safran (SAFRY.PK), Smiths (SMGKF.PK), and Level-3 Holdings (LLL). All three of these companies sell the whole range of their products to the TSA, with an ETD offering included. Recently, however, a new company, Implant Sciences Corporation (IMSC.PK) received approval from the TSA to begin selling their ETD equipment to airport security professionals. This approval has opened the door for IMSC to begin taking some market share away from the more established players in the US and beyond.

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