10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014

When natural gas prices dipped to multi-year lows in 2012 the future of coal appeared to be in doubt. Although it has remained the nation's top fuel source, it was being squeezed out of the grid at an increasing rate -- falling from 49% in 2007 to 42% in 2011. That change and flooding in Australian mines pushed exports from 5% of production to 10% of production. Environmental groups have cheered the move (even though exported coal is simply burned elsewhere on the globe), but it didn't last long. ��

The Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council have a new reason to despise coal. The two environmental groups became infuriated after an audit revealed that the Bureau of Land Management was shorted by coal companies during land lease auctions. The amount may surprise you. Besides, coal still has an important role to play in American energy. Fool.com contributor Maxx Chatsko explains the folly of this complaint and why coal investors have nothing to fear.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Charm Communications Inc.(CHRM)

Charm Communications Inc. operates as an advertising agency in China. The company offers a range of advertising agency services from planning and managing the advertising campaigns to creating and placing the advertisements. It places advertisements for its clients on a range of television channels, including CCTV, and satellite and regional television channels, and on other media platforms, including Internet and out-of-home media. The company also engages in media investment management through identifying, securing, and selling of advertising resources. In addition, it provides branding and identity services, including design, development, and production of advertisements; and marketing consulting services. The company is headquartered in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Micrel Incorporated(MCRL)

Micrel Incorporated, doing business as Micrel Semiconductor, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets high-performance analog power, mixed-signal, and digital integrated circuits (ICs) primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia. It offers power management products, including cloud, single-board, and enterprise servers; network switches and routers; storage area networks; and wireless base stations for the networking and communications infrastructure markets. The company also provides power management standard products for industrial, consumer, defense, and automotive electronics markets. In addition, it manufactures custom analog and mixed-signal circuits; and provides wafer foundry services for the customers who produce electronic systems for communications, consumer, and military applications. Further, the company offers general linear parts; power analog circuits; high speed physical media devices and interface ICs; and Ethernet products, which comprise physical l ayer transceivers, media access controllers, switches, and system-on-chip devices. Additionally, it provides radio frequency (RF) data communications products, including QwikRadio family of RF receivers and transmitters, which include garage door openers, lighting and fan controls, automotive keyless entry, and remote controls; and RadioWire transceivers for applications, such as remote metering, security systems, and factory automation. The company?s products address a range of end markets, including cellular handsets, portable computing, enterprise and home networking, wide area and metropolitan area networks, digital televisions, and industrial equipment. Micrel Incorporated sells its products through a network of independent sales representatives, independent distributors, and stocking representative firms, as well as through a direct sales staff. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in San Jose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Beacon Equity]

  Micrel Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRL) is down 9.31% to $13.06 on volume of 1.11 million shares. The company today said it expects lower earnings in the first quarter on lower-than-expected sales to a key device manufacturer in Korea. (NASDAQ:MCRL), (MCRL)

5 Best Gold Stocks To Own For 2014: Atlantic Tele-Network Inc.(ATNI)

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. provides telecommunications services to rural, niche, and other under-served markets and geographies in the United States, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides wireless and wireline connectivity to residential and business customers, including wireless voice and data services to retail customers under the Alltel name in rural markets located principally in the Southeast and the Midwest; wholesale wireless voice and data roaming services to national, regional, local, and selected international wireless carriers in rural markets located principally in the Southwest and Midwest United States; wireless voice and data services to retail customers under the Cellink name in Guyana, as well as under the CellularOne name in other smaller markets in the Caribbean and the United States; domestic wireline local and long distance telephone services in Guyana; and international voice and data communications in Guyana and internationally. It also offers facilities-based integrated voice and data communications services to enterprise and residential customers in New England primarily in Vermont; and wholesale transport services in New York State. In addition, the company owns and operates terrestrial and submarine fiber optic transport systems. Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Commerzbank Ak.dm50(CZB.L)

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft provides banking and financial services to private and corporate customers primarily in Germany, rest of Europe, the United States, and Asia. It accepts savings deposits and time deposits; and offers current accounts, as well as wealth management services, such as asset management and advisory services. The company also provides various services, including payments, flexible financing solutions, interest rate and currency management products, professional investment advisory services, and investment banking solutions primarily to small and mid-sized customers, the public sector, and institutional clients; and trade finance-related services. Its corporate banking products and services comprise financing, cash management, asset management, international business, and risk management, as well as online banking and market information services. In addition, the company offers asset based finance products and services consisting of asset management and leasing; real estate finance for investors and developers; ship financing; and public finance. Further, it provides cash services, trade services, banking products, and market products. Additionally, the company engages in the trading and sale of equity and commodity-related financial products; trading and sale of interest rate, credit, and currency instruments; and provision of arrangement and advisory services for securitisation solutions, and mergers and acquisitions, as well as for equity, debt, and hybrid instruments. It operates approximately 1,200 branches in Germany. The company was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Compass Minerals Intl Inc(CMP)

Compass Minerals International, Inc., through its subsidiaries, produces and markets inorganic mineral products primarily in North America and the United Kingdom. The company operates in two segments, Salt and Specialty Fertilizer. The Salt segment produces salt and magnesium chloride for use in road deicing and dust control, food processing, water softeners, pool salt, and agricultural and industrial applications. This segment also purchases potassium chloride and sells as a finished product. The Specialty Fertilizer segment produces and markets sulphate of potash crop nutrients and industrial grade sulfate of potash for use in the production of specialty fertilizers for vegetables, fruits, potatoes, nuts, tobacco, and turf grass. The company also produces and markets consumer deicing and water conditioning products, ingredients used in consumer and commercial food preparation, and other mineral-based products for consumer, agricultural, and industrial applications. In ad dition, Compass Minerals provides records management services to businesses located in the U.K. The company operates rock salt mines in Goderich, Ontario, Canada; and Winsford, Chesire, the United Kingdom. It primarily serves producers of intermediate chemical products used in the production of vinyls and other chemicals, and pulp and paper, as well as water treatment and other industrial uses. The company markets its products through direct sales personnel, contract personnel, and a network of brokers or manufacturers? representatives. Compass Minerals International, Inc., formerly known as Salt Holdings Corporation, was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Stuart]

  Compass Minerals International(CMP) is a provider of highway de-icing salt and specialty fertilizer. The salt segment for Compass currently comprises about 80% of the overall business and is stable, yet slow-growing. The specialty potash segment (20% of sales) produces sulfate of potash (SOP), which is used primarily as a specialty fertilizer for vegetables, fruits, tea, tobacco and grass. The SOP business has much better upside and should fuel growth for the company.

  With margins expected to improve in 2011 and management investing to take advantage of improved potash pricing, the stock looks like a solid investment. TheStreet Ratings has a $115 price target on Compass Minerals.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: THERMOGENESIS Corp.(KOOL)

ThermoGenesis Corp. designs, develops, and sells medical products that enable the practice of regenerative medicine worldwide. It offers automated and semi-automated devices, and single-use processing disposables that enable the collection, processing, and cryopreservation of stem cells and other cellular tissues used in the practice of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is a field that uses cell-based therapies to repair or restore lost or damaged tissue and cell function. The company?s products include the AXP System, a medical device that isolates and retrieves stem cells from umbilical cord blood; the BioArchive System, a robotic cryogenic medical device used by cord blood banks for the cryopreservation and archiving of cord blood stem cell units for transplant; the MarrowXpress or MXP System that isolates and concentrates stem cells from bone marrow; Res-Q 60 BMC, a point-of-care bone marrow stem cell processing system; and Res-Q 60 PRP, which is used for t he preparation of autologous platelet rich plasma from a sample of blood at the point of care. It also offers ThermoLine product line, which includes ultra-rapid plasma ThermoLine Freezer and ultra-rapid plasma ThermoLine Thawer; and CryoSeal System, an automated system, which is used to prepare an autologous hemostatic surgical sealant. ThermoGenesis Corp. was founded in 1986 and is based in Rancho Cordova, California.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Titon Hdg(TON.L)

Titon Holdings Plc engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of ventilation products and window fittings in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company?s products include ventilation systems, ventilators, window handles and fasteners, espagnolettes and shoot bolts, hinges and hinge systems, restrictors, and door locks and handles. It offers its products to house builders, electrical contractors, and window manufacturers. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Colchester, the United Kingdom.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Fuller Smith & Tnr A(FSTA.L)

Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. engages in the operation of managed pubs and hotels in the United Kingdom and internationally. It also manages pubs operated by third parties under tenancy or lease agreements. The company operates approximately 162 managed pubs and hotels, and 196 tenanted inns in the South of England. In addition, it is involved in brewing and distributing beer, wines, and spirits. The company offers its beers under the London Pride, ESB, Discovery, Organic Honey Dew, HSB, Seafarers Ale, Chiswick Bitter, Bengal Lancer, London Porter, 1845, Golden Pride, Past Masters, Vintage Ale, Brewer?s Reserve, and Mighty Atom brand names, as well as provides seasonal beers. It exports its products to free trade pubs, clubs, and supermarkets in approximately 62 countries. Further, the company, through its Web site, sells accessory products, such as bar towels and pump clips, golf and rugby merchandise, and pint glasses and mugs; and clothing and beer products. Fuller, Sm ith & Turner P.L.C. was founded in 1845 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Siebert Financial Corp.(SIEB)

Siebert Financial Corp., through its subsidiary, Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., engages in the retail discount brokerage and investment banking operations in the United States. The company provides Internet and traditional discount brokerage and related services to retail investors; independent retail execution services; and retail customer services. It also offers various self-directed retirement accounts, for which it acts as agent on various transactions; and lends customers a portion of the market value of certain securities held in the customer?s account through its clearing agent. In addition, the company, through its other subsidiary, Siebert Woman?s Financial Network, Inc., provides products, services, and information to serve women?s financial needs. Further, Siebert Financial Corp. offers equity execution services on an agency basis, as well as equity and fixed income underwriting and investment banking services to institutional investors, and issuers of equity a nd fixed-income securities. The company provides its discount brokerage services through a broker on the telephone, through a wireless device, or via the Internet. It maintains seven retail discount brokerage offices in New York; Jersey City, New Jersey; Boca Raton, Surfside, West Palm Beach, and Naples, Florida; and Beverly Hills, California. The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

10 Best Prefered Stocks To Watch For 2014: Diana Shipping inc. (DSX)

Diana Shipping Inc. provides shipping transportation services. It transports dry bulk cargoes that include commodities, such as iron ore, coal, grain, and other materials along worldwide shipping routes. As of December 31, 2010, the company?s fleet consisted of 23 dry bulk carriers, including 14 Panamax, 1 Post-Panamax, and 8 Capesize dry bulk carriers with a combined carrying capacity of approximately 2.5 million deadweight tonnage. Its customers include national, regional, and international companies. The company was formerly known as Diana Shipping Investments Corp. and changed its name to Diana Shipping Inc. in February 2005. Diana Shipping Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in Athens, Greece.