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Last August, Motley Fool�Stock Advisor�published a list of the�Top 10 Books for "Today's Well-Read Investor." It's chock-full of good recommendations, mostly from Tom and David Gardner. But in the process of putting together the list, I had the opportunity to highlight a book myself. It was an easy choice -- I recommended�The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success�by William N. Thorndike Jr. In my opinion, it's easily the best investment or business book published in the past few years, and it's definitely one of my all-time favorites.
It's a favorite of Warren Buffett's, too, and not just because he's profiled in it. This short book chronicles eight CEOs�who�operated in different industries and dealt with different challenges over the decades but shared the same radical mindset. They set aside the status quo and applied logic and rationality to business with a particular focus on efficient operations and skillful capital allocation. The average returns generated by these CEOs have beaten the S&P 500 by a factor of 20. Buffett's run at�Berkshire Hathaway is spotlighted, along with Tom Murphy of Capital Cities, Henry Singleton of Teledyne, Bill Anders of�General Dynamics� (NYSE: GD ) , John Malone of TCI, Katharine Graham of The Washington Post, Bill Stiritz of Ralston-Purina, and Dick Smith of General Cinema.
Top Japanese Companies To Invest In 2015: The Bancorp Inc.(TBBK)
The Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for The Bancorp Bank that provides various commercial and retail banking and related products and services to small and mid-size businesses and their principals. The company?s deposit products include checking accounts, savings accounts, health savings accounts, money market accounts, individual retirement accounts, certificates of deposit, and stored value and payroll cards, as well as commercial accounts, such as general commercial checking, small business checking, business savings, and business money market accounts. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial term loans, commercial mortgage loans, commercial lines of credit, 1-4 family construction loans, direct lease financing, and commercial construction, acquisition, and development loans; and consumer loans comprising loans for consumers to finance personal residences, automobiles, home improvements, and for other purposes. The company also provides other banking serv ices, which include private label banking and merchant card processing services; and Internet banking services. It serves Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, and Lehigh counties in Pennsylvania; New Castle county in Delaware; and Mercer, Burlington, Camden, Ocean, and Cape May counties in New Jersey. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Wilmington, Delaware.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
The Bancorp (TBBK) plunged 30% to $11.37 this week, earning it the honor of the biggest loser in the Russell 2000. The Bancorp said in a filing that the FDIC had demanded it to more to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act.
Top 10 Industrial Disributor Stocks To Own For 2014: Toshiba Corp (TOSBF)
TOSHIBA CORPORATION is a Japan-based manufacturer that operates in five business segments. The Digital Product segment manufactures and sells cellular phones, hard disc devices, optical disc devices, televisions among others. The Electronic Device segment provides general logic integrated circuits (ICs), optical semiconductors, power devices, large-scale integrated (LSI) circuits, among others. The Social Infrastructure segment manufactures and sells various generators, power distribution systems, water and sewer systems, transportation systems and station automation systems, among others. The Home Appliance segment provides refrigerators, drying machines, washing machines, cooking utensils, cleaners and lighting equipment, among others. The Others segment is involved in the provision of logistics services. In January 2014, Toshiba Corp purchased substantially all assets of OCZ Technology Group, and launched new subsidiary, OCZ Storage Solutions. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Carroll and Max Macaluso, Ph.D.]
Panasonic's (NASDAQOTH: PCRFY ) not the first company you may think of in the health-care field, but this Japanese electronics maker's a player in blood glucose monitors and other fields. With Panasonic's sales under fire across the board, however, this company's looking to sell off its health-care business to refocus on its core segments. Toshiba (NASDAQOTH: TOSBF ) reportedly has expressed interest in a buy, and private equity-firms are also in the hunt to get on board with Asia's health-care rise.
- [By Bruce Kennedy]
On Monday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced indictments against five officers in China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) for ��erious cybersecurity breaches��against six American firms: Westinghouse Electric, a division of Toshiba (OTC: TOSBF) , Alcoa (NYSE: AA),�Allegheny Technologies (NYSE: ATI), U.S. Steel (NYSE: X), the United Steelworkers Union and SolarWorld (OTC: SRWRY).
Top 10 Industrial Disributor Stocks To Own For 2014: Trex Company Inc.(TREX)
Trex Company, Inc. manufactures and distributes wood/plastic composite products, and related accessories primarily for the residential and commercial decking and railing applications in the United States. The company offers decking products, including Trex Transcend and Trex Enhance protective shells for protection against fading, staining, and scratching; Trex Accents that provides a smooth surface on one side and subtle wood grain on the other; Trex Escapes, a cellular PVC deck board; and Trex Hideaway, a hidden fastening system for specially grooved boards. It also provides railing products comprising Trex Designer Series Railing, which consists of a decorative top and bottom rail, refined balusters, and post caps and skirts; and Trex Transcend Railing for use with Trex decking products, as well as other decking materials. In addition, the company offers Trex Transcend Porch Flooring and Railing System, an integrated system of porch components and accessories; and fenci ng products, such as Trex Seclusions fencing product that uses interlocking pickets for privacy, and Trex Surroundings fencing that uses traditional pickets. Further, it provides TrexTrim product, a cellular PVC residential exterior trim product; steel deck framing systems under Trex Elevations name; and Trex DeckLighting, a line of energy-efficient LED dimmable deck lighting, which is designed for use on posts, floors, and steps. Additionally, the company acts as a licensor in various licensing agreements with third parties to manufacture and sell various products, including Trex Outdoor Furniture; Trex RainEscape, an above joist deck drainage system; Trex CustomCurve, an on-site system that allows contractors to heat and bend Trex products; and Trex Pergolas, a cellular PVC trim product. The company sells its products through wholesale distributors, retail lumber dealers, and Home Depot and Lowe?s stores. Trex Company, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Winc hester, Virginia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rick Munarriz]
Shares of Trex (NYSE: TREX ) hit an eight-year high today after posting blowout quarterly results this morning.
The leading maker of wood-alternative decking and railing products saw its net sales climb 12% to $107.9 million, exceeding both the $107.4 million that analysts were targeting and its own earlier guidance of $107 million.
- [By Rick Munarriz]
The report naturally bodes well for Trex (NYSE: TREX ) . The leading provider of wood-alternative decking posts next week, and what's good for one has been good for the other. Trex has also blasted through Wall Street estimates, beating quarterly profit targets by a double-digit percentage margin every single period over the past year.
Top 10 Industrial Disributor Stocks To Own For 2014: Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(CHKP)
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. develops, markets, and supports a range of software, and combined hardware and software products and services for information technology (IT) security applications worldwide. The company offers a range of network and gateway security solutions, data and endpoint security solutions, and management solutions. Its network security gateways enables its customers to implement their security policies on network traffic between internal networks and the Internet, as well as between internal networks and private networks that are shared with partners. The company?s endpoint security solutions provide various software blades that run on individual computers connected to the network, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, and other mobile devices. It also offers technical services consisting of technical customer support programs and plans, such as enterprise based support and collaborative enterprise support; certification and education al training on the checkpoint?s products; and professional services in implementing, upgrading, and optimizing checkpoint?s products, including design planning, security implementation, and project management services. In addition, the company offers ZoneAlarm solutions that protect consumers from hackers, spyware, and identity theft. It sells its products and services through a network of channel partners, including distributors, resellers, value-added resellers, system integrators, and managed services providers to enterprises, service providers, small and medium sized businesses, and consumers. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
If you saw the alarming headlines circulating everywhere this morning, then there's a good chance you've already taken on a new position in Fortinet Inc. (NASDAQ:FTNT) and Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:CHKP). Both are solutions to the underscored problem, and truth be told, likely will benefit from ugly reality this morning's news is spreading. FTNT and CHKP may not be the best ways to play the news-based investing theme, however. The best long-term play is a solutions provider called Staffing 360 Solutions Inc. (OTCBB:STAF). While the company may not superficially sit in the same category as Fortinet or Check Point Software Technologies, fundamentally, it does, and may actually be better positioned for growth.
Top 10 Industrial Disributor Stocks To Own For 2014: Kimberly-Clark Corporation(KMB)
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and marketing of various health care products worldwide. The company operates in four segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, K-C Professional & Other, and Health Care. The Personal Care segment provides disposable diapers, training and youth pants, and swimpants; baby wipes; and feminine and incontinence care products, and related products. It offers its products primarily for household use under various brand names, including Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, Kotex, Lightdays, Depend, and Poise. The Consumer Tissue segment offers facial and bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins, and related products for household use under the Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle, Viva, Andrex, Scottex, Hakle, and Page brands. The K-C Professional & Other segment offers facial and bathroom tissue, paper towels, napkins, wipers, and a range of safety products for the away-from-home marketplace und er Kimberly-Clark, Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, Kimtech, KleenGuard, Kimcare, and Jackson brand names. The Health Care segment offers disposable health care products, such as surgical drapes and gowns, infection control products, face masks, exam gloves, respiratory products, pain management products, and other disposable medical products under the Kimberly-Clark, Ballard, and ON-Q brand names. The company sells its products to supermarkets; mass merchandisers; drugstores; warehouse clubs; variety and department stores; retail outlets; manufacturing, lodging, office building, food service, and health care establishments; and high volume public facilities. It markets its products through wholesalers, distributors, and direct sales. The company was founded in 1872 and is based in Dallas, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Mike Deane]
Kimberly Clark (KMB) announced that it may be spinning off of the company’s healthcare business. Kimberly Clark’s board approved the move on Friday morning.
The Kleenex maker’s healthcare business sells medical devices, as well surgical and sterilization products. The health care business reported sales of $1.6 billion in 2012.
Nothing is set in stone as of now, but if the spin off went through, Robert Abernathy, a current executive involved in�global nonwovens and continuous improvement and sustainability, would lead the new company as CEO. The final decision about the spinoff will be made in the next several months.
Investors reacted positively to this potential spinoff news, sending KMB stock up $2.34, or 2.13%, in pre-market trading. The company’s stock is up 27% YTD.
- [By Monica Gerson]
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $1.40 per share on revenue of $5.23 billion.
Cree (NASDAQ: CREE) is projected to post its Q1 earnings at $0.39 per share on revenue of $392.31 million.
Top 10 Industrial Disributor Stocks To Own For 2014: Brooks Macdonald Group PLC (BRK)
Brooks Macdonald Group plc is an integrated wealth management group, consists of three principal companies: Brooks Macdonald Asset Management Limited; Brooks Macdonald Financial Consulting Limited, which provides a bespoke, fee based, investment management service to private high net worth individuals, charities and trusts, and also provides in-house custody, nominee and dealing services; Brooks Macdonald Funds Limited, which provides fee-based, independent advice to high net worth individuals, families and businesses, and Brooks Macdonald Financial Consulting Limited, which acts as fund manager to its regulated open ended investment Companies, under the name Brooks Macdonald Funds, as well as providing specialist funds in the property and structured return sectors. It also manages property assets on behalf of the funds and other clients. Its segments include investment management, financial planning, and fund and property management. On July 1, 2012, it acquired JPAM Limited. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bob Bogda]
The track record of the annual list is equally as impressive. Since the inaugural edition in 2003, "top stocks" have beaten the market 7 out of 10 years (the jury is still out on the current year). That beats the performance of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK) by one year during the same span.
- [By David Sterman]
Insurance companies are some of the best deals on the market right now, as many of them still trade below tangible book value. And considering that book value will rise more quickly as interest rates (and interest income) move higher in coming years, Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK) could afford to pay up to 1.25 times book value and still garner excellent long-term returns. Here's a quick list of insurers that fit the bill:
Top 10 Industrial Disributor Stocks To Own For 2014: Macy’s Inc (M)
Macy�s, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates stores and Internet Websites in the United States. Its retail stores and Internet Web sites sell a range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories for men, women, and children; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods. The company also operates Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores that offer a range of apparel and accessories, including ready-to-wear, shoes, fashion accessories, jewelry, handbags, and intimate apparel products. As of January 28, 2012, it operated approximately 840 stores under the names of Macy�s and Bloomingdale�s; and 7 Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores, as well as macys.com and bloomingdales.com. The company was formerly known as Federated Department Stores, Inc. and changed its name to Macy�s, Inc. in June 2007. Macy�s, Inc. was founded in 1820 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Mr. TopStep]
Overnight, the Asian markets closed modestly higher, and Europe is trading modestly lower. Today�� economic schedule starts with MBA purchase applications, Producer Price Index, Atlanta Fed business inflation expectations, Housing Market Index, EIA Petroleum Report and earnings from Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A), Macy�� (NYSE:M), Cisco Systems (Nasdaq:CSCO), and Pinnacle Foods (NYSE: PF).
- [By Ben Levisohn]
We are maintaining our Underperform rating on the shares and raising our one-year price target slightly to $3.00 (from $2.50), which considers further anticipated improvement in FY16 EBITDA (year ending 1/29/17) to $895mn, from our upward revised EBITDA estimate of $728.5mn (up from $699.6mn) for FY15 and applying an EBITDA valuation multiple of 6.5x, above Dillard�� (DDS) 6.1x and nearly comparable to Macy�� (M) 6.6x. JC Penney�� shares traded at an average EBITDA valuation multiple of 6.5x for the 10-year period ended 1/29/11 (prior to ��on Johnson�� brief tenure��, the basis for our midrange valuation multiple. Our valuation multiple appears high; we think�JC Penney shares should trade at a discount to Macy�� and Dillard�� because: 1) JC Penney is significantly more leveraged (5x in FY16 vs. 1.5x for Macy�� and 0.7x for Dillard��); 2) its anticipated EBITDA margin is much lower (7.2% vs. nearly 14% and 12% for Macy�� and Dillard��); and 3) it owns significantly less real estate (26% of its stores are owned in fee compared to 55% and 83% for Macy�� and Dillard�� respectively), which may partially explain its lower margin. Furthermore, our FY16 EBITDA estimate assumes JC Penney�� financial performance improves markedly, which may not transpire to the extent we estimate; thus, the significant optionality in the stock price, in our view.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Big Earnings Movers: Macy�� Inc. (NYSE: M) is up 9.4% at $50.70 after clearing a low bar. Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) is up 13.8% at $32.12 on solid earnings and rising margins. Health Management Associates Inc. (NYSE: HMA) is up 5.6% at $13.23. NQ Mobile Inc. (NYSE: NQ) is down 8.8% at $13.05 after failing to calm fears arising from short seller attack.
- [By Reuters]
Nam Y. Huh/APCustomers ride escalators inside the Sears store in downtown Chicago. NEW YORK -- Sears Holdings (SHLD) is closing its downtown Chicago flagship outlet in April, the latest move by the retailer to cut the number of its stores as it relies more on online retailing. The store has lost "millions of dollars" since opening in 2001, a Sears spokesman said Tuesday. The closing will leave Sears' namesake chain without a store in the downtown core of its hometown. Sears is based in suburban Hoffman Estates, Ill. It has three other stores in Chicago. In a blog post Tuesday, hedge fund manager Edward Lampert, who is Sears' CEO and top shareholder, said store closings are necessary because shoppers' habits are changing as they buy more online. "The consensus about decreased store traffic also highlights another decision that has steered our work: we very often need less space to serve our members better and we may need fewer locations as well," Lampert said. "As difficult as these changes are, we believe the alternative of failing to plan for or even see where the retail industry is heading would be far, far worse." Sears reported a 9.2 percent decline in comparable sales for the holiday season at its namesake chain, the latest poor showing by the retailer. The company also operates the Kmart discount chain. Sears Holdings has closed about 300 U.S. stores since 2010. The company has about 2,000 Sears and Kmart locations in the United States. Other retailers are also closing stores. J.C. Penney (JCP) announced last week that it was closing 33 of its 1,100 stores. Macy's (M) is closing five stores, although it plans to open eight new locations. The news of the Chicago store closing was first reported by Crain's. Percentage of U.S. population who visited in March: 14.2% Revenue: $73.3 billion 1-year stock price change: 27.56% Store category: Discount & variety stores
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