Hot Asian Companies To Invest In 2014

Nokia� (NYSE: NOK  ) has launched "Glam Me," a camera app for taking and editing self-portraits on all Nokia Lumia smartphones running Windows Phone 8 in an effort to capitalize�on what it calls the "selfie" phenomenon, the love of taking self-photos with phones.

The app allows a "slick range of beauty enhancing effects, such as teeth whitening and skin smoothing." Users can also alter their self-snapshots with visual effects that include making them look like a sketch, an oil painting, or a magazine cover.

Nokia says selfies are "a true phenomenon" among young people in Asian countries -- especially China. Developed in Beijing, Nokia hopes that Glam Me will appeal to the "young, social, and design-conscious" everywhere. Glam Me also lets users compare photos before and after editing.

In developing Glam Me, Nokia focused on providing� accurate face detection, camera effects, and beauty enhancement features.On Nokia Lumia phones, Glam Me can be launched as its own stand-alone application or selected through the viewfinder.

Top 5 Asian Stocks To Watch For 2015: Carter's Inc.(CRI)

Carter's, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, sources, and markets branded children?s wear. The company provides products under the Carter?s, Child of Mine, Just One You, Precious Firsts, OshKosh, and related brand names. Its Carter?s brand baby products include bodysuits, pants, undershirts, towels, washcloths, receiving blankets, layette gowns, bibs, caps, and booties; playclothes products consist of knit and woven cotton apparel; sleepwear products comprise pajamas and blanket sleepers; and other products consist of bedding, outerwear, swimwear, shoes, socks, diaper bags, gift sets, toys, and hair accessories. The company also provides playclothes products, including denim apparel products, overalls, woven bottoms, knit tops, and playclothes products for sizes newborn to 12 under the OshKosh brand. In addition, it offers baby, sleepwear, outerwear, shoes, hosiery, and accessories under the OshKosh brand. The company sells its products in department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers, as well as through its Carter?s and OshKosh retail stores; and online at carters.com and oshkoshbgosh.com. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 359 Carter?s and 170 OshKosh outlet and brand retail stores in the United States; and 65 retail stores in Canada. The company was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Carter's (NYSE: CRI  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Vera Yuan]

  In consumer discretionary, Carter�� Inc. (CRI) had double digit gains after posting strong second quarter results and raising its 2014 guidance. The company is benefitting from falling cotton prices due to bumper U.S. harvests and increased demand for apparel, resulting in healthy same store sales and new store openings.From Bernard Horn (Trades, Portfolio)�� Polaris Global Value Fund Q3 2014 Shareholder Letter.Also check out: Bernard Horn Undervalued Stocks Bernard Horn Top Growth Companies Bernard Horn High Yield stocks, and Stocks that Bernard Horn keeps buying Currently 0.00/512345

  Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes)

Hot Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Sirius XM Radio Inc.(SIRI)

Sirius XM Radio Inc. provides satellite radio services in the United States and Canada. It broadcasts a programming lineup of approximately 135 channels of commercial-free music, sports, news and information, talk and entertainment, traffic, and weather on subscription fee basis through two satellite radio systems in the United States; and holds an interest in the satellite radio services offered in Canada. The company also simulcasts music and selected non-music channels over the Internet; and offers applications to allow consumers to access its Internet services on mobile devices. As of December 31, 2010, it had 20,190,964 subscribers. In addition, the company designs, establishes specifications, sources or specifies parts and components, and manages various aspects of the logistics and production of satellite radios; licenses its technology to various electronics manufacturers to develop, manufacture, and distribute radios under various brands; and imports radios distri buted through its Websites. The company?s satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers, retailers, and its Websites. Further, it provides music services for commercial establishments; a satellite television service to offer music channels as part of certain programming packages on the DISH Network satellite television service; music and comedy channels to mobile phone users through mobile phone carriers; Backseat TV, a service offering television content designed primarily for children in the backseat of vehicles; Travel Link, a suite of data services that include graphical weather, fuel prices, sports schedules and scores, and movie listings; and real-time traffic and weather services. The company was formerly known as Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and changed its name to Sirius XM Radio Inc. in August 2008. Sirius XM Radio Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Tony Ding/APThe 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is introduced at the Detroit auto show in January 2013. DETROIT -- Chrysler is recalling 184,215 SUVs worldwide because a wiring problem could disable their air bags and seat belt pretensioners. The recall involves the 2014 model year Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Most are in the U.S., but 57,443 SUVs are in Canada, Mexico and elsewhere. Chrysler says a short circuit in the restraint control module could cause the air bag warning lamps to illuminate. If that happens, the air bags and seat belt pretensioners may not work. Pretensioners tighten belts during a crash to hold occupants in place. Chrysler says it's unaware of any injuries related to the problem. Ford recalled 850,000 vehicles last month for the same issue. Both companies used restraint control modules made by auto supplier Bosch. Chrysler dealers will replace the modules for free. MSRP: $26,495 Resale value retained after five years: 50.5 percent Even under Fiat (FIATY) ownership, some elements of Dodge's mouth-breathing, knuckle-dragging, He-Man-Woman-Haters-Club approach to auto sales managed to survive. The built-by-car-guys-for-car-guys Challenger and its rebooted muscle car aesthetic still lingers to lure meatheads who value racing stripes and rims over, oh, just about any other element of their vehicle. Ordinarily, that alone wouldn't make one of these vehicles worth a second look five years from now --  even among the most superficial gearheads. But Fiat helped the Challenger smarten up a little bit by coupling a 305-horsepower V6 engine or 375-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 Hemi with loads of interior space, real-time touchscreen navigation, traffic updates, Bluetooth connectivity,  Sirius (SIRI) XM satellite radio, keyless entry/starter and a whole lot of Harman Kardon audio upgrades.

• [By Michael Lewis]

  Industry juggernaut Liberty Media (NASDAQ: LMCA  ) is a busy, busy organization -- acquiring and spinning off companies at an impressive clip. While it has recently taken the reins over satellite-radio company Sirius XM (NASDAQ: SIRI  ) , it has also spun out the largest premium cable company available, Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA  ) . Liberty gives investors plenty of options (no pun intended) to evaluate with its myriad of subsidiaries, not to mention the parent company itself. And still, the company has a sizable cash hoard and the ability to tap capital markets for another substantial acquisition. Though at this point it is mere speculation, where could Liberty be heading next?

• [By iStockAnalyst]

  Wunderlich Securities upgraded shares of Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (SIRI) to a "Buy" from a "Hold" recommendation. The research firm says the satellite radio company's recent selloff created a buying opportunity due to valuation. Wunderlich sees car conversion growth and enhanced products as positives for SIRI; although, they reduced their price target to $4.20 from $4.50.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images BERLIN and MILAN -- Fiat Chrysler has denied a magazine report saying it's in merger talks with Volkswagen, while the German carmaker said it had no takeovers on its agenda. Germany's Manager Magazin said Thursday Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech had held talks with the owners of Fiat Chrysler about buying all or part of the group that was formed this year from the merger of Italian and U.S. carmakers. The magazine cited unnamed company sources. However, a VW spokesman said Europe's biggest carmaker was focused on delivering improvements at its existing operations. "There are currently no [merger and acquisition] projects on the agenda," he said. "We are now focusing on boosting efficiency across the group." The Agnelli family's holding firm Exor, which owns a 30 percent stake in Fiat Chrysler, denied any talks had taken place, as did Fiat Chrysler. Shares in Fiat Chrysler jumped 5 percent to 7.98 euros on the report, but had retreated to stand up 2.2 percent by 1352 GMT (9:52 a.m. Eastern time). VW's stock was 1.8 percent lower. VW Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn said in March the carmaker, though hoarding almost 18 billion euros ($24 billion) in cash, had no plans to expand the group through acquisitions as it was focusing on integrating its 12 brand network. VW has since sealed a 6.7 billion euro buyout of minority shareholders at Swedish truck division Scania to forge a long-planned alliance of its truck brands. The report could suggest "diverging views" between VW's management and the supervisory board about the carmaker's future course, said Arndt Ellinghorst, a London-based analyst at investment researchers ISI Group, at a time when Winterkorn, 67, and Piech, 77, are soon likely to face a debate over succession. Rather than talking about further expansion, top managers at VW -- concerned that profitability gains aren't keeping pace with the company's steadily growing size -- have been pu

Hot Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Salient MLP And Energy Infrastructure Fund (SMF)

Salient MLP and Energy Infrastructure Fund (the Fund), is an organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Its investment objective is to provide a high level of total return with an emphasis on making quarterly cash distributions (Distributions) to its shareholders. The Fund seeks to provide its shareholders with a tax-efficient vehicle to invest in a portfolio of energy infrastructure companies that own midstream and other energy assets. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies in the Midstream/Energy Sector, consisting of Midstream MLPs, Midstream Companies, Other MLPs and Other Energy Companies. It will invest in equity securities, such as common units, preferred units, subordinated units, general partner interests, common shares, preferred shares and convertible securities in MLPs, Midstream Companies and Other Energy Companies. The Fund is managed by Salient Capital Advisors, LLC. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Lam]

  Semafo (SMF) jumped 4.8 percent to C$2.60 and Iamgold gained 2.1 percent to C$4.20 as 21 of 24 members of the S&P/TSX Gold Index increased. Gold rose from a five-month low as investors weighed the outlook for reduced U.S. stimulus as early as next week against speculation physical demand may increase at lower prices. Gold for February delivery advanced 0.6 percent in New York.

Hot Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN)

Brandywine Realty Trust is a publically owned real estate investment trust. The firm invests in real estate markets of the United States. It makes investments in office, mixed-use, and industrial properties. Brandywine Realty Trust was founded in 1985 and is based in Radnor, Pennsylvania with additional offices in Mount Laurel, New Jersey; Richmond, Virginia; Dallas, Texas; Falls Church, Virginia; Oakland, California; Austin, Texas, and Carlsbad, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

   

   

  You don't have to be an expert technical trader to figure out what's going on in shares of Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN) -- this chart pattern is about as simple as it gets. Brandywine has been bouncing higher in a well-defined uptrending channel since last summer, giving traders a high-probability range to buy the dips.

   

  More specifically, the ideal buying opportunity has come up for BDN bulls every time this stock has bounced off of trendline support along the bottom of the channel. Waiting for a meaningful bounce off of support is crucial for two big reasons: It's the spot where shares have the furthest to move up before they hit resistance, and it's also the spot where the risk is the least (because shares have the least room to move lower before you know you're wrong).

   

  Remember, all trend lines do eventually break, but by actually waiting for the bounce to happen first, you're ensuring BDN can actually still catch a bid along that line before you put your money on shares. At current levels, BDN pays out a whopping 4% dividend yield.

   

Hot Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Universal Biosensors Inc (UBI)

Universal Biosensors, Inc. (Universal Biosensors) is an early-stage specialist medical diagnostics company focused on the research, development and manufacture of in vitro diagnostic test devices for consumer and professional point-of-care use. The Company uses its electrochemical cell technology platform to develop tests for a number of different markets. The Company�� principal activities are research and development, commercial manufacture of approved medical or testing devices and the provision of services including contract research work. The Company operates primarily in Australia. The Company uses its electrochemical cell technology platform to develop tests for a number of different markets. The Company has rights to a portfolio comprising patent applications owned by its wholly owned subsidiary, Universal Biosensors Pty Ltd, and a number of patents and patent applications licensed to the Company by LifeScan, Inc., an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson Company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  Banco Popolare SC (BP) declined 3.5 percent to 1.29 euros and Unione di Banche Italiane SCPA (UBI) slid 2.3 percent to 4.93 euros after Societe Generale SA reduced its 12-month price forecast on the shares.

Hot Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Brinker International Inc (EAT)

Brinker International, Inc. (Brinker), incorporated on September 30, 1983, owns, develops, operates and franchises the Chili�� Grill & Bar (Chili��) and Maggiano�� Little Italy (Maggiano��) restaurant brands. As of June 27, 2013 (fiscal 2013), the Company's system of Company-owned and franchised restaurants included 1,591 restaurants located in 50 states, and Washington, D.C. It also has restaurants in the Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Syria, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

Chili�� Grill & Bar

Chili�� operates in the Bar and Grill category of casual dining. The Company has operations worldwide, with locations in 32 foreign countries and two United States territories. Chili�� menu features items, such as Baby Back Ribs smoked in-house, Big Mouth Burgers, Sizzling Fajitas, hand-battered Chicken Crispers and house-made Chips and Salsa. The all-day menu offers a range of appetizers, entrees and desserts. A special lunch section is available on weekdays. In addition to its flavorful food, Chili�� offers a line of alcoholic beverages available from the bar, including Margaritas and draft beer. During fiscal 2013, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 86.1% of Chili�� total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounted for the remaining 13.9%.

Maggiano�� Little Italy

Maggiano�� is a full-service, casual dining Italian restaurant brand. Its Maggiano�� restaurants feature individual and family-style menus, and its restaurants also have banquet facilities designed to host party business or social events. It has lunch and dinner menu offering chef-prepared, classic Italian-American fare in the form of appetizers, entrees with portions of pasta, ch! icken, seafood, veal and prime steaks, and desserts. The Company�� Maggiano�� restaurants also offer a range of alcoholic beverages, including wines. In addition, Maggiano�� offers a full carryout menu, as well as local delivery services. During fiscal 2013, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 83.0% of Maggiano�� total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounted for the remaining 17.0%.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Brody]

  Starbucks (SBUX), Chipotle (CMG), Sonic (SONC), Disney (DIS) theme parks and Chili's, which is owned by Brinker International (EAT), have recently asked their customers to come unarmed.

• [By Nickey Friedman]

  Compare Famous Dave's to Brinker International (NYSE: EAT  ) , the owners of the Chili's and Maggiano's chains. Brinker International reported almost a 15% restaurant operating profit margin last quarter. Though it may be harder for Famous Dave's to get to 15% margins with pork ribs than Brinker International with burgers and pasta, 15% is a good target. It would add around $1 million to the bottom line by carving 2.7% off the top. It would also add around $0.14 in EPS, a 67% increase over last quarter. It helps that Famous Dave's has such a small, tight share structure.�

• [By CNBC]

  Tony Tribble, Invision/AP Forget about Bloomin' Onions or boneless wings, for many consumers, the choice of where to dine often comes down to a different factor: which restaurant has the best booze. "Alcoholic beverages can be a key driver of traffic, differentiation, and loyalty," said David Decker, president of Consumer Edge Insight. According to the firm, two factors that keep customers coming back are "selection" and "pricing." Consumer Edge Insight recently surveyed restaurant customers to find out which casual-dining spots generated the most loyalty with their alcoholic beverages. Taking the top spot for "selection" was Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD), with 29 percent of those surveyed saying they were "most likely to visit it most often due to its good selection of alcoholic beverages." Applebee's (DIN) took the second spot, with 24 percent, and Outback Steakhouse (BLMN) and T.G.I. Friday's tied for third place with 22 percent each. Prices also keep customers coming back to Buffalo Wild Wings. When asked which casual-dining brand they were "most likely to visit most often due to its good prices of alcoholic beverages," Buffalo Wild Wings came out on top with 30 percent. Chili's (EAT) was No. 2 at 23 percent, and Ruby Tuesday (RT) was third with 22 percent. Buffalo Wild Wings has always made alcohol a part of its experience, even making it part of its tagline: "Wings.Beer.Sports." The chain is the No. 1 account for more than 50 different beer brands and recently launched Game Changer, a new beer in a partnership with Redhook Brewery. Priced between cheaper domestic lagers and pricier craft beers, Game Changer became the fourth-most-popular draft beer at company-owned locations within two weeks of its release. "Among casual-dining restaurants, Buffalo Wild Wings is seeing the greatest positive effect in terms of building customer loyalty with its alcohol offerings," Decker said. "There are many steps other restaurants can take to improve their alcoho

• [By Tom Rojas var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(func]

  Brinker International Inc.(EAT) said its first-quarter profit increased 12%, helped by higher sales at its Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy chains.