Top 10 Building Product Companies To Invest In 2014

Quanex Building Products (NYSE: NX  ) reported earnings on June 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended April 30 (Q2), Quanex Building Products beat expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew significantly. GAAP loss per share dropped.

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Quanex Building Products reported revenue of $232.5 million. The seven analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $224.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $194.4 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at -$0.20. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.08 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.20 for Q2 against -$0.34 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Hot Managed Healthcare Stocks To Watch For 2015: Innoprise Plantations Bhd (INNO)

Innoprise Plantations Berhad is a Malaysia-based company engaged in investment holding and provision of management services to its subsidiary. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the principal activities of log extraction contractor and operation of oil palm plantations, producer and supplier of renewable energy. The Company operates in three segments: Plantation, Timber and Corporate. The Plantation segment includes cultivation of oil palm. The Timber segment includes log extraction services. The Corporate segment includes group level corporate services, treasury functions and investment in marketable securities. The Company�� subsidiaries include Serijaya Industri Sdn. Bhd. and IPB Bio Energy Sdn. Bhd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Respect Your Universe Inc (OTCMKTS: RYUN), Global Gaming Network (OTCMKTS: GBGM) and Innocap, Inc (OTCBB: INNO) have been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters thanks in part to paid promotions or investor relations activities. Of course there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed paid promotions or investor relations type of activities, but they can come back and bite unwary traders or investors. So what should you do with these three small cap stocks? Here is a quick reality check:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Rising India Inc (OTCMKTS: RSII), Innocap, Inc (OTCBB: INNO) and Amplitech Group Inc (OTCBB: AMPG) have all been the subject of recent paid for promotions or investor relation campaigns. And while there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotions, investors who aren�� traders and are looking for a long term investment need to be careful. With that said, do these three small caps have what it takes to succeed for the long haul? Here is a quick reality check before you jump in:

Top 10 Building Product Companies To Invest In 2014: Chino Commercial Bancorp (CCBC)

Chino Commercial Bancorp, incorporated on March 2, 2006, is a bank holding company of Chino Commercial Bank, N.A. (the Bank). The Bank provides a wide variety of lending products for both businesses and consumers. The Bank offers an array of personal, consumer and commercial services generally offered by a locally-managed, independently-operated bank. The Bank provides a range of deposit instruments and general banking services, including checking, savings accounts (including money market demand accounts), certificates of deposit for both business and personal accounts; Internet banking services, such as cash management and Bill Pay; telebanking (banking by phone); and courier services. The Bank operates three full-service banking offices.

Lending Activities

Commercial loan products include lines of credit, letters of credit, term loans, equipment loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, accounts receivable financing, working capital financing. Financing products for individuals include auto, home equity, overdraft protection lines and, through a third party provider, MasterCard debit cards. Real estate loan products include construction loans, land loans, mini-perm commercial real estate loans, and home mortgages. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had total assets of $109.7 million and net loans of $55.2 million. Its lending activity is concentrated primarily in real estate loans, which constituted 81.3% of the Company�� loan portfolio as of December 31, 2011, and commercial loans, which constituted 17.6%, of the Company�� loan portfolio as of December 31, 2011.

Investment activities

The Company�� investment security portfolio consists of United States government agency securities, mortgaged-backed securities, municipal bonds and corporate bonds. Investment securities held to maturity are carried at cost, which equates to the unpaid principal balances adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discounts.

Sources of funds

Deposits are the Company�� primary source of funds. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� total deposits were $98.1 million. As of December 31, 2011, its deposits included demand deposits, negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW), savings deposits, money market and time deposits.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Regional - Pacific Banks: This industry rose 1.54% by 10:40 am ET. The top performer in this industry was Chino Commercial Bancorp (OTC: CCBC), which gained 10.2%. Chino Commercial Bancorp's trailing-twelve-month operating margin is 27.57%.

Top 10 Building Product Companies To Invest In 2014: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp (LGF)

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (Lionsgate), incorporated on April 28, 1997, is an entertainment company with a presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. During fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 ( fiscal 2012), Lionsgate released 14 motion pictures theatrically, which included films developed and produced in-house, films co-developed and co-produced and films acquired from third parties. In December 2011, the Company formed a partnership with Saban Capital Group, Inc (SCG) and Celestial Pictures to create Celestial Tiger Entertainment Limited (Celestial Tiger Entertainment), a media company dedicated to entertaining audiences in Asia and beyond. In January 2012, the Company acquired 16 % interest in Celestial Tiger Entertainment. On January 13, 2012, the Company acquired Summit Entertainment, LLC (Summit), an independent global theatrical motion picture development, production, and distribution studio. In February 2012, Tele Munchen Group acquired rights to Charlie Sheen Sitcom ANGER MANAGEMENT for Germany, Austria and German speaking Switzerland from the Company�� international television division. Effective March 26, 2013, CBS Corp acquired 50% interest in The TV Guide Network from the Company. In June 2013, CBS Corp acquired TV Guide Digital, which includes the popular TVGuide.com and TV Guide Mobile properties from the Company.

The Company�� television business consists of the development, production, syndication and distribution of television productions. As of March 31, 2012, it produced and syndicated 19 television shows, which air on 14 networks and distribute over 200 series globally. It distributes its library of approximately 13,000 motion picture titles and television episodes and programs directly to retailers, rental kiosks, through various digital media platforms, and pay and free television c! hannels in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and indirectly to other international markets through its subsidiaries and various third parties. It also distributes product through Celestial Tiger Entertainment, its joint venture with SCG and Celestial Pictures, a company wholly owned by Celestial Pictures; Horror Entertainment, LLC (FEARnet), its joint venture with Sony Pictures Television Inc. (Sony) and Comcast Corporation (Comcast); Studio 3 Partners LLC (EPIX), its joint venture with Viacom Inc. (Viacom), its Paramount Pictures unit (Paramount Pictures) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), and TV Guide Network, TV Guide Network On Demand and TV Guide Online (www.tvguide.com) (collectively, TV Guide Network), its joint ventures with One Equity Partners (OEP), the global private equity investment arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Production

The Company takes a disciplined approach to film production with the goal of producing content, which it can distribute to theatrical and ancillary markets, which include home entertainment, pay and free television, on-demand services and digital media platforms, both domestically and internationally. During fiscal 2012, it produced, participated in the production of, completed or substantially completed principal photography of motion pictures, which included Good Deeds, The Hunger Games, What To Expect When You're Expecting, Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection, Step Up Revolution, The Possession, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, The Last Stand, Warm Bodies, Now You See Me, Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor, Tyler Perry's We The Peoples and Nurse 3D.

The Company�� television business consists of the development, production, syndication and distribution of television programs. It licenses its television productions to the domestic cable, free and pay television markets, as well as through various digital platforms. During fiscal 2012, it produced 19 televi! sion show! s, aired original programming on 14 networks and distributed over 200 series globally. Domestic television programming includes one-hour and half-hour scripted and reality programming. During fiscal 2012, it produced the episodes of domestic television programming 13 episodes of the fifth season of the series Mad Men,; 13 episodes of the seventh season of Weeds, a half-hour comedy for Showtime; 10 episodes of the fourth season of Nurse Jackie, a half-hour comedy for Showtime; 13 episodes of the third season of Blue Mountain State, a half-hour comedy for Spike TV; and eight episodes of the first season of Boss, a one-hour drama for Starz.

The Company is engaged in the development, acquisition, production and distribution of animation projects for full theatrical release, television and digital versatile disk (DVD) release. Its direct-to-video animated movies with Marvel include Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2, The Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, Hulk vs. Thor/ Wolverine, Planet Hulk and Thor, Tales of Asgard. Its music department oversees music for its theatrical and television slates, as well as the music needs of other areas within its company. Its publishing revenue derives from performance royalties generated by the theatrical exhibition of its films and the television broadcast of its productions. Music released for its theatrical slate includes overseeing songs, scores and soundtracks for all of its productions, co-productions and acquisitions. During fiscal 2012, through its label partner Universal Republic, it released the soundtrack The Hunger Games Songs from District 12 and Beyond. In addition, it released through Universal Republic the score album, The Hunger Games: Music from the Motion Picture, by composer James Newton Howard. During fiscal 2012, it released Music Videos And Performances From The Twilight Saga Soundtracks: Volume 1, a collection of music videos and live performances from bands featured on the soundtracks from the ! first thr! ee Twilight films. In November 2011, it also released the first single from The Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn - Part 1, It Will Rain, by Bruno Mars. During fiscal 2012, it also released soundtracks to One For The Money (Lakeshore Records), Abduction (Epic Records), Warrior (Lakeshore Records), Conan The Barbarian 3D (Warner Brothers Records) and The Devil's Double (Lakeshore Records).

Music released for the Company�� television slate includes overseeing songs, scores and soundtracks for all of its television productions. During fiscal 2012, it released Zou Bisou Bisou, a vinyl single and accompanying digital download derived from Jessica Pare's (Megan Draper) on-screen performance in the first episode of season 5 of Mad Men. In addition, in collaboration with FEARnet.com, it released an original soundtrack forFriday the 13th and for Boss, which featured a collaboration of Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down between Robert Plant and Bosscomposer Brian Reitzell, yielding the show's evocative main title theme.

Distribution

The Company distributes motion pictures directly to the United States movie theaters. It constructs release schedules taking into account moviegoer attendance patterns and competition from other studios' scheduled theatrical releases. During fiscal 2012, Lionsgate released 14 motion pictures theatrically, which included films developed and produced in-house, films co-developed and co-produced and films acquired from third parties. During fiscal 2012, Summit released eight motion pictures theatrically, which included films developed and produced in-house, films co-developed and co-produced and films acquired from third parties. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Mandate Pictures LLC (Mandate Pictures), is a full-service production and financing company.

During fiscal 2012, Mandate Pictures' financed and produced pictures released included 50/50, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas and Young Adult. 50/50 was released by Summit in September 2011! . Young A! dult is written by Diablo Cody and released by Paramount Pictures in December 2011. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas was released by Warner Bros. Pictures in November 2011. During fiscal 2012, Mandate Pictures also financed and produced the Untitled Diablo Cody project starring Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Octavia Spencer and Holly Hunter. As of March 31, 2011, Mandate Pictures' production and development slate included a comedy written and directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (working title End Of The World). Mandate Pictures also maintains a partnership with Ghost House Pictures as a production label dedicated to the financing, development and production of films in the horror/thriller genre. Under this partnership, Mandate Pictures has produced 30 Days of Night: Dark Days, Drag Me To Hell, 30 Days of Night, The Grudge I and II, The Messengers and Boogeyman.

The primary components of the Company�� international business are, on a territory by territory basis through third parties or directly through its international divisions: the licensing and sale of rights in all media of its in-house product; the licensing and sale of third party product on an agency basis; the licensing of rights in all media of the in-house Summit product on an output basis; the licensing and sale of in-house catalog product or libraries of acquired titles (such as those of Miramax, Artisan Entertainment and Modern Times Group), and direct distribution. The Company sells or licenses rights in all media on a territory by territory basis (other than the territories where Lionsgate and/or Summit self-distribute) of its in-house Lionsgate and Summit product, as well as titles from Mandate Pictures and Ghost House Pictures; its catalog product or libraries of acquired titles, and product produced by third parties, such as Alcon Entertainment, Vendome Pictures, River Road Entertainment, CBS Films, Relativity Media and other independent producers.

During fiscal 2012, the Company�� output deals f! or Summit! product covered nine territories, including new output deals for Australia/New Zealand, Spain, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe, as well as output deals in Canada, France, Germany/Austria, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom. It generates revenue through a sales agency business for third party product. Films sold by it include such in-house productions as What to Expect When You're Expecting, Hope Springs and Now You See Me. Third party films sold by includes Beautiful Creatures and The Railway Man. During fiscal 2012, its sales had record-breaking international box office results with releases, including The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Immortals, and The Hunger Games.

The Company self-distributes motion pictures (excluding Summit releases) in the United Kingdom and Ireland through its subsidiary, Lions Gate UK Limited (Lionsgate UK). During fiscal 2012, Lionsgate UK's theatrical slate included such titles, such as Warrior, Abduction, 50/50, Ralph Fiennes' British Academy of Film and Television Arts Nominated directorial debut, Coriolanus, David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method, and The Hunger Games. In May 2011, Lionsgate UK announced that it was co-financing and co-producing a new contemporary sci-fi adventure project The Fallen, and in November 2011, the production of Keith Lemon: The Film, a comedy with Celebrity Juice's host and international ladies' man Keith Lemon. In November 2011, Lionsgate UK also announced a multi-year partnership with Icon Film Distribution for release of theatrical titles moving forward.

Home entertainment distribution includes distribution of product to the home entertainment market, including home video, DVD, Blu-ray, video-on-demand (VOD) and digital/electronic distribution. During fiscal 2011 calendar year, Blu-ray represented 19% of new released packaged media revenue from its theatrical releases. It distributes or sells its titles directly to merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Best Buy, Target and Cos! tco, and ! others who buy its DVDs and Blu-ray discs to sell directly to consumers. During 2012, sales to Wal-Mart accounted for approximately 38% of net home entertainment packaged media revenue. It also directly distributes its titles to the rental market through Netflix, Redbox, Blockbuster and Rentrak. In addition to its theatrical releases each year, it also acquires and distributes approximately 70 titles annually that have commercial potential in video and ancillary markets, and approximately 50 digital only titles. It also distributes television product on video, including seasons one through five of Mad Men, seasons one through eight of Weeds, seasons one through four of Nurse Jackie, the first season of Boss, certain Saturday Night Live product in its library, seasons one through three of Blue Mountain State, the entire catalog of the comedy series Moonlighting, the entire catalog of the comedy series Will and Grace, the entire catalog of Little House on the Prairie and certain Disney-ABC Domestic Television series. During fiscal 2012, it also released several direct-to-video titles, including two Tyler Perry titles, Tyler Perry's Laugh to Keep from Crying and A Madea Christmas: The Play, and Set Up. Its fitness lineup includes series, such as Denise Austin, Jillian Michaels, The Biggest Loser and Dancing With The Stars, as well as titles from Billy Blanks Jr., and Jane Fonda. During fiscal 2012, it released on DVD the theatrical release of Madea's Big Happy Family, as well as the direct-to-video releases Tyler Perry's Laugh to Keep from Crying and A Madea Christmas: The Play. Its domestic family entertainment division is a distributor of children's product.

The Company syndicates television programming through its subsidiary, Debmar-Mercury. In fiscal 2012, Debmar-Mercury distributed approximately 1,100 hours and produced approximately 550 episodes of television programming. In fiscal 2013, Debmar-Mercury intends to distribute approximately 1,200 hours and produce approximately 550 episode! s of tele! vision programming. Debmar-Mercury produces and distributes The Wendy Williams Show, distributes the ITV Studios America produced The Jeremy Kyle Show, distributes Tyler Perry's House of Payne and its spinoff, Meet the Browns, and Revolution Studios' produced Are We There Yet, which will air simultaneously in broadcast syndication and on TBS starting in the fall of 2012. Debmar-Mercury also distributes the strips Hell's Kitchen, South Park, True Hollywood Story and Family Feud, which has had first run syndication and has been sold to various television stations through the fall of 2015. Debmar-Mercury continues to distribute a movie library featuring Lionsgate titles, as well as those from Revolution Studios. In July 2011, Debmar-Mercury announced that the first eight seasons of Hell's Kitchen, produced by ITV Studios America, will be exclusively available on the Hulu Plus subscription service beginning immediately, while current episodes from season nine and a rotating selection of library episodes will also be available on the free, ad-supported Hulu service. In April 2011, Debmar-Mercury announced that TBS ordered ten episodes of the new series Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse, a sitcom based on Tyler Perry's hit film Why Did I Get Married?. The series launched in November 2011. In February 2012, Debmar-Mercury received an order from TBS for an additional 35 episodes of the new series. Overall, 439 episodes of Debmar-Mercury's syndicated sitcoms with Tyler Perry have been ordered to-date.

In July 2011, the Company announced that FX had ordered Charlie Sheen's Anger Management. It has more than 1,000 titles in active distribution in the domestic cable, free and pay television markets. Pay television rights include rights granted to cable, direct broadcast satellite and other services paid for by subscribers. It sells its library titles and new product to major cable channels, such as pay networks, including EPIX, HBO, Starz and Showtime, as well as basic cable channels, including USA Net! work, FX,! Turner Networks, BET, ABC Family, SyFy, Lifetime, MTV, Comedy Central, Spike, AMC Networks, OWN, Reelz, Telemundo and Telefutura. It also directly distributes pay-per-view and VOD to cable, satellite and Internet providers, such as Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Communications, through iN Demand, Charter Communications, AT&T Uverse and Verizon FIOS through Avail-TVN, Cablevision, DirecTV and DISH Network. During fiscal 2012, it completed multi-year licensing agreements with Starz (for greater than 500 titles) and Showtime (for greater than 250 titles). In addition, it continues to distribute its library of motion picture titles and television episodes and programs through EPIX, its joint venture with Viacom, Paramount Pictures and MGM.

The Company delivers content through a range of digital media platforms. It distributes first run theatrical films, television series, its movie library, third party product and product not available on DVD to distribution outlets, including iTunes, Amazon, Microsoft's Xbox, Sony's Playstation Network, Netflix, Best Buy/CinemaNow, Hulu, YouTube, and Wal-Mart/Vudu. Through its partnership with EPIX, it offers product through the Internet and to multiple devices for consumption anytime/anywhere by EPIX subscribers. EPIX has subscription pay television rights to new releases and movies from the libraries of its partners and makes these movies available to Netflix 90 days after their premium pay television and subscription on demand debuts. In addition, its licensing relationship with Netflix continues. In April 2011, it announced a multiyear syndication deal with Netflix pursuant to which it licensed the first four seasons of Mad Men to be watched instantly by Netflix members beginning July 2011, with additional seasons being added annually after they air on their respective seasons on the AMC network.

The Company operates FEARnet, a branded multiplatform programming and content service provider of horror genre films, in connection with partners Comca! st and So! ny, and owns an interest in Break Media, a viral marketing company that creates new opportunities for showcasing the feature films and television programming. In addition, it has partnered with YouTube to create branded Lionsgate channels, which enable the Company to post full length films and television episodes and to post promotional scenes from its film and television libraries. In addition to sharing advertising revenue from the channel, a banner on the page leads to its online shop, where the films and shows highlighted in the promotional scenes are available for purchase as DVDs or Blu-ray discs in digital form.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) needs to look over its shoulder. For that matter, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE:LGF) may want to do the same. There's a little company called Independent Film Development Corporation (OTCMKTS:IFLM) that could become a big threat to both of those major players soon, now� that a nagging monkey is officially off its back.

• [By Melvin Backman]

  Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF), the studio behind the popular Divergent film franchise, also reveals performance on Thursday. It is expected to be flat from last quarter, though far better than the same time last year.

• [By CNNMoney Staff]

  Lions Gate (LGF) shares jumped after the studio's film "Divergent" had a strong opening at the box office. Many analysts expected a weaker showing for the movie.

Top 10 Building Product Companies To Invest In 2014: Trimble Navigation Limited(TRMB)

Trimble Navigation Limited provides positioning, wireless, and software technology solutions. The company?s Engineering and Construction segment offers site positioning systems, construction asset management services, software, and wireless and Internet-based site communications infrastructure solutions that improve productivity, accuracy, safety, and environmental impact in the entire construction process; and productivity solutions for the building construction sectors, as well as designs and markets handheld data collectors, productivity survey and mapping equipment, and data collection software for field use. Its Field Solutions segment provides guidance and positioning systems, automated application systems, and information management solutions to improve crop performance, profitability, and environmental quality; and handheld data collectors that gather information in the field. The company?s Mobile Solutions segment offers vehicle solutions, such as GPS receivers, business logic, sensor interfaces, and wireless modems; mobile worker solutions to automate service technician work in the field; and scheduling and dispatch solution, an enterprise software program to optimize scheduling and routing of field service technicians. Its Advanced Devices segment supplies global navigation satellite system modules (GNSS), licensing and complementary technologies, and GNSS-integrated sub-system solutions; supplies global positioning system receivers and embedded modules for aircraft navigation and timing applications; provides GPS-enabled cell phones for outdoor recreational activities; precision products that combine GNSS with inertial sensors; and ultra high frequency radio frequency identification reader modules, radio frequency identification readers, and design services. The company markets its products through dealers, distributors, and authorized representatives worldwide. Trimble Navigation Limited was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Trimble Navigation Ltd. (NASDAQ: TRMB) applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location — including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. The J.P. Morgan price target is $43, and consensus target is at $39.29. Trimble closed Tuesday at $38.87.

Top 10 Building Product Companies To Invest In 2014: IGI Laboratories Inc. (IG)

IGI Laboratories, Inc. engages in developing, manufacturing, filling, and packaging topical semi-solid and liquid products for cosmetic, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical customers in the United States. The company�s products are used for various skin conditions, including the treatment of symptoms of dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, and eczema. It offers contract formulation and contract manufacturing services to a range of topical formulations, including creams, ointments, lotions, gels, and topical liquids. The company is also developing a portfolio of prescription generic formulations in topical dosage forms. IGI Laboratories, Inc., through its license agreement with Novavax, Inc., utilizes the Novasome lipid vesicle encapsulation and certain other technologies for applications in animal pharmaceuticals, biologicals, and other animal health products; foods, food applications, nutrients, and flavorings; cosmetics, consumer products, and dermatological over-the-counter and prescription products; fragrances; and chemicals, including herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, paints and coatings, photographic chemicals, and other specialty chemicals. The company was formerly known as IGI, Inc. and changed its name to IGI Laboratories, Inc. in May 2008. IGI Laboratories, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is based in Buena, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  The Barclays Aggregate Index rose by 0.57% in 3Q13, having stood at a loss of -0.36% the day before the FOMC's declaration to not slow QE. Despite the bounce, the Index remains in negative territory YTD and for the trailing 12-months at -1.77% and -1.68%, respectively. In stark contrast to 2Q13, Investment Grade (IG) corporate spreads tightened 10bps during 3Q13, producing a positive nominal return of 0.82% and an excess return of 0.92%. The respective YTD total returns in IG remain a disappointing -2.62%, but excess returns are still positive at 0.61% YTD. The 1-Yr results for IG Credit now fall to a nominal -1.58%, but 1.79% in excess of Treasuries.

Top 10 Building Product Companies To Invest In 2014: Erickson Air-Crane Inc (EAC)

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Erickson) is engaged in the operation and manufacture of the Erickson S-64 Aircrane (Aircrane), a heavy-lift helicopter. The Company operates in two segments: Aerial Services and Manufacturing / MRO. Aerial Services offers a range of heavy-lift helicopter services through the Company's worldwide fleet, including firefighting, timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, and crewing services. Manufacturing / MRO manufactures Aircranes from existing airframes, manufactures new components on a contract basis, and provides customers with Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency certified maintenance, and MRO services in the Company's AS9100 certified facility. In October 2012, the Company purchased the Sun Bird Aircraft and associated spare parts inventory and accessories from San Diego Gas & Electric Company. In May 2013, Erickson Air-Crane Inc acquired the entire share capital of Evergreen Helicopters Inc. In September 2013, Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated announced the completion of its acquisition of Air Amazonia Servicos Aeronauticos Ltda and certain related assets from HRT Participacoes em Petroleo S.A.

In February 2012, its Malaysian subsidiary, Erickson Aircrane Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., entered into an amendment to its existing logging contract with Syarikat Samling Timber Sdn. Bhd. (Samling Global) to extend the contract term to January 31, 2013. Pursuant to the amended contract, it began providing aerial timber harvesting services in Malaysia on February 1, 2012 to Samling Global. In January 2012, its Canadian subsidiary, Canadian Air-Crane Limited, amended its existing agreement with Western Forest Products Inc. (Western Forest Products), a Canadian forest products and timberlands management company, to establish the terms for one year of aviation services.

The Company offers a full spectrum of heavy-lift helicopter solutions, including the design, engineering, development, manufacturing, and testing of the Airc! rane, as well as Aerial Services and MRO services. It has production, maintenance, and logistics facilities in Central Point, Oregon. It maintains a year-round international presence with operations in Canada, Italy, Malaysia, and Peru, and an operating presence in Australia and Greece.

It owns the Type and Production Certificates for the Aircrane, granting us exclusive design, manufacturing, and related rights for the aircraft and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components. It has made more than 350 design improvements to the Aircrane since acquiring the Type Certificate and it has developed Aircrane accessories that enhance its aerial operations, such as its firefighting tank system and snorkel, timber heli harvester, and anti-rotation device and hoist.

Aerial Services

The Aircrane has a lift capacity of up to 25,000 pounds and is a commercial aircraft built specifically as a flying crane without a fuselage for internal loads. The Aircrane is also a commercial heavy-lift helicopter with a rear load-facing cockpit, combining an unobstructed view and complete aircraft control for precision lift and load placement capabilities. It owns and operates a fleet of 17 Aircranes, which it uses to support a variety of government and commercial customers worldwide across a range of aerial services, including firefighting, timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, and crewing. The Aircrane is capable of providing heavy-lift solutions to a wide variety of industries, including firefighting, timber harvesting, infrastructure construction, oil and gas and energy related construction, disaster recovery, and emergency response. It leases its aircraft to customers for specific missions, with customers generally paying for the aircraft, maintenance, and crewing services, as well as fuel expense. In addition, it provides crewing for aircraft it has sold. Its Aircrane accessories include Fire Tank and Pond Snorkel, Fire Tank and Sea Snorkel, Foam Cannon, Hydromulch Loading Manifo! ld, Heli ! Harvester, Hydraulic Grapple, Long-Line Shock and Pendant, Anti-Rotation Device and Hoist and Material Transport Bucket.

The Aircrane Helitanker has provided firefighting services in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Greece, France, Turkey, and Australia. Its firefighting customers include federal, state, local, and international government agencies who hire the Company to be available as needed. Under its firefighting contracts, aircraft are deployed to locations prone to seasonal fires and remain on standby throughout the fire season. For these contracts, which it refers to as exclusive-use contracts, it typically charge on a per-day basis for availability and on a per-hour basis for actual aircraft use.

Aircrane is engaged in timber operations in a number of regions, including the United States, Canada, and the tropical forests in Malaysia. Its customers uses its harvesting solutions primarily for timber, such as tropical hardwoods and for remote area harvesting in locations that would otherwise require road construction or prohibit ground-based harvesting. Timber is vertically lifted and transported with its hydraulic grapple.

The Aircrane's rear load-facing pilot seat makes the aircraft particularly for infrastructure projects that require extreme precision in load delivery, such as electricity transmission and broadcasting towers, oil and gas pipelines, wind turbines, mining conveying systems, industrial equipment, emergency shelters, and ski-lift equipment. The Aircrane can be configured to transport heavy machinery and equipment, such as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) units, automotive equipment, and other cargo items.

Aircraft Manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (Manufacturing/MRO)

The Company manufactures Aircranes and related components for sale to government and commercial customers and provide aftermarket support and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for the Aircrane and oth! er aircra! ft. It also offers cost per hour (CPH) contracts pursuant to which it provides components and expendable supplies for a customer's aircraft at a fixed cost per flight hour. Through its Manufacturing / MRO segment it manufactures Aircranes from existing airframes, manufacture components on a contract basis, and provide customers with FAA- and European Aviation Safety Agency-certified MRO services

The Company has manufactured a total of 33 Aircranes for its own use and for sale to customers, and has sold one for domestic construction operations and eight for international firefighting operations. It also builds and manufactures Aircranes for its own use and owns, operates, and maintains 17 Aircranes. As the owner of the S-64 Type and Production Certificates, it also has the authority and ability to manufacture an Aircrane entirely from new parts. It manufactures aluminum main and tail rotor blades and have partnered with OEMs to design and manufacture composite main rotor blades. While it provides MRO services to its own Aircranes, it continues to provide parts and maintenance and overhaul services to every Aircrane it has sold. It also performs similar operations on engines and other components for owners of other aircraft platforms. Its FAA-certificated repair station offers an array of services from small repairs to extensive heavy airframe maintenance.

The Company competes with Columbia Helicopters, Helicopter Transport Services and Siller Brothers.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap heavy-lift helicopter maker Erickson Inc (NASDAQ: EAC), a peer of other helicopter or aviation stocks like large caps like Boeing Co (NYSE: BA) and Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT), is ranked as the thirteenth most shorted stock on the Nasdaq with short interest of 38.00% according to Highshortinterest.com.�Having exposure to the Department of Defense in an era of shrinking defense commitments along with the oil sector as oil prices hit multiyear lows seems to be impacting investor sentiment towards Erickson Inc.

• [By Blake Bos]

  In the following video, Motley Fool industrials analyst Blake Bos takes a question from a Fool reader on Facebook, who asks, "What's your Foolish take on Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC  ) ?"

Top 10 Building Product 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 Ali Berri]

  Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) reported a drop in its fourth-quarter profit. However, the company's revenue topped analysts' estimates.

• [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]

  AP/Shiho FukadaActivist investor Carl Icahn loves to give advice to public companies. But this week, his advice for eBay felt a couple of years behind the curve. Companies can make brilliant moves, but there are also times when things don't work out quite as planned. From a classy handbag maker carrying its latest financials to market, to a blowout report by the leading streaming video service, here's a rundown of the week's best and worst in the business world. Netflix (NFLX) -- Winner Netflix was last year's top performer among S&P 500 stocks, and it's off to another strong start in 2014. Shares of the leading video service hit another all-time high this week after it posted blowout quarterly results. Netflix closed out the year on a strong note with more than 44 million streaming subscribers worldwide and expanding profit margins. It expects to top 48 million streaming members by the end of March. Strong financial results naturally make you a winner, but Netflix also got the market excited by announcing that it will soon offer a variety of pricing plans. More importantly, it's suggesting that it may eventually increase the price of its basic $7.99 a month plan. Coach (COH) -- Loser Luxury handbags are still selling, but Coach totes aren't faring as well. The iconic maker of high-end purses and accessories posted disappointing quarterly results on Tuesday. Sales declined by 6 percent during the seasonally potent holiday quarter, and net income took an even bigger hit. Foreign currency translations weighed on the results, but sales still would have been lower if there weren't any currency fluctuations. Coach investors shouldn't be surprised. Sales, net income, and store-level comparable sales also slipped three months earlier. It's not the niche. Michael Kors (KORS) has been able to post healthy double-digit growth through the gradual fade in prominence at Coach. Beats Music -- Winner Music streaming has become popular, and that's big for the musi