Friday, August 8, 2014

Top 10 Safest Companies To Buy For 2014

Equity markets are strategically more important to India than ever before. If Rs 57 lakh crores are required in the current five-year plan for infrastructure development, then at least half of it will come from the private sector. This, in turn, will depend on the public to raise funds against the projects being lined up.

The function of equity markets is fair allocation of capital and becoming one of the chief gateways of accessing capital. It also makes sense that those who will gain the most in the end, the citizens, should invest in their future and reap the benefits.

But finance is tricky. There will always be a struggle for access as companies try to attract investors. They, in turn, look for the safest option with the highest potential return.

The uncertainty of supply will encourage companies to leave more on the table during IPOs (Initial Public Offer) -- a lesson well-learnt in the last several months.

Its impact on our economy could be significant as the availability of finance to underwrite our growth will be a deciding factor in our quest to become one of the prosperous and largest economies of the world.

10 Best Insurance Stocks For 2015: Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOX)

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., formerly News Corporation, incorporated on October 23, 2003, has a portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay television and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. The Company is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic Channels, Fox Pan American Sports, MundoFox, STAR and 28 local television stations; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and Shine Group. The Company also provides content to millions of subscribers through its pay-television services in Europe and Asia, including Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia and its equity interests in BSkyB and Tata Sky.

Cable Network Programming

The Company's Cable Network Programming business includes Fox Networks, Big Ten Network, Big Ten Network, Fox Business Network, Fox Deportes, Fox News Channel, Fox International Channels, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports Networks, FX Networks and Productions, MundoFox, National Geographic Channels, STAR India and YES Network. Fox Networks is a unit of Fox Networks Group (FNG) and includes 43 domestic programming services in which FNG holds interests. FOX Business Network (FBN) is a financial news channel delivering real-time information. FOX Deportes is a Spanish-language sports media. FOX Deportes features soccer programming with coverage of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League, Barclays Premier League, Copa Bridgestone Libertadores, Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana; coverage of the Major League Baseball regular season, All-Star Game, American League Championship Series and World Series; Golden Boy Promotions Boxing, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to deli! vering breaking news, as well as political and business news. A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Networks, BTN is the distributed network. FOX International Channels (FIC) is the Company�� international multi-media business. It develops, produces and distributes 300 wholly owned and majority owned entertainment, factual, sports, movie and lifestyle channels across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, in 44 languages. FOX Sports 1 is a national 24-hour multi-sport channel. Fox Sports Networks (FSN) is the provider of local sports.

FX Networks and Productions is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. MundoFox is a joint venture between Fox International Channels (FIC),the Company�� international multi-media business, and RCN, the Latin American television network and production company belonging to OrganizaciUn Ardila Llle (OAL). Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic channels the United States are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks. Star India is a media and entertainment company operating nearly 40 channels in seven languages, including its flagship Star Plus. The YES Network is a regional sports network.

Filmed Entertainment

Filmed Entertainment business includes Twentieth Century Fox, Twentieth Century Fox Television, Fox 2000, Fox 21, Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios, Fox Home Entertainment, Fox International Productions, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Television Studios and Shine Group. Twentieth Century Fox is a producers and distributors of motion picture. Twentieth Century Fox Television is a supplier of primetime television programming and entertainment content. Fox 2000 is a division of Twentieth Century Fox and the home of films such as LIFE OF PI, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, among others.

Fox 21 is a production company housed within Twentieth Century Fox Television. Fox Animation and! Blue Sky! Studios are Twentieth Century Fox's animation arm. TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions, as well as all third party distribution partners. Fox International Productions is a division of Twentieth Century Fox that focuses on regional film productions in dozens of local marketplaces around the world. Fox Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both finances and acquires motion pictures. Fox Television Studios produces scripted and unscripted programming for the United States broadcast and cable networks, and international broadcasters.

Television

The Company�� Television business includes Fox Broadcasting Network, Fox Sports, Fox Television Stations Group and MyNetworkTV. Fox Broadcasting Network is producers and distributors of motion pictures. FOX Sports is the flagship network of the FOX Sports Media Group. FOX Television Stations is a network broadcast group, consist of 28 stations in 18 markets. MyNetworkTV is a broadcast programming service.

Direct Broadcast and Satellite TV

Direct Broadcast and Satellite TV business consists of BSkyB, Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia. Sky operates the television service in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky Deutschland AG is a pay television company in Germany and Austria with over 3.4 million subscribers. Sky offers more than 70 channels with live sports, current films, television series, kids programs, and documentaries. Sky Italia is a pay- television platform in Italy, reaching almost five million subscribers.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Smith]

    So -- is this the end of the line for reality TV? Should we expect News Corp. (NASDAQ: FOX  ) (NASDAQ: FOXA  ) �to pull the plug on Idol,�and get back to writing quality, scripted television shows?

  • [By Tim Beyers]

    Hardcore fans remember Whedon for orchestrating seven seasons of the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and another five seasons of the spinoff Angel, both produced by TV arm of 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ: FOX  ) . Fox also co-produced Firefly and Dollhouse, fan favorites that the network ultimately canceled.

  • [By Brian Stelter]

    "Cosmos" represents a bet by the Fox network's parent company, 21st Century Fox (FOX), that Tyson and his producers can do just that.

Top 10 Safest Companies To Buy For 2014: Transocean Ltd (RIGN)

Transocean Ltd. (Transocean) is an international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The Company operates in two segments: contract drilling services and drilling management services. Contract drilling services, the Company�� primary business, involves contracting its mobile offshore drilling fleet, related equipment and work crews primarily on a dayrate basis to drill oil and gas wells. Its drilling management services segment provides oil and gas drilling management services on either a dayrate basis or a completed-project, fixed-price (or turnkey) basis, as well as drilling engineering and drilling project management services. As of February 14, 2012, it owned or had partial ownership interests in and operated 134 mobile offshore drilling units. On October 4, 2011, the Company acquired Aker Drilling ASA (Aker Drilling). In February 2011, it sold the subsidiary that owns the High-Specification Jackup Trident 20.

During the year ended December 31, 2011 (during 2011), the Company completed the sale of its 50% ownership interest in ODL to Siem Offshore Inc. In October 2011, the Company completed the sale of Challenger Minerals (North Sea) Limited. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� fleet consisted of 50 High-Specification Floaters (Ultra-Deepwater, Deepwater and Harsh Environment semisubmersibles and drillships), 25 Midwater Floaters, nine High-Specification Jackups, 49 Standard Jackups and one swamp barge. In addition, it had two Ultra-Deepwater Floaters and four High-Specification Jackups under construction.

Drilling Fleet

The Company engaged in both types of drilling activity: floaters, including drillships and semisubmersibles, and jackups. Also included in its fleet is a swamp barge drilling unit. It categorized the drilling units of its fleet as High-Specification Floaters, consisting of its Ultra-Deepwater Floaters, Deepwater Floaters and Harsh Environment Floaters, Midwater Floaters, High-Specification Jackups, St! andard Jackups and a swamp barge. High-Specification Floaters are specialized offshore drilling units that it categorize into three sub-classifications based on their capabilities. Ultra-Deepwater Floaters are equipped with mud pumps and are capable of drilling in water depths of 7,500 feet or greater. Deepwater Floaters are generally those other semisubmersible rigs and drillships capable of drilling in water depths between 7,500 and 4,500 feet. Harsh Environment Floaters are capable of drilling in harsh environments in water depths between 10,000 and 1,500 feet and have displacement, which offers variable load capacity, more useable deck space and motion characteristics. Midwater Floaters are generally consists of those non-high-specification semisubmersibles that have a water depth capacity of less than 4,500 feet.

As of February 14, 2012, the Company�� fleet was located in the Far East (27 units), Middle East (16 units), West African countries other than Nigeria and Angola (14 units), United States Gulf of Mexico (13 units), United Kingdom North Sea (12 units), India (12 units), Brazil (10 units), Nigeria (10 units), Norway (eight units), Angola (four units), Australia (three units), the Mediterranean (two units), Canada (two units), and Romania (one unit).

Contract Drilling Services

The Company specializes in offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services. Its contract drilling operations are geographically dispersed in oil and gas exploration and development areas throughout the world.

Drilling Management Services

The Company provides drilling management services primarily on a turnkey basis through Applied Drilling Technology Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, which primarily operates in the United States Gulf of Mexico, and through ADT International, a division of one of its United Kingdom subsidiaries, which primarily operates in the North Sea (together, ADTI). As part o! f its tur! nkey drilling services, the Company provides planning, engineering and management services. Under turnkey arrangements, it designs and executes of a well and delivers a logged or cased hole to an agreed depth. In addition to turnkey drilling services, Transocean participates in project management operations that include providing certain planning, management and engineering services, purchasing equipment and providing personnel and other logistical services to customers.

Integrated Services

Transocean provides well and logistics services in addition to its normal drilling services through third party contractors and the Company�� employees. These other services include integrated services. As of February 10, 2011, it was performing such services in India.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Corinne Gretler]

    Nestle, which makes up 21 percent of the benchmark Swiss Market Index by weight, slid 2.6 percent after reporting the slowest first-half revenue growth in four years. Adecco SA jumped to a two-year high as the biggest provider of temporary workers posted income that exceeded projections. Transocean Ltd. (RIGN), the largest offshore-rig contractor, added 1.1 percent after posting a second-quarter profit.

Top 10 Safest Companies To Buy For 2014: Fujitsu Ltd (FJTSY)

Fujitsu Limited (Fujitsu), incorporated on June 20, 1935, is engaged in providing solutions in the field of information and communication technology. Along with multifaceted services provision, its business consists of the development, manufacture, sales and maintenance of the high-quality products and electronic devices that make these services possible. The Company operates in three segments: technology solutions, ubiquitous products solutions and device solutions. On June 4, 2009, Fujitsu introduced the docomo PRIME series F-09A mobile handset. On July 15, 2009, Fujitsu announces acquisition of shares in information technology (IT) subsidiary of AUTOBACS SEVEN. In October 2010, the Company and Toshiba Corporation announced that they have completed the merger of their mobile phone businesses. Effective August 15, 2013, Intel Corp acquired Fujitsu Semiconductor Wireless Products Inc, from Fujitsu Semiconductor Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd.

Technology solutions

Fujitsu provides solutions/system integration services focused on information system consulting and integration, and infrastructure services centered on outsourcing services (complete information system operation and management). Fujitsu offers system products, such as servers and storage systems, which form the backbone of information systems, along with network products, such as mobile phone base stations, optical transmission systems and other communications infrastructures. Its services include system integration (system construction), consulting, front-end technologies (automated teller machines (ATMs)), outsourcing services (datacenters, IT operation/management, software as a service (SaaS), application operation/management and business process outsourcing), network services (business networks, distribution of Internet/mobile content), system support services (maintenance and surveillance services for information systems and networks) and security solutions (installation of information systems an! d networks).

Ubiquitous products solutions

Fujitsu offers the personal computers (PCs), mobile phones and other products indispensable for realizing the emerging ubiquitous networked society. In PCs, along with more conventional desktop and notebook models, the Company develops netbooks and products with security features, providing a global lineup that allows customers to choose the product for their application. In mobile phones, it provide a variety of products that include high-performance models featuring specs and water resistance, separable mobile phone handset, and products created from collaborations with brands. Its products include PCs, mobile phones and optical transceiver modules.

Device solutions

LSI devices and electronic components comprise Fujitsu�� Device Solutions. Fujitsu Semiconductor, the Fujitsu operating company in semiconductors, provides LSI devices found in products, such as digital home appliances, automobiles, mobile phones and servers. The Company�� subsidiaries Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd. and Fujitsu Component Limited, along with FDK Corporation, provide semiconductor packages and other electronic components, as well as structural components, such as batteries, relays and connectors. Its products include LSI devices, electronic components (semiconductor packages), batteries and structural components (relays and connectors).

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks rose in early Monday trading, with weaker-than-expected trade data pushing the yen lower, which in turn helped some export stocks. The Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) added 1% to 14,704.36, with the broader Topix up 0.8%, also enjoying support from gains Friday in the U.S. After data showing exports grew less than analysts had projected, the dollar (USDJPY) moved back above the 98-yen level, sending some exporters climbing, with a 2.2% rise for Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) , a 1.2% improvement for Alps Electric Co. (JP:6770) , and a 1% bump for Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203) (TM) . Shares of Suzuki Motor Corp. (JP:7269) (SZKMF) added 2.9% after a Nikkei report saying the company would record its highest-ever operating profit for the April-September half. Retailers were also a strong spot Monday, with J. Front Retailing Co. (JP:3086) up 2%, online marketplace Rakuten Inc. (JP:4755) (RKUNF) adding 2.4%, and 7-Eleven operator Seven & I Holdings Co. (JP:3382) (SVNDF) ahead by 1.4%.

  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks weakened in early Thursday trading as the yen rose and Wall Street ended mixed, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) falling 1.2% to 15,929.74 after a 1.9% advance a day earlier. With the yen (USDJPY) slightly firmer than in the previous session, some investors sold currency-sensitive exporters, with Fanuc Corp. (JP:6954) (FANUF) down 2%, Kyocera Corp. (JP:6971) (KYOCF) off 1.9%, and Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) losing 2.3%. News that China would lift a ban on some sales of videogame consoles had sent shares of Nintendo Co. (JP:7974) (NTDOF) shooting 11% higher on Wednesday, but apparent profit-taking sent the stock down 4.2% in early Thursday action. Shares of rival Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) , however, followed with a 4% rise, also possibly buoyed by a Nikkei Asian Review report that it was planning a "smartphone offensive" in the U.S. and China. Canon Inc. (JP:7751) (CAJ) fell 2% on a separate Nikkei report that the company's 2013 operating profit would miss forecasts. Toshiba Corp. (JP:6502) (TOSYY)

  • [By MARKETWATCH]

    LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- A rising Japanese yen and weak results from Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) overnight sent Tokyo-listed shares lower in early Thursday trade, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) falling 0.4% to 14,363.59, while the Topix also lost 0.4%. With the U.S. dollar remaining below the 98-yen level amid concerns about the health of China's largest banks, some currency-sensitive shares extended their losses after driving the Nikkei Average down 2% in the previous session. Among them, trading house Mitsui & Co. (JP:8031) (MITSY) fell 1.3%, retail major J. Front Retailing Co. (JP:3086) lost 1.2%, auto maker Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201) (NSANY) retreated 0.6%, and Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) traded 1% lower. The below-forecast quarterly results and outlook cut from U.S. construction-equipment maker Caterpillar sent its Japanese rivals tumbling, with Komatsu Ltd. (JP:6301) (KMTUF) dropping 3.5% and Hitachi Construction Macheriny Co. (JP:6305) (HTCMF) falling 3.1%. On the upside, Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) soared 5.4% after raising its profit and revenue guidance for the fiscal first hal

Top 10 Safest Companies To Buy For 2014: Equal Energy Ltd (EQU)

Equal Energy Ltd. (Equal), incorporated on April 8, 2010, is an exploration and production company with oil and gas properties located principally in Alberta, and Oklahoma. Equal is engaged in the exploration for, and acquisition, development and production of, petroleum and natural gas with operations in western Canada and Oklahoma. During the year ended December 31, 2011, production averaged 10,142 barrel of oil equivalent per day and was consisted of approximately 47% natural gas, 23% crude oil and 30% natural gas liquids (NGLs). Equal Energy Production Partnership (EEPP) holds all of Equal�� Canadian oil and gas properties and associated assets. Equal and Equal Energy Partner Corp. (EEPC) are the partners in EEPP and respectively hold a 99.9957% and 0.0043% interest in EEPP. Equal Energy US Holdings Inc. (EEUSHI) is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Equal. EEUSHI holds all of Equal�� Oklahoma oil and gas properties and associated assets through its wholly owned subsidiary, Equal Energy US Inc. On January 31, 2012, it sold Primate. During 2011, it sold non-core assets in Alberta and British Columbia. On October 15, 2012, it sold the Halkirk/Alliance/Wainwright/Clair Assets (HAWC) and all remaining Canadian non-producing assets. Effective October 1, 2012, the Company sold its Lochend Cardium assets.

The Company�� production comes from both its Canadian and United States based operations. The Canadian core areas lie in western Canada and include assets primarily in the province of Alberta. The United States area assets are located mainly in the Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln and Logan counties of Oklahoma. It also has an inventory of minor producing assets, minor royalty interests and various exploration and exploitation prospects on undeveloped lands in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Oklahoma.

Alberta

The Company�� assets include a 100% working interest in 7,360 gross (4,260 net) acres of land (1,220 net undeveloped acres), 16 producing wells, six water inj! ection wells, and a interest in an oil blending facility. Natural gas is conserved and processed at the Encana Sexsmith gas plant. Oil is delivered into the Pembina Peace Pipeline System. Oil and natural gas production is primarily from the Doe Creek (Dunvegan) formation. There is also natural gas production from one Charlie Lake well. As of December 31, 2011, average working interest production was 227 barrel per day of oil and 316 million cubic feet per day of natural gas.

Lochend is located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Calgary. At Lochend, the Company holds 8,653 gross (7,996 net) acres of land with 5,970 net undeveloped acres, and 11 producing wells. Oil is produced into single or multi-well batteries and trucked to terminal facilities. Half of the solution gas is conserved at the TriOil Shiningbank gas plant by the third quarter majority of the gas should be conserved. Oil and natural gas production is from the Cardium formation. As of December 31, 2011, average working interest production was 330 barrel per day of oil and 69 thousand cubic feet per day of gas. The McDaniel Report has assigned total proved plus probable reserves of 1,621 thousand barrels of crude oil, 2.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and 64.8 thousand barrels of NGL to the Lochend property.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma the principal producing horizon is the Hunton formation. The Hunton is a carbonate rock formation. As of December 31, 2011, average Hunton production in Oklahoma was 29.9 million cubic feet of natural gas per day of natural gas and 3,862 barrels of oil per day of crude oil and NGLs. The Haas Report has attributed total proved and probable reserves of 499 thousand barrels of crude oil, and 108 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 13,931 thousand barrels of NGLs to the Hunton.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Leading and Lagging Sectors
    In trading on Friday, energy shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.06 percent. Among the leading sector stocks, gains came from Equal Energy (NYSE: EQU) and Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC (NYSE: NKA). Financial sector was the leading decliner in the US market today.

Top 10 Safest Companies To Buy For 2014: Art's-Way Manufacturing Co. Inc.(ARTW)

Art?s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of agricultural equipment in the United States. It offers portable and stationary animal feed processing equipment and related attachments used to mill and mix feed grains into custom animal feed rations; a crop production line that includes grain drill equipment; hay and forage equipment consisting of forage boxes, forage blowers, running gears, dump boxes, rotary rakes, finger wheel rakes, and mergers; stalk shredders; portable grain augers; manure spreaders; sugar beet harvesting equipment; land maintenance equipment; and moldboard plows, as well as provides hay blowers to original equipment manufacturers. The company also manufactures and supplies pressure steel vessels and steel containment systems for water treatment, air receivers, refineries, co-generation, chemical, petrochemical, storage tanks, agriculture, marine, refrigeration, hydro pneumatic, heavy equipmen t, pharmaceuticals, and mining industries. In addition, it provides services, such as custom CAD drawing; welding; interior linings and exterior finishing; passivation of stainless steel; hydrostatic and pneumatic testing; design, build and finishing of skids; installation of piping; and non-destructive examination and heat treating, as well as offers after-market service parts. Further, the company produces and sells modular buildings that are used for animal containment and research laboratories. Art?s-Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. sells its products through independent farm equipment dealers primarily under the Art?s-Way, Miller Pro, and Badger brand names. The company was founded in 1956 and is based in Armstrong, Iowa.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Monica Gerson]

    Art's-Way Manufacturing Co (NASDAQ: ARTW) is estimated to post its quarterly earnings.

    Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE: PKG) is projected to post its Q3 earnings at $0.89 per share on revenue of $831.79 million.

Top 10 Safest Companies To Buy For 2014: Hillshire Brands Co (HSH)

The Hillshire Brands Company, incorporated on September 4, 1941, is a manufacturer and marketer of food products. The Company�� portfolio includes brands, such as Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, State Fair, Sara Lee frozen bakery and Chef Pierre pies, as well as artisanal brands Aidells and Gallo Salame. The Company operates in two segments: Retail and Foodservice/Other. Retail sells a variety of packaged meat and frozen bakery products to retail customers in North America. Foodservice/other sells a variety of meat and bakery products to foodservice customers in North America. On February 4, 2013, the Company completed the sale of its Australian bakery business.

Retail

Products in the retail segments include hot dogs and corn dogs, breakfast sausages, breakfast convenience items, including breakfast sandwiches and bowls, dinner sausages, deli and luncheon meats and cooked hams, as well as frozen pies, cakes, cheesecakes and other desserts. The Company�� brands include Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, State Fair and Sara Lee, as well as artisanal brands Aidells and Gallo Salame. The sales of the Retail business are generated in the United States Sales are made in the retail channel to supermarkets, warehouse clubs and national chains. Retail�� business accounted for 74% of the Company�� sales during the fiscal year ended June 29, 2013 (fiscal 2013).

Foodservice/Other

Products in the foodservice/other segment include hot dogs and corn dogs, breakfast sausages and sandwiches, dinner sausages, deli and luncheon meats, ham, beef and turkey, as well as a variety of bakery products, including pastries, muffins, frozen pies, cakes and cheesecakes. Sales are made in the foodservice channel to distributors, restaurants, hospitals and other large institutions. Foodservice/Other�� business accounted for 26% of the Company�� sales in fiscal 2013.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Stocks rose today as jobless despite a weak GDP reading as jobless claims fell and merger mania gripped the food stocks. Shares of Tyson Foods (TSN), Hillshire Brands (HSH),�Merck (MRK), Biogen Idec (BIIB), and SunEdison (SUNE) helped lead the market higher.

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Tyson Foods (TSN) plunged 12% to $35.43 this week, making it the biggest loser in the S&P 500. Tyson won a bidding war for Hillshire Foods (HSH) this week–and probably overpaid.

  • [By Jeremy Bowman]

    Elsewhere, Hillshire Brands� (NYSE: HSH  ) �jumped 5% as Tyson Foods� (NYSE: TSN  ) �appears to have won its bidding war with Pilgrim's Pride�for the parent of Jimmy Dean sausages, as Pilgrim's Pride withdrew its proposal following Tyson's latest offer. The nation's No. 1 poultry producer said it will pay $7.7 billion for Hillshire, or $63 a share. Hillshire has not formally accepted the bid, but the acquisition seems inevitable given that Tyson is the only remaining suitor. Notably, Tyson shares fell 6.5%, a sign that investors believe the poultry-maker is overpaying for the parent of Ball Park franks. Hillshire shares, meanwhile, have gained nearly 70% since offering to buy Pinnacle Foods, which sparked the bidding war between Pilgrim's and Tyson to acquire it.

Top 10 Safest Companies To Buy For 2014: Westmoreland Coal Company(WLB)

Westmoreland Coal Company operates as an energy company in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of sub-bituminous coal and lignite to electricity generating plants; and the ownership of power plants in North Carolina. It owns 5 surface coal mines in Montana, North Dakota, and Texas; and 2 coal-fired power generating units with a capacity of approximately 230 megawatts in Weldon, North Carolina. As of December 31, 2010, Westmoreland Coal Company had estimated proven and probable coal reserves of 389.9 million tons. The company was founded in 1854 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Obama�� war on coal has claimed another victim as James River Coal Company (NASDAQ: JRCC) files for Chapter 11, but coal stocks Westmoreland Coal Company (NASDAQ: WLB), Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP) and Hallador Energy Co (NASDAQ: HNRG) have still managed to put in a decent performance for investors���despite the industry headwinds coming from the White House. Just consider this: By 2025, 300 of America�� coal plants will close due to EPA policies for a total of 44,000 megawatts of generating capacity in 33 states to be taken off line. Moreover, Democrats have been putting up roadblocks to stop coal exports���one potential industry bright spot as the US�has the largest coal repository in the world.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Leading and Lagging Sectors
    In trading on Tuesday, energy shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 1.41 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY), up 9 percent, and Westmoreland Coal Co (NYSE: WLB), up 7.8 percent. Industrials services shares gained by just 0.02 percent in Tuesday's trading.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Leading and Lagging Sectors
    In trading on Tuesday, energy shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 1.41 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY), up 9 percent, and Westmoreland Coal Co (NYSE: WLB), up 7.8 percent. Industrials services shares gained by just 0.02 percent in Tuesday's trading.

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