Top 5 Japanese Stocks To Invest In 2014

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) - Japanese stocks chugged higher early Thursday, finding support after a record close for the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and by strengthening in the U.S. dollar versus the yen. The Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) rose 0.5% to 15,888.56, and the broader Topix tacked on 0.6%, with gains also coming after Japanese core machinery orders surpassed expectations. Among exporters, Sharp Corp. (JP:6753) (SHCAF) surged 4.7%, Pioneer Corp. (JP:6773) (PNCOF) picked up 3.1% and Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201) (NSANY) gained 2.4%. Shares of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (JP:9501) (TKECF) were higher by 2% following government approval of the power firm's turnaround plan.

Top 10 Energy Stocks To Own For 2015: Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.(PSTI)

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc., a bio-therapeutic company, engages in the research, development, and commercialization of standardized cell therapy products for the treatment of life threatening diseases. The company?s products are derived from human placenta, a non-controversial, non-embryonic, adult cell source. Its Placental adherent stromal cells are grown in the company's proprietary PluriX three-dimensional process that allows cells to grow in a natural environment. The company provides PLX-PAD that has completed Phase I clinical trials for people suffering from peripheral artery disease. It also offers various product candidates for diabetic foot ulcers, adjuvant hip replacement surgery, athletic injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, ischemic stroke, adjuvant for UCB transplantation, and radiation exposure. The company was formerly known as Pluristem Life Systems Inc. and changed its name to Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. in November 2007. Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Haifa, Israel.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Traders may not want to get married for the long haul to any of them, but for speculators looking for a quick, profitable hit, Arca Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ABIO), Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PSTI), and Bacterin International Holdings Inc. (NYSEMKT:BONE) may be better-than-average bets. Here's why.

• [By John Udovich]

  Stem cell stocks have not exactly been the best performers lately in part because the controversy over their use has died down over the years while major breakthroughs have been few or far between, but the industry along with small cap stem cell stocks Pluristem Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: PSTI), BioTime, Inc (NYSEMKT: BTX) and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) are still quietly producing their share of news or minor breakthroughs worth taking note of. Just consider the following stem cell news or news from small cap players in the sector:

Top 5 Japanese Stocks To Invest In 2014: Medina International Holdings Inc (MIHI)

Medina International Holdings, Inc. (Medina), incorporated on June 23, 1998, manufactures products and services to assist emergency and defense organizations and personnel. The Company, through its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Harbor Guard Boats, Inc. (HGB) and Medina Marine, Inc. manufactures and sells recreational and commercial boats. The products are manufactured by HGB, which designs, manufactures, and markets hand-laid fiberglass and aluminum commercial boats ranging from 15 feet to 37 feet, which are utilized by fire, search and rescue, emergency, patrol, military and defense organizations. It manufactures commercial and recreational watercrafts.

As of April 30, 2012, HGB had nine models of commercial and recreational watercrafts. The Company�� products consist of commercial boats and recreational boats. As of April 30, 2012, Medina had seven commercial watercraft models, ranging from 15 feet to 37 feet in length. Its other watercraft includes 15 feet interceptor, which is used for rescue and fiber glass; 20-feet interceptor, which is used for fire rescue, rescue and fiber glass; 21 feet firecat, which is used for fire rescue, rescue and fiber glass; 24 feet firecat/denfender, which is used for fire rescue, rescue, aluminum and fiber glass; 26 feet firecat/denfender, which is used for fire rescue, rescue, aluminum and fiber glass; 30 feet firecat/denfender, which is used for fire rescue, rescue, aluminum and fiber glass, and 37 feet firecat/denfender, which is used for fire rescue, rescue, aluminum and fiber glass. As of April 30, 2012, the Company had two recreational watercraft models. Its watercraft products are made out of fiberglass and aluminum materials.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Last Friday, small cap Digital Brand Media & Marketing Group Inc (OTCMKTS: DBMM) surged 22.22% while Blue Water Global Group Inc (OTCBB: BLUU) sank 18.42% and Medina International Holdings, Inc (OTCMKTS: MIHI) sank 50%. However, one of these small caps (Blue Water Global Group) appears to be reversing course in early morning trading today. So with it and the rest of these small cap stocks either sink or swim in trading this week? Here is a closer look to help you decide on an investing or trading strategy:

Top 5 Japanese Stocks To Invest In 2014: Leucadia National Corporation(LUK)

Leucadia National Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in manufacturing, land based contract oil and gas drilling, gaming entertainment, real estate, medical product development, and winery operations in the United States and internationally. Its manufacturing operations include remanufacturing, manufacturing, and/or distribution dimension lumber, home center boards for retailers, pine decking, and other specialty wood products; and manufacturing and marketing lightweight plastic netting used in building and construction, erosion control, packaging, agricultural, carpet padding, filtration, and consumer products. The company?s land based contract oil and gas drilling operations include the provision of drilling services to independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the Mid-Continent region of the United States, including Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kansas. As of December 31, 2010, it had 38 drilling rigs. The company?s g aming entertainment operations consist of owning the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi located in Biloxi, Mississippi, which consists of 325 rooms and suites, 1,268 slot machines, 52 table games, 6 live poker tables, 5 restaurants, and spa. Its real estate activities include investment in commercial properties, residential land development projects, and other unimproved land. The company?s medical product development operations comprise the development of MP4OX that has completed a phase II proof of concept clinical trial and is a solution of cell-free hemoglobin, administered intravenously to provide oxygen delivery to oxygen deprived tissues. In addition, Leucadia National Corporation engages in the production and sale of wines; and investment and evaluation of gasification projects to convert various types of low grade fossil fuels into energy products. The company was founded in 1854 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Hanson and Matt Koppenheffer]

  Jefferies, a subsidiary of Leucadia National (NYSE: LUK  ) , has come out to say that its revenue from fixed income trading is down 27% year over year. Will a "tepid and cautious" bond market drag down this revenue stream for the other big banks as well? In this clip, David talks about the fixed income market and how it could affect Wall Street as a whole.

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  His second favorite asset class is Russian oil companies such as Lukoil (LUK) which he says are selling at large discounts to global peers.

  Grant's third idea is a bit eccentric, it is "historic" documents.

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Stocks moving in the Premarket included:

  Leucadia National Corp�(NYSE: LUK) gained 0.35 percent in premarket trade after falling 4.83 percent over the past week. Carnival Corp�(NYSE: CCL) was down 0.66 percent in premarket trade after gaining 1.42 percent on Wednesday. Verizon Communications Inc.�(NYSE: VZ) fell 0.13 percent in premarket trade after losing 2.15 percent over the past five days.

  Earnings

Top 5 Japanese Stocks To Invest In 2014: KS Bancorp Inc (KSBI)

KS Bancorp, Inc. serves as the holding company for KS Bank, Inc. (the Bank). The Bank is a community financial institution, which is locally owned and operated. The Bank offers a range of traditional deposit and loan products for consumers and businesses. The Bank offers a range of loans that include Personal Loans, Fixed Rate and Adjustable Rate Home Mortgage Loans, Consumer Loans, Reverse Mortgages, Home Construction Loans, Auto Loans, Boat Loans and Education Loans.

The Bank focuses on attracting retail deposits and using such deposits to make mortgage loans, construction loans, business loans, consumer loans and equity line loans. KS Bank conducts its operations through eight full service retail offices located in Johnston, Wake, Wilson, and Wayne counties in North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Last Friday, KSBI previously surged (+6.67%) up +0.50 at $8.00 with 235 shares in play at the close (ref. google finance July 26, 2013 ��Close).

  KS Bancorp, Inc. previously reported unaudited net income available to common shareholders of $200,000, or $.15 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2013, compared to a net income available to common shareholders of $86,000, or $.07 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $325,000, or $.25 per diluted share, compared to $314,000, or $.24 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2012