Top 5 Safest Stocks For 2014

What kind of investor are you? If you don't know, you might have a problem. It's useful to have a handle on your investment strategy, so that you can better focus on it.

There are many different ways to categorize investing. For example, a Goldilocks-like approach might divide investing strategies into these groups:

Too-aggressive investing: This approach puts your dollars in danger. It can include any of a host of riskier-than-average types of investments, such as options, commodities, currency bets, penny stocks, and even lottery tickets. It's true that some options strategies can be conservative, but many are not, and it's very, very common for options to expire unexercised and worthless.

Too-cautious investing: It might seem smart to be very conservative with your money, but if you do that, it might not grow enough to support you in retirement. That's especially true these days, in our environment of ultra-low interest rates. With inflation historically averaging about 3% annually in the U.S., even earning 2% in your bank account or via a bond or CD will leave you losing purchasing power over time.

Just-right investing: For many people, a long-term portfolio mixed with both stocks and bonds is a sound way to grow your net worth.

The bond world features many kinds of bonds, such as government bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds. Government bonds, such as U.S. Treasury bills, bonds, and notes, are the safest, backed by the U.S. government. They pay interest that's taxable on your federal tax return, but is exempt from state and local taxes. Municipal bonds can be riskier, as some local governments are on somewhat shaky ground, but they can therefore offer higher interest rates and their interest is exempt not only from state and local taxes, but also from federal taxes. Corporate bonds are issued by companies that want to raise money. They, too, offer rates higher than government bonds, and their interest is not tax-exempt. In general, the higher their interest rate, the lower their credit rating and healthiness.

Stock investing approaches
A sound stock investment strategy is hard to beat, for long-term growth. Here's a quick rundown of some key approaches. Note that many investors engage in one or more of them -- they're not all mutually exclusive.

Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Watch For 2015: Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp (AQN)

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (APUC) is engaged in ownership of power generation facilities and water, gas and energy utilities, through investments in securities of subsidiaries, including companies, limited partnerships and trusts. It operates in two segments: APCo, which owns or has interests in renewable energy facilities and thermal energy facilities, and Liberty Utilities, which owns and operates utilities in the United States of America providing water, wastewater and local electric distribution services. In February 2013, it acquired the regulated water distribution utility assets located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas from United Waterworks Inc. Effective December 20, 2013, Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. announced that, Liberty Utilities, APUC's regulated distribution utility, acquired the Massachusetts natural gas distribution utility assets (New England Gas Assets) of Southern Union Company, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Lam]

  Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN) increased 3.7 percent to C$6.94 after Sean Steuart, analyst with TD Securities, raised his rating for the stock to buy from hold. Algonquin owns and invests in renewable power assets across North America.

Top 5 Safest Stocks For 2014: Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA (AEDU3)

Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA, formerly Mehir Holdings SA, is a Brazil-based holding company engaged in the education sector. The Company provides higher graduate and postgraduate education through full time and distance learning programs. It is also engaged in the provision of preparatory courses for public competition and other specialization courses. The Company offers the academic programs, such as full time graduate, distance graduate and post-graduate courses. Additionally, the Company provides selected courses through the methodology of distance learning, including graduate, post-graduate and continuous education courses. Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA offers its services for working adults and operates in approximately 71 campuses and around 500 learning centers located throughout each of around the 26 Brazilian states. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ney Hayashi]

  Anhanguera Educacional Participacoes SA (AEDU3) tumbled after Brazil�� antitrust regulator signaled it may limit the education company�� merger with competitor Kroton Educacional SA. (KROT3) Lojas Renner SA (LREN3) led retailers higher after a report showed Brazil�� industrial production expanded faster than expected in October, easing concern that growth is faltering.

Top 5 Safest Stocks For 2014: Aviat Networks Inc.(AVNW)

Aviat Networks, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of a range of wireless networking products, solutions, and services worldwide. It offers point-to-point and point-to-multipoint digital microwave transmission systems for first/last mile access, middle mile/backhaul, and long distance trunking applications. The company?s products include broadband wireless access base stations and customer premises equipment for fixed and mobile; point-to-point digital microwave radio systems for access, backhaul, trunking, and license-exempt applications; and supporting network deployments, network expansion, and capacity upgrades. It also provides network management software solutions to enable operators to deploy, monitor, and manage its systems, as well as third party equipment, such as antennas, routers, and multiplexers to build and deploy a wireless transmission network and a suite of turnkey support services. In addition, the company offers professional services, su ch as network planning and design, site surveys and builds, systems integration, installation, maintenance, network monitoring, training, and customer services. It serves mobile and fixed communications service providers, original equipment manufacturers, private network operators, government agencies, transportation and utility companies, system integrators, public safety agencies, and broadcast system operators, as well as pipeline, railroad, and other industrial enterprises that operate wireless networks. The company was formerly known as Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. and changed its name to Aviat Networks, Inc. in January 2010. Aviat Networks, Inc. is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Kell]

  Aviat Networks Inc.(AVNW) cut its fiscal second-quarter revenue forecast, citing lower-than-expected customer orders in Africa. The microwave networking company said it is working on a plan to lower expenses, with cost savings expected to come in part from consolidating Aviat’s supply chain and locations. Shares dropped 1.4% to $2.20 premarket.

• [By Peter Graham]

  The third quarter 2014�earnings report for network communication platform maker�Ubiquiti Networks Inc (NASDAQ: UBNT), a peer of small cap stocks�Aviat Networks Inc (NASDAQ: AVNW), Ceragon Networks Ltd (NASDAQ: CRNT) and�DragonWave, Inc (NASDAQ: DRWI), is due out after the market closes on Thursday with shares already trending upwards as they closed 4.08% higher on Tuesday. Aside from the Ubiquiti Networks earnings report, it should be said that Aviat Networks Inc reported earnings yesterday after the market closed (shares were sinking hard in after hours trading); Ceragon Networks Ltd will report earnings before the market opens on Thursday; and DragonWave, Inc is scheduled to report after the market closes next Wednesday. So it�� a busy week for network communications stocks.

Top 5 Safest Stocks For 2014: PetSmart Inc(PETM)

PetSmart, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of products, services, and solutions for pets in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company offers consumables, such as pet food, treats, and litter; and hardgoods, which include pet supplies and other goods comprising collars, leashes, health care supplies, grooming and beauty aids, toys, apparel, and pet beds and carriers, as well as aquariums and habitats, accessories, d�or, and filters for fish, birds, reptiles, and small pets. It also provides fresh-water fish, small birds, reptiles, and small pets; and pet services, such as grooming, including precision cuts, baths, nail trimming and grinding, and teeth brushing, as well as training, boarding, and day camp services. In addition, the company operates PetsHotels that offer boarding for dogs and cats; provides personalized pet care, an on-call veterinarian, temperature controlled rooms and suites, daily specialty treats and p lay time, and day camp services for dogs; and operates veterinary hospitals, which offer services comprising routine examinations and vaccinations, dental care, a pharmacy, and surgical procedures. As of January 29, 2012, it operated 1,232 retail stores; 192 PetsHotels; 791 veterinary hospitals under the trade name of Banfield, The Pet Hospital; and 8 hospitals operated through other third parties in Canada. The company also offers its products through an e-commerce and community site, PetSmart.com. PetSmart, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) shares moved up 12.21% to $67.11. The volume of PetSmart shares traded was 908% higher than normal. PetSmart surged on news that activist investor Barry Rosenstein had acquired a 9.9% stake and will seek a review of strategic alternatives.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Pet-products retailer PetSmart Inc.(PETM) boosted its quarterly dividend by 18% while announcing a plan to repurchase $535 million in shares.

  RDA Microelectronics Inc.(RDA) has received a takeover proposal from Shanghai Pudong Science & Technology Investment Co. valuing the Chinese semiconductor company at $745 million. PDSTI, a state-owned investment company, offered to buy RDA for $15.50 an American depositary share, a 12% premium to RDA’s closing price Thursday. RDA shares were halted premarket ahead of the news.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  PetSmart Inc.(PETM) said it won’t replace the chief operating officer position after the retirement of Joseph O’Leary this year, a move that mirrors a growing trend among U.S. corporations. Shares dropped 3.1% to $65 premarket.