Sunday, October 5, 2014

Hot Railroad Companies For 2014

CSX, a leading railroad in the eastern U.S., is set to release its first quarter 2014 results on April 16. Its first quarter earnings may be suppressed due to higher operating costs incurred during the harsh winter weather this season. CSX CSX believes that the volume and revenue impact of the harsh weather can be recovered over the coming quarters. However, growth in earnings per share for the full year will be somewhat moderate compared to the company�� earlier guidance of 10-15%.

Domestic coal shipments, which have been a declining throughout 2012 and 2013 due to a shift towards cheaper natural gas and overhanging coal inventories, may see a turnaround this quarter. Additionally, chemicals, intermodal, agriculture and automobile shipments will continue to drive growth in volumes. However, export coal shipments and construction material shipments will be low.

See our complete analysis of CSX here

Revisiting Fourth Quarter 2013

CSX�� revenue grew 5% in the fourth quarter of 2013 to reach $3 billion. This was mainly driven by growth in revenue and volumes of intermodal and merchandise shipments. However, the company�� net earnings for the quarter declined 5%, resulting in a decrease of 2 cents in earnings per share. This was due to the favorable impact that an after-tax real estate gain had in the fourth quarter of 2012. CSX�� operating ratio, which is its operating expenses expressed as a percentage of revenues, increased by 1.4% compared to the previous year?s fourth quarter, to reach 73.2%.
Operational Costs Will Rise Due To The Harsh Weather

Top Sliver Companies To Watch In Right Now: Glencore Xstrata PLC (GLENN)

Glencore Xstrata Plc is a diversified natural resource company. The Company operates in three segments: Metals and Minerals, which includes copper, nickel, zinc/lead, alloys, alumina/aluminum and iron ore; Energy Products, which includes controlled and non-controlled coal mining and oil production operations and investments in strategic handling, storage and freight equipment and facilities, and Agricultural Products, which focuses on grains, oils/oilseeds, cotton and sugar. The Company�� operations consist of over 150 mining and metallurgical sites, offshore oil production assets, farms and agricultural facilities. The Company is a producer and marketer of over 90 commodities, such as mobile phones, bicycles, cutlery, plastics and electricity. Effective January 2, 2014, Post Holdings Inc acquired Agricore United Holdings Inc from Viterra Inc, a unit of Glencore Xstrata PLC, and the transaction also included Dakota Growers Pasta Company, Inc. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jay Silverman]

    The CEO (Erck), CFO (Phillips), and CMO (Glenn) are a solid management team, well-experienced in their respective roles, and have a sound working chemistry and quiet confidence.

Hot Railroad Companies For 2014: Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB)

Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), incorporated on February 5, 2002, is an independent oil and gas company. The Company owns, directly or indirectly, investments in the numerous companies constituting Shell. Shell is engaged worldwide in the principal aspects of the oil and gas industry and also has interests in chemicals and other energy-related businesses. The Company operates in three segments: Upstream, Downstream and Corporate. Upstream combines the operating segments Upstream International and Upstream Americas, which are engaged in searching for and recovering crude oil and natural gas; the liquefaction and transportation of gas; the extraction of bitumen from oil sands that is converted into synthetic crude oil, and wind energy. Downstream is engaged in manufacturing; distribution and marketing activities for oil products and chemicals, in alternative energy (excluding wind), and carbon dioxide (CO2) management. Corporate represents the key support functions, comprising holdings and treasury, headquarters, central functions and Shell�� self-insurance activities. In October 2011, the Company bought a marine terminal on Canada's Pacific Coast as a possible site for a liquefied natural gas export terminal. In January 2012, the Company's 50% owned, Australia Arrow Energy Holdings Pty Ltd acquired all of the shares in Bow Energy Ltd. In January 2014, Royal Dutch Shell plc completed the acquisition of Repsol S.A.'s liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio outside North America.

Upstream International manages the Upstream businesses outside the Americas. It searches for and recovers crude oil and natural gas, liquefies and transports gas, and operates the upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver oil and gas to market. Upstream International also manages Shell�� entire liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) business, gas to liquids (GTL) and the wind business in Europe. Its activities are organized primarily within geographical units, although there are some activities that are mana! ged across the businesses or provided through support units.

Upstream Americas manages the Upstream businesses in North and South America. It searches for and recovers crude oil and natural gas, transports gas and operates the upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver oil and gas to market. Upstream Americas also extracts bitumen from oil sands that is converted into synthetic crude oil. Additionally, it manages the United States-based wind business. It comprises operations organized into business-wide managed activities and supporting activities.

Downstream manages Shell�� manufacturing, distribution and marketing activities for oil products and chemicals. These activities are organized into globally managed classes of business, although some are managed regionally or provided through support units. Manufacturing and supply includes refining, supply and shipping of crude oil. Marketing sells a range of products including fuels, lubricants, bitumen and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for home, transport and industrial use. Chemicals produces and markets petrochemicals for industrial customers, including the raw materials for plastics, coatings and detergents. Downstream also trades Shell�� flow of hydrocarbons and other energy-related products, supplies the Downstream businesses, markets gas and power and provides shipping services. Downstream additionally oversees Shell�� interests in alternative energy (including biofuels, and excluding wind) and CO2 management.

Projects and Technology manages the delivery of Shell�� major projects and drives the research and innovation to create technology solutions. It provides technical services and technology capability covering both Upstream and Downstream activities. It is also responsible for providing functional leadership across Shell in the areas of health, safety and environment, and contracting and procurement.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jim Jubak]

    But, to my mind, the biggest news of last week for the valuation of Cheniere actually came from Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB). Europe's biggest oil company announced that it would halt plans to build a $20 billion natural gas of liquids plant in Louisiana, even though the state of Louisiana had agreed on $112 million in subsidies. The project would have used cheap US natural gas to produce 140,000 barrels a day of liquid fuels normally made from oil. Royal Dutch Shell cited rising costs and uncertainty about oil and natural gas prices by the time the plant entered operation, in canceling the project.

Hot Railroad Companies For 2014: Astronics Corporation(ATRO)

Astronics Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs and manufactures products for the aerospace and defense industries worldwide. It operates in two segments, Aerospace and Test Systems. The Aerospace segment?s product lines include aircraft lighting, cabin electronics, airframe power, avionics databus products, and airfield lighting. This segment serves airframe manufacturers that build aircraft for the commercial, military, and general aviation markets; suppliers; and aircraft operators, such as airlines and branches of the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration and airport operators. The Test Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, and maintains communications and weapons test systems, and training and simulation devices for military applications. It sells its products primarily to the U.S. military, foreign militaries, and manufacturers of military communication systems. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquart ered in East Aurora, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Victor Selva]

    Having to deal with competitors such as Astronics Cp (ATRO) or B/E Aerospace Inc. (BEAV), and being able to maintain a competitive position in the market, shows ATS麓s ability for great evolution and profitable growth.

  • [By Rich Smith]

    Astronics Corp. (NASDAQ: ATRO  ) is bulking up in aerospace.

    On Tuesday, the manufacturer of high-performance lighting, electrical power, and automated test systems for the global aerospace and defense industries announced that it has agreed to buy fellow aerospace interior components maker PECO for approximately $136 million, cash. Privately owned PECO is a supplier to Boeing and a maker of fuel access doors and also "passenger service units" that incorporate air handling, emergency oxygen, electrical power management, and cabin lighting systems.�

Hot Railroad Companies For 2014: Kindred Healthcare Inc. (KND)

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. operates as a healthcare services company in the United States. The company�s Hospital division operates long-term acute care (LTAC) and inpatient rehabilitation (IRFs) hospitals, which provide services to medically complex patients, including the critically ill, suffering from multiple organ system failures, primarily the cardiovascular, pulmonary, kidney, gastro-intestinal, and skin systems, as well as life-threatening infections. Its Nursing Center division operates nursing and rehabilitation centers, and assisted living facilities that offer short stay patients and long stay residents with a range of medical, nursing, rehabilitative, pharmacy, and routine services. It also provides specialized programs for residents suffering from Alzheimer�s disease and other dementias through its reflections units. The company�s Rehabilitation division provides rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapies, and speech pathology ser vices under the RehabCare name to residents and patients of nursing centers, LTAC hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, assisted living facilities, school districts, and hospice providers. In addition, it offers specialized care programs that address medical needs, such as wound care, pain management, and cognitive retraining; and programs for neurologic, orthopedic, cardiac, and pulmonary conditions. Its Home Health and Hospice division offers home health, hospice, and private duty services to patients in various settings comprising homes, skilled nursing facilities, and other residential settings. As of December 31, 2011, it operated 121 LTAC hospitals with 8,597 licensed beds, and 5 IRFs with 183 licensed beds in 26 states; and 224 nursing and rehabilitation centers with 27,148 licensed beds, and 6 assisted living facilities with 413 licensed beds in 27 states. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Anna Prior]

    Kindred Healthcare Inc.(KND) boosted its offer to about $589 million to buy a smaller stake in Gentiva Health Services Inc.(GTIV), as it tries to draw the home health-care company to the negotiating table.

  • [By Erin McCarthy]

    Gentiva Health Services Inc.(GTIV) confirmed Thursday that its board has rejected Kindred Healthcare Inc.'s(KND) $533 million takeover bid, saying the proposal significantly undervalues the company.

  • [By Brad Thomas]

    As the only healthcare REIT with a "hospital-focused" platform, MPW is a relatively new REIT that was formed (in 2004) to lease from many of the nation's leading hospital operators, including Prime Healthcare Services, Kindred Healthcare (KND), HealthSouth (HLS), Health Management Associates (HMA), Community Health Systems (CYH), Vibra Healthcare, Ernest Health Inc., and IASIS Healthcare.

  • [By Justin Loiseau]

    Kindred Healthcare (NYSE: KND  ) announced today that it is selling eight nursing centers for around $49 million to privately run Signature Healthcare.

Hot Railroad Companies For 2014: Opko Health Inc(OPK)

OPKO Health, Inc., a pharmaceutical and diagnostics company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel and proprietary technologies primarily in the United States, Chile, and Mexico. It provides a range of solutions, including molecular diagnostics tests, proprietary pharmaceuticals, and vaccines to diagnose, treat, and prevent neurological disorders, infectious diseases, oncology, and ophthalmologic diseases. The company offers molecular diagnostic platform technology for the rapid identification of molecules or immunobiomarkers; Alzheimer?s test for Alzheimer?s diagnostic; and protein-based influenza vaccines to provide multi-season and multi-strain protection against various influenza virus strains, such as seasonal influenza strains, as well as global influenza pandemic strains which include swine flu, and avian flu. It also offers Oligonucleotide Therapeutics for the treatment of various illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, metabolic disorders, and genetic anomalies; and oligosaccharide for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. In addition, the company provides Rolapitant, a potent and antagonist; neurokinin-1, which has completed Phase II clinical trials for prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting, and post-operative induced nausea and vomiting; and SCH 900978 that has completed Phase II clinical trials for chronic cough. Further, it offers bevasiranib, a drug candidate for the treatment of Wet AMD; and develops Aquashunt, a shunt to be used in the treatment of glaucoma. Additionally, the company involves in the development, commercialization, and sale of ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging systems, and instrumentation products. OPKO Health, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By James E. Brumley]

    Look out Roche Holding Ltd. (OTCMKTS:RHHBY), and Opko Health Inc. (NYSE:OPK) - you're on notice too. There's a new player in the human growth hormone arena, and it may have built the proverbial better mousetrap. Versartis Inc. (NASDAQ:VSAR) only went public in late March, but with the dust from that IPO settling, it's already becoming clear that VSAR - admittedly a one-trick pony - could pose a real threat to OPK and RHHBY... at least on the human growth hormone front.

  • [By GuruFocus]

    Opko Health Inc. (OPK): CEO & Chairman, Director, 10% Owner Phillip Md Et Al Frost Bought 42,700 Shares

    CEO & Chairman, Director, 10% Owner of Opko Health, Inc. (OPK) Phillip Md Et Al Frost bought 42,700 shares during the past week at an average price of $10.74. Opko Health, Inc. has a market cap of $4.33 billion; its shares were traded at around $10.74 with and P/S ratio of 39.84.

Hot Railroad Companies For 2014: Sappi Limited(SPP)

Sappi Limited manufactures and sells various pulp, paper, chemical cellulose, and wood products worldwide. It offers coated woodfree paper used for marketing promotions and brochures, catalogues, corporate communications materials, direct mail, textbooks, and magazines; uncoated woodfree paper used for business forms, business stationery, tissue, photocopy paper, books, brochures, and magazines, as well as cut-size, preprint, and office paper; specialty woodfree paper used in bags, labels, and packaging; and release paper for use in textile, automotive, furniture, and engineering film markets. The company also provides packaging paper products, including containerboards, sack kraft, and grocery bags used for primary and secondary packaging of fast moving consumer goods, and agricultural and industrial products. In addition, it offers mechanical newsprint paper used in advertising inserts and newspapers; uncoated mechanical fiber based printing paper used for the printing o f books and advertising inserts; and coated mechanical fiber-based paper used for magazines, catalogues, and advertising material. Further, the company provides pulp products, including paper pulp used in the production of printing, writing, and packaging paper; and chemical cellulose used in the manufacture of various cellulose textile and non-woven fiber products, as well as used in various other cellulose-based applications in the food, film, cigarette, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Additionally, Sappi Limited offers sawn timber for construction and furniture manufacturing purposes. Its customers include printers, publishers, corporate end-users, suppliers, and converters. The company was formerly known as South African Pulp and Paper Industries Limited and changed its name to Sappi Limited in 1973. Sappi Limited was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Sappi (NYSE: SPP  ) reported earnings on May 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.

    The 10-second takeaway
    For the quarter ended March 31 (Q2), Sappi beat slightly on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Hot Railroad Companies For 2014: TIBCO Software Inc.(TIBX)

TIBCO Software Inc. provides middleware and infrastructure software worldwide. It offers products in the areas of service-oriented architecture (SOA) and core infrastructure; business optimization; and process automation and collaboration. Its SOA and core infrastructure product line helps organizations integrate their disparate systems and move towards flexible infrastructure comprised of services or discrete data components that can be assembled, orchestrated, and reused; and enables the creation, management, and virtualization of heterogeneous services. The company?s business optimization product portfolio assists organizations analyze data to create information and deliver it to employees, customers, and partners; and employees perform their jobs, and customers get information, as well as helps managers identify and analyze problems and opportunities. Its process automation and collaboration software helps organizations coordinate manual and automated process flows th at span their business and enables employees to collaborate in real-time using social media; and coordinate the human and electronic resources inside a business and its network of customers and partners. The company also provides professional services, which include consulting services that comprise systems planning and design, installation, and systems integration; maintenance and support; training; and hosted services. It serves various industries, such as financial services, telecommunications, government, energy, life sciences, insurance, logistics, manufacturing, retail, and transportation. The company sells its products through direct sales force, as well as through software vendors, resellers, and systems integrators. TIBCO Software Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    TIBCO Software (NASDAQ: TIBX  ) will release its quarterly report on Thursday, and investors have looked increasingly uncertain about whether the enterprise infrastructure and IT integration software maker can continue to produce solid share-price gains. Even though the company has managed to fend off much larger rivals IBM (NYSE: IBM  ) and Oracle (NYSE: ORCL  ) thus far, TIBCO has a long way to go before it can ultimately declare victory over them and the rest of its competition.

  • [By Steven Russolillo]

    Late Tuesday, Tibco Software(TIBX) said it expects second-quarter per share earnings between break even and a penny and revenue of $250 million to $252 million. On an adjusted basis, it forecast per-share earnings of 12 cents to 13 cents, significantly below analysts��estimate of 21 cents a share. Shares of Tibco fell 13% in after-hours trading.

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