Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Top 10 Consumer Service Companies To Own For 2014

It takes money to make money. Most investors know that, but with business media so focused on the "how much," very few investors bother to ask, "How fast?"

When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to Pool (Nasdaq: POOL  ) .

Let's break this down
In this series, we measure how swiftly a company turns cash into goods or services and back into cash. We'll use a quick, relatively foolproof tool known as the cash conversion cycle, or CCC for short.

Why does the CCC matter? The less time it takes a firm to convert outgoing cash into incoming cash, the more powerful and flexible its profit engine is. The less money tied up in inventory and accounts receivable, the more available to grow the company, pay investors, or both.

Hot Internet Companies To Buy Right Now: On Track Innovations Ltd (OTIV)

On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI) designs, develops and markets solutions based on its secure contactless microprocessor-based smart card technology to address the needs of a range of markets. The Company�� products combine the benefits of both microprocessors and contactless cards. In addition to contactless microprocessor-based smart cards, it also sells products that are based on other card technologies. The Company has focused on the development of its technologies and its products based on its technological platform that consists of smart cards, smart card readers, software tools and secure communication technology. As of December 31, 2012, it offers three lines of solutions, each of which constitutes a complete system, as well as components (such as smart cards and readers) that we sell to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), for incorporation into their own products. OTI�� three vertical markets include Payment Solutions, Petroleum Systems and SmartID Solutions. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Markman Advisors]

    Public companies leveraging their patent portfolios, (aka "patent plays"), are getting the market's attention. Companies such as Vringo (VRNG), ParkerVision (PRKR), MGT Capital (MGT), Worlds Inc. (WDDD.OB) and others have presented trading opportunities due to their volatility while retaining the chance for a big payoff to those investors who stay the course. Yet there exist viable patent plays that are still undiscovered. Some of these so called "plays," which are not getting enough attention, are actually real companies making and selling real products or services in contrast to pure patent monetization companies. Some known examples are Single Touch Interactive (SITO.OB) and Blue Calypso (BCYP.OB). This article is focused on another one of these patent plays, On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTIV).

Top 10 Consumer Service Companies To Own For 2014: IceWEB Inc (IWEB)

IceWEB, Inc. (IceWEB), incorporated in 1994, manufacture and market unified data storage, purpose built appliances, network and cloud attached storage solutions and deliver on-line cloud computing application services. The Company�� customer base includes the United States government agencies, enterprise companies, and small to medium sized businesses (SMB). The Company has three product offerings: Iceweb Unified Data Network Storage line of products, Purpose Built Network/Data Appliances and Cloud Computing Products/Services. In October 2013, IceWEB Inc completed its acquisition of Computers and Tele-Comm, Inc. and KC-NAP, LLC of Kansas City (collectively CTC).

IceWEB Unified Data Storage line of products

IceWEB is a provider of Unified Data Storage solutions. Its storage systems make it possible to operate and manage files and applications from a single device and consolidate file-based and block-based access in a single storage platform, which supports Fibre Channel SAN, IP-based SAN (iSCSI), and NAS (network attached storage). A unified storage system simultaneously enables storage of file data and handles the block-based I/O (input/output) of enterprise applications. One advantage of unified storage is reduced hardware requirements. The IceWEB Storage System is an all-inclusive storage management system, which includes de-duplication; unlimited snapshots; thin provisioning; local or remote, real-time or scheduled replication; capacity and utilization reporting, and integration with virtual server environments.

Purpose Built Network and Data Appliances

Purpose Built Network and Data Appliances are devices, which provide computing resources (processors and memory), data storage, and specific software for a specific application. The primary appliance products that IceWEB has built have been centered on a single large business partner, ESRI Corporation. IceWEB and ESRI have collaborated to create ultra-high performance IceWEB/ESRI GIS systems tha! t allow customers to access data with speed. ESRI Corporation takes responsibility for marketing to their customers and business partners, via their worldwide sales and consultancy organization.

Cloud Computing Products and Services

Cloud computing products and services consist of cloud computing services and cloud storage appliances. IceWEB provides IceMAIL, a packaged software service that provides network hosted groupware, e-mail, calendaring and collaboration functionality. Online services were expanded to include IcePORTAL, which provides customers with a complete Intranet portal and IceSECURE a hosted e-mail encryption service. Originally such hosted services were referred to as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Such services, hosted across the Internet are commonly referred to as Cloud Computing. A cloud storage appliance is a purpose built storage device configured for either branch office or central site deployment, which allows the housing and delivery of customer data across not only their internal networking infrastructure, but also to make that data available to employees or business partners securely via the Internet (often called the cloud).

The Company competes with EMC, Network Appliance, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, Compellent Technologies and Isilon.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    What�� the Catch with Dephasium Corp? According to various disclosures, transactions of $2k, $2.5k, $3k, $4k, $7.5k, $12.5k and $15k have or will occur to mention Dephasium Corp in various investment newsletters. Dephasium Corp has been getting plenty of off and on attention for a couple of months now, but what�� been pretty strange is the company issuing a press release to announce that an unidentified third party, without the DPHS�� approval, has listed its shares on the Boerse Berlin Stock Exchange. The press release warned that this could be the first salvo in a ��ignificant naked shorting attack directed at the Company��given that the Berlin exchange is one of few stock exchanges in the world that allows listing and trading of a company's stock without the consent or authorization of the company being listed in order to facilitate short-selling. A quick look at Dephasium Corp�� financials reveals no revenues; net losses of $10k (most recent reported quarter), $17k and $11k plus net income of $388k; and $51k to cover $9k in current liabilities at the end of March. In other words, Dephasium Corp isn�� making money but someone else is trying to make some from it.

    IceWEB, Inc. (OTCBB: IWEB) Seems to Be Making Progress

    Small cap IceWEB is a provider of Unified Data Storage appliances for cloud and virtual environments, as well as the highly secure, scalable IceBOXTM BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Private Digital Cloud Solution. On Friday, IceWEB fell 8.57% to $0.0320 for a market cap of $9.01 million plus IWEB is down 54.3% over the past year and down 81.7% over the past five years according to Google Finance.

Top 10 Consumer Service Companies To Own For 2014: NAPCO Security Technologies Inc.(NSSC)

Napco Security Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells security products for intrusion, fire, video, wireless, access control, and door locking systems. The company offers intrusion and fire alarms, building access control systems, and electronic locking devices for commercial, residential, institutional, industrial, and governmental applications. Its access control systems comprise identification readers, control panel, personal computer-based computer, and electronically activated door-locking devices; alarm systems include automatic communicators, control panels, combination control panels/digital communicators and digital keypad systems, door security devices, fire alarm control panels, and area detectors; and video surveillance systems consists of video cameras, control panel, and video monitor or personal computer. The company also markets peripheral and related equipment manufactured by other companies. It sells and markets its pro ducts to independent distributors, dealers, and installers of security equipment worldwide. The company was formerly known as NAPCO Security Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Napco Security Technologies, Inc. in January 2009. Napco Security Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Amityville, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jim Powell]

    A more speculative idea, and a companion stock to ADT, I recommend Napco Security Technologies (NSSC). The company supplies security systems, primarily to commercial, institutional, industrial, and government customers.

Top 10 Consumer Service Companies To Own For 2014: Syntel Inc.(SYNT)

Syntel, Inc. provides information technology (IT) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) services worldwide. It operates in four segments: Applications Outsourcing, KPO, e-Business, and TeamSourcing. The Applications Outsourcing segment provides software applications development, maintenance, testing, migration, and infrastructure services. The KPO segment offers a host of outsourced solutions for knowledge and business processes. It focuses on middle and back-office business processes of the transaction cycle in the capital markets, banking, healthcare, and insurance industries. The e-Business segment provides technology services in the areas of architecting, implementing, and maintaining Web solutions, data warehousing/business intelligence, enterprise application integration, business process management, and enterprise resource planning solutions. The TeamSourcing segment offers professional IT consulting services directly to customers on a staff augmentation basis. It s services include systems specification, design, development, implementation, and maintenance of complex IT applications involving computer hardware, software, data, and networking technologies and practices. Syntel, Inc. provides services to a range of companies primarily in the financial services, healthcare and life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, automotive, retail, logistics, and telecom industries. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Troy, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brian Pacampara]

    Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, IT services specialist Syntel (NASDAQ: SYNT  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

Top 10 Consumer Service Companies To Own For 2014: Wells Fargo Advantage Income Opportunities Fund (EAD)

Evergreen Income Advantage Fund (the Fund) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The primary investment objective of the Fund is to seek a high level of current income.

During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005, the Fund's investment portfolio included Marquee Holdings, Inc., Mediacom LLC, American Achievement Corp., CSK Auto, Inc., Oxford Industries, Inc., B&G Foods Holdings Corp. and Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Inyoung Hwang]

    EADS (EAD) declined 1.2 percent to 51.54 euros. UBS said in a note that investing in the company is ��ess compelling��after shares rallied 77 percent in 2013 through yesterday and orders were announced following the Dubai Air Show.

  • [By Jim Jubak]

    Precision Castparts' impressive growth in the June quarter was largely a result of acquisitions. Organic sales growth year over year came to just 2%. Most of the time I don't like growth stocks that are fueled by acquisition since these deals can hide the true (frequently negative) trend in core sales and earnings growth. But in the case of Precision Castparts, an acquisition strategy makes sense to me, because it is a reflection of what's going on in the aerospace sector. Companies like Boeing (BA) and Airbus (EAD) are looking to simplify their supply chain and to deal with fewer suppliers. Rolling up part of the supply chain under one roof, which is what Precision Castparts is doing right now, is a way to gain a bigger share of the business of these big end customers.

  • [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

    European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD) rose 1.8 percent to 47.28 euros, the highest price since it sold shares to the public in 2000. Deutsche Lufthansa AG split an order for 59 wide-body aircraft valued at $19 billion between EADS unit Airbus SAS and Boeing Co.

Top 10 Consumer Service Companies To Own For 2014: Zoetis Inc (ZTS)

Zoetis Inc, incorporated on July 25, 2012, is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture and commercialization of animal health medicines and vaccines, with a focus on both livestock and companion animals. The primary livestock species are cattle (both beef and dairy), swine, poultry, sheep and fish, and the primary companion animal species are dogs, cats and horses. In February 2014, Benchmark Holdings PLC purchased aquaculture vaccine and development assets from animal health company Zoetis Inc.

The Company�� more than 300 product lines include vaccines, parasiticides, anti-infectives, medicated feed additives and other pharmaceutical products. The Company�� product portfolio also includes businesses, such as diagnostics, genetics, devices and services, such as dairy data management, e-learning and professional consulting. The Company operates in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Keith Speights]

    After all of the hype and hoopla over Pfizer's (NYSE: PFE  ) spinoff of Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS  ) at the beginning of the year, Zoetis shares are basically right back where they started in 2013. There's still plenty of interest in the animal health stock, though. Pfizer's offer to allow its shareholders to exchange shares for Zoetis stock met with lots of takers. More than 400 million shares were swapped in an oversubscribed exchange deal.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS) was down as well, falling 5.25 percent to $29.50 percent after the company guided its fiscal year 2014 revenue and EPS below street estimates.

  • [By Jessica Alling]

    Pfizer (NYSE: PFE  ) is also in the winners circle this morning, with a 3.1% gain. The pharmaceutical giant announced that it will be splitting off the remainder of Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS  ) , its animal health business. The company is offering a share exchange to investors in order to reduce its 80.2% stake in the company. The tax-free transaction would allow shareholders to take over the remaining stake in Zoetis, making it fully independent. The company has risen 27% since its IPO in February. This is one of the final steps in slimming down Pfizer in order to refocus on developing new drugs.

  • [By Rupert Hargreaves]

    Pet treatments are needed
    So, like the market for human pharmaceuticals, pet treatments are in demand. In addition, demand for animal pharmaceuticals is not limited to dogs and cats.�Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS  ) , which was recently spun off from parent Pfizer, develops and produces animal health medicines and vaccines for livestock around the world. A more defensive play than a company that just supplies the pet market, Zoetis is experiencing near record demand for its products as beef and pork consumption rises in China and the African continent starts to develop -- there are now several large multi-national farming conglomerates operating on the African continent. Currently, Zoetis is only generating 2% of its revenue in China, but this figure should be set to rise dramatically in the near term.

Top 10 Consumer Service Companies To Own For 2014: Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc.(PDM)

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial real estate properties in the United States. Its property portfolio primarily consists of office and industrial buildings, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. As of December 31, 2007, the company owned interests in 83 properties that are wholly owned and controlled through consolidated joint ventures. It has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and would not be subject to federal income tax, if it distributes approximately 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brad Thomas]

    Other REITs mentioned: (O), (NNN), (STAG), (DCT), (EGP), (PDM), (DRE), (LRY)

    Source: Chambers Street: More Liquidity Magic On The Way In REIT-Dom

    Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)

  • [By alicet236]

    Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. (PDM) Reached the Five-Year Low of $16.73

    The prices of Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. (PDM) shares have declined to close to the 5-year low of $16.73, which is 32.6% off the five-year high of $21.32. Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. is owned by one Guru we are tracking. Among them, 0 have added to their positions during the past quarter. One reduced their position. Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation was incorporated in 1987. Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. has a market cap of $2.7 billion; its shares were traded at around $16.73 with a P/E ratio of 33.10 and P/S ratio of 5.02. The dividend yield of Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. stocks is 4.78%. Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. had an annual average earnings growth of 27.60% over the past five years.

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