Sunday, December 28, 2014

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Watch For 2014

In the same way that it's more difficult for big investment funds to grow because of sheer size, it becomes harder for integrated major oil companies such as Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) to move the oil-production needle. In fact, the company has joined�ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM  ) in seeing production shrink recently. Much of Chevron's recent slip comes from a shutdown at several facilities for maintenance, so while that may not be too much to worry about in the near future, it does raise questions about whether the company can grow its production.

Based on the company's current development projects, it appears that Chevron wants to make a big splash in the LNG export market. So far, it operates four LNG facilities that are either online, under construction, or approved for export. In the following video, Fool.com contributor Tyler Crowe looks at what needs to happen to make these projects profitable.�

There are lots of reasons to buy and sell stocks, but overreacting to today's stories shouldn't be one of them. Let us help you with a more disciplined approach to investing. Discover one behind-the-scenes energy giant that is well positioned to do well in almost any market condition by checking out our special free report: "The Only Energy Stock You'll Ever Need." Simply click here�to access your report -- it's totally free.

Best Cheap Stocks To Watch For 2015: Centrex Metals Ltd (CXM)

Centrex Metals Limited (Centrex) is an Australia-based company engaged in iron ore exploration on wholly owned tenements in conjunction with joint venture partners Wuhan Iron & Steel (Group) Co. (WISCO) and Baotou Iron & Steel (Group) Co. (Baotou). The Company�� principal projects include WISCO joint ventures (Eyre Iron: Centrex 40%, Port Spencer: Centrex 50%), Bungalow joint venture (Centrex 70%), Wilgerup (Centrex 100%) and Exploration (Centrex 100%). The Bungalow / Minbrie magnetite deposit is located 9 kilometers north of the coastal town of Cowell on the Eyre Peninsula and around 100 kilometers from the Port Spencer joint venture site. The Goulburn and Archer tenements cover an extensive area with a number of base metal, gold and iron deposits and occurrences. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By James E. Brumley]

    To say that Cardium Therapeutics Inc. (NYSEMKT:CXM) has been unimpressive this year - and last year for that matter - would be an understatement. Shares of CXM peaked at $11.90 in late 2011, and spend the next two years making their way back to the August (2013) low of $0.58. The stock has since wiggled its way back to the current price of $0.84, but the effort has largely been dismissed as volatility. Big mistake. When you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you start to see Cardium Therapeutics shares are on the cusp of a monster-sized rebound.

  • [By James E. Brumley]

    Call it a hunch (because that's all it is), but I think Cardium Therapeutics Inc. (NYSEMKT:CXM) at least belongs on your watchlist, if not already in your portfolio. CXM shares have dropped a handful of key hints that say the bulls are just one good nudge away from catapulting this stock upward.

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Watch For 2014: Resource Capital Corp.(RSO)

Resource Capital Corp. operates as a specialty finance company that focuses primarily on commercial real estate and commercial finance in the United States. The company?s commercial real estate-related investments include first mortgage loans, first priority interests in first mortgage real estate loans, subordinate interests in first mortgage real estate loans, mezzanine loans, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. It also invests in commercial finance assets, including senior secured corporate loans, other asset-backed securities, equipment leases and notes, trust preferred securities, and debt tranches of collateralized debt and loan obligations. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, it is not subject to federal corporate income tax to the extent that it distributes 90% of its REIT taxable income. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Wallace Witkowski]

    Shares of Resource Capital Corp. (RSO) �declined 3.8% to $5.82 in moderate volume after the real-estate investment trust said it would launch a $100 million offering in notes due 2018.

  • [By Eric Volkman]

    Resource Capital (NYSE: RSO  ) is dipping into its coffers for another shareholder payout. The company has declared a dividend for its current quarter of $0.20 per share, which is to be paid on July 26 to shareholders of record as of June 28. That amount matches each of the company's previous five distributions, the most recent of which was paid in late April. Before that, Resource Capital was more generous, dispensing $0.25 per share.

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Watch For 2014: Brinker International Inc (EAT)

Brinker International, Inc. (Brinker), incorporated on September 30, 1983, owns, develops, operates and franchises the Chili�� Grill & Bar (Chili��) and Maggiano�� Little Italy (Maggiano��) restaurant brands. As of June 27, 2013 (fiscal 2013), the Company's system of Company-owned and franchised restaurants included 1,591 restaurants located in 50 states, and Washington, D.C. It also has restaurants in the Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Syria, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

Chili�� Grill & Bar

Chili�� operates in the Bar and Grill category of casual dining. The Company has operations worldwide, with locations in 32 foreign countries and two United States territories. Chili�� menu features items, such as Baby Back Ribs smoked in-house, Big Mouth Burgers, Sizzling Fajitas, hand-battered Chicken Crispers and house-made Chips and Salsa. The all-day menu offers a range of appetizers, entrees and desserts. A special lunch section is available on weekdays. In addition to its flavorful food, Chili�� offers a line of alcoholic beverages available from the bar, including Margaritas and draft beer. During fiscal 2013, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 86.1% of Chili�� total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounted for the remaining 13.9%.

Maggiano�� Little Italy

Maggiano�� is a full-service, casual dining Italian restaurant brand. Its Maggiano�� restaurants feature individual and family-style menus, and its restaurants also have banquet facilities designed to host party business or social events. It has lunch and dinner menu offering chef-prepared, classic Italian-American fare in the form of appetizers, entrees with portions of pasta, ch! icken, seafood, veal and prime steaks, and desserts. The Company�� Maggiano�� restaurants also offer a range of alcoholic beverages, including wines. In addition, Maggiano�� offers a full carryout menu, as well as local delivery services. During fiscal 2013, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 83.0% of Maggiano�� total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounted for the remaining 17.0%.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Nickey Friedman]

    Compare Famous Dave's to Brinker International (NYSE: EAT  ) , the owners of the Chili's and Maggiano's chains. Brinker International reported almost a 15% restaurant operating profit margin last quarter. Though it may be harder for Famous Dave's to get to 15% margins with pork ribs than Brinker International with burgers and pasta, 15% is a good target. It would add around $1 million to the bottom line by carving 2.7% off the top. It would also add around $0.14 in EPS, a 67% increase over last quarter. It helps that Famous Dave's has such a small, tight share structure.�

  • [By Tom Rojas var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach(func]

    Brinker International Inc.(EAT) said its first-quarter profit increased 12%, helped by higher sales at its Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy chains.

Top 5 High Tech Companies To Watch For 2014: Interleukin Genetics Inc (ILIU.PK)

Interleukin Genetics, Inc., incorporated on March 28, 2000, is a personalized health company, which develops genetic tests to provide information to manage health and specific health risks. The Company�� business focuses on personalized health, by providing genetic tests with clinical value. Its tests are made available through marketing partners or directly to end users. The Company's primary business focus and strategy is to continue the Company's commercialization efforts with its PST genetic test. In addition, the Company plans to continue to develop and sells tests for its own business needs under the Inherent Health brand.

The Company's genetic tests that are being commercialized includes PST is a genetic test, which analyzes genetic variations associated with inflammation and identifies individuals who are at increased risk for more severe periodontal disease; Weight Management Genetic Test determines whether a low fat, low carbohydrate or balanced diet may normal or vigorous exercise, which is needed to lose existing body fat; Bone Health Genetic Test is designed to identify whether an individual is more likely to be susceptible to spine fractures and low bone mineral density associated with osteoporosis; Heart Health Genetic Test is designed to identify genetic predisposition to excess inflammation, which is a risk factor for heart attack, and Wellness Select Genetic Test allows buyers to purchase any combination of Inherent Health genetic tests at a discounted price. The Company is also focusing its genetic test development efforts on the development of an Osteoarthritis, or OA, genetic test to identify individuals at increased risk for severe OA.

Genetic Test for Risk of Periodontal Disease

PST is a genetic test that analyzes genetic variations associated with inflammation and identifies individuals who are at increased risk for more severe periodontal disease. The PST genetic test identifies specific polymorphisms (genetic variations) in genes that! regulate the production of interleukin cytokines.Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is well-established as one of the critical regulators of periodontal disease, and studies in non-human primates have shown that drugs specifically blocking IL-1 alone or IL-1 plus TNFa reduces tissue destruction even when the bacterial challenge is not reduced.

Inherent Health Brand of Genetic Tests

The Company's Weight Management Genetic Test helps take the guesswork out of finding an effective diet and exercise solution by revealing actionable steps to achieve weight goals based on genetics. The test provides new information beyond traditional assessments, so that nutritional intake and fitness routines can be tailored for improved, sustainable results. This test identifies five SNPs in four human genes: fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2); adrenergic receptor beta 2 (ADRB2 two variations); adrenergic receptor beta 3 (ADRB3); and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR- ). These markers are involved in certain physiological pathways relating to body weight. Certain patterns of markers are associated with differential response to certain diet and exercise regimens.

The Company has conducted a number of studies that demonstrate a gene-diet interaction based on the multi-locus patterns . In the original study, 311 overweight/obese (body mass index, 27-40 kg/m2), nondiabetic, premenopausal, generally healthy women were randomly assigned for 12 months to either the Atkins-like ( low carbohydrate), Zone-like (low carbohydrate), LEARN-like (balanced), or Ornish-like (low fat) diets for the primary purpose of losing weight. The data collected in that study included dietary intake assessment (three unannounced 24-hour recalls for each time point administered by a dietitian and analyzed using NDS-R, University of Minnesota), anthropometric measures including weight, and related physiological variables, all collected at baseline, two, six, and 12 months.

Bone Health Genetic T! est

The Company's Bone Health Genetic Test is designed to identify whether an individual is more likely to be susceptible to spine fractures and low bone mineral density associated with osteoporosis. Although it typically starts later in life, early intervention can help prevent osteoporosis. Preventive measures can reduce the risk for bone loss and fractures, which in the case of vertebral fractures leads to a hunched over appearance. The test identifies a SNP in each of three genes involved in processes that affect bone; estrogen receptor alpha (ER1 Xba1), vitamin D receptor (VDR), and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Certain patterns of variations are associated with increased risk of spine fracture and/or low bone mineral density. The test can be used as an aid to making diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices to maintain and improve bone health.

Nutritional Needs Genetics Test

The Company's Nutritional Needs Genetics Test is designed to identify DNA variations in genes crucial to B-vitamin metabolism and the ability to manage oxidative stress. Individuals with certain variations in these genes may be at increased risk for ineffective utilization of B-vitamins and potential for cell damage caused by oxidative stress, both of which can in some cases lead to increased risk for certain diseases. The test identifies the presence or absence of human genotypic markers methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and transcobalamin II (TCN2) involved in vitamin B metabolism and markers superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), glutathione S-transferase 1 deletions (GSTM1), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), X-ray repair cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1) in response to oxidative stress. Certain variations are associated with less efficient B-vitamin metabolism or reduced activity of endogenous anti-oxidant systems. The test may be used to aid individuals in deciding whether to supplement their diet with B vitamins and/or antioxidants.

Genetic Test Pipeline

The Company is focusing! its gene! tic test development efforts on programs, including Osteoarthritis Genetic Test. OA is the common adult joint disease, increasing in frequency and severity in all aging populations. The estimated U.S. prevalence is 20-40 million patients or five times that of rheumatoid arthritis. The Company's OA program plans to investigate whether interleukin gene variations together with several other inflammatory gene variations is associated with the occurrence of multi-joint OA for the development of a genetic risk assessment test.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Brian Marckx]

    Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (ILIU.PK) develops genetic tests focused on personal health. Through applied genetics research and scientific collaborations, the company has made significant progress in understanding how genetic make-up can affect an individual's predisposition and risk of suffering from certain diseases. Interleukin's research has specifically focused on a form of genetic variation called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and how it can have an impact on a person's health. The company has applied this knowledge in the development of genetic tests focused on areas such as weight management, cardiovascular health and periodontal disease. Interleukin sells its Inherent Health line of tests, which launched in 2009, to the consumer market and maintains a CLIA-certified lab at its headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, where consumers send test samples for processing.

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