Top 5 Quality Companies To Watch For 2014

Dallas-based boutique broker-dealer firm Prospera Financial Services announced on Thursday that it has acquired TCA Financial Group in Charlotte, N.C. TCA is a full service broker-dealer founded in 2004. The acquisition means Prospera will be able to increase its footprint in the mid-Atlantic region.

"It made sense,” said Tim Edwards, principal and executive vice president at Prospera, when asked about the reasons for the acquisition. “It was an opportunity for us to expand our footprint with quality advisors that have a high production per rep and a similar culture."

TCA will close its broker-dealer and operate as an OSJ under Prospera, but will retain its name and branding. The acquisition also comes with an expanded clearing relationship, as TCA is on the Pershing platform.

“TCA was at a size in which regulation was becoming more and more a part of their cost of doing business,” Edwards added. “We said ‘look, concentrate on your advisors and clients,” and this affords them the opportunity to do that.”

Top Quality Companies To Buy For 2015: AZZ Inc (AZZ)

AZZ incorporated, incorporated on March 29, 1956, is an electrical equipment and components manufacturer, serving the global markets of power generation, transmission and distribution, and the general industrial markets, and a provider of hot dip galvanizing services to the North American steel fabrication market. The Company operates in two segments: the Electrical and Industrial Products and Services Segment and the Galvanizing Services Segment. On October 1, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Galvcast Manufacturing Inc. On January 2, 2013, the Company acquired G3 Galvanizing Limited (G3), a company with galvanizing operations in Halifax, Nova Scotia. On March 29, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Aquilex Specialty Repair and Overhaul LLC. In April 2013, it completed the acquisition of Aquilex Specialty Repair and Overhaul LLC (Aquilex SRO).

Electrical and Industrial Products and Services Segment

The Company�� Electrical and Industrial Products and Services Segment produces engineered specialty electrical products, industrial lighting and tubular products, all of which the Company market and sell both in domestic and international markets. The Company�� electrical products are designed, manufactured and configured to distribute electrical power to and from generators, transformers, switching devices and other electrical configurations and are supplied to the power generation, transmission and distribution markets and the general industrial market. The Company�� industrial products include industrial lighting and tubular products. The Company provides lighting products to the petroleum and food processing industries, and to other industries with lighting challenges. The Company also provides tubular products to the petroleum industry. In addition, the Company�� Electrical and Industrial Products and Services Segment provide electrical and mechanical equipment and services enhancing the safety of nuclear faci! lities.

Galvanizing Services Segment

The Galvanizing Services Segment provides hot dip galvanizing to the steel fabrication industry through facilities located throughout the South, Midwest, East Coast and Southwest of the United States and in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Hot dip galvanizing is a metallurgical process in which molten zinc is applied to a customer�� material. As of February 28, 2013, the Company operated thirty-five galvanizing plants, which are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia in the United States and Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia in Canada. The Company serves fabricators or manufacturers that provide services to the electrical and telecommunications, bridge and highway, petrochemical and general industrial markets, and numerous original equipment manufacturers.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  AZZ (NYSE: AZZ  ) has released results for its Q4 2013 and trailing 12 months. For the quarter, net sales were just over $140 million, which bettered the $124 million in the same period the previous year. The bottom line also rose, to $13.2 million ($0.52 per diluted share) from Q4 2012's $11.6 million ($0.46).

Top 5 Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: Centerra Gold Inc (CAGDF.PK)

Centerra Gold Inc. (Centerra) is a gold mining company. The Company is engaged in the production of gold and related activities, including exploration, development, mining and processing in the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Turkey, China and the Russian Federation. The Company�� producing gold mines properties include Kumtor, in the Kyrgyz Republic (100%) and Boroo, in Mongolia (100%). Centerra�� development project includes Gatsuurt, in Mongolia. Its exploration projects include ATO, in Mongolia (100%); Oksut, in Turkey (100%); Kara Beldyr, in Russia (70%); Dvoinoy, in Russia (40%), and Ulaan Bulag, in Mongolia (100%). Kumtor gold mine is located in the Kyrgyz Republic, about 350 kilometers southeast of the capital Bishkek and about 60 kilometers north of the border with the People�� Republic of China. The Boroo gold mine is located in Mongolia some 110 kilometers to the northwest of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The Kara Beldyr project is a joint venture with Auriant Mining Company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Itinerant]

  Goldcorp, Newmont (NEM) or Agnico-Eagle use similar definitions. The important element here is the so-called 'sustaining capital expenditure', which is the capital required to sustain existing production levels. The table below is taken from the Agnico-Eagle presentation referenced above and provides a comparison of company-wide AISC for some of the major gold miners, including Goldcorp, Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining, Yamana Gold (AUY), Randgold (GOLD), Kinross (KGC), Agnico-Eagle Mines, Eldorado Gold (EGO), Goldfields and Centerra (CAGDF.PK). The difference between cash costs and AISC is significant. It is also important to note that these AISC are still noticeably below the present spot price for gold.

Top 5 Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: Redhill Biopharma Ltd (RDHL)

Redhill Biopharma Ltd. is an Israel-based biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on the development and acquisition of therapeutic candidates. The Company�� pipeline consists of six late clinical development therapeutic candidates, two of which have completed bioequivalence clinical trials subject to review and approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration and, in some cases, regulatory authorities in other countries. The Company�� six clinical stage therapeutic candidates include RHB-101, RHB-102, RHB-103, RHB-104, RHB-105 and RHB-106.

RHB-101

RHB-101 is a treatment of hypertension, heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction (following myocardial infraction) by means of controlled release of an active ingredient known as carvedilol, which is designed to be administered to patients on a once-daily basis. RHB-101 is based on a patented technology for the controlled release of drugs administered orally.

RHB-102

RHB-102 is a once-daily controlled release oral formulation of ondansetron. RHB-102 utilizes a technology called CDT that uses salts to provide a controlled release of ondansetron.

RHB-103

RHB-103 is an oral thin film formulation of rizatriptan intended for the treatment of acute migraine headaches. Migraine is a neurovascular disorder (related to nerves and blood vessels) characterized by recurrent headaches in one side or both sides of the head.

The product is based on a technology called VersaFilm.

RHB-104

RHB-104 is an antibiotic combination therapy for the treatment of Crohn's disease (with a PIII clinical study underway), as well as Multiple Sclerosis (with an ongoing PIIa clinical study) and Rheumatoid Arthritis. RHB-104 is a combination of clarithromycin, clofazimine and rifabutin, three generic antibiotic ingredients, in a single capsule.

RHB-105

RHB-105, an antibiotics and proton pump inhibitor drug targeting Helico! bacter Pylori infection. RHB-105 is a combination of three approved drug products omeprazole, which is a proton pump inhibitor (the natural body pump that produces the gastric acids used for digesting the food in the stomach), and amoxicillin and rifabutin which are antibiotics. Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori irritates the mucosal lining of the stomach and small intestine.

RHB-106

RHB-106, is a tablet for the preparation and cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract prior to the performance of abdominal procedures. Its abdominal procedures include diagnostic tests, such as colonoscopy, barium enema or virtual colonoscopy, as well as surgical interventions, such as laparotomy.

The company competes with GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis Groupe, Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, Merck and Co., Inc, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Breaking news

  Vitran Corporation (NASDAQ: VTNC) announced today that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement with TransForce pursuant to which TransForce has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Vitran not already owned by TransForce for US$6.50 in cash per share, in accordance with TransForce's prior proposal. To read the full news, click here. ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) today announced it signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to sell three utility-scale projects in Western China, with a total capacity of 60MW, to Jiangsu Akcome Solar Science & Technology Co on December 30, 2013. To read the full news, click here. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) today announced it has terminated the merger agreement with Apollo Tyres (NSE:ApolloTYRE). To read the full news, click here. RedHill Biopharma (NASDAQ: RDHL) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with leading healthcare investor OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited Partnership, an affiliate of OrbiMed Advisors LLC, for the sale of RedHill's American Depository Shares and warrants in a private placement transactionor a total sum of $6.0 million. To read the full news, click here.

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Top 5 Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: Gartner Inc (IT)

Gartner, Inc. (Gartner), incorporated on June 1, 1990, is an information technology (IT) research and advisory company. The Company operates in three business segments: Research, Consulting and Events.

Research provides objective insight on critical and timely technology and supply chain initiatives for chief information officers (CIO), other IT professionals, supply chain leaders, technology companies and the investment community through reports, briefings, tools, access to its analysts, peer networking services and membership programs that enables its clients to make better decisions about their IT and supply chain investments. Consulting provides customized solutions to client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as tools for measuring and improving IT performance with a focus on cost, performance, efficiency, and quality. Events provide IT, supply chain and business professionals the opportunity to attend various symposia, conferences and exhibitions to learn, contribute and network with their peers.

Research

Gartner delivers independent, objective IT research and insight primarily through a subscription-based, digital media service. Gartner Research is the fundamental building block for all Gartner services and covers all technology-related markets, topics and industries, as well as supply chain topics. The Company combines its research methodologies with industry and academic relationships to create Gartner solutions that address each role within an IT organization.

The Company�� research agenda is defined by clients��needs, focusing on the critical issues, opportunities and challenges they face every day. Research analysts provide in-depth analysis on all aspects of technology, including hardware; software and systems; services; IT management; market data and forecasts; and vertical-industry issues. The Company�� research content is presented in the form of reports, briefings, updates and related tools, is delivered direc! tly to the client�� desktop via its Website and/or product-specific portals.

Consulting

Gartner Consulting deepens relationships with its research clients by extending the reach of its research through custom consulting engagements. Gartner Consulting brings together its research insight, benchmarking data, problem-solving methodologies and hands-on experience to improve the return on a client�� IT investment. Consulting solutions capitalize on Gartner assets that are invaluable to IT decision making, including: its research, which ensures that its consulting analyses and advice are based on a deep understanding of the IT environment and the business of IT; its market independence, which keeps its consultants focused on its client�� success.

Gartner Consulting provides solutions to CIOs and other IT executives, and to those professionals responsible for IT applications, enterprise architecture, go-to-market strategies, infrastructure and operations, programs and portfolio management, and sourcing and vendor relationships. Consulting also provides targeted consulting services to professionals in specific industries. Finally, the Company provides actionable solutions for IT cost optimization, technology modernization and IT sourcing optimization initiatives.

Events

Gartner Symposium/ITxpo events and Gartner Summit events are gatherings of technology�� senior IT professionals, business strategists and practitioners. Gartner Events offers relevant and actionable technology sessions led by Gartner analysts to clients and non-clients. These sessions are augmented with technology showcases, peer exchanges, analyst one-on-one meetings, workshops and keynotes by technology�� top leaders. They also provide attendees with an opportunity to interact with business executives from the technology companies.

Gartner Events attract high-level IT and business professionals who seek in-depth knowledge about technology products and serv! ices. Gar! tner Symposium/ITxpo events are strategic conferences held in various locations throughout the world for CIOs and other senior IT and business professionals. Gartner Summit events focus on specific topics, technologies and industries, providing IT professionals with the insight, solutions and networking opportunities to succeed in their job role. Finally, the Company offers targeted events for CIOs and IT executives, such as CIO Leadership Forum.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Omar Venerio]

  The company has a current ROE of 19.09%, which is higher than the industry median and the ones exhibited by CGI Group (GIB) and Amdocs (DOX). In general, analysts consider ROE ratios in the 15-20% range as representing attractive levels for investment. So for investors looking those levels or more, Teradata (TDC) could be the option. For more attractive ROE, Gartner (IT) and Igate (IGTE) have extremely good ratios. It is very important to understand this metric before investing and it is important to look at the trend in ROE over time.

• [By John Bonnanzio]

  The fund�� top holdings are Telsa, Henry Schein (HSIC), United Rentals (URI), Gartner (IT) and Kansas City Southern (KSU).

  The fund also has some exposure to pricey biotech. Even so, this is hardly a shoot-the-lights-out growth fund as volatility is below all his mid-cap peers. To that end, this trade actually tempers risk while increasing growth exposure.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Getty Images Following the introduction of Apple's (AAPL) instantly popular iPad line of tablets in 2010, many believed computing would switch, if not entirely, then largely to mobile devices. And for a while, statistics seemed to bear this out. According to IT market researcher IDC, from late 2010 to the end of 2013, annual worldwide PC shipments dropped by 12 percent. But the death of the personal computer, it seems, has been greatly exaggerated. The latest numbers indicate that the PC decline could be leveling off. And other indications show that the dowdy old PC might not be headed for irrelevance after all. Here are three developments indicating otherwise. Shipments Are Starting to Flow Again The years of decline were then; this is now. Preliminary research from Gartner Group (IT) indicates that worldwide PC shipments inched up by 0.1 percent on a year-over-year basis in this year's second quarter following eight straight quarters of declines. It's a small number, but it masks some impressive gains. In the U.S. market, the tally was much higher at 7.4 percent, while the Europe, Middle East and Africa mega-region saw an 8.6 percent improvement. It was the Asia-Pacific region that dragged the overall number down, recording a 9.5 percent year-over-year fall. Asia-Pacific aside, the improvement is due to a number of factors. First is the accessibility of new and attractive hardware, with thin, powerful notebooks doing well and touchscreen models dropping to affordable prices. On the software side of the equation, in April, Microsoft (MSFT) stopped supporting its creaky old Windows XP operating system. This has given users of aging PCs running the OS a strong incentive to upgrade. And a great many of them spent a little more to buy new machines prepackaged with the company's current Windows 8.1 rather than undergoing cumbersome software updates. Industry Veterans Are Getting Their Due When the sales declines started to snowball, many big names in the P

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Alamy Late last month, Chinese hardware giant Lenovo (LNVGY) was the subject of many headlines -- not all of them complimentary -- when it signed a high-profile deal to buy the Motorola Mobility smartphone unit from Google (GOOG). The Asian firm is ponying up a cool $2.9 billion to acquire the business, which is monstrously unprofitable to the tune of a $645 million operating loss in the first nine months of 2013. The market didn't appreciate this. Disturbed by the idea of gallons of red ink spilling from Motorola Mobility onto Lenovo's results, investors traded down the firm's stock by as much as 14 percent after the deal was made public. This might have been compounded by the firm's previous announcement, made only days earlier, that it was spending $2.3 billion to purchase IBM's (IBM) x86 -- read: lower-end -- line of servers. Was such a sell-off, in reaction to either or both, justified? At Home Abroad Lenovo is one of those companies that likes to expand by acquisition. Few Westerners had ever heard of the IT manufacturer in 2005 when it closed its first big buy -- the personal computing division of IBM, for total consideration of around $1.75 billion. The purchase seemed a counterintuitive move when everyone knew that a future stuffed with wireless Internet and portable computing was just around the corner. But guess what? Lenovo not only sold plenty of notebooks and desktops, it managed to grow into the top PC manufacturer in the world. According to figures from Gartner (IT), in Q4 2013 the company was the clear market leader in terms of PC vendor unit shipments. It moved nearly 15 million PCs during the quarter, a figure 6.6 percent higher than in the same period the previous year. This was particularly impressive considering that total shipments for the industry dropped by almost 7 percent over that time frame. Lenovo was able to do this because, for most of its life, it's made big strides in less affluent markets and is continuing to do so. In