On this day in economic and business history...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) began its existence in the swelling optimism of a post-panic bull market. That growth continued for five years, with a brief interruption at the turn of the century, before peaking on June 17, 1901. That day marked the start of the longest secular bear market in Dow history.
Trading that day was light, and reports offered little indication of the long-term weakness to come. The export of $4 million worth of gold -- approximately 6.6 tons' worth at prevailing exchange rates -- to cover various debts was the only unpleasant news to be found, as lower gold stores could become a problem in the event of widespread withdrawals. A railroad price war in the American Northwest drew to a close. The damage wrought on the railroad industry by the Panic of 1893 finally seemed to be a thing of the past, and newly instituted railroad dividends and higher earnings appeared everywhere.
Hot Warren Buffett Companies To Own For 2015: AZ Electronic Materials SA (AZEM)
AZ Electronic Materials SA is a producer and supplier of specialty chemical materials. AZ operates in four segments: IC Materials, which includes products for use in integrated circuits and devices; Optronics, which includes products used in the production of flat panel displays for use in televisions, computer monitors and similar equipment and light emitting diode technology; Printing and Other, which includes printing and similar products used in photo lithographic processes, and Corporate. The Company�� products enable the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs) and flat panel displays (FPDs) that are integral to a range of electronic devices and applications, including computers and tablet devices, flat screen televisions, mobile communication devices, industrial and automotive applications and the developing light and energy markets. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Corinne Gretler]
AZ Electronic (AZEM) surged 43 percent, the most since its at least November 2010, after Merck on Dec. 5 said it had agreed to buy the company for about 1.6 billion pounds. Merck added 0.4 percent. Shareholders will get 403.5 pence for each share, Merck said. The price is 53 percent above the Dec. 4 closing level in London trading.
10 Best Railroad Stocks To Watch For 2014: VASCO Data Security International Inc. (VDSI)
VASCO Data Security International, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, marketing, and support of hardware and software security systems that manage and secure access to information assets worldwide. The company offers hardware and software products in the areas of user authentication, electronic signatures, and digital signatures/public key infrastructure. It provides VACMAN Controller that supports multiple authentication technologies, including passwords, dynamic password technology, electronic signatures, digital signatures, and certificates and biometrics on one platform. The company also offers IDENTIKEY Server, a centralized authentication server that supports the deployment, use, and administration of DIGIPASS user authentication. In addition, it provides aXs GUARD Identifier, a standalone authentication solution, which offers two-factor authentication for remote access to a corporate network or to Web-based in-house business applicat ions; and aXs GUARD Gatekeeper that integrates DIGIPASS to provide secure two factor user authentication. Further, the company offers DIGIPASS product line exists as a family of software and hardware client authentication products and services for authenticating users to any network, including the Internet. Its DIGIPASS solution calculates dynamic signatures and passwords to authenticate users on a computer network and for various other applications. The DIGIPASS technology is also designed to operate on desktop personal computers or laptops, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, and smart cards. VASCO sells its security solutions through its direct sales force, as well as through distributors, resellers, and systems integrators. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sally Jones]
Vasco Data Security (VDSI): ReducedDown 20% over 12 months, Vasco Data Security has a market cap of $316.26 million; its shares were traded at around $8.01 with a P/E ratio of 27.40 and a P/B of 2.00.
- [By Seth Jayson]
VASCO Data Security International (Nasdaq: VDSI ) reported earnings on July 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), VASCO Data Security International whiffed on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share. - [By Garrett Cook]
VASCO Data Security International (NASDAQ: VDSI) shares were also up, gaining 16.12 percent to $13.47 after the company reported upbeat quarterly results and issued a strong FY14 revenue forecast.
10 Best Railroad Stocks To Watch For 2014: Meritage Homes Corp (MTH)
Meritage Homes Corporation, incorporated on May 26 1988, operates as holding company. The Company through its subsidiaries is a designer and builder of single-family detached homes based on the number of home closings. The Company primarily builds in regions of the western and southern United States and offer a variety of homes that are designed to appeal to a range of homebuyers, including first-time, move-up, active adult and luxury. It has operations in three regions: West, Central and East, which consists of seven states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Florida, and the Carolinas. Operations within the Carolinas include the Raleigh and Charlotte metropolitan areas, with some Charlotte communities located across the border into South Carolina. These three regions are its principal business segments. The Company�� homebuilding and marketing activities are conducted under the Meritage Homes brand, except for Arizona and Texas where it operates under the name Monterey Homes. As of December 31, 2012, it was selling homes in 158 communities. Effective September 4, 2013, Meritage Homes Corporation acquired Phillips Builders Inc from Beazer Homes USA Inc.
The Company�� homes range from entry level to luxury. The Company purchases a combination of finished lots and partially-developed or undeveloped lots. As of December 31, 2012, in addition to its approximately 17,500 owned lots, it also had approximately 3,300 committed lots under option or contract. It also participates in three mortgage and one title business joint ventures. The mortgage joint ventures are engaged in mortgage activities, and they provide services to both its customers and other homebuyers. The Company acts as a general contractor.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Lee screened for stocks with low P/Es, positive net income growth, that had Overweight ratings by JPMorgan analysts and upside to analyst target prices. He found 19, including insurers MetLife (MET) and Aetna (AET), banking behemoth�Wells Fargo�(WFC),�Meritage Homes (MTH) and hospital operator Community Health Systems (CYH).
- [By Seth Jayson]
Meritage Homes (NYSE: MTH ) reported earnings on July 24. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended June 30 (Q2), Meritage Homes beat expectations on revenues and crushed expectations on earnings per share. - [By James E. Brumley]
Given the bad news regarding new-home sales unveiled� this morning, it's no real surprise that homebuilder stocks like KB Home (NYSE:KBH) and M/I Homes Inc. (NYSE:MHO) are struggling. KBH is down 2.8% as of the last look, while MHO shares are off 4.1%. None of the major homebuilder names are underwater as much as Meritage Homes Corp. (NYSE:MTH) is today, though, with its 8.6% drubbing. Already struggling, today's stumble from MTH may well jump-start a more serious selloff that the bulls have thus far been able to stave off.
10 Best Railroad Stocks To Watch For 2014: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation(AMCC)
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, a semiconductor company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, markets, sells, and supports integrated circuits for processing, transporting, and storing information. It offers physical layer products, which transmit and receive signals in a high-speed serial format, and convert high-speed serial formats to low-speed parallel formats and vice versa; framer and mapper products that transmit and receive signals to and from the physical layer in a parallel format are used in high-speed optical network infrastructure equipment; and embedded processor products for wireless infrastructure, wireless LAN, residential, datacenters, and enterprises. The company also offers packet processor ICs, which receive and transmit signals to and from the framing layer and perform the processing of packet and cell headers; and cell switching products that include packet routing switch fabric devices and queuing managers; and printed circuit boar d assemblies to OEMs. Its products are used in wireline and wireless communications equipment, such as wireless access points, wireless base stations, multi-function printers, enterprise and edge switches, blade servers, storage systems, gateways, core switches, routers, network attached storage, and transport platforms. The company offers its solutions for the enterprise, telecom, and consumer/small medium business markets primarily in the United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Europe, and other Asian countries. Applied Micro Circuits Corporation was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lee Jackson]
Applied Micro Circuits Corp. (NASDAQ: AMCC) also has a high single digit exposure to Cisco Systems. Applied Micro�� product portfolio and continued efforts to provide maximum consumer satisfaction have augmented its market position. The integrated offload engines and advanced PacketPro architecture offer quality service and security and performance to its customers. The consensus price target for the stock stands at $13.
10 Best Railroad Stocks To Watch For 2014: Medallion Financial Corp.(TAXI)
Medallion Financial Corp., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. The company engages in originating, acquiring, and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. It offers commercial loans to finance the purchase of the equipment and related assets necessary to open a new business, or the purchase or improvement of an existing business; asset-based loans to small businesses; and secured mezzanine loans to businesses in various industries, including manufacturing and various service providers. The company also raises deposits; originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, trailers, and hearing aids; and conducts other banking activities. In addition, it provides other debt, mezzanine, and equity investment capital to companies in various industries. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Lawrence Meyers]
That�� the case with Medallion Financial Corporation (TAXI). This neat little company is primarily focused on the financing of taxi cab licenses in major cities like New York. It does other specialty lending as well — such as asset-backed loans for luxury vehicles like boats and art. But its bread and butter has been the taxi business.
10 Best Railroad Stocks To Watch For 2014: Matrix Service Company(MTRX)
Matrix Service Company provides construction, and repair and maintenance services primarily to the energy and energy related industries in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Construction Services, and Repair and Maintenance Services. The Construction Services segment offers aboveground storage tanks for the bulk storage/terminal industry, capital construction for the downstream petroleum industry, and specialty construction, as well as electrical/instrumentation services, such as civil/structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation, millwrighting, and fabrication for various industries. This segment focuses on renovations, retrofits, modifications, and expansions to existing facilities, as well as construction of new facilities. The Repair and Maintenance Services segment provides aboveground storage tank repair and maintenance services, including tank inspection, cleaning, and American Society of Mechanical Enginee rs code repairs; planned major and routine maintenance for the downstream petroleum industry; specialty repair and maintenance services; and electrical and instrumentation repair and maintenance. It serves integrated oil companies, independent petroleum refiners, power companies, engineering firms, general contractors, and petrochemical and industrial gas companies, as well as pipeline, terminal, and oil and gas marketing companies. The company was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Travis Hoium]
What: Shares of energy service provider Matrix Service (NASDAQ: MTRX ) jumped 10% today after an analyst upgraded the stock.
So what: Analysts at Sidoti upgraded the stock from "neutral" to "buy" today. This was the only news out about the stock and drove traders to push volume to nearly twice its three-month average. �
10 Best Railroad Stocks To Watch For 2014: Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd (FRFHF.PK)
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) is a financial services holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is principally engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management. The Company�� segments consist of Insurance, Reinsurance, Insurance and Reinsurance Other, Runoff, and Corporate and Other. On December 22, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of 75% interests in Sporting Life Inc. On August 16, 2011, the Company acquired William Ashley China Corporation. On March 24, 2011, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Fairfax completed the acquisition of The Pacific Insurance Berhad. On February 9, 2011, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Fairfax completed the acquisition of First Mercury Financial Corporation. In October 2012, its RiverStone runoff subsidiary acquired all the outstanding shares of Brit Insurance Limited.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alex Jordon]
There's talk that Prem Watsa, head of Fairfax Financial Holdings (FRFHF.PK), could possibly be involved in a privatization bid for the company. Consider:
- [By Infinity Group]
With 515 million shares outstanding, this equates to 33% of all shares being shorted. It should also be noted that Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings (FRFHF.PK) is holding 51.8 million BlackBerry shares. Prem Watsa stated at the annual FairFax shareholders meeting that Fairfax is holding a long position with BlackBerry and anticipates shareholder value increasing over the next 2-3 years. The cost basis for FairFax financial holdings is approximately $17 per BlackBerry share.
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