The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index has hit new highs. So has the broad Wilshire 5000 and the small-fry Russell 2000.
What hasn't been soaring into stratosphere is the Dow Jones industrial average, home to blue chips Coca-Cola, Walt Disney and General Electric. Also M.I.A. from the new high winner's circle are shares of railroads, airlines and truckers in the Dow Jones Transportation Average. Both stock gauges are falling 1% shy.
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If Wall Street is going to get official confirmation that the market's upward move is sustainable, investors would like to see the industrials and transports break out to record highs as well.
Best Healthcare Technology Stocks To Own For 2015: International Business Machines Corporation(IBM)
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides information technology (IT) products and services worldwide. Its Global Technology Services segment provides IT infrastructure and business process services, including strategic outsourcing, process, integrated technology, and maintenance services, as well as technology-based support services. The company?s Global Business Services segment offers consulting and systems integration, and application management services. Its Software segment offers middleware and operating systems software, such as WebSphere software to integrate and manage business processes; information management software for database and enterprise content management, information integration, data warehousing, business analytics and intelligence, performance management, and predictive analytics; Tivoli software for identity management, data security, storage management, and datacenter automation; Lotus software for collaboration, messaging, and so cial networking; rational software to support software development for IT and embedded systems; business intelligence software, which provides querying and forecasting tools; SPSS predictive analytics software to predict outcomes and act on that insight; and operating systems software. Its Systems and Technology segment provides computing and storage solutions, including servers, disk and tape storage systems and software, point-of-sale retail systems, and microelectronics. The company?s Global Financing segment provides lease and loan financing to end users and internal clients; commercial financing to dealers and remarketers of IT products; and remanufacturing and remarketing services. It serves financial services, public, industrial, distribution, communications, and general business sectors. The company was formerly known as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. and changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation in 1924. IBM was founded in 1910 and is based in Armonk, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Last quarter, Buffett sold his stakes in�Archer Daniels Midland�(ADM) and�General Dynamics�(GD), and added to a position�in�International Business Machines�(IBM). He also bought shares of�Chicago Bridge & Iron�(CBI), an old favorite of mine from my trading days.�
- [By Tom Taulli]
True, CSOD has competition. But most of the players are mega companies like Oracle (ORCL) and IBM (IBM), which are far from nimble. Besides, the company has the advantage of being solely focused on talent management and its platform is available for companies of all sizes.
- [By Matt Koppenheffer]
Brendan Mathews: Toward the end of the meeting, a shareholder asked about IBM's (NYSE: IBM ) moat. Warren basically sidestepped the question, saying he didn't understand IBM's moat as well as Coca-Cola's (NYSE: KO ) . According to Buffett, He likes IBM's financial policies and thinks it will do well, but he feels more conviction in Coca-Cola, Wrigley, Heinz (NYSE: HNZ ) , and Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
Hot Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Philip Morris International Inc(PM)
Philip Morris International Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States. Its international product brand line comprises Marlboro, Merit, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M, Chesterfield, Bond Street, Lark, Muratti, Next, Philip Morris, and Red & White. The company also offers its products under the A Mild, Dji Sam Soe, and A Hijau in Indonesia; Diana in Italy; Optima and Apollo-Soyuz in the Russian Federation; Morven Gold in Pakistan; Boston in Colombia; Belmont, Canadian Classics, and Number 7 in Canada; Best and Classic in Serbia; f6 in Germany; Delicados in Mexico; Assos in Greece; and Petra in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It operates primarily in the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. The company is based in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jonas Elmerraji]
As the second-largest tobacco company in the world, $137 billion cigarette company Philip Morris International (PM) has the whole "sin stock" thing down pat. PM owns nearly a third of the ex-China market for cigarettes, with some of the most popular global brands under its corporate umbrella. At the top of the pack is the firm's flagship Marlboro label, which accounts for more than a third of volume. Other brands include L&M, Philip Morris, and Parliament.
But don't mistake PM for the company manufacturing Marlboro cigarettes here in the U.S. -- this firm, which spun out from Altria (MO) in 2008, is 100% ex-U.S. That's actually spectacular positioning, because it means that PM is the part of legacy Altria's tobacco business that's actually still growing. At the same time that cigarette sales here in the U.S. die a slow death, PM's emerging market business is seeing quick growth rates. The combination of a sticky product (consumers don't tend to switch cigarette brands often), and premium positioning with Marlboro means that PM earns thick net profit margins (28% last year) for its trouble.
The strong dollar has been a thorn in PM's side in the last few years -- since the firm earns revenues in local currencies and then reports in dollars, any upside in the greenback presents currency risk. Even so, growth in the firm's core emerging markets has outpaced the dollar's climb in this environment. Another mitigating factor is PM's huge 4.5% dividend yield -- with low interest rates likely to persist for some time, that yield should look increasingly attractive as time wears on.
Must Read: 5 Big Stocks to Trade for Gains as QE3 Ends - [By Jonas Elmerraji]
As the world's second largest tobacco company, Philip Morris International (PM) is the prototypical sin stock. It boasts recognizable brands, a sticky customer base, and a hefty dividend payout -- and the payout looks due for a dividend hike. As I write, Philip Morris International currently pays out a 85 cents each quarter, adding up to a 4.05% yield.
Philip Morris owns almost 30% of the world's tobacco market. And much of that success is thanks to a single iconic brand: Marlboro. The firm has owned Marlboro (as well as second-tier names such as L&M and Parliament) internationally ever since Altria (MO) split up its international and domestic operations. Between the two markets, PM owns the more attractive franchise by far. After all, the international market is the only one that's actually growing.
While the U.S. market for tobacco products is rife with regulation and demographic shifts are turning away from smoking, international tobacco sales are up -- especially in emerging markets. Premium positioning in markets like India, China and Indonesia translates into substantial cash flows for PM investors. And while the strength of the dollar has been a challenge post-2008, the potential for a Fed taper could strengthen this stock's payout in 2013.
- [By Monica Gerson]
Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) is estimated to report its Q1 earnings at $1.16 per share on revenue of $7.01 billion.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is projected to report its Q1 earnings at $1.09 per share on revenue of $31.99 billion.
- [By Lawrence Meyers]
That means you should go with either Altria Group (MO) or Philip Morris International (PM). And if you’re only interested in buying one, I think I�� select MO stock. It pays a slightly better divided (5.2% vs. 4.7%).
Hot Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Colgate-Palmolive Company(CL)
Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. It offers oral care products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouth rinses, as well as dental floss and pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health professionals; personal care products, such as liquid hand soap, shower gels, bar soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, and conditioners; and home care products comprising laundry and dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, bleaches, dishwashing liquids, and oil soaps. The company offers its oral, personal, and home care products under the Colgate Total, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate 360 Advisors' Opinion:
- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Svanblar/Shutterstock A common antimicrobial agent called triclosan causes liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice through mechanisms also relevant to humans, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have found Triclosan's broad use in consumer goods -- including liquid hand soaps, toothpastes, shampoos, cosmetics, plastics, yoga mats, cutting boards and ice cream scoops -- presents "a very real risk of liver toxicity for people, as it does in mice," said Robert H. Tukey, a UC-San Diego professor and co-author of the study, published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Triclosan, a synthetic, broad-spectrum antibacterial chemical, is coming under fire because of its links to endocrine disruption that could cause infertility, impaired muscle function and now increased cancer risks. It's All Around The UC-San Diego study showed that mice exposed to triclosan for six months (roughly equivalent to 18 human years) had more and larger chemical-induced liver tumors than mice not exposed to the antimicrobial. Researchers believe triclosan may interfere with the protein responsible for detoxifying foreign chemicals in the body, thereby causing liver cells to proliferate and, over time, become cancerous tumors. Studies have found traces of triclosan in 97 percent of breast milk samples from lactating women and in the urine of nearly 75 percent of people tested, according to a statement by UC San Diego Health System. Triclosan is also one of the seven most frequently detected compounds in streams across the United States, the statement says. "We could reduce most human and environmental exposures by eliminating uses of triclosan that are high-volume, but of low-benefit, such as inclusion in liquid hand soaps," said Bruce D. Hammock, professor at University of California, Davis. "Yet we could also for now retain uses shown to have health value -- as in toothpaste, where the amount used is small." Colgate-P
- [By Dan Burrows]
Rival Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has different concerns, namely sluggishness in emerging markets where it enjoys commanding market share and derives more than half its revenue.
- [By Kashafa Investment Research]
What works in P&G�� advantage is the fact that the company is already ahead of its peers in the emerging markets. As of 2012, P&G had sales of $33 billion in developing markets as compared to $24 billion for Unilever (UL) and $10 billion for Colgate (CL). This competitive edge over peers will sustain as P&G has product quality, innovation and has a significant marketing budget given its comfortable cash position.
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Stable, quality consumer goods companies can provide some stability during a market correction as the need for staple household items, coupled with a solid balance sheet, typically keeps companies like Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL) and Procter & Gamble Co (NYSE: PG) afloat.
Hot Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Apple Inc.(AAPL)
Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Bleeker, CFA, Chris Hill, and Lyons George]
Chinese company Xiaomi is one that tech investors should be aware of. It has not only carved out a lucrative niche for itself in the Chinese Android smartphone market, but it also has a set-top box similar to Apple TV, though it's been tangled up in regulatory problems. Now, however, a leaked factory photo has come out showing a 47-inch TV with features very similar to the company's Xiaomi box, offering connectivity to China's many online streaming sites. Could this be the first smart TV to hit the market? In this video, our analysts discuss why a company such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL ) will be watching this development closely.
- [By Hilary Kramer]
Even if you’re not familiar with Nuance, you’re likely on friendly terms with one of its most famous software personas. NUAN powers Siri, the ubiquitous personal assistant that so many iPhone users look to for directions, where to eat or just some disembodied conversation. NUAN earns revenue from Apple (AAPL) via flat fees, which are not determined by how many phones it sells.
Hot Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: Chevron Corporation(CVX)
Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. It operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment involves in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as holds interest in a gas-to-liquids project. The Downstream segment engages in the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil and refined products primarily under the Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex brand names; transportation of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufacture and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. It a lso produces and markets coal and molybdenum; and holds interests in 13 power assets with a total operating capacity of approximately 3,100 megawatts, as well as involves in cash management and debt financing activities, insurance operations, real estate activities, energy services, and alternative fuels and technology business. Chevron Corporation has a joint venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corp. and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in May 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is based in San Ramon, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Claudia Assis]
Major oil companies also reversed course, with shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) �up 0.8%. Shares of Chevron Corp. (CVX) �advanced 0.8% as well, while shares of ConocoPhillips (COP) �gained 0.4%.
- [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]
Chevron is an oil and gas bellwether that provides essential energy products and services to consumers and companies worldwide. The company�released its earnings update for the first two months of the fourth-quarter in 2014, which showed results the company noted were comparable to the the third-quarter of last year. The stock has been moving higher, but is now pulling back. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been decreasing while revenues have been increasing, which has produced conflicting feelings about recent earnings announcements. Relative to its peers and sector, Chevron has been a poor year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what Chevron does this coming quarter.
- [By Jeremy Bowman]
Oil giants Chevron (NYSE: CVX ) and ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM ) were also down sharply, each falling 2.8% on lower oil prices. Oil prices are sensitive to overall economic activity and cooler growth in China will ease demand. Chevron and Exxon are rarely big movers in the Dow, but with oil prices now under $90 a barrel, the energy producers could see a recovery in the commodity soon.
Hot Blue Chip Companies To Watch In Right Now: McDonald's Corporation(MCD)
McDonald?s Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a worldwide foodservice retailer. It franchises and operates McDonald?s restaurants that offer various food items, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages. As of December 31, 2009, the company operated 32,478 restaurants in 117 countries, of which 26,216 were operated by franchisees; and 6,262 were operated by the company. McDonald?s Corporation was founded in 1948 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Mark Yagalla]
Getting into the breakfast business is a direct challenge to McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) and its breakfast menu.�Breakfast is a popular and profitable business for McDonald's. Matter of fact, McDonald's has been toying with the idea of offering breakfast around the clock. The new breakfast menu from Taco Bell looks to eat into some of McDonald's business and capture this important time of day. For us Fools, who doesn't love a good breakfast?
- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Alamy McDonald's (MCD) is not in a good place these days, with sales slumping, quality concerns rising, and activists pushing for it to start paying its employees a living wage. It's against this backdrop of McDespair that a radical tech-fueled test may be the ticket to giving customers and some -- but not all -- employees what they want. The world's largest burger chain is expanding a test that started in two stores in California's Orange County where patrons could build customized gourmet burgers using tablets -- but still heading to the cashier to ring up the sale. The test is expanding this month in geography -- to two stores in San Diego -- and in scope. According to U-T San Diego, the new experience is upscale and convenient. Customers use the touch-screen devices to assemble gourmet burgers with 20 toppings like guacamole and garlic aioli and two roll choices (artisan or brioche). The cost? $5.49 plus tax. "Bacon, the only extra that costs extra, adds 80 cents," U-T San Diego reported. But, wait, there's more: The tablets now allow customers to scan credit and debit cards so orders are processed right away. Guests don't have to wait by the counter. Employees bring orders to the table on metal baskets. Employees bus the table afterward. In short, this tablet test finds McDonald's behaving more like a fast-casual chain or gourmet burger shop than the struggling fast-food behemoth that it is today. Take Two Tablets and Call Me in the Morning Folks who want to order meals outside of the custom-built upscale sandwiches still have to hit up a cashier. However, it's not much of a stretch to see these tablets eventually being able to handle the entire menu. A single person troubleshooting questions or tech issues can replace an army of cashiers. If McDonald's is able to run efficiently with fewer employees, couldn't it take these savings and give "Fight for $15" activists what they want: better wages for the folks whom they do keep around? In its present
- [By Jim Royal]
Let's take McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) as an example. In the four quarters ending in December, the restaurateur generated $6.97 billion in operating cash flow. It invested about $3.05 billion in property, plant, and equipment. To calculate free cash flow, subtract McDonald's investment from its operating cash flow. That leaves us with $3.92 billion in free cash flow, which the company can save for future expenditures or distribute to shareholders.
- [By Justin Loiseau]
As retail sales rose 9.8%, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) shares jumped 35%. As the Purchasing Managers Index increased 11.9%, General Electric (NYSE: GE ) shares grew 41% while Intel (NASDAQ: INTC ) rocketed 110% on 42% sales increases.
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