Hot Biotech Stocks To Watch For 2014

With the�SPDR S&P Biotech Index�up 31% over the trailing-12-month period, it's evident that investment dollars are willingly flowing into the biotech sector. Keeping that in mind, let's have a look at some of the rulings, studies, and companies that made waves in the sector last week.

Earlier this week looked as if it could be the most uneventful week of the year for the biotech sector, but a flurry of mid-to-late week clinical data and advisory panel rulings changed that in a flash.

You can thank the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, or CHMP, for the majority of this week's news. CHMP, which is Europe's equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel, took a closer look at three drugs this past week, divvying out two positive and one negative recommendation.

Hot Biotech Stocks To Watch For 2014: Northeast Utilities(NU)

Northeast Utilities, a public utility holding company, provides electric and natural gas energy delivery services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts. The company engages in the purchase, delivery, and sale of electricity; and owns and operates approximately 1,200 megawatts of primarily fossil-fueled electricity generation assets. As of December 31, 2010, it served approximately 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns in Connecticut; 497,000 retail customers in 211 cities and towns in New Hampshire; and 206,000 retail customers in 59 cities and towns in western Massachusetts. The company also operates a natural gas distribution system in Connecticut and serves approximately 206,000 customers in 71 cities and towns. It offers gas supply to commercial and industrial customers; and to residential customers for heating, hot water, and cooking needs, as well as provides gas transportation services t o commercial and industrial customers. In addition, the company offers electric transmission services. Northeast Utilities was founded in 1927 and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut.

Hot Biotech Stocks To Watch For 2014: Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc(PPBI)

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Pacific Premier Bank that provides various commercial banking services to businesses and consumers in Southern California. The company?s deposit products include passbook savings, checking accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises multi-family real estate, commercial non-owner occupied real estate, one-to-four family real estate, commercial owner-occupied business, commercial and industrial, and U.S. small business administration loans, as well as other loans, such as saving accounts and auto loans. In addition, the company offers cash management, electronic banking, and on-line bill payment services. As of July 27, 2011, it operated nine full-service depository branches in the cities of Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, San Bernardino, and Seal Beach, Southern California. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California.

Top 5 Managed Healthcare Companies To Invest In 2014: Viad Corp(VVI)

Viad Corp, together with its subsidiaries, operates in exhibition and events, and travel and recreation industries primarily in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. The company?s Marketing & Events Group segment designs, plans, and produces face-to-face events for show organizers, corporate brand marketers, and retail shopping centers. It offers general event management, planning and consultation, concept design, exhibition layout and design, graphics and design, show traffic analysis, carpeting and flooring, decorating products and accessories, custom graphics, overhead rigging, and cleaning services, as well as temporary electrical, lighting, and plumbing services. This segment also provides custom exhibit design and construction; portable and modular exhibits and design; integrated marketing, including pre- and post-event communications and customer relationship management; multimedia services; event surveys; return on investment an alysis; attendee and exhibit booth traffic analysis; staff training; online management tools; logistics and freight-forwarding, storage, and refurbishment of exhibits; booth furnishings, carpeting, and signage; in-house installation and dismantling; and various other show services. In addition, the segment offers various entertaining attractions and brand-based experiences, sponsored events, mobile marketing and other branded entertainment, and face-to-face marketing solutions for clients and venues, including movie studios, leading consumer brand marketers, shopping malls, museums, and casinos. Its Travel & Recreation Group segment provides tourism products, including attractions, transportation services, inbound package tour operations, hotel operations, and corporate and event management; operates five lodges, three motor inns, and one resort hotel; and engages in food and beverages, and retail and concession businesses. Viad Corp was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Hesler]

  Viad Corp is engaged in providing exhibition, event and retail marketing services in North America, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, as well as travel and recreation services in the United States and Canada. Its EPS forecast for the current year is 0.6 and next year is 1. According to consensus estimates, its topline is expected to grow 6.3% current year and 5% next year. It is trading at a forward P/E of 25.18. One analyst covers the company and has a hold rating.