Top Consumer Companies To Own In Right Now

On countless occasions over the past four years, the stock market has seemed on the verge of sputtering out and heading for a significant correction, only to head higher in a renewed bull-market run. That's what investors are seeing from stocks today as the market shake off fears about an eventual end to central-bank stimulus measures and instead focus on optimism among businesses that strength in the consumer sector could continue to boost the U.S. economy. As of 10:55 a.m. EDT, the Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) are up 81 points to what would be a new record close, and the broader market is doing even better on a percentage basis.

Leading the Dow higher was Bank of America (NYSE: BAC  ) , which has risen 2.1% to a new two-year high. Favorable comments by hedge-fund investor David Tepper about the stock market and the banking sector in particular have helped bolster the stock. Having made so much progress in building its balance sheet back up to health, B of A faces the same struggles as its banking peers in figuring out the next step forward to further growth, but a faster-paced recovery for the U.S. economy could be exactly what the bank needs to boost its lending and increase profits.

Top Consumer Companies To Own In Right Now: Coinstar Inc.(CSTR)

Coinstar, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides automated retail solutions primarily in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The company owns and operates self-service Redbox kiosks that enable consumers to rent or purchase movies and video games; and self-service coin-counting kiosks where consumers can convert their coin to cash, a gift card, or an E-certificate. It also engages in identifying, evaluating, building, and developing new self-service concepts in the automated retail space, which includes coffee, refurbished electronics, and photo self-service concepts. As of December 31, 2011, the company had 35,400 Redbox kiosks in 29,300 locations and 20,200 coin-counting kiosks in 19,900 locations primarily in supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchants, financial institutions, convenience stores, and restaurants. Coinstar, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Coinstar's(CSTR) core offerings in automated retail include its digital video disk business, where consumers can rent or purchase movies from self-service kiosks, and its coin business, where consumers can convert their coin to cash or stored value products at coin-counting self-service kiosks. The stock is trading up 6% at $46.72 in recent trading.

  Today's Volume: 1.6 million shares.

  Average Volume: 1.3 million shares

  Volume % Change: 195%

  From a technical standpoint, CSTR is gapping up today on heavy volume above its 50-day moving average at $46.40, and it's flirting with its 200-day moving average of $47.83. Market players should now watch for a sustained high-volume move and close above the 200-day.

  The volume today is very strong, so watch how CSTR closes. If we get that action, look for this stock to re-test some near-term overhead resistance at $49.50. A high-volume move above that level should setup CSTR for a big move higher in the near future.

  Coinstar, one of TheStreet Ratings' top-rated consumer services stocks, is oen of the top holdings of Whitney Tilson's T2 Partners as of the most recently reported period.

Top Consumer Companies To Own In Right Now: Europtronic Group Ltd (E23.SI)

Europtronic Group Ltd., an investment holding company, develops, produces, and markets electronic components for the consumer electronics, computer and peripherals, and communications industries primarily in the People�s Republic of China and Asia. Its products include metallized and non-metallized polypropylene film, plastic film, ceramic, tantalum, and various types of chip capacitors, as well as chip inductors and beads. The company also engages in distributing active, passive, and mechanical components comprising aluminum electrolytic and MLCC capacitors, tantalum capacitors, ceramic capacitors, flat panel displays, base-band crystals, connectors, and diodes, as well as optoelectronic devices, such as transmitters and receivers; and provides handling services. In addition, it involves in growing bio-fuel related plantlets and renewable energy related business development activities, as well as engages in tissue culturing of fuel crop seedlings and ornamental plantlets . The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Singapore.

Best Diversified Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014: MOD-PAC CORP.(MPAC)

MOD-PAC Corp. designs, manufactures, and markets folding cartons, stock packaging, and print products in the United States and Canada. It provides custom folding cartons for customers in the healthcare, confectionary, food and food service, and automotive industries, including private label manufacturers. The company also sells stock packaging products, including a collection of candy boxes and gourmet bags, and trays and other complementary items for the independent confectionary industry through distributor networks and on direct basis, as well as provides retail packaging solutions for gift retailers and general consumer use. In addition, it produces and markets various customized products, including invitations, napkins, announcements, bags, boxes, and various accessory product line for various social occasions, such as corporate events, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, graduations, and anniversaries. The company offers its customized products to corporate and consumer mark ets through retailers, including bridal and gift shops, and branded Internet Web resellers, as well as through the partybasics.com and myweddingbasics.com Websites, and retail outlet store located in its facilities. Further, it provides design assistance, finishing, and digital asset management services. MOD-PAC Corp. was founded in 1881 and is headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

Top Consumer Companies To Own In Right Now: Westbond Enterprises Corporatio (WBE.V)

WestBond Enterprises Corporation, together with its subsidiary, WestBond Industries Inc., manufactures and sells disposable paper products for medical, hygienic, and industrial uses primarily in Canada and the United States. Its product lines include clinical products consisting of sheets, drapes, examination table paper, gowns, aprons, chiropractor rolls, pillowcases, dental bibs, and dental head rest covers; personal hygiene products comprising jumbo roll bathroom tissues, conventional bathroom tissues, center pull towels, kraft roll towels, and single fold towels; long-term care products that include fold air laid wipes, roll air laid wipes, waterproof underlays, and mitts; and airline towels and pillowcases. The company markets its products directly to medium-sized janitorial contractors providing public washroom maintenance services, as well as to small and medium-sized distributors who sell to the janitorial market. WestBond Enterprises Corporation is headquartered i n Delta, Canada.