Wireless industry investors are likely transfixed by Sprint Nextel's (NYSE: S ) current limbo regarding acquisitions and suitors. Beyond overt headlines, Sprint has a covert secret that makes its business more interesting for the long term -- and even transformative for the wireless industry at large. Given this factor, I wish I could put Sprint on the watchlist for the real-money Prosocial Portfolio I'm managing for Fool.com.
However, I am paying attention to this stock, but I just can't buy. Here's why.
Headline drama
Who will acquire Sprint has been making major headlines this week. Japan's SoftBank made a $20.1 billion offer for the wireless company, but DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH ) made an unsolicited $25.5 billion offer.
DISH has criticized the SoftBank deal, floating the argument that if the Japanese company buys Sprint, it could open the U.S. up to security issues, such as Chinese cyberattacks.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: Hampden Bancorp Inc.(HBNK)
Hampden Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Hampden Bank that provides banking products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in Hampden county, Massachusetts. The company?s deposit products include checking, regular savings, and money market deposits, as well as time deposits, including certificate of deposit accounts and individual retirement accounts. Its lending portfolio comprises commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans secured by one-to-four-family residences, residential and commercial construction loans, commercial and industrial loans, home equity lines-of-credit, fixed rate home equity loans, and other personal consumer loans. The company also engages in buying, selling, holding, and dealing in securities. It offers its services through nine offices located in Hampden county, Massachusetts, as well as through Internet. Hampden Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: Cdl Hospitality Trusts (J85.SI)
CDL Hospitality Trusts, through its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT). It invests in a portfolio of hospitality and hospitality related real estate assets. As of December 31, 2009, the company owned and operated 11 hotels comprising Orchard Hotel, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, M Hotel, Copthorne King�s Hotel, and Novotel Clarke Quay in Singapore; Rendezvous Hotel Auckland, a deluxe hotel located in Auckland, New Zealand; and Novotel Brisbane, Mercure Brisbane, Ibis Brisbane, Mercure Perth, and Ibis Perth located in Brisbane and Perth, Australia comprising a total of 3,942 hotel rooms. It also operated Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade, the shopping arcade adjoining Orchard Hotel in Singapore. The company has elected to be taxed as a REIT. As a REIT, it would not be subject to corporate income tax on 90% of its net income that is distributed to shareholders. CDL Hospitality Trusts was founded in 2006 and is based in Singapore, Singapore.
Top 5 Promising Stocks To Invest In Right Now: The Fresh Market Inc.(TFM)
The Fresh Market, Inc. operates as a specialty grocery retailer. The company offers various perishable product categories, including meat, seafood, produce, deli, bakery, floral, sushi, and prepared foods; and non-perishable product categories, such as traditional grocery and dairy products, as well as specialty foods, which include bulk, coffee and candy, and beer and wine. As of March 20, 2012, it operated 115 stores in 21 states located in the southeast, midwest, mid-Atlantic, and northeast of United States. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: Northern Technologies International Corporation(NTIC)
Northern Technologies International Corporation develops, markets, and sells rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services under the ZERUST name to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military, retail consumer, and oil and gas markets primarily in the North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It also sells a portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds and finished products marketed under the Natur-Tec brand. The company?s ZERUST rust and corrosion inhibiting products include plastic and paper packaging, liquids and coatings, rust removers and cleaners, diffusers, and variations of these products designed for the oil and gas industry. It also offers on-site technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues. In addition, the company offers Polymer Energy technology and equipment that converts plastic waste into diesel, gasoline, and heavy fractions. Northern Technologies International Corporation sells its solutions through a direct sales force, as well as a network of independent distributors and agents, subsidiaries, and joint venture arrangements. The company was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Circle Pines, Minnesota.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: Zion Oil & Gas Inc(ZN)
Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. operates as a development stage oil and gas exploration company in Israel. It holds 2 exploration licenses, the Joseph License and Asher-Menashe License, covering approximately 162,100 acres onshore in the state of Israel between Netanya in the south and Haifa in the north. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: AeroVironment Inc.(AVAV)
AeroVironment, Inc. designs, develops, produces, and supports unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and efficient energy systems for various industries and governmental agencies. Its UAS provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, including real-time tactical reconnaissance, tracking, combat assessment, and geographic data to the small tactical unit or individual war fighter. The UAS wirelessly transmit critical live video and other information generated by their payload of electro-optical or infrared sensors directly to a hand-held ground control system, enabling the operator to view and capture images during the day or at night on a hand-held ground control unit. AeroVironment also provides spare equipment, alternative payload modules, batteries, chargers, repair services, and customer support for the UAS. In addition, the company produces industrial productivity and clean transportation solutions for commercial and government customers, develops potential clean t ransportation solutions, and performs contract engineering services; offers PosiCharge electric vehicle charging systems for industrial electric material handling fleets, electric vehicle charging systems for passenger and fleet vehicles, and power cycling and test systems for developers and manufacturers of plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as battery packs, electric motors, and fuel cells; and supplies power cycling and test systems to research and development organizations that focus on developing electric propulsion systems, electric generation systems, and electricity storage systems. It supplies its UAS primarily to the organizations within the United States department of defense. AeroVironment, Inc. was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Monrovia, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Chris Stuart]
AeroVironment(AVAV) sells unmanned, remote-control military aircraft and rapid-charging battery stations for electric vehicles.
The stock has fallen due to concerns over U.S. defense budget cuts. According to Benchmark Research, the company should do well because of growth in its electric-vehicle-charging business. "We will see major deployment of electric-vehicle-charging infrastructure in the coming year to support multiple electric-vehicle introductions and the White House's target of 1 million EV by 2015."
AeroVironment was recently named to a list of stocks by Goldman Sachs that have a 15% probability, or better, of being acquired. Shares of AeroVironment rocketed 20% Wednesday as quarterly earnings exceeded analysts' estimates. While the shares are not quite as attractive compared with when I first ran the screen June 20, they still have upside potential, given TheStreet Ratings $38 price target.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: (AKF.AX)
Ask Funding Limited does not have significant operations. Previously, the company provided disbursement funding and pre-settlement lending to various clients in Australia. Ask Funding Limited is based in Brisbane, Australia.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: Polypore International Inc(PPO)
Polypore International, Inc., a technology filtration company, develops, manufactures, and markets specialized microporous membranes used in separation and filtration processes. It operates in two segments, Energy Storage and Separations Media. The Energy Storage segment offers membranes that provide the function of separating the cathode and anode in applications, including lithium-ion batteries that are used in portable electronic devices, energy storage systems, cordless power tools, and electric drive vehicles; and lead-acid batteries used in automobiles, other motor vehicles, forklifts, and uninterruptible power supply systems. The Separations Media segment provides membranes that are used as high technology filtration element in various medical and industrial applications. This segment?s membranes and membrane modules are used in applications, such as hemodialysis, blood oxygenation, plasmapheresis and various high-performance microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and g asification/degasification applications. Polypore International, Inc. sells its products to manufacturers and converters who incorporate its products into their finished goods. The company sells its products and services in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia through its direct sales force, and distributors and agents. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Another potential earnings short-squeeze trade is global high-technology filtration player Polypore International (PPO), which is set to release its numbers on Wednesday after the market close. Wall Street analysts, on average, expect Polypore International to report revenue of $175.90 million on earnings of 40 cents per share.
The current short interest as a percentage of the float for Polypore International is extremely high at 32.7%. That means that out of the 42.70 million shares in the tradable float, 15.23 million shares are sold short by the bears. If the bulls on Polypore International get the earnings news they're looking for, then this stock could explode higher post-earnings as the bears rush to cover some of their bets.
From a technical perspective, PPO is currently trending above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is bullish. This stock has been uptrending for the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $36.80 to its recent high of $42.68 a share. During that move, shares of PPO have been mostly making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of PPO within range of triggering a major breakout trade.
If you're in the bull camp on PPO, then I would wait until after its report and look for long-biased trades if this stock manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $42.68 to $43.13 a share and then once it clears more resistance at $44.27 a share with high volume. Look for volume on that move that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 478,000 shares. If that breakout triggers, then PPO will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $48.50 to $55 a share.
I would simply avoid PPO or look for short-biased trades if after earnings it fails to trigger that breakout and then drops back below both its 50-day at $39.66 a share and its 200-day at $38.32 a share with high volume. If we get that move, then PPO will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major support levels at $36.80 to $35.10 a share.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: Rick's Cabaret International Inc.(RICK)
Rick?s Cabaret International, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates upscale adult nightclubs serving primarily businessmen and professionals in the United States. The company?s nightclubs offer live adult entertainment, restaurant, and bar operations. It owns and operates, or licenses adult nightclubs in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York, New York; Miami Gardens, Florida; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Las Vegas, Nevada. The company operates its adult nightclubs under the Rick's Cabaret, Club Onyx, XTC Cabaret, Tootsie?s Cabaret, Cabaret North, Jaguars, and Cabaret East names. It also owns and operates various adult entertainment Internet Web sites, including CouplesTouch.com, a personals site for those in the swinging lifestyle; NaughtyBids.com, an online adult auction site that contains consumer-initiated auctions for items, such as adult videos, apparel, photo sets, a dult paraphernalia, and other erotica; and xxxPassword.com that features adult content. In addition, the company offers trade magazine serving the adult nightclubs industry, as well as owns 2 industry trade shows, 2 other industry trade publications, and approximately 25 industry Websites. As of January 4, 2011, it owned and operated 22 adult nightclubs. The company was founded in 1982 and is based in Houston, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Fernandez]
Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RICK): Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc., owns and operates upscale adult nightclubs serving primarily businessmen and professionals.
Rick’s nightclubs offer live adult entertainment, restaurant, and bar operations in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Minneapolis, Minnesota, New York, Dallas Fort Worth, Charlotte, and other cities under the names Rick’s Cabaret, XTC, and Club Onyx.
As of September 30, 2008, Rick’s operated 19 adult nightclubs.
Rick’s is a best-in-breed player, and one of the few public companies that operate in this space.
With the recent headwinds in the economy, it will be interesting to see by how much Rick’s is affected, but odds are they are definitely going to be affected.
The good news is that Rick’s has recently announced a stock buyback program, there has been some slight insider buying, and the company recently preannounced Q4 and full fiscal year (ended September) earnings and results which were mostly very positive, including or excluding Rick’s recent acquisitions.
In fact the company still had positive same-store (or same-club) sales growth in what is an extremely difficult retail environment.
For this reason, I believe that with Rick’s stock price being where it is, a 1/4 position buy is warranted for long term investors with a strong stomach for volatility, and a long time horizon, as Rick’s will emerge from any current downturn in a much stronger position for future growth due to its continued strong cash flow and margins, as well as intelligent acquisitions.
10 Best Long Term Stocks To Own For 2014: SolarCity Corp (SCTY)
SolarCity Corporation (SolarCity), incorporated on June 21, 2006, is engaged in the design, installation and sale or lease of solar energy systems to residential and commercial customers, or sale of electricity generated by solar energy systems to customers. The Company sells renewable energy to its customers. As of December 12, 2012, the Company served customers in 14 states. The Company�� residential customers are individual homeowners and homeowners. The Company�� commercial customers represent several business sectors, including technology, retail, manufacturing, agriculture, nonprofit and houses of worship. The Company has installed solar energy systems for several government entities, including the the United States Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy, and the Department of Homeland Security. The Company purchases major components, such as solar panels and inverters directly from multiple manufacturers. As of September 30, 2012, its primary solar panel suppliers were Trina Solar Limited, Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited and Kyocera Solar, Inc., among others, and its primary inverter suppliers were Power-One, Inc., SMA Solar Technology, AG, Schneider Electric SA, Fronius International GmbH and SolarEdge Technologies, among others.
Solar Energy Products
The Company�� solar energy products include Solar Energy Systems, and SolarLease and power purchase agreement finance products. The major components of its solar energy systems include solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical current. Most of its solar energy customers choose to purchase energy from the Company pursuant to one of two payment structures: a SolarLease or a power purchase agreement. In both structures, the Company charges customers a monthly fee for the power produced by its solar energy systems. In the lease structure, this monthly payment is pre-determined and includes a production guarantee. In the power purchase agreement structure, the Company charges customers a fee per kilowatt! hour based on the amount of electricity actually produced by the solar energy system.
Energy Efficiency Products and Services
The Company�� energy efficiency products and services include home energy evaluation and energy efficiency upgrades. The Company sells home energy efficiency evaluations to new solar energy system customers and existing customers. The Company�� energy efficiency upgrade products and services address heating and cooling, air sealing, duct sealing, water heating, insulation, furnaces, weatherization, pool pumps and lighting. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had completed over 13,000 home energy evaluations and performed more than 2,000 energy efficiency upgrades.
Other Energy Products and Services
The Company�� other energy products and services include electric vehicle charging and energy storage. The Company installs electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment that it sources from third parties. SolarCity markets EV equipment to residential and commercial customers through retail partnerships with companies, such as The Home Depot, and through EV manufacturers and dealerships, such as its partnership with Tesla Motors, Inc. The Company is developing a battery management system built on its solar energy monitoring communications backbone. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had over 100 energy storage pilot projects under contract. As of December 12, 2012, the Company had sold over 750 charging stations.
Enabling Technologies
The Company�� enabling technologies include SolarBid Sales Management Platform, SolarWorks Customer Management Software, Energy Designer, Home Performance Pro and SolarGuard and PowerGuide Proactive Monitoring Solutions. SolarBid is a sales management platform, which incorporates a database of rate information by utility, sun exposure, roof orientation and a range of other factors to enable a detailed analysis and customized graphical presentation of each customer� �s savin! gs.
SolarWorks is the software platform the Company uses to track and manage project. Energy Designer is a software application its field engineering auditors use to collect pertinent site-specific design details on a tablet computer. Home Performance Pro is its energy efficiency evaluation platform that incorporates the United States Department of Energy�� Energy Plus simulation engine. Home Performance Pro collects and stores details of a building�� construction and energy use. SolarGuard and PowerGuide provide its customers a view of their home�� or business�� energy generation and consumption.
The Company competes with American Solar Electric, Inc., Astrum Solar, Inc., Petersen Dean, Inc., Real Goods Solar, Inc., REC Solar, Inc., Sungevity, Inc., Trinity Solar, Inc., Verengo, Inc., SunRun Inc. and Ameresco, Inc.
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