Best Cheap Companies To Invest In 2014

Unconventional natural gas production has created a large surplus of the commodity in North America, dropping prices from $12 per MMBtu in the summer of 2008 to under $2 per MMBtu last summer.�

With international�natural�gas prices up to four times more expensive than domestic prices, significant profits can be had if the United States exports its surplus�natural�gas to these high-priced markets. However,�opponents�of exporting liquefied natural gas, or LNG, are quick to point out that cheap natural gas could be used to make the United States' manufacturing sector more competitive.

In the following video, Motley Fool energy analyst Joel South discusses a recent Energy Information Administration survey showing that U.S. manufacturing is increasing energy efficiency. With energy intensity dropping, is the country better off exporting the excess natural gas? A recent Deloitte study estimates the price increase due to exporting LNG would be�insignificant, and since natural gas is a regionally priced commodity, the areas that would experience slight pricing pressure would be around shipping terminals, where gas is traditionally more inexpensive.

Best Cheap Companies To Invest In 2014: Local.com Corporation(LOCM)

Local.com Corporation operates as an Internet search advertising company that enables businesses and consumers to find each other and connect locally. Its Owned and Operated business unit manages its flagship online property Local.com and a proprietary network of approximately 20,000 local Websites that reach approximately 15 million monthly unique visitors. The company places various display, performance, and subscription advertisement products on its Local.com and proprietary network. Its Network business unit operates a private label local syndication network of approximately 1,000 U.S. regional media Websites; 80,000 third-party local Websites; and its own organic feed of local businesses plus third-party advertising feeds that focus primarily on local consumers to a distribution network of hundreds of Websites. The company?s Sales and Ad Services business unit provides approximately 45,000 direct monthly subscribers with Web hosting or Web listing products. The compan y was formerly known as Interchange Corporation and changed its name to Local.com Corporation in November 2006. Local.com Corporation was founded in 1999 and is headquarters in Irvine, California.

Best Cheap Companies To Invest In 2014: Cloud Peak Energy Inc(CLD)

Cloud Peak Energy Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in coal mining operations in the Powder River Basin of the United States. It produces sub-bituminous steam coal with low sulfur content for electric utilities and industrial customers. The company owns and operates Antelope surface coal mine located to the south of Gillette, Wyoming; the Cordero Rojo surface coal mine located to the south of Gillette, Wyoming; and the Spring Creek surface coal mine located in Montana. It also owns a 50% interest in the Decker surface coal mine located in Montana. As of December 31, 2010, it had approximately 970 million tons of proven and probable reserves. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Gillette, Wyoming.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By seekingalpha.com]

  The third-largest coal producer in the United States, the company has approximately 970 million tons of proven and probable reserves. It supplies its product to electricity utilities.
  
  Shares are trading at $20.06 at the time of writing, compared to their 52-week trading range of $14.77 to $24.69. At the current market price, the company is capitalized at $1.07 billion. Earnings per share for the last fiscal year were $2.07, placing the shares on a PE ratio of 9.69. It paid no dividend last year.

  These earnings are expected to dip through the next couple of years, retreating to $1.79 this year, before rising to $2.11 the following year as economic constraints take hold, and the search for cleaner energy continues.

  When compared to its sector, its price-to-earnings ratio is one of the lowest, and below the average of 12.42. Though the third largest of the coal production companies in the United States, it is far smaller than its main competitors, Arch (ACI) and Peabody (BTU). This could give it the agility it will need to succeed in the coming years. Its operating margin of 16.07% is better than Arch, and this is an indicator of a management that has the company cost structure under control. Expect the shares to outperform those of its major rivals through the next 24 months.

10 Best Stocks To Own Right Now: Kohl's Corporation(KSS)

Kohl?s Corporation operates department stores in the United States. The company?s stores offer private and exclusive, as well as national branded apparel, footwear, and accessories for women, men, and children; soft home products, such as sheets and pillows; and housewares primarily to middle-income customers. As of January 29, 2011, it operated 1,089 stores in 49 states. The company also offers on-line shopping on its Web site at Kohls.com. Kohl?s Corporation was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Kevin1977]  

  Kohl’s Corporation operates department stores in the United States. KSS recently traded at $45.1 and has a 2.2% dividend yield. KSS lost 1.7% during the past 12 months. The stock has a market cap of $12.7 billion, P/E ratio of 11.3 and forward P/E ratio of 8.9. The stock has total debt/equity ratio of 0.24 and Beta of 0.93.

• [By Dug]

  With its value-priced merchandise, private label, and brand-name goods, Kohl's is part department store and part discounter. "It's not quite as high-end as Macy's, or as low as Wal-Mart," says Resendes. The near-term outlook for retailers is gloomy, but Kohl's should be in a good position when the economy rebounds, he says. "A lot of consumers have migrated to Wal-Mart in terms of price, but they'll migrate back up, and a natural first stop is going to be Kohl's." Another plus: Kohl's doesn't offer store credit cards, "so defaults aren't hanging over its head," says Resendes. "That will be a great strength when we exit this economic turmoil." He sees a 25 percent upside to the company's shares, which recently traded at $38.

Best Cheap Companies To Invest In 2014: Express-1 Expedited Solutions Inc.(XPO)

XPO Logistics, Inc. provides third-party logistics services using a network of relationships with ground, sea, and air carriers in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It operates in three segments: Express-1, Concert Group Logistics, and Bounce Logistics. The Express-1 segment offers ground expedited surface transportation services for freight. It operates a fleet ranging from cargo vans to semi tractor trailer units. The Concert Group Logistics segment provides domestic and international freight forwarding services through a network of independently owned stations. Its domestic freight forwarding services include air charter, expedites, and time sensitive services, as well as cost sensitive services comprising deferred delivery, less than truckload, and full truck load services; and international freight forwarding services consist of on-board courier and air charters, time sensitive services, less-than-container and full-container-loads, and vessel charters. This segm ent also offers documentation on international shipments, customs clearance and banking, trade show shipment management, time definite and customized product distributions, reverse logistics and on site asset recovery projects, installation coordination, freight optimization, and diversity compliance support services. The Bounce Logistics segment provides premium freight brokerage services for truckload shipments. The company serves approximately 4,000 retail, commercial, manufacturing, and industrial customers through 6 U.S. operations centers and 22 agent locations. It offers its services to the automotive manufacturing, automotive components and supplies, commercial printing, durable goods manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food and consumer products, and high tech sectors. The company was formerly known as Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. and changed its name to XPO Logistics, Inc. in September 2011. XPO Logistics, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is based in Buchanan, Michi gan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Skousen]

  There is nothing exciting about the shipping business except that the growth in this industry can be exponential in an economy that is barely improving. Business conditions for shippers improve much more dramatically than the overall economy, and that’s exactly why you want to own shipping stocks in an economy emerging from recession — like we are right now — and avoid them in a slowing economy. Of all the shipping and transport companies out there right now, I like -1 Expedited Solutions Inc. (AMEX: XPO) the best because it grows faster from a tiny revenue base.

  In November, XPO announced Q3 results that beat by 150%, coming in at 5 cents per share versus an analyst estimate of 2 cents. Revenue rose by 70% to $44.4 million, up from $26.1 million in the same quarter of last year. The stock soared flowing the report and should continue to gain as shipping and freight companies are the first to rebound in an economic recovery. Buy XPO below $3.