It is not necessary that all dollar stores or similar small box retailers will survive in an environment where consumers are largely cost conscious. Some would fare well while others might sink. Typical examples of such companies are Dollar General (DG) and Family Dollar Stores (FDO). Dollar General has been great soldier whereas Family Dollar continues to flop.
Comparison over the past...
Dollar General has been an impressive performer as compared to Family Dollar, when compared over the last five years. Its revenue has increased 48% over the period whereas Family Dollar�� revenue surged 40%. Both the retailers��revenue growth was helped by same store sales growth and new store openings.
However, when net income is considered Dollar General has been a commendable player. Its bottom line has jumped a whopping 202% over the last five years, as the company managed to increase sales and control costs. But Family Dollar�� bottom line grew 52% only since it was unable to fight competitive pressures and increasing input prices.
Top Dividend Companies To Invest In Right Now: Avista Corporation (AVA)
Avista Corporation, an energy company, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy and other energy-related businesses in the United States and Canada. It operates in two segments, Avista Utilities and Advantage IQ. The Avista Utilities segment involves in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity primarily from hydroelectric and thermal sources. It also engages in the distribution of natural gas to retail customers in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of northeast and southwest Oregon, as well as in the wholesale purchase and sale of electricity and natural gas. As of December 31, 2010, this segment operated facilities with a total net capability of 1,791 mega watts, as well as provided retail electric service to 359,000 customers; and retail natural gas service to 319,000 customers. This segment offers electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The Advantage IQ segment provides sustainable utility expense management and energy management solutions to multi-site companies in North America. It offers invoice processing, auditing and payment services, energy procurement, reporting, advanced analysis, and consulting services. In addition, the company engages in the custom sheet metal fabrication of electronic enclosures, parts, and systems for the computer, telecom, renewable energy, and medical industries; real estate investments, primarily commercial office buildings; and investing in emerging technology venture capital funds and low income housing. Avista Corporation was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Spokane, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Avista (NYSE: AVA ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Avista (NYSE: AVA ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Best Income Companies To Watch In Right Now: Communications Systems Inc.(JCS)
Communications Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells modular connecting and wiring devices, digital subscriber line filters, structured wiring systems, and media and rate conversion products primarily in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company?s Suttle segment manufactures and markets copper and fiber connectivity systems, enclosure systems, XDSL filters and splitters, and active technologies for voice, data, and video communications under the Suttle brand name; and residential structured wiring products under the SOHO Access brand name. This segment offers its products directly and through distributors to communication companies, smaller telephone companies, electrical/low voltage contractors, home builders, cable customers, and original equipment manufacturers. Its Transition Networks segment designs, assembles, and markets network interface devices, media converters, network interface cards, Ethernet switches, sma ll form factor pluggable modules, and other connectivity products under the Transition Networks and MILAN brand names. This segment sells its products through distributors, resellers, integrators, and original equipment manufacturers. The company?s JDL Technologies segment offers information technology (IT) solutions, including network design and integration IT service management, network security, desktop virtualization, and managed network operation center services. This segment serves educational clients, IT value added resellers, and managed service providers, as well as healthcare, enterprise, and government markets. Its Austin Taylor segment provides telephony and data networking products to telecommunications companies, distributors, and installers. This segment designs and manufactures external metal cabinets and internal metal boxes to industry standards and to customer specifications. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Advisors' Opinion:
- [By Victor Selva]
On Dec.24, Mario Gabelli, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. added Communications Systems Inc. (JCS) at an average price of $11.05 and currently holds 330,172 shares of the stock. It was the 5th time he added the stock during this year, which makes me feel that he is betting in favor of a positive future for the consumption of network capacity.
Recommendations of the Board
Communications Systems is engaged in the manufacture and sale of modular connecting and wiring devices for voice and data communications, digital subscriber line filters, and structured wiring systems, and through its Transition Networks business unit in the manufacture of media and rate conversion products for telecommunications networks.
Few months ago the firm announced�a series of actions to increase revenues and improve profitability. The first change was to operate as a holding company, monitoring and supporting all the business units: Suttle, Transition Networks (TN) unit and JDL Technologies. With this ��ew format�� each unit will operate with a high degree of autonomy. This will result in the reduction of labor costs, the emphasizing of accountability in the units as well as better recognition of performance. "While difficult decisions for the Board, we believe the changes we have taken to restructure our parent company as a holding company and to focus on individual business unit performance is in the best interest of our shareholders and will increase shareholder value" said Curtis A. Sampson, the Company's Board Chair and Interim CEO. Furthermore, strategic investments in the TN unit such as marketing, sales and product development will boost revenues in the future.
Severe Warning Signs
Not all are good news, we found three severe warning signs issued by GuruFocus: Piotroski F-Score of 2 is low, which usually implies poor business operation; revenue has been in decline over the past 3 years and operating margin has been in 5-year
Best Income Companies To Watch In Right Now: Endologix Inc(ELGX)
Endologix, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices for the treatment of aortic disorders. It offers the ELG System, a stent graft and delivery system for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms through minimally-invasive endovascular repair. The company also provides aortic extensions and limb extensions, which attach to the main body of ELG Device, enabling physicians to customize it to fit the patient?s anatomy. In addition, it offers accessories, such as guidewires, snares, and catheter introducer sheaths that facilitate the optimal delivery of its ELG Device. Endologix, Inc. sells its products through direct sales force and independent distributors in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, and Mexico. The company was formerly known as Radiance Medical Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Endologix, Inc. in May 2002. Endologix, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Endologix (NASDAQ: ELGX) were down 24.85 percent to $13.43 on lowered guidance, analyst downgrades. Oppenheimer downgraded the stock from Outperform to Market Perform and cut the price target from $20.00 to $16.00.
Best Income Companies To Watch In Right Now: Interactive Intelligence Inc.(ININ)
Interactive Intelligence, Inc. provides software application suites for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) business communications to enterprises in the United States and internationally. The company offers software products and services for contact center, enterprise IP telephony, multichannel contact management, and business process automation. Its solutions include Interactive Intelligence Customer Interaction Center that provides contact centers and enterprises a single platform and a pre-integrated all-in-one application solution for IP telephony, including phone calls, faxes, e-mails, and Web interactions; Interactive Intelligence Customer Interaction Center for the Enterprise, an IP PBX phone and communications system for SIP-supported VoIP for mid-sized and larger enterprises, as well as offers real-time presence management and remote access with unified messaging, IVR and interaction client integrations for Microsoft applications; Interaction Process Automation t hat allows an organization to capture, prioritize, route, escalate, and track each step in a work process; and Interaction Content Management solution. The company also provides professional, managed, education, and support services. Its solutions are used by businesses and organizations that employ remote and mobile workers in teleservices, financial services, insurance, higher education, utilities, healthcare, retail, technology, government, and business services industries. The company distributes its products through partners and direct arrangements with end-user customers. Interactive Intelligence, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James Oberweis]
Indianapolis-based Interactive Intelligence Group (ININ) develops software for contact center infrastructure and unified communications software.
Across verticals like banking, insurance, government, utilities, and retail, Interactive Intelligence's software helps companies manage their call centers and associated client interactions, irrespective of whether by phone, email, web, or fax. The firm is benefitting from three drivers.
- [By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of call center software specialist Interactive Intelligence (NASDAQ: ININ ) surged 17% today after its quarterly results easily topped Wall Street expectations.
Best Income Companies To Watch In Right Now: Humana Inc.(HUM)
Humana Inc. offers various health and supplemental benefit plans in the United States. Its Government segment consists of beneficiaries of government benefit programs; and operates in three lines of businesses, including Medicare, Military, and Medicaid. The Medicare program provides hospital and medical insurance benefits to persons of age 65 and over and some disabled persons under the age of 65. The Military program offers health insurance coverage to the dependents of duty military personnel, and to retired military personnel and their dependents. The Medicaid program is a federal program that is state-operated to facilitate the delivery of health care services primarily to low-income residents. The Commercial segment consists of members enrolled in its medical and specialty products marketed to employer groups and individuals. This segment provides health maintenance organization products that offer prepaid health insurance coverage to its members through a network of independent primary care physicians, specialty physicians, and other health care providers; preferred provider organization products, which are offered primarily to employer groups and individuals; and administrative services only products that are provided to employers who self-insure their employee health plans. It also offers various specialty products, including dental, vision, and other supplemental products, as well as disease management services. As of December 31, 2010, Humana Inc. had approximately 10.2 million members enrolled in medical benefit plans; and approximately 7.1 million members enrolled in specialty products programs. The company markets its products through various channels comprising television, radio, the Internet, telemarketing, and direct mailings. In addition, it has strategic alliances with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; State Farm; and United Services Automobile Association to market its products. The company was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By DailyFinance Staff]
Concerns about the political uncertainty in Ukraine caused some volatility in the markets Friday afternoon, with the major indexes making several U-turns ahead of the weekend. The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI), which had been up by as much as 125 points, briefly dropped into loss territory before rebounding to end 49 points higher. The Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) edged up 5 points, adding to Thursday's record high, but the Nasdaq composite (^IXIC) lost 10 points. AP/Darko VojinovicPro-Russian militias have seized local government buildings in Crimea, Ukraine; the unrest there is making investors around the world nervous. February was a great month for investors. All three major averages jumped by about 4 percent. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) led the blue chips, gaining 1½ percent. Other health providers – Aetna (AET), Wellpoint (WLP), Cigna (CI) and Humana (HUM) -- all gained between 1½ and 2 percent. And retail stocks remained active. Target (TGT) added another 3 percent. Best Buy rose 4 percent, and Fred's (FRED), a regional department store chain, jumped 10 percent. But Pier 1 (PIR) fell 5½ percent after lowering its earnings outlook for a second time. That led to a series of brokerage downgrades. Decker Outdoor (DECK) tumbled 12 percent. The maker of footwear brands such as Ugg and Teva issued a weak outlook. And apparel maker Lululemon (LULU) fell 5-percent on negative comments from Credit Suisse. It seems as though there are always some big movers in the drug and biotech sectors – and that was certainly the case today. GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) rose 2 percent after the FDA granted orphan status to its drug to treat a rare form of childhood epilepsy. But most of the action was on the downside. Endologix (ELGX) slid 24 percent after forecasting lower revenue growth. Questcor (QCOR) fell 10 percent. It's lost big for three straight days amid allegations of questionable business practices. Jazz Pharma
- [By Sean Williams]
In February, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, proposed a 2.2% reimbursement rate decrease to Medicare Advantage health-benefit providers. Though a bit steeper than many had expected, the reduction proposal followed the basic expectation that the government was going to reduce its cash disbursements to for-profit health-care business. However, following two months of some 160 lawmakers and insurers lobbying the CMS, it decided in April to reverse its decision and propose a 3.3% increase to Medicare Advantage reimbursement rates! At the time, it was great news for Humana (NYSE: HUM ) and Universal American, which derive about two-thirds and three-quarters of their revenue from Medicare Advantage plans. But, it set an even greater precedence in the sector that health insurers weren't going to cede their pricing power to the government.�
- [By CRWE]
Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) reported that it has completed its acquisition of SeniorBridge, a national chronic-care provider best known for providing in-home care management and caregiving services for seniors. Terms were not disclosed.
- [By Dividend]
Humana (HUM) has a market capitalization of $14.92 billion. The company employs 43,400 people, generates revenue of $39.126 billion and has a net income of $1.222 billion. Humana�� earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $2.354 billion. The EBITDA margin is 6.02 percent (the operating margin is 5.15 percent and the net profit margin 3.12 percent).
Best Income Companies To Watch In Right Now: Jasper Mining Corp (JSP)
Jasper Mining Corporation (Jasper) is an exploration-stage company engaged in the exploration for and development of base and precious metals in Canada. Its properties consist of the Vowell Creek property, the Lydy property, the McFarlane property, the Cascade property, the Faith property, the Isintok property, the Alaric property, the Proximal property, the Erie Creek property, the Irony property and Crawford property. The Vowell Creek property consists of 12,750 hectares located approximately 35 kilometers south of Golden, British Columbia. The Cascade property is located approximately 55 kilometers north of the community of Kaslo, British Columbia and is comprised of approximately 1,545 hectares (3,819 acres), on the west side of the Lardeau River. The Irony property is located north of Revelstoke, British Columbia and southwest of Mica Dam, consisting of 2,375 hectares (5,869 acres). The Company's properties include lead, zinc, gold and silver. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jessica Summers]
India�� S&P BSE Sensex (SENSEX) extended this week�� drop to 3 percent, the most since five days ended March 24. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. (JSP) plunged 7.6 percent, leading a gauge of 10 metal companies to its lowest close in more than four years. ICICI Bank Ltd. fell to an 11-month low, pacing losses among its peers. The rupee slid 1.1 percent, capping its biggest weekly drop in almost two years.
No comments:
Post a Comment