Top 5 Long Term Companies For 2014

Eric Risberg/AP

-- Overheard at a used car dealer

Whether you sympathize with that sentiment or think the car buyer overheard above is an automotive Luddite, the fact remains: Long term, he's probably out of luck. Manual transmissions are going the way of the dodo. While there are still a few available -- Honda's Accord, Volkswagen's Passat and BMW's 3 Series being notable examples -- there seems to be a widespread preference for automatic. And if the trends travel much farther along the road we're on now, pretty soon, the cars really will be driving us -- and not just automatically, but autonomously. (Almost) Self-Driving Cars

5 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2015: Arotech Corporation(ARTX)

Arotech Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides defense and security products. It operates in three divisions: Training and Simulation, Battery and Power Systems, and Armor. The Training and Simulation division develops, manufactures, and markets multimedia and interactive digital solutions for use-of-force training and driving training of military, law enforcement, security, and other personnel; provides simulators, systems engineering, and software products to the United States military, government, and private industry; and offers specialized use of force training for police, security personnel, and the military. The Battery and Power Systems division manufactures and sells lithium and zinc-air batteries for defense and security products and other military applications; and develops and sells rechargeable and primary lithium batteries and smart chargers to the military and to private defense industry. This division also develops, manufactures, and markets primary zinc-air batteries, rechargeable batteries, and battery chargers for the military; and produces water-activated lifejacket lights for commercial aviation and marine applications. The Armor Division manufactures military and paramilitary armored vehicles, and employs sophisticated lightweight materials to produce aviation armor; and uses engineering concepts to produce combat armored military vehicles and up-armor civilian commercial vehicles. This division also uses lightweight armoring materials and advanced engineering processes to provide ballistic armor kits for rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Arotech sells its products primarily in the United States, Israel, Taiwan, Canada, England, Germany, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, India, Spain, Singapore, and Japan. The company was formerly known as Electric Fuel Corporation and changed its name to Arotech Corporation in September 2003. Arotech Corporation was founded in 1990 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Arotech (NASDAQ: ARTX) shares declined 10.98% to $3.97 after falling 1.55% on Monday.

  Bebe Stores (NASDAQ: BEBE) shares declined 10.40% to $5.77 after the company reported a 5.7% drop in its Q3 same-store sales and issued a downbeat Q3 outlook.

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Arotech (NASDAQ: ARTX) declined 5.85% to $3.54 after the company priced 2.86 million share offering at $3.50 per share.

  Radian Group (NYSE: RDN) dropped 5.09% to $13.81 after the company provided a comment on the proposed GSE requirements for private mortgage insurer eligibility.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Arotech (NASDAQ: ARTX) dipped 7.50% to $4.07 in pre-market trading after dropping 2.22% on Wednesday.

  ModusLink Global Solutions (NASDAQ: MLNK) fell 6.95% to $4.55 in pre-market trading after the company announced a proposed $75 million convertible senior notes offering.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  If you're reading this, then odds are you already know Arotech Corporation (NASDAQ:ARTX) shares are up big-time today. You probably also know why ARTX is soaring... last quarter's results. What may not be fully appreciated about this defense contractor, however, is that its stock - even with today's huge advance - has a lot more upside to go before the bulls slow down.

Top 5 Long Term Companies For 2014: Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd (SAXJF)

Sa Sa International Holdings Limited is an investment holding company. The Company�� subsidiaries are principally engaged in the retailing and wholesaling of cosmetic products. Its business covers Hong Kong and Macau, Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. The Company operates in two segments: retail segment, engaged in the operation of cosmetics specialty stores, which offer a variety of products from over 600 beauty brands, covering a wide of products from skin care, fragrance, make-up, body care and hair care to health foods, and brand management segment, engaged in the management of over 100 beauty brands. It also offers round-the-clock online shopping services along with product and corporate information through its e-commerce platform, sasa.com. The Company�� subsidiaries include Alibaster Management Limited, Base Sun Investment Limited, Cyber Colors Limited, Docile Company Limited and Elegance Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, among others. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.MARKETWATCH.COM]

  HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Hong Kong stocks swung between small gains and losses early Thursday after hitting a seven-month high in the previous session, with the Hang Seng Index (HK:HSI) down less than 0.1%. Most mainland Chinese property developers outperformed the markets, with Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. (HK:2777) (GZUHF) rallying 3.4%, after the company reported a 44% month-on-month jump in sales for June. Shimao Property Holdings Ltd. (HK:0813) (SIOPF) climbed 2.6%, and China Resources Land Ltd. (HK:1109) (CRBJF) rose 1.7%. However, several retailers were weak, as Want Want China Holdings Ltd. (HK:0151) (WWNTF) , the country's top food and beverage maker, declined 2%. Hong Kong-based cosmetics brand Sa Sa International Holdings (HK:0178) (SAXJF) fell 1.6%, with a decline in Chinese June non-manufacturing data helping weigh on some retailers. Over on the Chinese mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index (CN:SHCOMP) retreated 0.4%, pulling back from its highest close in two weeks.

Top 5 Long Term Companies For 2014: American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL)

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture, engineering, design, and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems, and related components and chassis modules for automotive industry in the United States. The company?s driveline and drivetrain systems comprise components that transfer power from the transmission and deliver it to the drive wheels. These products include axles, chassis modules, driveshafts, power transfer units, transfer cases, chassis and steering components, driving heads, crankshafts, transmission parts, and metal-formed products. It offers products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars, crossover vehicles, and commercial vehicles. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sue Chang]

  American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL) �is projected to report earnings of 56 cents a share in the third quarter.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  This week we��e awaiting a court decision on whether GM might be ordered to issue a ��ark it��order for recalled vehicles awaiting an ignition fix. A negative ruling would mark another escalation. A more positive headline could emerge in late-Apr/early-May if GM were to take further steps to address impacted customers (i.e. fund). The headlines stemming from GM�� internal investigation are less predictable but also present a risk. Separately, if GM normalizes ATPs, some press reports may report it negatively as we��e seen all year. Tactically, our prior buy-on-weakness approach for GM, Ford and [American Axle & Manufacturing (AXL)] appeared to work last week and this remains our strategy as the situation unfolds.

Top 5 Long Term Companies For 2014: BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund Inc (FRA)

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund seeks current income and preservation of capital. It utilizes leverage through borrowings.

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. invests in a diversified, leveraged portfolio consisting primarily of floating-rate debt securities and instruments. BlackRock Advisors, LLC. is the manager of the Fund. The Fund invests in floating rate loans, which are generally non-investment grade, made by banks, other financial institutions, and privately and publicly offered corporations. The portfolio of the BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. comprises floating rate loan interests (76%), corporate bonds (22%) and common stocks (2%) as of February 29, 2008.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Dowdee]

  The following 10 funds satisfied all of these conditions:

  BlackRock Float Rate Strategies (FRA). This CEF sells at a discount of 3%, which is low compared to an average premium of 2% over the past year. The distribution has been managed at 6.1% and a small amount (less than 10%) has been return of capital (ROC). However, this has not negatively affected net asset value (NAV) so has not been destructive. The fund holds 447 securities, with 90% in floating rate loans. FRA utilizes 27% leverage and has an expense ratio of 1.7%, including interest payments. Eaton Vance Floating Rate (EFR). This CEF sells at a 1% premium, which is low compared to an average premium of 5% over the past year. The distribution is 6.2%, none of which was ROC. The fund holds 800 securities, with 90% in floating rate loans. About 85% of the securities are from U.S. companies. EFR utilizes 35% leverage and has an expense ratio of 1.8% including interest payments. ING Prime Rate Trust (PPR). This CEF sells for a premium of 2%, which is below the average premium of 5%. It has a distribution of 6.8%, none of which was ROC. The fund has 350 holdings, virtually all in senior loans and from US companies. PPR utilizes 29% leverage and has a high expense ratio of 2.1%, including interest payments. Invesco VK Dynamic Credit Opportunities (VTA). This CEF sells for a discount of 5%, which is below the average discount of 1%. It has a distribution of 7.1%, none of which was ROC. The fund has 495 holdings, with 76% in floating rate loans. About 25% of the loans are from non-US companies. VTA utilizes a relatively low 20% leverage but still has a high expense ratio of 2.1%, including interest payments. Invesco VK Senior Income (VVR). This CEF sells for a discount of 1%, which is below the average premium of 3%. It has a distribution of 7.1%, none of which was ROC. The fund has over 500 holdings, with 89% in floating rate loans. Almost all (95%) securities are from US companies. VVR ut