Market Features Stocks to Watch - SUG, ETE, WMB, PFE, MSFT, BIDU, XOM

Market Features 7 Stocks to Watch: Southern Union, Bidu



Add CommentStock quotes in this article:SUG, ETE, WMB, PFE, MSFT, BIDU, XOM inShare.
Foundations of Financial Markets and Institutions (4th Edition)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Energy Transfer Equity(ETE) raised its offer to acquire natural gas company Southern Union(SUG) for about $5.1 billion in cash. Under the new deal, Southern Union shares are valued at $40 a share, higher than Energy Transfer's mid-June bid of $33 a share, and above a competing offer from Williams(WMB) of $39 a share.

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Energy Transfer Partners Announces Agreement For 50% Interest In Citrus Corp., Owner Of Florida Gas TransmissionEnergy Transfer Lifts Southern Union Bid(Graphic: Business Wire)Market Activity

Baidu Inc.
BIDU Southern Union Co
SUG Pfizer Inc
PFE


The Forever Portfolio: How to Pick Stocks That You Can Hold for the Long Run
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TheStreet) -- With stocks in a slump -- the benchmark S&P 500 has fallen 5% from a peak two months ago -- individual investors are trying to figure out which companies may rebound because they offer value and which may continue their slide.


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Bet on Insurers in Second Half, Investor Says3 Small Growth Funds With Steady ResultsMutual Fund Carries Built-In ProtectionMarket Activity

Intrepid Small Cap Fund
ICMAX CSG Systems International Inc.
CSGS Tellabs Incorporated
TLAB In this topsy-turvy world -- even hot-gadget maker Apple(AAPL) and defensive stalwart Exxon Mobil(XOM) are down -- emulating private-equity investors' approach to evaluating companies may be the smartest move.

Stocks are barely up so far in 2011 after two years of strong gains as higher commodity prices crimp corporate profits, consumer spending is lackluster amid high unemployment and the Federal Reserve is ending its second stimulus program this month. By focusing on corporate balance sheets and private-market valuations, investors may be able to navigate volatility in these summer months.


Stocks for the Long Run: The Definitive Guide to Financial Market Returns and Long-Term Investment Strategies [STOCKS FOR THE LONG RUN 4/E]




A stock's price isn't always indicative of value, and the difference between the two can lead to hefty profits, says Mark Travis, chief executive officer of Jacksonville, Florida-based Intrepid Capital Funds. One of his top picks is Tellabs(TLAB), a beaten-up communications-equipment maker that is among the worst performing stocks on the S&P 500 this year.

Travis tries to determine the price that a rational buyer, paying in cash, would offer to acquire a company. With companies holding a record amount of cash -- more than $2 trillion -- following Travis' strategy makes more sense today than ever. Many companies he follows are growing fast and generating a lot of cash, but retail investors know very little about them because they fly under Wall Street's radar.

The strategy also takes advantage of the recent mergers-and-acquisitions frenzy. Through May, there were 1,276 announced deals with a total value of $454 billion, a 39% increase over the same period in 2010, according to a report by advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. U.S. M&A activity will "continue to pick up steadily through the balance of 2011," PwC says.

But after a two-year rally in equities since the March 2009 bottom, aided by the Fed's bond-purchasing programs that boosted asset prices, Travis says the challenge in finding takeover targets has been made tougher. "Higher prices don't mean more opportunity, but more risk," he says. "A lot of the businesses we found were closer to fair price."

That has pushed Travis to be defensive in his posture. He says he couldn't find many businesses that had characteristics that private-equity investors would like, namely an unlevered balance sheet, lots of cash generation and downside protection in the share price. As such, the Intrepid Small Cap Fund(ICMAX) had 34% of its $777 million in total assets in cash equivalents, as of March 31. The Intrepid Capital Fund(ICMBX), meanwhile, had 12% of its $345 million in cash equivalents at the end of the first quarter.

Travis says his firm was invested in one takeout that occurred in late March, and that he has started to find some companies that carry both merit and risk for investors who can stomach the investment. "To find something in this environment where prices are up 100% over the last 24 months, you're going to have to buy something that has some ugly characteristic to it or it wouldn't be cheap," he says.

While investors focus mainly on S&P 500 companies, Travis and Intrepid Capital tend to be buyers of small-cap stocks. Travis says smaller companies that generate cash consistently attract suitors, either larger companies in their industry or private-equity firms. If neither comes forward, Travis is happy knowing the investment will continue to grow as the company's cash builds up.

Stocks For The Long Run


Baidu(BIDU), China's biggest search engine by revenue, on Monday announced a partnership with Microsoft(MSFT) that would allow its users to see English-language search results generated by Bing, Microsoft's search engine. Microsoft shares were up 0.5% to $26.15 in premarket trading Tuesday and Baidu shares were rising 1% to $144.71.

Company Symbol Brokerage Firm Upgrade From To (Target)


Artio Global Investors ART Ticonderoga Sell Neutral

Constant Contact CTCT Dougherty & Company Sell Neutral

Constellation Energy CEG Wunderlich Hold Buy ($43.5)

Diamond Offshore DO FBR Capital Mkt Perform Outperform ($85)

Kodiak Oil & Gas KOG BMO Capital Markets Market Perform Outperform

Raymond James RJF Ticonderoga Neutral Buy ($37)
Company Symbol Brokerage Firm Upgrade From To (Target)


A.O. Smith AOS KeyBanc Capital Mkts Hold Buy ($47)

Actuant ATU UBS Neutral Buy ($31)

Ciena CIEN UBS Sell Neutral ($17.25)

First Solar FSLR Wunderlich Sell Hold ($125)

Monster Worldwide MWW UBS Neutral Buy

NetSpend NTSP Wedbush Neutral Outperform

Transocean RIG Morgan Keegan Mkt Perform Outperform ($75)

Company Symbol Brokerage Firm Upgrade From To (Target)


Banner BANR McAdams Wright Ragen Hold Buy ($20)

Boston Properties BXP Argus Hold Buy ($112)

China North East Petroleum NEP Rodman & Renshaw Mkt Perform Mkt Outperform ($5.5)

CME Group CME UBS Neutral Buy ($318)

Endo Pharm ENDP Standpoint Research Hold Buy ($55)

Noble Corp NE Morgan Keegan Mkt Perform Outperform ($48)

Regal Entertainment RGC Caris & Company Above Average Buy ($16)

Under Armour UA Stifel Nicolaus Hold Buy ($80)






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The initial cleanup along the oil-fouled Yellowstone River could be tested Tuesday as rising waters make it harder for Exxon Mobil(XOM) to get to areas damaged by the crude spilled from a company pipeline. Shares were down 0.5% to $81.60.





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A Pfizer(PFE) stop-smoking drug Chantix increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, according to researchers who analyzed multiple trials involving the drug. Shares were down 0.3% to $20.68

Company Symbol Brokerage Firm Upgrade From To (Target)


Aruba Networks ARUN Barclays Capital Equal Weight Overweight ($33)

Avago Tech AVGO Sterne Agee Neutral Buy

Career Education CECO FBR Capital Underperform Mkt Perform ($23)

Cyberonics CYBX WBB Securities Buy Strong Buy

Encore Energy ENP Robert W. Baird Neutral Outperform ($25)

Enersys ENS Ardour Capital Accumulate Buy ($42)

GeoResources GEOI Global Hunter Securities Neutral Accumulate

Kodiak Oil & Gas KOG Global Hunter Securities Neutral Accumulate

Noble Corp NE FBR Capital Mkt Perform Outperform ($55)

TravelCenters of America TA Morgan Keegan Mkt Perform Outperform ($8)

Ultra Petroleum UPL CapitalOne southcoast Neutral Add ($56)

Under Armour UA Longbow Neutral Buy ($82)







Whiting Petroleum WLL Global Hunter Securities Neutral Accumulate

No. Symbol Company name Overall rating Core rating Last Change %Change Volume Market cap. P/E Dividend Dividend yield 6 mo expected return Market cap. market prefs Sector market prefs Growth/value market prefs Fundamental grade Valuation grade Technical grade Ownership grade
The Future for Investors: Why the Tried and the True Triumph Over the Bold and the New

Irrational Exuberance


1 AEIS Advanced Energy Industries Inc 6 8 15.02 0.00 0.00% 0 654.23 Mil 9.80 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A C B D

2 ALKS Alkermes Inc 6 8 19.04 0.00 0.00% 0 1.82 Bil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral D B A C

3 ARO Aeropostale Inc 6 8 17.56 0.00 0.00% 0 1.42 Bil 7.90 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C A C C

4 BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ADR Repstg 1 Ord Shs 6 8 12.13 0.14 1.18% 2,024 54.73 Bil 7.70 0.59 4.88% 7.12% Neutral Neutral N/A D B A C

5 BKI Buckeye Technologies Inc 6 8 27.79 0.00 0.00% 0 1.11 Bil 9.40 0.20 0.72% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral D A A D

6 BPI Bridgepoint Education Inc 6 8 25.57 0.00 0.00% 0 1.35 Bil 10.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A C A F

7 CALX Calix Inc 6 8 21.46 0.00 0.00% 0 971.61 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A B C D

8 CRZO Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc 6 8 42.02 0.00 0.00% 0 1.64 Bil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B A D

9 CSFL CenterState Banks Inc 6 8 6.90 0.00 0.00% 0 207.24 Mil 0.00 0.04 0.58% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A B D C

10 ENTG Entegris Inc 6 8 10.44 0.00 0.00% 0 1.40 Bil 14.40 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A D A C

11 FR First Industrial Realty Trust Inc 6 8 11.69 0.00 0.00% 0 1.01 Bil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B B C

12 FSYS Fuel Systems Solutions Inc 6 8 25.27 0.00 0.00% 0 504.75 Mil 37.20 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral In favor Neutral B B C C

13 GEOI GeoResources Inc 6 8 23.16 0.00 0.00% 0 589.65 Mil 20.80 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B C A

14 HWD Harry Winston Diamond Corp 6 8 16.42 0.00 0.00% 0 1.40 Bil 31.10 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C B

15 ISRL Isramco Inc 6 8 66.10 0.00 0.00% 0 179.64 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B B

16 LCRY Lecroy Corp 6 8 12.48 0.00 0.00% 0 204.64 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A C C C

17 LNN Lindsay Corp 6 8 70.39 0.00 0.00% 0 884.01 Mil 24.20 0.34 0.48% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C B C

18 MCHX Marchex Inc 6 8 9.07 0.00 0.00% 0 337.00 Mil 0.00 0.08 0.88% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A B D C

19 MDCO Medicines Co 6 8 16.84 0.00 0.00% 0 907.49 Mil 7.60 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C A C C

20 MITI Micromet Inc 6 8 5.78 0.00 0.00% 800 529.05 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A B D C

21 NEWP Newport Corp 6 8 18.28 0.00 0.00% 0 684.85 Mil 12.30 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A B D C

Mutual funds and the evolving long-run effects of stock wealth on U.S. consumption [An article from: Journal of Economics and Business]
22 NFLX Netflix Inc 6 8 267.99 0.00 0.00% 0 14.07 Bil 76.90 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A B B D

23 NKBP China Nuokang Bio Pharmaceutical Inc 6 8 4.74 0.00 0.00% 0 95.69 Mil 15.20 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Out of favor Neutral Neutral C A C

24 NTRI NutriSystem Inc 6 8 14.14 0.00 0.00% 0 381.11 Mil 16.70 0.70 4.95% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A D B C

25 OBCI Ocean Bio-Chem Inc 6 8 3.65 0.00 0.00% 0 28.66 Mil 13.60 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Out of favor Neutral Neutral C C A

26 PAET PAETEC Holding Corp 6 8 4.74 0.00 0.00% 0 687.66 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral In favor Neutral B D A C

27 PNFP Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc 6 8 15.67 0.00 0.00% 0 534.92 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral A B D C

28 PRO Pros Holdings Inc 6 8 17.33 0.00 0.00% 0 464.07 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral D A B C

29 RTEC Rudolph Technologies Inc 6 8 10.79 0.00 0.00% 0 341.52 Mil 10.80 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral B A C D

30 SGMS Scientific Games Corp 6 8 10.39 0.00 0.00% 0 956.56 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral D C B A

31 SNMX Senomyx Inc 6 8 5.82 0.00 0.00% 0 230.31 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral B B B D

32 SSRX 3SBio Inc 6 8 18.49 0.00 0.00% 0 410.05 Mil 34.60 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral D B A C

33 STXS Stereotaxis Inc 6 8 3.57 0.00 0.00% 0 197.55 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B B C

34 THOR Thoratec Corp 6 8 33.63 0.00 0.00% 0 1.92 Bil 32.60 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C A C C

35 TNDM Neutral Tandem Inc 6 8 17.39 0.00 0.00% 0 598.93 Mil 18.00 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C A C

36 VSH Vishay Intertechnology Inc 6 8 15.70 0.00 0.00% 0 2.60 Bil 7.50 0.00 0.00% 7.12% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B B C

37 ABR Arbor Realty Trust Inc 6 7 4.79 0.00 0.00% 0 121.87 Mil 1.50 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A C D

38 AMRI Albany Molecular Research Inc 6 7 4.81 0.00 0.00% 0 145.80 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A D C C

39 ANEN Anaren Inc 6 7 21.56 0.00 0.00% 0 325.92 Mil 19.80 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C D A C

40 ARBA Ariba Inc 6 7 34.86 0.00 0.00% 0 3.37 Bil 208.50 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B A F

41 ARRY Array Biopharma Incorporated 6 7 2.31 0.00 0.00% 0 131.72 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B B D C

42 ATNI Atlantic Tele-Network Inc 6 7 38.14 0.00 0.00% 0 587.09 Mil 15.20 0.88 2.31% 6.43% Neutral In favor Neutral C B C

43 ATRC AtriCure Inc 6 7 12.96 0.00 0.00% 0 208.28 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral D B B

44 AVID Avid Technology Inc 6 7 19.40 0.00 0.00% 0 745.41 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

45 BBBB Blackboard Inc 6 7 44.17 0.00 0.00% 400 1.55 Bil 186.60 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C

46 BEE Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc 6 7 7.25 0.00 0.00% 0 1.27 Bil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C D A

47 BEST Shiner International Inc 6 7 0.84 0.00 0.00% 0 23.13 Mil 5.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral A B F

48 BKBK Britton & Koontz Capital Corp 6 7 12.85 0.00 0.00% 0 27.53 Mil 11.30 0.72 5.60% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral B C C

49 BUCY Bucyrus International Inc 6 7 91.75 0.00 0.00% 0 7.47 Bil 22.40 0.10 0.11% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral D A C C

50 BVN Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA

No. Symbol Company name Overall rating Core rating Last Change %Change Volume Market cap. P/E Dividend Dividend yield 6 mo expected return Market cap. market prefs Sector market prefs Growth/value market prefs Fundamental grade Valuation grade Technical grade Ownership grade


51 CCE Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc 6 7 29.81 0.00 0.00% 0 9.69 Bil 16.60 0.52 1.74% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C D A C

52 CGI Celadon Group Inc 6 7 14.34 0.00 0.00% 0 322.89 Mil 27.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C C

53 CGX Consolidated Graphics Inc 6 7 55.54 0.00 0.00% 0 614.51 Mil 15.60 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A D C C

54 CNGL China Nutrifruit Group Ltd 6 7 1.85 0.00 0.00% 0 68.29 Mil 3.10 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral B B D C

55 COHU Cohu Inc 6 7 13.24 0.00 0.00% 0 318.32 Mil 10.60 0.24 1.81% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C C

56 CRY CryoLife Inc 6 7 5.60 0.00 0.00% 0 156.42 Mil 43.40 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

57 DDIC DDi Corp 6 7 9.57 0.00 0.00% 0 194.10 Mil 9.10 0.40 4.18% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

58 DK Delek US Hldg Inc 6 7 15.76 0.00 0.00% 0 910.53 Mil 0.00 0.15 0.95% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B F A C

59 EGY VAALCO Energy Inc 6 7 6.15 0.00 0.00% 0 350.66 Mil 8.30 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A C D C

60 EPM Evolution Petroleum Co Rp 6 7 7.05 0.00 0.00% 0 194.26 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C A D

61 EQU Equal Energy Ltd 6 7 6.88 0.00 0.00% 0 235.43 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B C C

62 EXPR E Express Inc 6 7 21.97 0.00 0.00% 0 1.95 Bil 14.80 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

63 FBMI Firstbank Corp (Alma, Michigan) 6 7 5.90 0.00 0.00% 0 46.22 Mil 17.30 0.04 0.68% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral A D C

64 FFCH First Financial Hldg Inc 6 7 9.02 0.00 0.00% 0 149.07 Mil 0.00 0.20 2.22% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A D C C

65 FLL Full House Resorts Inc 6 7 3.28 0.00 0.00% 0 59.08 Mil 8.10 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral D A C

66 GGB Gerdau SA ADR Representing 1 Pref Shs 6 7 10.85 0.00 0.00% 0 18.05 Bil 11.20 0.07 0.69% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B B D C

67 GSM Globe Specialty Metals Inc 6 7 23.54 0.00 0.00% 0 1.77 Bil 41.10 0.15 0.64% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B D B C

68 HGSH China Hgs Real Estate Inc 6 7 2.30 0.00 0.00% 0 103.62 Mil 5.10 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A D

69 HMY Harmony Gold Mining ADR Representing 1 Ord Shs 6 7 12.81 0.00 0.00% 0 5.54 Bil 58.60 0.07 0.55% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

70 HOG Harley-Davidson Inc 6 7 42.09 0.00 0.00% 0 9.94 Bil 31.90 0.50 1.19% 6.43% Neutral In favor Neutral B F A C

71 HOS Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc 6 7 27.47 0.00 0.00% 0 710.62 Mil 30.30 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral D C A C

72 HRB H and R Block Inc 6 7 16.31 0.00 0.00% 0 4.98 Bil 11.80 0.60 3.68% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

73 HTZ Hertz Global Holdings Inc 6 7 16.25 0.00 0.00% 0 6.76 Bil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C C

74 IAG IAMGOLD Corp 6 7 18.44 0.00 0.00% 1,700 7.04 Bil 18.80 0.20 1.07% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral D A C C

75 INWK Innerworkings Inc 6 7 8.66 0.00 0.00% 0 400.09 Mil 35.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C C

76 JMP JMP Group Inc 6 7 7.01 0.00 0.00% 0 154.81 Mil 14.80 0.10 1.43% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

77 KEYN Keynote Systems Inc 6 7 21.44 0.00 0.00% 0 353.05 Mil 44.60 0.24 1.12% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B D B C

78 KWR Quaker Chemical Corp 6 7 43.48 0.00 0.00% 0 549.65 Mil 15.30 0.96 2.21% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

79 LAMR Lamar Advertising Co 6 7 28.53 0.00 0.00% 0 2.65 Bil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B B D C

80 LMIA LMI Aerospace Inc 6 7 24.30 0.00 0.00% 0 294.56 Mil 21.30 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B D B C

81 LORL Loral Space and Communications Inc 6 7 70.65 0.00 0.00% 0 1.50 Bil 4.30 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral D B B

82 NBN Northeast Bancorp 6 7 13.10 0.00 0.00% 0 43.38 Mil 0.00 0.36 2.75% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral C B C

83 PAM Pampa Energia ADR Repsg 25 Ord Shs 6 7 15.32 0.00 0.00% 0 966.06 Mil 0.00 0.09 0.56% 6.43% Out of favor In favor N/A A D C C

84 PDFS PDF Solutions Inc 6 7 6.21 0.00 0.00% 0 174.52 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral D B B C

85 PEI Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust 6 7 15.79 0.00 0.00% 0 878.68 Mil 0.00 0.60 3.80% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B C C

86 PHX Panhandle Oil and Gas Inc 6 7 31.92 0.00 0.00% 0 263.83 Mil 34.50 0.28 0.88% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C D A C

87 PIKE Pike Electric Corp 6 7 9.15 0.00 0.00% 0 307.91 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral In favor Neutral A D C C

88 POWR Powersecure International Inc 6 7 7.19 0.00 0.00% 0 135.41 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B C C

89 POZN POZEN Inc 6 7 4.46 0.00 0.00% 0 133.37 Mil 6.70 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B A F C

90 PRCP Perceptron Inc 6 7 6.30 0.00 0.00% 0 54.57 Mil 31.30 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral B C C C

91 RBCAA Republic Bancorp Inc 6 7 20.22 0.00 0.00% 0 423.36 Mil 4.60 0.62 3.05% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B B D C

92 RCKY Rocky Brands Inc 6 7 12.49 0.00 0.00% 0 93.55 Mil 10.50 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Out of favor Neutral Neutral A D C

93 RTIX Rti Biologics Inc 6 7 2.84 0.00 0.00% 0 156.65 Mil 0.00 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C C

94 SCR Simcere Pharmaceutical Group 6 7 10.09 0.00 0.00% 0 543.95 Mil 20.10 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C C

95 SCS Steelcase Inc 6 7 11.49 0.00 0.00% 0 1.51 Bil 39.20 0.24 2.09% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A C D C

96 SKS Saks Inc 6 7 11.41 0.00 0.00% 0 1.87 Bil 41.40 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral A D C C

97 SMS Sims Metal Management ADR Representing 1 Ord Shs 6 7 19.05 0.00 0.00% 0 3.97 Bil 26.60 0.35 1.84% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C B

98 STMP Stamps.com Inc 6 7 13.46 0.00 0.00% 0 193.01 Mil 32.20 2.00 14.86% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral C C B C

99 SUMR Summer Infant Inc 6 7 8.18 0.00 0.00% 0 142.93 Mil 22.60 0.00 0.00% 6.43% Neutral Neutral Neutral B C C C

100 TX Ternium SA

Top March Stocks to Buy in 2011

Coca-Cola (KO, news) is gaining attention as an undervalued blue chip that's ideally positioned to help many investors get where they want to go as the bull market enters its third year.


Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich

As with other mega-cap stocks, Coca-Cola shares are cheaper than their average price over the last decade -- investors are paying 13 times per-share earnings over the past 12 months, a discount from Coca-Cola's 10-year average P/E ratio of 25.
Mad Money: Back to Basics


The Dow component is a reliable source of dividends -- it has raised its payout for 49 consecutive years. The most recent increase was in February, when directors approved a 6.8% increase to 47 cents a share.


Mad Money: Back to Basics II: Invest Like a Pro







Invest in Coca-Cola or PepsiCo?

.

Dividends are a big reason Warren Buffett is so bullish on Coca-Cola. His investment vehicle, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B, news), is Coca-Cola's largest shareholder, with 8.6% of the company's stock. Berkshire last purchased Coca-Cola shares in 1995.



•What's ahead for the stock market
Mad Money Bull Keychain
Investors sat up and took notice this year when Buffett, in his much-anticipated annual letter to Berkshire shareholders, said he expects Coca-Cola dividends to double within a decade. If Buffett's right, the Atlanta company's dividend yield could jump to above 5.5% in 10 years, from 2.8% today.





Coca-Cola chief on growth plans



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"By the end of that period, I wouldn't be surprised to see our share of Coke's annual earnings exceed 100% of what we paid for the investment," Buffett wrote in the Feb. 26 letter. "Time is the friend of the wonderful business."



Coca-Cola appears on a daily ranking created using StockScouter, an MSN Money tool that identifies stocks with strong growth prospects in the near term. All stocks with Scouter ratings of 8, 9 or 10 are considered for the list, which is then shortened to exclude stocks with a trading volume below 50,000 shares a day. The remaining stocks are ranked on the basis of market capitalization, sector membership and whether they are growth or value stocks.
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With operations in more than 200 countries, Coca-Cola is the world's biggest soft-drink company. It owns four of the top five soft-drink brands (Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Fanta, and Sprite). Other brands include Minute Maid juices, Dasani water and Honest Tea.


Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer Back To Basics II: Invest Like A Pro
Global sales rose in the fourth quarter despite a soft economy, the company said, with emerging markets like Brazil and India providing the fastest growth. It's also making a big push into Africa, where Coke is the dominant brand and a middle class is just emerging.



Coca-Cola also took market share from rival PepsiCo (PEP, news) in North America in the fourth quarter. Wall Street has been more bullish on Coca-Cola than on Pepsi in recent quarters because of Coca-Cola's strong global brands and its absence of snack foods, which tend to have lower profit margins and are more susceptible to rising commodity prices.







.

Of 15 analysts covering the company, 11 rate Coca-Cola a "strong buy," three rate it a "moderate buy" and one has a "hold" rating.



The stock has a StockScouter rating of 9, meaning it is expected to significantly outperform the market over the next six months with very low risk by MSN.com/money

top 10


Company Sector Friday's close Forward P/E Scouter score

Chesapeake Energy (CHK, news) Oil and natural gas $32.81 10.9 10

Gap (GAP, news) Apparel $21.97 10.4 10

Coca-Cola (KO, news) Soft drinks $64.81 15.1 9

Exxon Mobil (XOM, news) Oil and natural gas $82.12 10.1 9

América Móvil (AMX, news) Telecommunications $55.10 13.1 9

Yamana Gold (AUY, news) Gold mining $12.73 12.3 9

ConocoPhillips (COP, news) Oil and natural gas $76.30 9.7 9

Chevron (CVX, news) Oil and natural gas $99.93 8.5 9

Lowe's (LOW, news) Home improvement $26.94 13.6 9

Macy's (M, news)









 

S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats: Past, Present and Future

The S&P 500 Index includes some of the biggest and best known companies in the world and most pay dividends. A few years ago, S&P wanted to pull out those with the best track records for not only paying dividends, but increasing dividends over the years. They set a tough standard to filter out the best. Each company was required to have a minimum of 25 consecutive years of paying higher dividends. While the number of companies fluctuate a little from year to year, about 60 (roughly 11%) are currently S&P Dividend Aristocrats. Most have track records of 30, 40 or even 50+ consecutive years of paying higher dividends annually.

Since each company has an outstanding long term track record of paying dividends, this group can be used to obtain investment ideas. Such help is more important than ever after the pummeling virtually all stocks have taken in recent months.

However, care is always needed when selecting investments, even in this elite group, Of the seven banks in the group in 2005, only two remain. The most famous was Bank of America (BAC), which bragged in annual reports about its track record of raising dividends over the prior 30 years. Last year in Q3, instead of increasing the dividend, BAC merely mentioned declaring a regular dividend. In Q4, the dividend was cut in half. This year, on greater fears about the company and its dividend, sellers took the stock into single digits. The fears proved correct when BAC just cut their quarterly dividend to only one penny.

A few other companies have had their streak of higher dividends come to an end, but their numbers have been limited. One example, ConAgra (CAG), cut the dividend a couple of years ago. However, the stock has not sold off as badly as others in the recent market decline.

A few stocks in the group are facing difficulties. The most prominent is General Electric (GE), selling at a 15 year low. After recent problems in its businesses, especially the financial ones, General Electric has been talking about only maintaining the dividend, not increasing it. Earnings will be reported later this week. Fears of dismal earnings have caused the stock to sell off to under 14.

Pfizer (PFE) and Eli Lilly (LLY) are drug companies facing patent expiration on important drugs shortly, which could impair their ability to increase dividends. Masco (MAS) may see its 50 year track record of higher dividends come to an end in 2009 as their business selling to the housing industry is not earning the dividend. These companies have extraordinary yields of 6-9%, reflecting doubts about future.

But most companies have healthy balance sheets and good cash flows with excellent track records for increasing dividends. Just a few of the big names in the group that I like for no particular reason include:

3M (MMM)
Coca Cola (KO)
Exxon Mobil (XOM)
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Kimberley-Clark (KMB)
McDonald's (MCD)
McGraw-Hill (MHP)
Procter & Gamble (PG)
Stanley Works (SWK)
VF Corp (VFC)
Walgreen (WAG)
Wal-Mart (WMT)
The recent fall in the stock market reinforces the age old advice "investigate before you invest," even for this very special group. The strong should survive and thrive over the long term. For example, I bought KO for my IRS 15 years ago. The stock has more than doubled the original price and reinvested dividends bring the total investment to almost triple. Almost 10 years ago I bought VFC which, again, has doubled the original price with reinvested dividends, bringing the total to almost triple. And today's valuations are held back because they are based on depressed market prices. Let Dividend Aristocrats provide helpful investment ideas for very smart investing.

Avi Morris

http://www.verysmartinvesting.blogspot.com/