stocks you should be buying this week

Company Symbol EPS


Estimate* Time Add to My

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AbitibiBowater Inc ABH N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Acies Corp ACIE.PK N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Advanced Battery Technologies Inc ABAT N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Allon Therapeutics Inc NPC.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Analog Devices Inc ADI N/A After Market Close Add Listen

Aoxing Pharmaceutical Co Inc AXN N/A Time Not Supplied Add



ARC Resources Ltd ARX.TO N/A After Market Close Add



Astro Med Inc ALOT N/A 11:00 am ET Add



Aura Minerals Inc ORA.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Babcock International Group PLC BAB.L N/A Time Not Supplied Add



BPZ Resources Inc BPZ N/A Time Not Supplied Add



British Empire Securities And General Trust P L C BTEM.L N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Cadiz Inc CDZI N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Canaccord Financial Inc CF.TO N/A After Market Close Add



Capstone Therapeutics Corp CAPS N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Caspian Holdings Plc CSH.L N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Central Bancorp Inc CEBK N/A After Market Close Add



Centric Health Corp CHH.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Champion Industries Inc CHMP N/A Time Not Supplied Add



China Precision Steel Inc CPSL N/A Time Not Supplied Add



China Real Estate Information Corp CRIC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



China Wind Systems Inc CWS N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Cia Levantina de Edificacion y Obras Publicas SA CLEO.MC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Connacher Oil And Gas Ltd CLL.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd CLM.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Converted Organics Inc COIN N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Cubic Energy Inc QBC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Curasan AG CUR.DE N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Daylight Energy Ltd DAY.TO N/A After Market Close Add



Dell Inc DELL N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Detour Gold Corp DGC.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Dicks Sporting Goods Inc DKS N/A Before Market Open Add Listen

Diploma PLC DPLM.L N/A Before Market Open Add



Elong Inc LONG N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Enterprise Inns PLC ETI.L N/A Before Market Open Add



Equitable Group Inc ETC.TO N/A After Market Close Add



Esun Financial Holding Co Ltd 2884.TW N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd GILT N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Goldsource Mines Inc GXS.V N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Gushan Environmental Energy Ltd GU N/A Time Not Supplied Add



GW Pharmaceuticals PLC GWP.L N/A Before Market Open Add



Hearusa Inc EAR N/A Time Not Supplied Add



High Liner Foods Inc HLF.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Hilltop Holdings Inc HTH N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Home Depot Inc HD N/A Time Not Supplied Add



HT Media Ltd HTMEDIA.NS N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Hunter Douglas NV HDG.AS N/A 02:00 am ET Add



Hyperdynamics Corp HDY N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Infratil Ltd IFT.NZ N/A Time Not Supplied Add



InterXion Holding NV INXN N/A 06:00 am ET Add



Ituran Location and Control Ltd ITRN.TA N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Jacada Ltd JCDA N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Jaguar Mining Inc JAG N/A After Market Close Add



Jeudan A/S JDAN.CO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Jiangbo Pharmaceuticals Inc JGBO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



JPS Industries Inc JPST.PK N/A Time Not Supplied Add



K Bro Linen Inc KBL.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Ku6 Media Co Ltd KUTV N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Landec Corp LNDC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Life Partners Holdings Inc LPHI N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Limoneira Co LMNR N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Livedeal Inc LIVE N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Mainstreet Equity Corp MEQ.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Mantra Resources Ltd MRU.AX N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Marsulex Inc MLX.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Melcor Developments Ltd MRD.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Micronetics Inc NOIZ N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Monro Muffler Brake Inc MNRO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Montebalito SA MTB.MC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



NCsoft Corp



Nevada Geothermal Power Inc NGP.V N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Nextgen Group PLC NGG.L N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Nexus Management Plc NXS.L N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Nile Therapeutics Inc 4LN.F N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Norcom Information Technology AG NC5.F N/A Time Not Supplied Add



O Charleys Inc CHUX N/A Before Market Open Add Listen

Optos PLC OPTS.L N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp PRE.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Paladin Energy Ltd PDN.AX N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Panhandle Oil And Gas Inc PHX N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Pansoft Co Ltd PSOF N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Paramount Resources Ltd POU.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



PC Group Inc PCGR.PK N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc PTX N/A Before Market Open Add



Pescanova SA PVA.MC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Prim SA PRM.MC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Primero Mining Corp P.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Protalix Biotherapeutics Inc PLX.TA N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Providence and Worcester Railroad Co PWX N/A Time Not Supplied Add



PSB Holdings Inc (Connecticut) PSBH N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Quantum Corp QTM N/A After Market Close Add Listen

Robert Wiseman Dairies Plc RWD.L N/A 02:00 am ET Add



Saks Inc SKS N/A 08:00 am ET Add Listen

Savanna Energy Services Corp SVY.TO N/A After Market Close Add



Sears Canada Inc SCC.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Shore Gold Inc SGF.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Sino Clean Energy Inc SCEI N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Speedus Corp SPDE.PK N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Sumalindo Lestari Jaya Tbk PT SULI.JK N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Syntroleum Corp SYNM N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Sypris Solutions Inc SYPR N/A Before Market Open Add Listen

TeamStaff Inc TSTF N/A Time Not Supplied Add



TJX Companies Inc TJX N/A Before Market Open Add Listen

Topsil Semiconductor Materials A/S TPSL.CO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Tower Semiconductor Ltd TSEM.TA N/A 10:00 am ET Add



TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd TAT N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Transforce Inc TFI.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Trina Solar Ltd TSL N/A Before Market Open Add Listen

ULURU Inc ULU N/A Time Not Supplied Add



UniTek Global Services Inc UNTK N/A After Market Close Add



Velan Inc VLN.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Vera Bradley Inc VRA N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Versar Inc VSR N/A Before Market Open Add



Viasat Inc VSAT N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Virginia Mines Inc VGQ.TO N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Vodafone Group Plc VOD.L N/A Before Market Open Add



Wal-Mart Stores Inc WMT N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Xfone Inc XFN N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Yantai North Andre Juice Co Ltd 2218.HK N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Yell Group PLC YELL.L N/A 02:00 am ET Add



Yucheng Technologies Ltd YTEC N/A Time Not Supplied Add



Zmay Holdings Ltd 8085.HK N/A Time Not Supplied Add

FORTUNE 500 and our 2011 ranking & top companies hiring

©John  Coughlin/CNNMoney


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J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.



Fortune 500 rank: 13

Current openings: 15,550



What are you looking for?



The banking giant currently has 15,500 positions open globally, 12,000 of them in the U.S. Here, most openings are in retail banking, including positions for personal bankers, financial advisors, business bankers, loan officers, as well as branch managers, assistant branch managers, and tellers. The company also seeks qualified collectors, customer service agents, and operations managers.





More from CNNMoney.com:



• 2011 Fortune 500



• America's Top Tweeters



• If Fortune 500 Were a Country





Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"JPMorgan Chase values applicants with a positive attitude, flexibility and proven relevant success both on the resume and by example during the interview process. These factors will always impress a recruiter."



J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.'s job listings







Courtesy: Best Buy





Best Buy



Fortune 500 rank: 47

Current openings: 13,919



What are you looking for?



Retail associates, assistant store managers, and general manager positions for Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile locations. Counter Intelligence Agents for Geek Squad, field leadership and corporate positions.



Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"Candidates impress us when they show insight (understanding customers, company, financial impact) and self-awareness (personal brand, how they are perceived by others, how customers see them). The ability to anticipate a conversation's direction, and the ability to quickly assess customer needs are big. Best Buy recruiters look for critical thinking, self-awareness and fierce devotion to customer service."



Best Buy's job listings







Courtesy: General Electric





General Electric



Fortune 500 rank: 6

Current openings: 8,320



What are you looking for?



GE hires a wide range of experts in a variety of fields, including engineering, finance, human resources, information technology, manufacturing, marketing, and sales.



Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"We look for candidates who focus on the customer, are clear thinkers, generate new and creative ideas, value teamwork, and are experts in their field."



General Electric's job listings







Courtesy: IBM





IBM



Fortune 500 rank: 18

Current openings: 8,320



What are you looking for?



Consulting and services, hardware engineering, finance and accounting, IT and telecommuncations, HR, legal, manufacturing.



IBM's job listings











Courtesy: HP





Hewlett-Packard



Fortune 500 rank: 11

Current openings: 6,583



What are you looking for?



HP has positions available across all functions for entry-level and experienced talent. Some key openings are in administration, business planning,engineering, finance, human resources, information technology, legal, public affairs and communications, quality, sales, services, supply chain and operations.



Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"Strong candidates demonstrate a focus on customers, results and performance, business acumen and leadership capabilities. Energetic, passionate and team-oriented individuals integrate well with HP's collaborative culture and values. Our selection process is an iterative one, we get to know the candidates, but also ensure they get to know our world-class organization. Let recruiters see the candidate beyond their resume -- having a creative and authentic voice is a plus."



HP's job listings







Courtesy: Target





Target



Fortune 500 rank: 33

Current openings: 6,300



What are you looking for?



This year, the retailer will hire approximately 6,300 leaders and team members and more than 1,400 interns at its corporate locations. It plans to create thousands of jobs in stores and distribution centers. At corporate headquarters, positions are available in merchandising, web development for Target.com, and the company is seeking engineers in technology services, product design and development, and marketing. Other available jobs include team leaders, guest service team members, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and medical assistants for its Target Pharmacy and Target Clinic locations.



Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"We look for individuals who can collaboratively lead teams and deliver results. Give us examples of your ability to work in a team or group and take on leadership roles. Tell us how you can contribute to our fun and friendly atmosphere while providing great guest service."



Target's job listings







Courtesy: Microsoft





Microsoft



Fortune 500 rank: 38

Current openings: 6,000



What are you looking for?



A variety of professions, including engineering, sales and marketing, customer service and support, and general business operations.



Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"Show us your expertise and interests beyond your resume. Creative projects like blogging and developing mobile applications grow your skills as well as help employers find you. It's harder for us to get to know you if you only excel in a closed environment. Likewise, get to know us. Learn about our technologies and businesses before you apply. This research will help you identify the best jobs for your skills, prepare for your interviews, and show us you're excited and ready to work here."



Microsoft's job listings







Courtesy: Dell





Dell



Fortune 500 rank: 41

Current openings: 4,887



What are you looking for?



Networking specialists, IT information developers, web developers, engineers, software developers, sales consultants, business development specialists, many others.



Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"Dell is interested in hiring people who are action oriented, have a demonstrated ability to achieve results and are customer focused. As Dell plans to expand its enterprise solutions, software and services offerings inthe next couple years, it's looking for innovative thought leaders and skilled technologists across a range of disciplines, and who have global perspectives regarding business, social and cultural trends."



Dell's job listings







Courtesy: Bank of America





Bank of America



Fortune 500 rank: 9

Current openings: 4,720



What are you looking for?



Constantly looking for new talent, the bank currently has thousands of open positions in locations throughout the world. Available positions include jobs in consumer banking, commercial banking, technology and operations, investment banking and finance.



Any secrets to impressing your recruiter?



"Know the types of positions you are most qualified for and interested in. Be focused in your approach to demonstrate you can match your experience and skills to the organizational requirements. Be able to demonstrate that you've done research on the company, its businesses and the roles you would be most qualified for. Show initiative and desire; demonstrate that you are interested in joining the organization by attending the company's events and meeting its recruiters and leaders. Prepare questions: the right questions demonstrate your interest and understanding of the company and role."



Bank of America's job listings







©John R. Coughlin/CNNMoney





Citigroup



Fortune 500 rank: 14

Current openings: 3,560



What are you looking for?



Banking, credit specialists, lending, IT, analysts

Rank Company Revenues


($ millions) Profits

($ millions)

1 Wal-Mart Stores 421,849.0 16,389.0

2 Exxon Mobil 354,674.0 30,460.0

3 Chevron 196,337.0 19,024.0

4 ConocoPhillips 184,966.0 11,358.0

5 Fannie Mae 153,825.0 -14,014.0

6 General Electric 151,628.0 11,644.0

7 Berkshire Hathaway 136,185.0 12,967.0

8 General Motors 135,592.0 6,172.0

9 Bank of America Corp. 134,194.0 -2,238.0

10 Ford Motor 128,954.0 6,561.0

11 Hewlett-Packard 126,033.0 8,761.0

12 AT&T 124,629.0 19,864.0

13 J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. 115,475.0 17,370.0

14 Citigroup 111,055.0 10,602.0

15 McKesson 108,702.0 1,263.0

16 Verizon Communications 106,565.0 2,549.0

17 American International Group 104,417.0 7,786.0

18 International Business Machines 99,870.0 14,833.0

19 Cardinal Health 98,601.9 642.2

20 Freddie Mac 98,368.0 -14,025.0

21 CVS Caremark 96,413.0 3,427.0

22 UnitedHealth Group 94,155.0 4,634.0

23 Wells Fargo 93,249.0 12,362.0

24 Valero Energy 86,034.0 324.0

25 Kroger 82,189.4 1,116.3

26 Procter & Gamble 79,689.0 12,736.0

27 AmerisourceBergen 77,954.0 636.7

28 Costco Wholesale 77,946.0 1,303.0

29 Marathon Oil 68,413.0 2,568.0

30 Home Depot 67,997.0 3,338.0

31 Pfizer 67,809.0 8,257.0

32 Walgreen 67,420.0 2,091.0

33 Target 67,390.0 2,920.0

34 Medco Health Solutions 65,968.3 1,427.3

35 Apple 65,225.0 14,013.0

36 Boeing 64,306.0 3,307.0

37 State Farm Insurance Cos. 63,176.7 1,762.8

38 Microsoft 62,484.0 18,760.0

39 Archer Daniels Midland 61,682.0 1,930.0

40 Johnson & Johnson 61,587.0 13,334.0

41 Dell 61,494.0 2,635.0

42 WellPoint 58,801.8 2,887.1

43 PepsiCo 57,838.0 6,320.0

44 United Technologies 54,326.0 4,373.0

45 Dow Chemical 53,674.0 2,310.0

46 MetLife 52,717.0 2,790.0

47 Best Buy 49,694.0 1,317.0

48 United Parcel Service 49,545.0 3,488.0

49 Kraft Foods 49,542.0 4,114.0

50 Lowe's 48,815.0 2,010.0

51 INTL FCStone 46,940.3 5.4

52 Lockheed Martin 46,890.0 2,926.0

53 Merck 45,987.0 861.0

54 Goldman Sachs Group 45,967.0 8,354.0

55 Express Scripts 44,989.7 1,181.2

56 Intel 43,623.0 11,464.0

57 Sears Holdings 43,326.0 133.0

58 Caterpillar 42,588.0 2,700.0

59 Chrysler Group 41,946.0 -652.0

60 Safeway 41,050.0 589.8

61 Supervalu 40,597.0 393.0

62 Cisco Systems 40,040.0 7,767.0

63 Morgan Stanley 39,320.0 4,703.0

64 Prudential Financial 38,414.0 3,195.0

65 Walt Disney 38,063.0 3,963.0

66 Comcast 37,937.0 3,635.0

67 Sysco 37,243.5 1,180.0

68 Sunoco 35,453.0 234.0

69 Abbott Laboratories 35,166.7 4,626.2

70 Coca-Cola 35,119.0 11,809.0

71 New York Life Insurance 34,947.2 1,091.5

72 Northrop Grumman 34,757.0 2,053.0

73 FedEx 34,734.0 1,184.0

74 Hess 34,613.0 2,125.0

75 Ingram Micro 34,589.0 318.1

76 Johnson Controls 34,305.0 1,491.0

77 Aetna 34,246.0 1,766.8

78 Amazon.com 34,204.0 1,152.0

79 Humana 33,868.2 1,099.4

80 Enterprise Products Partners 33,739.3 320.8

81 Honeywell International 33,370.0 2,022.0

82 Liberty Mutual Insurance Group 33,193.0 1,678.0

83 News Corp. 32,778.0 2,539.0

84 DuPont 32,733.0 3,031.0

85 Sprint Nextel 32,563.0 -3,465.0

86 General Dynamics 32,466.0 2,624.0

87 TIAA-CREF 32,224.9 1,405.9

88 Delta Air Lines 31,755.0 593.0

89 Allstate 31,400.0 928.0

90 HCA Holdings 30,683.0 1,207.0

91 American Express 30,242.0 4,057.0

92 Google 29,321.0 8,505.0

93 Tyson Foods 28,430.0 780.0

94 Philip Morris International 27,208.0 7,259.0

95 Time Warner 26,888.0 2,578.0

96 Oracle 26,820.0 6,135.0

97 3M 26,662.0 4,085.0

98 Deere 26,004.6 1,865.0

99 Plains All American Pipeline 25,893.0 505.0

100 Rite Aid

Rank Company Revenues


($ millions) Profits

($ millions)

101 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance 25,647.1 258.2

102 Publix Super Markets 25,328.1 1,338.1

103 CHS 25,267.9 502.2

104 Raytheon 25,183.0 1,840.0

105 International Paper 25,179.0 644.0

106 Travelers Cos. 25,112.0 3,216.0

107 Macy's 25,003.0 847.0

108 Staples 24,545.1 881.9

109 Tech Data 24,376.0 214.2

110 DirecTV 24,102.0 2,198.0

111 McDonald's 24,074.6 4,946.3

112 Northwestern Mutual 23,384.3 756.3

113 Murphy Oil 23,345.1 798.1

114 United Continental Holdings 23,229.0 253.0

115 Eli Lilly 23,076.0 5,069.5

116 Motorola Solutions 22,823.0 633.0

117 Hartford Financial Services 22,383.0 1,680.0

118 AMR 22,170.0 -471.0

119 TJX 21,942.2 1,343.1

120 Emerson Electric 21,866.0 2,164.0

121 Xerox 21,633.0 606.0

122 Cigna 21,253.0 1,345.0

123 Alcoa 21,013.0 254.0

124 Fluor 20,849.3 357.5

125 Aflac 20,732.0 2,344.0

126 U.S. Bancorp 20,518.0 3,317.0

127 Nationwide 20,265.0 959.0

128 Tesoro 20,253.0 -29.0

129 Occidental Petroleum 19,857.0 4,530.0

130 Kimberly-Clark 19,746.0 1,843.0

131 Bristol-Myers Squibb 19,484.0 3,102.0

132 Avnet 19,160.2 410.4

133 World Fuel Services 19,131.1 146.9

134 Capital One Financial 19,067.0 2,743.0

135 Nike 19,014.0 1,906.7

136 Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold 18,982.0 4,336.0

137 Time Warner Cable 18,868.0 1,308.0

138 Manpower 18,866.5 -263.6

139 Goodyear Tire & Rubber 18,832.0 -216.0

140 Arrow Electronics 18,744.7 479.6

141 Exelon 18,644.0 2,563.0

142 Kohl's 18,391.0 1,114.0

143 Whirlpool 18,366.0 619.0

144 Halliburton 17,973.0 1,835.0

145 United Services Automobile Assn. 17,946.1 2,637.4

146 J.C. Penney 17,759.0 389.0

147 Southern 17,456.0 1,975.0

148 United States Steel 17,374.0 -482.0

149 Ally Financial 17,373.0 1,075.0

150 AES 17,138.0 9.0

151 PNC Financial Services Group 17,096.0 3,412.0

152 EMC 17,015.1 1,900.0

153 Union Pacific 16,965.0 2,780.0

154 Altria Group 16,892.0 3,905.0

155 Computer Sciences 16,128.0 817.0

156 Illinois Tool Works 15,870.4 1,527.2

157 Nucor 15,844.6 134.1

158 Medtronic 15,817.0 3,099.0

159 L-3 Communications 15,680.0 955.0

160 Colgate-Palmolive 15,564.0 2,203.0

161 NextEra Energy 15,317.0 1,957.0

162 Dominion Resources 15,264.0 2,808.0

163 Amgen 15,053.0 4,627.0

164 Progressive 14,963.3 1,068.3

165 Bank of New York Mellon Corp. 14,929.0 2,518.0

166 General Mills 14,796.5 1,530.5

167 Gap 14,664.0 1,204.0

168 Loews 14,621.0 1,288.0

169 American Electric Power 14,427.0 1,211.0

170 Baker Hughes 14,414.0 812.0

171 TRW Automotive Holdings 14,383.0 834.0

172 Constellation Energy 14,340.0 -982.6

173 Duke Energy 14,272.0 1,320.0

174 CBS 14,059.8 724.2

175 Texas Instruments 13,966.0 3,228.0

176 Toys "R" Us 13,864.0 168.0

177 PG&E Corp. 13,841.0 1,099.0

178 Eaton 13,715.0 929.0

179 Health Net 13,619.9 204.2

180 Viacom 13,497.0 1,548.0

181 PPG Industries 13,423.0 769.0

182 Jabil Circuit 13,409.4 168.8

183 FirstEnergy 13,339.0 784.0

184 Consolidated Edison 13,325.0 992.0

185 Chubb 13,319.0 2,174.0

186 Cummins 13,226.0 1,040.0

187 Danaher 13,202.6 1,793.0

188 Dollar General 13,035.0 627.9

189 Oneok 13,030.1 334.6

190 Community Health Systems 12,986.5 280.0

191 Sara Lee 12,919.0 506.0

192 Baxter International 12,843.0 1,420.0

193 DISH Network 12,640.7 984.7

194 Aramark 12,571.7 30.7

195 Omnicom Group 12,542.5 827.7

196 Waste Management 12,515.0 953.0

197 AutoNation 12,501.5 226.6

198 Edison International 12,409.0 1,256.0

199 Kellogg 12,397.0 1,247.0

200 ConAgra Foods 12,370
These 27 companies appear on both the FORTUNE 500 and our 2011 ranking of the Best Companies to Work For.


Company Fortune

500 rank 2011 Best to

Work For rank Avg. annual pay in

most common job (professional)

Microsoft 38 72 $120,657

Goldman Sachs Group 54 23 $160,000

Intel 56 51 $106,430

Cisco Systems 62 20 $131,716

American Express 91 49 $112,802

Google 92 4 N.A.

Publix Super Markets 102 86 $73,300

Aflac 125 57 $59,873

United Services Automobile Assn. 145 17 $92,583

General Mills 166 58 $47,453

Marriott International 210 71 $64,750

Qualcomm 222 33 $134,211

Starbucks 229 98 $50,673

Devon Energy 231 41 $172,575

Nordstrom 254 74 $49,500

Chesapeake Energy 263 32 $114,084

Whole Foods Market 273 24 $72,372

CarMax 311 81 $65,541

Stryker 323 68 $74,343

W.W. Grainger 328 100 $73,446

Darden Restaurants 332 97 $59,982

EOG Resources 377 66 $158,008

Mattel 392 69 N.A.

CH2M Hill 422 90 $129,986

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding 438 85 $112,728

J.M. Smucker 482 93 $51,075

NuStar Energy 497

Hot Stock Picks: Humana, Monsanto, Prudential Financial,Allstate, Time Warner Cable, Tractor Supply

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT - News), the world's largest retailer, said it will team with Humana to offer the cheapest prescription drug plan in the U.S., as the companies seek to take sales of medications from rivals.





The companies will begin marketing the plan on Oct. 1 to Americans in Medicare, the U.S. government health program for the elderly and disabled, William Fleming, a Humana vice-president, said in a conference call. The policies, which take effect Jan. 1, will cost $14.80 a month, less than half the average premium this year, and will boost sales for both companies, Fleming said.



Humana is the second-biggest provider of Medicare benefits in the U.S., after UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH - News), the top plan by sales, and provides standalone prescription plans to 1.7 million people.



Humana's Fleming and John Agwunobi, president of Wal-Mart's health and wellness division, declined to say how many customers the companies expected to add, what profit margin the plans would offer, or how the margin would be divided.



"Humana does expect to gain membership from this plan," Fleming said on the conference call. "Wal-Mart does expect to gain customers."



In a posting on the S&P MarketScope service, Seligman said he sees increased competition among health insurers and others offering standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, following the launch of Humana and Wal-Mart's co-branded plan in 2011. He noted that plan members will have competitively priced co-pays for the generic drugs in the plan, as low as $2 in Wal-Mart pharmacies for preferred generics and at no cost via mail.



"We see the deal giving HUM a strong opportunity to build Part D market share, but we would not be surprised if rival insurers form joint plans with other pharmacy chains," Seligman said.



Monsanto Co.: Morgan Joseph equity analyst Charles Rentschler maintained a hold rating on shares of Monsanto Co. (NYSE:MON - News) on Oct. 1.



On Sept. 28, Monsanto, the world's largest seed company, fell the most in 21 months in New York amid concerns that its new SmartStax corn seeds aren't performing as well as predicted.



Monsanto, led by Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant, in December promoted SmartStax, its most expensive seed, as "the highest-yielding corn product available." Monsanto is counting on SmartStax to help boost profit as much as 17 percent a year after earnings from Roundup herbicide collapsed as competitors cut prices on generic versions.



Farmers this year planted 3 million acres of the new product, developed with Dow Chemical Co. Monsanto said Sept. 20 that early harvest data showed some SmartStax corn hybrids were missing yield projections.



SmartStax is still expected to yield 5 percent to 10 percent more than so-called triple stacks when all the data are collected partly due to better genetics and insect resistance, Kelli Powers, a company spokeswoman, said in a Sept. 28 interview. Yields also benefit from regulators allowing growers to plant less conventional corn alongside SmartStax, she said.



Corn modified to produce insecticides must be planted alongside conventional corn to prevent bugs from developing resistance to the plant's pesticides.



In a note, Rentschler said that following his Sept. 20 downgrade of Monsanto shares to hold from buy, he updated his financial model, lowering his earnings-per-share (EPS) projection for fiscal 2011 (ending August) to $2.60 from $2.80.



Rentschler predicts Monsanto will report EPS of $2.42 for fiscal 2010, "within the company's most recent guidance," when it reports results on Oct. 6,



"Of primary interest (from the company's Oct. 6 earnings call) should be management's commentary on SmartStax corn seeds, whose apparently disappointing yields at this point in the harvest have sent the shares tumbling over the last two weeks," the analyst said.



Prudential Financial Inc.: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods equity analyst Jeffrey Schuman reiterated an outperform rating and $70 price target on shares of Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE:PRU - News) on Oct. 1.



On Sept. 30, American International Group Inc. (NYSE:AIG - News), the bailed-out U.S.insurer, agreed to sell two Japanese subsidiaries to Prudential for $4.8 billion.



AIG Star Life Insurance Co. and AIG Edison Life Insurance Co. will be sold with $4.2 billion paid in cash and $600 million in debt, AIG said in a statement distributed through Business Wire.



AIG Chief Executive Officer Robert Benmosche is disposing of assets as rival insurers rebuild capital lost during the 2008 financial crisis. In March, he agreed to sell AIG's American Life Insurance Co. to MetLife Inc. for $15.5 billion. Newark (N.J.)-based Prudential, the second-biggest U.S. insurer, is adding to a Japanese business that produced more than $6 billion in revenue last year.

Allstate: Soleil Securities equity analyst Harry Fong maintained a buy rating and $38 price target on shares of Allstate (NYSE:ALL - News), the largest publicly traded U.S. home and auto insurer, on Sept. 30.




"Since the third quarter came and went without a major hurricane making landfall, we suspect many analysts (who) include a small provision in their (earnings) estimate for hurricanes will revise their earnings estimates higher," Fong wrote in a note. He said his Allstate estimate includes a provision for "average" weather and, at $1.07, was "considerably" higher than the current 80% per share consensus estimate.



"We continue to believe there is further upside for ALL shares due in part to anticipated upward revisions to third-quarter estimates and more importantly to management's commitment to returning the homeowners' business to one that will can earn a 15 percent" return on equity over time, the analyst said.



Time Warner Cable: Kaufman Brothers equity analyst Todd Mitchell maintained a buy rating and $66 price target on shares of Time Warner Cable (NYSE:TWC - News), the second-largest U.S. cable company, on Sept. 30.



In a note, Mitchell said he believes "the fundamental outlook for TWC's financial yields remains intact" and he expects management to announce "a material increase" in its share repurchase efforts, which should have a positive impact on its share price.



Mitchell said he believes Time Warner Cable faces "a particularly difficult competitive dynamic" in its two largest markets: New York City, where Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - News) has been aided by the elimination of a customer commitment period on new contracts; and Los Angeles, where DirecTV (NasdaqGS:DTV - News) has made an aggressive marketing push that is translating into market share gains.



For the third quarter, the analyst forecasts total revenue of $4.65 billion, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) of $1.65 billion, and earnings per share (EPS) of 85%. For 2010, he forecasts total revenue of $18.64 billion and Ebitda of $6.8 billion.



"We still believe that the company's relatively modest valuation makes it an attractive investment alternative," Mitchell said.



Tractor Supply: Janney Montgomery Scott equity analyst David Strasser maintained a neutral rating on shares of Tractor Supply (NasdaqGS:TSCO - News), the operator of 967 farm-equipment stores, on Sept. 30. He has a $43 fair value estimate on the shares.



In a note, Strasser said Tractor Supply is "an exciting long-term growth story, in an industry lacking growth." He said that after a meeting with company management, he was more confident that near-term trends remain "solid."



"Our enthusiasm for the stock is driven by a structural margin improvement story, solid long-term store growth prospects, a variety of merchandising and marketing initiatives, and a compelling cash-flow story," he said.



Strasser raised third-quarter estimates for comparable-store sales growth to 4 percent from 3 percent. He raised EPS estimates for the third quarter to 38% from 34%, for the fourth quarter to 57% from 53%, and for 2011 to $2.40 from $2.21.



"We believe it is more prudent to wait for a pullback (in the shares) as valuation is rich and expectations are high," the analyst wrote.



Prudential's John Strangfeld is making his second deal in Japan since taking over as chief executive officer in 2008. The company, which entered the world's second-largest life insurance market in 1987, bought bankrupt carrier Yamato Life Insurance Co. last year after winning an auction for the Tokyo-based firm.



In a brief note, Schuman said he continues to believe the deal is "strategically sensible" for Prudential and carries "limited execution risk."



While the purchase price and targeted cost savings announced in the deal are "better than we assumed," Schuman said purchase accounting adjustments will mean the deal will add less to Prudential's annual earnings per share than he assumed.



The analyst raised a 2011 earnings-per-share estimate to $6.75 from $6.65, assuming the company does not repurchase shares until the second half of 2011, and limited cost savings from the deal until 2012