The massive supply of natural gas that has resulted from new drilling technologies applied to U.S. shale fields over the past few years has been a boon not only to consumers who use gas for heating their homes, but also to a variety of companies, including chemical, steel and fertilizer manufacturers, for whom energy costs are substantial.
The U.S. has been inundated with so much cheap natural gas, in fact, that trucking companies are increasingly switching over to gas-powered engines for their fleets, while auto manufactures are offering hybrid vehicles that have the ability to burn both compressed natural gas and gasoline.
And now, the next logical step of the natural gas-fueled transformation of the transport industry -- gas-powered locomotives -- looks to be in its early stages.
Top 5 Cheap Stocks To Buy Right Now: SMTC Corporation(SMTX)
SMTC Corporation provides advanced electronics manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide. The company?s services include product design and engineering services, printed circuit board assembly production, enclosure fabrication, systems integration, testing, and configuration services. It also provides enclosure and precision metal fabrication, cable assembly, interconnect, and engineering design services. The company offers its integrated contract manufacturing services to OEMs and technology companies primarily in the industrial, computing and networking, communications, consumer, and medical market segments. SMTC Corporation was founded in 1985 and is based in Markham, Canada.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Paul]
SMTC Corp. (NASDAQ: SMTX) is a Canadian company that provides contract electronics manufacturing services, such as surface-mount and through-hole circuit board assembly, product design, testing, packaging and supply chain management. Manufacturers use products built or assembled by SMTC in their computer servers, networking devices or communications products.
In its most recent earnings report, the company said Q3 sales rose 48% in the quarter to $65.4 million, and earnings per share were 16 cents, up from 3 cents in the same quarter of 2009. Eight of its top 10 customers increased orders as a result of strong market demand for electronics manufacturing. The addition of five new clients added $10 million to the company’s sales in the quarter. SMTX’s year-over-year gross profit more than doubled to $7.9 million, as a result. Generated cash flow reached $4.6 million and the company used much of this extra cash to pay down debt. That’s why SMTX’s debt was just $18 million at the end of the quarter, the lowest level in the company’s history.
SMTX is in an excellent position to profit from increasing electronics and technology demand, which will continue to climb next year. Buy SMTX below $4.
Top 5 Cheap Stocks To Buy Right Now: Rent-A-Center Inc.(RCII)
Rent-A-Center, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, primarily engages in leasing household durable goods to customers on a rent-to-own basis. The company?s stores offer durable products, such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, and furniture and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements that allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed upon rental period. It also provides merchandise on an installment sales basis in its stores. As of December 31, 2010, the company operated 3,008 company-owned stores in the United States, and in Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, including 42 retail installment sales stores under the names ?Get It Now? and ?Home Choice?; and 18 rent-to-own stores located in Canada under the ?Rent-A-Centre? name. It also operates 209 franchised rent-to-own stores in 32 states under the ColorTyme trade name; and 384 kiosk locations under the ?RAC Acceptance? model. In addition, the company, th rough its ColorTyme?s franchised stores, offers custom rims and tires for sale or rental under the trade names ?RimTyme? or ?ColorTyme Custom Wheels?. Rent-A-Center, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Chris Stuart]
Rent-A-Center(RCII), the largest rent-to-own operator in the U.S., rents furniture and electronics to low- to middle-income customers.
The company has struggled in the past three months, underperforming its closest competitor, Aaron's Rents(AAN), by over 25%. While Aaron's has executed flawlessly, Rent-A-Center has not, as the company missed earnings estimates. Management blamed the first-quarter fallout on poor weather conditions in February and limited availability of refund-anticipation loans for consumers. Despite the hiccup, management has stuck to its 2011 guidance of $2.90 to $3.10 in EPS, equating to revenue growth of 5% to 7% and earnings-per-share growth of 3% to 10%.
Key initiatives to boost growth, such as RAC Acceptance (kiosks in third-party stores that arrange rent-to-own programs) are in place. Management has done a good job of managing its debt position and recently boosted the dividend by 167% (now at a 2.2% yield). If management can achieve $3 in EPS for the full year, the stock looks cheap, trading at just 9.7 times earnings (a discount to 15 times P/E for Aaron's). TheStreet Ratings has a $41 price target on shares of Rent-A-Center.
Hot Performing Companies To Invest In 2014: Alliance Holdings GP L.P.(AHGP)
Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., through its subsidiaries, produces and markets coal primarily to utilities and industrial users in the United States. It produces a range of steam coal with varying sulfur and heat contents. The company operates nine underground mining complexes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia. As of December 31, 2010, it had approximately 697.4 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In addition, the company leases land; and operates a coal loading terminal, with a capacity of 8.0 million tons with ground storage of approximately 60,000 to 70,000 tons, on the Ohio River at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Further, it engages in purchasing and selling coal; and providing services, including ash and scrubber sludge removal, coal yard maintenance, and arranging alternate transportation services. Alliance GP, LLC, serves as the general partner of the company. Allian ce Holdings GP, L.P. is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Chris Stuart]
Alliance Holding(AHGP) is a diversified coal producer with mining operations in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia and Maryland.
The stock has slumped 18% in the past three months due to a secondary offering of 2.75 million shares, which was released in April for $52 a share. Shares are now trading $6 below the offering price.
Management has stepped up and put its own money to work with CEO Joe Craft buying $3 million worth of stock last week. The company pays a dividend of $2.22 a share, with a yield of 5%. Alliance trades at a discount to other coal competitors at a P/E of 15. With expectations calling for 20% growth, the shares look attractive. TheStreet Ratings has a $61 price target on Alliance.
Top 5 Cheap Stocks To Buy Right Now: Sirius XM Radio Inc.(SIRI)
Sirius XM Radio Inc. provides satellite radio services in the United States and Canada. It broadcasts a programming lineup of approximately 135 channels of commercial-free music, sports, news and information, talk and entertainment, traffic, and weather on subscription fee basis through two satellite radio systems in the United States; and holds an interest in the satellite radio services offered in Canada. The company also simulcasts music and selected non-music channels over the Internet; and offers applications to allow consumers to access its Internet services on mobile devices. As of December 31, 2010, it had 20,190,964 subscribers. In addition, the company designs, establishes specifications, sources or specifies parts and components, and manages various aspects of the logistics and production of satellite radios; licenses its technology to various electronics manufacturers to develop, manufacture, and distribute radios under various brands; and imports radios distri buted through its Websites. The company?s satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers, retailers, and its Websites. Further, it provides music services for commercial establishments; a satellite television service to offer music channels as part of certain programming packages on the DISH Network satellite television service; music and comedy channels to mobile phone users through mobile phone carriers; Backseat TV, a service offering television content designed primarily for children in the backseat of vehicles; Travel Link, a suite of data services that include graphical weather, fuel prices, sports schedules and scores, and movie listings; and real-time traffic and weather services. The company was formerly known as Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and changed its name to Sirius XM Radio Inc. in August 2008. Sirius XM Radio Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Michael Brush]
Howard Stern lemmings piled into Sirius stock years ago when the shock jock moved his circus to satellite radio. Many lost almost all their money, as the company's stock fell under $1 from above $8.
But with a 2008 buyout of XM Radio and a bankruptcy scare under its belt, Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) is now a dominant force on the comeback trail.
Skeptics believe iPods and free Web radio services like Pandora will jam the signal at Sirius, which charges $12.95 a month. But satellite radio offers content that listeners can't find elsewhere on the radio -- not only Stern, but also Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters and a Playboy channel, to name a few.
And recent trends confirm that drivers are willing to pay for that content. Sirius XM Radio's subscriber base grew last year by 8%, to 20.2 million. That helped drive revenue up 14%, to $2.82 billion. "It's kind of like the original cable TV, when everyone thought people wouldn't pay for TV because it's free," says Robert Routh, a media analyst at Phoenix Partners. "Sirius XM Radio has lot of stuff you can't get elsewhere." The reason: While terrestrial radio companies lack the funds to buy the big talent, Sirius XM Radio can buy wh atever it wants to fill its 135 channels, says John Tinker, an analyst with Maxim Group.
Two other keys to growth: Sirius XM Radio is available for free for a few months in 60% of all new cars. As car sales rise in an improving economy, subscriber growth should increase. A Sirius 2.0 upgrade and a possible rate increase later this year will also drive gains. All-important cash flow could hit $1 billion a year by 2015, predicts Morgan Stanley analyst David Gober. He says Sirius XM Radio will be announcing dividends and share buybacks -- music to investors' ears
- [By Michael Brush]
Howard Stern lemmings piled into Sirius stock years ago when the shock jock moved his circus to satellite radio. Many lost almost all their money, as the company's stock fell under $1 from above $8.
But with a 2008 buyout of XM Radio and a bankruptcy scare under its belt, Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) is now a dominant force on the comeback trail.
Skeptics believe iPods and free Web radio services like Pandora will jam the signal at Sirius, which charges $12.95 a month. But satellite radio offers content that listeners can't find elsewhere on the radio -- not only Stern, but also Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters and a Playboy channel, to name a few.
And recent trends confirm that drivers are willing to pay for that content. Sirius XM Radio's subscriber base grew last year by 8%, to 20.2 million. That helped drive revenue up 14%, to $2.82 billion. "It's kind of like the original cable TV, when everyone thought people wouldn't pay for TV because it's free," says Robert Routh, a media analyst at Phoenix Partners. "Sirius XM Radio has lot of stuff you can't get elsewhere." The reason: While terrestrial radio companies lack the funds to buy the big talent, Sirius XM Radio can buy whatever it wants to fill its 135 channels, says John Tinker, an analyst with Maxim Group.
Two other keys to growth: Sirius XM Radio is available for free for a few months in 60% of all new cars. As car sales rise in an improving economy, subscriber growth should increase. A Sirius 2.0 upgrade and a possible rate increase later this year will also drive gains. All-important cash flow could hit $1 billion a year by 2015, predicts Morgan Stanley analyst David Gober. He says Sirius XM Radio will be announcing dividends and share buybacks -- music to investors' ears.
- [By Victor Mora]
Sirius XM Radio provides audio entertainment and information via subscription services to a growing listener base. The company recently released an earnings report that has investors happy. The stock has been steadily rising and is now trading at highs for the year. Over the last four quarters, earnings have been mixed while revenue figures have been rising which has led to upbeat investors. Relative to its very strong peers and sector, Sirius XM Radio has been an average year-to-date performer. Look for Sirius XM Radio to OUTPERFORM.
Top 5 Cheap Stocks To Buy Right Now: Compass Minerals Intl Inc(CMP)
Compass Minerals International, Inc., through its subsidiaries, produces and markets inorganic mineral products primarily in North America and the United Kingdom. The company operates in two segments, Salt and Specialty Fertilizer. The Salt segment produces salt and magnesium chloride for use in road deicing and dust control, food processing, water softeners, pool salt, and agricultural and industrial applications. This segment also purchases potassium chloride and sells as a finished product. The Specialty Fertilizer segment produces and markets sulphate of potash crop nutrients and industrial grade sulfate of potash for use in the production of specialty fertilizers for vegetables, fruits, potatoes, nuts, tobacco, and turf grass. The company also produces and markets consumer deicing and water conditioning products, ingredients used in consumer and commercial food preparation, and other mineral-based products for consumer, agricultural, and industrial applications. In ad dition, Compass Minerals provides records management services to businesses located in the U.K. The company operates rock salt mines in Goderich, Ontario, Canada; and Winsford, Chesire, the United Kingdom. It primarily serves producers of intermediate chemical products used in the production of vinyls and other chemicals, and pulp and paper, as well as water treatment and other industrial uses. The company markets its products through direct sales personnel, contract personnel, and a network of brokers or manufacturers? representatives. Compass Minerals International, Inc., formerly known as Salt Holdings Corporation, was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Compass Minerals (CMP) is a producer of minerals, including salt, sulfate of potash specialty fertilizer and magnesium chloride. This stock closed up 3.4% at $75.60 in Wednesday's trading session.
Wednesday's Volume: 913,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 212,481
Volume % Change: 315%From a technical perspective, CMP gapped higher here off its recent low of $64.24 with heavy upside volume. This stock recently gapped down sharply from around $90 to $64.24 with heavy downside volume. That move pushed shares of CMP into extremely oversold territory, since the stock's current relative strength index reading is 25.78. Oversold can always get more oversold, but it's also an area where a stock can experience a powerful bounce higher from. Shares of CMP are now starting to move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if CMP manages to take out its gap down day high of $78.20 and then once it clears its 200-day moving average at $79.14 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CMP as long as it's trending above Wednesday's low of $73.07 or $72.50 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that's near or above 212,481 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CMP will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone that started near $90.
- [By Chris Stuart]
Compass Minerals International(CMP) is a provider of highway de-icing salt and specialty fertilizer. The salt segment for Compass currently comprises about 80% of the overall business and is stable, yet slow-growing. The specialty potash segment (20% of sales) produces sulfate of potash (SOP), which is used primarily as a specialty fertilizer for vegetables, fruits, tea, tobacco and grass. The SOP business has much better upside and should fuel growth for the company.
With margins expected to improve in 2011 and management investing to take advantage of improved potash pricing, the stock looks like a solid investment. TheStreet Ratings has a $115 price target on Compass Minerals.
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