Hot US Stocks To Invest In 2014

At the beginning of the year, I predicted a wave of M&A, and today we got more evidence that companies are on an acquisition binge. The good news: They don’t appear to be paying up for their acquisitions.

Since Friday, three major acquisitions have been announced. AECOM Technology�(ACM) said it would buy URS�(URS) for $4 billion; Mylan�(MYL) agreed to pay $5.3 billion for�Abbott Laboratories�(ABT) non-U.S. generic drug business; and Whiting Petroleum (WLL) said it would take over Kodiak Oil & Gas (KOG). And amazingly, none of them appear to be overpriced.

First up: The Whiting Petroleum-Kodiak Oil & Gas merger. Wunderlich Securities analyst Jason Wangler worries that Whiting got too good a deal:

Whiting Petroleum�is paying just $13.90 per share for KOG in an all-equity deal. You read that right, and frankly its the most interesting part in our view, as Kodiak Oil & Gas’s stock closed Friday over 2% higher than that figure and the premium as of now is just 5% above the 60 day average for Kodiak Oil & Gas. In our view, this is a great/accretive price for�Whiting Petroleum and its shareholders but for�Kodiak Oil & Gas and its shareholders it doesn’t seem all that compelling. Granted it’s an all equity deal so the upside isn’t gone but none is realized today…

Top 5 Cheapest Companies To Buy Right Now: Wisdomtree International Energy Sector Fund (GNAT)

WisdomTree International Energy Sector Fund (The Fund) is a non-diversified fund. It seeks investment results that closely correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree International Energy Sector Index (The Index). The Fund is managed by WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc.

The Index is derived from WisdomTree Index of Europe, Far East Asia and Australasia (DEFA) Fund. It measures the performance of dividend-paying companies in developed markets outside of the United States and Canada within the international energy sector. The companies are weighted in the Index based on regular cash dividends paid. The Index includes companies from oil and gas producers, oil and gas services, pipelines, alternative energy sources, and coal industries.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Todd Shriber, ETF Professor]

  Unusual volume (at least 5X ADV): Market Vectors Gaming ETF (NYSE: BJK), Guggenheim Timber ETF (NYSE: CUT), WisdomTree Global Natural Resources ETF (NYSE: GNAT), iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners (NYSE: RING) and the Global X Social Media Index ETF (NASDAQ: SOCL).

Hot US Stocks To Invest In 2014: Centor Energy Inc (CNTO)

Centor Energy Inc, formerly Centor, Inc., incorporated on February 16, 2011, is an exploration-stage company. The Company is engaged in the business of mineral exploration.

On November 26, 2012, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with Bullnet Gold Resources Limited. As of May 31, 2013, the Company had not generated revenues. As of May 31, 2013, the Company had no mining operations.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Well, that answers that question. Questerre Energy Corp. (TSE:QEC) and Crescent Point Energy Corp. (TSE:CPG) likely knew they had some shale-oil mining neighbors in the Bakken Shale neighborhood in Saskatchewan, Canada, but they hadn't seen much of that competition. That's about to change soon. Adequately funded and eager to begin laying its final mining plans, Centor Energy Inc. (OTCBB:CNTO) is going to officially own 55% of a 21,000 acre shale oil property that's anywhere from just a few miles away to just a few meters away from and Crescent Point Energy's and Questerre Energy's operations in one of the oil-richest known areas in the Bakken formation. And to be clear, it's not like Centor Energy is just getting the ball rolling; the planning for this project has been underway for months. Once the property-acquisition deal is inked in mid-February, CNTO will likely finish up its feasibility study and begin the approval process for its facility later in the year. That's pretty quick, but as was noted, a great deal of the legwork has already been done.

Hot US Stocks To Invest In 2014: AvWorks Aviation Corp (SPLI)

AvWorks Aviation Corp., formerly Datamill Media Corp., incorporated on January 15, 1990, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Young Aviation, LLC (Young Aviation) operate as a diversified broker and supplier of parts and services to the worldwide aviation and aerospace markets. The Company services a broad range of clients such as aircraft leasing companies, major airlines, repair stations, fixed-base operators, leasing companies and aftermarket suppliers. The Company was a management consulting firm that planned to educate and assist small businesses to improve their management, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and other business processes, with a focus on capital market participation.

On October 3, 2011, the Company acquired 100% interests in Young Aviation. Young Aviation is a diversified broker and supplier of parts, components and products to the general aviation and aerospace markets of the United States, Europe and Asia. Young Aviation services a range of clients, such as aircraft leasing companies, major airlines, repair stations, fixed-base operators, leasing companies and after market suppliers.In December 2011, the Company announced the purchase and salvage of a Lear Jet 24 from a private owner. On June 22, 2011, Datamill Media Sub Corp. was organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Datamill Media Corp. The principal business of this subsidiary was to act as a merger vehicle for the pending merger with M3X Media, Inc. On August 12, 2011, the Company terminated the Merger Agreement with M3X Media, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  It's admittedly scary to try and catch a falling knife, but sometimes it's worth the risk. Case in point? AvWorks Aviation Corp. (OTCMKTS:SPLI) .... better known as Vapor Group. Without knowing more about the stock, the sheer fact that SPLI has fallen nearly 90% since March 26th - with about a third of that coming today alone - the stock would be best left avoided by nearly any trader. For the small group of savvy traders that know the tell-tale signs and know how the market really works, however, AvWorks Aviation, or Vapor Group, may be in a prime buying situation today.... yes, even in the midst of this bloodbath.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  It's a rarity that I reiterate an idea I've previously opined... particularly one that I only published just a couple of days earlier. The fact that I'm going to do so with AvWorks Aviation Corp. (OTCMKTS:SPLI) - perhaps better known to some as Vapor Group - should tell you how important it is to re-convey the message. Here goes...

Hot US Stocks To Invest In 2014: Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI)

Allegheny Technologies Incorporated engages in the production and sale of specialty metals worldwide. It operates in three segments: High Performance Metals, Flat-Rolled Products, and Engineered Products. The High Performance Metals segment provides various high performance alloys, including nickel- and cobalt-based alloys and super alloys; titanium and titanium-based alloys; zirconium and related alloys, such as hafnium and niobium; other specialty alloys primarily in long product forms of ingots, billets, bars, shapes and rectangles, rods, wires, and seamless tubes; and precision forgings and castings, and machined parts. The Flat-Rolled Products segment provides stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, super alloys, titanium and titanium-based alloys, and specialty alloys in various product forms comprising plates, sheets, engineered strips, and precision rolled strip products, as well as grain-oriented electrical steel sheets. The Engineered Products segment produces carb on alloy steel impression die forgings, and grey and ductile iron castings, as well as provides precision metal processing services, such as grinding, polishing, blasting, cutting, flattening, and ultrasonic testing. The company serves various markets, including aerospace and defense, oil and gas, chemical process, electrical energy, medical, automotive, construction and mining, food equipment and appliances, transportation, electronics, communication equipment, computers, and machine and cutting tools markets; and other markets requiring tools with hardness. Allegheny Technologies Incorporated sells its products through direct sales and independent representatives. The company was founded in 1960 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Investors, however, are showing no signs of letting up on the risk taking. Want evidence? Just look at the top-performing stocks this week. Four of the top-five come from the materials sector, which could benefit from a stronger economy.�Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF), which rose 9.6% this week, Allegheny Technologies (ATI), which gained 7.7%, U.S. Steel (X), which advanced 7.7%, and Dow-exile Alcoa (AA), which finished the week up 7.6% They were joined by PulteGroup (PHM), which rose 7.8% after a delay of a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-fee hike was mooted.

• [By Tess Stynes]

  Allegheny Technologies Inc.(ATI) intends to close a Connecticut facility in 2014, a move the metal processor said will result in a $9.2 million charge to be recorded in the fourth quarter.

Hot US Stocks To Invest In 2014: Pacific Gas & Electric Co.(PCG)

PG&E Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as a public utility company that engages in electricity and natural gas distribution primarily in northern and central California. The company also involves in the generation, procurement, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and procurement, transportation, storage, and distribution of natural gas. It owns and operates electricity generation facilities, transmission and distribution lines, and substations; and an integrated natural gas transportation, storage, and distribution system, as well as has underground natural gas storage fields in California. The company serves residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, public street and highway lighting, and other electric utility customers. As of December 31, 2009, it served approximately 5.1 million electricity distribution customers and approximately 4.3 million natural gas distribution customers. The company also operated 18,650 circuit miles of intercon nected transmission lines and 141,213 circuit miles of distribution lines for electricity; and 42,142 miles of distribution pipelines, 6,438 miles of backbone and local transmission pipelines, and 3 storage facilities for natural gas. PG&E Corporation was founded in 1905 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alex Planes]

  The CELC grew throughout the 19th century, but it was nearly destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake that struck San Francisco in 1906. It became part of Pacific Gas and Electric (NYSE: PCG  ) shortly after the city rebuilt. Today, PG&E is not only the largest public utility company in the United States, but it's also continued the legacy of the CELC as one of the world's most innovative utilities. It was the first utility in the United States to operate a nuclear power plant, and it currently commands by far the largest solar-energy capacity of any utility in the country.

• [By Richard Stavros]

  Last August, PG&E Corp (NYSE: PCG), issued a callable 30-year bond (due Aug. 15, 2042) that yielded 3.75 percent at 99 (CUSIP: 694308HA8). But six months later, the bond was trading at a discount of 86.76 and yielding 4.586 percent, according to the last trade recorded by FINRA-Morningstar.

• [By Jason Shubnell]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Technology stocks gained Friday, with Parametric Sound (NASDAQ: PAMT) leading advancers after the company provided post merger update and outlook. Among the leading sector stocks, gains came from 21Vianet Group (NASDAQ: VNET), BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY), Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ), and Veeco Instruments (NASDAQ: VECO).
  In trading on Friday, utilities shares rose by just 0.06 percent. Among the sector stocks, Exterran Partners LP (NASDAQ: EXLP) was down more than 4.8 percent, while PG&E (NYSE: PCG) tumbled around 3.75 percent.
  Top Headline
  BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY) posted a narrower-than-expected fourth-quarter loss.
  BlackBerry posted a quarterly net loss of $423 million, or $0.80 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $98 million, or $0.19 per share. Its loss from continuing operations came in at $423 million, or $0.80 per share, compared to a year-ago profit of $94 million, or $0.18 per share. BlackBerry�� adjusted loss from continuing operations came in at $0.08 per share.
  Its revenue slipped 64% to $976 million. However, analysts were estimating a loss of $0.56 per share on revenue of $1.17 billion. BlackBerry sold around 3.4 million smartphones in the quarter.
  Equities Trading UP
  Finish Line (NASDAQ: FINL) shares shot up 3.64 percent to $27.44 after the company posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings.

Hot US Stocks To Invest In 2014: Alps Jefferies TR/J CRB Global Commodty Eq Idx (CRBQ)

Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund (the Fund), formerly Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, is an exchange traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible the price and yield performance of the Thomson Reuters/Jefferies In-The-Ground CRB Global Commodity Equity Index (the Index). The Index is a modified capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted, rules-based index designed to track the overall performance of a global universe of listed companies engaged in the production and distribution of commodities and commodity-related products and services in the sectors, such as agriculture, base/industrial metals, energy and precious metals. ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser for the Fund. Arrow Investment Advisors, LLC is the investment sub-adviser for the Fund. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Richard Stavros]

  Whereas in the 1970s there were limited ways to hedge against inflation, now there is a cornucopia of currency and international commodities instruments that can not only hedge against inflation but other global shocks, such as market bubbles and even war.
  
  And it is these very scenarios that investors have been worried about. Since the beginning of the year, stocks, bonds and just about any investment you can think of have gyrated wildly at various times amid concerns of war, inflation and the possibility that the U.S. equity market is overvalued and headed for a correction.
  
  In response, some market analysts in Bloomberg news reports have offered any number of wildly unsubstantiated statements for why investors should ignore today’s perils. They dismiss the danger posed by Russia�� annexation of Ukraine�� Crimea region (��utin will stop short of other countries or war with the West��. They also argue that the Federal Reserve chairwoman misspoke (��anet Yellen really didn�� mean a rate hike is coming soon. Inflation is under control. It was a rookie mistake��.
  
  For my money, here’s the most outrageous: The Shiller Cyclically adjusted P/E metric which has predicted the 1929, 2000 and 2007 downturns doesn�� apply (��uggests only a slightly expensive market with low to moderate returns going forward on average��.
  
  With new records being set by the S&P 500 in the last few months, it stands to reason that some investors have not needed much convincing to stay all in and buying. This mindset has prevailed, even as the impact of a Russian war or conflict, runaway inflation or a market correction could be devastating to investor portfolios, taking years to recover.
  
  If you��e never thought of certain investments as “insurance,” it�� time to start now. Protecting wealth is as important as building wealth. And as previously mentioned, we have found that the Inflation Survival Letter�� Thri

Hot US Stocks To Invest In 2014: iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF (ECH)

iShares MSCI Chile Index Fund (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index (the Index). The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure broad based equity market performance in Chile. The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Santiago Stock Exchange.

The Fund will seek to track the performance of the Index by investing at least 90% of its assets in component securities and in depositary receipts representing such securities. It may invest up to 10% of its assets in certain futures, options, swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents (including money market funds), and other exchange-traded funds, including other iShares funds. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors. The index provider of the Fund is Morgan Stanley Capital International.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Fabian]

  The iShares MSCI Chile Capped ETF (NYSE: ECH) is a portfolio of 42 stocks in South America that has lost more than three percent this year. By contrast, the Market Vectors Egypt ETF (NYSE: EGPT) has gained more than 31 percent and is far surpassing its Middle Eastern peers.� This ETF is primarily made up of mid and small-cap financial stocks, along with select telecommunication and materials companies.�