Many thanks to all of you who sent me an email with questions about your stocks. While there was no single company that seemed to be on everyone’s mind, there was a clear trend: Gold.
This week, I’ll cover three different precious metals companies to help show you the challenges and opportunities of the industry. But more importantly, I’m going to give you a clear buy signal for what I think is the very best stock to play the gold surge:Hot Stocks In September 2015:CNO Financial Group Inc. (CNO)
CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, marketing, and administration of health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. The company markets and distributes Medicare supplement insurance, interest-sensitive and traditional life insurance, fixed annuities, and long-term care insurance products; Medicare advantage plans through a distribution arrangement with Humana Inc.; and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans through a distribution and reinsurance arrangement with Coventry Health Care. It also markets and distributes supplemental health, including specified disease, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance products; and life insurance to middle-income consumers at home and the worksite through independent marketing organizations and insurance agencies. In addition, the company markets primarily graded benefit and simplified issue life insurance products directly to customers through television advertising, direct mail, Internet, and telemarketing. It sells its products through career agents, independent producers, direct marketing, and sales managers. CNO Financial Group, Inc. has strategic alliances with Coventry and Humana. The company was formerly known as Conseco, Inc. and changed its name to CNO Financial Group, Inc. in May 2010. CNO Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.Hot Stocks In September 2015:Nuveen Municipal Income Fund Inc. (NMI)
Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc. is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc. It is managed by Nuveen Asset Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets. It primarily invests in municipal obligations issued by state and local government authorities. The fund?s investment portfolio comprises investment in companies operating in various industries, including healthcare, materials, education and civic organizations, and consumer staples. Nuveen Municipal Income Fund was formed on April 20, 1988 and is based in the United States.Hot Stocks In September 2015:Edac Technologies Corporation (EDAC)
EDAC Technologies Corporation provides design, manufacturing, and other services to the aerospace and industrial markets. The company produces low pressure turbine cases, hubs, rings, disks, and other complex and close tolerance components for various aircraft engine and ground turbine manufacturers. It also offers rotating components, such as disks, rings, and shafts; provides precision assembly services, including the assembly of jet engine sync rings, aircraft welding and riveting, post-assembly machining, and sutton barrel finishing; and engages in precision machining for the maintenance and repair of components in the aircraft engine industry. In addition, the company designs and manufactures fixtures, precision gauges, close tolerance plastic injection molds, and precision component molds for composite parts and specialized machinery. Further, it designs, manufactures, and repairs various types of precision grinders, as well as precision rolling element bearing spindles, including hydrostatic and other precision rotary devices for machine tool manufacturers, special machine tool builders and integrators, industrial end-users, and powertrain machinery manufacturers and end-users in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. The company serves a range of industries in areas, such as special tooling, equipment and gauges, and components used in the manufacture, assembly, and inspection of jet engines. EDAC Technologies Corporation was founded in 1946 and is based in Farmington, Connecticut.Hot Stocks In September 2015:Stanley Black & Decker Inc. (SWK)
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. manufactures tools and engineered security solutions worldwide. The company?s Security segment provides a range of mechanical and electronic security products and systems, as well as various security services consisting of security integration systems, software, and related installation, maintenance, monitoring services; automatic doors, door closers, and exit devices; healthcare storage and supply chain solutions; patient protection products; hardware; and locking mechanisms. This segment sells its products to retailers; educational, financial, and healthcare institutions; and commercial, governmental, and industrial customers through direct sales forces and third party distributors. Its Industrial segment offers mechanics tools and storage systems, including wrenches, sockets, electronic diagnostic tools, tool boxes, and industrial storage and retrieval systems; engineered healthcare storage and retrieval systems; hydraulic tools and accessories; plumbing, heating, and air conditioning tools; assembly tools and systems; and specialty tools. This segment sells its products to industrial customers through third party distributors and direct sales forces. The company?s Construction & Do-It-Yourself segment manufactures hand tools, including measuring and leveling tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, knives and blades, saws, chisels, and consumer tackers; consumer mechanics tools; storage units comprising plastic and metal tool boxes; and pneumatic tools and fasteners for use in construction, remodeling, furniture making, pallet and manufacturing applications. This segment sells its products to professional end users and consumers through retailers, including home centers, mass merchants, hardware stores, and retail lumber yards. The company was formerly known as The Stanley Works and changed its name to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. in March 2010. Stanley Black & Decker was founded in 1843 and is based in New Britain, Connecticut.Advisors' Opinion:
- By SamSam Collins Collins At 2011-9-11
Hot Stocks In September 2015:Mohawk Industries Inc. (MHK)
Mohawk Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of floor covering products for residential and commercial applications primarily in the United States and Europe. The company operates through three segments: Mohawk, Dal-Tile, and Unilin. The Mohawk segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets floor covering product lines, which include carpets, ceramic tiles, laminates, rugs, carpet pads, hardwood, and resilient. This segment offers its products under the brand names of Mohawk, Aladdin, Mohawk ColorCenters, Mohawk Floorscapes, Portico, Mohawk Home, Bigelow, Durkan, Horizon, Karastan, Lees, and Merit. In addition, this segment markets and distributes its soft and hard surface products through independent floor covering retailers, home centers, mass merchandisers, department stores, commercial dealers, and commercial end users, as well as through private labeling programs. The Dal-Tile segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets a line of ceramic tile, porcelain tile, and natural stone products. This segment offers its products primarily under the Dal-Tile and American Olean brand names through company-owned service centers, independent distributors, home center retailers, tile and flooring retailers, and contractors. The Unilin segment offers laminate and hardwood flooring under the brand names of Quick-Step, Columbia Flooring, Century Flooring, and Universal Flooring through retailers, independent distributors, and home centers. This segment also produces roofing systems, insulation panels, and other wood products. Mohawk Industries, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Calhoun, Georgia.Hot Stocks In September 2015:Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)
Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and manufacture of petroleum products, as well as transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. The company manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, and other specialty products. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 35,691 gross and 30,494 net operated wells. The company has operations in the United States, Canada/South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia/Oceania. Exxon Mobil Corporation was founded in 1870 and is based in Irving, Texas.Advisors' Opinion:
- By Hawkinvest At 2012-2-23
Exxon (XOM) is a must-own stock for many oil investors. This company has a strong balance sheet and a very significant reserve base, which grows in value with the price of oil. Exxon recently reported solid results with earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 coming in at $1.97 per share. The company also reported that it bought back about $5 billion worth of shares. Weaker margins in the refinery business did impact results, but overall, the report shows that the company is poised for a solid year ahead. Exxon has a very strong balance sheet and it can afford to continue buying back shares which will help to boost future earnings. This stock was trading for about $80 per share in December, but has been trending higher. Exxon shares have recently been finding support around $83 per share, so buying on dips at that level are particularly attractive.
Here are some key points for XOM:
Current share price: $86.57The 52 week range is $67.03 to $88.23Earnings estimates for 2011: $8.25 per shareEarnings estimates for 2012: $8.99 per shareAnnual dividend: about $1.88 per share which yields about 2.2% - By John Reese At 2012-1-11
Again, another company that will win either way. This is the largest company by market cap on the US stock market. That makes them a safe haven asset when the economy is going south. But in addition to their defensive qualities, they also have great long term prospects for growth. They are always finding new reserves of oil. But they are also investing in other energy sources as well like natural gas. I think they will be a huge player in the natural gas power generation business in years to come. I’m bullish here because I think gas will become a major player in the power generation industry in the US. It burns cleaner than coal and safer than nuclear. - By Dave Friedman At 2011-9-23
Institutional investors bought 79,917,190 shares and sold 113,327,900 shares, for a net of -33,410,710 shares. This net represents 0.68% of common shares outstanding. The number of shares outstanding is 4,885,000,000. The shares recently traded at $72.64 and the company’s market capitalization is $353,184,000,000.00. About the company: Exxon Mobil Corporation operates petroleum and petrochemicals businesses on a worldwide basis. The Company’s operations include exploration and production of oil and gas, electric power generation, and coal and minerals operations. Exxon Mobil also manufactures and markets f! uels, lu bricants, and chemicals. - By Jim Cramer At 2011-9-7
Hmm. This is a tough one. Oil up $10 will certainly help, but the overpay of XTO Energy (XTO), a nat gas company bought when prices were so much higher, will continue to bite earnings and the company's conservative nature will make it seem plodding versus the other companies here. I don't share the appreciation many have for this company. I regard it more as a bank than an exploration and production company. That's why I see it only inching up about $5 to $78 and change, a very disappointing member of the Dow considering what is does for a living.
Hot Stocks In September 2015:General Dynamics Corporation (GD)
General Dynamics Corporation provides business aviation, combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions, military and commercial shipbuilding, and communications and information technology products and services worldwide. Its Aerospace group offers mid-size and large-cabin business-jet aircraft, as well as provides maintenance, refurbishment, outfitting, and aircraft services for business-jet, narrow-body, and narrow-body customers. The company?s Combat Systems group designs, develops, and produces tracked and wheeled military vehicles, weapons systems, and munitions. Its product lines include wheeled combat and tactical vehicles; battle tanks and infantry vehicles; munitions and propellant; rockets and gun systems; and drivetrain components and aftermarket parts. This group also manufactures and supplies engineered axles, suspensions, and brakes for heavy-load vehicles for military and commercial customers. The company?s Marine System group designs, builds, and supports submarines and surface ships for the U.S. Navy; and Jones Act ships for commercial customers. This group offers nuclear-powered submarines, surface combatants, and auxiliary and commercial ships; and provides design and engineering support services, as well as ship and submarine overhaul, repair, and lifecycle support services. Its Information Systems and Technology group provides technologies, products, and services that support a range of government and commercial communication, and information-sharing needs, including communications systems, command-and-control systems, and operational hardware; information technology services; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, intelligence community, federal civilian agencies, intelligence and homeland security communities, and commercial and international customers. General Dynamics Corporation was founded in 1899 and is based in Falls Church, Virginia.Advisors' Opinion:
- ! By Vatal yst At 2011-10-28
General Dynamics (GD) operates in the aerospace/defense industry, is the fifth largest military contractor and one of the world’s largest makers of corporate jets. Its Gulfstream jet is one of the world’s most popular corporate aircraft.
The common stock currently trades at price to earnings ratio of 8.9, well below industry average of 13.1 and its historical average of 13. Price to book ratio is 1.62 while price to cash flow ratio is 7. - By Dave Friedman At 2011-9-22
The shares closed at $62.77, up $1.59, or 2.6%, on the day. They have traded in a 52-week range of $55.46 to $78.27. Volume today was 2,338,444 shares, against a 3-month average volume of 2,440,760 shares. Its market capitalization is $22.71 billion, its trailing P/E is 8.95, its trailing earnings are $7.01 per share, and it pays a dividend of $1.88 per share, for a dividend yield of 3.10%. About the company: General Dynamics Corporation is a diversified defense company. The Company offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; shipbuilding design and construction; and information systems, technologies and services
