Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesJob seekers look on while speaking with a job recruiter. Unemployment remains at 7.7 percent and with 3 million fewer jobs than when the recession began. WASHINGTON -- From household wealth to spending at stores, many of the U.S. economy's vital signs have recovered from the damage done by the Great Recession. Home foreclosures and layoffs have dropped to pre-recession levels. Economic output has rebounded. And the Dow Jones industrial average is in record territory. So is the economy back to full health? Not quite. Not with unemployment at 7.7 percent and with 3 million fewer jobs than when the recession began. And while the housing market is improving, that engine of economic growth and job creation still has far to go before it can be declared healthy. Perhaps the best way to think about the U.S. economy is this: After five painful years, it's nearly back to where it started when the recession began. What's different now is that the trends are much healthier. Gone are the fears that the economy could fall into another recession. "We've made a lot of progress," says Michael Gapen, senior U.S. economist at Barclays Capital. The recession officially began in December 2007. It ended in June 2009. Here's a look at ways in which the economy has returned to pre-recession levels and ways it hasn't:
Hot Healthcare Equipment Stocks For 2015: LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (LVMH)
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, (LVMH), is a France-based luxury goods company. It owns a portfolio of luxury brands and its business activities are divided into five segments: Wines and Spirits, Fashion and Leather Goods, Perfumes and Cosmetics, Watches and Jewelry, and Selective Retailing. The activities of the wines and spirits sector include the Champagne and Wines branch, and the Cognac and Spirits branch. The Fashion and Leather Goods group includes Louis Vuitton, Kenzo and Rossimoda among others. LVMH is present in the perfume and cosmetics sector through the French Houses Christian Dior and other brands. Watches and Jewelry sells such products as TAG Heuer, Zenith, Dior Watches, Chaumet and Fred, among others. Selective Retailing businesses operate in two segments: travel retail and the seleLVMH ctive retail concepts represented by Sephora and Le Bon Marche. In September 2013, the Company acquired majority stake in Nicholas Kirkwood, a British shoe designer company. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
TR: It�� a one-off isn�� it? That�� why we said ��what could be the source of new ideas? We��e got Richemont, you have Louis Vuitton Mo毛t Hennessy (LVMH).
- [By Holly LaFon]
Louis Vuitton (LVMH) is one of the world's leading manufacturers and retailers of luxury apparel. Nearly two years ago, we began to analyze the company. We liked the business model, particularly the growth potential as consumers in emerging markets grow more eager to demonstrate their af铿�ence. We concluded that the company was well-run by a trustworthy management team, but its valuation did not seem very compelling. Louis Vuitton did not appear to be trading at what we felt was enough of a discount to its intrinsic value. Despite this, we did not abandon the idea. For the next 18 months we kept Louis Vuitton on what we call our inventory list. It was an investment we were comfortable making if the right price presented itself. In April, Louis Vuitton shares declined sharply after shareholders were disappointed by their latest earnings announcement, bringing the stock down to a valuation that we felt was attractive. We acted quickly to purchase shares.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks For 2014: American Airlines Group Inc (AAL)
American Airlines Group Inc., formerly AMR Corporation, incorporated in October 1982, operates in the airline industry. The Company's principal subsidiary is American Airlines, Inc. (American). As of December 31, 2011, American provided scheduled jet service to approximately 160 destinations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia. AMR Eagle Holding Corporation (AMR Eagle), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, owns two regional airlines, which do business as American Eagle-American Eagle Airlines, Inc. and Executive Airlines, Inc. (collectively, the American Eagle carriers). American also contracts with an independently owned regional airline, which does business as AmericanConnection (the AmericanConnection carrier). As of December 31, 2011, AMR Eagle operated approximately 1,500 daily departures, offering scheduled passenger service to over 175 destinations in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
American, AMR Eagle and the AmericanConnection airline served more than 250 cities in approximately 50 countries with, on average, 3,400 daily flights and the combined network fleet numbered approximately 900 aircraft as of December 31, 2011. American Airlines is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, which includes British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, LAN Airlines, Iberia, Qantas, JAL, Malev Hungarian, Mexicana, Royal Jordanian and S7 Airlines. Together, oneworld members serve 750 destinations in approximately 150 countries, with about 8,500 daily departures. American is also one of the scheduled air freight carriers in the world, providing a range of freight and mail services to shippers throughout its system onboard American's passenger fleet.
To improve access to each other's markets, American has established marketing relationships with other airlines and rail companies. As of December 31, 2011, American had marketing relationships with Air Berlin, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cape Air, C! athay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Dragonair, Deutsche Bahn German Rail, EL AL, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, GOL, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines (JAL), Jet Airways, JetStar Airways, LAN (includes LAN Airlines, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru), Niki Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.
American has established the AAdvantage frequent flyer program (AAdvantage). AAdvantage members earn mileage credits by flying on American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection carrier or by using services of other participants in the AAdvantage program. Mileage credits can be redeemed for free, discounted or upgraded travel on American, American Eagle or other participating airlines, or for other awards. American sells mileage credits and related services to other participants in the AAdvantage program. There are over 1,000 program participants, including a credit card issuer, hotels, car rental companies, and other products and services companies in the AAdvantage program. As of December 31, 2011, AAdvantage had approximately 69 million total members.
The Company competes with Alaska Airlines (Alaska), Delta Air Lines (Delta), Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways (JetBlue), Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines (Southwest) and AirTran Airways (Air Tran), Spirit Airlines, United Airlines (United) and Continental Airlines (Continental), US Airways and Virgin America Airlines.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Kyle Woodley]
Namely, GoGo is contracted out with several airlines — including Delta Air Lines (DAL) and American Airlines (AAL) — through 2020. Even William Blair senior analyst James Breen said of the new competition, “I don’t think it has an impact on Gogo’s results over the next 6 to 7 quarters.”
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Airline stocks like Delta (DAL), American (AAL) and United Continental (UAL) have soared this year, and the engine of their gains have been powered by a number of factors, including better cost management, less competition and even stable fuel prices.
- [By Dimitra DeFotis]
Delta Air Lines (DAL) is leading the pack after reporting traffic figures for the past month; its shares are down 5.5%.�American Airlines�(AAL) also is off 5%, and United Continental Holdings (UAL) is off 6.4%. Domestically-oriented airlines fared better, but shares also are in the red:�JetBlue Airways (JBLU) �and Alaska Holdings (ALK) are each down roughly 2%, while Southwest Airlines (LUV) is down nearly 1%.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) was also down, falling 4.40 percent to $24.98 as traders looked exit the airline following its recent rally.
Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded up 0.67 percent to $100.22, while gold traded up 0.15 percent to $1,214.90. Silver traded up 1.54 percent Friday to $20.03, while copper fell 0.47 percent to $3.38.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks For 2014: Rayonier Inc. REIT(RYN)
Rayonier, Inc. engages in the sale and development of real estate and timberland management, as well as in the production and sale of cellulose fibers in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. The company operates in four segments: Timber, Real Estate, Performance Fibers, and Wood Products. Timber segment owns, leases, or manages timberlands and sells standing timber at auction to third parties, as well as sells delivered logs. Real Estate segment sells medium and large tracts of land with infrastructure. This segment holds development and rural properties primarily in the southeast United States. Performance Fibers segment manufactures cellulose specialties that are used principally in acetate textile fibers, cigarette filters, rigid packaging, LCD screens, photographic film, impact-resistant plastics, high-tenacity rayon yarn, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents, food casings, and food products; and absorbent materials that are used in disposable baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinence pads, convalescent bed pads, industrial towels and wipes, and nonwoven fabrics. Wood Products segment primarily manufactures and sells dimension lumber used for residential and industrial construction applications. In addition, Rayonier involves in trading and exporting logs, lumber, and wood panel products. As of December 31, 2005, it owned, leased, or managed approximately 2.5 million acres of timberland and real estate. The company has a joint venture with RREEF Infrastructure to own and manage timber lands in New Zealand. Rayonier has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes and would not be subject to federal income tax on its REIT income that it distributes to its shareholders. The company, formerly known as Rainier Pulp & Paper Company, was founded in 1926. Rayonier is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Shauna O'Brien]
Shares of Rayonier Inc. (RYN) were up over 11% on Monday morning after the company reported earnings above analysts’ estimates.�
RYN’s Earnings in Brief
RYN reported earnings of $80 million, or 62 cents per share, up from $76 million, or 59 cents per share a year ago. Revenue for the quarter was�$520.2 million, �above analysts’ estimate of $442.36 million. FY2013 earnings were�$372 million, or $2.86 per share, compared to $279 million, or $2.17 per share last year. RYN also announced that it now plans to separate its��from its Forest Resources and Real Estate business. The spin off will result in two separate publicly traded companiesCEO Commentary
Paul Boynton, Chairman, President and CEO commented:�”As part of our strategic planning process, we began in-depth analysis and preparation for the business separation almost two years ago. With an improving U.S. housing market, strong timber export markets, and the successful expansion of our cellulose specialties capacity, we concluded that now is the optimal time to pursue the separation of these two non-integrated businesses.”
�RYN’s Dividend
RYN paid its last quarterly dividend of 49 cents on December 31. The company is expected to declare its next dividend sometime in February.
Stock Performance�
Rayonier shares were up $4.57, or 11.10% during pre-market trading Monday. The stock is down 2% YTD.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Timber! Shares of Rayonier (RYN) are tumbling like a felled tree after the timber real-estate investment trust missed earnings forecasts this morning, leading to downgrades from at least three investment banks.
Jim CarltonRayonier reported a profit of 44 cents, below forecasts for a 46 cent profit, while revenue came in at $384.8 million, well below estimates for $422 million.
Deutsche Bank’s Mark Wilde and team cut Rayonier from Hold to Sell. They explain why:
While recent commentary around RYN�� timberland and real estate operations has been quite encouraging, outlook for its Cellulose Specialties business (accounts for 72% of segment EBIT) suggests significant downside risks ahead. RYN said recent contract negotiations suggest a drop in 2014 cellulose specialties (CS) prices and slower transition to CS. Beyond lower cashflows, a sharp price drop could dampen bullish ��pecialty chemicals��valuations that have been floated for the segment. Pick-up in timber & real estate markets may mitigate some downside pressure on stock, but they won�� eliminate it.
Raymond James analyst Collin Mings and slashed their rating on Rayonier to Market Perform from Strong Buy:
We are lowering our rating on Rayonier to Market Perform from Strong Buy as we expect concerns over a slower-than-expected ramp in incremental specialty-grade dissolving pulp sales volumes and 2014 specialty-grade dissolving pulp price negotiations will prove to be a near-term headwind for RYN shares. Longer-term, we continue to believe its cellulose specialties expansion (CSE) project sets the foundation for significant cash flow (and dividend) growth. We remain attracted to the multi-year growth prospects of this business and the barriers-to-entry competitors face to gaining meaningful market share over a sustained period. However, commentary on yesterday�� conference call made it clear that the timeline for Rayonier to realize the full benefits o
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks For 2014: Bank of Ireland (BKIR)
Bank of Ireland and its subsidiaries provide a range of banking and other financial services. The Company operates in five segments: Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland Life, Retail UK, Corporate and Treasury and Group Centre. Group Centre includes capital management activities, unallocated Group support costs and the cost of the Credit Institutions. Retail Ireland distributes a range of financial products and services through the Bank�� branch operations in the Republic of Ireland and through its direct channels. The Company operates in the life and pensions market in Ireland through its wholly owned subsidiary New Ireland Assurance Company plc (NAIC).Retail UK consists of Business Banking in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the branch network in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom residential mortgage business and the business activities with the United Kingdom Post Office. Corporate and Treasury division consists of Corporate Banking, Global Markets and IBI Corporate Finance. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sarah Jones]
In Dublin, Bank of Ireland (BKIR) slipped 3.4 percent to 14.1 euro cents and Permanent TSB Group Holdings Plc (IPM) tumbled 13 percent to 2.6 cents. Allied Irish Banks Plc (ALBK), which is owned by the state, slid 1.5 percent to 6.5 cents.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks For 2014: Teekay Offshore Partners L.P.(TOO)
Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. provides marine transportation, oil production, and storage services to the offshore oil industry. It operates shuttle tankers, floating storage and offtake (FSO) units, and conventional crude oil tankers, as well as floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units. As of June 30, 2011, its fleet consisted of 40 shuttle tankers, including 5 chartered-in vessels and 4 committed newbuildings; 2 FPSO units; 5 FSO units; and 10 conventional oil tankers. The company primarily serves energy and oil service companies, and their affiliates. Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. serves as the general partner of the company. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Kashafa Investment Research]
Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (TOO) is the largest owner in the shuttle tanker market with 33 shuttle tankers and one newbuilds on order. Through this, the company owns more than 50% of the world's shuttle tanker fleet based on total tonnage.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks For 2014: Kforce Inc.(KFRC)
Kforce Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides professional and technical staffing services and solutions in the United States. It operates in five segments: Technology, Finance and Accounting, Clinical Research, Health Information Management, and Government Solutions. The Technology segment offers temporary staffing and permanent placement services to its clients, focusing on information technology comprising systems/applications programmers and developers, senior-level project managers, systems analysts, enterprise data management, e-business, and networking technicians, as well as healthcare, financial services, and government integrators. The Finance and Accounting segment provides temporary staffing and permanent placement services to its customers in taxation, budget preparation and analysis, mortgage and loan processing, financial reporting, cost analysis, accounts payable, accounts receivable, professional administrative, credit and collections, general acco unting, audit services, and systems and controls analysis and documentation. The Clinical Research segment is involved in providing functional outsourcing solutions for monitoring clinical research site, contingent contract staffing, and permanent placement of clinical research personnel to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The Health Information Management segment offers temporary staffing and permanent placement services to its clients consisting of acute care facilities, physician clinics, software providers, and insurance companies, as well as in medical coding, the revenue life cycle, and health information technology areas. The Government Solutions segment provides technology, and finance and accounting professionals to the federal government; and integrated business solutions in the information technology, data and knowledge management, research and development, financial management, and accounting areas. Kforce Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Despite a lukewarm economy and jobs situation, the staffing industry along with small cap staffing stocks like On Assignment, Inc (NYSE: ASGN), Kforce Inc (NASDAQ: KFRC) and up and coming Staffing 360 Solutions Inc (OTCBB: STAF) have actually put in pretty decent performances since the end of the financial crisis. I should mention that globally, staffing companies generate about $280 billion in annual revenue and there�are approximately 70,000 private employment services agencies around the world with the top 10 companies accounting for about a third of total industry sales while in the USA there are an estimated 15,000 staffing companies generating less than $20 million in revenues. Overall, Europe is the largest regional staffing services market with 40% of annual revenue, followed by the United States.
- [By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of staffing service specialist Kforce (NASDAQ: KFRC ) plunged 16% today after its quarterly results missed Wall Street expectations.
10 Best Diversified Bank Stocks For 2014: Idacorp Inc (IDA)
IDACORP, Inc. (IDACORP), incorporated on February 2, 1998, is a holding company. The Company's operating subsidiary is Idaho Power Company (Idaho Power). Idaho Power is an electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale, and purchase of electric energy. Idaho Power is the parent of Idaho Energy Resources Co. (IERCo), a joint venturer in Bridger Coal Company (BCC), which mines and supplies coal to the Jim Bridger generating plant owned in part by Idaho Power. IDACORP's other notable subsidiaries include IDACORP Financial Services, Inc. (IFS), an investor in housing and other real estate investments and Ida-West Energy Company (Ida-West), an operator of small hydroelectric generation projects.
Idaho Power is a combination hydro-thermal utility with 17 hydroelectric projects, three natural gas-fired plants, one diesel-powered generator and part ownership in three coal-fired generating plants. Idaho Power serves approximately 506,000 customers in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Marc Bastow]
Boise, Idaho-based energy company IdaCorp (IDA) raised its quarterly dividend 13.2% to 43 cents per share, payable Dec. 2 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 6.
IDA Dividend Yield: 3.37% - [By Dividends4Life]
IDACORP Inc. (IDA) Idaho Power Company, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale, and purchase of electric energy in the United States. Sept. 19, the company increased its quarterly dividend 13.2% to $0.43 per share. The dividend is payable Dec. 2, 2013 to IDACORP shareholders of record on Nov. 6, 2013. The yield based on the new payout is 3.6%.
- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on IdaCorp (NYSE: IDA ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
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