Top 10 Diversified Bank Companies To Buy For 2014

There's never a shortage of losers in the stock market. Let's take a closer look at five of this past week's biggest sinkers.

Company

July 19

Weekly Loss

Liquidity Services (NASDAQ: LQDT  )

$28.98

14%

Chuy's Holdings (NASDAQ: CHUY  )

$36.78

13%

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  )

$31.18

13%

Select Comfort (NASDAQ: SCSS  )

$24.08

13%

Acacia Research (NASDAQ: ACTG  )

Top Services Stocks For 2015: Guidance Software Inc.(GUID)

Guidance Software, Inc. provides digital investigative solutions to government agencies and corporations primarily in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia/the Pacific Rim. It offers EnCase platform for organizations to search, collect, and analyze electronically stored information to address human resources matters, litigation matters, allegations of fraud, suspicious network endpoint activity, and defend their data assets. The company?s EnCase Enterprise software provides visibility into laptops, desktops, and file servers to conduct internal investigations and determine the root cause of suspicious network activity; and EnCase eDiscovery solution to automatically perform search, collection, preservation, and processing of electronically stored information from unstructured and semi-structured data stores. Its EnCase Cybersecurity forensic solution to expose, triage, and remediate threats, and to enforce data policy compliance on endpoints; EnCase Fore nsic computer investigation solution allows examiners to acquire data from various devices and unearth potential evidence, and craft reports on their findings; and EnCase Portable solution allows forensic professionals and non-experts to triage and collect digital evidence forensically. The company also offers hardware products, including write blockers, forensic duplicators, and storage devices; professional services, such as eDiscovery, network security incident response, civil/criminal digital investigation, and implementation services; and packaged services. It serves various industries, such as financial and insurance services, technology, defense contracting, telecom, pharmaceutical, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. The company sells its software products and services primarily through its direct sales force; and hardware products principally through resellers. Guidance Software, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [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 Guidance Software (Nasdaq: GUID  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  What: Shares of Guidance Software (NASDAQ: GUID  ) got crushed today -- down by 25% at the low -- after the company reported first-quarter results.

Top 10 Diversified Bank Companies To Buy For 2014: WGL Holdings Inc (WGL)

WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL Holdings) is a holding company. The Company own subsidiaries, which sells and delivers natural gas and/or provide a range of energy-related products and services to customers in the District of Columbia and the surrounding metropolitan areas in Maryland and Virginia. The Company operates in three subsidiaries: regulated utility segment, retail energy-marketing segment and design-build energy systems segment. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiaries include Washington Gas Light Company (Washington Gas), Washington Gas Resources Corporation (Washington Gas Resources), Hampshire Gas Company (Hampshire) and Crab Run Gas Company (Crab Run). Washington Gas is a regulated public utility that sells and delivers natural gas to customers in the District of Columbia and adjoining areas in Maryland, Virginia and several cities and towns in the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Washington Gas Resources owns four subsidiaries include Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGEServices), Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc. (WGESystems), Capitol Energy Ventures Corp. (CEV) and WGSW, Inc. (WGSW).

Regulated Utility Segment

The Company�� regulated utility segment consists of Washington Gas and Hampshire. Washington Gas delivers natural gas to retail customers. Washington Gas also sells natural gas to customers who have not elected to purchase natural gas from un-regulated third-party marketers. Washington Gas recovers the cost of the natural gas to serve firm customers through gas cost recovery mechanisms. Hampshire operates and owns full and partial interests in underground natural gas storage facilities, including pipeline delivery facilities located in and around Hampshire County, West Virginia. Washington Gas purchases all of the storage services of Hampshire and includes the cost of these services in the bills sent to its customers.

As of September 30, 2011, Washington Gas had 1.083 million active customer meters. During the fiscal year ! ended September 30, 2011 (fiscal 2011), the Company delivered 1,772.5 million therms.

Washington Gas is responsible for acquiring sufficient natural gas supplies, interstate pipeline capacity and storage capacity. Washington Gas obtains natural gas supplies, which originate from multiple regions throughout the United States and Canada. It also obtains natural gas in the form of vaporized liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Cove Point LNG terminal owned by Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP and Dominion Transmission, Inc. (collectively Dominion). As of September 30, 2011, Washington Gas had service agreements with four pipeline companies, which provided firm transportation and/or storage services directly to Washington Gas�� city gate.

Retail Energy-Marketing Segment

The retail energy-marketing segment consists of the operations of WGEServices, which sells the natural gas and electric commodity directly to residential, commercial and industrial customers. These commodities are delivered to retail customers through the distribution systems owned by regulated utilities, such as Washington Gas or other unaffiliated natural gas or electric utilities. Washington Gas delivers the natural gas sold by WGEServices, and unaffiliated electric utilities deliver all of the electricity sold. In addition, WGEServices bills its customers through the billing services of the regulated utilities, which deliver its commodities, as well as directly through its own billing capabilities. WGEServices owns multiple solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) power generating systems. As of September 30, 2011, WGEServices served approximately 172,000 residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers accounts and approximately 183,000 residential, commercial and industrial electricity customers located in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

Design-Build Energy Systems Segment

The design-build energy systems segment, which consists ! of the op! erations of WGESystems, provides design-build energy solutions to governmental and commercial clients. WGESystems focuses on upgrading the mechanical, electrical, water and energy-related systems of governmental and commercial facilities by implementing both traditional, as well as alternative energy technologies, in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Other Activities

Other activities consist of the operations of CEV, an unregulated, non-utility subsidiary of Washington Gas Resources, which engages in the acquisition, management and optimization of natural gas storage and transportation assets and WGSW, which was formed to invest in solar power generation and other energy efficiency solutions for customers. In addition other activities include the operation of Crab Run, a small exploration company, and administrative with WGL Holdings and Washington Gas Resources. WGSW, a wholly owned subsidiary of Washington Gas Resources, holds a 99% partnership interest in ASD Solar, LP.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Shauna O'Brien]

  Brean Capital reported on Friday that it has upgraded natural gas utility company WGL Holdings Inc (WGL).

  The firm has raised its rating on WGL from “Hold” to “Buy,” and has given the company a $46 price target. This price target suggests a 12% increase from the stock’s current price of $40.62. The upgrade was primarily based on valuation and future investment opportunities.

  “Like many utilities in the gas LDC space, the shares of WGL Holdings have come off recent highs and are now trading at a level we consider attractive,” analyst Michael Gaugler comments. “Beyond valuation, we consider the recent announcement of conditional approval of Dominion’s Cove Point facility for LNG export as a positive development in terms of future investment opportunities, given the company’s one-third interest in the Commonwealth Pipeline project, which we believe will be revisited due to future increased demand.”

  WGL Holdings shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Friday. The stock has been mostly flat YTD.

• [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 WGL Holdings (NYSE: WGL  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Vanina Egea]

  Looking forward, Cabot Oil and Gas reported the execution of a definitive gas sale and purchase agreement with a subsidiary of WGL Holdings (WGL), and the execution of a binding precedent agreement with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line for a new pipeline with committed takeaway capacity from the owned asset in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Most important, it holds a diversified asset portfolio spread between low-risk and long reserve-life Appalachian assets, and large-volume and rapid-payout Gulf Coast properties, with further variety from large prospect inventories in the Rocky Mountains and the Anadarko Basin that have a broad mix of production and payout profiles.

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  Here are three dividend stocks that have been paying out for decades:

  WGL Holdings (WGL)

  Dividend yield: 4.4%

  Have you ever heard of WGL Holdings (WGL)? Probably not, and that’s actually a good thing. This is the kind of energy play I like because it�� highly diversified. For starters, WGL stock owns natural gas storage facilities — not the gas itself in these cases, but the storage and pipeline delivery infrastructure. Those facilities allow the company to store stuff for other people. That�� a nice margin business.

Top 10 Diversified Bank Companies To Buy For 2014: Southwestern Energy Company(SWN)

Southwestern Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas and crude oil in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream Services. The Exploration and Production segment involves in the development of an unconventional gas reservoir located on the Arkansas side of the Arkoma Basin, as well as exploration and production activities in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma. This segment also conducts conventional drilling programs in the Arkoma Basin; and development drilling and exploration programs in the Oklahoma portion of the Arkoma Basin, as well as in Texas and Pennsylvania. In addition, it operates drilling rigs in the Fayetteville Shale play, as well as in other operating areas; and explores for natural gas and crude oil under 32 licenses in New Brunswick, Canada. The Midstream Services segment engages in gathering, marketing, and transportin g natural gas in Arkansas, Texas, and Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2010, the company?s estimated proved natural gas and oil reserves were approximately 4,937 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. Southwestern Energy Company was founded in 1929 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  Exxon shares are tantalizing value based on various metrics. XOM currently trade at a forward P/E just north of 12 — roughly a 23% discount to the broad market�� forward multiple. The valuation is cheaper than many of its large integrated rivals and even cheaper when compared to U.S. shale-focused independent E&P firms like Southwestern Energy (SWN). Meanwhile, other metrics like price-to-book value and price-to-sales also tilt towards XOM�� favor.

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  For instance, Range Resources (NYSE: RRC  ) boosted its year-end 2013 proven reserves by 26% to a record high of 8.2 trillion cubic feet equivalent, or Tcfe, while Cabot Oil & Gas (NYSE: COG  ) saw a 42% increase in its proven reserves to 5.5 Tcfe and Southwestern Energy (NYSE: SWN  ) reported a whopping 74% jump in proven reserve estimates to roughly 7 Tcfe.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Southwestern Energy Co. (NYSE: SWN) was started as Buy with a $50 price target at Canaccord Genuity.

  Spirit Airlines Inc. (NASDAQ: SAVE) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Raymond James.

Top 10 Diversified Bank Companies To Buy For 2014: Alkermes Inc.(ALKS)

Alkermes plc, an integrated biotechnology company, develops medicines that enhance patient outcomes. The company has a diversified portfolio of approximately 20 commercial drug products and a clinical pipeline of product candidates that address central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as addiction, schizophrenia, and depression. It manufactures and commercializes VIVITROL for alcohol and opioid dependence; RISPERDAL CONSTA for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder; INVEGA SUSTENNA for the treatment of schizophrenia; AMPYRA to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis; and BYDUREON for the treatment of type II diabetes. Alkermes? pipeline includes extended-release injectable and oral products for the treatment of prevalent, chronic diseases, such as central nervous system disorders, addiction, and diabetes. The company was founded in 1987 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MONEYMORNING]

  That story suggested Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (Nasdaq: JAZZ) and Alkermes PLC (Nasdaq: ALKS) could be targets, as well.

  More drug stocks to buy now: One of the big organic and strategic growth opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry is for generic drugs in the emerging markets. Take a look at four ways to capitalize on this trend.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Alkermes (NASDAQ: ALKS  ) also joined the party by announcing on Thursday that its experimental major depressive disorder therapy ALKS-5461 had received a fast track designation from the Food and Drug Administration. A fast track designation helps a biotechnology company by expediting its review process once it files for a new drug application so this is great news for Alkermes shareholders and MDD patients. In mid-stage trials ALKS-5461 met its primary endpoint of a change from the baseline in depressive symptoms according to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale when tested in a group of 142 patients. ALKS-5461 holds unique promise since most MDD drugs are really a one-size-fits-all type medication.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Going through his papers, he found a list of stocks that UBS said to buy if Obama won the election in 2012, including the likes of United Rentals (URI) , First Solar (FSLR),�Alliant Techsystems (ATK), Alkermes (ALKS) and Mohawk Industries (MHK). And wouldn’t you know it, those stocks have gained 58% this year, compared to the S&P 500′s 27% gain. And just in case you’re wondering, those stocks have also trumped UBS’s Romney basket, which has gained 33%.

Top 10 Diversified Bank Companies To Buy For 2014: Fresnillo PLC (FRES)

Fresnillo plc is a silver and gold mining company. The Company, along with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the mining and beneficiation of non-ferrous minerals, and the sale of related production. The primary contents of this production include silver, gold, lead and zinc. The Company has six operating mines: the Fresnillo mine, located in the State of Zacatecas, which is primary silver mine; the Saucito mine, located in the State of Zacatecas, an underground silver mine; the Cienega mine, located in the State of Durango, an underground gold mine, including the San Ramon satellite mine; the Herradura mine, located in the State of Sonora, an open pit gold mine; the Soledad-Dipolos mine, located in the State of Sonora, an open pit gold mine, and the Noche Buena mine, located in State of Sonora, an open pit gold mine. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alexis Xydias]

  The FTSE All-Share Mining Index rose 3 percent. Randgold, a producer of the metal in Africa, advanced 6.8 percent to 4,722 pence. Fresnillo Plc (FRES), which operates silver and gold mines in Mexico, rallied 8.2 percent to 1,035 pence.

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Fresnillo (FRES), the world�� largest primary silver producer, surged 13 percent and Randgold, a producer of the precious metal in Africa, jumped 9.1 percent. Gold climbed to the highest price in almost two months and silver rose to the highest since May.

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Fresnillo Plc (FRES) and Polymetal International Plc sank at least 7 percent to lead declines in the Stoxx 600 after the precious-metals producers were not included in the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. Fresnillo tumbled 13 percent to 1,045 pence. Polymetal plunged 7.1 percent to 659.5 pence. African Barrick Gold Plc (ABG) also fell, losing 12 percent to 143.9 pence.

Top 10 Diversified Bank Companies To Buy For 2014: Teekay Tankers Ltd(TNK)

Teekay Tankers Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership and operation of oil tankers. As of August 16, 2011, it owned a fleet of nine double-hull Aframax tankers and six double-hull Suezmax tankers. The company, through its joint venture with Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited, also owned a very large crude carrier newbuilding. As of March 1, 2011, it operated four Aframax tankers in the Teekay Pool and three Suezmax tankers in the Gemini Pool arrangements; and five Aframax tankers and three Suezmax tankers under fixed-rate time-charter contracts. The company is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE: TNK) is another cheap foreign stock to buy now that appears to have enormous recovery potential over the next few years.

• [By Taylor Muckerman]

  After falling over 87% in the past five years, Teekay Tankers� (NYSE: TNK  ) believes that the supply of carrying capacity is finally aligning itself with demand again. For 2014, the company expects the lowest fleet growth since 2002. If this is the case, management believes fleet utilization will have reached a trough and could possibly begin its ascent to levels north of 84%. Tankers haven't enjoyed this level of utilization since the industry sank below this depth in 2010.�

• [By Sean Williams]

  Tank you very much
  I haven't been a fan of the shipping sector in years, but I'm finally coming around to a few of the stronger candidates. This week I plan to add oil transporter Teekay Tankers (NYSE: TNK  ) to the list.

Top 10 Diversified Bank Companies To Buy For 2014: Gabriel Resources Ltd (GBU)

Gabriel Resources Ltd. (Gabriel) is focused on permitting and developing its Rosia Montana gold and silver project located in western central Romania. The Rosia Montana Project is owned through RMGC, in which Gabriel holds an 80.69% interest, with reaming 19.31% interest held by CNCAF Minvest S.A., a mining enterprise. The Rosia Montana Project consists of one exploration concession covering approximately 2388 hectares. Its Bucium project consists of the Rodu-Frasin and Tarnita deposits, which can be considered as advanced and early stage exploration. Bucium project is located approximately five kilometers south-east of the Rosia Montana Project. As of December 31, 2011, three styles of mineralization had been identified in the Bucium Project: epithermal, epithermal to mesothermal gold-silver mineralization and mesothermal copper-gold mineralization. In July 2011, the Company acquired a 0.23% interest in RMGC. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Lam]

  Gabriel Resources Ltd. (GBU) plunged 18 percent to C$1.39 as a potential referendum on a mine it is developing in Romania could delay what would be Europe�� largest gold mine.