Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014

It's hard to compete against "free."

Free-to-play and casual games finally took a big bite out of Activision Blizzard's (NASDAQ: ATVI  ) tent pole franchise, World of Warcraft. The subscription-based game lost 1.3 million members last quarter, or 14% of its total user base.

In the following video, Fool contributor Demitrios Kalogeropoulos says there's a sliver lining to this bad news, and that Activision has some levers it can pull to keep Warcraft afloat. Still, the best-case scenario is for a more steady decline for this aging game that will give the company time to build up its newer franchises.

While Activision and Microsoft have been taking the headlines when it comes to console gaming, investors following the gaming sector would do well to also keep tabs on Electronic Arts. We can help. The Motley Fool's special report breaks down the risks and opportunities facing the company to help you decide if EA is right for your portfolio. Click here to get your copy now.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings(LH)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as an independent clinical laboratory company in the United States. The company offers a range of testing services used by the medical profession in routine testing, patient diagnosis, and in the monitoring and treatment of disease, as well as specialty testing services. Its routine tests include blood chemistry analyses, urinalyses, blood cell counts, thyroid tests, Pap tests, HIV tests, microbiology cultures and procedures, and alcohol and other substance-abuse tests. The company?s specialty tests and related services comprise viral load measurements, genotyping and phenotyping, and host genetic factors for managing and treating HIV infections; cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetic, biochemical, and molecular genetic tests for diagnostic genetics; oncology tests for diagnosing and monitoring certain cancers and treatments; clinical trials testing for pharmaceutical companies, which conducts clinical research trials on diag nostic assays; forensic identity testing used in criminal proceedings and parentage evaluation services, as well as testing services in reconstruction cases; allergy testing; and occupational testing for the detection of drug and alcohol abuse. Its customers include independent physicians and physician groups, hospitals, managed care organizations, governmental agencies, employers, pharmaceutical companies, and other independent clinical laboratories. The company operates a network of 51 primary laboratories and approximately 1,700 patient service centers. In addition, it delivers a co-branded electronic health records Lite solution for physician practices. The company works with university, hospital, and academic institutions, such as Duke University, The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Minnesota, and Yale University to license and commercialize new diagnostic tests. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Burlingto n, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Pat Racaniello]

  Laboratory Corporation (LH) is an independent diagnostics firm providing patient testing services. The stock is well below the 50, 100 and 200 day moving averages, near the bottom of the 52 week range of $72.33 - $100.94. LabCorp, as it’s commonly known, has been in a bid to buy the shares of Orchid Cellmark (ORCH), based on its intention to buy out the company’s total shareholding at $2.8 per share; the deal is currently under scrutiny.

  The price earnings ratio is currently at 15.75 times, compared to an industry average of 23.79. On the other side, the return on investment and return on equity are both well ahead of the industry par at 11.87 and 21.79 respectively. Last quarter earnings beat street estimates by $0.06 and total revenues beat estimates by $40 million. The company’s liquidity is in excellent shape considering the industry situation, with an interest coverage ratio of 22 times, compared to an industry par value of just 3 times.

• [By Vita]

  Laboratory Corporation of America (LH),  or LabCorp, is one of the largest independent medical lab operators in the U.S., with more than 1,700 patient service centers that provide everything from run-of-the-mill blood tests to more specialized genoic and oncology testing.

  With analyst sentiment rising in shares of this $8.5 billion firm, it makes sense for investors to give LabCorp a closer look in 2012. In a business where size matters, LabCorp’s scale is a serious advantage — one that provides shareholders with some semblance of an economic moat in an otherwise commoditized business. By and large, patients don’t care where they get their medical tests done; as long as the lab is covered by their insurance, location is the deciding factor. As a result, LabCorp’s hard-to-replicate network makes this business look significantly less attractive to new potential rivals.

  That being said, the massive power wielded by insurance companies is a major concern for firms like LabCorp. Insurers negotiate pricing for lab tests across their networks, giving them pricing power over LH.

  At the same time, though, LabCorp’s push toward more advanced, proprietary tests gives the firm much less exposure to low-margin work and limits the risks of unfavorable insurance company negotiations.

  One big bet on LabCorp comes from Larry Robbins’ Glenview Capital Management; as of the most recently reported quarter, the stock comprised 1.1% of the total portfolio.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Piedmont Natural Gas Company Inc.(PNY)

Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc., an energy services company, engages in the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation customers in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It also operates energy-related businesses, including unregulated retail natural gas marketing, regulated interstate natural gas storage, and intrastate natural gas transportation. The company serves approximately 1 million customers, including 51,800 customers served by municipalities. Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Top 10 Cheapest Companies To Buy For 2014: Questar Corporation(STR)

Questar Corporation operates as an integrated natural gas holding company. The company develops and produces natural gas and crude oil from its properties located in the Rocky Mountain region, primarily in the Pinedale, Moxa Arch, Vermillion, and Uinta producing areas. It also provides interstate natural gas-transportation and underground-storage services in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado; and wellhead automation and measurement services for Rockies oil and gas producers. The company owns and operates approximately 2,568 miles of interstate pipeline with total firm-capacity commitments of 4,983 Mdth per day transporting natural gas from Rocky Mountain producing areas to other pipeline systems, distribution systems, and other utility systems; the Overthrust Pipeline in southwestern Wyoming and the eastern segment of Southern Trails Pipeline, a 487-mile line that extends from the Blanco hub in the San Juan Basin to just inside the California state line near the Arizona border; the White River Hub facilities that connect with 6 interstate-pipeline systems and a processing plant near Meeker, Colorado; the Clay Basin storage facility, an underground-storage reservoir in the Rocky Mountain region; and gathering lines and processing facilities, which provide gas-processing services for third parties near Price, Utah. In addition, it distributes natural gas as a public utility in Utah, southwestern Wyoming, and a small portion of southeastern Idaho. Questar Corporation was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Leeds]

  A growing population (7 billion), and an increasingly sophisticated diet among China and other developing nations have led to rapidly increasing demand for food around the world. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data, China's per capita intake of calories, protein, and fat were below the world average in 1975, but are now well above the world average. Expect this trend to accelerate in China, as well as India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and other developing nations.

  The problem is that there's not even close to enough food, while challenging agricultural environments routinely wipe out crops.

  That's where Monsanto (MON 0.00%) comes in. It enables more food to be produced on smaller parcels of land with less water usage and limited crop loss. Global demand for MON's products and services just keeps growing.  I am expecting its $20 billion in assets and constant net earnings ($1.6 billion in 2011) to translate into further gains in the share price. My price outlook:  $94.

• [By Peter Leeds]

  We are currently seeing currency devaluations from USA to Switzerland and from South Korea to the eurozone. In America in 1960, $1,000 worth of goods would now cost you $7,360, according to the web site MeasuringWorth.com. I expect inflation to continue and, since precious metals are bought in American dollars, I anticipate higher prices for all metals.

  I think Newmont Mining (NEM 0.00%) will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this trend. It is currently producing and selling gold and developing new reserves all over the world. NEM posted net earnings of $2.3 billion in 2010 and currently sits on $29 billion in total assets. I think it could trade up to $89.50.

• [By Peter Leeds]

  Libya without Ghadafi, much like Iraq after the removal of Hussein, will be much less stable. A power vacuum will cause Libya's already divided tribal nation to fragment into warring factions, set on competing for power and settling old scores. Meanwhile, America, Russia, and China will jostle for influence in this oil-rich flashpoint.

  This will create higher oil prices, greater volatility, and a higher risk premium built into costs of the commodity. Due to less reliable overseas oil supplies, America will look to further increase exploration and production from friendlier sources, such as Canada.

  I am expecting Questar (STR 0.00%) to be a big beneficiary of this trend. It is a leading producer and distributor of natural gas to the American domestic market. It is profitable ($36 million in Q3), and had strong 33% growth in third quarter earnings per share, year over year. It also sports a nice 3% dividend. My price outlook: $31.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Cirrus Logic Inc.(CRUS)

Cirrus Logic, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company, develops high-precision analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) for audio and energy markets worldwide. The company offers analog and mixed-signal audio converter and audio digital signal processor (DSP) products, which include analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); digital-to-analog converters (DACs); chips for integrating ADCs and DACs into an IC; digital interface ICs; volume controls; and digital amplifiers, as well as audio DSPs for consumer electronics applications. Its audio products are used in various consumer applications, including portable media players, smartphones, tablets, AVRs, DVD and Blu-ray disc players, home theater systems, set-top boxes, MP3 players, gaming devices, sound cards, and digital televisions; professional applications comprising digital mixing consoles, multitrack digital recorders, and effects processors; automotive applications consisting of amplifiers, satellite radio systems, telematics, and multi-speaker car-audio systems; and networked digital audio applications. The company also provides high-precision analog and mixed-signal ICs for energy control, energy measurement, and energy exploration applications; and ICs, board-level modules, and hybrids under the Apex Precision Power brand name for high-power pulse width modulation (PWM) and power amplifier applications; and proprietary products, which include ADCs, DACs, linear amplifiers, PWM amplifiers, and amplifier ICs; and system reference designs. Its energy products are used in digital utility meters, power supplies, lighting ballasts, motor control, energy exploration, and high-power systems. The company sells its products primarily to through direct sales force, external sales representatives, and distributors. Cirrus Logic, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Apollo Global Management LLC(APO)

Apollo Global Management, LLC is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to pension and endowment funds, institutional investors, individual investors, pooled investment vehicles, and corporations. It manages client focused portfolios, hedge funds, real estate funds, and private equity funds for its clients. The firm invests in the fixed income and alternative investment markets across the globe. Its alternative investments include investment in private equity and real estate markets. The firm's private equity investments include traditional buyouts, distressed buyouts and debt investments, corporate partner buyouts, distressed asset, turnaround, corporate restructuring, special situation, acquisition, and industry consolidation transactions. Its fixed income investments include distressed debt, senior bank loans, and value oriented fixed income securities. The firm seeks to invest in chemicals; commodities; consumer and retail; oil an d gas, metals, mining, agriculture, commodities, distribution and transportation; financial and business services; manufacturing and industrial; media distribution, cable, entertainment, and leisure; energy, packaging and materials; and satellite and wireless. It seeks to invest in companies based in across North America with a focus on United States, and Europe. The firm employs a combination of contrarian, value, and distressed strategies to make its investments. It conducts an in-house research to create its investment portfolio. The firm seeks to acquire minority positions in its portfolio companies. Apollo Global Management, LLC was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in New York, New York with nine additional offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roger]

  Apollo Global Management, LLC. (APO) is trading around $18. APO is an investment management company based in New York. This company recently went public. These shares have traded in a range between $17.65 to $19, since going public. Earnings estimates were not available at Yahoo Finance. The book value is stated to be $1.54. You can see the insider buying here.

  Who is buying at Apollo: The CFO, directors, and an officer at APO bought millions of dollars worth of shares at the initial public offering price of $19 per share. Since these shares are already trading below that level, I would wait to see where this stock finds support before buying a significant amount of shares.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Ima(IMAI.MI)

I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tea, and coffee. The company operates in three segments: Tea, Herbal Tea, and Coffee Packaging; Pharmaceutical Packaging; and Pharmaceutical Processing. The Tea, Herbal Tea, and Coffee Packaging segment offers machines for the packaging of tea and herbal teas in filter bags and coffee in pods; and related services. The Pharmaceutical Packaging segment provides machines for the packaging of pharmaceutical capsules and tablets in blisters and bottles; machines for filling bottles and vials with liquid and powdered products in sterile and non-sterile environments; machines for freeze-drying; machines for cartoning and end-of-line equipment; tube-filling machines for the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, and food industries; and related services. The Pharmaceutical P rocessing segment offers machines for the production of tablets and capsules; machines for coating and fluid bed granulators; and related services. The company also operates in the food and beverage, and personal care packaging activities. I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. sells its products primarily in Italy, European Union, other European countries, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. The company was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Ozzano dell?Emilia, Italy. I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. is a subsidiary of SO.FI.M.A. Societa Finanziaria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Lions Gate Energy Inc (LG.V)

Lions Gate Energy Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metal mineral deposits in Canada. It owns a 100% interest in the El Toro project, a copper-gold-silver property that covers an area of 34,356 hectares in the Omineca mining division of British Columbia. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: GenMark Diagnostics Inc.(GNMK)

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. operates as a molecular diagnostics company primarily in the United States. It focuses on the development and commercialization of multiplexed molecular diagnostic testing systems for the detection and measurement of DNA and RNA targets used in the treatment of patients. The company?s products comprise eSensor XT-8 system, an automated molecular diagnostic system, which enable reference laboratories and hospitals to perform molecular diagnostic tests; and eSensor XT-8 Cartridge that utilizes a microfluidic system to accelerate target binding and enhance time to result. It also offers IVD tests, including eSensor cystic fibrosis genotyping test, eSensor thrombophilia risk test, and eSensor warfarin sensitivity test. The company?s other multiplexed molecular diagnostic tests pipeline under development comprise eSensor 2C19 test for the multiplexed detection and genotyping of various alleles of the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) 2C19 gene locus; eSensor respiratory viral panel, a nucleic acid multiplex test for the simultaneous detection and identification of multiple respiratory virus nucleic acids and mutations that confer resistance of Influenza A to the anti-viral drug Oseltamivir (Tamiflu); and eSensor KRAS/BRAF test for the multiplexed detection and genotyping of 12 mutations in codons 12 and 13 of KRAS and the V600E mutation in BRAF. GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. is headquartered in Carlsbad, California.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Arc Wireless Solutions Inc.(ARCW)

ARC Wireless Solutions, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides wireless network components and solutions in the United States. It is involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of antennas and related wireless communication systems, including cellular base stations, mobiles, cellulars, and flat panel antennas. The company?s products also include global positioning systems; and conformal, portable, and other antennas, as well as antenna accessories. ARC Wireless Solutions, Inc. markets its commercial line of antennas directly to distributors, installers, and retailers of antenna accessories, as well as to commercial, government, and retail markets. It offers its products under the Freedom Antenna Exsite, Omnibase, Parity, Arc Vlpa, Airbase, and And Freedom Blade brand names. The company was formerly known as Antennas America, Inc. and changed its name to ARC Wireless Solutions, Inc. in October 2000. ARC Wireless Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Top 10 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Tex Hdg(TXH.L)

Tex Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the plastic injection molding and tooling procurement primarily in the United Kingdom, Eurozone, and the United States. It also involves in the manufacture and supply of proprietary piling equipment, engineering products, and board and panels. The company operates in three divisions: Engineering, Plastics, and Boards and Panels. The Engineering division designs and manufactures piling and dynamic compaction equipment for the ground engineering sector; manufactures and sells trojan asphalt mixers, road surfacing and associated equipment and spares, mobility scooter stores, allied kiosks and enclosures, industrial gas burners, and springwood white lining equipment; markets and distributes fibertex geotextiles; and provides marine diesel engine and governor rebuilding, parts supply, and technical support. It also engages in the design, manufacture, and installation of air traffic control rooms and radio frequency bl ocking glazing; and design and manufacture of specialist engineering equipment for the in-situ production of battery cast concrete building panels. The Plastics division involves in precision injection molding, and provides assembly and finishing services. The Boards and Panels division provides boards and panels. The company is based in Ipswich, the United Kingdom.