Exclusive: The Most Memorable Day on Wall Street in 50 Years

I recently met up with Art Cashin, director of floor operations at UBS and a regular on CNBC for years, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Cashin has worked on the NYSE for nearly 50 years. I asked an obvious question: What's been the most memorable day during that time? Here's what he had to say (transcript follows):

Morgan Housel: In 50 years, what is your most memorable day here at the New York Stock Exchange?

Arthur Cashin: Well that's a great question. Having, as I said, been through everything from the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy assassination, I would think that not the day of the crash in '87, but the day after the crash in '87 because the day after the crash was when the system almost fell apart. It's not widely known; the day of the crash was somewhat surreal, like an independent movie made somewhere. Things kind of went slow motion on you. You were saying, I know the price, I know the market and I'm still not sure that I fully understand this, but you kept rechecking yourself.

The day after, however, a lot of the banks had solicited the accounts of specialists and dealers on the exchange. When the headlines printed that the market had gone down 22% in one day, the presidents and chairmen of the banks picked up and said, Oh my God, do we have any exposure or liability here? And as sometimes happens in a crisis, they said, Well this looks too large, and even though you might have been clever enough to understand the business that you were in, they at a much higher level didn't understand the detail. All around Wall Street the banks began calling in the dealers and market makers and saying, Your line of credit has been cut off. The dealers would say, Wait a minute. I went through the crash yesterday. I bought when I had to buy, but I sold for a loss right after it to keep me liquid. Why are you...? Well, we just don't know if everybody's going to pay.

So slowly the market began to wither. It had been down 508 points in the crash. You opened up close to 200 points and then they rolled over and they went down another 150 points. You could hear an audible gasp on that floor when those of us who said, Oh my goodness; is this going to happen again?

John Phelan, who was the Chairman at the time, was approached by several of the dealers who said, Our lines of credit are being shut down. He tried to call Mr. Greenspan, who had just been appointed to the New York Fed, and unfortunately he was traveling. He was in a plane somewhere. Phelan tried again and again and finally got a hold of the president of the New York Fed, Gerry Corrigan. Corrigan understood the situation and began calling around and saying to the bank, Reopen those lines of credit. And the bank chairman would say, Well, I have to worry about my stockholders and Corrigan, while I wasn't present for it, I'm sure said, I'm the president of the New York Fed. I will guarantee that you and your shareholders don't lose any money. We've got to keep the markets running. Reopen that account.

And slowly they did and the market turned back up and we closed up on the day. But it is the day that I remember best of all because it was the day that the wheels almost really did come off the locomotive.

The Week Ahead: The Stock Market Is NOT Rigged for Investors

The action in the global markets last week was lost in the uproar over the high frequency trading (HFT) controversy that resulted from the new book by Michael Lewis. Though many of his past books have been good reads, I think his biggest triumph may be the marketing of his latest book.

Last week, you could have almost seen Mr. Lewis 24/7 as the bullet point was that the  "stock market is rigged." This likely caused many regular investors to either call their advisors or to alter their plans to invest in the stock market.

In Monday's column, I expressed my view that this was probably bullish for the stock market, as it would keep bearish sentiment high, as many individual investors would wait to invest. However, I think the focus on rigged markets does a disservice to investors.

As the  NY Times pointed out " But as an investor, high-frequency trading doesn't matter because you're focused on the boring work of buying good things and owning them for a long time." In discussions with veteran traders a year ago, few were concerned about HFT as they had seen little impact on their results.

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This long-term chart of the S&P 500 compares the price index with the total return that reflects the reinvestment of dividends. Though the bear market pullbacks in 2000 and 2008 were severe, the argument for long-term appreciation in the stock market is strong.

This chart is from last August's article from David Blitzer of S&P Dow Jones Indices, who pointed out that "One thousand dollars invested in the S&P 500 at the end of January, 1998 would have been worth $5557 at the end of July, 2013. However, if the dividends were reinvested in the index, the investment would be worth $10,635 by the end of July."

One last comment on what it really means for investors is the generally ignored quote from Mr. Lewis that  "It doesn't follow from the story in the book that you should flee the market." Too bad there wasn't more focus on this comment as the dividend's reinvested chart makes a powerful argument for investing in stocks.

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As the first quarter has ended, the performance of many asset classes has seen some significant changes in just the past two weeks. In the middle of March (see chart), the Vanguard Emerging Markets Index (VWO) has gone from down 1.9% to up over 3% as the performance now matches that of the Spyder Trust (SPY).

In fact, for the year, these two markets and the previously recommended Vanguard European Stock Index (VGK) are all now about even as they are up just over 3%. The SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) has given up more of its gains as it is now up just over 5%. (Editor's Note: This chart does not include Friday's trading.)

Based on the quarterly pivot point analysis, as discussed in last week's Follow the Trend with Quarterly Pivots this may have been an important week for both GLD and the Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX).  Both started the second quarter below their new pivots, but rallied last week to close back above their pivots, suggesting that the worst of their decline may be over.

The bond market, as represented by the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) is still up just over 5% as the yield on the 10-Year T-Note is still locked in it's trading range. The generally bullish job report last Friday should allow the Fed to stay on its tapering course for the near future.

From a technical standpoint, I continue to expect yields to eventually breakout to the upside at some point this year. As I stated a few weeks ago, a strong weekly close in the 10-Year T-Note yield above 3.02% would be an upside breakout and signal a move to the 3.4-3.5% area.

This could be a real problem for those in a high yield mutual fund or ETF bond fund. As the chart indicates, $3.42 billion moved into these instruments in the first quarter. I am afraid that many of the buyers do not fully understand the risk of capital loss in these instruments that could result if yields move significantly higher.

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The ECB decided last week to keep their rate at the same level, despite the low inflation rate and the threat of deflation. One surprising fact was that the yield on the 5-year Spanish bonds dropped below that of the US 5-Year T-Note yield.  Few would have guessed that this was possible a year ago, as it has not occurred since 2007.

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In another important moment for the bond market, Pimco's Bill Gross noted the passing of his fourteen-year old female Maine coon cat named Bob. He can be seen in the picture above watching Bill on TV. It is nice to see that someone who has over $2 trillion assets under management has a heart, as well as a sense of humor.

The economic data was generally positive last week, though the manufacturing data was mixed. The Dallas Fed Survey reflected strong growth while the Chicago PMI did not.  Factory orders were better than expected.

The all-important ISM Manufacturing Index improved from February to 53.7, but was a bit below expectations. The chart shows a slight uptrend but needs to move above the downtrend, line a, to signal strong manufacturing. Of course, a drop below 50 would imply contraction and the chart has important support at line b. The PMI Services Index bounced back nicely after a weak reading in February.

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There is a very light economic calendar this week, with the FOMC minutes on Wednesday with Export Prices and jobless claims on Thursday. On Friday, we get the Producer Price Index as well as the preliminary reading from the University of Michigan on Consumer Sentiment.

The technical outlook for the stock market has improved since the last Week Ahead column, despite the wild action on Friday. The S&P futures rallied about six points in early reaction to the jobs report, but in the fist fifteen minutes of the regular session, it had given up all of those gains.

The selling has been the heaviest again in the Nasdaq and Russell 2000, as the large-cap Dow Industrials have held up better, so far. By early afternoon, the Dow was down 0.47%, while the Nasdaq Composite was down 2.25%.

As I discuss in more detail below, the outlook for the overall market, based on the NYSE Composite, is positive from both a weekly and daily perspective. This suggests that this is a pullback within an uptrend, not the start of a major correction.

Group Wants to Bring Pabst Blue Ribbon Back to Milwaukee

Richard Levine/Alamy MILWAUKEE -- Long before it was known for fine cheddar cheese or the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin was famous for beer, especially the national brands brewed in Milwaukee: Schlitz, Blatz and Pabst Blue Ribbon. The brewing tradition started by Milwaukee's German immigrants in the 1800s endured for more than a century, until industry consolidation in the 1980s and '90s began sending familiar brands to other companies and cities. Now a small group of Milwaukee residents wants to revive part of that proud history by buying Pabst Brewing Co. from a California executive in hopes of returning the brand to its birthplace, possibly as a city-owned brewery. The effort appears to be a distant long shot, requiring hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire the 170-year-old beer best known as PBR. But Milwaukee officials like the idea enough to talk about it, and at least one industry analyst says the plan isn't beyond the realm of possibility. "When I think about Pabst being anywhere else but Milwaukee, it just doesn't make sense," said Susie Seidelman, an organizer of the "Bring Pabst Blue Ribbon Home" effort. "Milwaukee made this beer what it is. ... It's right on the can." The beer, with its pale gold color and light, fizzy taste, has become especially popular over the last decade among urban hipsters, in part because it's one of the cheapest on the market. The company that started in Milwaukee in 1844 is now headquartered in Los Angeles after being bought by food industry executive C. Dean Metropoulos in 2010 for a reported $250 million. Reports surfaced last month suggesting that Pabst might be looking for buyers. Organizers of the group want Metropoulos to give them first rights of sale so they can begin raising money toward any asking price. Pabst representatives wouldn't comment on any potential sale or the efforts to bring the brand back to Milwaukee, saying only that they "are considering financial alternatives" that will help Pabst "aggressively pursue its next phase of growth through strategic acquisitions."

Leave CarMax Stock on the Lot For Now (KMX)

Popular Posts: 5 Stocks Ready to Bloom in SpringGoogle Stock Split Is All Good For GOOG Investors3 Stocks to Buy Now That Spring is In the Air Recent Posts: Here Is Your Guide for Q1 Earnings Season Leave CarMax Stock on the Lot For Now (KMX) Don’t Panic Out of Barnes & Noble Stock Yet View All Posts

Welcome to the Stock of the Day.

Shares of CarMax (KMX) stock retreated after the used automobile retailer reported 9% fourth-quarter sales growth and a billion-dollar increase to its ongoing stock buyback program. Huh? What spooked investors? And is this a buying opportunity for CarMax stock or a sign that CarMax is stopped at a red light?

Find out now.

Company Profile

CarMax is a major retailer of used vehicles in the United States. It also sells vehicles that do not meet its retail standards to licensed dealers through on-site wholesale auctions, as well as sells new vehicles under franchise agreements.

In addition, the company provides customers financing alternatives through its finance operation, CarMax Auto Finance, as well as through its third-party financing providers. At time of writing this, CarMax operates 123 used car superstores in 61 markets. Based in Richmond, Virginia, the company was founded in 1993.

Earnings Rundown

For the fiscal fourth quarter, CarMax earned $99.2 million, or 44 cents per share, on $3.08 billion in sales. Compared with the year ago quarter, this represents 9% annual sales growth and a 7.5% drop in earnings.

Analysts had forecast $3.18 billion in sales so CarMax missed the sales estimate by a hefty margin. Not even the firm’s announcement that it’s boosting its stock buyback program buy $1 billion could restore investor confidence in KMX.

After all, the company is expected to experience margin compression over the next few quarters. Next quarter, the analyst community expects just 9.4% top-line growth and 6.3% bottom-line growth. This is well below the industry average of 45.8% forecast earnings growth.

Current Ratings

Before you buy any stock, you should always run it through my free Portfolio Grader ratings system. When it comes to institutional buying pressure, which measures a stock’s risk-to-return ratio, CarMax stock has it rough. It earns a D for its Quantitative Grade.

Meanwhile, the company could stand to improve some of its fundamental metrics, including operating margin growth (C), earnings momentum (C), and earnings surprises (D). The other five measures currently earn Bs, but that may change once the latest quarterly results are plugged in. KMX receives a C for its Fundamental Grade.

Bottom Line: As of this posting I consider CarMax stock a D-rated Sell.

Would you like to check the fundamentals backing up one of your stocks? For more stock grades, please visit my Portfolio Grader website!

Why Regal Beloit Shares Got Crushed

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of electric motor manufacturer Regal Beloit (NYSE: RBC  ) plummeted 19% today after its quarterly results and guidance missed Wall Street expectations.

So what: The stock has soared over the past year on improving profitability, but today's first-quarter results -- EPS fell 6% while revenue slipped 4% -- coupled with downbeat guidance is forcing Mr. Market to sober up. While the company managed to maintain operating margins, weaker-than-expected demand in the U.S. commercial and industrial market is weighing on revenue, triggering plenty of nervousness about its operating environment going forward.

Now what: Management now sees second-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.19-$1.27, well below Wall Street's view of $1.61. "As we look to the second quarter, sluggish demand in our North American commercial and industrial markets is impacting both our electrical and mechanical segments," Chairman and CEO Mark Glieve cautioned. "To a lesser extent, we are anticipating unfavorable market dynamics in the HVAC channel." Of course, with the stock now off about 30% from its 52-week highs and trading at a P/E in the low teens, those headwinds might finally be baked into the valuation.  

We Went Back to That Dumpy South LA Walmart and Here's What We Found

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- I'm not going to lie. It's a pretty cool feeling ...

A couple months back, we alerted the world to a stench at the Apple (AAPL) Store in Santa Monica. Within days, the company placed air sampling sensors in the store to determine the source of the smell.

While Apple refused to respond to repeated requests for comment, I can tell you that, as of last check, the store doesn't stink anymore.

Then, just last month, TheStreet exposed downright scummy conditions at the Wal-Mart (WMT) Store in South Los Angeles. Again, no official word from the company despite repeated requests for comment, but make no mistake they were listening. I visited the same South LA Walmart Thursday. And, while you can still see and smell the same tackiness and disrepair you'd expect from a Walmart, the most glaring issues from the March visit appear to have been resolved. There are no more shopping carts left sitting in indiscriminate places with garbage bags and random items overflowing. (I used a thesaurus on that last sentence). No more piles of bag packs. And everywhere I looked there were employees stocking shelves; not empty and/or unkempt ones with boxes stacked here and there throughout the store. The folks who claimed "the store was just going through a reset" the first time I was there are wrong. Bottom line -- Walmart was, IMO, neglecting that store. For what reason I don't know. But whatever was going on was unacceptable and a slap in the face to the store's visitors as well as the community, not to mention the rest of the mall's tenants. I heard from several folks who live near this particular Walmart. One claims he's going to try to get the issue on the agenda at the local block club. Apparently, I'm not the only one who has noticed what, according to the response I received, might be a persistent problem. But it's nice to see that Walmart listens. At least to some extent. Even the Walmart "Battery Center" has morphed to fully stocked. Before After Follow @rocco_thestreet --Written by Rocco Pendola in Santa Monica, Calif.

Stock quotes in this article: WMT 

Short Sellers Destroyed As Netflix Stock Soars -- Now What?

Nearly 14% of Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX  ) stock was sold short heading into the Q1 earnings report. The bad news for these bears: Shares rallied more than 20% (again!) after the streaming sensation reported blowout earnings.

Revenue climbed 17.7% to $1.02 billion while per-share earnings rose to $0.31, well above the $0.18 analysts were calling for. What's more, 3 million new members joined around the world, reaffirming Netflix's position as the leading streaming supplier, says Tim Beyers of Motley Fool Rule Breakers and Motley Fool Supernova in the following interview with The Motley Fool's Erin Miller.

Guidance also came in ahead of expectations, while revenue is expected to once again be around $1 billion or slightly above. Meanwhile, Coinstar (NASDAQ: OUTR  ) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ  ) are still trying to get traction for Redbox Instant as Hulu's owners struggle with a lowball offer for the service. Among competitors, only Amazon.com seems like a genuine threat. Call Netflix expensive if you'd like, but selling the stock short is just too dangerous, Tim says.

Can anyone beat Netflix? Please watch this short video to get Tim's full take, and then leave a comment to let us know whether you'd buy, sell, or short Netflix stock now, and why.

For further analysis of how Netflix is changing entertainment, tune into our newest premium research report, in which we take you inside Netflix's entertainment empire and tell you what the streaming sensation is really worth, and whether the stock deserves a place in your portfolio. Access your report now by clicking here.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Riverbed Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVBD) is flush with news announcements today. The information technology services provider rejected a takeover bid, and pre-announced preliminary, fourth quarter fiscal-year 2013 results.

Riverbed Technology, Inc. provides solutions to the fundamental problems associated with information technology (IT) performance across wide area networks (WANs) in the United States and internationally.

The company says good things are happening at the tech company, at least better than expected. Management upped guidance to Non-GAAP revenue for Q4'13 in the range of $284 million to $285 million, compared to the company's previous guidance of $270 million to $276 million. Non-GAAP earnings are expected to be in the range of $0.30 to $0.31 per diluted share, versus previous guidance of $0.26 to $0.27 per diluted share.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: SK Telecom Corporation Ltd.(SKM)

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. provides wireless telecommunications services using code division multiple access (CDMA) and wide-band CDMA technologies. It offers cellular voice services, such as wireless voice transmission services; and wireless global roaming services. The company also provides wireless data transmission services, such as wireless Internet access services, which allow subscribers to access online digital contents and services, as well as to send and receive text and multimedia messages. In addition, it offers broadband Internet and fixed-line telephone services, such as video-on-demand and IP TV services; and local, domestic, and international long-distance fixed-line telephone services to residential and commercial subscribers. Further, the company provides wireless entertainment-related contents and services, wireless finance-related contents and m-commerce services, and wireless news and search services; and international calling services, such as direct-dial, pre and post paid card calling services, bundled services for corporate customers, voice services using Internet protocol, Web-to-phone services, and data services. Additionally, it offers satellite digital media broadcasting services; telematics services; and fixed-line and online community portal services. The company also operates 11th Street, an online shopping mall; and T Store, an online open marketplace for mobile applications. As of March 31, 2011, SK Telecom Co. had 26 million wireless subscribers. It has strategic alliances with Bridge Alliance; Orange SA; Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A.; T-Mobile International AG & Co; and Teliasonera Mobile Networks AB. The company was formerly known as Korea Mobile Telecommunications Co., Ltd. and changed its name to SK Telecom Co., Ltd. in March 1997. SK Telecom Co., Ltd. was founded in 1984 and is based in Seoul, South Korea.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Neiger]

  SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM  ) launched the world's first 4G LTE-Advanced network in South Korea today, providing the fastest available data speeds for the same price as 4G LTE.�

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Syneron Medical Ltd. (ELOS)

Syneron Medical Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, manufacture, development, marketing, and sale of aesthetic medical products worldwide. The company develops products based on its proprietary Electro-Optical Synergy (ELOS) technology, which uses the synergy between electrical energy and optical energy to provide aesthetic medical treatments. Its products target a range of non-invasive aesthetic medical procedures, including hair removal, wrinkle reduction, rejuvenation of the skin�s appearance through the treatment of superficial benign vascular and pigmented lesions, acne treatment, treatment of leg veins, treatment for the temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite and thigh circumference, ablation and resurfacing of the skin, laser-assisted lipolysis, and topical skin brightening products. It also develops, manufactures, and markets non-invasive technologies for fat cell destruction and body sculpting; and Viador system, a handheld device with a radiofrequency-needle array for use in transdermal delivery of biologic drug-products via a system-specific skin patch. The company sells its products to dermatologists, plastic and cosmetic surgeons, other qualified practitioners, and aestheticians and medical spas through direct sales force and distributors; and to home-use consumers directly, as well as through retailers and a chain of distributors. Syneron Medical Ltd. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Yokneam Illit, Israel.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Syneron Medical (NASDAQ: ELOS  ) has put a familiar person on its CEO throne. The company named Shimon Eckhouse as its new chief executive, effective immediately. He succeeds Louis Scafuri, who will "remain available" to the firm through the current quarter to aid in the transition.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Syneron Medical (Nasdaq: ELOS  ) reported earnings on May 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Syneron Medical met expectations on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Hot Stocks To Own For 2014: Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund (VTA)

Van Kampen Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund (the Fund) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund focuses to invest primarily in loan and debt instruments (and loan-related or debt-related instruments) (collectively, credit securities) of issuers that operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions located throughout the world. The Fund's investment adviser is Van Kampen Asset Management (the Adviser). The Fund's investment subadviser is Avenue Europe International Management, L.P. (the Subadviser).

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in any combination of credit securities, including senior secured floating rate and fixed-rate loans (Senior Loans); second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed-rate loans or debt, and other debt obligations, including high-yield, high-risk obligations (such as securities that are rated below investment grade by a nationally recognized credit rating organization or unrated securities that are deemed to be of comparable quality). The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets in structured products, including collateralized debt and loan obligations (collectively, structured products). The Fund may also invest in swaps, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swaps. To the extent that the Fund invests in structured products or swaps that adjust exposure to credit securities, such investments will be counted for purposes of the Fund's 80% policy.

The Fund may invest in credit securities of any credit quality, and may invest without limitation in obligations below investment grade. Any of the Fund's investments may be issued by non-stressed, stressed and distressed issuers, including issuers in bankruptcy, provided that with respect to the portion of the Fund's assets to be managed by the Subadviser, the Subadviser will generally not invest in securities that at the time of investment have a total! yield above the applicable Avenue-Credit Thresholds. The Fund may invest in credit securities of any maturity or duration, and although the Fund will not be managed for maturity or duration, given the nature of the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's portfolio will likely have a low average duration (generally, four years or less). In addition, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities obtained through debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings. The Fund may utilize credit securities derivative instruments.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Harry Domash, Publisher, DividendDetective and Winning Investing]

  If you're worried about rising interest rates then Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities, ticker (VTA), invests in below investment-grade floating rate bank loans. In other words, these are called senior loans.

  They're bank loans that adjust their payouts based on prevailing interest rates, so if interest rates go up, these loans will pay higher dividends, so this is a good hedge if you are concerned about rising interest rates.

  Another one that's really performed, and it's paying a 6.9% yield right now, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities, ticker (GOF), that's actually Claymore Guggenheim, holds corporate and government backed, that it's mostly investment-grade and it's paying a 10.1% yield right now, which is pretty high. Those are three that I could recommend right now.

  Steven Halpern: Well, we really appreciate you joining us today and sharing your expertise. Thank you.

  Harry Domash: You're welcome.

  Subscribe to the Dividend Detective here...

• [By John Dowdee]

  The following 10 funds satisfied all of these conditions:

  BlackRock Float Rate Strategies (FRA). This CEF sells at a discount of 3%, which is low compared to an average premium of 2% over the past year. The distribution has been managed at 6.1% and a small amount (less than 10%) has been return of capital (ROC). However, this has not negatively affected net asset value (NAV) so has not been destructive. The fund holds 447 securities, with 90% in floating rate loans. FRA utilizes 27% leverage and has an expense ratio of 1.7%, including interest payments. Eaton Vance Floating Rate (EFR). This CEF sells at a 1% premium, which is low compared to an average premium of 5% over the past year. The distribution is 6.2%, none of which was ROC. The fund holds 800 securities, with 90% in floating rate loans. About 85% of the securities are from U.S. companies. EFR utilizes 35% leverage and has an expense ratio of 1.8% including interest payments. ING Prime Rate Trust (PPR). This CEF sells for a premium of 2%, which is below the average premium of 5%. It has a distribution of 6.8%, none of which was ROC. The fund has 350 holdings, virtually all in senior loans and from US companies. PPR utilizes 29% leverage and has a high expense ratio of 2.1%, including interest payments. Invesco VK Dynamic Credit Opportunities (VTA). This CEF sells for a discount of 5%, which is below the average discount of 1%. It has a distribution of 7.1%, none of which was ROC. The fund has 495 holdings, with 76% in floating rate loans. About 25% of the loans are from non-US companies. VTA utilizes a relatively low 20% leverage but still has a high expense ratio of 2.1%, including interest payments. Invesco VK Senior Income (VVR). This CEF sells for a discount of 1%, which is below the average premium of 3%. It has a distribution of 7.1%, none of which was ROC. The fund has over 500 holdings, with 89% in floating rate loans. Almost all (95%) securities are from US companies. VVR ut

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Shaw Communications Inc.(SJR)

Shaw Communications Inc., a diversified communications company, provides broadband cable television, Internet, digital phone, telecommunications, and satellite direct-to-home (DTH) services primarily in Canada and the United States. It offers cable television services, including analog and digital video services with access to HD channels, premium and VOD channels, music channels, and an interactive program guide. The company provides high speed Internet access services to residential and small business subscribers, as well as various Internet services for small and medium sized business customers. Its digital phone services include local and long distance calling, as well as calling features. The company also manages fiber network that serves as the primary Internet backbone for its broadband Internet customers, and provides Internet, data, and voice connectivity services to large and medium businesses, and other organizations. In addition, it distributes digital video an d audio signals to residences and businesses; and redistributes television and radio signals via satellite to cable and other operators, as well as provides uplink and network management services for conventional, specialty, and pay broadcasters on a contract basis. Further, the company provides satellite tracking and messaging services to the trucking industry, as well as integrates and manages satellite data networks with land-based telecommunications; and owns and leases satellite transponders that receive and amplify digital signals and transmit them to receiving dishes located within the footprint covered by the satellite. It serves approximately 3 million customers. The company was formerly known as Capital Cable Television Co. Ltd. Shaw Communications was founded in 1966 and is based in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  Shaw Communications Inc. (SJR) provides broadband cable television, Internet, home phone, telecommunication, and satellite direct-to-home services in Canada and the United States. Yield: 4.1%

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Canadian cable TV provider�Shaw Communications� (NYSE: SJR  ) announced yesterday�three months of dividend payments on its Class A and Class B stock. It said the payouts would be $0.085 per share on the Class B shares and�$0.084792�per share on the Class A shares.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Vulcan Materials Company(VMC)

Vulcan Materials Company engages in the production and sale of construction aggregates, as well as asphalt mix, ready-mixed concrete, and cement primarily in the United States. The company operates in four segments: Aggregates, Concrete, Asphalt Mix, and Cement. The Aggregates segment produces construction aggregates, which principally include crushed stone, sand, and gravel. Its aggregates are used in public and private sector construction projects, including highways, airports, water and sewer systems, industrial manufacturing facilities, and residential and nonresidential buildings, as well as railroad track ballast. The Concrete segment produces and sells ready-mixed concrete in California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia; and block and pre-cast beams, as well as resells purchased building materials for use with ready-mixed concrete and concrete block. The Asphalt Mix segment produces and sells asphalt mix in Arizona, Californi a, and Texas. The Cement segment produces and sells Portland and masonry cement in bulk and bags to the concrete products industry. This segment also imports cement, clinker, and slag to resell and export, as well as to blend, bag, or reprocess into specialty cements. In addition, this segment mines, produces, and sells calcium products for the animal feed, paint, plastics, water treatment, and joint compound industries. The company was formerly known as Virginia Holdco, Inc. and changed its name to Vulcan Materials Company in November 2007. Vulcan Materials Company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sue Chang and Ben Eisen]

  Vulcan Materials Co. (VMC) �shares rose 8.5% after the construction-material company said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit rose to 8 cents a share from 3 cents a share a year ago.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Vulcan Materials (NYSE: VMC  ) has elected to maintain its dividend. The company declared a quarterly common stock distribution of $0.01 per share, to be paid on Sept. 10 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 28. That amount matches each of the company's disbursements stretching back to December 2011.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Vulcan Materials (VMC) have surged today after the sand and gravel maker reported better-than-forecast earnings driven by sales of concrete and cement.

  Getty Images

  Shares of Vulcan have gained 7.6%, and given a lift to other cement makers today, including Martin Marietta Materials (MLM), which has risen 4.9% and reports earnings on Thursday, Cemex (CX), which has advanced 1.5%, and Texas Industries (TXI), which is up 4.9%.

  The Associated Press has the details on Vulcan’s earnings beat:

  For the three months ended Sept. 30, Vulcan Materials Co. earned $41.4 million, or 31 cents per share. Last year, it earned $14.3 million, or 11 cents per share.

  The 2012 third quarter was weighed down by some restructuring charges and exchange offer costs. The recent quarter did not have any of these charges or costs.

  The latest quarter also benefited from a bigger gain on the sale of property, equipment and other items than a year ago.

  Earnings from continuing operations were 32 cents per share for the recent quarter.

  Revenue increased 13 percent to $775.2 million from $687.6 million.

  Analysts, on average, expected earnings of 26 cents per share on revenue of $750.7 million, according to FactSet.

  Sterne Agee’s Todd Vencil and�Kevin Bennett hone in on pricing:

  Pricing wasn�� quite as strong as management had guided, but we don�� think that is an indication of negative demand trends…

  We’re not concerned that the relative softness in price growth represents a negative indicator for demand. A number of factors, including shifts in geographic and product mix, could easily account for the change…

  And by the looks of things, neither are investors.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC (NKA)

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC owns and operates natural gas storage assets in North America. It owns or contracts for approximately 185.5 billion cubic feet of total gas storage capacity. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities in Alberta, Canada, as well as in northern California and Oklahoma, the United States. Its gas storage customers include financial institutions, producers, marketers, power generators, pipelines, and municipalities. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Emma O��rien]

  S&P 500 futures lost 0.8 percent by 7:22 a.m. in Tokyo, after the measure slid 1.1 percent last week in its first decline this month. Contracts on Australia�� S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 0.2 percent and Nikkei 225 Stock Average (NKA) futures lost 0.5 percent by 3 a.m. in Osaka. The greenback retreated 0.3 percent to 97.91 yen, while U.S. Treasury futures climbed. West Texas Intermediate oil and copper futures sank 0.8 percent.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Shire PLC (SHPG)

Shire plc (Shire), incorporated on January 28, 2008, is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, human genetic therapies (HGT) and regenerative medicine (RM), as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas. As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� products included VYVANSE/VENVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), ADDERALL XR (mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine), INTUNIV (extended release guanfacine), EQUASYM (methylphenidate hydrochloride) modified release (XL), LIALDA (mesalamine)/ MEZAVANT(mesalazine), PENTASA (mesalamine), RESOLOR (prucalopride), FOSRENOL (lanthanum carbonate), XAGRID (anagrelide hydrochloride), REPLAGAL (agalsidase alfa), ELAPRASE (idursulfase), VPRIV (velaglucerase alfa), FIRAZYR (icatibant) and DERMAGRAFT(Human Fibroblast-Derived Dermal Substitute). As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� products under development included INTUNIV (extended release guanfacine), VYVANSE/VENVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), INTUNIV, Guanfacine Carrier Wave, LIALDA (mesalamine)/MEZAVANT (mesalazine), RESOLOR (prucalopride), RESOLOR (prucalopride), SPD 557(M0003), XAGRID, VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), REPLAGAL (agalsidase alfa), HGT-4510, HGT-2310, HGT-1410, HGT-1110, HGT-3010, and DERMAGRAFT. On January 31, 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved VYVANSE for the maintenance treatment of ADHD in adults. In March 2013, it announced the acquisition Of Premacure AB. In January 2014, Shire Plc sold its DERMAGRAFT assets to Organogenesis Inc. In January 2014, Shire Plc acquired 79.5% interest in ViroPharma Inc.

VANSE/ VENVANSE

VYVANSE is a New Chemical Entity (NCE) and is the pro-drug stimulant for the treatment of ADHD, where the amino acid l-lysine is linked to d-amphetamine. VYVANSE is therapeutically inactive until metabolized in the body. The United Stat! es Food and Drug Administration approved VYVANSE as a once-daily treatment for children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD in February 2007, for adults in April 2008 and for adolescents aged 13 to 17 in November 2010. VYVANSE is available in the United States in six dosage strengths: 20 milligram, 30 milligram, 40 milligram, 50 milligram, 60 milligram and 70 milligram. Health Canada approved VYVANSE for the treatment of ADHD in pediatric patients aged 6 to 12 in February 2009, and for adolescents and adults in November 2010. In April 2012, ANVISA, the Brazilian health authority, granted marketing authorization approval for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of ADHD in children aged 6-12.

ADDERALL XR

ADDERALL XR is an extended release treatment for ADHD, which uses MICROTROL drug delivery technology and is designed to provide once-daily dosing. It is available in 5 milligram, 10 milligram, 15 milligram, 20 milligram, 25 milligram and 30 milligram capsules and can be administered either as a capsule or sprinkled on soft food. The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved ADDERALL XR as a once-daily treatment for children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD, for adults in and for adolescents aged 13 to 17. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (Teva) and Impax Laboratories, Inc. (Impax) commenced commercial shipment of their authorized generic versions of ADDERALL XR in April and October 2009, respectively. Shire receives royalties from Impax�� sales of authorized generic ADDERALL XR.

INTUNIV

INTUNIV is a selective alpha-2A receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of ADHD. Alpha-2A-adrenoceptors strengthen working memory networks by inhibiting cAMP-HCN channel signalling in the prefrontal cortex (Cell. 2007; 129:397-410). INTUNIV is non-scheduled and has no known potential for abuse or dependence. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved INTUNIV in September 2009, as a once-daily monotherapy treatment of ADHD in children and adolesce! nts aged ! 6 to 17. It is available in 1 milligram, 2 milligram, 3 milligram and 4 milligram tablets.

EQUASYM

Shire has acquired from UCB the worldwide rights (excluding the United States, Canada and Barbados) to EQUASYM (methylphenidate hydrochloride) IR and XL for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. At December 31, 2012,EQUASYM XL was commercially available in 10 countries in 10mg, 20mg and 30mg strengths. EQUASYM XL is marketed in Mexico and South Korea under the trade name METADATE CD.

LIALDA/MEZAVANT

LIALDA is indicated for the induction ofmild to moderately active UC and for the maintenance of remission of UC. The addition of the indication for maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis was approved by Health Canada in February 2011, and by the United States Food and Drug Administration in July 2011. LIALDA is once-daily oral formulation of mesalamine indicated for the induction and maintenance of remission. As of December 31, 2012, LIALDA/MEZAVANT (this product is marketed outside the United States as MEZAVANT) was commercially available in 19 countries either directly or through distributor arrangements.

PENTASA

PENTASA controlled release capsules are approved in the United States (marketed by Shire in the United States and by Ferring outside of the United States) and indicated for the induction of remission and for the treatment of patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. PENTASA is an ethylcellulose-coated, controlled release capsule formulation designed to release therapeutic quantities of mesalamine throughout the gastrointestinal tract. PENTASA is available in the United States in 250 milligram and 500 milligram capsules.

RESOLOR

RESOLOR (prucalopride), a 5-HT4 receptor agonists that stimulates gastrointestinal motility and acts primarily on different parts of the lower gastrointestinal tract (enterokinetic). In October 2009, RESOLOR was appr! oved by t! he EMA throughout the European Union as a once daily oral treatment for symptomatic treatment of chronic constipation in women in whom laxatives fail to provide adequate relief. In July 2010, Swissmedic granted RESOLOR marketing authorization in Switzerland for the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation in adults. RESOLOR is available in milligram and 2 milligram dose strengths, both for once-daily dosing. At December 31, 2012, RESOLOR was available in six European Union countries. Formulated as a chewable tablet, FOSRENOL is available in 500 milligram, 750 milligram and 1,000 milligram dosage strengths.

XAGRID

XAGRID (anagrelide hydrochloride) is marketed in Europe for the reduction of elevated platelet counts in at-risk ET patients. XAGRID has been granted orphan drug status in the European Union. In the United States, anagrelide hydrochloride is sold by the Company under the name AGRYLIN for the treatment of thrombocythemia secondary to a MPD.

REPLAGAL

REPLAGAL is for the treatment of Fabry disease. Fabry disease is a genetic disorder resulting from a deficiency in the activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A, which is involved in the breakdown of fats. REPLAGAL is a human alpha-galactosidase A protein made in human cells that replaces the deficient alpha-galactosidase A with an active enzyme to ameliorate certain clinical manifestations of Fabry disease. At December 31, 2012, REPLAGAL was approved in 46 countries.

ELAPRASE

ELAPRASE is a treatment for Hunter syndrome (also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II or MPS II). Hunter syndrome is a genetic disorder mainly affecting males that interferes with the body's ability to break down and recycle waste substances called mucopolysaccharides, also known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). ELAPRASE was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and granted marketing authorization by the EMA for the long term treatment of patients with Hunter ! syndrome.! ELAPRASE has been granted orphan drug by both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the EMA. ELAPRASE received approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. At December 31, 2012, ELAPRASE was approved in 51 countries.

VPRIV

VPRIV is a treatment for Type 1 Gaucher disease. Gaucher disease is an inherited genetic disorder, which results in a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase. VPRIV was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in February 2010, for the long-term treatment of patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease. The EMA approved the marketing authorization for the use of VPRIV in August 2010. VPRIV was authorized as an orphan medicine through the Centralised Procedure in Europe. At December 31, 2012, VPRIV was approved in 38 countries.

FIRAZYR

FIRAZYR is a peptide-based therapeutic developed for the symptomatic treatment of acute attacks of HAE. In July 2008 the EMA granted marketing authorization throughout the European Union for the use of FIRAZYR for the symptomatic treatment of acute attacks of HAE, and in May 2011 approved FIRAZYR for self-administration after training in subcutaneous injection technique by a healthcare professional. In August 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted marketing approval for FIRAZYR in the United States for treatment of acute attacks of HAE in adults aged 18 and older. After injection training, patients may self-administer FIRAZYR. FIRAZYR has been granted orphan drug by both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the EMA. At December 31, 2012, FIRAZYR was approved in 38 countries globally.

DERMAGRAFT

DERMAGRAFT is a bio-engineered skin substitute that assists in restoring damaged tissue. DERMAGRAFT is indicated for use in the treatment of full-thickness Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) greater than six weeks in duration, which extend through the dermis, but without tendon, muscle, joint capsu! le, or bo! ne exposure. DERMAGRAFT is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a Class III medical device for the treatment of DFUs. DERMAGRAFT is also approved for the treatment of DFUs in South Africa, Israel and Singapore.

The Company competes with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, Medice, Eli Lilly, Warner Chilcott, Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ARYx Therapeutics, Theravance, Inc., Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Albireo, Actelion Ltd., Protalix BioTherapeutics Inc, Genzyme, CSL Behring, Pharming Group N.V., ViroPharma, Dyax Corporation, Organogenesis, Healthpoint, Soluble System, KCI, Smith & Nephew, Aurobindo and Apotex.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]
  Viropharma Inc. An international biopharmaceutical company, Viropharma has a pipeline focused on providing patients and physicians with new therapeutic alternatives for unmet medical needs where there are few treatment options available. In mid-September, Viropharma was soaring thanks to buyout rumors. Specifically, unnamed sources�have said that Viropharma was working with the Goldman Sachs Group Inc after attracting interest from suitors that include European drugmakers Sanofi SA (NYSE: SNY), which has been expanding into treatments of rare diseases since its 2010 acquisition of Genzyme Inc,�and Shire PLC (NASDAQ: SHPG), which develops treatments for rare illnesses such as Fabry disease. However, it should be noted that Deutsche Bank sees ViroPharma's base case valuation�at $38 per share, but the company's full value could be as high as $52 per share if the potential buyer has a Hereditary Angioedema sales force already in place. Bloomberg has since reported that the�JMP Group Inc. now says Viropharma could fetch as much as $60 a share while Akiva Felt of Oppenheimer has estimated the�company could fetch as much as $50 a share in a competitive bidding situation. On Monday, small cap Viropharma rose 0.26% to $39.26 (VPHM has a 52 week trading range of $22.12 to $40.89 a share) for a market cap of $2.57 billion plus the stock is up 76.5% since the start of the year, up 30% over the past year and up 186.1% over the past five years.

• [By Anna Prior]

  Shire(SHPG) PLC has agreed to buy ViroPharma for $4.2 billion, extending its bet on the market for medicines treating rare diseases. The purchase price of $50 a share is a 27% premium to ViroPharma’s closing share price on Friday and a 64% premium to the price in September before speculation of a deal emerged. Shire’s American depositary shares rose 3.7% to $139.36 premarket, while ViroPharma’s shares jumped 26% to $49.58.

• [By Alexander Maxwell]

  The market for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers has been growing and larger companies have been taking notice. Many large pharmaceutical companies have their own treatments for chronic diabetic foot ulcers. The space has also caused some major acquisitions. In 2011, Shire� (NASDAQ: SHPG  ) acquired�a drug called Dermagraft for the treatment of slow-healing diabetic foot ulcers, through its $750 million acquisition of�Advanced BioHealing. Dermagraft has been a rather lucrative product for Shire, with $153.8 million in sales�last year. As the market continues to grow, I would look for more partnerships with large pharmaceutical companies, and of course more research and development dollars being devoted toward the chronic diabetic foot ulcers indication.

• [By George Budwell]

  Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPG  ) is in the process of buying orphan drug-specialist ViroPharma (NASDAQ: VPHM  ) for $4.2 billion, strengthening Shire's already robust commercial drug portfolio for rare diseases. The deal is expected to be finalized no later than Jan. 9, after Shire extended its tender offer to acquire all outstanding ViroPharma shares last week.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Bridgepoint Education Inc (BPI)

Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (Bridgepoint), incorporated in May 1999, is a provider of postsecondary education services. The Company�� academic institutions include Ashford University and University of the Rockies. Its institutions deliver programs primarily online, as well as at their traditional campuses. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had 86,642 total students enrolled in its institutions. Bridgepoint�� institutions conduct ongoing faculty and student assessment processes and provide a range of student services. The Company is also focused on developing new technologies, such as through Waypoint Outcomes, Constellation, and the development of its institutions' mobile learning platforms. The Company has developed Constellation to replace third party textbooks with digital course materials. Constellation materials are displayed in a browser-based platform. In January 2012, Bridgepoint introduced Thuze.

Ashford University offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor's degree programs at its campus in Clinton, Iowa. Ashford University consists of four colleges: the College of Business and Professional Studies, the College of Education, the College of Health, Human Services and Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts. University of the Rockies is a graduate institution that offers master's and doctoral degree programs in the social and behavioral sciences. Classes at University of the Rockies are presented in a progressive online format, as well as at its campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Waypoint Outcomes provides learning and assessment software to K-12 and higher education institutions nationwide.

Constellation provides mobile access to students over the Internet, as well as on a variety of devices, including Web-enabled smartphones and tablet devices. Constellation is a cloud-based and is compatible across operating systems, browsers and mobile technologies. The Company has developed Constellation-enabled courses pri! marily in core classes to reach students. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 76% of Bridgepoint�� institutions' students had taken a Constellation-enabled course. As of December 31, 2011, it had 32 Constellation titles available. Thuze is a cloud-based, multi-platform, collaborative learning environment for students to interact with their course digital materials and with each other. Thuze provides students with the resources to work from both their desktop computers and also from their tablets and smartphones. It launched Thuze as a pilot program with publishers in higher education. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company deployed new mobile application technology at Ashford University. The Company has online students from all 50 states and from the District of Columbia. It has students from 69 different countries. As of December 31, 2011, over 34,400 students have graduated from the Company�� institutions, with approximately 15,200 students graduating from its institutions, during 2011.

Students finance their education at the Company's institutions through Title IV programs and Non-Title IV funding sources. Title IV programs includes The Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and Federal Direct Loan Programs. FFEL and Federal Direct Loan Programs consist of two loans: Stafford loans, which are either subsidized or unsubsidized, and PLUS loans, which are made available to graduate and professional students, as well as parents of dependent undergraduate students. Non-Title IV funding sources include other funding sources, which consist of cash, private loans, state grants, corporate reimbursement, military benefits and institutional loans. The Company has engaged Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS) to provide call center and transactional processing services for the online financial aid student populations at its institutions, including services related to disbursement eligibility review and Title IV fund returns. If Bridgepoint�� engagement with ACS were terminate! d, it wou! ld handle these processing services using its own resources or engage another third party vendor.

The Company�� institutions provide student support services, including academic, administrative and technology support. As of December 31, 2011, Bridgepoint�� institutions offered approximately 1,430 courses, 85 degree programs and 140 specializations. Its institutions offer programs and specialization areas through Ashford University's four colleges: the College of Business and Professional Studies; the College of Education; the College of Health, Human Services and Science; and the College of Liberal Arts, and through the University of the Rockies' two schools: the School of Organizational Leadership and the School of Professional Psychology. The Company�� leads are primarily generated from online sources. Its main source of leads is third party online lead aggregators. It also purchases keywords from search providers to generate online leads directly. In addition, the Company has an in-house team focused on generating online leads.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jim Royal]

  Earlier this week, Bridgepoint Education (NYSE: BPI  ) revealed that the Western Association of Schools and Colleges had approved the company's Ashford University application for accreditation for five years. Investors had been concerned about this accreditation issue for the last year or so, and shares jumped on the news. They're now up about 50% from where my Special Situations portfolio bought in late April.

• [By Jim Royal]

  One of my favorite reasons to reinvest in stocks I already own is when an uncertain, but favorable catalyst occurs, but the stock does little. So my Special Situations portfolio is adding $1,000 to each of the following three stocks: Cincinnati Bell (NYSE: CBB  ) , Bridgepoint Education (NYSE: BPI  ) , and First Financial Northwest (NASDAQ: FFNW  ) . Read on to see why.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Pinecrest Energy Inc (PNCGF.PK)

Pinecrest Energy Inc. (Pinecrest), formerly Antler Creek Energy Corp., is a Canada-based junior oil and gas exploration company. Pinecrest is engaged in the acquisition, exploitation and development of petroleum and natural gas-related assets primarily in Western Sedimentary Basin. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 (fiscal 2010), Pinecrest was engaged in two (0.4 net) wells that were drilled in the southeast Saskatchewan Bakken. On July 14, 2010, the Company acquired the Loon Properties. On July 14, 2010, Pinecrest acquired the Red Earth #1 Properties. On July 15, 2010, the Company acquired the Red Earth #2 Properties. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MLP Trader]

  Here are the current top five companies in the list:

  CompanySymbolEV/BOEPD/NetbackPrice/NAVEV/DACFPinecrest(PNCGF.PK)53564%4.0XLightstream(LSTMF.PK)131753%4.5XNovus(NOVUF.PK)133290%4.1XZargon(ZARFF.PK)138664%5.6XTwin Butte(TBTEF.PK)155885%5.5X

  Of the larger companies, one that remains obstinately near the top of the list is Lightstream . Lightstream trades at 40% of its book value and a whopping 13.4% yield.

Top 10 Information Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Alterra Capital Holdings Ltd(ALTE)

Alterra Capital Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides specialty insurance and reinsurance products to corporations, public entities, and property and casualty insurers in North America, Europe, and internationally. It offers professional liability products, which include errors and omissions insurance, employment practices liability insurance, and directors and officers insurance; excess liability products, such as excess umbrella liability insurance, excess product liability insurance, excess medical malpractice insurance, and excess product recall insurance; and property insurance, as well as provides airline, general aviation, and aerospace insurance. The company also offers reinsurance products consisting of agriculture, auto, aviation, credit/surety, general casualty, marine and energy, medical malpractice, professional liability, property, whole account, and workers? compensation reinsurance. In addition, it offers general liability, inland mari ne, and ocean marine insurance; accident and health insurance and reinsurance, financial institutions insurance, and surety reinsurance; and employers? and public liability insurance, and medical malpractice insurance, as well as life and annuity reinsurance. The company was formerly known as Max Capital Group Ltd. and changed its name to Alterra Capital Holdings Limited in May 2010. Alterra Capital Holdings Limited was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Steve Symington]

  About that whale...
  If that weren't enough, Markel also announced this morning it has officially completed its $3 billion acquisition of Alterra (NASDAQ: ALTE  ) , which, as I noted back in February, was a radical departure from Markel's typically smaller buyout targets. While it will undoubtedly take some time to fully integrate Alterra's operations, management expressed excitement for Alterra's ability to help Markel expand its global footprint in the insurance and reinsurance market.

ZBB Energy Turns the Corner (ZBB, FCEL, BLDP, PLUG)

Back on March 11th, yours truly opined that the wild bullishness that had carried names like ZBB Energy Corporation (NYSEMKT:ZBB), Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUG), FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:FCEL), and Ballard Power Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:BLDP) to triple digit gains (in just a few days) was coming to a close, and taking profits on any and all of these stocks would be a good idea. It was an idea that went over like a lead balloon, judging from the responses I got. How ridiculous of me to turn bearish on those names! FCEL, PLUG, ZBB, and BLDP were all flying high, and obviously since they soared over the course of the two weeks leading up to that date, they could only keep going higher forever.

Well, I hate to be the one to say I told you so, but, I told you so. All four stocks hit their short-term peaks that day. Since then, Ballard Power Systems were down 54% at one point. ZBB Energy shares were 66% off their March 11th peak price just yesterday. Plug Power shares fell 54% over the week and a half after that day. And, FuelCell Energy shares gave up 46% in just a few days after peaking on the 11th.

I don't bring these names - or my call - up again to pat myself on the back. I'm bringing them up again simply to say, if I was right about the whole shebang then, I may be right about the new bullish call I'm making on all of them now, and on one of them in particular... ZBB Energy Corporation.

It's not just a shot in the dark either - there's a specific reason I like ZBB here and now, despite a notable lack of bullish news. The chart of ZBB Energy has dropped a key hint that all the sellers have been flushed out, and that the buyers are starting to trickle back in.

It's actually a three-part clue, with each daily bar for the past three days (counting today). On Monday, ZBB opened near its high for the day, then closed at the low, hitting a new low in the process. The second day - Tuesday - was the pivot. The open and the close were right in line with each other, and right in the middle of the daily bar.... suggesting an equilibrium between the sellers and the buyers (unlike Monday, which was all bearish). The clincher is today's bullishness - a mirror image of Monday's bearish exhaustion, and a confirmation that Tuesday's bar was indeed a pivot from a downtrend into an uptrend.

The proverbial "gravy" is the fact that today's volume behind the gain is already on pace to be the most volume we've seen for ZBB Energy Corporation since the 14th, when the pullback was in full swing.

Bottom line? The ZBB pendulum is swinging the other way again. Time to get on board.

For more trading ideas and insights like these, be sure to sign up for the free SmallCap Network newsletter. You'll get stock picks, market calls, and more, every day. Here's what you've missed recently.

3 Stocks to Watch Right Now

The following video is from Friday's Motley Fool Money roundtable discussion, with host Chris Hill, and analysts Ron Gross, James Early, and Charly Travers.

Our analysts share why they're keeping a close eye on Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) , Wisconsin Energy (NYSE: WEC  )  and Coach (NYSE: COH  ) .

There's no doubt that Apple is at the center of technology's largest revolution ever, and that longtime shareholders have been handsomely rewarded with over 1,000% gains. However, there's a debate raging as to whether Apple remains a buy. The Motley Fool's senior technology analyst and managing bureau chief, Eric Bleeker, is prepared to fill you in on both reasons to buy and reasons to sell Apple, and what opportunities are left for the company (and your portfolio) going forward. To get instant access to his latest thinking on Apple, simply click here now.

The relevant video segment can be found between 18:23 and 21:06.

For the full video of today's Motley Fool Money, click here.

Venture capitalist Andreessen unleashes tweetstorm

We have seen personal branding efforts on Twitter before — no social media platform has proven better suited for it — but there's been nothing like the tweetstorm Marc Andreessen has unleashed in the last three months.

There have already been more than 3000 tweets in March alone; more than 10,000 since January 1st—a staggering torrent of 140-character-at-a-time comments, jokes, retweets, even multi-part lectures extending over a dozen or more consecutive tweets.

Andreessen, the Silicon Valley venture capital investor, is one of the seminal figures of the technology world. He arrived on the scene in the early 90s, the towheaded and self-assured boy-wonder developer of Mosaic, the first graphical web browser, who would join Jim Clark to found Netscape and help jumpstart the Web era.

Twenty years later, the hair is gone, but based on the sheer variety of topics he's got an opinion about, the know-it-all self-assurance remains (a gushing fan on Twitter recently labeled him a "genius polymath").

In the last month alone, we've seen Andreessen the management sage, opining in 12 tweets on the Wall Street Journal's insider's report on the way Bill Gross was running bond firm PIMCO: "This exact same behavior/pattern is often found in both the best-performing companies in any space AND in the worst-performing."

There's Andreessen the advertising expert, dressing down the industry: "My view: Agencies can only fulfill demand. Suppliers (publishers) need to go to CMO & in-house marketing people directly."

Andreessen the Bitcoin booster appears repeatedly. His firm Andreessen Horowitz is an investor in Coinbase, a startup offering digital wallets for Bitcoin. There's been a 7-tweet attack on West Virginia senator Joe Manchin for proposing a Bitcoin ban ("Manchin FOR suppressing pro-consumer & pro-small business innovation in financial services to increase choices, lower fees, sell globally"). There's a 10-tweet critique of Newsweek's claim it had discovered the man who! created Bitcoin, which devolved into a back-and-forth exchange with several journalists about the media coverage of technology in general.

And, most recently, an off-hand jibe at Warren Buffett for dismissing Bitcoin.

Andreessen the historian, in a Bitcoin sidebar, offers up a 12-part introduction to King Louis XV's finance minister: "The most interesting person in Western history who most people have never heard of is John Law, inventor of concept of paper money."

Andreessen the ethicist unleashes a 12-tweet broadside apparently prompted by the funding of Secret, the anonymous commenting social media app which raised $8.6 million in mid-March. "I think as designers, investors, commentators, we need to seriously ask ourselves whether some of these systems are legitimate and worthy. Not from a user engagement point of view, not from an investment return point of view, but from an ethical and moral point of view."

The list of topics goes on: San Francisco housing. Free trade. Chinese bond markets. And, with the 20th anniversary of the founding of Netscape on the horizon, a series of nostalgic memories about that era, and about Jim Clark, his Netscape co-founder and early mentor.

None of Andreessen's recent Twitter lectures received wider exposure than his bullish prognostications in February about the future of news, with his outrageous forecast that the business could grow as much as 100 times larger than its current size over the next 20 years, which prompted an endless round of navel-gazing responses from the media industry itself, most of it ranging from disbelief to horror (no industry indulges self-loathing more than the media).

It's not like Andreessen needs to be doing any of this for the publicity, or to generate deal flow from prospective startups. He and his firm have already made themselves into perhaps the pre-eminent VC firm of this era, having hit recent home runs with its investments in Skype, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, among others.

On T! hursday, ! Andreessen Horowitz closed the financing on its latest investment fund, raising $1.5 billion from its limited partners to invest in even more companies.

Pure ego may be at work, as this isn't the first time he's taken to a digital media platform to post in volume: several years ago when personal blogging was at its height, Andreessen engaged in a similar exercise, churning out a well-received series of posts on his personal blog over several months which together served as a primer for aspiring entrepreneurs.

And, of course his early mentors, including Clark and Netscape investor John Doerr (Andreessen's predecessor atop the Silicon Valley VC ziggurat) certainly were never shy about self-promotion in their day, and Andreessen has always been a quick study when it came to taking lessons from his elders.

The timing of the launch of his current Twitter frenzy has also proved fortuitous in helping him ward off a set of attacks against his personal integrity. The attacks were launched by noted corporate raider Carl Icahn, who has accused Andreessen of double-dealing while serving as an eBay board member by convincing eBay to divest itself of two businesses — Skype and Kynectic — at prices that were too low.

Andreessen Horowitz subsequently invested in both independent businesses, earning a handsome profit in particular on Skype when it was sold to Microsoft. In between his tweets on other subjects, Andreessen has sprinkled in a series of links rebutting and even counterattacking against Icahn.

How long this lasts is anyone's guess: Andreessen told Recode's Kara Swisher back in January that he intended to keep this up all year. But he launched his blogging career with similar promise, only to run dry in a few months. "Well I started a VC firm, so I was busy," was the excuse he offered Swisher. If you don't want to miss the high-volume phase of his Twitter career, better follow @pmarca before it's too late.

Chip Bayers is a N.Y.-based journalist covering technology and! business! . He has been an editor at Adweek, Newser and Wired Digital, and was previously a staff writer for Wired Magazine.

High-frequency trading group disputes allegations

The war of words is accelerating in the allegations about high-frequency trading on Wall Street.

Discussed for years by traders, high-speed trading is getting plenty of attention since author Michael Lewis appeared Sunday on CBS' 60 Minutes to talk about his latest book Flash Boys, which charges that some traders have an edge over other investors.

High-frequency trading advocacy group the Modern Markets Initiative has fired back that the charges aired on 60 Minutes story are inaccurate. "The markets are not rigged. Saying otherwise is a broad generalization that lumps the vast amount of good market behavior in with a few bad actors," the group said in a statement.

.#ICYMI - This morning, the @TODAYshow aired MMI's statement regarding #HFT and #FlashBoys. See attached pic: pic.twitter.com/VokPZ4MGBk

— Modern Markets (@ModernMarkets) April 1, 2014

Lewis, who appeared on the Today show Tuesday responded: "What else are they going to say? The story isn't my story," he said. "The story I tell in the book is a story of Wall Street insiders who realized starting around 2008 the markets behaving funny."

He said that "the market moves at two speeds: one speed for people who pay for access to the exchanges, who put their trading machines right next to the black boxes … and everybody else. And we are everybody else, everybody else being investors in the stock market."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing high-frequency trading to see if the controversial practices give some traders illegal advantages, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News reported Monday. And New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has also been investigating whether practices at the exchanges give traders unfair advantage over other investors.

The advantage of even a millisecond could generate large gains for traders if done repeatedly. When asked whether investors should take their money out of the stock market, Lewis told Today host Matt Lauer, "No, I don't think that's the! right answer because you are talking about scalping, it's pennies each trade. It shouldn't go on," he said. "But it's crazy to miss out on investing in the stock market just to avoid being scalped."

Securities and Exchange Commission spokesman John Nester declined to comment on the book but said in a statement that "the staff, at Chair White's direction, is conducting a comprehensive data-driven analysis of a range of market structure issues, including high frequency trading practices and their impact on the fairness, efficiency and integrity of our markets."

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