Top 5 Performing Companies To Invest In Right Now

Alamy Going over Yum! Brands' (YUM) disappointing third quarter report from Tuesday night makes it clear that it's not just the chicken that's boneless at KFC. The poultry fryer is struggling -- particularly abroad where something fowl has gone foul in China. Comparable-store sales (a measure that compares the year-over-year change at the average established store) plunged 13 percent in China during the quarter. This is a pretty big deal. There are 4,463 KFC restaurants in the world's most populous nation, and until late last year, the Chinese couldn't get enough of the Colonel's 11 secret herbs and spices. However, with a food safety scare stemming from some of the chain's suppliers and a bird flu outbreak, KFC's sales have fallen and they can't get up. Yum! Brands figured that sales would turn positive in China by the end of this year, but now it's conceding that's not in the cards. Flying Home Things were only relatively better closer to home, where comps fell 4 percent at domestic KFC locations. KFC is the worst performing chain for Yum! Brands. Pizza Hut clocked in with a 1 percent slide, while Taco Bell actually posted a 2 percent gain. For all of the buzz that KFC has generated with its boneless chicken pieces -- included the clever "I ate the bones" marketing campaign that was introduced earlier this year -- the sad truth is that the average store isn't selling as much as it used to. Something's wrong, and it's time for Yum! Brands to take a page out of the playbook that helped it breathe new life into Taco Bell last year. The leading Mexican fast food chain was meandering -- but then came the Doritos Locos Taco. Teaming up with PepsiCo's (PEP) Frito-Lay, Taco Bell took Doritos into the food lab to devise a taco shell impregnated with nacho cheese powder. It was a huge hit. Comps soared 12 percent during the product line's first full quarter on the market. Taco Bell added Cool Ranch to its line earlier this year, and by the time that a third Fiery line of spicy shells was added, the fast food chain had served up an amazing 600 million Locos Tacos. I Ate the Moans Something as simple as offering a Doritos-flavored taco shell has been enough to turn Taco Bell around. The slightly upscale Cantina Bell line also helped, but clearly, Taco Bell wouldn't be doing as well as it is now if it wasn't for a single product that has evolved and expanded since being introduced 19 months ago. So, where are KFC's Locos Tacos? As ambitious as the boneless chicken offering has been, it hasn't helped improve sales. KFC's latest innovation are KFC Go Cups. Priced at $2.49, these essentially repackage the chain's existing seasoned wedges and fried chicken options into cups. But if offering food that conveniently fits in cup holders was the Holy Grail of drive-thru, we would all be eating doughnuts for dinner. KFC needs something more to make the chicken chain trendy again, and there's certainly no shame in teaming up with Frito-Lay the way that Taco Bell did. After all, Frito-Lay parent PepsiCo once owned Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell. Why do you think these are three of only a handful of major chains that still serve Pepsi? It's easy to spin the wheel and drum up combinations. Here are a few to get you started. Cheetos Tenders: Ground-up Cheetos are incorporated in the breading of KFC's chicken tenders. Fritos Famous Bowls: The classic mashed potatoes, chicken, and corn bowl can get spruced up with Fritos. If that doesn't move you, how about Fritos Bar-B-Q or Chili Cheese corn chips for a crunchy kick? Tostitos Salsa Chicken: If KFC is looking for a Cantina Bell upgrade, serving its grilled chicken smothered in Tostitos salsa is a start. See? I didn't even have to dig into the dozens of Lay's potato chip flavors and how they could add some zesty crunch to the Doublicious sandwich, or even work Funyuns into Chicken Littles or the classic chicken pot pie. Taco Bell's success is something that Yum! Brands should be porting over to Pizza Hut and especially KFC. It seems as if things can't get much worse, so why not take a bold bet? KFC got rid of the bones, but now, it's time to grow a spine.

It's not unusual to see Oreos appear in other snack foods. Most ice cream shops and brands offer some variety of the cookies and cream flavor. And Oreos also appear (alongside several other snacks) as an optional mix-in for the McDonald's McFlurry. But there was something bizarre about seeing them as a topping on a doughnut, which is exactly what Krispy Kreme began offering a few weeks ago. There are two varieties of the doughnut, both of which include both Oreo cookie crumbles and a dollop of Oreo's signature filling. They're available at select locations through April 21. Krispy Kreme hasn't posted calorie count information for the doughnuts, and frankly, we're afraid to ask.

Top 5 Performing Companies To Invest In Right Now: Jaxon Minerals Inc(JAX.V)

Jaxon Minerals Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in British Columbia, Canada. The company focuses on exploring gold, as well as bismuth, tellurium, silver, tungsten, and molybdenum. It has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Nox Fort property located in the Nelson Mining District of British Columbia. The property consists of 18 mineral tenure claims and 3 crown granted mineral claim units covering an area of approximately 8,765 hectares. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Top 5 Performing Companies To Invest In Right Now: Total S.a. Ord Eur 10(TTA.L)

TOTAL S.A., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated oil and gas company worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemicals. The Upstream segment engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas, liquefied natural gas, and electricity; and shipping and trading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as power generation from renewable energies, and coal production, trading, and marketing. As of December 31, 2011, it had combined proved reserves of 11,423 million barrels of oil equivalent of oil and gas. The Downstream segment is involved in refining, marketing, trading, and shipping crude oil and petroleum products. This segment also produces and markets a range of specialty products, such as lubricants, LPG, jet fuel, special fluids, heavy fuel, bitumen, marine fuels, and petrochemical feedstock. This segment holds interests in 20 refineries located in Europe, the United States, the French West Indie s, Africa, and China, as well as operates a network of 14,819 service stations. The Chemicals segment produces base chemicals, including petrochemicals and fertilizers; and specialty chemicals, such as elastomer processing, adhesives, and electroplating chemistry. This segment serves the automotive, construction, electronics, aerospace, and convenience goods markets. TOTAL S.A. was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Best Heal Care Stocks To Invest In 2014: Imris Inc(IMRS)

IMRIS Inc. provides integrated image guided therapy solutions that deliver information to clinicians during surgical or interventional procedures in Canada, the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. The company designs, manufactures, and markets VISIUS Surgical Theatre, a multifunctional surgical environment that incorporates magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, CT imaging, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and x-ray angiography into multi-purpose surgical suites to provide intra-operative imaging for medical applications. It also provides ancillary products and services. The company?s solutions serve the neurosurgical, cerebrovascular, and cardiovascular markets worldwide. IMRIS Inc. is based in Winnipeg, Canada.

Top 5 Performing Companies To Invest In Right Now: Vimicro International Corporation(VIMC)

Vimicro International Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, develops, and markets mixed-signal semiconductor products and system-level solutions for the consumer electronics, communications, and surveillance markets in Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong. It provides mixed-signal multimedia processors for personal computer and embedded notebook cameras, as well as for mobile phones. The company also offers system-level solutions that include integrated semiconductors, customizable firmware and software, software development tools, reference designs, and applications support. In addition, it provides security and surveillance products comprising video capturing, compression, transmission, storage, processing, display, and video analysis products. Further, the company involves in packaging, testing, and reselling third party image sensors. It sells its multimedia processor products through direct sales force and distributors to original design manuf acturers, original equipment manufacturers, design houses, and module manufacturers, as well as its security and surveillance products to government entities, telecommunications operators, schools, banks, railway companies, supermarkets, and theaters. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap security and surveillance stocks like Vimicro International Corporation (NASDAQ: VIMC), TASER International, Inc (NASDAQ: TASR), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc (NASDAQ: KTOS)�and View Systems Inc (OTCBB: VSYM) have been producing a steady stream of news lately for investors and traders alike to digest. After all, the entire�security and surveillance industry is pretty vast as it would include everything from airport scanners to security cameras or monitoring equipment to actual weapons for domestic or national defense to software securing everyone�� personal or online data to the technology groups like the NSA and other "Big Brother" agencies use to spy on us. With that in mind, here is a look at the latest news from important small cap security and surveillance stocks:

Top 5 Performing Companies To Invest In Right Now: Williams Partners L.P.(WPZ)

Williams Partners L.P. focuses on natural gas transportation, gathering, treating and processing, storage, natural gas liquid fractionation, and oil transportation activities in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Gas Pipeline, and Midstream Gas and Liquids. The Gas Pipeline segment owns and operates approximately 13,900 miles of pipelines with annual throughput of approximately 2,700 trillion British thermal units of natural gas and delivery capacity of approximately 13 million dekatherms of gas. This segment also owns interests in joint venture interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline systems. The Midstream Gas and Liquids segment includes natural gas gathering, processing, and treating facilities; and crude oil gathering and transportation facilities that serve the producing basins in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, the Gulf of Mexico, and Pennsylvania. Williams Partners GP LLC serves as the general partner of the company. Williams Partners L.P . was founded in 2005 and is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Stone Fox Capital]

  Williams has one of the leading energy infrastructures in North America. It owns interests in, or operates, 15,000 miles of interstate gas pipelines, 1,000 miles of NGL transportation pipelines, and more than 10,000 miles of oil and gas gathering pipelines. It owns more than 70% of Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ), one of the largest diversified energy master limited partnerships.

• [By Dividend]

  Williams Partners (WPZ) has a market capitalization of $22.97 billion. The company employs 3,658 people, generates revenue of $7.320 billion and has a net income of $1.232 billion. Williams Partners�� earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounts to $2.273 billion. The EBITDA margin is 31.05 percent (the operating margin is 20.72 percent and the net profit margin 16.83 percent).

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  When it comes to natural gas, Williams Partners (WPZ) is simply one of the biggest players. The firm is one of the leading midstream players in the prolific Marcellus shale. That dominance has WPZ�� network of pipelines carrying roughly 14% of all the natural gas consumed in the U.S.

Can This Smart Watch Become a Bullet With Butterfly Wings?

At last month's TUCON 2013 conference, I watched Qualcomm  (NASDAQ: QCOM  ) CEO Paul Jacobs wax poetic over his Qualcomm-designed smart watch. Qualcomm just moved the Toq from the experimental realm to become a real, consumer-focused retail product. You'll be able to buy one on Cyber Monday.

The Qualcomm Toq's key benefits in a couple of bullet points. Image source: Slide from Paul Jacobs' TUCON 2013 presentation.

The Qualcomm Toq may be an early launch, but it's hardly the first smart watch on the market.

Samsung's Galaxy Gear launched in September to generally poor reviews. The device must be paired with a very limited range of Samsung's own tablets or smartphones, the notifications on the smart watch aren't all that useful (although a recent software update mitigates this problem), and the battery dies too quickly. Sony (NYSE: SNE  ) also released a smart watch over the summer, also to terrible reviews. A second take, cleverly named the Sony SmartWatch 2, surfaced in October with somewhat better results. But if this is the first you hear about the Sony smart watch line, you're not alone. If a device is produced and no one buys it, does it even matter?

The Qualcomm Toq hopes to improve on these failed attempts in a couple of ways. The watch is compatible with all Android devices running Ice Cream Sandwich and above, which works out to 72% of all Android devices currently in use. The device should get at least two full days of use out of a single charge, and is replenished by dropping it on a wireless charging pad. And this is the first real product to come with Qualcomm's ultra-low-power Mirasol display technology.

Mirasol screens reflect incoming light instead of relying on LCD-style backlight or even generating its own photons like an OLED screen. The technology is based on research on the optics of butterfly wings. In my view, this is what sets the Toq apart from the Samsung and Sony devices. It walks the delicate line between convenience and battery life.

The Sony watch isn't always on, in order to save battery life. The Samsung watch is always showing a live display but runs out of juice too quickly. This is a play for the middle ground.

Giving his TUCON 2013 speech, Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs stops to admire his own Toq smartwatch. Image source: author.

That was a key point in Jacobs' presentation. "When anything happens on my phone, I can get a notification to my wrist," he said. An Android app lets you redirect anything to the watch, as long as it generates a notification on your tablet or phone.

"And you think that's gonna annoy you, but it's on your wrist as opposed to in your phone. It's in my phone, I have to pull the phone out. The screen's dead, I have to turn it on, unlock it, then I finally get what I want. Here, a notification comes to my wrist, I see it and I flick it. It's just gone. I just look at it quickly and it comes and goes."

If the Toq concept fails because the world isn't quite ready for a wrist-mounted information display yet, Jacobs has a backup plan. Mirasol is finally coming to phones, which could unlock similar convenience benefits on a more familiar platform.

"In the future we're gonna take this same kind of display technology and put it on the phone as well," Jacobs said. "Your phone is sitting there on the table looking dead, the screen is off 'cause that uses too much power. That will change in the future, so you will always have the ability to interface with the world around you, with notifications that are coming to you."

It's hard to say whether the Mirasol screen is enough to make the smartwatch concept go mainstream. The watch starts at $350, making it an expensive first-mover status symbol at best. But as a Universal Display investor, I'm sure keeping a close eye on the Toq and other Mirasol launches. This display technology has the potential to steal some of Universal Display's low-power thunder, which would be good news for Qualcomm but bad for Universal Display. If nothing else, the Toq is a useful litmus test for the as-yet unproven Mirasol technology.

What happens in tech conferences doesn't have to stay in tech conferences
Conferences like TUCON can be great places to find next-generation technologies with highly investable backers. Our top technology analyst recently infiltrated one of Wall Street's most exclusive gatherings... and left with three incredible investment opportunities, straight from the CEOs. These are profit-building strategies Main Street isn't meant to hear about -- so you must act now before someone shuts us up. Click if you want "industry insider" earnings -- NOW!

Eurozone Sentiment Picks Up

Sentiment in the eurozone picked up in October and added to the region's growing momentum.

Data from the European Commission showed that economic sentiment in the 17 nation bloc rose to 97.8 points in October, its highest level since August 2011. The figure also beat market expectations of 97.3 points.

German confidence continued to rise for a seventh consecutive month even as the nation's government hangs in the balance while Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Social Democrats try to form a coalition. The report showed that confidence in the region's largest economy rose to 104.9.

Related: PreMarket Primer: Thursday, October 31: BOJ Bullish On Inflation

Rising confidence data will inject some optimism into the region as the currently strong euro has created some problems for the region's economy. Although the European Central Bank has insisted that the euro is not yet at a dangerously high level, many worry that the strong currency could keep the bloc from meeting its inflation targets.

However, the euro lost some of its shine on Wednesday afternoon when the Fed's statement was more hawkish that most were expecting. Reuters reported that the US central bank removed its reference to a "tightening of financial conditions observed in recent months" as a risk to the bank's outlook.

Traders took the omission as a signal that the bank could taper its $85 billion per month bond buying plan sooner than expected. Now, many analysts see the Fed cutting down on its stimulus spending in early 2014. Following the statement, investors turned back to the dollar which sent the euro down 0.2 percent.

Posted-In: European Central Bank Federal ReserveNews Eurozone Commodities Forex Global Federal Reserve Pre-Market Outlook Markets Best of Benzinga

(c) 2013 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

  Around the Web, We're Loving... Learn to Use Trading Platforms Like Hedge Fund Traders do Rumsfeld: Denial of Benefits to Fallen Soldiers' Families 'Inexcusable' Come See How the Pro's Trade in this Exclusive Webinar Facebook, Baidu Lead Big Caps Beating Shutdown What Should You Know About AMZN? Most Popular IBM Authorizes $0.95 Dividend; Authorizes $15B In Additional Buybacks What is Apple's Tim Cook Hinting at for 2014? Facebook Shares Edge Higher After Hours Following Upgrade to Buy from BTIG's Greenfield Is a Beer Mega-Merger On Tap? Earnings Scheduled For October 30, 2013 Net Optics Announces Pending Acquisition by Ixia for $190M in Cash Related Articles (EWI + BROAD) Eurozone Sentiment Picks Up Brent Pushes Towards $110 Euro's Strength Could Provoke Action From ECB Brent Slips On Rising Libyan Exports Early Stages Of Eurozone Banking Union To Be Difficult Protests In Libya Boost Brent View the discussion thread. Partner Network #marketfy-ae-block { display: none; border: 2px solid #0a3f75; overflow: hidden; width: 300px; height: 125px; text-align: center; background-color: #45719E; position: relative; z-index: 1; } #marketfy-ae-block a { display: block; width: 300px; height: 125px; position: relative; z-index: 2; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown-text { color: #f9fc99; padding: 0px 0 0 0; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown-text-start { font-size: 12px; } #marketfy-ae-block-countdown { padding: 5px 0 5px 0; font-size: 26px; } #marketfy-ae-block-signup { padding: 5px 47px; } #marketfy-ae-block-signup:hover { background-color: #457a1a; } #marketfy-ae-block #marketfy-ae-block-logo { display: block; padding: 3px 0 0 0; margin: 0; } #marketfy-ae-block-logo { text-indent: -9999px; } #marketfy-ae-block-free { display: block; position: absolute; top: 7px; right: -23px; width: 80px; height: 16px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center; opacity: 1; -webkit-transform: rotate(45deg); -moz-transform: rotate(45deg); -ms-transform: rotate(45deg); transform: rotate(45deg); font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; color: #333333; background-color: yellow; z-index: 500; text-shadow: 1px 1px #999999; } #marketfy-ae-block-arrow { position: relative; width: 60px; height: 60px; z-index: 10; margin: -80px 0 13px -21px; } #marketfy-ae-block-arrow img { height: 60px; width: auto; } Marketfy's International
Traders & Investors Summit Register for this FREE Event! Hosted by Marketfy $(function () { var dateToday = new Date(); var dateCheck = dateToday.getTime() - 60*60*4*1000; var theMarketfyDate = new Date(2013, 8, 21, 9, 00, 00); if(dateCheck

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now

Precision Castparts (NYSE: PCP  ) will release its quarterly report on Thursday, and judging from the movement of its stock, investors are expecting good results. With activity in the aerospace industry helping the aircraft components maker's business, Precision Castparts earnings look poised to produce strong growth both this quarter and well into the future.

Precision Castparts actually has a much wider scope than aerospace, serving the auto, medical, and chemical industries as well with a variety of cast and forged metal component offerings. Yet with general weakness in the global economy in many industrial businesses, Precision is undoubtedly benefiting from the relative strength in aircraft demand. Let's take an early look at what's been happening with Precision Castparts over the past quarter and what we're likely to see in its quarterly report.

Stats on Precision Castparts

Analyst EPS Estimate

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Covidien PLC (COV)

Covidien Public Limited Company is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of healthcare products for use in clinical and home settings. It operates its businesses through three segments: Medical Devices, which includes the development, manufacture and sale of endomechanical instruments, energy devices, soft tissue repair products, vascular products, oximetry and monitoring products, airway and ventilation products; Pharmaceuticals, which includes the development, manufacture and distribution of specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, and Medical Supplies, SharpSafety products and original equipment manufacturer products. In May 2012, it acquired Newport Medical Instruments, Inc. In May 2012, it acquired superDimension, Ltd. In June 2012, the Company acquired Oridion Systems Ltd. In October 2012, its Mallinckrodt acquired CNS Therapeutics, Inc. In January 2013, the Company acquired CV Ingenuity. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Covidien Ltd. (NYSE: COV) was started as Buy at Needham & Co.

  Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL) was reinstated as Outperform and added to the U.S. Focus List with a new price target of $58 (versus $48.30 now) at Credit Suisse, and it was reiterated as Buy and the price target was raised to $63 from $58 by Sterne Agee.

• [By Dan Carroll]

  Finally, Covidien (NYSE: COV  ) has also entered the renal denervation race, although this company looks to be behind St. Jude and Medtronic as the leaders. Covidien purchased small-time renal denervation player Maya Medical last year for up to $170 million including milestone payouts, and it also received European approval for its OneShot renal denervation system last year. However, Covidien only launched the OneShot commercially in January, putting it back with Boston Scientific in racing to catch up with St. Jude and Medtronic's advance.

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Curis Inc.(CRIS)

Curis, Inc., a drug discovery and development company, focuses on the research and development of cancer therapeutics. The company, under collaboration with Genentech, Inc., is conducting a pivotal Phase II clinical trial on its lead molecule, GDC-0449 in advanced basal cell carcinoma patients, as well as various Phase II clinical trials in first-line metastatic colorectal cancer and advanced ovarian cancer patients. It is also evaluating CUDC-101, a small molecule that is in a Phase I clinical testing and is designed to target histone deacetylase, epidermal growth factor receptor, and epidermal growth factor receptor 2. In addition, Curis has a development candidate, Debio 0932, which is a Heat Shock Protein 90 or Hsp90 inhibitor. The company holds a license agreement with Debiopharm related to its Hsp90 technologies. Further, it involves in preclinical testing for the development of candidates from its targeted cancer programs. The company was founded in 2000 and is base d in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Curis (NASDAQ: CRIS) dipped 18.97% to $3.16 in the pre-market session after the company reported Q3 financial results and provided CUDC-427 development update.

Top Tech Companies For 2014: Amarantus Bioscience Holdings Inc (AMBS)

Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc., formerly Amarantus BioSciences, Inc., incorporated on March 22, 2013, is focuses on developing intellectual property and proprietary technology in order to develop drug candidates and diagnostic blood tests to diagnose and treat human diseases. The Company owns the intellectual property rights to a therapeutic protein known as Mesencephalic-Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor (MANF), owns the intellectual property rights to biomarkers related to oncology and neurodegeneration named BC-SeraPro and NuroPro respectively, has a license to an Alzheimer�� disease blood test named LymPro, and owns a number of proprietary cell lines called PhenoGuard. MANF was the first therapeutic protein discovered from a PhenoGuard Cell Line. In December 2012, the Company acquired neurodegenerative diagnostic portfolio from Power3 Medical Products. On March 22, 2013, the Company was merged with into Amarantus Bioscience Inc.

The Company also owns an inventory of 88 cell lines that Amarantus refers to as PhenoGuard Cell Lines. MANF is a protein that corrects protein misfolding. The Company�� MANF product development effort is centered on a therapy for Parkinson�� disease.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  Two weeks ago I penned some bullish thoughts on Amarantus BioScience, Inc. (OTC:AMBS). In simplest terms, I liked the way the stock had spent some time in consolidation mode, and looked like was testing the upper boundary of that zone - I figured a breakout from AMBS was imminent. So I waited... and waited.... and waited. Nothing. A week and a half later, I let the stock fall off my mental radar. As it turns out, I should have been a little more patient. Amarantus BioScience finally did the deed yesterday, and is following through today.

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  I've taken bullish swings on - and been wrong to do so - Amarantus BioScience, Inc. (OTC:AMBS) before. My most recent bullish call on the budding biotech name was in April... a rally that fizzled shortly after I said it was just getting started. Somehow though, I find myself coming back to AMBS as a breakout candidate. This time, however, it's for a slightly different reason.

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Zynex Inc (ZYXI)

Zynex, Inc. operates under three primary business segments: Zynex Medical, Zynex NeuroDiagnostics and Zynex Monitoring Solutions. Zynex Medical engineers, manufactures, markets and sells its design of electrotherapy medical devices used for pain management and rehabilitation. Zynex Medical�� product lines are cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and sold worldwide. Zynex NeuroDiagnostics, sells the Company's NeuroMove device designed to help stroke and spinal cord injury patients and is seeking opportunities into markets for electromyogram (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG), sleep pattern, auditory and nerve conductivity neurological diagnosis devices through product development and acquisitions. As of January 30, 2012, Zynex Monitoring Solutions was in the development-stage and was established to develop and market medical devices for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. In February 2012, the Company announced the creation of a European wholly owned subsidiary in Denmark. In June 2012, the Company acquired ZYNEX.com Internet domain.

The Company�� products include TruWave TENS, ValuTENS II, IF8100 Interferential Current, E-Wave Muscle Stimulator, NeuroMove NM900, PGS-123 Pulsed-Galvanic Stimulator, NuTrac Pelvator, Knapp Knee Brace and ValuTENS III. TruWave TENS is used for management and symptomatic relief of chronic intractable pain, post-traumatic and post-surgical Pain. ValuTENS II is used for the indications of chronic and acute pain symptoms and post-operative pain. IF8100 Interferential Current is used for symptomatic relief of chronic intractable pain, post-traumatic and post-surgical pain. E-Wave Muscle Stimulator is used for muscle re-education, prevention or retardation of disuse atrophy, increasing local blood circulation, maintaining or increasing range of motion and relaxation of muscle spasms. NeuroMove NM900 is used for stroke rehab by muscle re-education, relaxation of muscle spasms, prevention of retardation of disuse atrophy, increase local blo! od circulation, muscle re-education and maintaining range of motion. PGS-123 Pulsed-Galvanic Stimulator is used for muscle re-education, prevention of retardation of disuse atrophy, increase local blood circulation, maintain or increase range of motion and relaxation of muscle spasms. NuTrac Pelvator - Pelvic Floor Stimulator provides electrical stimulation and neuromuscular re-education for the purpose of rehabilitation of weak pelvic floor muscles for the treatment of stress, urge and mix urinary incontinence in women. ValuTENS III is used for chronic and acute pain symptoms and post-operative pain. Knapp Knee Brace is used for the indications of MCL and LCL Sprains, pre and post-op care of meniscus injuries, mild to moderate ACL and PCL Sprains and general knee instability.

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Scancell Holdings PLC (SCLP)

Scancell Holdings PLC is a United Kingdom-based company. The Company�� principal activity of the consists of the discovery and development of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines for the treatment of cancer. In April 2012, the Company completed recruitment to the Phase 1 clinical trial of SCIBI. In May 2012, the Company commenced recruitment and treatment of the first patient in the second part of it Phase 1/2 clinical trial of SCIBI. The Phase 2 part of the trial is conducted in five United Kingdom centers in Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, and Southampton. On August 15, 2012, the Company announced the development of a platform technology, Moditope.

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Oncolytics Biotech Inc (ONCY)

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Oncolytics), incorporated on April 2, 1998, is a development-stage company. The Company is focused on its research and development of REOLYSIN, which is its cancer therapeutic. REOLYSIN is developed from the reovirus. This virus has been demonstrated in tumour cells bearing an activated Ras pathway. Oncolytics is directing a clinical trial program with the focus of developing REOLYSIN as a human cancer therapeutic. The clinical program includes clinical trials, which it sponsors directly along with Third Party Clinical Trials. Third Party Clinical Trials are clinical trials that are being sponsored by other institutions. As of December 31, 2011, the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI), the University of Leeds and the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the University of Texas Health Center in San Antonio (CTRC) were sponsoring part of its clinical trial program.

The Company�� clinical trial program has included human trials using REOLYSIN alone, and in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, and delivered via local administration and/or intravenous administration. Oncolytics uses contract toll manufacturers to produce REOLYSIN. On December 31, 2011, the Company had two wholly owned subsidiaries, Oncolytics Biotech (Barbados) Inc. (OBB) and Valens Pharma Ltd. Oncolytics Biotech (US) Inc. and Oncolytics Biotech (U.K.) are wholly owned subsidiaries of OBB.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  T-VEC is not your traditional biologic drug. It is actually a bioengineered form of the herpes virus that, once injected into cancerous tumors, replicates, and produces an immune-stimulating protein that puts a bulls eye on cancer cells throughout the body. Despite its promise and intriguing mechanism of action, T-VEC is not in further development at Amgen. However, Oncolytics (NASDAQ: ONCY  ) has shown promising results for its bioengineered form of reovirus called Reolysin. Initial phase 3 results showed that 86% of patients taking the drug had reduced tumor mass or growth after six weeks of treatment. �

• [By John Udovich]

  The biotech sector along with small cap biotech stocks Cardiome Pharma Corp (NASDAQ: CRME), Oncolytics Biotech, Inc (NASDAQ: ONCY), Vital Therapies Inc (NASDAQ: VTL) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB) have all been producing their share of news this week for investors and traders alike to trade on. Moreover and while some 42 ��ife sciences��companies have gone public raising about $3 billion from investors so far this year, there are a growing number of biotechs pulling the plug on upcoming IPOs who are citing market conditions. With that in mind, here is a look at important news from the biotech sector and small cap biotech stocks this week:

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems Inc (NIMU)

Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc. (NIMS), incorporated on July 16, 1980, along with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of a line of motorized, non-invasive, whole body, periodic acceleration platforms, which are intended as aids to increase local circulation and temporary relief of minor aches and pains, produce local muscle relaxation and reduce morning stiffness. The Company�� products are derivatives of its original acceleration platform, the AT-101, and are for use in homes, wellness centers and clinics. NIMS is focused on developing and marketing its Exer-Rest line of acceleration therapeutic platforms based upon whole body periodic acceleration (WBPA) technology. The Exer-Rest line of acceleration therapeutic platforms includes the Exer-Rest AT, AT3800 and AT4700 models. In addition, it receives royalty revenue from the sales of non-invasive diagnostic monitoring devices and related software.

Whole Body Periodic Acceleration (WBPA) Therapeutic Devices

The AT-101 is a device that moves a platform repetitively in a head-to-foot motion at a rapid pace. In January 2005, the Company ceased manufacturing the AT-101. The Exer-Rest AT therapeutic vibrator is based upon the design and concept of the AT-101 therapeutic vibrator, but has the dimensions and appearance of a commercial extra long twin bed. The Exer-Rest AT was manufactured by QTM Incorporated (QTM). The wired hand held controller provides digital values of speed, travel and time rather than analog values of speed and arbitrary force values as in the AT-101. the Company discontinued manufacturing of the Exer-Rest AT in July 2009. The Exer-Rest SL and Exer-Rest TL, which were manufactured by Sing Lin Technology Co., Ltd. (Sing Lin), are next generation versions of the Exer-Rest AT and advance the acceleration therapeutic platform technology.

LifeShirt

The LifeShirt is a wearable physiological computer that incorporates transducers, ele! ctrodes and sensors into a sleeveless garment. Pulse oximetry is an optional add-on. These sensors transmit vital and physiological signs to a miniaturized, battery-powered, electronic module which saves the raw waveforms and digital data to the compact flash memory of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) attached to the LifeShirt. Users of the LifeShirt can enter symptoms (with intensity), mood and medication information directly into the PDA for integration with the physiologic information collected by the LifeShirt garment. Such data are then transmitted from the flash memory to a data collection center that transforms the data into minute-by-minute median trends of over 30 physical and emotional signs of health and disease. In addition, the monitored patient can enter symptoms with intensity, mood, and medication directly into the PDA for integration with the physiologic information collected with the LifeShirt garment. As of July 31, 2009, LifeShirt was not marketed. The LifeShirt was sold by VivoMetrics, but has not been marketed since VivoMetrics ceased operations in July 2009.

The Company competes with Power Plate of North America, Vibraflex and CERAGEM International, Inc.

Best Medical Companies To Own In Right Now: Oxford BioMedica PLC (OXB)

Oxford BioMedica plc is a biopharmaceutical company developing gene-based medicines and therapeutic vaccines. The Company�� LentiVector platform products include ProSavin, RetinoStat, StarGen, UshStat, EncorStat, Glaucoma-GT and MoNuDin. Its 5T4 Tumour Antigen produces TroVax and Anti-5T4 antibody. The Prime Boost�� product includes Hi-8 Mel. Its GDEPT platform produces MetXia and Anti Angiogenesis platform produces EndoAngio-GT. The Company is developing four LentiVector platform product candidates for the treatment of ocular diseases: RetinoStat for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD); StarGen for Stargardt disease; UshStat for Usher syndrome type 1B, and EncorStat for corneal graft rejection. TroVax is a therapeutic vaccine that stimulates the immune system to destroy cancerous cells expressing the 5T4 tumour antigen. On February 25, 2011, the Company purchased a freehold property, United Kingdom comprising a manufacturing facility.

This Luxury App Takes You Window Shopping Around the World

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- It's not exactly an idea you'd expect from two 20-somethings, dreamed up one night while cramming for final exams.

But that's how brothers Stijn and Jeroen Verrezen came up with their iPhone and iPad app, which allows users to window-shop the flagship storefronts of the world's most expensive and exclusive luxury brands.

Officially launched at the recent conclusion of fashion week in New York City, the Turnhills Window Shopping app literally puts worldwide window-shopping at your fingertips. And this is luxury window-shopping. Think Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Michael Kors and more. "The most expensive brands -- it's really unbelievable what they do with their windows -- you will see Louis Vuitton has skeletons of dinosaurs on display. It's amazing. Each time they do their window, they try to come up with something totally original. It's almost a form of art," Stijn Verrezen says during a phone interview from Belgium, where the two brothers grew up and still live. The app is actually the latest incarnation of the brother's computer-based window shopping idea; they launched a website last year. The idea is to feature regularly updated images of flagship storefronts because flagship stores typically display items available at all the other stores around the country or world for a particular brand, Stijn Verrezen says. Also see: How Lexus Is Selling Lexus Without Having to Sell Cars>> Once window-shoppers identify a must-have item in a storefront via the app, they can head to the designer's local store to try it on and buy it. Or buy the item online. "The collections are pretty much the same at your local store, but the window of the local shopping mall store is much smaller," Stijn Verrezen says. "So to get ideas about the latest trends, you can peek through brands on our app. This is like window-shopping in the real world." "Window shopping is an important aspect of real-life shopping," he adds. "And it's also of great value to the virtual shopping experience. It gives someone a first impression of a particular brand without going to the brand website." Rigorously updated, the app provides real-time content from around the world. Users can swipe through shopping districts on their iPhone or iPad to view the latest arrivals and fashion trends of 23 luxury brands.

The app also allows users to get daily updated storefronts of the most renowned brands' flagship stores, create personal wish lists of favorite items, prepare for shopping in the real world by comparing prices of items on the app and by items through linked Web-based stores.

The app's pictures of flagship storefronts are taken by professional photographers. Turnhills works with three -- two focused on New York City stores and one in London. Also see: Sears Clear on Why It's Selling Rolex: It's Taking on Amazon, eBay>>

But no fashion app would be truly complete without including a renowned fashion capital such as Paris, and that fact is not lost on the Verrezen brothers.

"The most beautiful stores of Paris will be added in two weeks," says 26-year-old Stijn Verrezen, who remains at home in Belgium at his "day job" -- at the family's business, a factory that develops sun awnings. Jeroen, 24, is in New York City promoting the app. The pair started their business on a shoestring, using personal savings, with no investors or PR reps. They are promoting their app primarily via Facebook (FB) and other forms of social media, including Pinterest. And so far, the Verrezen brothers aren't doing all that bad for themselves. Stijn estimates the app has been picking up about 150 users each day. The app can be downloaded for free from iTunes. In terms of their long-range plans, that's harder to pinpoint. For now, they brothers focused on increasing the number of luxury brands available on the app, with hopes of having 35 luxury brands featured by month's end. "We really just started out brainstorming and thought this would be a great idea to put our effort into. We're just two guys. We weren't particularly interested in fashion. It was more of a business concept," Stijn Verrezen says. "But we really like the idea of how brands create their reputation and create value."

3 ways to become richer than your banker or broker

This is possible. It can be done by you, me and every other ordinary mortal (the so-called 'aam-aadmi').

And the best part the icing on the cake is that it is good for our financial health too.

So don't wait. Begin now.

1. Do not trade often
One source of income for these financial firms is the brokerage they earn on the trades they execute for us. So just stop trading too often. Less trades means less brokerage. Less brokerage means less money supply to these firms.

Moreover doing less number of trades is good for you too. Investing in stocks should be a long-term exercise. Day-to-day trading is akin to gambling; it is definitely not investing. Trading only makes the brokers rich — that too at your expense. The right approach is to buy good businesses and keep them for long term. By doing this 'you' will become millionaires, not your agents.

2. Do not borrow
Earning interest and other fees by lending money is another source of income for the financial firms/banks. So just curtail your borrowing. Less borrowing means interest. Less interest means less money supply to these firms.

Moreover less borrowing is good for you too. Financial prudence demands that we should save a portion of our income for the future. By borrowing we are doing exactly the opposite…we are consuming tomorrow's unearned and uncertain income today. Spend only what you have already earned and resort to borrowing only in exceptional circumstances.

3. Do not use credit card
Credit cards carry obscene and uxorious charges. These charges are the third major source of income for the financial firms/banks. Less credit card usage means less charges. Less charges means less money supply to these firms.

Moreover less usage of credit cards is good for you too. Credit cards often lead to splurging and wasteful expenditure. By using less of credit cards, you will automatically cut down both the wasteful expenses and burden of the heavy charges. This will make you financially healthy and fit.

Do all this and you can be sure that these financial kings will soon be paupers not you.

Do all this and you can be sure that these financial kings will soon be on the streets not you.

Sanjay Matai is a personal finance advisor, author and online financial trainer. There's a lot more free stuff to read on his blog thewealtharchitects.blogspot.in).

Will United Continental Continue Its Path to Higher Prices?

With shares of United Continental Holdings (NYSE:UAL) trading around $32, is UAL an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

United Continental Holdings is a holding company and its principal, wholly owned subsidiaries are United Air Lines and Continental Airlines. The company transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional operations. It also has contractual relationships with various regional carriers to provide regional jet and turboprop service branded as United Express. Companies and consumers worldwide look to travel at increasing rates since air travel is quicker and is becoming less expensive. As costs decrease and flights become more efficient, United Continental stands to see soaring profits as consumers and businesses look to travel more than ever.

NEW! Discover a new stock idea each week for less than the cost of 1 trade. CLICK HERE for your Weekly Stock Cheat Sheets NOW!

T = Technicals on the Stock Chart are Strong

United Continental Holdings stock has recently broken above a consolidation range established over the last two years. The stock looks set to test prices not seen since before the 2008 Financial Crisis. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, United Continental Holdings is trading above its rising key averages which signal neutral to bullish price action in the near-term.

(Source: Thinkorswim)

Taking a look at the implied volatility (red) and implied volatility skew levels of United Continental Holdings options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
United Continental Holdings Options	43.82%	43%	40%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a significant amount of call and put options contracts, as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
July Options	Average	Average
August Options	Average	Average

As of today, there is an average demand from call and put buyers or sellers, neutral over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a significant amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral over the next two months.

On the next page, let’s take a look at the earnings and revenue growth rates and the conclusion.

E = Earnings Are Decreasing Quarter-Over-Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on United Continental Holdings’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for United Continental Holdings look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

NEW! Discover a new stock idea each week for less than the cost of 1 trade. CLICK HERE for your Weekly Stock Cheat Sheets NOW!

	2013 Q1	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	27.94%	-38.10%	-32.50%	-5.37%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	1.38%	-2.53%	-2.58%	1.33%
Earnings Reaction	-1.59%	2.15%	-4.98%	-5.92%

United Continental Holdings has seen mostly decreasing earnings and mixed revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have expected a little more from United Continental Holdings’ recent earnings announcements.

P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has United Continental Holdings stock done relative to its peers, Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), US Airways Group (NYSE:LCC), and sector?

	United Continental Holdings	Delta Air Lines	Southwest Airlines	US Airways Group	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	38.67%	59.77%	35.55%	27.85%	31.72%

United Continental Holdings has been a relative performance leader, year-to-date.

Conclusion

United Continental Holdings provides access to quick and efficient air travel to consumers and companies across the nation. The stock has recently broken out and looks keen to test prices not seen since before the Financial Crisis. Over the last four quarters, investors in the company have expected a little more as earnings have decreased a bit while revenue figures have been mixed. Relative to its peers and sector, United Continental has been a year-to-date performance leader. WAIT AND SEE what United Continental does in coming quarters.

Got a job at age 70, do I pay into Social Security again?

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) I'm 70 and have collected Social Security since age 62. Do I pay in again if I return to work? -- Mike Mobley, Sacramento, Calif.

Yes. Even though you're already collecting, you'd have to pay Social Security taxes: 6.2% of your earnings on wages up to a cutoff that will be $117,000 in 2014, says AARP's Jonathan Peterson, author of Social Security for Dummies.

Ultimate Guide to Retirement Getting started401(k)s & company plansInvestingAnnuitiesIRAsSelf-employment plansPensions and benefit plansSocial SecurityInsuranceEstate planningLiving in retirementGetting help

Some good news: Because you are beyond your full retirement age of 66, working won't reduce your benefits. (In years before your full retirement age, benefits would be cut by $1 for every $2 you earn over an exempted amount -- $15,480 in 2014 -- although you'd get that money later as a higher benefit.)

Your new work may boost your future benefits, which are based on your top 35 years of earnings. But any bump is likely to be noticeable only if you haven't already had 35 years of earnings.

Vegan leather, faux fur are hot holiday gifts

ATLANTA (AP) — Finding a knockoff version of the fur you want under the Christmas tree would ordinarily be a disappointment.

Not this year.

Faux is the new black this season for holiday gifts. But this isn't the "pleather" of the 1980s — that cheap, plastic-looking material made popular by Michael Jackson during his "Thriller" days.

A $198 fuzzy brown coat at Banana Republic has a prominently placed tag that reads "faux fur." Dresses with "vegan leather" accents are flying off virtual shelves at shopbop.com. And at luxury retailer Barney's, a Marni faux leather three-quarter sleeve jacket sells for $1,900.

Faux is gaining popularity in part because there have been advances in technology enabling designers to make better-looking fakes. In a still-shaky economy that has made Americans more frugal, faux also can be seen as a good way to be trendy without breaking the bank. And a movement toward socially conscious shopping makes some people feel better about faux purchases.

It helps that some A-listers have given faux their seal of approval. Models have been seen on the runway wearing faux leather pieces in shows for big-name designers like Tom Ford and Rag & Bone. And actresses Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson have strutted on the red carpet in faux leather and fur.

While it's difficult to pin down overall sales for faux goods, retailers say they are benefiting from their growing popularity. Banana Republic's $69.50 faux-fur neckwarmer and faux-fur leopard vests have been best sellers. Target says faux fur home goods like pillows and throws are performing "exceptionally well." And Macy's says new techniques used with faux leather, like scalloping and quilted stitching, have given tops and jackets "new relevance."

"It used to be that 'faux' meant less expensive and quality less than desirable, but not any longer," said Josh Saterman, vice president and fashion director for millennials at Macy's. "Faux is a part of our next evolution to our fashion 'must-haves.'"!

Andrew Dent, who is a vice president at global materials consultancy Material Connexion, says that the trend is being fueled by the fact that faux fur and leather are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing nowadays. He said that's because designers are replacing older plastic like PVC with improved polyurethane that is more leather-like to the touch. They're also tapering synthetic fibers to make faux fur seem more luxe and softer.

The improved quality is what spurred Brandon Vidal, 28, to buy two faux fur blankets as Christmas presents this year for his mother and a roommate. "They feel great," said Vidal, who lives in Calgary. "They're warm and cozy and it is freezing up here in Canada."

In addition to better technology, a growing social consciousness about buying fabric that doesn't involve cruelty to animals has made faux fashion more acceptable. "The fact that this is the season's big trend has to do with a social movement toward greater acceptability of faux versus real," said Alison Levy, senior manager at consulting firm Kurt Salmon. "It's seen as the right and responsible choice as opposed to cheaper value choice."

That message certainly struck a chord with Kristin Birkey's 7-year-old son after he asked for a real leather jacket for Christmas.

"I explained to him what had to be done to make a leather jacket and he nearly started crying," said Birkey, 26, a marketing professional in Kokomo, Ind.

Birkey happened to be wearing a faux leather jacket at the time. So her son asked for one like that instead.

But for others, buying faux is a matter of simple mathematics. A $69.50 faux fur neckwarmer is much cheaper than a designer version with real fur, which can run as much as $1,000. And real leather jackets can be hundreds or thousands of dollars, while department-store faux versions rarely top $100. Kristen Clerkin, 23, from Whitney Point, N.Y., is hoping to get faux pearls for Christmas this year because she thinks they're classic and classy, not to! mention ! more affordable than real ones.

"Even though they're faux, they look real, and they're bigger than you can get if they were real," she said. "Plus, they're a lot cheaper."

Threshold Faux Fur Throw in Brown sold at Target.(Photo: Paul.Weber, AP)

Bill Gates Is Only Partially Right About the iPad

Uh-oh, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) . Bill Gates says iPad users are "frustrated" because they don't have access to Microsoft's Office suite of productivity software.

Gates is right only in that users don't have access to Office. Otherwise, there seems to be little interest in using the iPad as a laptop replacement. Instead, it's become a preferred device for playing games and watching video, says Tim Beyers of Motley Fool Rule Breakers and Motley Fool Supernova in the following video. Gates is concocting problems where none exist.

And it's not like those who want to use the iPad as a business device aren't without options. Many Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) apps function quite well on the iPad, Tim says, pointing to his own frequent use of Google Drive for creating and editing documents. Meanwhile, sales of Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) own Surface tablets have been mixed.

Do you agree? Please watch the video to get Tim's full take, and then let us know whether you believe Bill Gates is right about the iPad.

The next big iThing
Apple has a history of cranking out revolutionary products... and then creatively destroying them with something better. Read about the future of Apple in the free report, "Apple Will Destroy Its Greatest Product." Can Apple really disrupt its own iPhones and iPads? Find out by clicking here.

4 Under-$10 Stocks to Trade for Breakouts

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- At Stockpickr, we track daily portfolios of stocks that are the biggest percentage gainers and the biggest percentage losers.

>>4 Big Stocks on Traders' Radars

Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

>>5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at a several stocks under $10 that are making large moves to the upside today.

Biolase

Biolase (BIOL) is a medical technology company that develops, manufactures and markets laser systems for dental and medical applications. This stock closed up 2.4% to $2.11 in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $2.04-$2.11

52-Week Range: $1.15-$5.98

Thursday's Volume: 376,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 320,703

>>4 Stocks Triggering Breakouts on Unusual Volume

From a technical perspective, BIOL spiked modestly higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $1.83 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last month and change, with shares moving higher from its low of $1.47 to its intraday high of $2.11. During that move, shares of BIOL have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of BIOL within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if BIOL manages to take out Thursday's high of $2.11, and then once it clears some more key overhead resistance levels at $2.25 to $2.50 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BIOL as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $1.83 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 320,703 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then BIOL will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 200-day moving average of $3.11 to $3.50.

QuickLogic

QuickLogic (QUIK) develops and markets low-power customizable semiconductor solutions that enable customers to add new features, extend battery life and improve the visual experience with their mobile, consumer and enterprise products. This stock closed up 3.9% to $3.66 in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $3.47-$3.69

52-Week Range: $2.01-$4.17

Thursday's Volume: 197,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 360,284

>>5 Big Trades for Post-Taper Gains

From a technical perspective, QUIK spiked sharply higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $3.40 with lighter-than-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last two months, with shares moving higher from its low of $2.91 to its recent high of $3.70. During that move, shares of QUIK have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of QUIK within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if QUIK manages to take some near-term overhead resistance at $3.70 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in QUIK as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $3.44 or above more near-term support at $3.33 and then once it sustains a move or close above $3.70 with volume that hits near or above 360,284 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then QUIK will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $4.17. Any high-volume move above $4.17 will then give QUIK a chance to tag its next major overhead resistance level at $4.64.

Thomas Properties Group

Thomas Properties Group (TPGI) is a full-service real estate company that owns, acquires, develops and manages mainly office, as well as mixed-use and residential properties. This stock closed up 1.7% to $6.85 in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $6.67-$6.90

52-Week Range: $4.99-$7.16

Thursday's Volume: 362,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 79,734

>>5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love

From a technical perspective, shares of TPGI trended modestly higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $6.75 with above-average volume. This stock recently formed a double bottom chart pattern at $6.42 to $6.44. Following that bottom, shares of TPGI have now spiked higher back above its 50-day and it's quickly moving within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if TPGI manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $6.95 to its 52-week high at $7.16 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in TPGI as long as it's trending above some key near-term support at $6.42 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 79,734 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then TPGI will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $10 to $11.

Progenics Pharmaceuticals

Progenics Pharmaceuticals (PGNX) develops and commercializes therapeutics for patients suffering from cancer and related conditions. This stock closed up 4.6% to $4.93 in Thursday's trading session.

Thursday's Range: $4.85-$4.96

52-Week Range: $2.53-$6.47

Thursday's Volume: 1.08 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 585,081

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar

From a technical perspective, PGNX gapped sharply higher here back above its 200-day moving average of $4.73 with heavy upside volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of PGNX within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if PGNX manages to take out Thursday's high of $4.96 to some more near-term overhead resistance at $5.29 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PGNX as long as it's trending above some near-term support at $4.50 or above its 50-day at $4.25 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 585,081 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then PGNX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $6.29 to its 52-week high at $6.47. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give PGNX a chance to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone from July of 2012 that started at $11.

To see more stocks that are making notable moves higher today, check out the Stocks Under $10 Moving Higher portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>3 Hot Stocks to Trade (or Not)

>>5 Cash-Rich Stocks That Could Pay Triple the Gains in 2014

>>4 Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.

Hot Oil Companies To Watch For 2014

ExxonMobil (XOM) reported earnings on Oct. 31, and since then the oil giant has more than doubled the S&P 500′s return, having gained 4% to the benchmark’s 1.9% though yesterday’s close.

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

So it’s not as if Exxon needed any help. But help it got. Bloomberg explains:

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.�reported a stake in Exxon Mobil Corp. valued at about $3.7 billion as Warren Buffett�� company disclosed its largest new holding since adding International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) in 2011.

Buffett�� company owned 40.1 million shares of Exxon on Sept. 30, Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire said today in a regulatory filing.

As with just about any Buffett purchases, shares of ExxonMobil have gotten a pop. They’ve gained 1.9% to $94.96, well above the S&P 500′s 0.3% gain. Exxon has also outpaced ConocoPhillips (COP), which has dropped 0.8% to $73.06 and Chevron (CVX), which has risen 0.4% to $119.99. BP (BP) is up 1.2% to $47.15.

Hot Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Worthington Energy Inc (WGAS.PK)

Worthington Energy, Inc. (Worthington), formerly Paxton Energy, Inc., incorporated July 30, 2004, is an oil and gas exploration and production company with assets in Texas and in the Gulf of Mexico. Worthington�� assets in Texas consist of a minority working interest in limited production and drilling prospects in the Cooke Ranch area of La Salle County, Texas, and Jefferson County, Texas, all operated by Bayshore Exploration L.L.C. (Bayshore). The Company�� assets in the Gulf of Mexico consist of a leasehold working interests in certain oil and gas leases located offshore from Louisiana, upon which no drilling or production has commenced as of December 31, 2011, and a 10.35% interest in the recently drilled I-1 well and a 2% royalty interest in 14,400 acres in the Mustang Island Tract 818. On March 27, 2012, it acquired certain assets from Black Cat Exploration & Production, LLC.

In Texas, the Company has working interests ranging from 4% to 31.75% (ne t revenue interests ranging from 3% to 23.8125%) in the various wells. In the Gulf of Mexico it has a 70% leasehold working interest, with a net revenue interest of 51.975%, of certain oil and gas leases in the Vermillion 179 tract and 10.35% interest in the recently drilled I-1 well and a 2% royalty interest in 14,400 acres in the Mustang Island Tract 818. As of December 31, 2011, it had one producing well that generated average total monthly net revenue.

The Mustang Island 818-L Field, located in the Kleberg County waters of the Gulf of Mexico, is a field re-habilitation project targeting bypassed or only partially produced gas-condensate. Total production from the wells within the seismic coverage was 125.6 billion cubic feet. In January 2011, the Hercules Offshore 205 jack-up rig was contracted to re-enter the I-Well on the Mustang License Area. The oil and gas leases are located in the VM 179, which is in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico offshore fr om Louisiana. VM 179 is at 85 inches water depth approxima! te! ly 46 miles offshore Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hot Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Grid Petroleum Corp (GRPR)

Hot Energy Stocks To Watch Right Now: Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD)

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (Enterprise), incorporated on April 9, 1998, owns and operates natural gas liquids (NGLs) related businesses of Enterprise Products Company (EPCO). The Company is a North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products and certain petrochemicals. Its midstream energy asset network links producers of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil from supply basins in the United States, Canada and the Gulf of Mexico with domestic consumers and international markets. Its midstream energy operations include natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and storage; NGL transportation, fractionation, storage, and import and export terminals; crude oil gathering and transportation, storage and terminals; offshore production platforms; petrochemical and refined products transportation and services; and a marine transportation business that operates on the United States inland and Intracoastal Waterway systems and in the Gulf of Mexico. Its assets include approximately 50,000 miles of onshore and offshore pipelines; 200 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, petrochemicals, refined products and crude oil; and 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity. In addition, its asset portfolio includes 24 natural gas processing plants, 21 NGL and propylene fractionators, six offshore hub platforms located in the Gulf of Mexico, a butane isomerization complex, NGL import and export terminals, and octane isobutylene production facilities. The Company operates in five business segments: NGL Pipelines & Services; Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services; Onshore Crude Oil Pipelines & Services; Offshore Pipelines & Services, and Petrochemical & Refined Products Services.

NGL Pipelines & Services

The Company�� NGL Pipelines & Services business segment includes its natural gas processing plants and related NGL marketing activities; approximately 16,700 miles of NGL pipel! ines; NGL and related product storage facilities; and 14 NGL fractionators. This segment also includes its import and export terminal operations. At the core of its natural gas processing business are 24 processing plants located across Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming. Natural gas produced at the wellhead (especially in association with crude oil) contains varying amounts of NGLs. Once the mixed component NGLs are extracted by a natural gas processing plant, they are transported to a centralized fractionation facility for separation into purity NGL products. Once processed, this natural gas is available for sale through its natural gas marketing activities. Its NGL marketing activities generate revenues from the sale and delivery of NGLs it takes title to through its natural gas processing activities and open market and contract purchases from third parties. Its NGL marketing activities utilize a fleet of approximately 670 railcars, the majority of which are leased from third parties.

The Company�� NGL pipelines transport mixed NGLs and other hydrocarbons from natural gas processing facilities, refineries and import terminals to fractionation plants and storage facilities; distribute and collect NGL products to and from fractionation plants, storage and terminal facilities, petrochemical plants, export facilities and refineries, and deliver propane to customers along the Dixie Pipeline and certain sections of the Mid-America Pipeline System. Revenues from its NGL pipeline transportation agreements are based upon a fixed fee per gallon of liquids transported multiplied by the volume delivered. Certain of its NGL pipelines offer firm capacity reservation services. It collects storage revenues under its NGL and related product storage contracts based on the number of days a customer has volumes in storage multiplied by a storage fee. In addition, it charges customers throughput fees based on volumes delivered into and subsequently withdrawn from storage. Its ! principal! NGL pipelines include Mid-America Pipeline System, South Texas NGL Pipeline System, Seminole Pipeline, Dixie Pipeline, Chaparral NGL System, Louisiana Pipeline System, Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline, Promix NGL Gathering System, Houston Ship Channel pipeline, Rio Grande Pipeline, Panola Pipeline and Lou-Tex NGL Pipeline. It operates its NGL pipelines with the exception of the Tri-States pipeline.

The Company�� NGL operations include import and export facilities located on the Houston Ship Channel in southeast Texas. It owns an import and export facility located on land it leases from Oiltanking Houston LP. Its import facility can offload NGLs from tanker vessels at rates up to 14,000 barrels per hour depending on the product. During the year ended December 31, 2012, its average combined NGL import and export volumes were 132 thousand barrels per day. In addition to its Houston Ship Channel import/export terminal, it owns a barge dock also located on the Houston Ship Channel, which can load or offload two barges of NGLs or other products simultaneously at rates up to 5,000 barrels per hour.

The Company owns or have interests in 14 NGL fractionators located in Texas and Louisiana. NGL fractionators separate mixed NGL streams into purity NGL products. The primary sources of mixed NGLs fractionated in the United States are domestic natural gas processing plants, crude oil refineries and imports of butane and propane mixtures. Mixed NGLs sourced from domestic natural gas processing plants and crude oil refineries are transported by NGL pipelines and by railcar and truck to NGL fractionation facilities.

The Company�� NGL fractionation facilities process mixed NGL streams for third party customers and support its NGL marketing activities. It earns revenues from NGL fractionation under fee-based arrangements, including a level of demand-based fees. At its Norco facility in Louisiana, it performs fractionation services for certain customers under percent-of-liquids co! ntracts. ! Its fee-based fractionation customers retain title to the NGLs, which it processes for them. Its NGL fractionators include Mont Belvieu fractionator, Shoup and Armstrong fractionator, Hobbs NGL fractionator, Norco NGL fractionator, Promix NGL fractionators and BRF fractionators.

Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services

The Company�� Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services business segment includes approximately 19,900 miles of onshore natural gas pipeline systems, which provide for the gathering and transportation of natural gas in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming. It leases salt dome natural gas storage facilities located in Texas and Louisiana and own a salt dome storage cavern in Texas, which are integral to its pipeline operations. This segment also includes its related natural gas marketing activities.

The Company�� onshore natural gas pipeline systems and storage facilities provide for the gathering and transportation of natural gas from producing regions, such as the San Juan, Barnett Shale, Permian, Piceance, Greater Green River, Haynesville Shale and Eagle Ford Shale supply basins in the western United States. In addition, these systems receive natural gas production from the Gulf of Mexico through coastal pipeline interconnects with offshore pipelines. Its onshore natural gas pipelines receive natural gas from producers, other pipelines or shippers at the wellhead or through system interconnects and redeliver the natural gas to processing facilities, local gas distribution companies, industrial or municipal customers, storage facilities or to other onshore pipelines.

Its onshore natural gas pipelines generates revenues from transportation agreements under which shippers are billed a fee per unit of volume transported multiplied by the volume gathered or delivered. Its onshore natural gas pipelines offer firm capacity reservation services whereby the shipper pays a contractually stated fee based on the level of through! put capac! ity reserved in its pipelines whether or not the shipper actually utilizes such capacity. Under its natural gas storage contracts, there are typically two components of revenues monthly demand payments, which are associated with a customer�� storage capacity reservation and paid regardless of actual usage, and storage fees per unit of volume stored at its facilities. The Company�� natural gas marketing activities generate revenues from the sale and delivery of natural gas obtained from third party well-head purchases, regional natural gas processing plants and the open market.

Onshore Crude Oil Pipelines & Services

The Company�� Onshore Crude Oil Pipelines & Services business segment includes approximately 5,100 miles of onshore crude oil pipelines, crude oil storage terminals located in Oklahoma and Texas, and its crude oil marketing activities. Its onshore crude oil pipeline systems gather and transport crude oil in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas to refineries, centralized storage terminals and connecting pipelines. Revenue from crude oil transportation is based upon a fixed fee per barrel transported multiplied by the volume delivered.

The Company owns crude oil terminal facilities in Cushing, Oklahoma and Midland, Texas, which are used to store crude oil volumes for it and its customers. Under its crude oil terminaling agreements, it charges customers for crude oil storage based on the number of days a customer has volumes in storage multiplied by a contractual storage fee. With respect to storage capacity reservation agreements, it collects a fee for reserving storage capacity for customers at its terminals. In addition, it charges its customers throughput (or pumpover) fees based on volumes withdrawn from its terminals. It provides fee-based trade documentation services whereby it documents the transfer of title for crude oil volumes transacted between buyers and sellers at its terminals. The Company�� crude oil marketing activities generate revenues! from the! sale and delivery of crude oil obtained from producers or on the open market.

Offshore Pipelines & Services

The Company�� Offshore Pipelines & Services business segment serves active drilling and development regions, including deepwater production fields, in the northern Gulf of Mexico offshore Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. This segment includes approximately 2,300 miles of offshore natural gas and crude oil pipelines and six offshore hub platforms. Its offshore Gulf of Mexico pipelines provide for the gathering and transportation of natural gas or crude oil. Revenue from its offshore pipelines is derived from fee-based agreements whereby the customer is charged a fee per unit of volume gathered or transported multiplied by the volume delivered. Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (Poseidon), in which it has a 36% equity method investment, purchases crude oil from producers and shippers at a receipt point (at a fixed or index-based price less a location differential) and then sells quantities of crude oil at onshore Louisiana locations (at the same fixed or index-based price, as applicable).

The Company�� offshore platforms are components of its pipeline operations. Platforms are used to interconnect the offshore pipeline network; provide means to perform pipeline maintenance; locate compression, separation and production handling equipment and similar assets, and conduct drilling operations during the initial development phase of an oil and natural gas property. Revenues from offshore platform services consist of demand fees and commodity charges. Revenue from commodity charges is based on a fixed-fee per unit of volume delivered to the platform multiplied by the total volume of each product delivered.

Petrochemical & Refined Products Services

The Company�� Petrochemical & Refined Products Services business segment consists of propylene fractionation plants, pipelines and related marketing activities; a butane isom! erization! facility and related pipeline system; octane enhancement and isobutylene production facilities; refined products pipelines, including its Products Pipeline System, and related marketing activities, and marine transportation and other services.

The Company�� propylene fractionation and related activities consist of seven propylene fractionation plants (six located in Mont Belvieu, Texas and a seventh in Baton Rouge, Louisiana), propylene pipeline systems aggregating approximately 680 miles in length and related petrochemical marketing activities. This business includes an export facility and associated above-ground polymer grade propylene storage spheres located in Seabrook, Texas. Results of operations for its polymer grade propylene plants are dependent upon toll processing arrangements and petrochemical marketing activities. The toll processing arrangements include a base-processing fee per gallon (or other unit of measurement). Its petrochemical marketing activities include the purchase and fractionation of refinery grade propylene obtained in the open market and generate revenues from the sale and delivery of products obtained through propylene fractionation. The revenues from its propylene pipelines are based upon a transportation fee per unit of volume multiplied by the volume delivered to the customer. As part of its petrochemical marketing activities, it has refinery grade propylene purchase and polymer grade propylene sales agreements. Its butane isomerization business includes three butamer reactor units and eight associated deisobutanizer units located in Mont Belvieu, Texas, which comprise the commercial isomerization facility in the United States.

The Company�� commercial isomerization units convert normal butane into mixed butane, which is fractionated into isobutane, isobutane and residual normal butane. The uses of isobutane are for the production of propylene oxide, isooctane, isobutylene and alkylate for motor gasoline. These processing arrangements inclu! de a base! -processing fee per gallon (or other unit of measurement). Its isomerization business also generates revenues from the sale of natural gasoline created as a by-product of the isomerization process. The Company owns and operates an octane enhancement production facility located in Mont Belvieu, Texas, which produces isooctane, isobutylene and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). The products produced by this facility are used in reformulated motor gasoline blends. The isobutane feedstocks consumed in the production of these products are supplied by its isomerization units. The Company owns a facility located on the Houston Ship Channel, which produces high purity isobutylene (HPIB). The feedstock for this plant is produced by its octane enhancement facility located at its Mont Belvieu complex. HPIB is used in the production of alkylated phenols used as antioxidants, lube oil additives, butyl rubber and resins.

Refined products pipelines and related activities consist of its Products Pipeline System, equity method investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC (Centennial) and refined products marketing activities. The Products Pipeline System transports refined products, and petrochemicals, such as ethylene and propylene and NGLs, such as propane and normal butane. These refined products are produced by refineries and include gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, kerosene, distillates and heating oil. Refined products also include blend stocks, such as raffinate and naphtha. Blend stocks are used to produce gasoline or as a feedstock for certain petrochemicals. The Centennial Pipeline intersects its Products Pipeline System near Creal Springs, Illinois, and loops the Products Pipeline System between Beaumont, Texas and south Illinois. In addition, it has refined products terminals located at Aberdeen, Mississippi and Boligee, Alabama adjacent to the Tombigbee River and on the Houston Ship Channel in Pasadena, Texas. Its related marketing activities generate revenues from the sale and delivery of refin! ed produc! ts obtained from third parties on the open market.

The Company�� marine transportation business consists of tow boats and tank barges, which are used to transport refined products, crude oil, asphalt, condensate, heavy fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas and other petroleum products along inland and intracoastal the United States waterways. Its marine transportation assets service refinery and storage terminal customers along the Mississippi River, the intracoastal waterway between Texas and Florida and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway system. It owns a shipyard and repair facility located in Houma, Louisiana and marine fleeting facilities in Bourg, Louisiana and Channelview, Texas. Other services consist of the distribution of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals and the bulk transportation of fuels by truck, in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas and the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dividends4Life]

  Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD) is an integrated provider of natural gas and natural gas liquids services, including processing, fractionation, storage, transportation and terminalling.
  Yield: 4.6% | Years of Dividend Growth: 16

• [By Callum Turcan]

  A foursome�
  Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD  ) ,�Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC  ) , and DCP Midstream, a�joint venture�between Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE  ) �and Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX  ) , are about to complete�the Front Range�pipeline, which will run from the DJ Basin down to the Texas Express pipeline. It will be able to carry 150,000 bpd of�natural gas liquid�(NGL) with the possibility to increase that to 230,000 bpd if production keeps increasing. Front Range is expected to come online in the forth quarter of 2013.�

• [By sirajsarwar]

  These three MLPs have a long history of consistently increasing distributions. The MLPs included in this group are Sunoco Logistics Partners (SXL), Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP). Each of these MLPs was evaluated for their consistently increasing distributions.

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  As an asset class, upstream oil and gas MLPs are faced with more�difficulty�in maintaining steady cash flow from quarter to quarter. Midstream MLPs like Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD  ) have a much easier task ��the majority of its cash flow is locked into fee-based contracts. In fact, 81% of Enterprise's gross operating margin is secured by long-term, fee-based contracts. Upstream MLPs try to replicate this income safety by hedging production for several years, but they are not always successful in locking in enough cash flow to cover the distribution from quarter to quarter.�

Hot Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Halliburton Company(HAL)

Halliburton Company provides various products and services to the energy industry for the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services, completion tools and services, cementing services, and Boots & Coots. Its production enhancement services include stimulation and sand control services; completion tools and services comprise subsurface safety valves and flow control equipment, surface safety systems, packers and specialty completion equipment, intelligent completion systems, expandable liner hanger systems, sand control systems, well servicing tools, and reservoir performance services; cementing services consist of bonding the well and well casing, while isolating fluid zones and maximizing wellbore stability, and casing equipment; and Boots & Coots include well intervention services , pressure control, equipment rental tools and services, and pipeline and process services. The Drilling and Evaluation segment provides field and reservoir modeling, drilling, evaluation, and wellbore placement solutions that enable customers to model, measure, and optimize their well construction activities. Its services comprise fluid services, drilling services, drill bits, wireline and perforating services, testing and subsea services, software and asset solutions, and integrated project management and consulting services. The company serves independent, integrated, and national oil companies. Halliburton Company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dr. Kent Moors]

  That's why some of the biggest OFS providers - like Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB), Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) and Weatherford International (NYSE: WFT) - have been buying up oil and gas equipment companies.

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  The main reason for this has been the large-scale application of new technologies, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," that have allowed producers to more easily coax oil and gas from dense rock formations. Though oilfield services firm Halliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) was the first company to use hydraulic fracturing commercially to recover oil and gas all the way back in 1949, the practice didn't become widespread until just about half a decade ago.

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  Focus on growth
  Two quick and scary numbers for CARBO Ceramics:

  In 2011, fully 92.3% of total revenue came from proppant sales. Nearly half -- 49% -- of total sales were generated from just two customers in 2012: Schlumberger and Halliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) .

  It isn't a bad thing to have industry leaders such as Schlumberger and Halliburton as customers, but the dependence is scary. On one hand is the mutually beneficial relationship. Halliburton, the leader in fracking technology, needs CARBO's products to increase the yields of hydrocarbons at its wells across the country. On the other hand is the innovative nature of the industry. For instance, Schlumberger has developed a technology called HiWAY Flow-Channel Fracturing, which opens up larger seams in a proppant-filled well to further boost its productivity. Unfortunately, the technology reduces proppant usage by 40%!

Hot Oil Companies To Watch For 2014: Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (BWP)

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP is a limited partnership company. The Company owns and operates three interstate natural gas pipeline systems including integrated storage facilities. Its business is conducted by its primary subsidiary, Boardwalk Pipelines, LP (Boardwalk Pipelines) and its subsidiaries, Gulf Crossing Pipeline Company LLC (Gulf Crossing), Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (Gulf South) and Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (Texas Gas) (together, the operating subsidiaries), which consist of integrated natural gas pipeline and storage systems. During the year ended December 31, 2011, it formed Boardwalk Midstream, LP (Midstream), and its operating subsidiary, Boardwalk Field Services, LLC (Field Services), which is engaged in the natural gas gathering and processing business. In December 2011, Boardwalk HP Storage Company, LLC (HP Storage), a joint venture between Boardwalk Pipelines and Boardwalk Pipelines Holding Corp. (BPHC) acquired Petal Gas Storage, L.L.C. (Petal), Hattiesburg Gas Storage Company (Hattiesburg). In December 2011, it acquired a 20% equity interest in HP Storage.

The Company�� pipeline systems originate in the Gulf Coast region, Oklahoma and Arkansas and extend north and east to the midwestern states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. It serves a mix of customers, including producers, local distribution companies (LDCs), marketers, electric power generators, direct industrial users and interstate and intrastate pipelines. The Company provides a portion of its pipeline transportation and storage services, through firm contracts, under which the Company�� customers pay monthly capacity reservation charges. Other charges are based on actual utilization of the capacity under firm contracts and contracts for interruptible services. During 2011, approximately 82% of its revenues were derived from capacity reservation charges under firm contracts; approximately 14% of its revenues were derived from charges-based on actual utilization under firm contr! acts, and approximately 4% of its revenues were derived from interruptible transportation, interruptible storage, parking and lending (PAL) and other services. Its expansion projects include South Texas Eagle Ford Expansionand Marcellus Gathering System and HP Storage.

Pipeline and Storage Systems

The Company�� operating subsidiaries own and operate approximately 14,200 miles of pipelines, directly serving customers in twelve states and indirectly serving customers throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States through numerous interconnections with unaffiliated pipelines. In 2011, its pipeline systems transported approximately 2.7 trillion cubic feet of gas. Average daily throughput on its pipeline systems during 2011 was approximately 7.3 billion cubic feet. Its natural gas storage facilities are comprised of eleven underground storage fields located in four states with aggregate working gas capacity of approximately 167.0 billion cubic feet. the Company operates the assets of HP Storage on behalf of the joint venture.

The principal sources of supply for our pipeline systems are regional supply hubs and market centers located in the Gulf Coast region, including offshore Louisiana, the Perryville, Louisiana area, the Henry Hub in Louisiana and the Carthage, Texas area. Its pipelines in the Carthage, Texas area provide access to natural gas supplies from the Bossier Sands, Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale and other gas producing regions in eastern Texas and northern Louisiana. The Henry Hub serves as the designated delivery point for natural gas futures contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Its pipeline systems also have access to unconventional mid-continent supplies, such as the Woodford Shale in southeastern Oklahoma and the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas. The Company also accesses the Eagle Ford Shale in southern Texas; wellhead supplies in northern and southern Louisiana and Mississippi; and Canadian natural gas through an unaffil! iated pip! eline interconnect at Whitesville, Kentucky.

Gulf Crossing

The Company�� Gulf Crossing pipeline system originates near Sherman, Texas, and proceeds to the Perryville, Louisiana area. The market areas are in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Florida through interconnections with Gulf South, Texas Gas and unaffiliated pipelines.

Gulf South

The Company�� Gulf South pipeline system is located along the Gulf Coast in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The on-system markets directly served by the Gulf South system are generally located in eastern Texas, Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. These markets include LDCs and municipalities located across the system, including New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; and Pensacola, Florida, and other end-users located across the system, including the Baton Rouge to New Orleans industrial corridor and Lake Charles, Louisiana. Gulf South also has indirect access to off-system markets through numerous interconnections with unaffiliated interstate and intrastate pipelines and storage facilities. These pipeline interconnections provide access to markets throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States.

Gulf South has two natural gas storage facilities. The gas storage facility located in Bistineau, Louisiana, has approximately 78 billion cubic feet of working gas storage capacity from which Gulf South offers firm and interruptible storage service, including no-notice service. Gulf South�� Jackson, Mississippi, gas storage facility has approximately five billion cubic feet of working gas storage capacity, which is used for operational purposes and is not offered for sale to the market.

Texas Gas

The Company�� Texas Gas pipeline system originates in Louisiana, East Texas and Arkansas and runs north and east through Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, K! entucky, ! Indiana, and into Ohio, with smaller diameter lines extending into Illinois. Texas Gas directly serves LDCs, municipalities and power generators in its market area, which encompasses eight states in the South and Midwest and includes the Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and Evansville and Indianapolis, Indiana metropolitan areas. Texas Gas also has indirect market access to the Northeast through interconnections with unaffiliated pipelines. Texas Gas owns nine natural gas storage fields, of which it owns the majority of the working and base gas. Texas Gas uses this gas to meet the operational requirements of its transportation and storage customers and the requirements of its no-notice service customers.

Field Services

In 2011, the Company formed its Field Services subsidiary and transferred to it approximately 100 miles of gathering and transmission pipeline. In 2012, the Company transferred to Field Services an additional 240 miles of pipeline and two compressor stations. Field Services is developing gathering and processing capabilities in south Texas and Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By gurujx]

  Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (BWP) Reached the 3-year Low of $24.62

  The prices of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP (BWP) shares have declined to close to the 3-year low of $24.62, which is 29.7% off the 3-year high of $33.50.

• [By Taylor Muckerman and Joel South]

  If that company doesn't fit your investing style, analyst Joel South offers his take on Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (NYSE: BWP  ) . This natural gas-focused operator offers a tremendous distribution yield above 7% and is diversified into the mid-continent and Utica shale regions. Those interested in high distribution yields would be well served by taking a deeper dive here.

• [By Stone Fox Capital]

  Another major project announced back in March includes plans with Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (BWP) to create the Bluegrass Pipeline. The proposed design would provide producers with 200K barrels per day of mixed NGLs take-away capacity in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania with the possibility to increase it to 400K barrels per day. The pipeline would deliver the NGLs to new fractionation and storage facilities, which would have connectivity to pipelines along the U.S Gulf Coast. The project should be sanctioned this year with a plan of going into service in the second half of 2015. See the below slide: