Monday, March 16, 2015

Top 5 Forestry Stocks To Own For 2014

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (QCOR) recently announced its plans to commence a pilot effort to commercialize H.P. Acthar Gel for the treatment of respiratory manifestations of symptomatic sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disorder.

This indication is a part of the FDA-approved package insert for Acthar. Questcor intends to hire and train 5-10 sales representatives this quarter focusing on pulmonologists treating this rare respiratory disorder.

The reps will start promoting the product for this indication from the fourth quarter of this year. Questcor is yet to decide whether a full-fledged sales force will be dedicated for this indication. This pilot effort will provide input regarding future commercialization plans for this indication. This pilot effort is similar to those made by Questcor for Acthar in fields such as neurology, nephrology and rheumatology.

Acthar, an injectable drug, is the lead product at Questcor. It is approved by the FDA for as many as 19 indications including nephrotic syndrome, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis relapses and infantile spasms. Currently, Acthar is being studied for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and diabetic nephropathy.

Top 10 Chemical Stocks To Invest In 2015: Cubic Corp (CUB)

Cubic Corporation (Cubic), incorporated on December 13, 1984, is an international provider of systems and solutions that address the mass transit and global defense markets. The Company operates in three segments: Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS), Mission Support Services (MSS) and Cubic Defense Systems (CDS). As of the September 30, 2012, the Company�� CTS business accounted for approximately 37%; MSS and CDS accounted for approximately 36% and 27% of its net sales respectively. CTS specialize in the design, development, production, installation, maintenance and operation of automated fare payment and revenue management infrastructure and technologies for transit operators. As part of its turnkey solutions, CTS also provides these customers with a suite of business process outsourcing (BPO) services and expertise, such as card and payment media management, central systems and application support, retail network management, passenger call centers and financial clearing and settlement support. In March 2014, the Company acquired Intific Inc.

Mission Support Services

MSS is a provider of live, virtual and constructive training services to all four branches of the United States military, including the special operations communities, as well as to allied nations. In addition, MSS offers a range of national security solutions to the intelligence community. CDS is a provider of air and ground combat training systems for the United States and allied nations and a key supplier of secure communications solutions, including asset tracking and cyber products and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data links. Services provided include live, virtual and constructive training, real-world mission rehearsal exercises, professional military education, intelligence support, information technology, information assurance and related cyber support, development of military doctrine, consequence management, infrastructure protection and force protection, as well as support to f! ield operations, force deployment and redeployment and logistics.

Cubic Transportation Systems

CDS focuses on two primary lines of business: training systems and secure communications. CTS is a systems integrator that develops and provides fare collection infrastructure, services and technology for public transport authorities and operators worldwide. The Company offers fare collection devices, software, systems and multiagency, multimodal integration technologies, as well as a suite of operational services. As of September 30, 2012, the Company installed over 90,000 devices and deployed several central systems which in total process approximately 10 billion fare-related transactions per year for approximately seven billion transit passengers.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had 400 projects in 40 markets on five continents. The Company has implements and, in many cases, operates automated fare payment and collection systems for some of the mass transit systems, such as London, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles region. It offers a range of services for transit authorities in transit markets worldwide, including computer hosting services, call center and Web services, payment media issuance and distribution services, retail point of sale network management, payment processing, financial clearing and settlement, software application support and outsourced asset operations and maintenance. The Company provides its services in regions, including London, Sydney, Brisbane, Sweden, Washington district of Columbia, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. CTS operate full service operation centers in North America, Europe and Australia. As of September 30, 2012, the Company was designing and building new systems in Chicago, Sydney and Vancouver.

Mission Support Services

MSS provides services within the scope of small-to large-scale military training exercises, including live, virtual and constructive training exercises and suppor! t. Traini! ng services include full life-cycle support from planning through after action reviews as well as the associated support, such as operational, technical and logistical support. In addition, the segment provides a broad range of national security solutions, including subject matter and operational expertise, advanced tactical training and cyber security services, to the intelligence, special operations, law enforcement and homeland security communities. Customers include all branches of the United States military, non-military agencies and allied nations under arrangements with the United States government. MSS is the prime contractor at more than 40 military training and support facilities and supports more than 200,000 exercises and training events per year.

The Company provides training and rehearsals for both small and large scale combat operations, training and preparation of military advisor teams, mobilization and demobilization of forces prior to and following deployment, combat and material development, military staff augmentation, information technology and information assurance, logistics and maintenance support for fielded and deployed systems, support to national security and special operations activities; peacekeeping; consequence management and humanitarian assistance operations worldwide. It plans, prepares, executes and documents realistic and focused mission rehearsal exercises (using both live and computer-based exercises) as final preparation of forces prior to deployment. In addition, it provides consultation and advisory services to the governments and militaries of allied nations.

The Company�� contracts include providing mission support services to three of the United States Army's CTC's: JRTC as prime contractor and the national training center (NTC) and Mission command training program (MCTP) as a principal subcontractor. These services include planning, executing and documenting realistic and stressful exercises and mission rehearsals that increase t! he readin! ess of both active and reserve the United States conventional and special operations forces by placing them in situations as close to actual combat as possible.

MSS is a principal member of the contractor team, to the United States armed services, that supports and helps manage and execute all aspects of the operations of the Joint Coalition Warfare Center (JCWC), including support to worldwide joint exercises and the development and fielding of the Joint National Training Capability (JNTC). Under the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Training Systems Support (MTSS) contract, it provides training and exercise support to the United States Marine Corps forces worldwide, including real-world mission rehearsals. It planned and executed virtually all Marine Corps simulation-based exercises worldwide under the original MAGTF Staff Training Program (MSTP) and its successor, the MTSS, directly preparing Marines for combat operations.

It provides training and professional military education support to the United States Army's Quartermaster Center and School, the Signal School and to the Transportation School. It also provides contractor maintenance and instructional support necessary to operate and maintain a wide variety of flight simulation and training systems and other facilities worldwide, for United States and allied forces under multiple long-term contracts, including direct support to USMC aircrew training systems worldwide. In addition, it provides a range of operational support to the United States Navy for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and counter-mine operations and training. It provides research, development and technical engineering (RDTE) support to the United States Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) for assistance in the identification and application of current, new and emerging technologies to proof-of-principle evaluations of advanced operational concepts. Its services, products and capabilities include development and deployment of curriculum and related cours! eware, co! mputer-based training, knowledge management and distribution, advanced distance learning (e-learning), serious military games for training, and other advanced education programs for United States and allied forces.

Cubic Defense Systems

CDS is focused on two primary lines of business: training systems and secure communications. This segment is primarily a diversified supplier of live and virtual military training systems and secure communications products to the DoD and more than 35 allied nations. The Company designs and manufactures air and ground combat training systems for fighter aircraft, armored vehicles and infantry, as well as weapons effects simulations, laser-based tactical and communication systems. The Company also designs and manufactures secure communications products focused on intelligence, surveillance, asset tracking and search and rescue.

The segment designs, manufactures and fields a range of technologies that are critical to combat readiness, supply chain logistics and national security for the United States and allied nations. Its primary lines of business include air combat training ranges and after action review software, ground combat training systems, including a full range of laser engagement simulation systems, virtual small arms training systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data links, personnel locator systems, multi-band communication tracking devices and cross domain appliances for cyber security. It also provides ongoing support services for systems it has built for several of its international customers.

Its training systems business designs and manufactures of instrumented training systems and products for militaries of allied nations. It designs and manufactures air and ground combat training systems for fighter aircraft, armored vehicles and infantry, as well as weapons effects simulations, laser-based tactical and communication systems. These systems collect and record simulated weapons eng! agements,! tactical actions and event data to evaluate combat effectiveness and lessons learned and provide a basis to develop after action reviews. It also designs and manufactures secure communications products focused on intelligence, surveillance, asset tracking and search and rescue.

Its training business is organized into air combat, ground combat and virtual training divisions. Ground combat training uses systems analogous to air ranges for ground force training. The systems are generally known as tactical engagement simulation systems or multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES). It supplies MILES equipment as part of CTC contracts. Its Virtual Training product line provides virtual training systems for various applications, employing actual or realistic weapons and systems together with visual imagery to simulate battlefield environments. Cubic also provides maintenance trainers for combat systems and vehicles, as well as operational trainers for missiles, armored vehicles and naval applications.

Its communications business is a supplier of secure data links, radio frequency amplifiers, direction finding systems, remote video terminals, and search and rescue avionics for the United States military, government agencies, and allied nations. Personnel Locator System (PLS) is standard equipment on United States aircraft with a search and rescue mission. PLS is designed to interface with all modern search and rescue system standards. It also supplies amplifiers and direction finding systems to prime contractors and end users for both domestic and international applications. These include systems used by the Canadian Coast Guard, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force and the French Army.

The Company competes with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Boeing, L3 Communications and SAIC.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Rich Smith]

    The Department of Defense awarded San Diego-based Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB  ) a $19.9 million contract modification Friday, amending a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, foreign-military-sales contract in support of the Israeli military.

  • [By Blake Bos]

    In the following video, Fool consumer-goods/industrials analyst Blake Bos breaks down Aviation Week's top aerospace and defense picks by annual revenue. His discussion includes Cubic (NYSE: CUB  ) , Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK  ) , Exelis (NYSE: XLS  ) , Boeing (NYSE: BA  ) , and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT  ) .

Top 5 Forestry Stocks To Own For 2014: Forest Laboratories Inc (FRX)

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (Forest), incorporated on April 11, 1956, develops, manufactures and sells branded forms of ethical drug products, most of which requires a physician's prescription. The Company also focuses on the development and introduction of new products, including products developed in collaboration with licensing partners. Its products include those developed by the Company and those acquired from other pharmaceutical companies and integrated into its marketing and distribution systems. The Company�� principal products include Lexapro, its selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and adolescents and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults; Namenda, its N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) antagonist for the treatment of moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease; Bystolic, its beta-blocker for the treatment of hypertension; Savella, its selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) for the management of fibromyalgia and its newest marketed product Teflaro, a broad-spectrum hospital-based injectable cephalosporin antibiotic for the treatment of adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. On April 13, 2011, the Company acquired Clinical Data Inc. (Clinical Data), a specialty pharmaceutical company.

Aclidinium

In June 2011, the Company ahs submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for aclidinium (aclidinium bromide), a long-acting antimuscarinic agent developed as an inhaled therapy for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When given by inhalation, aclidinium leads to bronchodilation by inhibiting airway smooth muscle contraction. Aclidinium is rapidly hydrolyzed in human plasma to two major inactive metabolites. Aclidinium is administered to patients using a multi-dose dry powder inhaler (MDPI). This inhaler was designed with a feedback system which, through a ��olored control window��and an a! udible click, helps confirm that the patient has inhaled correctly. It contains multiple doses of aclidinium, includes a visible dose-level indicator, and also incorporates features such as an anti-double dosing mechanism and an end-of-dose lock-out system to prevent use of an empty inhaler.

Linaclotide

Linaclotide is being investigated for the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and chronic constipation (CC). Linaclotide is an agonist of the guanylate cyclase type-C receptor found in the intestine and acts by a mechanism. Linaclotide increases fluid secretions leading to increased bowel movement frequency and reduces abdominal pain. Linaclotide is administered orally but acts locally in the intestine with no measurable systemic exposure at therapeutic doses and is intended for once-daily administration.

Viibryd

As a result of its acquisition of Clinical Data, Inc. (Clinical Data) completed in April 2011, the Company obtained worldwide rights to develop and market Viibryd (vilazodone HCl) a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist developed by Clinical Data for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). Viibryd became available to patients during the June 2011 quarter and was formally launched in the U.S. in late August 2011.

Daliresp

In February 2011, the Company received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the marketing of Daliresp (roflumilast). Daliresp is once-daily, orally administered, selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme inhibitor, developed by its partner, Nycomed GmbH (Nycomed), as a treatment to reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations.

Namenda

Namenda (memantine HCl) is an N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist for the treatmen! t of mode! rate and severe Alzheimer�� disease. In June 2010, Namenda XR was approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer�� type. Namenda XR is a 28 milligrams once-daily extended-release formulation of Namenda. The Company has obtained the exclusive rights to develop and market memantine in the United States by license agreement with Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KgaA (Merz) of Germany, the originator of the product.

Bystolic

Bystolic is a beta-1 selective beta-blocker with vasodilating properties. Bystolic decreases heart rate and myocardial contractility and suppresses rennin activity. The Company licensed exclusive United States and Canadian rights to Bystolic from Mylan Inc. (Mylan).

Savella

Savella (milnacipran HCl) is the Company�� selective serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitor (SNRI) for the management of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and decreased physical function. The Company licensed the United States and Canadian rights to develop and commercialize Savella from Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (Cypress). Its license agreement includes two patents covering the use of Savella for the management of fibromyalgia.

Teflaro

In October 2010, the Company received marketing approval from the FDA for Teflaro (ceftaroline) for the treatment of adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, including cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia and with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, including cases caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Teflaro is a spectrum, hospital-based injectable cephalosporin antibiotic with activity against Gram-positive bacteria and common Gram-negative bacteria. Teflaro is a member of the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. The worldwide rights (excluding Japan) to Teflaro are in-licensed on an exclusive basis from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company (Takeda). Teflaro is als! o covered! by two United States patents that relate to the ceftaroline formulation that expire in 2021 and that may provide additional exclusivity.

Avibactam

Avibactam is designed to be co-administered with select antibiotics to enhance their spectrum of activity. The Company received the exclusive rights to administer avibactam with ceftaroline as a combination product in North America. Avibactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor designed to be co-administered with select antibiotics to enhance their spectrum of activity by overcoming beta-lactamase-related antibacterial resistance.

Lexapro

Lexapro�� is a SSRI for the treatment of MDD in adults and adolescents and GAD in adults. Lexapro�� (escitalopram oxalate) single isomer version of citalopram HBr, for the treatment of MDD in adults and adolescents and GAD in adults.

Cariprazine

Cariprazine is an oral D2/D3 partial agonist. Cariprazine is also undergoing Phase III trials for schizophrenia and acute mania associated with bipolar depression, bipolar depression and as an adjunct treatment for MDD.

Levomilnacipran

Levomilnacipran is a once-daily, selective norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, two neurotransmitters known to play an essential role in regulating mood, and is being developed for the treatment of MDD.

GRT 6005

In December 2010, the Company entered into a license agreement with Grunenthal GmbH for the co-development and commercialization of GRT 6005 and its follow-on compound GRT 6006, small molecule analgesic compounds being developed by Grunenthal for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. GRT 6005 and GRT 6006 are compounds with pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles that may enhance their effect in certain pain conditions. GRT 6005 has completed initial proof-of-concept studies in nociceptive and neuropathic pain with further Phase II studies planned prior to initiation of Phase III s! tudies.

TTP399

In June 2010, the Company entered into a license agreement with TransTech Pharma, Inc. (TransTech) for the development and commercialization of TTP399, a functionally liver selective glucokinase activator (GKA) discovered and developed by TransTech for the treatment of Type II diabetes. Early Phase I testing suggests that pharmacological enhancement of glucokinase activity may lower blood glucose in diabetic patients.

Azimilide

In April 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with Blue Ash Therapeutics, LLC (Blue Ash) pursuant to which it acquired the worldwide rights to azimilide, a class III antiarrhythmic agent developed by Proctor & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. Based on its mechanism of action and results of clinical trials, azimilide was determined to be suited for use in patients with a history of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In 2010, the FDA agreed to one additional Phase III study to support a regulatory submission for azimilide in the U.S.

RGH-618

RGH-618 involves a series of compounds that target metabotropic glutamate receptors and are agonists, which represent potential agents for the treatment of anxiety, depression and other central nervous system (CNS) conditions. In March 2012, the Company initiated a Phase I study in healthy volunteers of RGH-618.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Johanna Bennett]

    Two months since becoming chief executive at Forest Laboratories (FRX), and Brenton Saunders is putting his mark on the drug maker.

    On Monday, Forest outlined ��roject Rejuvenate,��a plan to cut costs $500 million by 2016, while scaling back research and development efforts and reducing the company�� work force.

    It�� been a common story among big pharmaceutical companies. The industry has grown to depend on acquisitions and licensing deals or partnerships with small drug makers rather than in-house efforts to produce the blockbuster products needed to grow sales and offset revenue lost to generic rivals.

    Investors seem to approve. At $55.54, the stock surged 8.2% during afternoon market action.

    It was actually a pretty busy day for Forest. Though it restructuring plans attracted the most attention, the company also announced the sale of $1 billion of new debt to help fund $400 million in accelerated stock buybacks as part of a larger $1 billion share repurchase plan and a $250 million deal to acquire exclusive rights to the schizophrenia medication Saphris from Merck & Co. (MRK).

    Altogether, it could be quite a boon for Forest�� bottom line. Leerink Swann analyst Seamus Fernandez raised his per share earnings estimate for 2015 and 2016 to $2.89 and $3.24 respectively from the previous $1.87 and $1.19. Fernandez writes:

    We see several potential accretive Saphris-like opportunities for FRX particularly as companies like MRK partner or exit cost-intensive primary care/specialty categories (e.g., respiratory, antibiotics/antifungal, cardiology, GI, CNS). Incorporating these changes (and assuming no impact to sales ests of FRX’s existing portfolio), our new DCF valuation increases to $63/shr.

  • [By CNNMoney Staff]

    Actavis (ACT, Fortune 500) shares were up after it said earnings doubled in the fourth quarter. The company announced plans earlier this week to buy Forest Laboratories (FRX) for $25 billion. Forest shares were also higher.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Equities Trading UP
    Shares of Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) got a boost, shooting up 15.55 percent to $67.90 after the company announced its plans to acquire Aptalis for $2.9 billion.

Top 5 Forestry Stocks To Own For 2014: Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income ETF (CVY)

The Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income ETF (the Fund), formerly Claymore/Zacks Multi-Asset Income Index ETF, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance of an equity index called the Zacks Multi-Asset Income Index (the Index). The Index consists of approximately 125 to 150 securities selected, based on investment and other criteria, from a universe of domestic and international companies. The universe of securities within the Index includes United States-listed common stocks, American depositary receipts (ADRs) paying dividends, real estate investment trusts, master limited partnerships, closed-end funds and traditional preferred stocks. The companies in the universe are selected using a methodology developed by the index provider, Zacks Investment Research, Inc. The Fund, using a passive or indexing investment approach, seeks to replicate the performance of the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Claymore Advisors, LLC. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Genia Turanova]

    Moreover, investors can do one-stop shopping for most income classes through a single ETF as well. One interesting choice here is Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income (CVY).

Top 5 Forestry Stocks To Own For 2014: Internet Initiative Japan Inc.(IIJI)

Internet Initiative Japan Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides Internet connectivity, WAN, outsourcing, and systems integration services to customers primarily in Japan. Its Internet connectivity services include services for corporate use, such as IP services and data center connectivity services, broadband Internet connectivity services, dial-up access services, IIJ mobile services, and IIJ ISDN/F and IIJ line management/F services; and connectivity services for home use consisting of IIJ4U, IIJmio, and hi-ho. The company?s outsourcing services comprise security-related outsourcing services that protect customer network systems from unauthorized access and secure remote connections to internal networks; network-related outsourcing services, such as Internet-virtual private network, and router rental; server-related outsourcing services, including Web hosting, e-mail hosting, document storage, and streaming; data center-related outsourcing services consisting o f data center facility, and management and monitoring; and customer support and help desk solutions, and IP phone services. It also provides systems integration services, which include consulting, project planning, systems design, and development of network systems, primarily focusing on Internet business systems, and Intranet and Extranet corporate information systems; and systems operation and maintenance services. In addition, the company sells network-related equipment, as well as provides automated teller machine (ATM) services. As of June 30, 2011, it operated 9 points of presence (POPs) for dedicated access and 1 POP for nationwide dial-up access. The company also operates approximately 280 ATMs and 16 Internet data centers. Internet Initiative Japan Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Telecommunications services sector was the leading decliner in the US market today. Top decliners in the sector included Internet Initiative Japan (NASDAQ: IIJI), off 3.7 percent, and BT Group plc (NYSE: BT), down around 2.7 percent.

  • [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

    Leading and Lagging Sectors
    Thursday morning, the telecommunications services sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from ARC Group Worldwide (NASDAQ: ARCW) and Internet Initiative Japan (NASDAQ: IIJI). In trading on Thursday, non-cyclical consumer goods & services shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.43 percent.

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