A Common-Sense Defense of Microsoft

You're not supposed to start articles with a big string of facts, because people get overwhelmed. I think we can all manage this one time.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) made $7.7 billion in operating profit last quarter.

The largest chunk of that, $3.5 billion, came from the business division. Windows accounted for $3.2 billion, and servers added another $2.1 billion. A version of Windows runs on over 80% of the world's desktop and laptop computers.

That was the "good news" part, where people who like Microsoft said, "Yeah!" and people who hate it said, "Who cares about desktops -- it's all tablets and phones now." Fair enough. PC sales are down 14% compared to last year, and Hewlett-Packard reportedly shipped 24% fewer PCs in the quarter than it did last year.

The fall in sales is being placed squarely on the shoulders of Microsoft, and the end of the PC is supposedly just around the corner.

The worst-case scenario
Given all of the above, what can go wrong? Maybe this is the end of the PC, and starting in three years we're all going to be building spreadsheets and writing papers on tablets. Maybe Windows 8 is even worse than Vista, and is doomed for failure. Maybe HP and Dell both have to sell themselves off to survive. What then?

Well, Microsoft would still have a multibillion-dollar business-services business, a multibillion-dollar server business, and a multibillion-dollar entertainment business. On top of that, the chances are that it would make something work on tablets. While the Surface hasn't taken off, Microsoft is rumored to be trying a smaller version to see if that clicks with customers.

Windows 8's success or failure doesn't spell the success or failure of the company as a whole, it's just one piece of a very big puzzle.

The more likely scenario
Instead of the above, what we're likely to see is an increasing use of tablets for entertainment tasks, with fewer PC being used for bigger entertainment or work purposes. That's just fine for Microsoft, which will eventually find a way to make its tablet software more palatable to consumers. CEO Steve Ballmer has said that he sees no line, in the future, between hardware and software. That means that Microsoft will likely have a role to play regardless of what the physical device looks like.

As a last note, Microsoft isn't the kind of company I'd buy because it's going to blow up overnight. In the last five years, the stock is up 1.7%. I'd buy Microsoft because it's the kind of company that I believe will be around in 25 years. I don't know what it will look like, but I trust that it will find a way to remain relevant. As an investor, there's a lot to be said for that.

It's been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who've watched the company fail to capitalize on the incredible growth in mobile over the past decade. However, with the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In this brand-new premium report on Microsoft, our analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, the challenges are many. He's also providing regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.

GM Halts Sales of Some Cruze Models

Late Thursday, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) sent an email notice to all U.S. Chevrolet dealers to stop selling some 2013 and 2014 models of the company’s Cruze compact cars. The order is directed at models equipped with the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine. No recall order has been issued.

GM gave no reason for the order and there was no indication of how many cars are affected.

Karl Brauer, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, offered this comment:

The timing of this stop sale order might appear unfortunate given the publicity surrounding GM’s ignition switch recall, but it actually illustrates a new approach by the automaker. Rather than waiting for a full understanding and planned fix for the Cruze, GM is apparently stopping sales at the first sign of a problem to remove the potential of endangering customers.

According to industry newspaper Automotive News, the Cruze is GM’s best-selling U.S. car, with total sales of 248,224 units in 2013. That could have a negative impact on the company’s April sales, unless GM can resolve the issue quickly. It seems reasonable to conclude that if the issue is serious enough for GM to order a halt to sales, it is very likely serious enough to warrant a recall.

There is no question that GM is spooked by the ignition switch defect that has been implicated in 11 deaths and resulted in the recall of 1.6 million cars. The company’s potential liability from the poor way they handled that issue and essentially covered it up is likely to cost it billions.

On one hand, if the company now chooses to err on the side of caution, no one can really blame it. On the other hand, the company cannot flinch every time an indicator light fails to come on. Once some details about this stop-order on the Cruze are available, we will get some idea of how the company plans to react.

4 High-Yield Small Caps Poised to Rally

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Looking for some big dividends but don’t want to step into an already-crowded trade? Well, consider checking out the world of small caps for some investment ideas.

The following four small-cap stocks are … well, small, and in a couple of cases, they’re downright obscure.

But they’re also potent. Not only do they contain the possibility for significant capital appreciation, but they also offer plenty as far as dividends are concerned. In fact, of the following four small caps, the weakest dividend yield is still a very healthy 8%.

Ship Finance International Limited (SFL)

SFL Dividend Yield: 9.1%

Don’t let the name fool you; Ship Finance International Limited (SFL) isn’t much of a middleman or deal-facilitator for maritime shipping companies looking to add boats to their fleet. Ship Finance primarily manages its own fleet, ranging from drybulk vessels to drilling rigs to crude oil tankers … 73 in all, as of the last count.

It hasn’t been an easy (or profitable) business to be in since late 2008, when charter rates fell from record highs in the first half of the year to multiyear lows in the latter half of the same year. But, beginning in mid-2013, shipping prices began to move back to, well, at least promising levels. They’re currently up 60% over the past 12 months, and still rising.

Ship Finance International Limited is one of the better-positioned names to take advantage of that modest relief.

In the meantime, the 9%-plus dividend yield — at 40 cents per share, which is a dime better than SFL stock paid out in 2009 — is nothing to sneeze at.

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC (OZM)

OZM Dividend Yield: 13.6%

Asset management — hedge fund management, to be specific — isn’t exactly what you would call a high-growth industry. It’s stunningly reliable, however, in that revenue is collected each and every quarter based on the amount of money under management. That’s how Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC (OZM) could afford its double-digit dividend yield ($1.42 per share, all told) in 2013.

No, the reason an investor might want to nibble on Och-Ziff Capital Management Group shares here and now is that the price of OZM has been pulled down of late by a Department of Justice probe; the DOJ has questions about why Och-Ziff chose to manage money for the Libyan Investment Authority.

Bribery has been suspected, but given the DOJ and SEC’s completion rate, it’s unlikely anything substantial will come of the probe. Still, the price of OZM stick suffered all the same, falling from January’s peak of $16 to the current price of $13.37.

The seller will let up as soon as the news is a fading memory, which should be soon.

Apollo Investment Corp. (AINV)

AINV Dividend Yield: 9.7%

It’s classified by most as a business development company, but Apollo Investment Corp. (AINV) is quite different than most investment vehicles of that ilk. Rather than simply supplying cash in exchange for very favorable (to the lender) debt, Apollo Investment takes on a decent stake in equity of its portfolio’s companies.

That mix hasn’t prevented Apollo Investment shares from doling out some wild swings this year, but the current yield of 9.6% has been worth the turbulence.

The real buying cue for Apollo Investment Corp. right now, however, isn’t the strong yield. It’s the fact that a handful of insiders collectively bought 33,500 shares of AINV stock — a little more than a quarter of a million dollars’ worth — in February. It’s the first major insider stock purchase since the middle of last year.

If they want in, it might be a lead worth following.

CTC Media (CTCM)

CTCM Dividend Yield: 8.2%

When tensions between Russia and Ukraine first began to develop in early March, most Russian stocks tanked. Russian broadcast television company CTC Media (CTCM) was no exception, with its stock losing 19% of its value in March alone, on top of the 24% dip that had whacked CTCM stock from the beginning of the year through the end of March.

Big mistake.

As alarming as the threat of military action can be, the reality is, just like Americans, most Russians are going to continue watching the tube no matter what kind of geopolitical turmoil has been stirred up.

Better still, CTC Media has been more than generous with its already-impressive free cash flow. Its free cash flow is reliably at or better than 20% of revenue, with half of that being religiously paid back to CTCM stock owners. That translates into a healthy dividend yield of more than 8.0% at the stock’s current price.

As of this writing, James Brumley did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

Will a Plan to Pay for Google Business Apps Users Disrupt Microsoft Office?

Want to make a fast $15? Recommend Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) business apps suite to a friend and help the search king disrupt Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) Office. Fool contributor Tim Beyers explains the strategy's implications in the following video.

Specifically, the promo calls for paying $15 for every user who signs up for Google business apps, up to the first 100 who've paid for at least 120 days of access. Why the bribe? The problem may not be with the suite so much as what it offers beyond the free versions of Google's productivity software. Tim, an avid user of the search king's free services, says he doesn't yet see a difference worth paying for -- unless you own a business large enough to demand a standardized suite of productivity software.

No doubt ironic given the work-anywhere-and-however-you-want nature of cloud computing. And yet there's evidence that cloud-based productivity suites are catching on. Gartner's latest estimate put Google business apps at 33% to 50% of the market as of 2012.

Microsoft has taken notice of the threat and last month made it easier for users to navigate to and begin using the free versions of its productivity software at Office.com. An iPad version could arrive as early as next week, adding to Mr. Softy's existing Office 365 apps for iOS and Android.

In that sense, Google is paying to defend an emerging business (i.e., Google business apps) as Microsoft fights to keep its legacy business (i.e., Office). For investors, it's a fight to see who will own the future -- one that's worth watching. Now it's your turn to weigh in. Are you using Google business apps? Why or not? Sound off in the comments section below.

6 stock picks poised for incredible growth
Whether you believe in Google's strategy or not, the truth is disruptions happen all the time. We know because we've seen David Gardner profit from tectonic shifts time and again, racking stock gains like 926%, 2,239%, and 4,371%. In fact, just recently one of his favorite stocks became a 100-bagger. And he's ready to do it again. You can uncover his scientific approach to crushing the market and his carefully chosen six picks for ultimate growth instantly, because he's making this premium report free for you today. Click here now for access.

Facebook to snap up virtual-reality start-up…

SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook continue its billion-dollar buying binge Tuesday, forking over $2 billion for Oculus, a fledgling start-up in virtual-reality technology.

The deal calls for $400 million in cash and 23.1 million shares of Facebook common stock worth about $1.6 billion. The accord includes another $300 million in cash and stock based on incentives.

"Our mission is to make the world more open and connected," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a post on his Facebook profile page. "Oculus's mission is to enable you to experience the impossible. Their technology opens up the possibility of completely new kinds of experiences."

The head-gear-mounted technology, a hit at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, is the brainchild of Palmer Luckey. He was 21 at the time of CES.

Brendan Iribe is CEO and co-founder.

"We believe virtual reality will be heavily defined by social experiences that connect people in magical, new ways," Iribe said in a statement. "It is a transformative and disruptive technology, that enables the world to experience the impossible, and it's only just the beginning."

Oculus is Facebook's second multibillion-dollar purchase this year. In February, it announced plans to acquire messaging app WhatsApp for $19 billion.

Having focused solely on the software side of the industry, Facebook's plunge into a hardware business like Oculus is surprising, says Gartner analyst Brian Blau.

"They've talked about not wanting to be a hardware company," Blau says. "They want to do software and infrastructure, and they're clearly focused on social. Virtual reality isn't any of those things."

Passengers' families could collect millions

  Crowdsourcing site hunts for plane NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Will families of the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 get their day in court?

After two emotional weeks of searching, the prospect looms that the Boeing 777 carrying their loved ones won't soon turn up -- or may never be found.

Not knowing what happened to the 239 people aboard Flight 370 complicates the claims process and presents "some significant hurdles," said Dan Rose, a partner at the firm Kreindler & Kreindler who has represented passenger claims. But it in no way absolves the airline's financial responsibilities to the passengers' families.

"From a legal point of view, it's not an unprecedented situation," he said.

Under an international treaty known as the Montreal Convention, the airline must pay relatives of each deceased passenger an initial sum of around $150,000 to $175,000.

Relatives of victims can also sue for further damages -- unless the airline can prove that it took all necessary measures to prevent a crash or any other incident that prevented passengers from arriving safely.

"It's going to be extremely difficult for Malaysia Airlines to plead absence of negligence" when the plane is missing, said Brian Havel, a law professor and director of the International Aviation Law Institute at DePaul University. "The negligence may have even begun in the process of accepting stolen passports."

Liability could also stretch beyond the airline to the plane's manufacturer, Boeing, if a mechanical flaw is ruled the cause. But that would be a difficult case to prove if the plane is not recovered.

Monica Kelly, an attorney at Ribbeck Law Chartered who plans to file suit against Malaysia Airlines and Boeing, believes that based on her experience, families could receive between $400,000 and $3 million in damages. However, it could take two years before they see the money, she said.

And a lot depends on where the lawsuits are filed. Plaintiffs tend to be awarded much larger sums in U.S. courts than in other countries, said Mike Danko, an aviation lawyer with Danko Meredith who estimates some awards could be as large as $6 million to $8 million.

Uncertainty about the passengers' fate could slow the legal process. But if months go by with! no sign of the passengers, most countries will allow judges to rule that a passenger is presumed dead, allowing claims to move forward, including life insurance and other other end-of-life matters.

Any lawsuits will likely unfold in several countries since people of 14 different nationalities were on board the flight. U.S. attorneys are already on the ground in Beijing, where many of the families are awaiting news of their loved ones in a hotel.

But most claims will likely be settled out of court, Havel said.

Many of Malaysia Airlines' expenses will be covered by the maze of insurance policies that cover a plane and its passengers. Coverage averages between $2 billion and $2.5 billion per aircraft, including about $10 million per passenger, Havel said.

The first claims for the missing airliner itself have already been paid. Insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty said Wednesday it and other firms "have made initial payments" of an unspecified amount on so-called hull and liability policies that are part of "our contractual obligations where an aircraft is reported as missing."

An eventual payout from the airline, however, won't answer the many questions or assuage the grief. Families of the passengers gathered in Kuala Lumpur and Beijing -- the flight's departure and intended arrival cities -- upset that, in their view, authorities were withholding information.

"They just kept brushing us off, saying keep waiting and waiting for information," said one woman as family members protested at a Kuala Lumpur hotel. "I don't know when we are going to wait 'til. It's already 12 days."

-- CNN's Aliza Kassim in Atlanta and Pauline Chiou in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report

FactSet Research Systems Inc Q2 Earnings Rise; Misses Estimates (FDS)

Shares of financial research company FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) were down on Tuesday morning after the company reported quarterly earnings below analysts’ views. 

FDS Earnings in Brief

FDS reported Q2 earnings of $52.43 million, or $1.22 per share, up from $44.54 million, or $1.00 per share, a year ago. Excluding special items, earnings were $52.43 million, or $1.22 per share,  up from $49.28 million, or $1.11, per share last year, but below analysts’ estimate of $1.21 per share. Revenue for the quarter rose to $226.93 million from $213.08 million last year. Analysts expected revenue of $226.36 million. Looking forward, FDS expects Q2 earnings to be between $1.24 and$1.26 per share, while analysts expect to see $1.26 per share. The company expects revenue to be between $229 million and $233 million, while analysts are estimating $228.70 million.

CEO Commentary

Chairman and CEO Philip Hadley commented: ”Our second quarter results reflect an improving buy-side client base, and include acquiring the remaining 40% interest in Matrix. I’m pleased to see that our net client growth in the past three months was the highest quarterly total since 2006 and buy-side users grew at a level we’ve not seen since 2004.”

FDS Dividend

FDS paid its last quarterly dividend of 35 cents on March 18. We expect the company to declare its next dividend sometime in May. It is likely that shareholders will see an increased dividend next quarter.

Stock Performance 

FactSet shares were down $2.54, or 2.43%, during pre-market trading Tuesday. The stock is down 4% YTD.

Spain anti-austerity protesters clash with cops

MADRID (AP) — Spanish police and protesters clashed during an anti-austerity demonstration that drew tens of thousands of people to central Madrid on Saturday. Police said in a statement that six officers were injured and 12 people were arrested.

As a final speech was being given, some protesters attempted to break through a police barrier and make their way toward the nearby headquarters of the governing conservative Popular Party. Riot police then charged the protesters, who hurled bottles and other objects, and beat them back with batons.

One police vehicle and a bank were damaged by protesters. It wasn't immediately clear how many protesters were injured, and if anybody was seriously hurt on either side.

Protesters say Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government has eroded Spain's much-valued public health and education systems, while saddling Spaniards with sky-high unemployment and more debt.

Six columns of protesters — each from a different region of Spain — had arrived at the outskirts of the city early Saturday before heading for Colon square, carrying banners bearing the slogan "Marching for Dignity."

By late afternoon, Madrid's principal boulevard, Paseo del Prado, was packed with people chanting against government's austerity policies and the cuts they have entailed.

"I don't want corruption, government cuts and unemployment," said office worker Susana Roldan, 24. "What I want is a secure future in Spain."

Rajoy's conservative government has a large parliamentary majority, enabling it to push through waves of austerity-driven, unpopular tax hikes and government program cutbacks since taking office in 2011, in a bid to reduce Spain's budget deficit.

Spain's economy began to crumble in 2008 with the collapse of its bloated real-estate sector. It emerged from a two-year recession late last year as investor confidence returned and the country's borrowing costs dropped from perilously high levels in 2012 to pre-crisis rates this year. But unemplo! yment is still cripplingly high at 26%, leading many to seek work oversees.

The protest includes trade unions, civil servants and organizations representing people evicted from their homes for not being able to make mortgage payments after losing their jobs.

One woman carried a banner saying, "My daughter can't be here because she's had to emigrate."

ACE Went Through a Series of Acquisitions

ACE Limited (ACE) is an insurance and reinsurance organization. The company provides commercial insurance products and service offerings such as risk management programs, loss control and engineering and complex claims management. The company's segments are: Insurance - North American, Insurance - Overseas General, Global Reinsurance, and Life.

An Efficient Strategy

ACE Limited made significant acquisitions to expand its business. The company's more significant deal was the 80% acquisition of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Inc. that it did not already own, for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. Rain and Hail is the second largest crop insurer in the U.S. More recently, in Sep 2012, it acquired 80% of PT Asuransi Jaya Proteksi in Indonesia expanding accident, health, commercial property and casualty businesses in Indonesia. In Jan 2013, the company´s local partner acquired the remaining 20%. To expand its Surety business, ACE acquired Fianzas Monterrey, a Mexican surety lines insurer, for $293 million in cash in early 2013. In May 2013, it acquired Mexico´s sixth-largest P&C insurer ABA Seguros from Ally Financial Inc. for $865 million. In early 2014, it agreed to acquire 60.9% of The Siam Commercial Samaggi Issurance PCL for some $185 million.

Dividend Hike

Looking at the financials, the company has a strong balance sheet: good cash that allows it to reward current shareholders through dividend and share repurchases. Dividend-payment history affirms its commitment to maximize shareholder wealth. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.65 per share from $0.63, payable on Apr 17 to shareholders of record as on Mar 28, 2014. Furthermore, the board of ACE Limited has approved a buyback program, authorizing the company to repurchase $2 billion worth of shares through Dec. 31, 2014.

Analyst Recommendation

The firm is currently Zacks Rank # 2 - Buy, and it also has a longer-term recommendation of "OutPerform". For investors looking for a Zacks Rank # 1 – Strong Buy, Alleghany Corp. (Y), Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK.B) and Fidelity (FNF) could be the options.

Relative Valuation

In terms of valuation, the stock sells at a trailing P/E of 9.1x, trading at a discount compared to an average of 11.6x for the industry. To use another metric, its price-to-book ratio of 1.2x indicates also a discount versus the industry average of 1.21x and the price-to-sales ratio of 1.8x is above the industry average of 1.13x.

Earnings per share (EPS) increased in a substantial way in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago (from $2.22 to $2.90). In the next graph we can see that it has demonstrated an erratic but positive trend and we include the stock price because EPS often lead the stock price movement.

Finally, I always like to see one of the most important financial ratios applying to stockholders, the best measure of performance for a firm's management: the return on equity. The ratio has improved from the same quarter one year prior. This is a clear sign of strength within the company. Let´s compare the current ratio with competitors in the next table:

Ticker	CompanyName	ROE (%)
Y	Alleghany Corp.	9.08
FNF	Fidelity	7.93
FNHC	Federated National Holding Co.	6.94
GBLI	Global Indemnity PLC	4.31
ACE	ACE Limited	13.04

As we can see, the firm ratio is higher than the ones shown by Alleghany, Fidelity, Federated National Holding Co. (FNHC) and Global Indemnity Plc (GBLI).

Final Comment

As outlined in this article, ACE went through a series of acquisitions in an effort to expand its presence. The firm´s EPS as well as the revenues' growth are demonstrating the improvement of the company´s strength. Therefore, I feel bullish about this company's future profitability.

I would recommend investors to consider adding the stock for their long-term portfolios. Hedge fund gurus have also been active in the company in Q4 2013. David Dreman (Trades, Portfolio) and Diamond Hill Capital (Trades, Portfolio) have also invested in it.

Disclosure: Damian Illia holds no position in any stocks mentioned.

Also check out: David Dreman Undervalued Stocks David Dreman Top Growth Companies David Dreman High Yield stocks, and Stocks that David Dreman keeps buying
About the author:Damian IlliaA fundamental analyst at Lonetreeanalytics.com constantly looking for value and income investments.

Visit Damian Illia's Website

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10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS  ) will release its quarterly report on Tuesday, and in a world in which package delivery and Internet commerce go hand in hand, you'd think that everything would be rosy for the carrier. Yet the UPS earnings preannouncement earlier this month suggested otherwise, raising some doubts about the company's immediate future and sending shares down as a result.

UPS provides a wide range of services, ranging from lightning-fast overnight air delivery to slower ground transportation. With so much of its business dependent on macroeconomic trends, the sluggish global economy has had a big impact on not only how much it's shipping but also the ways in which customers are choosing to get things where they want. Let's take an early look at what's been happening with UPS over the past quarter and what we're likely to see in its quarterly report.

Stats on UPS

Analyst EPS Estimate

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Ebix Inc(EBIX)

Ebix, Inc. provides on-demand software and e-commerce solutions to the insurance industry. The company operates data exchanges, which connects multiple entities within the insurance markets and enables the participant to carry and process data from one end to another in the areas of life insurance, annuities, employee health benefits, risk management, workers compensation, and property and casualty (P&C) insurance. It is also involved in designing and deploying broker systems comprising three back-end systems consisting of eGlobal for multinational P&C insurance brokers; WinBeat for P&C brokers in the Australian and New Zealand markets; and EbixASP for the P&C insurance brokers in the United States. In addition, the company offers business process outsourcing services, which include certificate origination, certificate tracking, claims adjudication call center, and back office support. Further, it focuses on designing and deploying on-demand and back-end carrier systems, s uch as Ebix Advantage and Ebix Advantageweb targeted at small, medium, and large P&C carriers in the United States and internationally that operate in the personal, commercial, and specialty line areas of insurance. Additionally, Ebix, Inc. provides software development, customization, and consulting services to various companies in the insurance industry, such as carriers, brokers, exchanges, and standard making bodies. The company was formerly known as Delphi Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Ebix, Inc. in December 2003. Ebix, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rex Moore]

  Bad news for Ebix (NASDAQ: EBIX  ) shareholders today, as the stock drops 44% on a criminal investigation. Two 3-D players print up a merger.�Kroger (NYSE: KR  ) reported earnings that were up about 10%, and raised guidance for the year. And Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE: KGC  ) was down 8% today. In this installment of Investor Beat, Motley Fool analysts Jason Moser and Matt Koppenheffer discuss four stocks making big moves.

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  2. Ebix comes undone
  Ebix (NASDAQ: EBIX  ) shares tumbled on Thursday after a leveraged buyout deal to take the company private cratered in light of a U.S. criminal probe.

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Glacier Bancorp Inc. (GBCI)

Glacier Bancorp, Inc., a multi-bank holding company, provides commercial banking services in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Washington. It offers transaction and savings deposits; real estate, commercial, agriculture, and consumer loans; mortgage origination services; and retail brokerage services to individuals, small to medium-sized businesses, community organizations, and public entities. The company�s deposit products include non-interest bearing demand accounts, interest bearing checking accounts, regular statement savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, fixed rate certificates of deposit, negotiated-rate jumbo certificates, individual retirement accounts, and reciprocal deposits. Its loan products comprise construction and permanent loans on residential real estate; consumer land and lot acquisition loans; unimproved land and land development loans; residential builder guidance lines comprising pre-sold and spec-home construction, and lot acqu isition loans; commercial real estate loans to purchase, construct, and finance commercial real estate properties; commercial and industrial loans; consumer loans secured by real estate, automobiles, and other assets; second mortgage and home equity loans; and agriculture loans. The company operates 106 locations, including 97 branches. Glacier Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Kalispell, Montana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Glacier Bancorp (NASDAQ: GBCI  ) is reaching into its vault for more cash to return to shareholders. The company this week declared its latest dividend, which is to be $0.15 per share paid on July 18 to shareholders of record as of July 9.

Best Insurance Stocks To Buy For 2014: MagneGas Corp (MNGA)

MagneGas Corporation, incorporated on December 09, 2005, is an alternative energy company that creates and produces hydrogen based alternative fuel through the gasification of liquid waste. The Company has developed a process which transforms various types of liquid waste through a plasma arc machine. The result of the product is to carbonize the waste for normal disposal. A byproduct of this process is to produce an alternative to natural gas sold in the metalworking market. The Company produces gas bottled in cylinders for the purpose of distribution to the metalworking markets as an alternative to acetylene. In addition, the Company markets, for sale or licensure, its plasma arc technology. Through the course of the Company's business development, the Company has established a retail and wholesale platforms to sell its fuel for use in the metalworking and manufacturing industries. In August 2012, the Company purchased a 3.5 acre site in Tarpon Springs, FL.

The Company focuses on producing and selling fuels and equipment for the metalworking fuel market. The Company has distributors in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Michigan and Florida. The Company also has a retail operation in Florida selling fuel directly to end users. The Company has obtained approval from the Department of Transportation to deliver fuel in Florida and has several customers purchasing fuel directly. The Company has two products: the fuel called MagneGas and the machines that produce that gas known as Plasma Arc Flow refineries. The Company produces MagneGas for the metalworking market from a feedstock of virgin ethylene glycol (automotive anti-freeze) which is purchased in bulk from outside suppliers. The fuel is hydrogen based and can be used to replace natural gas. It is sold as a replacement for acetylene in the metalworking market. The Plasma Arc Flow technology can gasify many forms of liquid waste such as ethylene glycol, sewage and sludge. Plasma Arc Flow refineries are configured in various sizes ranging from 50kil! owatts (KW) to 500KW depending on the application.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  You're welcome. Back on March 12th when yours truly penned some bullish thoughts on MagneGas Corporation (NASDAQ:MNGA), nobody cared, largely because nobody had heard of the company, and there was no particular reason anybody had to find MNGA. Now less than a full week later, this once-obscure name is all the rage; no less than 21 different market-centric websites have made mention of the stock's explosive growth over the past few days. MagneGas has been proverbially put on the map, with shares surging 90% (as of right now) since the first exploration last Wednesday. So, like I said, you're welcome.... if you got in on the 12th, or even more realistically, got in on the 14th when MNGA finally crossed above the ceiling at $0.94 I was talking about a little less than a week ago.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  If the names Axxess Unlimited Inc. (OTCMKTS:AXXU) and MagneGas Corporation (NASDAQ:MNGA) ring a bell, it might be because yours truly posted some bullish thoughts on both names earlier this week. Although neither small cap stock had done everything they needed to do in order become a fully bullish trade at the time, both MNGA and AXXU have cleared those hurdles in the meantime. So, in case you forgot (or in case you missed the first look), an updated review of Axxess Unlimited and MagneGas is merited.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Truth be told, had MagneGas Corporation (NASDAQ:MNGA) shares not surged 400% - and subsequently tumbled - in early January, it might not even be worth looking at now. MNGA did surge then, however, so what we've seen unfurl over the past few days can't be ignored now... as it suggests this small hydrogen supplier stock is about to take flight in a more controlled and longer-lasting way than it did at the beginning of the year.

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (REFG)

Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions, incorporated on December 1, 2005, is a provider of integrated supply and distribution technology. The Company�� Seed-to-Sale (S2S) integrated solution is a management and compliance technology for growers, caregivers and dispensaries in the market. The Company also works with public officials and government agencies to expand the acceptance of medicinal cannabis, and the adoption of a legal framework where maximum market expansion is possible. The Company solves the fragmentation problem by identifying tools that are important to dispensaries, and customizing those tools specifically catered to the industry. The Company's solutions include Spark, Ghost and S2S.

Spark

The Company�� SPARK Hosted Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provides customers with enterprise-class hosted phone systems customized to fit customers��needs. SPARK's service is a fully-managed, cloud-based system. The Company offers the convenience of an online Internet Protocol (IP)-based telecommunications system while still delivering substantial savings to customers bottom line.

Ghost

By offering customers a customized, tailored mobile solution, the Company's Ghost Mobile Apps give a marketing tool with a texting and e-mail solution, keeping customers in constant contact with patients and clients. The Company creates an optimized experience in context to each device or screen size.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  What�� the Catch With Alternative Energy Partners Inc? According to various disclosures, no transactions have occurred to mention Alternative Energy Partners in various investment newsletters and there is no recent news from the company. In fact, the most recent press release from Alternative Energy Partners dates from September to announce the launch of the beta version of http://www.pharmajanes.com ��its website for delivery of medical marijuana products. As of September, the PharmaJanes beta platform was only available online with the mobile application set to follow after the official launch of the online platform. Otherwise and according to the latest Form 10-Q filed on December 23rd, the company agreed to acquire the PharmaJanesTM marketing operation from iEquity Corp. back in May 2013 and will be changing its business model to focus purely in the medical marijuana marketing space. In addition, AEGY will be changing its name to PharmaJanes, Inc. Otherwise, someone by the name of Mario Barrera currently serves as Chairman, President and CEO and sole officer and the company has no paid employees ��relying instead on paid consultants to provide necessary services. A look at Alternative Energy Partners��financials reveals revenues of zero (most recent reported quarter), ��3k, $1k and $1k for the past four quarters along not income of $230k (most recent reported quarter) and net losses of $2,954k, $51k and $452k. At the end of October, Alternative Energy Partners had $2,031k in current liabilities and $237k in long term debt. So while investors or traders got a high on Monday (and last Friday as well), it does not look like a sustainable high.

  Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (OTCMKTS: REFG) Wants to Provide Bank and Payment Accessibility to Marijuana Dispensaries

  Small cap Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions��mission is to provide end-to-end management, across multiple management systems, for medicinal marijuan

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Array BioPharma Inc.(ARRY)

Array BioPharma Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule drugs to treat patients afflicted with cancer and inflammatory diseases in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Its programs under development include ARRY-520, a kinesin spindle protein inhibitor in Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with multiple myeloma; ARRY-614, a p38/Tie-2 dual inhibitor in Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome; ARRY-380, a HER2 inhibitor in Phase 1 clinical trial for breast cancer; ARRY-797, a p38 inhibitor in Phase 2 clinical trial for pain; and ARRY-502, a CRTh2 antagonist in Phase 1 clinical trial for allergic inflammation. The company?s partnered drugs in clinical development comprise Selumetinib and AZD8330 MEK inhibitors for cancer in Phase 2 trial; MEK162 and MEK300 MEK inhibitors for cancer in Phase 2 trial; Danoprevir, a Hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor in Phase 2 trial; ARRY-543, a HER2/EGFR inhibitor in Phase 2 trial for solid tumors; and LY2603618, a ChK-1 inhibitor in Phase 2 trial for cancer. Its partnered drugs in clinical development also include AMG 151, a glucokinase activator in Phase 1b trial for Type 2 diabetes; GDC-0068, a AKT inhibitor in Phase 1b trial for cancer; VTX-2337, a toll-like receptor in Phase 1b trial for cancer; VTX-1463, a toll-like receptor in Phase 1b trial for allergy; ARRY-382, a cFMS inhibitor in Phase 1 trial for cancer; and ARRY-575 and GDC-0425, which are ChK-1 inhibitors in Phase 1 trial for cancer. The company has collaborations with Amgen, Inc.; ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd.; AstraZeneca, PLC; Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Novartis International Pharmaceutical Ltd.; InterMune, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; and VentiRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc for the development and commercialization of the partnered drugs. Array BioPharma Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Carroll]

  Array's phase 2 study pays off big
  It's tough to find a stock anywhere on the market that had as good a week as Array BioPharma (NASDAQ: ARRY  ) . Shares of the biotech picked up nearly 17.8% on the week, part of a 63.5% gain year-to-date. The company's developmental drug to treat persistent allergic asthma, ARRY-502, hit the right marks in improving patient lung function in phase 2 trial results. Even better for investors, Array CEO said several other health companies have shown interest to help the company in development of ARRY-502.

• [By Sean Williams]

  What: Shares of Array BioPharma (NASDAQ: ARRY  ) , a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, soared as much as 29% after the company reported positive phase 2 data on ARRY-502, an experimental drug designed to treat mild to moderate persistent allergic asthma.

• [By Keith Speights]

  Breathing easier
  Array BioPharma (NASDAQ: ARRY  ) shares climbed nearly 18% this week. The company announced positive results from a phase 2 study of its experimental asthma drug ARRY-502.

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Intrepid Potash Inc (IPI)

Intrepid Potash, Inc.( Intrepid), incorporated on November 19, 2007, is a producer of muriate of potash (potassium chloride or potash) in the United States and are engaged the production and marketing of potash and langbeinite (sulfate of potash magnesia), another mineral containing potassium, magnesium, and sulfate, that is produced from langbeinite ore and as Trio when it refers to sales and marketing. Its Carlsbad assets consist of underground mining operations, which are supported by surface processing facilities. It is also operators of solar solution mining operations, as its Moab and Wendover facilities both utilize these techniques for recovering potash. Its revenues are generated from the sale of potash and Trio. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned five potash production facilities, three in New Mexico and two in Utah. Its two products are potash and langbeinite, which is marketed as Trio.

Potash

The Company derives revenues and gross margin are derived from the production and sales of potash. Its potash is marketed for sale into three primary markets: the agricultural market as a fertilizer, the industrial market as a component in drilling and fracturing fluids for oil and gas wells, and the animal feed market as a nutrient. Its sales of potash tend to focus on agricultural areas and feed manufacturers in central and western United States, as well as oil and gas drilling areas in the Rocky Mountains and the greater Permian Basin area.

Trio

Trio is marketed into two primary markets, the agricultural market as a fertilizer and the animal feed market as a nutrient. It markets Trio internationally through an exclusive marketing agreement with PCS Sales (USA), Inc. (PCS Sales) for sales outside the United States and Canada and through a non-exclusive agreement for sales into Mexico.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Intrepid Potash (IPI) has fallen 1.3% to $16.00 after it was downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

  Shares of Potbelly (PBPB) rose 129% $32 on their first day of trading.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Gains are being seen elsewhere as well, except in shares of The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS). Agrium�Inc. (NYSE: AGU) was up almost 3% at $91.95 in late Monday trading, although this one held up much better in the destructive news phase when the alarming news roiled these stocks. The big winner is Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE: IPI), with a gain of 7% to $16.20 in late-Monday trading.

• [By Tim Gallagher]

  Mosaic (MOS), Agrium (AGU), Intrepid Potash (IPI) and CF Industries (CF) have been moving and trading hand-in-hand, with AGU, BHP and Rentech Nitrogen Partners LP (RNF) trading the best, losing the least and rebounding the most since July 30th. IPI has sold off a lot more in the post-news period, as would be expected from a smaller, less established company with mine projects still in development. BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) announced plans to proceed with its Jansen Mine Project in Saskatchewan, Canada, potentially tapping the largest and longest-lasting supply in the world known at this time. Scotiabank (BNS) recently commented on Jansen, stating that the added supply "could add the equivalent of 18%-20% of the potash market over recent years." Nearly all of the companies mentioned have had a pretty predictable mix of upgrades and downgrades. That's what makes a market.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Intrepid Potash Inc.(IPI), the largest potash producer in the U.S., plans to cut its workforce by 7% and cut executive compensation as part of a plan to trim costs in reaction to weaker prices for the fertilizer ingredient.

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Revolution Lighting Technologies Inc (RVLT)

Revolution Lighting Technologies Inc., incorporated on December 16, 1993, designs, manufacture, market and sells commercial grade, light emitting diode (LED) replacement light bulbs and LED-based signage, channel letter and contour lighting products. The Company sells these products under the Seesmart, Array Lighting and Lumificient brand names. The Company operates in two segments: LED replacement lamps and fixtures and LED signage and lighting strips. On December 20, 2012, the Company acquired Seesmart Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Simi Valley, California. In August 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of Relume Technologies (Relume). In October 2013, the Company announced that it has acquired a portfolio of general illumination LED lighting products, including several product lines from CMG Energy Solutions (CMG). In November 2013, the Company acquired Tri-State LED.

The Company�� LED replacement lamps and fixtures segment include the Seesmart business and the Array business, which has been integrated with the Seesmart business. The LED signage and lighting strips segment is comprised of the Lumificient business.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Stock Investor]

  First up we have Revolution Lighting Technologies, Inc (RVLT). As of last week RVLT had a market cap of $280m. Revenues for the last year came in at $4.4m. The company is averaging a cash burn of approximately $7m per quarter over the last two quarters. If I give the company the benefit of the doubt and assume the $7.5m of investments they made last quarter was a one time event, the cash burn then drops to under $4m per quarter. In March RVLT raised $5m from the issuance of shares priced at $1.17. The company is still in need of additional financing, and with the stock price up 400% in the last three months, it would be wise for them to issue shares right now. This increases the risk for investors dramatically right now.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Without making too much fuss over a small-cap stock, Revolution Lighting Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: RVLT) is seeing its share price rise by nearly 25% today after reporting results this Friday morning. Yahoo! Finance does not have any estimates for the company, but Revolution posted an operating loss of $3.1 million in the quarter, more than four times worse than its loss in the same period in 2012. Even with adjustments Revolution�� operating loss totaled $1.8 million.

• [By Rich Smith]

  As you've probably heard by now, shares of LED lighting specialist Revolution Lighting� (NASDAQ: RVLT  ) popped by nearly 18% in Monday trading. But why?

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Monster Beverage Corp (MNST)

Monster Beverage Corporation, formerly Hansen Natural Corporation, incorporated on April 25, 1990,is a holding company. The Company develops, markets, sells and distributes alternative beverage. The alternative beverage category combines non-carbonated ready-to-drink iced teas, lemonades, juice cocktails, single-serve juices and fruit beverages, ready-to-drink dairy and coffee drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, and single-serve still water (flavored, unflavored and enhanced) with new age beverages, including sodas that are considered natural, sparkling juices and flavored sparkling beverages. It has two reportable segments, namely Direct Store Delivery (DSD), whose principal products comprise energy drinks, and Warehouse (Warehouse), whose principal products comprise juice-based and soda beverages. The DSD segment develops, markets and sells products primarily through an exclusive distributor network, whereas the Warehouse segment develops, markets and sells products primarily directly to retailers. Corporate and unallocated amounts that do not relate to the DSD or Warehouse segments specifically, have been allocated to Corporate and Unallocated.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, it continued to expand its existing product lines and flavors and further develop its distribution markets. In particular, it continued to focus on developing and marketing beverages that fall within the category generally described as the alternative beverage category. During the year ended December 31, 2012, it introduced a number of new products, including Monster Rehab Tea + Orangeade + Energy, a non-carbonated energy drink with electrolytes, Monster Energy Zero Ultra, a carbonated energy drink which contains zero calories and zero sugar, bermonster Energy Brew, a non-alcoholic energy drink, manufactured using a brewed fermentation process, Hansen�� Coconut Water, in original and tropical flavors, packaged in re-sealable Tetra Prisma boxes, Peace Tea Cranberry, Pink Lemonade and Texas-Style Sweet ! Tea, ready-to-drink iced teas, Monster Cuba-Lima, a carbonated lime flavored non-alcoholic energy drink, Monster Energy Dub Edition Baller�� Blend, a carbonated punch + energy drink and Monster Energy Dub Edition Mad Dog, a carbonated punch + energy drink.

DSD Segment

Monster Energy Drinks offers products under the Monster Energy drink product line: Monster Energy, Lo-Carb Monster Energy, Monster Energy Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster M-80 (named Ripper in certain countries), Monster MIXXD, Monster Energy Absolutely Zero, Monster Energy Import and Import Light, Monster Energy Dub Edition Baller�� Blend, Monster Energy Dub Edition Mad Dog, M3 Monster Energy Super Concentrate energy drinks, bermonster Energy Brew, Monster Energy Zero Ultra and Monster Cuba-Lima.

Java Monster Coffee + Energy Drinks - A line of non-carbonated dairy based coffee + energy drinks. It offers products under the Java Monster product line: Java Monster Kona Blend, Java Monster Loca Moca, Java Monster Mean Bean, Java Monster Vanilla Light, Java Monster Irish Blend and Java Monster Toffee. Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology Energy Drinks - A line of carbonated energy drinks containing nitrous oxide. It offer products under the Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology product line: Super Dry, Anti Gravity and Black Ice.

-Presso Monster Coffee + Energy Drinks - A line of non-carbonated dairy based coffee + energy drinks. It offers products under the X-Presso Monster coffee + energy drinks product line: X-Presso Monster Hammer and X-Presso Monster Midnite.

Monster Rehab Tea + Energy Drinks - A line of non-carbonated energy drinks with electrolytes. It offers products under the Monster Rehab drink line: Monster Rehab Tea + Lemonade + Energy, Monster Rehab Rojo Tea + Energy, Monster Rehab Green Tea + Energy, Monster Rehab Protean + Energy and Monster Rehab Tea + Orangeade + Energy.

Worx Energy Energy Shots - A line of energy suppleme! nts which! contains zero calories and zero sugar. It offers products under the Worx Energy energy shot product line: Original Formula and Extra Strength.

Peace Tea Iced Teas - A line of ready-to-drink iced teas. It offers products under the Peace Tea product line: green tea, imported Ceylon tea, sweet lemon tea, razzleberry tea, cranberry tea, pink lemonade tea, Texas-style sweet tea and Caddy Shack tea + lemonade.

Warehouse Segment

Hansen�� brand sodas have been a natural soda brand on the West Coast of the United States for more than 30 years and are made with natural flavors. Hansen�� brand sodas, sweetened with cane sugar, and Hansen�� Diet Sodas, sweetened with Splenda no calorie sweetener and Acesulfame-K, contain no preservatives, sodium, caffeine or artificial colorings. It offers sodas under the Hansen�� brand name: Hansen�� Sodas, Hansen�� Diet Sodas and Hansen�� Natural Mixers, as well as Hansen�� Sparkling Waters, in a variety of flavors.

Its Blue Sky products contain no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, caffeine (other than its Blue Sky energy drinks) or artificial coloring and are made with sugar and natural flavors. It offers products under the Blue Sky product line: Blue Sky Natural Soda, Blue Sky Zero Calorie Sodas (sweetened with Truvia brand stevia extract, an all natural sweetener), Blue Sky Premium Sodas, Blue Sky Organic Natural Sodas, Blue Sky Seltzer Waters, Blue Sky Blue Energy drinks, Blue Sky Zero Calorie Blue Energy drinks, Blue Sky Caf Energy drinks and Blue Sky Recover Energy drinks.

Its original Hansen�� energy drinks compete in the functional beverage category, namely, beverages that provide a benefit in addition to simply delivering refreshment. It offers products under the Hansen�� energy drink product line: Hansen�� Natural Energy Pro, Hansen�� Energy Diet Red and Hansen�� Natural Stamina Pro.

Its fruit juice product line includes Hansen�� Natural Apple Juice, Ha! nsen�� ! Natural Grape Juice, White Grape Juice, Pineapple Juice, Apple Grape Juice, Apple Strawberry Juice, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Cranberry-Apple Juice, Cranberry-Grape Juice, Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice, and Organic Apple Juice. In March 2012, it added Hansen�� Natural Apple Orange Pineapple Juice which contains 100% juice as well as 120% of the United States Recommended Daily Allowances (the USRDA) for vitamin C. It also offer Hansen�� Natural Lo-Cal juice cocktails, a line of all natural, low-calorie cocktails in four flavors. The Lo-Cal juice cocktails are sweetened with Truvia sweetener. Hansen�� juice products compete in the shelf-stable juice category.

It offers a number of aseptically packed boxed juice products, including its dual-branded multi-vitamin 100% juice line, which itsell in conjunction with Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) through Costco stores. It offers its Hansen�� Natural line of multi-vitamin 100% juices to other customers. These multi-vitamin juices contain eleven essential vitamins and six essential minerals and are available in a variety of flavors. In February 2012, it added Hansen�� Natural Organic Apple Juice, a 100% USDA Certified Organic Apple Juice with 100% of the USRDA for vitamin C.

Its Hansen�� Junior Juice product line is a 100% juice line targeted at toddlers and preschoolers. These juices have added calcium and all flavors contain 100% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C. It also offers organic juices as well as Hansen�� Organic Junior Water, a lightly flavored reduced calorie beverage, both of which contain 100% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C. In addition, it offers Junior Juice Coconut Water Twist, a line of fruit and coconut water juices containing 100% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C.

Its Hubert�� Lemonade is a line of premium ready-to-drink lemonades. Hubert�� Lemonade is sweetened with cane sugar and Truvia sweetener. Hubert�� Lemonade i! s all nat! ural and contains no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, or artificial colorings. It offers products under the Hubert�� Lemonade product line: Strawberry Lemonade, Limeade, Mango Lemonade, Honey Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade and Original Lemonade. It added Cherry Limeade and Blackberry Lemonade flavors to the product line in February 2012 and October 2012, respectively. In July 2012, it introduced 4-count multi-packs of select flavors.

Hubert�� Half & Half is sweetened with cane sugar and Truvia sweetener, and contains no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or artificial colorings. Its Fruit and Tea Stix product line is an all-natural, low-calorie powder drink mix line, sweetened naturally with Truvia sweetener. Its Angeleno Aguas Frescas is a line of premium ready-to-drink aguas frescas. Angeleno Aguas Frescas are sweetened with cane sugar and real fruit juice and contain no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, or artificial colorings. It offers flavors under the Angeleno Aguas Frescas product line: Mango, Melon, Pineapple, Jamaica (Hibiscus) and Tamarindo. Its Hansen�� Natural PRE products include a line of prebiotic and probiotic digestive wellness ready-to-drink beverages and powder drink mixes, containing specially formulated blends by Jarrow Formulas. PRE prebiotic ready-to-drink beverages are sweetened with either cane sugar or stevia. PRE probiotic powder drink mixes are sweetened with cane sugar and stevia. In March 2012, it introduced Hansen�� Natural Coconut Water, a line of premium 100% Coconut Waters available in Pure and Tropical flavors.

The Company competes with TCCC, PepsiCo, Inc. (PepsiCo), The Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (the DPS Group), Red Bull Gmbh, Kraft Foods, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Nestle Beverage Company, Tree Top Inc. (Tree Top), Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. (Ocean Spray), Red Bull, Rockstar, Full Throttle, No Fear, Amp, Adrenaline Rush, NOS, Venom, Redline, 180, Red Devil, Rip It, Xenergy, 5-Hour Energy ! Shots, Mi! O Energy, Stacker 2, VPX Redline Energy Shots, Red Bull, Rockstar, Burn, V-Energy, Lucozade, Adrenaline Rush, Power Play, Mother, Hell, Shock, Tiger, Boost, Gladiator, TNT, Shark, Hot 6, Nalu, Battery, Bullit, Flash Up, Black, Non-Stop, Bomba, Semtex, Starbucks Frappuccino, Starbucks Double Shot, Starbucks Double Shot Energy Plus Coffee , other Starbucks coffee drinks, Rockstar Roasted, Seattle�� Best, illy issimo coffee, Full Throttle Coffee, Arizona, Lipton, Snapple, Nestea, Xing Tea, Honest Tea, Gold Peak Tea, Fuze Tea, the DPS Group, Cott Corporation and National Beverage Corporation, Jones Soda Co., Crystal Geyser, J.M. Smucker Company, Reeds, Inc., Zevia, Tree Top, Mott��, Martinelli��, Welch��, Ocean Spray, Tropicana, Minute Maid, Langers, Apple , Eve, Seneca, Northland, Juicy Juice, Old Orchard, Calypso, Simply Lemonade, Minute Maid, Cabana, Tropicana, Newman�� Own, Vita Coco, ZICO and O.N.E.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anders Bylund]

  The long-term investment king should be familiar to longtime Fool readers. Energy drink giant Monster Beverage (NASDAQ: MNST  ) , formerly known as Hansen Natural, crushed all comers with a 22,200% return. That's nearly 72% per year on a sustained 10-year run, though the pace slowed down considerably in the back half of this jaw-dropping jump. Monster shares have "only" tripled in the last five years, which sounds weak only when compared to the nearly 60-bagger return of the previous five years.

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: P.T. Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk.(TLK)

Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides telecommunication and network services worldwide. The company?s Fixed Wireline segment offers local, domestic long-distance, international telephone services, and other telecommunications services, including leased lines, telex, transponder, satellite, and very small aperture terminal (VSAT), as well as ancillary services. Its Fixed Wireless segment provides local and domestic long-distance code division multiple access-based telephone services, as well as other telecommunication services within a local area code. Perusahaan Perseroan?s Cellular segment offers mobile cellular telecommunication services. Its network services comprise satellite transponder leasing, satellite broadcasting, VSAT, audio distribution, and terrestrial and satellite-based leased lines. The company?s data and Internet services include short messaging service for fixed wire line, fixed wireless, and cellular phones, dial-up and broadband Internet access, virtual private network (VPN) frame relay, Internet protocol (IP) VPN, voice over IP for international calls, integrated services digital network connections, and other multimedia services. The company also provides information services, such as billing, directory assistance, and content services; and wireless application protocol, Web portal, ring back tones, voicemail, and building management services. In addition, it offers consultancy services, as well as constructs and maintains telecommunications facilities; interconnection services; telephone directory production services; and cable and pay television services. As of December 31, 2010, the company served 120.5 million customers, including 8.3 million fixed wireline telephone subscribers, 18.2 million fixed wireless telephone subscribers, and 94.0 million cellular telephone subscribers. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Bandung, Indonesia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GuruFocus]

  Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (TLK) Reached the 52-Week Low of $34.63

  The prices of Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (TLK) shares have declined to close to the 52-week low of $34.63, which is 33.3% off the 52-week high of $50.61. Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero) Tbk is owned by five Gurus we are tracking. Among them, two have added to their positions during the past quarter. Two reduced their positions.

• [By GuruFocus]

  Telekomunikasi Indonesia (TLK) Reached the 52-Week Low of $34.35

  The prices of Telekomunikasi Indonesia (TLK) shares have declined to close to the 52-week low of $34.35, which is 33.3% off the 52-week high of $50.61. Telekomunikasi Indonesia is owned by five Gurus we are tracking. Among them, two have added to their positions during the past quarter. Two reduced their positions.

10 Best Shipping Stocks To Buy Right Now: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (TKPHF.PK)

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a Japan-based company engaged in the pharmaceutical business. The Company operates in three business segments. The Ethical Pharmaceutical segment is engaged in the manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products, such as therapeutic substances for diabetes, circulatory drugs, anticancer drugs, drugs for central neurological diseases, digestive system drugs, hormonal agents, osteoporosis drugs, antibiotic agents, allergy medications, vitamin drops and vaccines, among others. The Healthcare segment manufactures and sells general drugs and medicines, as well as quasi drugs. The Others segment is involved in the manufacture and sale of reagents, clinical diagnostics and chemical products. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  Companies working on chemically synthesized siRNAs include Merck (MRK), through its subsidiary Sirna Therapeutics, Inc., Novartis (NVS), Takeda (TKPHF.PK), Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Marina Biotech, Inc., Arrowhead and its subsidiary, Calando, Quark, Silence Therapeutics plc, Tekmira (TKMR), Sylentis and Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• [By Alpha Exposure]

  The most recent Affymax article states that Takeda withdrew from consideration for European approval "because they were doing the "root cause analysis" they would not be able to complete the investigation because it was still in process and "ongoing" despite the fact that severe reactions were not present at the time of the clinical trials." However, there is no evidence to support this conclusion. The truth is that we showed you an excerpt directly from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use that stated the CHMP "was of the provisional opinion that Omontys could not have been approved" due to "study results indicating that Omontys may increase the risk of death or heart and circulatory problems." It is clear that the EU application was withdrawn because Takeda (TKPHF.PK) could not get Omontys approved due to its safety profile.

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies For 2014

High-end wealth management firm Aspiriant got a facelift this week with the launch of a new website that stands apart from the density and verbosity more typical of the advisory website genre.

Most striking, perhaps, is not what is present on the site but rather what is missing.

“We weren’t trying to provide too much information," Aspiriant’s director of business development Cammie Doder told ThinkAdvisor in a phone interview from her San Francisco office. "We love overdelivering to clients, and we had to pull back.” 

Doder, who oversaw the site’s rollout — a process that started more than a year ago with what she calls a “brand audit” — says that restraint meant dispensing with the overly analytical approach that is a staple of financial advisor websites.

“What really gives our clients comfort is tying the analytics with the emotional side of wealth management,” she says.

The seven-city elite firm, whose average client has $8 million under management, sought to communicate that with a generous sprinkling of illustrations — such as the tender embrace of a woman and her dog that is meant to convey a client experience whose thoughtfulness and meticulousness stems from an overarching quality of caring.

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies For 2014: Crown Media Holdings Inc.(CRWN)

Crown Media Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, Crown Media United States, LLC, owns, operates, and distributes pay television networks for adults and families primarily in the United States. The company operates and distributes Hallmark Channel network to approximately 87 million subscribers through approximately 5,369 cable, satellite, and other pay television distribution systems; and Hallmark Movie Channel network to approximately 45 million subscribers through approximately 2,680 cable, satellite, and other pay television distribution systems. Its networks offers a range of entertainment programming, including television series, movies, miniseries, theatricals, romances, literary classics, and contemporary stories. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Studio City, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Equities Lab]

  The stocks that currently pass the stock screen in order of market cap are Frontier Communications Corp , Crown Media Holdings (CRWN), Vonage Holding (VG), MCG Capital Corp (MCGC), 1-800-FLOWERS.COM (FLWS), MTR Gaming Corporation (MNTG), Alaska Communications (ALSK), and Enzon Pharmaceuticals (ENZN).

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies For 2014: Ascena Retail Group Inc.(ASNA)

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of apparel for women and tween girls in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company operates its stores under the dressbarn, maurices, and Justice brand names. Its dressbarn and maurices stores offer casual and career fashion apparel and accessories; and Justice stores provide apparel, accessories, footwear, and intimates, as well as lifestyle products, such as bedroom furnishings and electronics primarily for tween girls. As of March 01, 2012, Ascena Retail Group operated approximately 2,500 stores. The company was formerly known as Dress Barn, Inc. and changed its name to Ascena Retail Group, Inc. in January 2011. Ascena Retail Group, Inc. was founded in 1962 and is based in Suffern, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Pratik Thacker]

  Investing in specialty retail companies hasn't been rewarding for investors as of late. Industry players are finding it difficult to increase sales. As investors are losing interest in specialty retailers, industry players such as Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF  ) , Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO  ) and Ascena Retail Group (NASDAQ: ASNA  ) have been witnessing stock price declines since the beginning of the year.

5 Best Growth Stocks To Buy For 2014: ReachLocal Inc.(RLOC)

ReachLocal, Inc. provides a suite of online marketing and reporting solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) primarily in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, the Netherlands, Germany, and Japan. The company?s products include ReachSearch, a search engine marketing product; ReachDisplay, a display advertising and remarketing product; ReachCast, a solution that builds and optimizes Web presence for the purpose of driving online search discovery, powering reputation management, and managing social media marketing; and remarketing and retargeting products. It also provides a suite of digital marketing solutions comprising TotalTrack, TotalLiveChat, TotalVideoNow, and TotalBannerNow to address specific marketing needs, such as lead optimization, online analytics, and digital creative solutions. The company serves clients in various industry verticals, such as home repair and improvement, automobile sales and repair, medical and health services, legal services, and retail and personal services. It delivers its solutions through a combination of its proprietary ReachLocal Platform and direct sales force of Internet marketing consultants, as well as through select third-party agencies and resellers. ReachLocal, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  What: Shares of ReachLocal (NASDAQ: RLOC  ) were moving the wrong way today, falling as much as 19% after providing disappointing guidance in its quarterly report.

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies For 2014: Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc (ARCO)

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc., incorporated on December 9, 2010, is a McDonald�� franchisee. As of December 31, 2010, the Company operated or franchised 1,755 McDonald��-branded restaurants, which represented 6.7% of McDonald�� total franchised restaurants globally. It operates McDonald��-branded restaurants under two different operating formats, Company-operated restaurants and franchised restaurants. As of December 31, 2010, of its 1,755 McDonald��-branded restaurants in the territories, 1,292 (or 74%) were Company-operated restaurants and 463 (or 26%) were franchised restaurants. It generates revenues from two sources: sales by Company-operated restaurants and revenues from franchised restaurants, which consist of rental income, which is based on the greater of a flat fee or a percentage of sales reported by franchised restaurants. As of December 31, 2010, it owned the land for 510 of its restaurants (totaling approximately 1.2 million square meters) and the buildings for all but 12 of its restaurants. It divides its operations into four geographical divisions: Brazil; the Caribbean division, consisting of Aruba, Curacao, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas; North Latin America division (NOLAD), consisting of Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama, and South Latin America division (SLAD), consisting of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. As of December 31, 2010, 35.1% of its restaurants were located in Brazil, 29.7% in SLAD, 27.1% in NOLAD and 8.1% in the Caribbean division. The Company conducts its business through its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary Arcos Dorados B.V.

Company-Operated and Franchised Restaurants

The Company operates its McDonald��-branded restaurants under two basic structures: Company-operated restaurants operated by the Company and franchised restaurants operated by franchisees. Under both operating alternatives the real estate location may ! either be owned or leased by the Company. It owns, fully manages and operates the Company-operated restaurants and retains any operating profits generated by such restaurants, after paying operating expenses and the franchise and other fees owed to McDonald�� under the Master Franchise Agreements (MFAs). In Company-operated restaurants, it assumes the capital expenditures for the building and equipment of the restaurant and, if it owns the real estate location, for the land as well. Under its franchise arrangements, franchisees provide a portion of the capital required by initially investing in the equipment, signs, seating and decor of their restaurants, and by reinvesting in the business over time. It is required by the MFAs to own the real estate or to secure long-term leases for franchised restaurant sites. It subsequently leases or subleases the property to franchisees.

In exchange for the lease and services, franchisees pay a monthly rent to the Company, based on the greater of a fixed rent or a certain percentage of gross sales. In addition to this monthly rent, it collects the monthly continuing franchise fee, which generally is 5% of the United States dollar equivalent of the restaurant�� gross sales, and pays these fees to McDonald�� pursuant to the MFAs. However, if a franchisee fails to pay its monthly continuing franchise fee, it remains liable for payment in full of these fees to McDonald��. As of December 31, 2010, it was engaged in several joint ventures, which collectively owned 24 restaurants, in Argentina, Chile and Colombia.

Restaurant Categories

The Company classifies its restaurants into one of four categories: freestanding, food court, in-store and mall stores. Freestanding restaurants are the type of restaurant, which have ample indoor seating and include a drive-through area. Food court restaurants are located in malls and consist of a front counter and kitchen and do not have their own seating area. In-store restaurants are part ! of a larg! er building and resemble freestanding restaurants, except for the lack of a drive-through area. Mall stores are located in malls like food court restaurants, but have their own seating areas. As of December 31, 2010, 808 (or 46.2%) of its restaurants were freestanding, 359 (or 20.5%) were food court, 265 (or 15.1%) were in-stores and 319 (or 18.2%) were mall stores. In addition, it has four non-traditional stores, such as food carts.

Reimaging

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had completed the reimaging of 308 of 1,569 restaurants. Many of the reimaging projects include the addition of McCafe locations to the restaurant. It has developed system-wide guidelines for the interior and exterior design of reimaged restaurants.

McCafe Locations and Dessert Centers

McCafe locations are stylish, separate areas within restaurants where customers can purchase a range of customizable beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, hot and iced premium coffees and hot chocolate. As of December 31, 2010, there were 267 McCafe locations in the Territories, of which 12% were operated by franchisees. Argentina, with 71 locations, has McCafe locations, followed by Brazil, with 67 locations. In addition to McCafe locations, it has Dessert Centers. Dessert Centers operate from existing restaurants, but depend on them for supplies and operational support. As of December 31, 2010, there were 1,306 Dessert Centers in the Territories.

Product Offerings

The Company�� menus feature three tiers of products: affordable entry-level options, such as its Big Pleasures, Small Prices or Combo del Dia (Daily Extra Value Meal) offerings, core menu options, such as the Big Mac, Happy Meal and Quarter Pounder, and premium options, such as Big Tasty or Angus premium hamburgers and chicken sandwiches and low-calorie or low-sodium products, which are marketed through common platforms rather than as individual items. These platforms can be based on the ty! pe of pro! ducts, such as beef, chicken, salads or desserts, or on the type of customer targeted, such as the children�� menu.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Latin American McDonald's franchisee�Arcos Dorados (NYSE: ARCO  ) announced today its second-quarter dividend of $0.0596�per share on its Class A and Class B stock, slightly lower than the steady rate of $0.0597 per share it's paid since 2011.

• [By Geoffrey Seiler]

  Analyst John Ivankoe took Arcos Dorados (ARCO) from neutral to overweight and increased his target from $13 to $14. It is the first time the analyst has had a positive view on the stock since it IPO'd.

Top 5 Up And Coming Companies For 2014: China Life Insurance Company Limited(LFC)

China Life Insurance Company Limited provides life, annuities, accident, and health insurance products in China. Its individual life insurance and annuity products consist of whole life and term life insurance, endowment insurance, and annuities. The company also engages in the writing of life insurance business. In addition, it offers group life insurance products, including group annuity products, and group whole life and term life insurance products to enterprises and institutions, as well as universal life products. Further, the company provides short-term insurance products comprising short-term accident insurance and short-term health insurance products; accident insurance products, such as individual accident insurance and group accident insurance; and health insurance products, including defined health benefit plans, medical expense reimbursement plans, and disease specific plans. It distributes its products through its direct sales representatives and exclusive ag ents, as well as through intermediaries comprising insurance agencies and insurance brokerage companies, non-dedicated agencies, bancassurance arrangements, travel agencies, and hotels and airline sales counters. The company was founded in 1949 and is based in Beijing, China. China Life Insurance Company Limited is a subsidiary of China Life Insurance (Group) Company.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Chinese stocks advanced early Monday, with strong gains for insurers helping support the market. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HK:HSI) improved by 0.5% to 22,816.23, with the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index up 0.9%, while the Shanghai Composite (CN:SHCOMP) added 0.3%. China Life Insurance Co. (HK:2628) (LFC) added 2.5% in Hong Kong and 1.6% in Shanghai after swinging to a quarterly profit, while strong earnings for rival Ping An Insurance Group Co. (HK:2318) (PNGAY) (CN:601318) sent its shares up 2.2% in Hong Kong and 1.7% in Shanghai. Among other Hong Kong-listed financials, China Construction Bank Corp. (HK:939) (CICHF) (CN:601939) rose 1.1% despite posting earnings that trailed average expectations, while China Merchants Bank Co. (HK:3968) (CIHHF) (CN:600036) climbed 1.3% ahead of its own quarterly report due later in the day. Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. (HK:1157) (ZLIOF) shot 7.8% higher after a Chinese journalist admitted to taking bribes to write reports damaging to the company. News reports had accused the major contruction-machinery firm of acc

• [By John Udovich]

  China is set to ease the one child policy, something that could benefit Chinese stocks in general but be especially beneficial to insurance stocks like China Life Insurance Company Ltd (NYSE: LFC) and CNinsure Inc (NASDAQ: CISG) plus health care stocks like Mindray Medical International Ltd�(NYSE: MR) and Concord Medical Services Hldg Ltd (NYSE: CCM). First, let�� be clear that China is NOT abolishing the one child policy as the changes will merely�allow married couples to have two children if one spouse is an only child plus it will be up to China�� 34 province-level administrations to revise�their laws and put the new policy into effect. Moreover, China�� family-planning bureaucracy employs more than 500,000 full-time workers and six million part-time workers all the way down to the village level to�collect billions of dollars in fines and these bureaucrats have fought for years against policy changes���meaning they could throw up roadblocks if not placated. With that said, the insurance and health care sectors are two sectors with publicly Chinese stocks that look set to�take advantage of the coming changes.

• [By Rich Smith]

  China Life Insurance Company (NYSE: LFC  ) has a new chief financial officer, announcing yesterday that on March 27, its board of directors picked Yang Zheng to serve as its new CFO. His appointment became effective April 26.

Test Drive: Toyota Highlander pricey, pleasant

You gotta love Toyota, shamelessly pitching yet another restyled carryover vehicle as "all new."

OK, the 2014 Highlander crossover SUV isn't entirely carried over from 2013. But you can make a strong case that most of the changes either are unimpressive, or are a step backward.

Remarkably, though, the overall package amounts to the best Highlander ever. And, except for one obvious example, it's unclear how Toyota worked that magic.

The 2014's base engine loses a couple of horsepower. The third-row seat is further marginalized for more cargo space behind it and a little more front legroom. The 2014 models gain 100 to 200 pounds vs. the 2013.

But fuel economy rises slightly on the optional V-6 engine, due largely to a big, laudable change: A six-speed automatic transmission replaces the 2013's five-speed. That is, indeed, all-new and worth the description. And in addition to eking out a bit more mileage, it makes Highlander much nicer to drive.

Chassis specifications pretty much match the 2013's. But in what would appear to be backsliding, the front and rear stabilizer bars are thinner. That typically makes a car feel sloppier in turns and have more body lean. Not so in this case.

So, same engines, same platform, about the same overall size, same chassis dimensions and nearly the same chassis hardware — in our lexicon that eliminates any legitimate claim to the "all new" description.

Toyota cares not. It did the same on the 2012 Camry. In fact, it went even further and said it "reinvented" Camry.

The latest Highlander is among the most-pleasant all-around vehicles in years — an excellent blend of ride comfort, handling agility for a family rig, performance and interior space.

It suffuses you with mild pleasure and enjoyable anticipation as you stumble to it after a hard day in the salt mine. Not a full-bore grin-mobile, but endearingly, unfailingly satisfying.

The styling updates didn't thrill us, but they weren't ugly, either.

The redon! e interior is a nice place to spend time, but switches are scattered. The test Highlander, an XLE with all-wheel drive (AWD), was optioned to $39,302, but still had plastic plugs in some unused switch openings, silently scorning you for not spending even more for every feature.

The second row of seats slides very far forward or back. With it forward, you can accommodate actual humans in the the third row (barely) or expand cargo space with the third row folded. With it back, you can give second-row riders generous legroom at the expense of the third row.

One issue: When the second row's far back, the seat tracks on the floor are exposed. We expect they'll wind up ripping a cuff or scraping an ankle.

In the dashboard/console area, Toyota thoughtfully provides a power-cord pass-through that allows the cord to run from the plug near the gearshift lever up to a shelf meant to hold phones and the like. Minimizes cord tangle and leaves the cup holders available for actual cups instead of being wrong-shaped phone holders.

Touch-sensitive buttons were not our favorite feature. Such controls are all the rage, but they lack the feedback you get from a push-button, and they aren't sensitive enough to instantly activate the features they control.

And we fervently object to Toyota considering the navigation system just another application, and requiring you to hit the "app" button then choose navi. Sorry; navi's a thing of its own, above and beyond mere "apps."

Outside, we'd have skipped the $599 running boards, which, on almost any vehicle except a tall-riding truck, serve only to transfer road muck onto your leg.

Highlander, derived from Camry's underpinnings, was among the chief pioneers in the midsize crossover SUV market, starting with the initial 2001 Highlander. Toyota understood buyers were headed away from big SUVs into smaller, car-based crossovers.

So raise a glass to the automaker's insight. And give a second salute to the surprisingly appealing way Toyota ! has execu! ted the latest Highlander.

ABOUT THE 2014 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

What? Updates to midsize, four-door, crossover SUV, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), gasoline or gas-electric hybrid power.

When? On sale since January.

Where made? Princeton, Ind.

How much? Starts at $30,075 including $860 shipping for base FWD, four-cylinder; $44,450 for Limited Platinum AWD, V-6; $48,160, hybrid. XLE AWD V-6 test vehicle: $39,302.

What makes it go? 2.7-liter, 4-cylinder, 185 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, 184 pounds-feet of torque at 4,200. Optional: 3.5-liter V-6, 270 hp at 6,200, 248 lbs.-ft. at 4,700. Both use six-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid: 280 hp.

How big? Similar to Hyundai Santa Fe. Weighs 4,134 to 4,354 lbs. (Hybrid, 4,861 lbs.) Carries 1,385 to 1,455 lbs. of people, cargo, accessories. (Hybrid, 1,305 lbs.) Tows 5,000 lbs. (Hybrid, 3,500 lbs.)

Cargo: 13.6 cubic feet (AWD) or 13.8 (FWD), behind rear seat. Maximum: 83.7 cu. ft. seats folded.

Turning circle diameter, 38.7 ft.

How thirsty? Rated 20 mpg city, 25 highway, 22 combined city/highway (4-cyl., FWD); 19/25/21 (V-6, FWD); 18/24/20 (V-6, AWD). Hybrid: 27/28/28

Test model, XLE V-6 AWD, got 19.3 mpg (5.18 gallons per 100 miles) in suburban, city driving.

Burns regular, tank holds 19.2 gal. (Hybrid, 17.2 gal.)

Overall: Pricey, practical, very pleasant.