Apple Inc Prepares to Put Samsung and Google to Shame With Its Upcoming iWatch

Although we're only halfway through the year, 2014 could very well turnout to be the "Year of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) " in technology circles.

Source: U.S. PTO

Thus far, investors have shown a renewed interest in the world's largest publicly traded company, and for good reason. After issuing its most impressive earnings report in some time, with another likely around the corner, Apple is now pushing full-steam ahead into a second half product launch cycle that should include notable growth drivers like the iPhone 6 and the iWatch.

And speaking of the iWatch, an entirely new set of details have recently emerged that speak to the fact, once again, that Apple is set to raise the bar high in the emerging wearables category.

Inside Apple's iWatch report
On Friday, a story in The Wall Street Journal shed light on several key aspects of Apple's upcoming iWatch that had yet to be discussed. According to the Journal's reporting, the Apple iWatch will come in several different versions, presumably different styles, shapes, and sizes.

This doesn't give investors much in the way of specifics, but Apple investors should still find it encouraging. One of the underappreciated challenges any tech company entering the smartwatch space will have to navigate is that watches are also a fashion accessory, more so than any other major consumer electronics segment to date. In order to win over a mass audience, tech firms like Apple will not only need to create an amazing piece to technology, but also package it in an attractive enough fashion that people will want to wear it. It's a subtle point, but a critical one.

In my mind, the fact that Apple plans to cater to various styles and tastes with the iWatch probably bodes well for its chances at mass adoption. Apple has always excelled at product design, but this could also be a subplot that finally shows where former Yves Saint Laurent Chief Executive Officer and current Apple mystery employee Paul Deneve fits into the iWatch equation as well. That's a bit of plausible speculation, but judging by this new detail the real point is that Apple appears to be keenly aware of the fashion requirements it will need to fulfill with the iWatch..

How many sensors was that?
The Journal report also asserted that Apple's smartwatch design will feature at least 10 integrated sensors that will help Apple achieve a level of biometric and health data monitoring well above what the competition currently offers. This integrated sensor storyline is by no means new, but the fact that Apple plans to pack so many sensors into the iWatch is a new detail to this storyline, and an exciting one at that.

As was the case with the sizes/styles storyline, this new wrinkle also comes up short in the way of specifics, but still helps set a positive expectation for the iWatch. I think it's safe to say that smartwatches have a long way to go to truly fulfill the category's potential, and I've argued plenty of times in recent months that Apple is by far the best suited company to make the kind of "great leap forward" it will require to grow the smartwatch beyond just a niche for enthusiasts. The key here, beyond fashion sensibilities, will be usefulness. And in that regard, the fact that Apple plans to pack 10 or more sensors into the iWatch implies that it has much more than just a heartbeat sensor in store with the iWatch. Again, we don't know what those extra sensors will go toward, but it definitely bodes well for the iWatch clearing the critical usefulness hurdle as well.

Leaked: Apple's next smart device (warning, it may shock you)
Apple recently recruited a secret-development "dream team" to guarantee its newest smart device was kept hidden from the public for as long as possible. But the secret is out, and some early viewers are claiming its everyday impact could trump the iPod, iPhone, and the iPad. In fact, ABI Research predicts 485 million of this type of device will be sold per year. But one small company makes Apple's gadget possible. And its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors. To be one of them, and see Apple's newest smart gizmo, just click here!

Inside the underground sex economy

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Until now, there hasn't been a lot of data to help law enforcement and policymakers better understand the economics of the illegal sex trade and trafficking.

But a study released Wednesday by the Urban Institute's Justice Policy Center analyzes the size and structure of the underground commercial sex economies in eight major cities: San Diego, Seattle, Dallas, Denver, Washington, D.C., Miami, Atlanta and Kansas City, Missouri.

The three-year effort, which began in 2010, was funded by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, which supports research that can aid in the prevention, detection and prosecution of human trafficking.

Researchers interviewed pimps, traffickers, sex workers and child pornography offenders, as well as local and federal law enforcement officers.

Of the eight cities studied, Atlanta had the largest cash-based underground sex economy at $290 million a year and Denver the smallest at $40 million, based on 2007 data. (There was insufficient data available for Kansas City, so it was dropped from the estimation analysis.)

The way in: Often pimps and prostitutes get into the business because they had a relative who worked in it or a friend who encouraged them. Neighborhood influence, poor job prospects and childhood trauma also played a role.

Coercion: It's often assumed that sex workers are physically coerced to work for and stay with a pimp. But researchers found that psychological manipulation played a major role, too -- whether it was the promise of attention from the pimp or more tangible incentives.

Likewise coercion through psychological or emotional abuse was used as a form of punishment to keep employees in line.

The report recommends that states should include coercion -- not just physical but also the more subtle, non-! physical forms -- in their definition of sex trafficking.

Gang involvement: Gangs are increasingly involved in prostitution and sex trafficking, especially in San Diego.

Often rival gangs will temporarily put aside their differences to work cooperatively to maximize their profits -- for instance, by sharing the same hotel out of which their prostitutes work.

Pimp circuits: Some pimps form networks across cities and regions, operating more as a brotherhood than as rivals. When transporting their sex workers to another city, their networks keep them apprised of law enforcement activities and offer advice on finding clients.

  Pimps 'friend' victims on Facebook

Pimps interviewed also indicated that they thought pimping was a less risky crime than others, such as drug trafficking.

And many felt that "no one actually gets locked up for pimping," according to the report.

Role of the Internet: The cash-based sex trade has traditionally been street-based. But now the street is just one part of the trade, which has been greatly expanded by the online sex market. Participants told researchers they perceived the Internet to be less risky in terms of detection by law enforcement and it let them vet potential clients more easily.

Family, friends and legal businesses as facilitators: The underground sex economy is aided by above-board businesses. For example, a hotel's employees may look the other way when a pimp does business out of that hotel, and may even accept payment for doing so.

Meanwhile a pimp's friends or family may serve as drivers or security detail for his prostitutes.

No profit in child porn: Researchers found that there's an increasing amount of child pornography being produced in the United States, and it's ! increasin! gly graphic and violent.

But it's often available for free and offenders interviewed said they were part of online child pornography communities.

"Why pay?" one respondent told researchers. "I guess I just assumed that anyone asking for money was a sting."

Those incarcerated for non-contact child porn offenses -- such as possession and distribution -- said they consider it a victimless crime since they weren't producing the pornography.

Offenders did, however, indicate that they want treatment but said there are few options for it in prison.

Among the report's recommendations: Laws should hold criminally responsible anyone who facilitates or hosts online child pornography content and communities.

5 Ways Taxes Can Affect Your Credit

Getty Images Tax time can be stressful enough without worrying about whether your tax issues will spill over to your credit reports and affect your scores. The good news is that simply filing an extension or finding that you owe the IRS a chunk of money come tax time shouldn't affect your credit reports. It's only when you don't have the money to pay what you owe that it can affect your credit. Following are five ways that your yearly payment to Uncle Sam can affect your credit. Going Into Hock to Pay Taxes Many years ago, in my first year of self-employment, my accountant calculated my estimated taxes but forgot about the "self-employment tax" -- the portion of taxes that cover Medicare and Social Security. As a result, I learned on April 14 (!) that I owed a much bigger tax bill than I expected. At that time there was no option to pay by credit card, and I didn't want to drain my savings entirely to pay it. I ended up taking out a personal loan from my bank at a low interest rate and paid it off fairly quickly. It worked out OK. The loan, however, did appear on my credit reports. It didn't create any problems for me, but if you are going to borrow from another source such as credit cards or a personal loan to pay your taxes, keep in mind that debt can affect your credit scores. How much it will hurt (or help) your scores depends on everything else in your credit reports. Keep it in perspective, though. After all, you may find it's better to owe a credit card issuer than to owe the IRS. Another option is to enter into an installment agreement with the IRS where you pay them monthly until your balance is paid off. In most cases, these payment plans don't appear on your credit. However, if you owe a large amount, you could wind up with a Notice of Federal Tax Lien filed against you, and that will definitely affect your credit. (More on that later.) Quick Refund Woes If you need your refund fast, you may be tempted to take advantage of a "refund anticipation loan." Often marketed as "instant" or "rapid" refunds, these short-term loans basically advance you your refund, usually at a very high cost. Whether or not this will show up on your credit reports depends on the lender's policies. For example, H&R Block (HRB) currently offers a refund anticipation check, and its website says that this is a "bank deposit, not a loan." But it also offers a line of credit called Emerald Advance and that does impact the taxpayer's credit. Their website says, "If you apply and qualify for an Emerald Advance, H&R Block Bank may report information about your account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report." Also understand that if your refund takes longer than expected to arrive -- or doesn't come through at all -- you may wind up falling behind on this loan and that can end up on your credit reports. Don't think that won't happen to you. Tax-related identity theft is a large and growing problem I'll discuss in a moment. The New York Department of Consumer Affairs warns:

A RAL can damage your credit report ... If you're unable to repay the lender (usually a bank), the bank will report the unpaid debt to a credit agency which will negatively affect your credit report.

Tax Liens If the amount of taxes you owe is large enough, or if you don't resolve your debt quickly with the IRS, you could find yourself with a tax lien on your credit reports. Tax liens fall in the "seriously negative" category with items like collection accounts or bankruptcy. Fortunately, the IRS has become more lenient in their policies regarding tax liens in recent years. The threshold for automatically filing a lien has risen from $5,000 to $10,000. In addition, the IRS has a relatively new policy that allows taxpayers to request that lien be withdrawn once the debt has been paid in full. (After it has been withdrawn it can be removed from credit reports as well.) And finally, taxpayers who owe $25,000 or less and enter into a direct debit installment agreement may be able to get the tax lien withdrawn after a few monthly payments have been made. If you do wind up with a tax lien on your credit reports, take the time to find out whether you can get it removed from your credit if you resolve the debt. If you're successful, your credit scores could rise significantly, provided the rest of the information in your reports is positive. If you think your taxes may have impacted your credit, you can check your credit scores for free with the Credit Report Card. Going Bankrupt Because of Taxes If you simply can't pay, tax debt can force you into bankruptcy. You may have to file to get rid of other debts so you can pay your taxes, or you may have to file to discharge some or all of your tax debt. Either way, the bankruptcy will be a serious setback for your credit and will remain on your reports for seven years if you file a Chapter 13 case or ten years if you file under Chapter 7. The reason you filed -- even if you believe the taxes were improper or unfair -- won't matter as far as your credit is concerned. All bankruptcies are treated the same when credit scores are calculated. Identity Theft If you file your tax return expecting a refund, but are told by the IRS that your refund has already been issued, you may discover that you are a victim of tax-related identity theft. It's a problem that's expected to reach $21 billion during the next five years and the IRS is not doing a lot at this point to protect taxpayers. While the fact that you have been a victim of this type of fraud won't automatically affect your credit reports, you'll probably want to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit reports. And that will make applying for credit or other services such as a cell phone, utilities or insurance, that much more of a hassle. According to Identity Theft 911, it can take you up to a year to get your refund. So if you were counting on that money to pay off holiday debt, think again. [.]

Rules of the road for the Internet

The Internet has always thrived on the idea that its highways and byways are wide open roads with little outside interference.

So, you can understand the howls emanating from open Internet proponents, who feel besieged by a series of recent events that may have turned their cause on its head. 2014 has not been kind to them.

On Jan. 15, a federal appeals court threw out the Federal Communications Commission's open Internet rules — also called net neutrality — removing any legal barriers that would stop Internet service providers from interfering with or discriminating against any data sent through their pipes. The FCC lacked the proper oversight authority to enforce the rules, the court said.

A month later, Comcast agreed to buy Time Warner Cable for $45.2 billion, a deal that would merge the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 cable TV providers and create the largest Internet service provider in the U.S.

The tempest of reaction from merger opponents had hardly subsided when Comcast announced another stunning deal, this one with Netflix, just 10 days later. Buffeted by customer complaints about slow streaming, the most popular video service chose to speed up transmission by paying Comcast an undisclosed sum to have the cable powerhouse retrieve content directly from Netflix's servers rather than going through third-party distributors as it had before.

The emerging landscape these events suggest — a weakening regulatory environment at a time when media companies are consolidating to assert greater control over content providers — frightens those who prefer that the Internet pipes remain free and open for all.

Here are some questions to consider as the fate of the open Internet plays out:

Q: What is the open Internet?

The open Internet, or net neutrality, is a principle that says all legal content on the Internet is equal. The idea is that innovators and creative types would be encouraged to enliven the Internet if they're freed from the fear that their work co! uld be discriminated against by Internet Service Providers via subpar Internet delivery.

For example, according to this approach, Comcast should not be allowed to stream TV shows from its subsidiary NBCUniversal — or any video company that pays Comcast — more quickly than other material.

Q: What is the status of the FCC's open Internet rules?

As a result of the January ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the FCC's rules are largely no longer in effect.

Q: So what's the FCC doing about that?

The FCC will not appeal the appeals court's ruling. Instead, the court allowed the agency to recast the rules, which it is doing.

Basically, the court said the FCC can regulate ISPs if it reclassifies them as "common carriers" — private companies that sell their commodity services to all consumers without discrimination, like utilities, rather than tailoring their rates for different types of consumers. The FCC chose to refrain from classifying ISPs as common carriers in 2010 because it wanted to refrain from overly regulating the Internet.

The agency says the Telecommunications Act of 1996 allows it to regulate net neutrality violations on a case-by-case basis, and it'll continue to press this point.

Q: Why does Comcast's merger with Time Warner Cable worry open Internet proponents when Comcast doesn't directly compete with TWC?

Comcast and TWC currently offer Internet service to about 32 million customers in the U.S. The companies argue that their proposed marriage won't hurt competition because their service markets don't overlap and consumers have other options, such as Dish or DirecTV, that use satellites. But for most people in city centers and suburbs, Internet access beamed from satellites is thought to be slower and more cumbersome to install.And consumer advocates say that the lack of choice has led to higher bills,and this trend will only accelerate.

While market size is a concern, merger opponents also are wor! ried abou! t the combined company's influence on content providers and other suppliers. Comcast owns NBCUniversal, 30 cable networks, 26 local TV stations and a stake in streaming service Hulu.

"There's a lot of content out there, but your Internet and cable company is the gateway to all that content," writes Craig Aaron, CEO of media watchdog Free Press, on SaveTheInternet.com. "It would have both the incentive and the power to limit access to competing content on the distribution platforms it owns."

Q: Why is Netflix's deal with Comcast such a shocker to net neutrality advocates?

Open Internet proponents see it as the first overt example of the pay-for-play practice that could invite abuse from ISPs.

Netflix is, by far, the largest Internet bandwidth hog, occupying nearly one-third of North American data traffic, according to technology firm Sandvine.

Netflix, like other content providers, uses third-party companies to store and move its content to ISPs. Once ISPs receive the content at their front door — think of the ISP as a large castle receiving delivery carts at the drawbridge on its moat — they then transmit data to consumers.

Netflix has sought Comcast to connect directly to its own servers to speed streaming, eliminating the middlemen. Comcast had refused the overtures until the new agreement emerged, forcing Netflix to pay for the privilege.

Because Netflix is in such heavy demand, the pipes that connect its third-party distributors and Comcast are clogged. That Netflix is now going to pay to relieve the bottleneck is hardly a net neutrality violation, says Dan Rayburn, an analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "Netflix should figure out the best economic way to get that traffic into the ISP's network," he says. Others believe Comcast deliberately slows the delivery of Netflix's content as it enters Comcast's network.

Q: How is the Netflix-Comcast deal a game changer for the net neutrality debate?

Net neutrality regulators and proponents had op! erated wi! th the assumption that the rules applied mostly only to the question of whether ISPs treat content fairly.

But the Netflix deal has them thinking more broadly. It's an example of why new net neutrality rules should be expanded to include these back-end "transit" deals, says Michael Weinberg, vice president of Public Knowledge.

That video could occupy 70% of all Internet traffic in the next three years — as predicted by Verizon Communications CEO Lowell McAdam last month — means that ISPs could start to squeeze content makers to pay to improve streaming, he says. "We're going to see a lot more of these problems in the next year or two," Weinberg says.

Will Small Cap Obesity Stocks Orexigen Therapeutics (OREX) Gain Your Portfolio Some Weight? ARNA, ETRM & VVUS

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc (NASDAQ: OREX), like Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ: ARNA), EnteroMedics Inc (NASDAQ: ETRM) and VIVUS, Inc (NASDAQ: VVUS), is a speculative small cap obesity drug stock that has the potential for coming up with the next big thing in the treatment of obesity that is increasingly a global problems. I should mention that we have recently added Orexigen Therapeutics to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio as an extremely speculative biotech bet because its lead obesity drug candidate has the potential to be approved by September 11th of this year.

What is Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc?

Small cap obesity drug Orexigen Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity whose lead product candidate is NB32 which is believed to reduce appetite, help control cravings, increase metabolism and improve control over eating behaviors. In previous clinical trials involving more than 4,500 people, NB32 has been shown to help people lose weight and keep it off for up to one year. In addition and in these studies, 53% of study participants taking NB32 and 21% of those taking placebo lost five percent or more of their body weight over the 12 month trial duration. Based on successful results of the Light Study, an ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trial, Orexigen Therapeutics's strategy for NB32 is to pursue approvals worldwide and pharmaceutical partnerships for global commercialization. The Company has submitted applications for marketing authorization in the United States and Europe, with potential approvals in 2014. If approved, North American partner Takeda Pharmaceuticals will commercialize NB32 in the United States. Orexigen Therapeutics's other product candidate, Empatic, has completed Phase 2 clinical trials as a second late-stage, investigational medication for weight loss.

As for potential obesity peers or performance benchmarks, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc is focused on commercializing BELVIQ as a monotherapy for chronic weight management and to explore its therapeutic potential in combination with other drugs and for other indications; EnteroMedics Inc has developed VBLOC® vagal blocking therapy, a first-in-class weight loss treatment for obesity and related co-morbidities that is delivered by a pacemaker-like device called the Maestro® Rechargeable System which is designed to control both hunger and fullness by blocking the primary nerve which regulates the digestive system; and VIVUS, Inc is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative, next-generation therapies to address unmet needs in obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea and sexual health for US, European and other world markets.

What You Need to Know or Be Warned About Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc

Earlier in June, Orexigen Therapeutics announced that the FDA had extended its review of the resubmitted New Drug Application (NDA) for NB32 with the new Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date being set for September 11, 2014. The FDA had indicated that the review extension is needed to reach agreement on the post-marketing obligation related to the previously agreed upon evaluation of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes for NB32. It should be noted that the FDA had refused to approve the drug in 2011, citing concerns about cardiovascular risk while the latest delay sent shares down as much as 20% in part due to the activities of options traders.

Nevertheless, the FDA approved the obesity drugs Qsymia from VIVUS, Inc and Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc's Belviq even after both of those drugs were initially rejected. However, sales of both obesity drugs have been far below expectations due to limited insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs for patients.

That could be an issue for Orexigen Therapeutics because the company has only produced revenues of $3.43M (2013), $3.43M (2012), $4.40M (2011) and $1.23M (2010) for the past four years and net losses of $77.67M (2013), $90.09M (2012), $28.06M (2011) and $51.91M (2010). However, the company still ended March with $155.09M in cash and short term investments to cover $21.66M in current liabilities and $80.97M in long term debt – meaning it won't need to do an equity offering any time soon.  

Otherwise, it should be noted that according to HighShortInterest.com, Orexigen Therapeutics has short interest of 21.48% – meaning it can easily make an outsized move in either direction.

Share Performance: Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc vs. ARNA, ETRM & VVUS

On Wednesday, small cap obesity drug Orexigen Therapeutics fell 0.32% to $6.25 (OREX has a 52 week trading range of $4.59 to $7.84 a share) for a market cap of $727.05 million plus the stock is up 9..5% since the start of the year, down 0.95% over the past year and up 55.5% over the past five years. Here is a look at the long term performance of Orexigen Therapeutics verses other obesity drug stocks like Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc, EnteroMedics Inc and VIVUS, Inc:

As you can see from the above performance chart, obesity drug stocks ate a good way for investors to quickly cause their portfolios to either gain or loose weight.

Finally, here is a look at the technical charts for Orexigen Therapeutics, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc, EnteroMedics Inc and VIVUS, Inc:

The Bottom Line. Again, we view Orexigen Therapeutics as a speculative bet on an FDA approval as shares are bound to jump. However and even if there is an FDA approval, investors will want to be cautious given the performance of obesity stocks in general and their ability to actually produce revenue – despite how many people are now obese. 

SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) has an open position in OREX. To find out what other open positions SCN EO currently has, and to learn why so many traders and investors are relying on this premium subscription service, click here to find out more.

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now

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

What: Shares of The Advisory Board Company (NASDAQ: ABCO  ) were up as much as 12% today, after the consulting firm beat top and bottom-line estimates in its quarterly report.

So what: The Advisory Board said revenue grew 19.1%, to $119.7 million, beating estimates of $117.9 million. Adjusted earnings per share, meanwhile, came in at $0.33, better than the analyst consensus at $0.29. In addition to the strong financial results above, CEO Robert Musselwhite noted a 10% increase in the company's membership base, and a 90% institutional renewal rate. The Advisory Board reaffirmed guidance for the 2013 calendar year, saying it expects revenue of $495-$505 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.18-$1.28.

Now what: The Advisory Board appears to be one of several hidden companies that are poised to benefit from Obamacare, as Musselwhite touted the launch of its ICD-10 Performance Program, "which will help our members navigate the upcoming transition in our nation's system for coding, reporting, and billing medical diagnoses and inpatient procedures." I'd normally say this stock is overpriced, but the health-care connection adds some intrigue. To see what happens to The Advisory Board, add the company to your Watchlist here. ��

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Reliance Industries Ltd (RELIANCE)

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is a conglomerate with business in the energy and materials value chain. The Company operates in three segments: petrochemicals, refining and oil & gas. The petrochemicals segment includes production and marketing operations of petrochemical products which include, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly butadiene rubber, polyester yarn, polyester fibre, purified terephthalic acid, paraxylene, ethylene glycol, olefins, aromatics, linear alkyl benzene, butadiene, acrylonitrile, caustic soda and polyethylene terephthalate. The refining segment includes production and marketing operations of the petroleum products. The oil and gas segment includes exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. Its others segment includes textile, retail business, special economic zone (SEZ) development and telecom / broadband business. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

  Vanguard favors India with investments in Infosys Ltd. (NSE: INFY), Reliance Industries Ltd. (NSE: RELIANCE), and Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. (NSE: HDFC) ranking among its top 20.

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Amalgamated Gold and Silver Inc (BCHS)

Amalgamated Gold & Silver Inc., formerly Balmoral FX Systems Inc, incorporated on November 13, 1992, is a development-stage company. The Company is a holding Company researching various opportunities for investment in gold and silver mining operations.

The Company is focused on gold and silver mining interests in the United States and Mexico. The Company has conducted or has attempted to conduct operations in several other industries and is concentrating all operations on the development.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap mining stocks Discovery Minerals Ltd (OTCMKTS: DSCR), Zinco Do Brasil Inc (OTCMKTS: ZNBR) and Amalgamated Gold and Silver Inc (OTCMKTS: BCHS) have been getting some extra attention lately as one stock surged last Friday while the other two are or have been in the past, the subject of paid promotions. It goes without saying though that small cap mining stocks tend to be riskier than your average stock. But do these three small cap mining stocks have what it takes to produce a mother lode for investors? Here is a deeper dig into all three:

10 Best Stocks To Watch Right Now: Auxilio Inc (AUXO)

Auxilio, Inc. (Auxilio), incorporated on August 29, 1995, is engaged in the business of providing fully outsourced print management services to the healthcare industry. The Company is engaged in the business of providing fully-outsourced managed print services to the healthcare industry, working exclusively with hospitals throughout the United States. It provides solutions, a program and savings. It helps hospitals and health systems reduce expenses and create manageable, dependable document image management programs by managing their back-office processes. The process is initiated through a detailed assessment. The assessment is a strategic, operational and financial analysis that is performed at the customer�� premises using a combination of processes and technology for data collection and report generation. The Company�� customers include hospitals and integrated health delivery networks (IDN). Its subsidiaries include Auxilio Solutions, Inc. and e-Perception Technologies, Inc.

The Company helps hospitals and health systems to create image management programs by managing their back-office processes. The process is initiated through a detailed Image Management Assessment (IMA). The IMA is a strategic, operational and financial analysis that is performed at the customer�� premises using a combination of processes and Web-based technology for data collection and report generation. After the assessment and upon engagement, it charged the customer on a per print basis.

The Company competes with Xerox, Canon, Konica Minolta, Ricoh and Sharp.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, AUXO surged (+3.26%) up +0.030 at $.950 with�200 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 9:30AM EDT August 23, 2013).

  AUXILIO, Inc. previously reported financial results for its quarter ended June 30, 2013.

  For the three months ended June 30, 2013, AUXILIO reported that recurring service revenues increased by $1.4 million from new contracts closed between May 2012 and April 2013; however revenues were $9.8 million, a decrease of 8% when compared to revenues of $10.7 million in the same period of 2012, due to a drop in equipment revenue. Equipment sales were $800,000 as compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2012. Cost of revenues were $8.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013, as compared to $9.3 million for the same period in 2012. This drop was due to the drop in equipment sales offset by additional staffing and service costs from the higher recurring service revenue. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2013 was $1.6 million, or 17% of sales, compared to $1.4 million, or 13% of sales, for the same period of 2012. This improvement is a direct result of the large growth in new facilities that we added in 2012 coupled with the reduction in costs as AUXILIO�� program matures within these new accounts.

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: ICG Group Inc (ICGE)

ICG Group, Inc. (ICG), formerly Internet Capital Group, Inc., acquires and builds Internet software and services companies. ICG operates in two business segments: the core reporting segment and the venture reporting segment. The Company�� core reporting segment includes those companies in which its management provides strategic direction and management assistance. Its venture reporting segment includes companies to which it generally devote less capital than it does to its core companies and, therefore, in which it holds relatively smaller ownership stakes than it does in the core companies. As of December 31, 2011, its equity core companies consisted of Channel Intelligence, Inc., Freeborders, Inc. and WhiteFence, Inc. As of December 31, 2011, its venture companies consisted of Acquirgy, Inc., GoIndustry-DoveBid plc and SeaPass Solutions Inc. In April 2012, it acquired MSDSonline Inc. In December 2012, the Company aquired 85% of interest in Procurian Inc. In February 2013, Google Inc acquired Channel Intelligence, Inc. one of the consolidated companies of ICG.

The Company is focused on the software and services markets, particularly on companies in the cloud-based software and services sector. Once the Company acquires an interest in a company, it works to assume an active role in the development and growth of the Company, providing both strategic guidance and operational support. The Company provides strategic guidance to its companies relating to, among other things, market positioning, business model and product development, strategic capital expenditures, mergers and acquisitions and exit opportunities. In addition, it provides operational support to help its companies manage day-to-day business and operational issues and implement the practices in the areas of finance, sales and marketing, business development, human resources and legal services.

GovDelivery Holdings, Inc.

GovDelivery Holdings, Inc. (GovDelivery) is a provider of government-to-citizen com! munication solutions. GovDelivery�� digital subscription management software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform enables government organizations to provide citizens with access to relevant information by delivering new information through e-mail, mobile text alerts, really simple syndication (RSS) and social media channels from United States and United Kingdom government entities at the national, state and local levels.

Investor Force Holdings, Inc.

Investor Force Holdings, Inc. (InvestorForce) is a financial software company specializing in the development of online applications for the financial services industry. InvestorForce provides pension consultants and other financial intermediaries with a Web-based enterprise platform that integrates data management with robust analytic and reporting capabilities in support of their institutional and other clients. InvestorForce�� applications provide investment consultants with the ability to conduct analysis and research into client, manager and market movement and to produce timely, automated client reports.

Procurian Inc.

Procurian Inc. (Procurian) is a specialist in procurement solutions, which partners with transformational business to drive sustainable changes to their cost structures on an accelerated basis. Procurian integrates superior market intelligence with its customers��businesses to optimize spending and deliver savings.

Channel Intelligence, Inc.

Channel Intelligence, Inc. (Channel Intelligence) is a technology and marketing services company that helps retailers, manufacturers and other advertisers make their products and services easier for consumers to find and buy online and in local retail stores. Through its technologies and product database, Channel Intelligence offers online marketing services, such as display advertising, manufacturer-based content and where-to-buy, paid search, shopping engine management, social marketing, Web storefronts, order manage! ment and ! robust performance analytics. With its range of services, Channel Intelligence helps its customers support their consumers through all phases of the sales funnel, from lead generation to consideration to purchase and delivery.

WhiteFence, Inc.

WhiteFence, Inc. (WhiteFence) is a Web services provider used by household consumers to compare and purchase essential home services, such as electricity, natural gas, telephone and cable/satellite television. WhiteFence reaches customers directly through company-owned Websites and through its network of exclusive channel partners that integrate the Web services applications into their own business processes and Websites.

Acquirgy, Inc.

Acquirgy, Inc. (Acquirgy) specializes in direct response marketing services and technology, which provides customers with a range of direct marketing products and services. Acquirgy helps market its products and services on the Internet and through other media channels, such as television, radio, and print advertising.

GoIndustry-DoveBid plc (GoIndustry)

GoIndustry-DoveBid plc (GoIndustry) is an in auction sales and valuations of used industrial machinery and equipment. GoIndustry combines traditional asset sales experience with e-commerce technology and advanced direct marketing to service the needs of multi-national corporations, insolvency practitioners, dealers and asset-based lenders worldwide.

SeaPass Solutions Inc.

SeaPass Solutions Inc. (SeaPass) develops and markets processing solutions that enables insurance carriers, agents and brokers to transmit and receive data in real time by leveraging existing systems to interact automatically. The Company�� technology allows information to be accessed in real time, which increases efficiency across all lines of the insurance business.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  ICG Group (NASDAQ: ICGE) was also up, gaining 9.77 percent to $15.39 after the company announced the sale of Procurian to Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) for $375 million in cash.

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Lumos Networks Corp (LMOS)

Lumos Networks Corp. is a fiber-based service provider in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Company provides data, broadband, voice and Internet protocol (IP) services over fiber optic network. The Company offers a range of data and voice products supported by approximately 5,800 fiber-route miles in Virginia, West Virginia, and portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Kentucky. Its products and services include metro Ethernet, IP services, business advantage bundle, managed router service, broadband, voice services and Web hosting. On October 14, 2011, NTELOS Holdings Corp. announced a distribution date of October 31, 2011, for the spin-off of Lumos Networks Corp.

The Company�� broadband services include Business DSL, Dedicated Business Service, Managed Router Services, Business Broadband XL, Business PC Services and Web Hosting. Its IP services include Integrated Access, IP Trunking, IP Centrex and IP Phones. Its voice service include Business Voice, Business Advantage Bundle, nTouch, Intelligent Messaging, Simultaneous Ring, Conference Calling and Long Distance. Its data services include Metro Ethernet and Quality of Service. Lumos Networks Business DSL provides up to six megabits per second downstream and one megabit per second upstream. Its managed router support service equipment includes staging, installation, configuration, and maintenance while support provides around-the-clock monitoring, management and trouble resolution and direct access to networking experts. Its Business Broadband XL offers a selection of high download speeds. Lumos Networks' Integrated Access solution can integrate local voice, long distance, voicemail, and broadband Internet access. Lumos Networks nTouch brings voicemail linking IP Centrex and nTelos Wireless phone.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Lumos Networks Corp. (NASDAQ: LMOS) is a leading provider of fiber-based bandwidth infrastructure and IP services in key mid-Atlantic markets. It announced last month it had launched its cloud-based hosted call center solution, which provides best-in-class automated call distribution, integrated voice response and call reporting to help organizations manage call volumes more effectively and efficiently. The service operates over Lumos’s carrier-grade, premium optical network, which provides high-speed, resilient access to the call-center cloud service. The consensus price target for the stock is $20.50. Investors are paid a reasonable 2.7% dividend. Lumos closed Thursday at $20.77.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Top losers in the sector included NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ), off 5.8 percent, and Lumos Networks (NASDAQ: LMOS), down 2.9 percent.

  Top Headline
  Citigroup (NYSE: C) reported better-than-expected first-quarter results. Citigroup's quarterly profit surged to $3.94 billion, versus a year-ago profit of $3.81 billion. On a per-share basis, it earned $1.23. Excluding one-time items, its earnings rose to $1.30 versus $1.29. Its revenue declined to $20.12 billion. However, analysts were projecting earnings of $1.14 per share on revenue of $19.37 billion.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Top losers in the sector included NQ Mobile (NYSE: NQ), off 5.8 percent, and Lumos Networks (NASDAQ: LMOS), down 2.9 percent.

  Top Headline
  Citigroup (NYSE: C) reported better-than-expected first-quarter results. Citigroup's quarterly profit surged to $3.94 billion, versus a year-ago profit of $3.81 billion. On a per-share basis, it earned $1.23. Excluding one-time items, its earnings rose to $1.30 versus $1.29. Its revenue declined to $20.12 billion. However, analysts were projecting earnings of $1.14 per share on revenue of $19.37 billion.

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Supertex Inc.(SUPX)

Supertex, Inc., together with its subsidiary, Supertex Limited, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets high voltage analog and mixed signal integrated circuits (IC) primarily in Asia, the United States, China, and Europe. The company offers high voltage analog multiplexer switches, pulsers, high-speed MOSFET drivers, and discrete high voltage MOSFETs and arrays for the medical electronics market. It also provides LED driver products, including linear regulators and switching regulators for general lighting in automotive, industrial, and consumer applications; and for backlighting in LCD TVs, monitors, and laptop screens. In addition, the company offers electroluminescent lamps for backlighting hand-held instruments, such as cell phone keypads, watches, monochrome flat screens, and MP3 players; and driver ICs for driving non-impact printers and plotters. Further, it provides high voltage amplifier ICs to drive optical micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for use in optical switching applications in the telecommunications market; high voltage electronic switch ICs for use in telephones; high voltage ICs for use as ring generators; and protection ICs for line cards. Additionally, the company offers ICs and DMOS devices primarily for various industrial applications. It markets and sells its products through direct sales personnel, independent sales representatives, and distributors primarily to original equipment manufacturers of electronic products. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are AutoNavi Holdings Ltd.(AMAP), Dick's Sporting Goods Inc.(DKS) and Supertex Inc.(SUPX)

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: AEterna Zentaris Inc.(AEZS)

Aeterna Zentaris Inc. operates as a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy. Its lead oncology compounds include perifosine, a PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor that is in Phase 3 registration trial for refractory advanced colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma; and AEZS-108, a doxorubicin-targeted conjugate in Phase II for the treatment of ovarian, endometrial, castration refractory prostate, and refractory bladder cancer. The company?s lead endocrinology compound, AEZS-130, is an oral ghrelin antagonist in Phase III trial as a diagnostic test for adult growth hormone deficiency. Its pipeline also includes earlier-stage compounds, such as AEZS-112 that is in a Phase I trial in advanced solid tumors and lymphoma, as well as AEZS-120, an anti-cancer vaccine in pre-clinical development. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Quebec City, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Aeterna Zentaris (NASDAQ: AEZS  ) has made a significant change in its executive suite and boardroom. David Dodd is now the company's chief executive and a member of its board of directors. He succeeds Juergen Engel. The firm did not provide the reasons for the succession.

• [By Sean Williams]

  What's coming down the pipeline
  As we saw with the current treatment options, the endometrial cancer pipeline isn't filled with a lot of choices, but they are at least more encouraging than the standard care treatments we've seen over the past three decades.

  Avastin: Surprise: It's Roche's (NASDAQOTH: RHHBY  ) wonder drug yet again! Roche's Avastin is in the process of being tested as a treatment for recurrent endometrial cancer and demonstrated promising results in a mid-stage trial according to the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Avastin, which is an angiogenesis inhibitor (a fancy way of saying it inhibits blood vessel growth), was tested on 52 evaluable patients and delivered a progression-free survival of at least six months for 21 of them. Overall median PFS was 4.2 months, and median overall survival came in at 10.5 months. Don't be surprised if Roche decides to pursue further studies of Avastin in recurrent endometrial cancer with these results.� AEZS-108: Currently in late-stage development by Aeterna Zentaris (NASDAQ: AEZS  ) , a holding in my own portfolio, AEZS-108 is an intravenous treatment composed of a synthetic peptide carrier and doxorubicin that targets Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone-receptor expressing tumors. That series of scientific jargon simply means it targets cancer cells with minimal healthy cell death relative to the current standards of treatment. In mid-stage trials, AEZS-108 delivered an overall response rate of 30.8% and a clinical benefit rate of 74.4%. These figures were enough to get AEZS-108 a special protocol assessment (SPA), which should streamline its approval if these results stay consistent in late-stage studies.

  Your best investment
  With very few investable options to choose from, since many of these treatments are off patent as they're decades old, I'm going to split my decision this week between Roche and Aeterna Zentaris for obvious reasons.

• [By Sean Williams]

  High-risk, high-reward suggestions
  There's an undeniably large dollar amount being pledged to cancer research, but, even if a drug gains approval, that's no guarantee that the biotech or pharmaceutical company behind that drug will be a success. Some of the biggest gains (and losses) come from taking a leap of faith based on clinical data, or the approval of one or two drugs or devices within a pipeline. After that, it's all up to the drug or devices' effectiveness, its pricing, and the success of the marketing teams promoting the drug or device. Here are a few high-risk, high-reward names you should be keeping your eye on.

  Exelixis (NASDAQ: EXEL  ) : In November Exelixis had its first drug, known as Cometriq, approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. Although the market for this disease is pretty small -- somewhere between 500 and 700 people in the U.S. -- the near-tripling in progression-free survival, or PFS, in trials would indicate to me a strong likelihood that it could translate to success in other cancer types. In mid-stage prostate cancer trials, for instance, Cometriq was found to be particularly effective in dealing with bone metastases as a second or third-line treatment. We won't get any additional data until next year on Cometriq, but positive data on the prostate cancer front could be enough to double its share price if the PFS, compared to the placebo, is notably strong. ImmunoGen (NASDAQ: IMGN  ) : In February, Roche�and ImmunoGen received approval for Kadcyla as a secondary treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. This is ImmunoGen's first drug approval, and it gives the company a chance to showcase what I feel is one of the future pathways of fighting cancer -- its targeted-antibody payload, or TAP, technology. ImmunoGen's TAP technology works by attaching a toxin -- in this case Roche's Herceptin -- to an antibody, and teaching that antibody to release the to

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Schlumberger N.V.(SLB)

Schlumberger Limited, together with its subsidiaries, supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide. The company?s Oilfield Services segment provides exploration and production services; wireline technology that offers open-hole and cased-hole services; supplies engineering support, directional-drilling, measurement-while-drilling, and logging-while-drilling services; and testing services. This segment also offers well services; supplies well completion services and equipment; artificial lift; data and consulting services; geo services; and information solutions, such as consulting, software, information management system, and IT infrastructure services that support oil and gas industry. Its WesternGeco segment provides reservoir imaging, monitoring, and development services; and operates data processing centers and multiclient seismic library. This segment also offers variou s services include 3D and time-lapse (4D) seismic surveys to multi-component surveys for delineating prospects and reservoir management. The company?s M-I SWACO segment supplies drilling fluid systems to improve drilling performance; fluid systems and specialty tools to optimize wellbore productivity; production technology solutions to maximize production rates; and environmental solutions that manages waste volumes generated in drilling and production operations. Its Smith Oilfield segment designs, manufactures, and markets drill bits and borehole enlargement tools; and supplies drilling tools and services, tubular, completion services, and other related downhole solutions. The company?s Distribution segment markets pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as mill, safety, and other maintenance products. This segment also provides warehouse management, vendor integration, and inventory management services. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1927 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB) is another mega cap oil field services stock to buy for 2014. Strong offshore drilling activity combined with a seasonal rebound in Western Canadian activity have driven Schlumberger’s recent growth. Going into 2014, Schlumberger sees five markets providing strong growth: Russia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, China and Australia. Shareholders are paid a 1.4% dividend. The Deutsche Bank price target is $124, and the consensus is lower at $110. Schlumberger closed Monday at $89.17.

• [By David Smith]

  As June came to an end, the company finalized a joint venture, OneSubsea, with Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB  ) . The intriguing partnership -- in which Cameron has a 60% interest, with the remainder Schlumberger's -- will develop products, systems, and services for the subsea oil and gas market.

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Qatar Investment Fund PLC (QIF)

Qatar Investment Fund plc, formerly Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc, is a closed-end investment company established to invest primarily in quoted equities of Qatar and other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries. Its investment objective is to capture, principally through the medium of the Qatar Exchange by investing in listed companies or companies to be listed. It also invests in listed companies, pre-initial public offer (IPO) companies, in other GCC countries. As of June 30, 2010, the Company had a portfolio of 22 investments in quoted companies in the Gulf, with 17 of them being in Qatar, four investments in United Arab Emirates and one in Kuwait. As at June 30, 2010, the top five holdings of the Company are Qatar National bank, Industries Qatar, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Qatar Islamic Bank and Rayan Bank. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiary is Epicure Qatar Opportunities Holdings Limited. The investment manager of the Company is Epicure Managers Qatar Limited. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Vivian Lewis]

  The fund also operates to cut tax liabilities. EXG executes timely trades to capture additional qualified dividend income (QIF) subject to capital gains taxes which are usually lower than income taxes.

Top 10 Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (FOMC)

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (FEMSA) is a Mexico-based holding company engaged in the beverages industry. Through its subsidiary Coca-Cola FEMSA SAB de CV, the Company is active in the production and distribution of a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, bottled water and still beverages such brands as Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Powerade, Delaware Punch and other trademark beverages of The Coca-Cola Company in Mexico. Through FEMSA Comercio SA de CV, it operates the OXXO convenience-store chain in Latin America. The Company operates in a number of Latinamerican countries and in Philippines. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CanadianValue]

  Former Philadelphia Fed President Edward Boehne elegantly described the approach at a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in late 1989:

  ��ow, sooner or later, we will have a recession. I don�� think anybody around the table wants a recession or is seeking one, but sooner or later we will have one. If in that recession we took advantage of the anti-inflation (impetus) and we got inflation down from 4 1/2 percent to 3 percent, and then in the next expansion we were able to keep inflation from accelerating, sooner or later there will be another recession out there. And so, if we could bring inflation down from cycle to cycle just as we let it build up from cycle to cycle, that would be considerable progress over what we��e done in other periods in history.��/p>

• [By Canadian Value]

  Also interesting is that the duration of rising rate environments is distinctly shorter after 1982. The average duration declines to 14 months from 40 months prior to 1982. A possible explanation could be changes in the monetary mechanism influencing interest rates. In 1982, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) first referenced a targeted federal funds rate.7

Ask Matt: How much to save to be a millionaire?

Q: How much do you need to save every day to be a millionaire in 20 years?

A: Becoming a millionaire is a goal of many. But getting there takes a plan that requires daily sacrifice.

Measuring how you'll need to save each day to reach the seven-digit club depends on many variables. The biggest what-if is how much of a return you get on your money as you save.

Assume an investor can get an 8% average annual return on their money, compounded monthly. Reaching $1 million in 20 years would require $1,697 to be saved and invested each month, or roughly $56 a day.

This is an oversimplification. There will be taxes to pay along the way on dividends and any capital gains that might be incurred. And due to inflation, being a millionaire in 20 years will be less impressive that if you were one today.

With even with those caveats, getting to a million take a huge amount of sacrifice few could tolerate. The average annual household income is $50,000, so being a millionaire calls for saving about 40% of that.

USA TODAY markets reporter Matt Krantz answers a different reader question every weekday. To submit a question, e-mail Matt at mkrantz@usatoday.com.

TRACK YOUR STOCKS: Get real-time quotes with our free Portfolio Tracker

Follow Matt Krantz on Twitter: @mattkrantz.

Groupon stumbles on earnings report

Groupon, which misstepped with a President's Day promotion honoring "President" Andrew Hamilton, hit stride on Wall Street Thursday, then stumbled again after reporting higher fourth-quarter revenue but said 2014 earnings would be only slightly above 2013 levels.

The discount coupon giant posted fourth-quarter revenue of $768.4 million, up 20% from the year-ago quarter. Full year revenue rose 10% to $2.6 billion. But the company posted losses of amounting to 12 cents a share for the quarter, unchanged from 2012. But the company said investments in recent acquisitions such as Ticket Monster would increase 2014 costs and curb full year earnings.

Groupon shares, which closed up 2.6% to $10.28, surged more than 15% to $11.88 in after hours trading following the company's earnings 4 p.m. earnings release. But shares quickly reversed, trading off over 5% at $9.73.

CEO Eric Lefkofsky said the company had gained momentum from holiday shoppers. Nearly 50% of December customer deals were made on mobile devices.

Groupon shares had been down more than 10% since the start of the year. The President's Day marketing gaffe didn't help its image. Hamilton, the face on $10 bills and the nation's first Treasury Secretary, was featured in $10 discount promotion that fast became a joke, gaining derision from middle school history teachers to Madison Avenue.

Groupon did not comment for several days, then claimed the marketing effort featuring Hamilton as "undeniably one of our greatest presidents,'' was an intentional, attention-getting stunt.

The Chicago-based company is known for quirkiness. A 2011 Super Bowl ad, intended to parody celebrity charity endorsements, was widely criticized. Then founder and CEO Andrew Mason didn't apologize.

"Our ads highlight the often trivial nature of stuff on Groupon when juxtaposed against bigger world issues, making fun of Groupon, then founder and CEO Andrew Mason said in post Super Bowl blog post. "Why make fun of ourselves? Because it's d! ifferent - ads are traditionally about shameless self-promotion, and we've always strived to have a more honest and respectful conversation with our customers."

Mason was ousted in February 2013, famously tweeting in uncharacteristic CEO fashion; "I was fired today."

follow Strauss on twitter @gbstrauss

The FOMC Meeting And What Low Rates Really Mean

The Fed can’t keep rates low forever and there is talk that they may raise rates faster than anyone has believed up to now.

The order filler went on to say that most traders in the Eurodollar futures and options don’t think the Fed will raise rates anytime soon but did say he expects to see some type of movement at the end of 2015.Last Friday I had a chance to sit down with a Eurodollar options order filler to get his point of view on rates. I also asked him how it was going in the pits and he said that there was a big pickup in volume last year when there was talk that the Fed might start to move short-term rates higher. Almost a year later nothing has changed.

7 Years Later

Interest rates have always been a big part of the futures markets but over the last 7 years both the options and futures volume have fallen off a cliff.

What used to be the one of the biggest volume pits on the floor has been hurt by the Fed’s zero-rate policy. Long before the CME bought the Board of Trade the bond pit had already gone from 600 in the pit down to 20. The Eurodollar futures and options that used to have over 2,500 people is down to 150 to 200. As the volume disappeared so did the traders.

Free Money

Cheap rates has been the main driver of the stock market. With little or no return on interest rate products the public has had no place to go but stocks. This has worked well for those that stuck with the buy and hold but those who waited for a correction have been left on the sidelines.

With no 10% correction in almost 3 years and the S&P trading above 1900 and the Dow nearing 17000, many are wondering if this is just a runaway train or a real sign of confidence in the economy. The answer is, it’s some of both.

There are good reasons for optimism: 9 million new jobs created, a return to the pre-crisis unemployment rate, 7.5 million newly enrolled in health insurance plans, an end to the $10 billion a month war in Iraq. But with inequality worse than that of the Great Depression, the middle class is wondering just who this recovery is really helping.

This lack of trust goes to the heart of what credit means and does for an economy; it’s an expression of our faith in ourselves and each other. The Fed is keeping rates low in hopes that banks will start investing in entrepreneurs, in infrastructure, in things that make societies grow.

If the massive stockpiles of cash that companies have raised in this stock boom, combined with cheap credit, can be invested in the things that will make a bright and secure future for everyone, not just a few, the Fed’s strategy will have turned the financial crisis into a great opportunity.

The Asian markets closed mostly higher and in Europe 8 of 12 markets are trading modestly higher. This week’s economic schedule starts with the first day of the FOMC two-day meeting, Consumer Price Index, Housing Starts, Redbook and earnings from Bob Evans Farms (NASDAQ: BOBE), Adobe Systems (NASDAQ: ADBE), Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) and La-Z-Boy (NYSE: LZB).

Our View: Mutual Fund Monday’s return has not been kind to Turnaround Tuesday, which used to be the most winning day of the week. Turnaround Tuesday has closed higher 4 out of the last 6 weeks.

While we maintain a bullish bias we also know you have to be on guard for the headline algos, which take the media hype you see in “Breaking News: Crisis in Iraq” graphics and turn it into short sales based on how fast the words “Iraq” and “crisis” start trending on Google and Twitter.

Our view is to sell the early rally and buy weakness, if the ESU14 can get back above 1933-1934 we think it could trade up to 1938-1940.

As always, please make sure to use protective stops when trading futures…

In Asia, 7 of 11 markets closed higher : Shanghai Comp. -0.92% , Hang Seng -0.42%, Nikkei +0.29%. In Europe, 8 of 12 markets are trading higher : DAX +0.15% , FTSE +0.04 % Morning headline: “S&P 500 Index Seen Higher Ahead If Housing Data ” Fair Value: S&P -8.11, NASDAQ -8.00, Dow Jones -79.96 Total volume: 6k ESU and 1.73k SPU traded Economic calendar: FOMC meeting begins, Consumer Price Index, Housing Starts, Redbook and earnings from Bob Evans Farms (NASDAQ: BOBE), Adobe Systems (NASDAQ: ADBE), Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) and La-Z-Boy (NYSE: LZB). E-mini S&P 5001941.50+5.00 - +0.26% Crude102.15+0.02 - +0.02% Shanghai Composite0.00N/A - N/A Hang Seng23203.59-97.08 - -0.42% Nikkei 22514975.97+42.68 - +0.29% DAX9920.32+36.34 - +0.37% FTSE 1006766.77+12.13 - +0.18% Euro1.3541

The following article is from one of our external contributors. It does not represent the opinion of Benzinga and has not been edited.

Posted-In: Futures Intraday Update Markets

  Most Popular Why Tesla Is Up Over 8% Tesla Stock Gains On Patent Sharing News - Analyst Blog Google Glass Rapidly Gaining Traction With Physicians Wall Street Comfortable With Covidien Buy; Some See Move By Johnson & Johnson Trulia Rumored To Acquire Move 4 Top Restaurant Stocks For The Rest Of 2014 Related Articles (ADBE + BOBE) Adobe Shoots Higher On Q2 Report, Guidance Market Wrap For June 17: Markets Higher Ahead Of Fed Decision UPDATE: Sandell Issues Release Commenting on Bob Evans Decision to Postpone Earnings The FOMC Meeting And What Low Rates Really Mean Adobe Systems Q2 2014 Earnings Preview #PreMarket Primer: Tuesday, June 17: US Considering Air Strikes In Iraq

5 Stocks With Poor Earnings Growth — BBRY TCI ZQK RBCN MGPI

Popular Posts: 10 Best “Strong Buy” Stocks — GMK GAME DAL and moreBiggest Movers in Energy Stocks Now – CHK KOG CLD PXDHottest Technology Stocks Now – SYNA INFY GTAT GME Recent Posts: Hottest Financial Stocks Now – AGO SCHW HRG ISBC Hottest Healthcare Stocks Now – EW HZNP PBYI SLXP Hottest Technology Stocks Now – ATHN MDSO FDS SUNE View All Posts 5 Stocks With Poor Earnings Growth — BBRY TCI ZQK RBCN MGPI

This week, these five stocks have the worst ratings in Earnings Growth, one of the eight Fundamental Categories on Portfolio Grader.

BlackBerry Limited () engages in the design, manufacture and marketing of wireless solutions worldwide. BBRY gets F’s in Earnings Momentum, Analyst Earnings Revisions, Equity, Cash Flow and Sales Growth as well. .

Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. () is a real estate company that owns a variety of properties located across the United States. TCI gets F’s in Earnings Momentum, Equity and Cash Flow as well. .

Quiksilver, Inc. () is an outdoor sports lifestyle company that designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, snowboards and related products. ZQK also gets F’s in Earnings Momentum, Analyst Earnings Revisions, Equity and Sales Growth. .

Rubicon Technology, Inc. () is an electronic materials provider that develops, manufactures and sells monocrystalline sapphire and other innovative crystalline products for LEDs, RFICs, blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. RBCN gets F’s in Earnings Momentum, Analyst Earnings Revisions, Equity and Sales Growth as well. .

MGP Ingredients, Inc. () produces and markets ingredients and distillery products. MGPI also gets an F in Equity. .

Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.

Keurig's Cold Beverage Evolution Isn't Why It's Looking So Hot

Alamy Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) has brewed some big gains since announcing on Wednesday afternoon that Coca-Cola (KO) is investing $1.25 billion in the company behind the Keurig platform and striking a 10-year collaborative deal to get Coca-Cola's brands into the upcoming Keurig Cold maker of cold and carbonated beverages. That's going to be special -- and the market loved the news by sending Green Mountain's shares upward Thursday and Friday on the news -- but something even bigger may be brewing at Green Mountain in a few months. The leader in single-serve coffee is getting ready to roll out a new brewing machine in the fall. Keurig 2.0 has all of the functionality of the original platform that continues to lead the industry. Green Mountain announced on Wednesday that it sold a record 5.1 million brewers during the holiday quarter. Its original coffee maker is going strong, but the new system could be even better. Java 2.0 Green Mountain's original Keurig has a problem. The patents protecting the K-Cup portion packs that provide caffeinated blasts of coffee -- one cup at a time -- expired in late 2012. After years of scoring healthy margins on premium coffee refills, Green Mountain faces a future where anyone can put out K-Cups. It may have healthy working relationships with some of the biggest brands in the industry, but that could end at any time. The patent expirations led Green Mountain to introduce Keurig VUE, a new brewer with an entirely new refill system. It hasn't sold well. Since it can't accept the original K-Cup portion packs, it's limited in the variety of flavors and beverages that it can brew. Keurig 2.0 will solve that. It takes K-Cups. However, it will also be the first Keurig machine that also makes entire pots of coffee. Using new K-Carafe pods, the new brewers will be able to brew 28-ounce servings. More importantly for Green Mountain's bottom line, the new K-Carafe refills will be patent protected for a long time. No Ordinary Joe The media's buzzing about Keurig Cold and the possibilities for it now that Coca-Cola is on the bandwagon. The company that cornered the market for single-serve hot beverages will now be taking on SodaStream (SODA) in a battle for cold refreshments. However, this will be a new market for Green Mountain to break into, and as potent a partner as Coca-Cola will be, there will still be a learning curve. It won't be an overnight sensation the way that Keurig 2.0 is. After all, if Coca-Cola is the top dog in soft drinks, can't the same be said about Kuerig premium partner Starbucks (SBUX)? At the end of the day, Green Mountain is all about the coffee. Besides, isn't it odd that Coca-Cola decided to make a 10-figure investment in Green Mountain? It could've just struck a licensing deal to give Keurig Cold a brew. Taking a 10 percent stake in Green Mountain is an investment in the coffee brand. That actually makes more sense than Coca-Cola encouraging consumers to make their own soda at home. After all, Coca-Cola has spent heavily over the years to diversify away from its carbonated stronghold. It has acquired juice and water companies. It has expanded into energy and performance drinks. Coca-Cola is about all beverages, and evolution will eventually lead us to brewed beans. Don't fall for the Keurig Cold hype. The machine to watch this year is Keurig 2.0.

2015 Honda Fit: The secret star of the Detroit auto show

The 2015 Honda Fit

(Fortune) On the podium at this year's Detroit auto show, the 2015 Honda Fit got lost among the displays of massive Ford pickup trucks, 600-horsepower Corvettes, and Alfa Romeo-based Chryslers. That shouldn't be surprising. The Detroit show tilts domestic, and Honda (HMC) doesn't count, despite having assembled cars in the U.S. for more than three decades.

As for the Fit, it is a four-door subcompact hatchback in a market that reserves its enthusiasm for big displacement engines and sport coupe styling. Americans bought only 53,513 in 2013 (Ford (F, Fortune 500) sold more than 763,000 F-series trucks during the same time), making the Fit little more than a niche model in a small and profit-challenged segment.

But competitors take note. Overlooking the new Fit will be a big mistake. Consider:

• In a remarkable achievement in packaging, the 2015 Fit is smaller on the outside but significantly larger on the inside. Offering the interior room of a compact-size car in a subcompact body will boost Honda's fuel economy and give it a leg up in the mileage wars.

• The Fit represents a spirited return by Honda to its sporty small car roots with edgier styling, peppier powertrains, and greater functionality. It is the first tangible evidence that the Japanese manufacturer has shucked off its recession-driven, cheap and cheerful mindset and recaptured the energy that has made it the U.S.'s fourth bestselling brand.

• When Honda starts producing the Fit in North America later this year, it will nearly quadruple the supply of available vehicles, making Fit the spearhead of Honda's drive to boost U.S. sales.

Too much corporate and reputational baggage to pile on to a tiny car? Not at all.

The new Fit is faster, smarter, and thriftier. With its new 1.5-liter engine, the Fit will generate 130 horsepower, an increase of 13 hp over the engine of the 2014 car, while reducing weight and improving efficiency.

MORE: 14 auto predictions for 2014

The combination of the new powertrain with a new chassis is expected to enable the Fit to have class-leading EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of up to 36 miles per gallon combined -- 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway. That will get Honda far down the road toward meeting 2025 CAFE standards that dictate a stiff 54.5 mpg fleet average

Electronics play a leading role in the new Fit: Bluetooth provides smartphone connectivity, a multi-view rear camera improves visibility, and a blind spot camera is available, along with keyless entry and start -- all this in a car that will likely have a starting price around $16,000.

Best of all, in a feat akin to stuffing dozens of circus clowns into a Volkswagen Beetle! , Honda has shrunk the overall length of the 2015 Fit by 1.6 inches and at the same time created more space inside. Even though its width is up by a scant 0.3 inches, and its height remains unchanged at 60 inches, the Fit's rear-seat legroom has been increased by nearly five inches, and overall passenger volume has gained 5%.

  Tiny cars flunk crash test

The extra room comes partly from stretching the wheelbase by 1.2 inches and stealing some space from the cargo area, but otherwise Honda engineers have been closemouthed about how else they got there. All they acknowledge at this point, according to published sources, is a 57-pound reduction in the weight of the basic floor pan attributable to more extensive use of high-strength steel. The improved structural stiffness should benefit both ride and handling.

In the race for greater fuel economy, boosting the usable interior space while making the car smaller overall is like drawing to an inside straight in Texas hold 'em. As traffic tightens and electronics connect more cars, drivers will spend more time behind the wheel, making the quality of their accommodations more important.

MORE: The next thin slice of luxury from Ford

Safety is an issue too, and Honda engineers claim to have improved the dismal performance of the second-generation Fit in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2013 Fit was the only vehicle that ranked "poor" in both categories of lower-body injuries, prompting Consumer Reports to yank its "recommended" rating. Honda says the 2015 car will attain a "good" rating for all IIHS test modes.

The Fit is that rare automobile whose U.S. sales potential is untested. The car has been made in Japan since it was launched in 2001 (it came to the U.S. in 2006), and product! ion limit! s have caused its U.S sales to be rationed. That will change in February when Honda starts up operations at a new plant in Celaya, Mexico for the U.S. market. The additional capacity comes just in time. The new Fit became the best-selling car in Japan during its first full month on sale, beating out the Toyota Prius (TM).

Once it is running at full capacity, the Mexico plant will be capable of building 200,000 Fits and a Fit-based crossover annually. Their success in the showroom will be key to Honda reaching its goal of selling 1.8 million to 2 million cars, crossovers, and SUVs in the U.S. by 2017. Right now, that target looks far away. In 2013, Honda-brand sales amounted to just 1.36 million units. But Honda's ability to move the metal should not be underestimated. It isn't widely appreciated, but of the seven bestselling passenger vehicles in the U.S. last year, three are made by Honda: the Accord, Civic, and CR-V crossover. The new Fit will find itself in rarefied company.

Growth at an Even More Reasonable Price

Soda Stream is now trading on a PE of around 20 after reporting revenue growth of 28.8% in 2013 and average annual EPS growth of 27.4% over the past five years. The stock price dropped sharply last week after preliminary 2013 results disappointed. The stock closed at $38.15 on Friday representing a fall of almost 25% on the week and a drop of just over 50% since its peak in June 2013.  

The disappointment was caused by full year 2013 preliminary revenues of $562.0 million compared to previous guidance of $567 million and 2012 results of $436.3 million while earnings disappointed with GAAP net income of $41.5 million compared to the previously forecast $54 million and 2012 results of $43.9 million. 

The company said the results reflect a challenging holiday selling season in the U.S. with lower sell-in prices and higher product costs, a shift in product mix versus plan, and unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates negatively impacting gross margins.  

Nevertheless the results show that the growth story continues with revenue growth of 28.8% leading to all time record revenues and adjusted profits.  SodaStream has seen rapid revenue growth over recent years that has been matched by earnings growth even as the company invests heavily in international expansion (view chart).  

The outlook for the company remains bright as it rolls out its product range globally.  Overall SodaStream still has less than 1% of the global carbonated beverage market, but this may be changing with revenues growing by 96% in America, 31% in Asia and 28% in central and eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa in quarter four.  Penetration in Europe is estimated between 15% to 25%, and the company is aiming to replicate this elsewhere.  

Further, partnerships with leading drinks manufacturers have allowed SodaStream to develop its product into new and exciting areas.  In 2013, SodaStream announced a strategic agreement with EBOOST, a leading manufacturer of natural energy drinks, to license EBOOST flavors and proprietary energy blends exclusively for use with SodaStream home soda makers.  Additionally, last year SodaStream announced a strategic alliance with Ocean Spray to license a portfolio of juice blend concentrates for the SodaStream carbonation system.

The recent results show that Sodastream has had to give up some of its margin to maintain its meteoric growth.  This is not a positive development but, like other growth stocks, it is often nescessary to forego some short term profitability in order to achieve medium term growth.  

Unlike many other growth stocks, Sodastream has shown that it is profitable with earnings consistently growing alongside revenues. Fourth quarter 2013 was an exception but should be reversed quickly as low-margin soda machine sales are followed by high-margin gas and flavor refills.  

The company is moving quickly to implement the necessary measures to restore margins to historical levels and remains confident that it can profitably expand its market share and meet its long-term goals.  Investors looking for an innovative company with a unique product and profitable growth record may soon see the recent fall as a buying opportunity.


The author is a blogger at SurgingEarnings.Com

Risk Disclaimer:  This article does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell.  Investing in stocks or other securities and derivatives is a high risk activity and not suitable for everyone.  It is strongly recommended that individuals should consult with a SEC registered investment advisor prior to making any investment decisions.  

Disclosure:  The author holds no positions in the above mentioned stocks

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