Car sales keep on rolling in November

Shoppers at a Ford dealership in Glendale, Calif.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) U.S. auto sales are still in high gear.

The world's major car makers reported strong November sales figures on Tuesday, with most companies beating analyst expectations.

General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) led the way once again with 212,060 vehicles sold, up 14% versus 2012 for its best November in six years.

Ford (F, Fortune 500) sales rose 7% to 190,449, while Chysler's rose 16% to 142,275. Toyota (TM) came in at 178,044, up 6%, while Nissan sales rose 11% to 106,528.

Sales to individual buyers were particularly strong, a good sign for automakers. Individual sales typically come at higher prices than those to fleets, such as rental car companies.

Overall sales are projected to come in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 16.4 million, according to industry tracker Kelley Blue Book, which would be the highest since February 2007. The industry sales rate pushed past the 16-million mark back in August for the first time since the financial crisis hit.

  Audi RS5: Speed and style in the open air

"In the face of declining consumer confidence, a drop in residential construction and mediocre overall retail sales, the auto industry continued on a sweltering sales pace in November," Kelley Blue Book analyst Jack Nerad said.

$76,000 Cadillac ELR: Almost worth it

Analysts pointed to low gas prices, access to credit, pent-up demand and the apparent success of Black Friday promotions from retailers as contributors to the industry's performance.

Incentive spending remained above $2,500 a ve! hicle on average, though that was down 2% since last year and at the lowest level since January.

New Microsoft tablets reach beyond Surface appeal

NEW YORK -- Microsoft took a colossal $900 million inventory adjustment on Surface RT in July that left people questioning the very future of Microsoft-branded tablets.

Surface RT was the first personal computer that Microsoft produced itself and it ran the flavor of Windows designed mainly for the tablet user. Its pricier Surface Pro sibling ran a full version of Windows 8, and unlike RT, was compatible with older "legacy" Windows PC software making it more of the true laptop replacement Microsoft positions it to be.

Either way, Microsoft didn't exactly have a hit on its hands.

Microsoft isn't surrendering to the iPad (which is expected to be refreshed Tuesday) or for that matter the company's various hardware partners-turned-rivals that also have a stake in Windows 8. Nokia, which is soon to be under Microsoft, is also expected to unveil a new tablet this week.

I've had a chance to check out the two new machines Microsoft hopes will turn around its tablet business, ahead of their Tuesday launch. There's Surface 2 that runs Windows RT 8.1 and ranges from $449 to $549, and Surface Pro 2 that runs Windows 8.1 Pro and fetches between $899 and $1,799.

Make no mistake, Microsoft has made more than surface improvements to its tablets, and the move to Windows 8.1 software, which addresses prior shortcomings, is also significant. But challenges remain. As a tablet neither Surface can outduel the iPad. And I'm not fully sold on the Pro model as the ideal full-time laptop substitute.

I say that liking a lot of what Microsoft has done here. The latest hardware sports amped up processing power, longer battery life, improved cameras, and in the case of Surface 2 a step up in screen quality to a 10.6-inch Full HD 1080p multi-touch display. (Surface Pro was already delivering Full HD in a 10.6-inch screen.).

Surface 2 also gets a single USB 3.0 port — it was a 2.0 port last time. Both slates have memory card readers.

At 1.5 pounds, Surface 2 is a shade thinner and ligh! ter than its predecessor. The biggest cosmetic change is Surface 2 now comes in an Apple-like magnesium silver color compared to the dark titanium hue of the original.

Meantime, the 2-pound Pro 2, pretty heavy and bulky for a tablet, weighs the same and is practically a dead ringer for the first Pro.

Changes from the original Surface

The original Surface models were noted for a kickstand attached to the back that propped it up on a tabletop as you took in a video. But some folks complained it was hard to use on your lap, so Microsoft added a second kickstand position that simplifies usability on your lap.

In its first iteration, Surface RT included Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote from the Microsoft Office suite. But Outlook was missing in action. That unfortunate oversight has been remedied with Surface 2. (You'll have to pay to use Office on the Pro model.)

Last time around, Microsoft did a lot right with clever keyboard covers that bring real Qwerty typing to these contraptions — these really were must-have accessories if you wanted to get productive work done. Microsoft has improved those optional accessories. So now, we have a back-lit thinner and lighter Touch Cover 2 (about $120) that Microsoft claims you can type up to two times faster than using an onscreen keyboard.

I actually prefer using the Type Cover 2 (about $130) because it provides some of the "travel" on the keys that I'm accustomed to on a regular laptop, though it still won't make you forget, say, a good ThinkPad keyboard. Type Cover 2 is backlit and available in different colors, with a touchpad you can use for gestures. As before, you hear a distinctive click sound when you magnetically snap these accessories onto the tablet.

Early next year, Microsoft is planning to bring out a $200 keyboard cover with a built in battery that it says will bolster battery life on the tablet up to 50%.

The battery life on the latest slates is improved but nothing to write home about. In my very ha! rsh test ! in which I crank the brightness all the way up and stream video over Wi-Fi, Surface 2 approached seven hours of juice, while Pro exceeded five hours. That's better than the six hours and three-and-a-half hours of battery life I got with their predecessors on similar tests.

Surface 2 costs $449 for 32GB, $549 for 64GB. Surface Pro 2, which comes with a digitizer pen, costs $899, $999, $1,299 or $1,799, for 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, respectively.

Buy either tablet, and Microsoft has throws in a nice bonus: a year of free Skype calling to landlines in more than 60 countries, unlimited Skype Wi-Fi, 200GB of free storage on Microsoft's SkyDrive online locker for two years.

I mostly appreciate what Microsoft has done with the hardware but I'm not betting on a major surge in sales either. Consider the drawbacks: the Pro device is pricey (especially when you lop on the cost of the keyboard covers.) Surface 2 still doesn't run your older software.

And then there's Windows 8 (now 8.1) itself. I happen to like the operating system more than some, but understand the confusion its bipolar characteristics brings to the table. Microsoft has been trying to have it all, an operating system that appeals equally well to tablet users who have come to rely on multi-touch screens, but also those who prefer a more traditional mouse/keyboard /PC approach.

So you have a Windows that in its touch environment is built around a fresh live-tile based interface yet one that doesn't totally abandon a desktop view more reminiscent of of Windows from yesteryear.

Microsoft took some heat for doing away with the Start button and menu inherent in the old Windows, and with Windows 8.1, the Start button has been restored. But it's only a half-step back. Tapping Start in the desktop environment only brings you back to the tile interface.

You do have the option to boot up into either environment, and the 8.1-update introduces more polish and customization overall. Bing Search is neatly integrate! d, I like! how you can display (and resize) windows side by side, and even the app count is slowly but surely rising. It is up to 110,000 now, still far behind rivals.

By now the folks who jumped on the Windows 8 bus should be accustomed to the way things are done. But it seems just as many PC devotees stuck with Windows 7, because of how radically different Windows 8 proved to be.

If you are willing to consider Microsoft's latest tablets, you have some decisions to make: Go with an RT device that is far less expensive but that can't run older software. Or splurge on the pricier Pro model that can (keeping in mind you may have to connect an optical drive) handle older software but doesn't deliver as long a battery. And if you're going to go the latter route, then you're not only comparing Surface Pro to other tablets, but to a wide range of excellent laptops, a comparison Surface Pro is not always going to win.

Email: ebaig@usatoday.com. Follow @edbaig on Twitter.

The bottom line

Surface Pro 2

www.surface.com

$899 and up

Pro Runs legacy Windows software. Zippy. Impressive hardware. Keyboard covers. 200GB of SkyDrive storage for two years, plus year of Skype calling. Kickstand improved.

Con Expensive. So-so battery life. Keyboard covers cost extra.

Surface RT

$449 and up

Pro Microsoft Outlook added to included Office suite. 200GB of SkyDrive storage for two years, plus year of Skype calling. Kickstand improved.

Con Doesn't run older PC software. Keyboard covers cost extra.

Marriott International to Voluntarily Transfer to NASDAQ Stock Exchange (MAR, NDAQ)

Starting on October 21, 2013, shares of hotel and resort operator Marriott International Inc (MAR) will trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, as the stock voluntarily moves from the New York Stock Exchange.

“We’re pleased to partner with NASDAQ as our new stock market listing. We believe this will provide us with cost-effective visibility, as well as efficient access to a portfolio of tools and opportunities to reach investors,” said Carl Berquist, Marriott’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “While we are looking forward to our new relationship with NASDAQ, the NYSE was our listing home for many years, and they have served us well over that time.”

This a bit of a win for the NASDAQ (NDAQ) exchange, as it has faced a number of headwinds as of late. Recently, the exchange saw Oracle (ORCL) move over to the NYSE., which was a big blow. Also, the exchange has experienced a number of technical glitches that affected trading.

“Marriott International is known throughout the world as a company dedicated to the pursuit of excellence through innovation and focus on their customers,” said Bruce Aust, executive vice president, Corporate Client Group, NASDAQ OMX. “We are pleased to welcome Marriott to The NASDAQ Global Select Market and look forward to our continued partnership with the company and its shareholders.”

Marriott International shares were down 56 cents, or 1.31%, during morning trading on Monday. The stock is up 12.96% year-to-date.

Growing Optimism About US Growth

After both, the Fed's decision to start a modest taper, and the upgrade of 2014 economic prospects by the IMF, stocks experienced a significant rally, writes MoneyShow's Jim Jubak, also of Jubak's Picks, and there may be more good news from Santa on the way.

Good news on consumer spending in November, Apple's (AAPL) iPhone deal with China Mobile (CHL), and an upgrade on US economic prospects in 2014, from International Monetary Fund's (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde, pretty much guarantees that Santa will visit Wall Street this year. And just about on schedule. The Santa Claus rally is short and, in most years, sweet. It takes in the last five trading sessions of the old year and the first two trading sessions of the new. The average annual gain for that period, since 1972, for the Standard & Poor's 500 (SPX) is about 1.5%, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac.

10 Best Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014

Besides whatever momentum US stocks had from their rally last week, after the Federal Reserve decided to begin the taper of its $85 billion in monthly asset purchases, with a modest reduction to $75 billion a month, stocks were bolstered Monday, by data on November consumer spending, that argues that the economy might be able to grow in the fourth quarter by, something like, the 4.1% growth shown in the latest revised estimates for the third quarter. In numbers released Monday morning, the Commerce Department reported that consumer spending grew by 0.5% in November, up from a 0.4% gain in October that was, itself, an upward revision from the originally reported 0.3%. The S&P 500 closed up 0.52% yesterday, and the Dow Jones Industrials closed up 0.46%.

Lagarde's comments on Monday added to market optimism about the US economy. The IMF, the managing director said, was raising its estimate for 2014 economic growth in the United States from its October estimate of 2.6% growth for 2014. Lagarde didn't give a new estimate-my assumption is that markets will have to wait for the next official update in April to see an exact number. But, as lacking in details as these comments were, they certainly didn't hurt the growing optimism about US growth in 2014.

And finally, while Apple's deal with China Mobile isn't an indicator for anybody besides Apple and China Mobile, the 3.84% gain in Apple's shares Monday, helped push an outperforming NASDAQ Composite Index ahead 1.08% for the session. That kind of gain for the technology—heavy index adds a little more end of the year buying motivation. China Mobile will begin selling Apple's iPhone 5S and 5C on January 17, with pre-registration for sales to begin on December 25. The deal will give Apple access, for the first time, to China Mobile's 763 million customers. News releases, so far, haven't said anything about pricing—and without knowing that, it's hard to estimate how many phones Apple/China Mobile will sell. But the deal is timed so that the phone will be available for New Year gift giving (New Year falls on January 31 in 2014), and that should result in decent prestige sales for even an expensive iPhone. (Apple is a member of my Jubak's Picks portfolio.)

The one fly-in-the-ointment Monday, came from the same Commerce Department data release that showed a healthy increase in consumer spending. Personal income rose only 0.2% in November. That was better than the 0.1% drop in October, but it still fell short of the 0.5% increase projected by economists surveyed by Briefing.com.

In other words, incomes aren't rising as fast as spending right now. That's not good news for the sustainability of the recent upswing in US GDP growth into 2014.

Full disclosure: I don't own shares of any of the companies mentioned in this post in my personal portfolio. When in 2010 I started the mutual fund I manage, Jubak Global Equity Fund, I liquidated all my individual stock holdings and put the money into the fund. The fund may or may not now own positions in any stock mentioned in this post. The fund did own shares of Apple as of the end of June. For a full list of the stocks in the fund as of the end of June see the fund's portfolio here.

Which Way Does Panera Go From Here?

With shares of Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ:PNRA) trading at around $183.74, is PNRA an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

C = Catalyst for the Stock's Movement

While most companies throughout the broader market are finding ways to cut costs, Panera plans on adding locations. This is a good sign as it indicates the company is confident in its future prospects. As most special eatery diners already know, Panera is known for its freshness, local ingredients, and atmosphere (WiFi included).

If you have ever walked into a Panera during lunchtime, then you know it's very crowded. And the afternoons attract people who want to work while enjoying a snack and/or beverage. The slowest time of day is dinner, which is why Panera is attempting to offer more at this time. Panera is especially trying to make a move with pasta. While there is potential, ordering pasta at Panera is akin to ordering a filet mignon at a diner. In other words, it's probably not a good idea. There's also a good chance that most diners have better local options for pasta than Panera. That said, don't knock it until you try it, right?

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

Okay, enough about pasta. Pass or fail, pasta isn't going to be a determining factor for Panera. Looking at the big picture, Panera has grown revenue and earnings on an annual basis, and it still has a ton of growth potential domestically and internationally. Other positives include margin expansion and quality debt management. However, perhaps the most important factor of all is that Panera is now an established household brand name in the United States. As far as analysts go, they love the stock: 17 Buy, 8 Hold, 1 Sell.

There are a few negatives for Panera, which include missed earnings expectations, slightly slowing comps growth, and a lowered full-year comps growth expectation to 4.0%-5.0% from 4.5%-5.5%. There is also no yield.

Now let's take a look at some numbers. The chart below compares fundamentals for Panera, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), and Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG). Panera has a market cap of $5.34 billion, Starbucks has a market cap of $46.41 billion, and Chipotle has a market cap of $11.19 billion.

	PNRA	SBUX	CMG
Trailing   P/E	29.86	31.50	39.22
Forward   P/E	22.49	23.66	28.45
Profit   Margin	8.22%	10.80%	10.36%
ROE	23.18%	28.97%	23.75%
Operating   Cash Flow	$298.51 Million	$2.55 Billion	Hot Undervalued Companies For 2014    $515.84   Million
Dividend   Yield	N/A	1.40%	N/A
Short   Position	4.90%	1.40%	16.30%

 

Let's take a look at some more important numbers prior to forming an opinion on this stock.

E = Equity to Debt Ratio Is Strong   

The debt-to-equity ratio for Panera is stronger than the industry average of 0.90.

	Debt-To-Equity	Cash	Long-Term Debt
PNRA	0.00	$323.00 Million	$0
SBUX	0.10	$1.70 Billion	$549.60 Million
CMG	0.00	$507.50 Million	$0

 

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

T = Technicals Are Strong   

Panera has performed exceptionally well over a three-year time frame. It's also one of the few stocks that held its own during the financial crisis. This doesn't mean it would hold up just as well if a similar situation were to present itself, but it's worth noting.

	1 Month	Year-To-Date	1 Year	3 Year
PNRA	3.70%	15.70%	16.84%	145.00%
SBUX	7.60%	16.40%	13.61%	153.50%
CMG	9.90%	21.18%	-11.62%	174.10%

 

At $183.74, Panera is trading above all its averages.

50-Day   SMA	171.26
100-Day   SMA	166.22
200-Day   SMA	163.96

 

E = Earnings Have Been Strong            

Earnings and revenue have consistently improved on an annual basis. Earnings have increased for 10 consecutive years.

	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Revenue   ($)in   billions	1.30	1.35	1.54	1.82	2.13
Diluted   EPS ($)	2.22	2.78	3.62	4.55	5.89

 

When we look at the last quarter on a year-over-year basis, we see an increase in revenue and earnings.

	3/2012	6/2012	9/2012	12/2012	3/2013
Revenue   ($)in   millions	498.58	530.59	529.34	571.55	561.78
Diluted   EPS ($)	1.40	1.50	1.24	1.75	1.64

 

Now let's take a look at the next page for the Trends and Conclusion. Is this stock an OUTPERFORM, a WAIT AND SEE, or a STAY AWAY?

T = Trends Might Support the Industry

Panera is known as a healthier option than McDonald's Corp (NYSE:MCD) and Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM) restaurants. With the consumer more health-conscious than in past years, this has helped Panera as well as other healthy eating establishments. McDonald's has been offering more healthy options, which has helped it as well.

The problem for Panera is price. If the consumer weakens, which seems to be likely, then many consumers might choose cheaper alternatives. On the other hand, Panera offers atmosphere, and many consumers are willing to pay a little extra for atmosphere.

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

Conclusion

Now that Panera has become a mainstream American brand with millions of loyal customers that enjoy one of the most casual and comfortable atmospheres available,  it's a long-term OUTPERFORM. However, a tentative consumer, a somewhat poor valuation, and an artificially-inflated stock market are reasons for caution.

Microsoft Is Getting Rich on Android

Investors have long suspected that Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) generates more revenue from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) Android than it does selling Windows Phone licenses. Now they have more evidence to back up this hypothesis.

Within the software giant's earnings release last night, the company reported that its entertainment and devices division grew revenue by $134 million, or 8%, primarily due to Windows Phone revenue. However, when Microsoft says "Windows Phone revenue," it's including its patent licensing revenue that it gets from Android OEMs. Specifically, Microsoft said this type of revenue increased by $222 million.

Most of that has to be coming from Android.

Stay with me
Microsoft's Windows Phone license fee has been estimated between $20 and $30, based on information that a ZTE exec once inadvertently disclosed. Larger OEMs inevitably get volume breaks, and let's say that on average Microsoft gets close to $23 per unit.

IDC estimated that there were 5.4 million Windows Phones sold in Q2 2012. The market researchers have yet to release their estimates on Q2 2013, but investors already know that Nokia (NYSE: NOK  ) is the predominant vendor of Microsoft's platform. Over the past four quarters, Nokia's Lumia has comprised between 73% and 81% of global Windows Phone sales.

The company just disclosed that it sold 7.4 million Lumias in the second quarter. If Nokia represents 75% of all Windows Phones, that implies that there were approximately 9.9 million Windows Phones total. That's a year-over-year increase of 4.5 million units.

At an estimated $23 license fee per unit, that would be an increase of $103.5 million in revenue just for Windows Phone licenses. The remaining $118.5 million of that increase would be Android licensing revenue -- or more than the increase in direct Windows Phone license revenue.

Windows Phone has been gaining momentum lately in the smartphone market, but not that much momentum. Meanwhile, Android has continued its rise. In Q2 2012, there were roughly 105 million Android units shipped, which grabbed 68% of the market. By Q1 2013, that figure had risen to 162.1 million, or 75% market share.

Details surrounding Microsoft's licensing agreement with Android OEMs aren't publicly available, but investors do know that all the biggest vendors have inked deals with the software giant. That includes Samsung, HTC, ZTE, and LG, among many others. In total, Microsoft has about 20 Android OEMs sending it checks for use of Google's operating system, and those are adding up.

It's incredible to think just how much of our digital and technological lives are almost entirely shaped and molded by just a handful of companies like Microsoft and Google. Find out "Who Will Win the War Between the 5 Biggest Tech Stocks?" in The Motley Fool's latest free report, which details the knock-down, drag-out battle being waged by the five kings of tech. Click here to keep reading.

4 Unusual-Volume Stocks in Breakout Territory

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

>>5 Stocks Ready to Break Out This Month

Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

>>5 Stocks Set to Soar on Bullish Earnings

With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam

CaesarStone Sdot-Yam (CSTE) manufactures engineered quartz surfaces. This stock closed up 6.6% to $45.19 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 845,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 280,482

Volume % Change: 247%

From a technical perspective, CSTE ripped sharply higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $42.38 with strong upside volume. This move pushed shares of CSTE into breakout territory, since the stock took out some near-term overhead resistance at $44.74. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if CSTE can take out some key near-term overhead resistance levels.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CSTE as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $42.38 and then once it sustains a move or close above Wednesday's high of $47.50 to its all-time high at $48.69 with volume that hits near or above 280,482 shares. If we get that move soon, then CSTE will set up to enter new all-time-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $55 to $60.

PowerSecure International

PowerSecure International (POWR) is a provider of products and services to electric utilities and to their large commercial, institutional and industrial customers. This stock closed up 5.9% at $19.62 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 1.05 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 265,283

Volume % Change: 331%

From a technical perspective, POWR spiked sharply higher here with heavy upside volume. This move pushed shares of POWR into breakout and new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher of POWER can tag a new 52-week high in the near-term.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in POWR as long as it's trending above Wednesday's low of $18.72 and then once it sustains a move or close above Wednesday's high of $20.57 with volume that's near or above 265,283 shares. If we get that move soon, then POWR will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $25 to $27.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative products to meet unmet medical needs in neurology and psychiatry. This stock closed up 1.2% at $93.78 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 1.14 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 701,478

Volume % Change: 95%

From a technical perspective, JAZZ spiked modestly higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $88.49 with above-average volume. This move briefly pushed shares of JAZZ into breakout and new 52-week high territory, since it took out some near-term overhead resistance at $95.24. Traders should now look for a continuation move higher if JAZZ can make a new 52-week high soon.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in JAZZ as long as it's trending above $92 or Wednesday's low of $90.47, and then once it sustains a move or close above Wednesday's high of $97.44 with volume that's near or above 701,478 shares. If we get that move soon, then JAZZ will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $105 to $110

BioTelemetry

BioTelemetry (BEAT) provides ambulatory, continuous, real-time outpatient management solutions for monitoring relevant and timely clinical information regarding an individual's health. This stock closed up 16% at $10.44 in Wednesday's trading session.

Wednesday's Volume: 4.14 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 634,557

Volume % Change: 598%

From a technical perspective, BEAT exploded higher here and gapped up back above its 50-day moving average of $9.58 with monster upside volume. This move briefly pushed shares of BEAT into breakout and new 52-week-high territory, since it took out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $10.17 to $11.27. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if BEAT can make a new 52-week high.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in BEAT as long as it's trending above Wednesday's low of $10.09 or its 50-day at $9.58 and then once it sustains a move or close above Wednesday's high of $11.40 with volume that hits near or above 634,557 shares. If we get that move soon, then BEAT will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are $14 to $15.

To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Spiking Higher

>>5 Dividend Boosters That Could Really Pay Off

>>Buy These 5 REITs to Cash In This Year

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

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

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

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

Why Lifeway Foods Is Poised to Pull Back

Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, dairy products specialist Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY  ) has received a distressing two-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Lifeway, and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Lifeway facts

Headquarters (founded)	Morton Grove, Ill. (1986)
Market Cap	$285.4 million
Industry	Packaged foods
Trailing-12-Month Revenue	$86.3 million
Management	CEO Julie Smolyansky (since 2002) CFO Edward Smolyansky (since 2004)
Return on Equity (average, past 3 years)	11.5%
Cash/Debt	$5.1 million / $5.4 million
Dividend Yield	0.5%
Competitors	Dean Foods  General Mills

Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 16% of the 61 All-Star members who have rated Lifeway believe the stock will underperform the S&P 500 going forward.

Just yesterday, one of those bears, fellow Fool Rich Smith (TMFDitty), touched on the stock's seemingly unsustainable valuation:

I'll take advantage of an unwarranted price spike to short this one [on Thursday]. LWAY is a great company, but it's just reneged on a commitment to not spend money on expanding capacity, buying a plant to quadruple capacity instead. And [free cash flow] is down in comparison with last year's Q1. Time to exit.

While you can certainly make quick gains in speculative momentum plays, the best investing approach is to choose great companies at good prices and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool's free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich," names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.

More Expert Advice from The Motley Fool

The Motley Fool's chief investment officer has selected his No. 1 stock for the next year. Find out which stock in our brand-new free report: "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2013." I invite you to take a copy, free for a limited time. Just click here to access the report and find out the name of this under-the-radar company.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now

European stocks advanced, after posting their first weekly loss since early October, as Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program and as investors awaited a report on U.S. pending-home sales. U.S. stock-index futures and Asian shares climbed.

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG) and Air France-KLM (AF) Group rose with as a gauge of travel stocks as oil prices fell after Iran�� accord. PSA Peugeot Citroen gained 3.7 percent after people familiar with the matter said its chief executive officer plans to step down next year. Fresenius Medical Care AG surged the most in five years after U.S. regulators scrapped a plan to cut Medicare payments next year.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index advanced 0.5 percent to 324.36 at 10:39 a.m. in London. The benchmark gauge last week slipped less than 0.1 percent, the first loss since Oct. 4. It has surged 16 percent this year as central banks around the world maintained stimulus measures. Standard & Poor�� 500 Index futures rose 0.3 percent, and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index each climbed 0.4 percent.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Organovo Holdings Inc (ONVO.PK)

Organovo Holdings, Inc. (Organovo), formerly Real Estate Restoration & Rental, Inc., incorporated in 2007, is a development-stage company. The Company has developed and is commercializing a platform technology for the generation of three-dimensional (3D) human tissues that can be employed in drug discovery and development, biological research, and as therapeutic implants for the treatment of damaged or degenerating tissues and organs. On December 28, 2011, Real Estate Restoration and Rental, Inc.�� (RERR) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which RERR merged with its, wholly owned subsidiary, Organovo (Merger Sub). On February 8, 2012, the Company merged with and into Organovo Acquisition Corp. (Acquisition Corp.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Organovo, with the Company surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Organovo Holdings (the Merger). As a result of the Merger, Organovo acquired the business of Organovo, Inc.

The C ompany has collaborative research agreements with Pfizer, Inc. (Pfizer) and United Therapeutic Corporation (Unither). As of March 31, 2012, it has five federal grants, including Small Business Innovation Research grants and developed the NovoGen MMX Bioprinter (its first-generation 3D bioprinter). The Company is engaged in the development of specific 3D human tissues to aid Pfizer in discovery of therapies in two areas of interest. In addition, in October 2011, it entered into a research agreement with Unither to establish and conduct a research program to discover treatments for pulmonary hypertension using its NovoGen MMX Bioprinter technology. Additionally, under the research agreement with Unither, the Company granted Unither an option to acquire from the Company a worldwide, royalty-bearing license in certain intellectual property created under the research agreement solely for use in the treatment or prevention of pulmonary hypertension and all other lung diseases.

The Company�� NovoGen MMX Bioprinter is an aut! om! ated device that enables the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) living tissues comprised of mammalian cells. A custom graphic user interface (GUI) facilitates the 3D design and execution of scripts that direct precision movement of the dispensing heads to deposit cellular building blocks (bio-ink) or supporting hydrogel. The Company is using a third party manufacturer, Invetech Pty., of Melbourne, Australia, to manufacture its NovoGen MMX Bioprinter. Its bioprinting technology and surrounding intellectual property and commercial rights serve as a platform for product generation across multiple markets that employ cell- and tissue-based products and services.

The Company competes with Organogenesis, Advanced BioHealing, Tengion, Genzyme, HumaCyte and Cytograft Tissue Engineering.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Fuse Science Inc (DROP)

Fuse Science, Inc. ( Fuse Science), incorporated on September 21, 1988, is a consumer products holding company. The Company maintains the rights to sublingual and transdermal delivery systems for bioactive agents that can effectively encapsulate and charge many varying molecules in order to produce complete product formulations which can be consumed orally, applied topically or delivered otherwise sublingually or transdermally, thereby bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and entering the blood stream directly. The Fuse Science technology is designed to accelerate conveyance of medicines or nutrients relative to traditional pills and liquids and can enhance how consumers receive these products. In December 2012, the Company launched its initial DROP products, PowerFuse, an energy formulation in a concentrated drop and ElectroFuse, an electrolyte formula in a concentrated drop, online, with the expansion into targeted retail distribution channels.

The Company is developing formulations and devices, which are compatible with alternative delivery systems for energy, medicines, vitamins and minerals, among other bioactives. These alternative systems include, but are not limited to, sublingual, transdermal and buccal drug delivery methods. use Science has developed and continues to advance, in conjunction with its scientific team, sublingual and transdermal delivery systems for bioactives that can effectively encapsulate and charge varying molecules in order to produce product formulations which can be consumed orally, applied topically or otherwise delivered sublingually or transdermally, thereby bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and entering the blood stream directly. The delivery technology is consists of encapsulation vesicles and ion exchange permeation enhancers. This technology utilizes a gradient across the mucosa membrane to help deliver the bioactive more efficiently through the mucosa.

The Company�� products consist of EnerJel, PowerFuse and ElectroFuse. Ene! rJel is a topical product leveraging some of its technology, which is designed to address muscle fatigue and soreness, before, during and after physical activity. The product contains a natural anti-inflammatory and energy source which is directly applied to the problem area. PowerFuse contains natural ingredients, causes no sugar crash with zero calories and less than half the caffeine of an eight ounce cup of premium coffee. It is available in a great tasting Berry Blast Flavor. ElectroFuse contains natural ingredients, causes no sugar crash with zero calories, is easily portable and is available in a great tasting Salty-Sweet flavor.

Top 10 Tech Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Galena Biopharma Inc (GALE.PH)

Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Galena), formerly RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, incorporated on April 3, 2006, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies addressing unmet medical needs using targeted biotherapeutics. The Company is pursuing the development of cancer therapeutics using peptide-based immunotherapy products, including its main product candidate, NeuVaxTM (E75), for the treatment of breast cancer and other tumors. NeuVax is a peptide-based immunotherapy intended to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer in low-to-intermediate HER2-positive breast cancer patients not eligible for trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech/Roche). On January 19, 2012, the Company initiated enrollment in its Phase 3 PRESENT clinical trial for NeuVax (E75 peptide plus GM-CSF) vaccine in low-to-intermediate HER2 1+ and 2+ breast cancer patients in the adjuvant setting to prevent recurrence (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01479244). The Preven tion of Recurrence in Early-Stage, Node-Positive Breast Cancer with Low to Intermediate HER2 Expression with NeuVax Treatment study is a randomized, multicenter, multinational clinical trial that will enroll approximately 700 breast cancer patients. The Company�� Phase 2 trial of NeuVax achieved its primary endpoint of disease-free survival (DFS). On April 13, 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of Apthera, Inc.,(Apthera).

The Company focuses to start a Phase 2 trial comparing NeuVax in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin) versus trastuzumab, alone, in a 300-patient, randomized study in the adjuvant breast cancer setting. The Company's second product candidate, Folate Binding Protein-E39 (FBP), is a vaccine, consisting of the peptides E39 and J65, aimed at preventing the recurrence of ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers. On February 14, 2012, the Company announced the initiation of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in two gynecological cancers: ovari an and endometrial adenocarcinomas. Folate binding protein! h! as very limited tissue distribution and expression in non-malignant tissue and is over-expressed in more than 90% of ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as in 20% to 50% of breast, lung, colorectal and renal cell carcinomas.

In April 2011, the Company acquired Apthera Inc and its NeuVax product candidate. The Company focuses on developing a pipeline of immunotherapy product candidates for the treatment of various cancers based on the E75 peptide, the advanced of which is NeuVax, which is targeted at preventing the recurrence of breast cancer. NeuVax has had positive Phase 1/2 clinical trial results for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in patients who have had breast cancer and received the standard of care treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy as indicated). The Company had also initiated its Phase 3 PRESENT clinical trial of NeuVax for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence in early-stage low-to-intermediate HER2 breast cancer patients. NeuVax directs killer T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells that express HER2/neu, a protein associated with epithelial tumors in breast, ovarian, pancreatic, colon, bladder and prostate cancers. NeuVax is comprised of a HER2/neu-derived peptide called E75. E75 is a nine-amino acid sequence that is immunogenic (produces an immune response) and GM-CSF is a commercially available protein that acts to stimulate and activate components of the immune system such as macrophages and dendritic cells.

The Company also develops novel applications for NeuVax based on preclinical studies and phases 2 clinical trials which suggest that combining NeuVax and trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech/Roche) can increase antigen presentation by tumor cells by promoting receptor internalization and subsequent proteosomal degradation of the HER2 protein. The Company also is pursuing additional therapeutic indications for NeuVax that are in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. RXI-109, is a dermal anti-scarring therapy that ! targ! ets! conne! ctive tissue growth factor (CTGF) and that may inhibit connective tissue formation in human fibrotic disease.

The Company competes with Roche Laboratories, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Bayer HealthCare AG, Sanofi-Aventis, US, LLC, Amgen, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Renovo Group plc, CoDa Therapeutics, Inc., Sirnaomics, Inc., FirstString Research, Inc., Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Capstone Therapeutics, Halscion, Inc., Garnet Bio Therapeutics, Inc., AkPharma Inc., Promedior, Inc., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eyegene, Derma Sciences, Inc., Healthpoint Biotherapeutics, Pharmaxon, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marina Biotech, Inc., Tacere Therapeutics, Inc., Benitec Limited, OPKO Health, Inc., Silence Therapeutics plc, Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Rosetta Genomics Ltd., Lorus Therapeutics, Inc., Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Arrowhead Research Corporation, Regulus Therapeutics Inc. and Santaris.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: EntreMed Inc (ENMD)

EntreMed, Inc. (EntreMed), incorporated in 1991, is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. EntreMed's drug candidate is ENMD-2076, an Aurora A and angiogenic kinase inhibitor for the treatment of cancer. ENMD-2076 has completed Phase I studies in patients with advanced solid tumors, multiple myeloma and leukemia and is completing data for a multi-center Phase II study in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer. The Company�� other product candidates have includes MKC-1, ENMD-1198 and 2-methoxyestrdiol (2ME2, Panzem) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

ENMD-2076 is a novel orally-active, Aurora A/angiogenic kinase inhibitor with potent activity against Aurora A and multiple tyrosine kinases linked to cancer and inflammatory diseases. ENMD-2076 is relatively selective for the Aurora A isoform in comparison to Aurora B. Aurora kinases are key regulators of the process of mitosis, or cell division, and are often over-expressed in human cancers. ENMD-2076 exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms of action, including anti-proliferative activity and the inhibition of angiogenesis. ENMD-2076 has demonstrated significant, dose-dependent preclinical activity as a single agent, including tumor regression, in multiple xenograft models (such as breast, colon, leukemia), as well as activity towards ex vivo-treated human leukemia patient cells.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: NeoStem Inc (NBS)

NeoStem, Inc., incorporated on September 18, 1980, operates in cellular therapy industry. Cellular therapy addresses the process by which new cells are introduced into a tissue to prevent or treat disease, or regenerate damaged or aged tissue, and consists of a separate therapeutic technology platform in addition to pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices. The Company�� business model includes the development of novel cell therapy products, as well as operating a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing services to others in the regenerative medicine industry. Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC, the Company�� wholly owned subsidiary (PCT), is a CDMO in the cellular therapy industry. PCT has provided pre-clinical and clinical current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) development and manufacturing services to over 100 clients advancing regenerative medicine product candidates through rigorous quality standards all the way through to human testing.

PCT has two cGMP, cell therapy research, development, and manufacturing facilities in New Jersey and California, serving the cell therapy community with integrated and regulatory compliant distribution capabilities. Its core competencies in the cellular therapy industry include manufacturing of cell therapy-based products, product and process development, cell and tissue processing, regulatory support, storage, distribution and delivery and consulting services. The Company�� wholly-owned subsidiary, Amorcyte, LLC (Amorcyte) is developing its own cell therapy, AMR-001, for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. AMR-001 represents its clinically advanced therapeutic product candidate and enrollment for its Phase II PreSERVE clinical trial to investigate AMR-001's safety and efficacy in preserving heart function after a heart attack in a particular type of post Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients.

Through the Company�� subsidiary, Athelos Corporation (Athelos), the Company is collaborating w! ith Becton-Dickinson in early stage clinical development of a therapy utilizing T-cells, collaborating for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including but not limited to, graft vs. host disease, type 1 diabetes, steroid resistant asthma, lupus, multiple sclerosis and solid organ transplant rejection. The Company�� pre-clinical assets include its Very Small Embryonic Like (VSEL) Technology platform. The Company has basic research and development capabilities, manufacturing facilities on both the east and west coast of the United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  NeoStem (NYSE: NBS) priced an underwritten public offering of 5,000,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $7.00 per share. NeoStem shares dipped 9.44% to $7.10 in after-hours trading.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Uroplasty Inc (UPI)

Uroplasty, Inc., incorporated in January 1992, is a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets products for the treatment of voiding dysfunctions. The Company�� primary focus is on two products: the Urgent PC Neuromodulation system and Macroplastique Implants. The Urgent PC system is a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved minimally invasive, office-based neuromodulation therapy for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and associated symptoms of urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and urge incontinence; and Macroplastique Implants a urethral bulking agent for the treatment of adult female stress urinary incontinence primarily due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). Outside of the United States, the Company�� Urgent PC is also approved for treatment of fecal incontinence, and Macroplastique is also approved for treatment of male stress incontinence and vesicoureteral reflux.

Urgent PC Neuromodulation System

Using a small-gauge needle electrode inserted above the ankle, the Urgent PC System delivers electrical impulses to the tibial nerve that travel to the sacral nerve plexus, a control center for pelvic floor and bladder function. Components of the Urgent PC system include a hair-width needle electrode, a lead set, and an external, handheld, battery-powered stimulator. For each 30-minute, office-based therapy session, the physician or other qualified healthcare provider inserts the needle electrode in the patient�� lower leg and connects the electrode to the stimulator. Typically, a patient undergoes 12 consecutive weekly treatment sessions, with follow-up maintenance treatments as required to sustain the therapeutic effect. The Company has received regulatory clearances for sale of the Urgent PC system in the United States, Canada and Europe. It also has launched its second generation Urgent PC system.

Macroplastique

Macroplastique is designed to restore the patient�� urinary contine! nce immediately following treatment. Macroplastique is a soft-textured, permanent implant injected, under endoscopic visualization, around the urethra distal to the bladder neck. It is a composition of heat vulcanized, solid, soft, irregularly shaped polydimethylsiloxane (solid silicone elastomer) implants suspended in a biocompatible excretable carrier gel. Macroplastique does not degrade, is not absorbed into surrounding tissues and does not migrate from the implant site. The Company has sold Macroplastique for several urological indications in over 40 countries outside the United States.

Other Uroplasty Products

The Company markets outside of the United States minimally invasive products to address fecal incontinence. Its PTQ Implants offer minimally invasive, soft-textured permanent implant for treatment of fecal incontinence. The PTQ Implants are implanted circumferentially into the submucosa of the anal canal, creating a bulking and supportive effect similar to that of Macroplastique injection for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The PTQ is Conformite Europeenne (CE) marked and is sold outside the United States in various international markets. The Urgent PC is also CE marked and sold outside of the United States for the treatment of fecal incontinence. In addition to urological applications, the Company markets its tissue bulking material outside the United States for otolaryngology vocal cord rehabilitation applications under the trade name VOX Implants. In the Netherlands and the United Kingdom only, the Company distributes certain wound care products in accordance with a distributor agreement.

The Company competes with Pfizer Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Novartis, Allergan, GlaxoSmithKline, Carbon Medical Technologies, BioForm, Inc., Q-Med AB and Contura.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc (BMSN)

Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc., incorporated on October 6, 1998, is a development stage company. The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Regen BioPharma ,Inc., is engaged in the development of regenerative medical applications which it focuses to license from other entities up to the point of completion of Phase I and or Phase II clinical trials after which it would either attempt to sell or license those developed applications or, alternatively, advance the application further to Phase III clinical trials.

The Company has begun development of HemaXellerate, a cellular drug designed to heal damaged bone marrow. HemaXellerate I (TM) is a patient-specific composition of cells that have been demonstrated to repair damaged bone marrow and stimulate production of blood cells based on previous animal studies.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  If you're a small cap enthusiast looking for some budding ideas, you may not need to look any further than China GengSheng Minerals, Inc. (NYSEMKT:CHGS), Bio Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (OTCMKTS:BMSN), and MER Telemanagement Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:MTSL). All three have either pushed themselves to the brink of a breakout, if they haven't started one already. Here's a closer technical look at MTSL, BMSN, and CHGS, and what it's going to take to get them going if they're not going already.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp (RXII.PK)

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (RXi), incorporated on September 8, 2011, is a development-stage company. The Company is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies addressing medical needs using RNA interference (RNAi)-targeted technologies. As of July 12, 2012, RXi was focusing on its internal therapeutic development efforts in fibrosis. RXI-109 is its RNAi product candidate, which is a dermal anti-scarring therapy that targets connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The Company�� therapeutic platform consists of two main components: RNAi Compounds (rxRNA) and Advanced Delivery Technologies. RNAi compounds include rxRNAori, rxRNAsolo and sd-rxRNA, or self-delivering RNA. On April 26, 2012, it completed the spin-off transaction from Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Galena).

In January 2011, the Company announced research results in collaboration with Generex Biotechnology Corporation, and RXi�� wholly owned subsidia ry Antigen Express, Inc., in developing vaccine formulations for immunotherapy. In January 2011, it announced initial results as part of its collaboration with miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. in creating microRNA mimics, or artificial copies of microRNAs, using the Company�� sd-rxRNA technology. In February 2011, it announced the initiation of RXi�� development program for RXI-109.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: InspireMD Inc (NSPR)

InspireMD, Inc., incorporated on February 29, 2008, is a medical device company. The Company is focusing on the development and commercialization of its stent platform technology, MGuard. MGuard provides embolic protection in stenting procedures by placing a micron mesh sleeve over a stent. Its initial products are marketed for use mainly in patients with acute coronary syndromes, notably acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and saphenous vein graft coronary interventions (bypass surgery). The Company�� products include MGuard Coronary Plus Bio-Stable Mesh, MGuard Peripheral Plus Bio-Stable Mesh, MGuard Carotid Plus Bio-Stable Mesh and MGuard Coronary Plus Bio-Absorbable Drug-Eluting Mesh. Its initial MGuard Coronary products incorporated a stainless steel stent. The Company subsequently replaced this stainless steel platform with a more advanced cobalt-chromium based platform, which the Company refers to as the MGuard PrimeTM version of its MGuard Coronary. The Company operates in Germany through its wholly owned subsidiary InspireMD GmbH.

The Company focuses on applying its technology to develop additional products used for other vascular procedures, specifically carotid (the arteries that supply blood to the brain) and peripheral (other arteries) procedures. The MGuard stent is an embolic protection device based on a protective sleeve, which is constructed out of an ultra-thin polymer mesh and wrapped around the stent. The protective sleeve is comprised of a micron level fiber-knitted mesh, engineered in an optimal geometric configuration and designed for utmost flexibility while retaining strength characteristics of the fiber material.

MGuard - Coronary Applications

The Company�� MGuard Coronary with a bio-stable mesh and its MGuard Coronary with a drug-eluting mesh focuses on the treatment of coronary arterial disease. The Company�� first MGuard product, the MGuard Coronary with a bio-stable mesh, is comprised of its mesh sleeve wrapped around a! bare-metal stent. The bio-absorbability of MGuard Coronary with a drug eluting bio-absorbable mesh is intended to improve upon the bio-absorbability of other drug-eluting stents, in light of the wide surface area of the mesh and the small diameter of the fiber.

MGuard - Carotid Applications

The Company focuses on marketing its mesh sleeve coupled with a self-expandable stent for use in carotid-applications. Expandable stent is a stent that expands without balloon dilation pressure or need of an inflation balloon. This product is under development, although the Company has temporarily delayed its development until additional funding is secured.

MGuard - Peripheral Applications

Peripheral Artery Disease, also known as peripheral vascular disease, is characterized by the accumulation of plaque in arteries in the legs, need for amputation of affected joints or even death, when untreated. Peripheral Artery Disease is treated either by trying to clear the artery of the blockage, or by implanting a stent in the affected area to push the blockage out of the way of normal blood flow.

The Company competes with Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Inc., The Sorin Group, Xtent, Inc., Cinvention AG, OrbusNeich, Biotronik SE & Co. KG, Svelte Medical Systems, Inc., Reva Inc. and Stentys SA.

Top 10 Medical Companies To Buy Right Now: OncoSec Medical Inc (ONCS)

OncoSec Medical Incorporated, incorporated on February 8, 2008, is an emerging drug-medical device company. The Company focused on designing, developing and commercializing medical approaches for the treatment of solid cancers. In March 2011, the Company acquired from Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Inovio) certain assets related to the use of drug-medical device combination products for the treatment of different cancers.

The Company�� acquired assets relate to certain non-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine technology and property relating to selective tumor ablation technologies, which it refers to as the OncoSec Medical System (OMS), a therapy which uses an electroporation device to facilitate delivery of chemotherapy agents, or nucleic acids encoding cytokines, into tumors and/or surrounding tissue for the treatment and diagnosis of various cancers. As of January 24, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenue from operations.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bio-Wire]

  Another company that has benefitted from Inovio�� newfound attention is OncoSec Medical (OTC: ONCS) ��a newer ��ffshoot�� company that uses a similar but distinctly different electroporation device known as the OncoSec Medical System (OMS) that is based on Inovio�� technology. The specific amplitude and frequency of the OMS electroporation is calibrated such that plasmid delivery into solid tumor masses is fully optimized, while CELLECTRA electroporation is less specialized and focus more on the vaccination of skin cells. The cross-license agreement made between Inovio and Oncosec also covers the two devices for their distinctly different applications.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  If you're looking for the next big biotech breakout stock, then OncoSec Medical Inc. (OTCMKTS:ONCS) deserves a place on your watchlist. This volatile cancer play has been down more than up 2011, but if you look closely at a long-term chart of ONCS, you may find it's already wiggled its way into a new uptrend. And, it may be only a matter of time before the bullish fireworks start to go off.

Budget deal will boost 2014 economy

The budget deal now passed by Congress will set the stage for faster economic growth in 2014, reducing the impact of federal budget cutting on the economy by as much as half, economists say.

The measure, adopted by the Senate Wednesday, would reduce the automatic spending cuts scheduled for this year by $45 billion and, partly offset them with different cuts. That could boost growth in 2014 by as much as 0.25%, economist Joel Naroff said.

The package does some, but not all, of what ratings agencies and many private economists have been clamoring for, said Moody's Analytics fiscal-policy economist Brian Kessler. Economists have argued that the U.S. should reduce spending cuts now to push the recovery onto more-solid ground, while preparing for longer-term cuts in Social Security and Medicare spending. The bill does defer some spending cuts, but doesn't address the entitlement issues.

"It's a small deal, but it's kind of exactly what an economist hoped they would do,'' Kessler said. "Reducing the fiscal drag in the near term is a positive thing.''

The deal isn't a negative for entitlement reform — it simply doesn't address the issue, said Marie Cavanaugh, a managing director in S&P's sovereign ratings group.

"This doesn't really go in that direction, but it does show a greater facility for compromise,'' Cavanaugh said. "It would be helpful for creditworthiness if there were a plan in place. You wouldn't need for it to take effect yet because of the fragility of the economy.''

STORY: Senate sends two-year budget deal to Obama

Most economists believe the U.S. cut as much as 1.5 percentage points off its growth rate in 2013 because of fiscal policy, both tax increases and spending cuts. With growth running about 2% year-over-year, efforts to reduce the federal deficit cut this year's growth almost by half, according to the International Monetary Fund and other analysts.

With no new tax hikes on the horizon, the drag was expected to fall to as little as 0.! 5 percentage points of growth in 2014 even before the deal, Naroff said.

That is a big part of the reason many economists expected growth to accelerate anyway in 2014, said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Chicago asset manager Mesirow Financial.

The deal would have had a bigger positive impact if it had included an extension of long-term unemployment benefits, which are set to expire on Dec. 28, Swonk said.

Some details of the deal, including the expiration of tax credits that give incentives for business investment and hiring veterans, may hurt unless they are later restored as part of a larger tax bill, said Tom Windram, a partner in the national tax practice at accounting firm McGladrey.

The expiration of the Work Opportunities Tax Credit "isn't an incentive to hire fewer people. It's an incentive to hire different people,'' Windram said.

Retail Values: Kohl's and Wal-Mart

The stock market, it is often said, climbs a wall of worry. Incredibly, the tremendous advance we've enjoyed in 2013, came amidst the backdrop of dysfunction in Washington and anxiety over Fed tapering, asserts John Buckingham in The Prudent Speculator.

We remain optimistic about the long-term prospects of our broadly-diversified portfolios of undervalued stocks, even as we concede that we are overdue for a pullback and we have a bit more cash than usual.

We have no newfound insight into near-term market moves just because our performance star is shining brighter, but we can say, from our contrarian viewpoint, that recent talk of a bubble in equities has been reassuring. Meanwhile, here's a look at two leading retailers.

Kohl's (KSS)

Kohl's operates family-oriented department stores offering moderately-priced apparel, footwear, accessories, and home goods.

Stores, which number 1,155 (more than a third are company-owned), are heavily-concentrated in the Midwest and East, but Kohl's is aggressively expanding into the South and West.

We like that Kohl's sales mix is well-diversified, and that the retailer has made a lot of progress increasing sales of higher-margin private and exclusive brands.

The shares were hit relatively hard on disappointing guidance, following Q3 earnings. We believe that this latest headwind was just part of the overall turnaround process, as management looks for creative ways to drive new traffic.

Kohl's has a solid balance sheet and generates an attractive level of free cash flow, which provides flexibility for expansion into new markets and the return of capital to shareholders. KSS trades for less than 13 times forward earnings projections and yields 2.5%.

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT)

Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer, with a presence in 27 countries, operating supercenters and wholesale warehouse clubs.

In addition, the company continues to roll-out smaller store formats, including exclusive grocery stores, in an effort to penetrate historically under-represented urban areas.

While domestic traffic, and overall ticket levels, have been traveling a bumpy road, the company continues to gain overall momentum.

We believe that its Sam's Club business offers solid near-term prospects, while its international unit, with its growing e-commerce business, provides attractive long-term growth opportunities.

Though there are concerns over the growth rates of the domestic business, we like the solid balance sheet and management's willingness to return capital to shareholders via buybacks and dividend increases. We think WMT is a lower-volatility bargain.

Subscribe to The Prudent Speculator here…

More from MoneyShow.com:

Retail Showdown

Upturn Kicks in at Foot Locker

Contrarian Shopping Among Retailers

Millennials Gain the Most Financial Ground in 2013

By Hal M. Bundrick

NEW YORK (MainStreet) It was a good year for American workers and best for the youngest among us. Fully 42% of American employees say their finances improved in 2013, but more than half (58%) of Millennial workers feel they are financially better off now than at the beginning of 2013.

The Principal Financial Well-Being Index surveys employees at small and mid-sized businesses with 10 to 1,000 workers, and while most indicated an improving personal financial situation, respondents are still divided on the future of the U.S. economy.

Four in ten workers expect the economy to worsen next year, while 32% think the economy will improve. "Following the recent peak in economic optimism at this time last year, workers have returned to a more cautious outlook as they approach 2014," said Luke Vandermillen at The Principal. "As they prepare to ring in the New Year, it's encouraging to see American workers take action by focusing on their own personal finances instead of what they can't control -- the economy." Fully 57% of employees say they usually feel in control of their personal financial situation. Nearly half (49%) say they believe they are making good progress toward achieving their long-term financial goals. But there is always room for improvement: one in five (21%) report not saving enough as their top financial blunder in 2013, followed by accumulating credit card debt (9%) and taking on more debt (8%). The budget busters for 2013 were caused by dining out (22%) and food/groceries (21%). Gas came in close behind at 20%. More than a quarter (28%) of those surveyed do not intend to make any financial New Year's resolutions this year, but of those who do, these are the improvements they'll shoot for: 34% resolve to save a set amount each month 28% plan to pay off credit card debt 23% resolve to reduce monthly spending More than a third (37%) plan on spending less this holiday season by buying gifts for fewer people (38%), spending less per gift (37%) or traveling less (26%) this holiday season. The majority of respondents said they plan to spend $500 or less on the holidays. --Written by Hal M. Bundrick for MainStreet

Best Heal Care Stocks To Buy For 2014

Yesterday, Tesla (TSLA) gained 1.8% after Bloomberg honed in on orders for the cars in Hong Kong. Making inroads into mainland China may be more difficult, however.

REUTERS

Reuters has reports on Tesla’s may not be able to use its name in China:

The maker of the best-selling U.S. electric car, the premium Model S sedan with a price tag of $70,000, had originally hoped to launch a flagship showroom in Beijing at the start of the year, according to three sources, but has had to put that idea on hold due in part to the trademark issue.

As a result, the 10-year-old company’s first shop-front in�China, at the Parkview Green Fangcaodi mall in the capital, sits boarded up. While there is no Tesla sign, the shop is adorned with billboards of the Model S, which was launched in the United States last year.

Best Heal Care Stocks To Buy For 2014: Metropolitan Minning Inc(MNZ.V)

Metropolitan Mining Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It primarily holds an option to acquire 60% interest in the Fruso property, located in the province of Salta, in the Puna of northwestern Argentina. The Fruso property consists of two claims Fruso Este and Aracar covering an area of 5,684 Hectares. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Best Heal Care Stocks To Buy For 2014: Azumah Resources Ltd (AZM.AX)

Azumah Resources Limited engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties. The company explores for gold and other mineral deposits. It primarily owns a 100% interest in the Wa Gold project that covers a land holding of 3,157 square kilometers located in northwest Ghana, west Africa. The company was incorporated in 2004 and is based in West Perth, Australia.

Best Bank Stocks To Buy Right Now: Homeland Enrgy Group Ltd(HEG.TO)

Homeland Energy Group Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of mineral resource properties. The company owns a portfolio of mineral property assets or rights; and engages in mining coal and producing thermal quality coal products for use in the power generation, and cement and brick-end products industries in South Africa, as well as exports to international markets for energy production. It holds a 74% interest in the Kendal Colliery located in the west-central region of the Witbank Coalfield; a 50% interest in the Eloff mineral property located in the province of Mpumalanga; and a 100% interest in the Northfield site reclamation project located in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province in South Africa. The company, through its holdings in Homeland Energy Corp., also engages in the exploration and development of uranium projects in Niger and the United States. Homeland Energy Group Ltd. was founded in 2004 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Best Heal Care Stocks To Buy For 2014: Cynosure Inc.(CYNO)

Cynosure, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets aesthetic treatment systems to the dermatology, plastic surgery, and general medical markets. Its aesthetic treatment systems incorporate a range of laser and other light-based energy sources, including Alexandrite, pulse dye, Nd:Yag, and diode lasers, as well as intense pulsed light. The company?s aesthetic treatment systems comprise the Elite product line for hair removal, treatment of facial, and leg veins and pigmentations; the Smartlipo product line for LaserBodySculpting for the removal of unwanted fat; the Cellulaze, SmoothShapes XV, and TriActive product line for the temporary and long-term reduction in the appearance of cellulite; the Affirm/SmartSkin product line for anti-aging applications, such as treatments for wrinkles, skin texture, skin discoloration, and skin tightening; the Cynergy product line for the treatment of vascular lesions; and the Accolade product line for the removal of benign pigmented lesion s, as well as multi-colored tattoos. It sells its products through a direct sales force in North America, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, China, Japan, and Mexico; and through international distributors in 84 other countries. Cynosure, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is based in Westford, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Aesthetic-laser maker Cynosure (NASDAQ: CYNO  ) announced yesterday that it had completed the acquisition of rival laser specialist Palomar Medical Technologies for $146 million cash and 6 million shares for a total value of around $294 million.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  There's no foolproof way to know the future for Cynosure (Nasdaq: CYNO  ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

Best Heal Care Stocks To Buy For 2014: The Pantry Inc.(PTRY)

The Pantry, Inc. operates a chain of convenience stores in the southeastern United States. The company?s stores offer a selection of merchandise, fuel, and ancillary products and services. Its merchandise products include cigarettes, grocery and other tobacco products, packaged beverages, beer, and wine. The company operates stores under various selected banners, which primarily include Kangaroo Express. As of September 29, 2011, it operated 1,649 convenience stores located in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, and Missouri; and 233 quick service restaurants. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  What: Shares of The Pantry (NASDAQ: PTRY  ) were down as much as 15% today after the convenience-store chain posted a second-quarter loss and missed Wall Street estimates.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Much of the same can be said about The Pantry (NASDAQ: PTRY  ) , a predominantly Southeastern U.S. convenience store chain that operates under the Kangaroo Express name. Food inflation has been minimal, the weather hasn't been as cooperative, and consumer traffic fell 4.6% in its most recent quarter. But where other investors see weakness, I see an opportunity.

Obamacare Website Chews Up $1 Billion in Tax Dollars

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has been touting a "modest" $394 million price tag for the flailing Obamacare website, but the truth is that the Obama administration has awarded contracts totaling over $1 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars, a Bloomberg Government Analysis (BGOV) found.

The GAO did qualify its $394 million number. The study took into account only costs running from the ACA's outset in 2010, up to March 31, 2013. Also, it just looked at the costs of implementing the federal exchanges plus the data services hub.

On the other hand, the BGOV analysis looks at a longer time period (Obamacare enactment, through Sept. 30, 2013). That means it takes into account any recent, last-minute spending - more on that momentarily.

The BGOV study is also broader than the GAO's.

The BGOV uses the GAO to determine the top 10 contractors that are implementing exchanges in those 36 states in which the federal government is primarily handling the new

healthcare marketplaces. In other words, states where the federal government is using U.S. taxpayer money to set up marketplaces, as opposed to states that opted to set up marketplaces on their own using state dollars.

Then, instead of just focusing on federal exchange and data services hub costs like the GAO, the BGOV looks at the full range of Obamacare-related contract awards to these 10 firms.

These factors make the BGOV analysis more fairly centered on how much money it's really taking to implement the Obamacare website.

The result: More than $1 billion in contract awards is going to just these 10 firms, more than two and a half times more than reported by the GAO.

Equally appalling to this $1 billion price tag might be that one-third of the funding was awarded to IT contractors just over the last six months - despite indications that the contractors were aggregately doing a horrible job building the website. Programmers raised an alert prior to the Obamacare website going live, insurance companies had been complaining about problems when trying to use it prior to launch, and it even crashed in a test run before Oct. 1.

Perhaps the old adage, courtesy of Albert Einstein, applies here: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."

The fact that the lion's share of the money was doled out only a few months before the Oct. 1 exchanges were set to open, in a rash of last-minute spending, is disturbing.

For instance, take a look at CGI Federal Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian IT solutions company CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB).

CGI Federal is the largest recipient of Obamacare contract awards. The firm collected $149.9 million from April through the end of September - an impressive 35.5% of the total $421.8 million it has received since March 2010. 

Obamacare Website: Rushing Is Bad for Your Health

It's no wonder the Obamacare website is largely defective - it was a rush job.

In fact, of the 10 companies examined, Navigant Consulting Inc. (NYSE: NCI) is the only one that has received no new contract awards since the GAO's March 31 study cutoff date. (The firm is tasked with data collection and customer outreach.)

In late October, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified under oath to Congress to address the Obamacare website launch disaster. She began with a prepared statement, with comments like "You deserve better," "I apologize," and "I'm accountable to you."

Sebelius also said that roughly $175 million in taxpayer dollars had been spent on the website so far.

So, it seems her estimate was a "little" low.

Editor's Note: Keep in mind, no matter how Obamacare affects your health, your wallet, or your politics, there is always a bright side when it comes to investing. We've found a way to profit from the shift in our nation's healthcare process. You can get started here.

Related Articles:

Money Morning:
How Self-Serving Politicians - Not Tech - Ruined the Obamacare Launch Money Morning:
Early Problems with Obamacare Are Bigger Than a Glitch

Madoff aide denies implicating former co-workers

NEW YORK — Former Bernard Madoff finance chief Frank DiPascali Thursday denied he implicated five co-workers in his boss' massive Ponzi scheme in a bid to win a lighter prison sentence.

Under cross-examination by defense lawyers, the lead prosecution witness against the former Madoff employees testified he hopes his cooperation with federal prosecutors will lighten the 125-year prison term he faces for his self-confessed role in the $17.3 billion scam that victimized thousands of charities, celebrities, ordinary investors and others.

But DiPascali testified that his mission is to testify truthfully, because lying would subject him to a new perjury charge and stop federal prosecutors from writing a letter to his sentencing judge detailing his cooperation.

"I certainly was not trying to implicate anyone," said DiPascali during his seventh day on the witness stand.

WHEN THEY WERE RICH: Madoffs' 2004 tax return

But defense lawyers, continuing to attack his credibility, questioned details of what and when he told prosecutors about two former computer programmers who worked for Madoff. The pair, Jerome O'Hara and George Perez are charged in the conspiracy and fraud case with Annette Bongiorno, the disgraced financier's ex-assistant; JoAnn Crupi, who worked with her, and former Madoff manager Daniel Bonventre.

The five have said they were unaware of the fraud and were fooled by Madoff.

Perez defense lawyer Larry Krantz pressed DiPascali about whether he alerted investigators during early meetings about a cooperation deal that he'd lied to the computer programmers about the legality and purpose of work he'd assigned them. DiPascali testified earlier he told Perez and O'Hara a false cover story about their work preparing Madoff firm records for a 2004 Securities and Exchange Commission audit. The records the programmers ultimately produced were falsified.

DiPascali said he didn't recall whether and when he told prosecutors about the lie.

"So if they didn't a! sk that specific question at that time, you weren't telling them," said Krantz.

The questioning is part of a continuing defense team effort to discredit DiPascali, whose testimony has enabled prosecutors to give jurors first-hand details about the fraud's inner workings and alleged involvement by the five defendants.

Madoff was arrested and the scam imploded five years ago this week. He pleaded guilty without standing trial, and is now serving a 150-year federal prison term.

SHOP for health care is help for small business

Just five people work at Michael Cadigan's law firm, but thanks to his state's new marketplace for small business health insurance, he's saving $1,000 a month paying for 100% of their medical coverage.

In the past, "numerous" insurers canceled his employees' insurance because they didn't want to deal with a small group, including one person with a rare genetic disorder, said Cadigan, of Albuquerque

Now, he says he can offer the same benefits to the Cadigan Law Firm's workers as a large business — and for less than he was paying. It took him just 15 minutes to sign up.

Cadigan's experience illustrates some benefits of the new Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP, created by the Affordable Care Act. Businesses with 50 or fewer workers don't have to offer employees health insurance plans, but SHOP tries to make it easier and more affordable for them to do so.

SHOP marketplaces are operating online in most of the states running their own small business marketplaces. That includes 10 states and the District of Columbia planning to run their own marketplaces for individual care, and two other states creating their own SHOP marketplace but using the federal government's HealthCare.gov site for the individual market.

The other states under the federal system are a different story: Though businesses can still buy SHOP plans, they aren't available online and lack some of the major features for which they were originally intended.

Until next November, small businesses in those states can work through an insurance broker, agent or directly with an insurer to sign up for SHOP insurance plans. HealthCare.gov can still be used to compare plan options and insurers in different areas, though businesses can't use it to sign up.

To encourage smaller businesses to offer coverage, the government is expanding the small business health care tax credit that began in 2010. Businesses with fewer than 25 employees that purchase a SHOP-qualified plan — whether from an agent, b! roker, insurer or a SHOP marketplace — may be eligible for the tax credit. Starting with the 2014 tax year, it will cover up to 50% of employer-paid insurance premiums, compared with up to 35% now.

Tax credit: Small businesses can save

Businesses in many states operating their own SHOPs will enjoy some advantages over those elsewhere. In most of those states, employers can offer employees a choice of plans and receive one bill.

Both those features will be unavailable until next November in SHOP marketplaces operated by the federal government.

Taken together, the federal government's delays mean small businesses in the 36 states with federally run SHOP marketplaces will see very similar plans — in terms of costs and choice — whether they buy SHOP plans or insurance in the general market, says Janet Trautwein, CEO of National Association of Health Underwriters.

These SHOP plans "are not going to have too many bells and whistles," she said.

There are just five people that work at Michael Cadigan's law firm.(Photo: Rick M. Scibelli, for USA TODAY)

Some states are also lagging. Maryland announced in November that its SHOP marketplace wouldn'topen for enrollment until April 1. In Vermont, where small businesses and individuals buy through the same exchange, glitches with the website led many businesses to buy coverage straight through insurers or have their current coverage extended until the problems are fixed.

But almost every state-run marketplace offers some degree of employee choice, and in eight states — New York, Minnesota, Nevada, Hawaii, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Utah — employers can offer workers a choice of any plan on the exchange, according to a July report by The Commonwealth Fund, a he! alth care! research foundation.

In Kentucky, 1,109 small businesses had started applications through the state's online SHOP marketplace as of Dec. 6, and about 40% had finished the process, said Jill Midkiff, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

About half of participating businesses are offering their employees a choice in plans, Midkiff said.

Small employers "can choose to offer their employees one plan; they can choose to offer them all plans; they can choose to offer all plan options under one insurer," Midkiff said.

Five insurance companies sell 24 plans on Kentucky's SHOP. The individual market only has one more carrier — Humana. It's still evaluating whether it'll join SHOP next year, Humana spokeswoman Kate Marx said.

In some states, the difference in participating insurers is even greater.

In Washington, SHOP is only available in two of the state's 39 counties, and there's only one participating insurer, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest. Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest insurer, withdrew its participation in July. In contrast, eight issuers offer plans on the state's individual marketplace.

In Las Vegas,, Ron Nelsen, owner of Pioneer Overhead Door, said his insurer, Saint Mary's Health Plans, withdrew from SHOP. Just two carriers are left, he said.

Nationwide, business owners are confused and misinformed about the health care law, said Todd McCracken, president of the National Small Business Association.

In an October study by the National Federation of Independent Business, 45% of small-business owners said they were dissatisfied with the information they'd received on the law. Although 66% said they were familiar with the act, more than half weren't sure if their state was operating a working marketplace at the time of the survey.

Facing "information overload," many businesses are choosing to renew policies they've had in the past rather than investigate SHOP, said Amanda Austin, NFIB di! rector of! federal public policy.

"We're still seeing mass confusion on what they're supposed to comply with, what they're not supposed to comply with — can they keep their old plan? Do they have to purchase through the exchange?" Austin said.

But no matter the policies of their states, small business owners who don't investigate SHOP-qualifed plans could be missing out on huge subsidies, Nelsen said.

With just five employees, Nelsen expects to get SHOP tax credits amounting to almost $5,000 in the next two years. He says next year will be the first time he can afford to offer his employees dental insurance.

"It's a no-brainer for me" to buy through the SHOP, he said.

Credits aren't for everyone: The largest ones are only available to the smallest, lowest-paying employers — those with annual average wages of $25,000 and an average of 10 or fewer workers, said Timothy Jost, health law expert and professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law. But he said those were the ones that usually don't offer health insurance.

He added that non-profits should remember they are also eligible for SHOP plans and tax credits. His wife's non-profit, with five to eight employees, has been offering them health care since the small employer tax credit went into effect in 2010 — the first time it was able to offer its workers insurance.

Nelsen, the Las Vegas door dealer, said buying SHOP plans for his workers was worth it beyond the cost savings.

"If you're a small employer like me, five employees or 10 employees, this is the first time you can offer your employees high-quality insurance," he said. "It helps you retain employees, compete against larger employees, keep people at work. And on a moral footing, it'll make you feel warm and fuzzy that you've done this for your employees."