Saturday, January 3, 2015

10 Best Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now

The increase of U.S. oil production in non-traditional oil-producing regions, combined with the lack of pipeline infrastructure in those same areas, has triggered a modern-day railroad boom. While energy investors might focus on the midstream companies and refiners that are adding rail cars and unloading facilities to their operations, traditional railroad companies are experiencing the boom as well. In this video, Fool.com contributor Aimee Duffy takes a break from discussing rail and her favorite energy companies to talk with Tyler Crowe about a more traditional player.

Domestic oil and gas service companies have taken a hit in the recent past because of a slowdown in the natural gas drilling boom of the past couple of years. As this market looks to rebound, investors would be wise to consider Halliburton, one of the top companies in the business and one of those most in tune with the domestic market. To access The Motley Fool's new premium research report on this industry stalwart, simply click here now and learn everything you need to know about how Halliburton is positioning itself both at home and abroad.

Hot Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015: Altria Group(MO)

Altria Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, smokeless products, and wine in the United States and internationally. It offers cigarettes under the Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Parliament, Benson & Hedges, Basic, and L&M brands; smokeless tobacco products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, Husky brands, and Marlboro snus brands; and machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco. The company also produces and sells blended table wines under the Chateau Ste Michelle and Columbia Crest names; and distributes Antinori and Villa Maria Estate wines and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the United States. In addition, it maintains a portfolio of leveraged and direct finance leases in rail and surface transport, aircraft, electric power, real estate, and manufacturing. The company sells its tobacco products to wholesalers, including distributors; large retail organizations, such as chain stores; and the armed services. Altria Group, Inc. markets its wine products to restaurants, wholesale clubs, supermarkets, wine shops, and mass merchandisers. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Maxfield]

    Morgan cited a number of examples to support his case. Consolidated Edison (NYSE: ED  ) , a utility stock that pays one of the best yields on the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) , had returned 50% in the two preceding years. And shares of Altria (NYSE: MO  ) were up by roughly the same degree despite a "string of dismal earnings reports as smoking rates decline."

  • [By Ben Levisohn]

    Shares of Lorillard have jumped 4.6% to $51.29 at 1:32 p.m. today, while Reynolds American has gained 2.5% to $52.12 and British American Tobacco has dropped 1.1% to $107.62. Altria Group (MO), meanwhile, has risen 0.4% to $36.43 and Philip Morris International (PM) has declined 0.9% to $80.21.

  • [By Anna Prior]

    U.S. tobacco company Reynolds American Inc.(RAI) is in talks to buy smaller rival Lorillard, both companies confirmed Friday, in a multibillion-dollar deal that would create a powerful new No. 2 to industry leader Altria Group Inc.(MO) (MO). Reynolds American shares rose 1.2% to $63.00 premarket, while Lorillard shares climbed 5% to $66.25.

  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    On Thursday, Altria (NYSE: MO  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed, kneejerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.

10 Best Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now: SPDR KBW Bank Etf (KBE)

SPDR KBW Bank ETF (the Fund), formerly KBW Bank ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible the performance of the KBW Bank Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted, modified-market capitalization weighted index of geographically diverse companies representing national money center banks and regional banking institutions listed on United States stock markets. It is created and maintained by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

The Fund utilizes a passive or indexing approach, and attempts to approximate the investment performance of its Index, by investing in a portfolio of stocks intended to replicate the Index. The Fund�� investment manager is SSgA Funds Management, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Mary Anne & Pamela Aden]

    So, for now, the US stock market is the best overall market. So continue holding the stocks you have, which are mostly doing very well. If you want to buy new positions and increase your stock allocation, the following ETFs are among the strongest ETFs, and we recommend them for purchase: SPDR KBW Bank (KBE)

    Consumer Discretionary SPDR (XLY)

    Merrill Lynch Retail HOLDRS (RTH)

    iShares Dow Jones US Financial Service (IYG)

    PowerShares Dynamic Leisure & Entertainment (PEJ)

    Subscribe to The Aden Forecast here��/P>

10 Best Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now: AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc (ACG)

AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc. (the Fund), formerly known as ACM Income Fund Inc., is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide high current income consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in income producing securities. It normally invests at least 65% of its assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements pertaining to the United States Government securities. It may also invest up to 35% of its assets in other fixed-income securities, including those issued by non-governmental issuers in the United States and those issued by foreign governments. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in below-investment-grade securities. In addition, the Fund may utilize other investment instruments, including options and futures, and may employ leverage. On January 26, 2007, AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc. acquired ACM Government Opportunity Fund, Inc.

The Fund invests in sovereign debt obligations of countries that are considered emerging market countries at the time of purchase. Part of the Fund's assets will be invested in foreign securities. AllianceBernstein Income Fund Inc.�� investment advisor is AllianceBernstein L.P. (formerly known as Alliance Capital Management L.P.).

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Harry Domash, Publisher, DividendDetective and Winning Investing]

    For instance, AllianceBernstein Income, ticker (ACG), has about 70% of its holdings rated AAA, which is the highest rating you can get. We have some that invest in global real estate.

    We have some invested in utility, preferreds, and common. We have some invested in emerging market debt. We try to cover the whole spectrum of investing. When you're looking at monthly payers, you're usually getting bond funds as opposed to stock funds.

    Steven Halpern: Now among those closed-end funds is there a name or two that stands out that people should be looking at?

    Harry Domash: Well, one that's really good for us has been Reaves Utility Income. It holds primarily US utility and telecom stocks and it's been a pretty good dividend raiser. The ticker is (UTG), paying about a 6.1% yield now and it's a good serial dividend increaser so it's a very good one.

    If you're worried about rising interest rates then Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities, ticker (VTA), invests in below investment-grade floating rate bank loans. In other words, these are called senior loans.

    They're bank loans that adjust their payouts based on prevailing interest rates, so if interest rates go up, these loans will pay higher dividends, so this is a good hedge if you are concerned about rising interest rates.

    Another one that's really performed, and it's paying a 6.9% yield right now, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities, ticker (GOF), that's actually Claymore Guggenheim, holds corporate and government backed, that it's mostly investment-grade and it's paying a 10.1% yield right now, which is pretty high. Those are three that I could recommend right now.

    Steven Halpern: Well, we really appreciate you joining us today and sharing your expertise. Thank you.

    Harry Domash: You're welcome.

    Subscribe to the Dividend Detective here...

10 Best Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Intelsat SA (I)

Intelsat S.A., incorporated on July 18, 2011, is a satellite services business, providing a layer in the global communications infrastructure. The Company operates satellite capacity, holds orbital location rights, contract backlog, serve commercial customers and deliver services. It provides diversified communications services to the world�� media companies, fixed and wireless telecommunications operators, data networking service providers for enterprise and mobile applications, multinational corporations and Internet service providers (ISPs). It is also the provider of commercial satellite capacity to the United States government and other select military organizations and their contractors.

The Company has a satellite fleet comprised of more than 50 satellites, covering 99% of the Earth�� populated regions. Its fleet, combined with the IntelsatOne terrestrial fiber network and a collection of teleports, form a singular unmatched global infrastructure to meet any communications requirement. As the provider of satellite services, the Company provides mission critical communication services.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Todd Sullivan]

    HHC has increased all our ownership percentage through the repurchasing of outstanding warrants.

    From the 13D/A
    On December 31, 2013, certain of the Reporting Persons entered into swaps for the benefit of certain Pershing Square Funds. Under the terms of the swaps, (i) the relevant Pershing Square Funds will be obligated to pay to the bank counterparty any negative price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number of Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of such swaps, plus interest rates set forth in the applicable contracts, and (ii) the bank counterparty will be obligated to pay the relevant Pershing Square Funds any positive price performance of the 5,399,839 notional number Common Shares subject to the swaps as of the expiration date of the swaps. During the term of the swaps, cash will be paid by the bank counterparty to the relevant Pershing Square Fund in an amount equal to the amount of notional distributions or dividends paid by the Issuer in respect of such notional number of Common Shares. All balances will be settled in cash. The Pershing Square Funds��counterparties for the swaps include entities related to Citibank, Nomura, Soci茅t茅 G茅n茅rale and UBS. The swaps do not give the Reporting Persons direct or indirect voting, investment or dispositive control over any securities of the Issuer and do not require the counterparty thereto to acquire, hold, vote or dispose of any securities of the Issuer. Accordingly, the Reporting Persons disclaim any beneficial ownership of any Common Shares that may be referenced in the swap contracts or Common Shares or other securities or financial instruments that may be held from time to time by any counterparty to the contracts.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Satellite services provider Intelsat (NYSE: I  ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.71875 per share on its 5.75% Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred stock, which trades on the NYSE under the symbol I.PRA.

  • [By Rich Duprey]

    Satellite services provider�Intelsat (NYSE: I  ) announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.799 per share on its 5.75% Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred stock, which trades on the NYSE under the symbol I.PRA.

10 Best Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Insperity Inc. (NSP)

Insperity, Inc. provides an array of human resources (HR) and business solutions to help enhance business performance for small and medium-sized businesses. The company provides its HR business offering through its Workforce Optimization solution, which encompasses a range of human resource functions, including payroll and employment administration, employee benefits, workers� compensation, government compliance, performance management, and training and development services. It also offers human capital management, payroll services, time and attendance, performance management, organizational planning, recruiting services, employment screening, financial services, expense management, retirement services, and insurance services through desktop applications and software as a service delivery models. Insperity, Inc. has a strategic alliance with GrowthForce LLC. The company was formerly known as Administaff, Inc. and changed its name to Insperity, Inc. in March 2011. Insperit y, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Kingwood, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Insperity, Inc. (NYSE:NSP), a leading provider of human resources and business performance solutions for America�� best businesses, reported that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share. The dividend will be paid on Sept. 28, 2012, to all stockholders of record as of Sept. 7, 2012.

  • [By Caroline Bennett]

    Sales for human resources provider Insperity (NYSE: NSP  ) moved up 5.5% this quarter compared to the same time in 2012. The company attributed its growing revenue to a 1.7% boost in the average number of worksite employees paid per month, as well as a 3.6% increase in monthly revenues of said employees.

10 Best Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Gas Natural Inc. (EGAS)

Gas Natural Inc. engages in the distribution and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Maine. The company distributes approximately 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas to approximately 63,500 customers through regulated utilities operating in Montana, Wyoming, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It also markets approximately 1.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas to commercial and industrial customers in Montana and Wyoming, and manages midstream supply and production assets for transportation customers and utilities. In addition, the company owns a 48% working interest in 160 natural gas producing wells and gas gathering assets. Further, it owns the Shoshone interstate and the Glacier gathering natural gas pipelines located in Montana and Wyoming. The company was formerly known as Energy, Inc. and changed its name to Gas Natural Inc. in July 2010. Gas Natural Inc. was founded in 1909 an d is headquartered in Great Falls, Montana.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By David Dittman]

    Gas Natural Inc (NYSE: EGAS) distributes and sells natural gas to approximately 73,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers through regulated utilities operating in Montana, Wyoming, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, North Carolina and Kentucky.

10 Best Railroad Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Starz (STRZA)

Starz, formerly Liberty Media Corporation, incorporated on May 7, 2007, is an integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide subscription video programming on domestic United States pay television channels (Starz Channels), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation). As of January 14, 2013, the Company�� network included Starz, Encore, and Movieplex, Retroplex, Indieplex. Starz includes contemporary hit movies, original series and documentaries on six premium channels, available in high definition (HD) and hundreds On Demand. Encore includes favorite movies across eight themed movie channels, ENCORE HD, and an On Demand channel. Movieplex, Retroplex and Indieplex involves featuring a variety of movies packaged to match a mood or an attitude. As of January 14, 2013, the Company�� businesses included Anchor Bay Entertainment, Starz Worldwide Distribution, and Starz Digital Media. On January 11, 2013, Liberty Media Corporation (Liberty) and Starz announced the completion of the spin-off of Liberty from Starz. In connection with the spin-off, Starz changed its name from Liberty Media Corporation to Starz.

Starz Channels is a provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ and ENCORE pay television (TV) networks, which showcase original programming and movies to United States multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of September 30, 2012, STARZ and ENCORE served a combined 55 million subscribers, including 21 million online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on digital versatile disk (DVD), digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution's home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute! original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

Starz Digital Media is a distributor of digital and on-demand content. Starz Digital Media distributes original programming content (Starz and AMC), feature films (The Weinstein Company, Anchor Bay Films, RADiUS-TWC), anime (Manga Entertainment) and other filmed entertainment utilizing various business models, including download-to-own/electronic sell-through, video-on-demand, pay-per-view, subscription video-on-demand and ad-supported streaming. Starz Digital Media also programs and supports numerous ad-supported broadband channels and develops games, applications and other related content from many of its properties for distribution worldwide.

Anchor Bay Films is a division of Anchor Bay Entertainment and provides quality movie distribution with operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and offers distribution capabilities in other key territories. Anchor Bay Films offers the creative community an integrated distribution capability on all platforms and an international solution extending beyond the United States.

Starz Worldwide Distribution is a distributor of movies, televisions series, documentaries, children's programming, and other video content. Starz Worldwide Distribution licenses and syndicates Starz original series and other owned and licensed third party programming on a worldwide basis.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Tim Beyers]

    Outlander
    Episodes ordered: 16
    Starring: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan
    Network: Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA  )

    Premise: Based on the hit book series from author Diana Gabaldon, the show tells the tale of a married former WWII combat nurse transported in time to feudal Scotland, where she proceeds to fall in love with a young warrior.

  • [By GuruFocus]

    Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) reduced to his holdings in Directv by 5.48%. His sale prices were between $68.11 and $79.99, with an estimated average price of $73.11. The impact to his portfolio due to this sale was -0.13%. Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) still held 34,514,700 shares as of 03/31/2014.

    Reduced: Starz (STRZA)

    Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) reduced to his holdings in Starz by 57.74%. His sale prices were between $26.5 and $33.18, with an estimated average price of $30.33. The impact to his portfolio due to this sale was -0.08%. Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) still held 1,919,541 shares as of 03/31/2014.

  • [By Michael Lewis]

    Pay-TV cable operator Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA  ) , a spinoff from media conglomerate Liberty Media (NASDAQ: LMCA  ) , has done nothing but climb since its market debut less than a year ago. This past month, the company reported its first-quarter earnings for 2013, and while the numbers came up short of analyst expectations, there was plenty of encouraging news for the long-term viability of the company. Just this past week, it was announced that Berkshire Hathaway had amassed a nearly 5% position in the company, gained as a result of the firm's sizable Liberty Media stake. The question now is, does the stock still have room to run, or is this growth story coming to an end?

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