It�� the Fourth of July! And almost all of the holiday fun-seeking Americans are out on the road to enjoy the festivities of the highly valued Independence Day. Practically every major road and highways have been teeming with all types of vehicles for them to celebrate this revered and most popular national holiday.
The usual roar of motorbikes, for one, led by the No. 1 of them all, the Harley-Davidson power motorcycles, continue to lead all kinds of parades or road activities in most towns and cities. But despite Harley�� globally popular Hog and its other motorbikes, shares of this maker of major heavyweight motorcycles haven�� been leading the parade on Wall Street, where the stock market has been operating on all cylinders, with the Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500-stock index hitting multiple all-time record highs this year.
Shares of Harley have slumped to $68.75 a share on July 2, 2014, down from $73.23 on April 30, 2014, in part due to dire forecasts of sales prospects ahead. The drop in Harley-Davidson�� stock price has surprised investors because the stock market has been on a tear. The motorcycle leader�� stock had been expected to join the market�� big rally this year. But the one big reason behind the stock�� retreat: Worry about a softening in motorcycle sales worldwide.
OmniVision Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, and markets semiconductor image-sensor devices. The company offers CameraChip image sensors, which are single-chip solutions that integrate various functions, such as image capture, image processing, color processing, signal conversion, and output of a processed image or video stream for use in various consumer and commercial mass-market applications; and CameraCube imaging devices that are image sensors with integrated wafer-level optics. It also provides companion chips used to connect its image sensors to various interfaces, including the universal serial bus and other industry standard interfaces; and companion digital signal processors that perform compression in standardized still photo and digital video formats. In addition, the company designs and develops software drivers for Linux, Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows, as well as for embedded operating systems, such as Blackberry OS, Palm OS, Symbian, Windows CE, Windows Embedded, and Windows Mobile. Its products are used in mobile phones, notebooks, Webcams, digital still and video cameras, commercial and security and surveillance, and automotive and medical applications, as well as in entertainment devices. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers and value added resellers, as well as indirectly through distributors worldwide. OmniVision Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1995 and is based in Santa Clara, California.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Caplinger]
But if you expand your view of the market, you'll find plenty of big movers and more interesting goings-on. OmniVision Technologies (NASDAQ: OVTI ) is the big winner this afternoon, soaring more than 19% in the wake of last night's positive earnings report. OmniVision said its cost-reduction strategy had started to bear fruit, revealing a combination of favorable results for its most recent quarter and expectation-beating guidance for the current quarter. In the long run, OmniVision has to demonstrate its ability to keep its image-sensor chips in the most popular smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. So far, though, investors are content with the growth they've seen.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc (PTX)
Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Pernix), incorporated in November 8, 1996, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the sales, marketing and development of branded and generic pharmaceutical products for pediatric and adult indications in a range of therapeutic areas. It manages a portfolio of branded and generic products and theobromine, a non-codeine, cough suppressant product candidate in development. The Company�� branded products for the pediatrics market include CEDAX, an antibiotic for middle ear infections, NATROBA, a topical treatment for head lice marketed under an exclusive co-promotion agreement with ParaPRO, LLC and a family of prescription treatments for cough and cold (BROVEX, ALDEX and PEDIATEX). It also markets REZYST IM, which is a probiotic blend to promote dietary management. Pernix markets generic products through its wholly owned subsidiary, Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC. In January 2013, the Company acquired Cypress Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In March 2013, the Company acquired Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Inc. In September 2013, Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. completed the sale of certain non-core assets to Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc.
The Company�� customers consist of drug wholesalers, retail drug stores, mass merchandisers and grocery store pharmacies in the United States. It primarily sells products directly to drug wholesalers, which in turn distribute the products to retail drug stores, mass merchandisers and grocery store pharmacies.
ALDEX Line
ALDEX is a line of antihistamines, decongestants and cough suppressants that are indicated for the temporary relief of respiratory allergies, allergic rhinitis and symptoms of the common cold. The Company�� ALDEX product line is marketed in a range of formulations and combinations using different drug-delivery methodologies to target specific segments of the antihistamine, decongestant and cough suppressant markets. Two used decongestants ar! e phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine.
BROVEX Line
The BROVEX line is a line of antihistamine combinations with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) brompheniramine maleate, part of the first generation class of antihistamines called alkylamines that are indicated for the temporary relief of sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose or throat, and runny nose due to hay fever or other respiratory allergies. Its BROVEX product line is marketed in a range of formulations and combinations to target specific segments of the antihistamine market. The Company completed the conversion of the BROVEX product family to over-the-counter (OTC) monograph from DESI drugs, in April 2011.
CEDAX Line
CEDAX is a third generation oral cephalosporin indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, middle ear infection due to haemophilus influenza or streptococcus pyogenes. The Company sells a range of dosages utilizing both capsule and oral suspension drug delivery methodologies. It also owns a trademark on the name CEDAX in the United States.
NATROBA Line
NATROBA Topical Suspension is a prescription medicine used to treat head lice (pediculosis capitis) in adults and children four years of age and older. NATROBA contains the active ingredient spinosad, which is derived from a naturally occurring soil bacterium.
PEDIATEX Line
As of December 31, 2011, the only product that the Company marketed and sold in its PEDIATEX line is PEDIATEX TD. PEDIATEX TD is an antihistamine/nasal decongestant combination liquid for oral administration. Each 1 milliliter dose contains the API Tripolidine HC1 and Pseudoephedrine HC1. Tripolidine HC1 is a first generation antihistamine in the alkylamine class. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, is a sympathomimetic, which acts on alpha-adrenergic receptors in the mucosa of the respiratory tract, producing vasoconstriction and having minimal eff! ect on be! ta-receptors. It therefore functions as an oral nasal decongestant with minimal central nervous system stimulation.
REZYST Line
REZYST IM is a probiotic blend that promotes the dietary management of patients with the distinctive nutritional requirements associated with the gastro-intestinal flora. It is formulated to improve the digestive health of patients by replacing the active cultures altered by diet, stress, and antibiotics.
Product Candidates in Development
Product candidates in development include Theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid naturally present in dark chocolate which is an existing human metabolite of caffeine. The Company is working on several other product candidates, which includes a prescription product for the pediatrics market. In March 2012, the Company entered into a product development agreement with a private company for this product.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Michael Douglass and David Williamson]
Shares of�Pernix Therapeutics� (NASDAQ: PTX ) soared 31% yesterday after the company revealed that it had bought the U.S. rights to�GlaxoSmithKline's (NYSE: GSK ) Treximet (which helps treat migraines in adults) for $250 million upfront (and some potential additional payments later). The importance of this purchase cannot easily be overstate for Pernix -- the company had $85 million in revenue last year, while Treximet on its own brought in $79 million -- and Pernix clearly sees some additional upside potential for the drug, whether it's through a potential indication expansion (to pediatric patients) or through synergies with Pernix's current salesforce.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Wednesday morning, the healthcare sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from Horizon Pharma (NASDAQ: HZNP) and Pernix Therapeutics Holdings (NASDAQ: PTX). In trading on Wednesday, telecommunications services shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.39 percent. Top decliners in the sector included Shenandoah Telecommunications Co (NASDAQ: SHEN), off 3.3 percent, and CalAmp (NASDAQ: CAMP), down around 2.4 percent.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Healthcare stocks gained Wednesday, with Senomyx (NASDAQ: SNMX) leading advancers after the company announced a research agreement with PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP). Among the leading sector stocks, gains came from Pernix Therapeutics Holdings (NASDAQ: PTX), Albany Molecular Research (NASDAQ: AMRI) and Gentiva Health Services (NASDAQ: GTIV).
- [By Roberto Pedone]
Pernix Therapeutics (PTX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets and sells branded and generic pharmaceutical products. This stock closed up 5% to $7.53 in Thursday's trading session.
Thursday's Range: $7.11-$7.75
52-Week Range: $1.68-$9.56
Thursday's Volume: 396,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 421,860
From a technical perspective, PTX ripped sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $7.10 with decent upside volume. This sharp move to the upside on Thursday is now quickly pushing shares of PTX within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if PTX manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance at $8 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PTX as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $7.10 or at $6.83 and then once it sustains a move or close above $8 with volume that hits near or above 421,860 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then PTX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $8.93 to $9, or even its 52-week high at $9.56.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: NTT DOCOMO Inc(DCM)
NTT DOCOMO, Inc. provides wireless telecommunications services, packet communications services, and satellite mobile communications services in Japan. It offers wireless voice and data communication services, such as second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) cellular services, and mobile multimedia services. The company provides mova services, on the 2G network, compatible with voice and data communication; FOMA services, on its 3G network, with voice and high-speed data communication, which are compatible with various services, such as videophone and video content downloading; and i-mode services, which are wireless Internet access services. As of March 31, 2010, it had approximately 56.08 million cellular subscribers. NTT DOCOMO also offers packet communications services, such as wireless data communications services using packet switching; satellite mobile communication services for communications in case of emergencies; and international calling and internationa l roaming services. In addition, the company provides mopera U Internet connection services for data cards and smartphones; embedded modules for automobile fleet management, wireless credit card settlement systems, and telemetric systems for automatic inventory checks between vending machines and service centers; and MyArea services that offer high-speed packet communication services for homes. Further, it offers home shopping services through TV media, high-speed Internet connection services for hotel facilities, advertisement services, and credit services, as well as develops, sells, and maintains IT systems. The company was formerly known as NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc. and changed its name to NTT DOCOMO, Inc. in April 2000. NTT DOCOMO was founded in 1991 and is based in Tokyo, Japan. NTT DOCOMO, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Brian Pacampara]
Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, Japanese wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.
- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
Sony's big win is directly attributable to a big marketing push by the largest Japanese wireless carrier, NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM ) , which doesn't offer the iPhone. Smaller rivals SoftBank and KDDI have been chipping away at NTT DoCoMo's subscriber base, thanks in part to carrying Apple's device, so NTT DoCoMo is doing something about it.
- [By gurujx]
NTT DoCoMo Inc (DCM) Reached the 52-Week High of $16.43
NTT DoCoMo Inc is a wireless telecommunications services provider. NTT DoCoMo Inc has a market cap of $68.13 billion; its shares were traded at around $16.43 with a P/E ratio of 14.00 and P/S ratio of 1.60. The dividend yield of NTT DoCoMo Inc stocks is 3.50%.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Globalstar Inc.(GSAT)
Globalstar, Inc. provides mobile voice and data communications services through satellite worldwide. The company offers various communications services, including fixed voice and data satellite communications services; and satellite data modem services for asset-tracking applications, which enables customers to control directly their remote assets and perform complicated monitoring activities. It also offers duplex two-way transmission products comprising GSP-1720 satellite voice and data modem boards, which enable resellers to integrate the satellite modem processing with the specific application; SPOT satellite GPS messenger for tracing geographically, or mapping the location of individuals or equipment; and SPOT satellite communicators. In addition, Globalstar, Inc. provides SPOT HUG, a device for monitoring of a boat's location, status of the operations, engine, pumps, hatch, and door status, as well as valuables onboard; SPOT Connect, a one-way messaging device that s ends messages through the company?s satellite network from smartphone or other smart devices, such as tablets; and simplex one-way transmission products. The company sells its products primarily to government; public safety and disaster relief; recreation and personal; oil and gas; maritime and fishing; natural resources, mining, and forestry; construction; utilities; and transportation markets. Globalstar, Inc. distributes its products through independent agents, dealers, and resellers, as well as independent gateway operators. It operates approximately 34 in-orbit satellites and 25 ground stations. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Covington, Louisiana.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By James E. Brumley]
Back on September 23rd, yours truly took on the unpopular task of explaining how Globalstar, Inc. (NYSEMKT:GSAT) was past the end of its rally and poised for a sizeable pullback. The last meaningful line in the sand at the time was a horizontal support level of $3.68 - if GSAT shares moved under that line and made their first major lower low, that would be the knockout punch. And, given everything that had happened with and to Globalstar up until that point (not the least of which was a ridiculous valuation), the odds of a steep decline were much stronger than the odds of renewed bullishness.
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap communications or Internet stocks American Community Development Group Inc (OTCMKTS: ACYD), Globalstar, Inc (OTCMKTS: GSAT) and SearchCore Inc (OTCMKTS: SRER) have been rather quiet lately for investors after making some noise back in September. Nevertheless, all three are still getting some mentions in various investment newsletters or alerts and not because they are the subject of paid promotions. So are these small cap stocks about to make some noise? Here is a closer look:
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Chesapeake Energy Corporation(CHK)
Chesapeake Energy Corporation engages in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of natural gas and oil properties in the United States. It also provides marketing and other midstream services. The company?s properties are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. As of December 31, 2010, it had interests in approximately 45,800 gross productive wells. The company?s proved reserves include 17.096 trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. Chesapeake Energy Corporation was founded in 1989 and is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Caplinger]
1 (tie). Louisiana, March 29
Louisiana climbs to the top spot by keeping property taxes below $750 and collecting just a 4% sales tax, although local options add nearly 5 percentage points to that figure and make the state one of the highest-collecting sales-tax states. Although extensive activity from energy producers Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK ) , Encana (NYSE: ECA ) , and Plains Exploration (NYSE: PXP ) in the Haynesville-Bossier shale play could boost incomes and lead to higher taxes, much of Louisiana's sales tax revenue comes from out-of-state tourists visiting the state, leaving the actual amount borne by residents even lower. A 6% income tax isn't enough to push Louisiana out of the top spot.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Employers Holdings Inc (EIG)
Employers Holdings, Inc. (EHI), incorporated on March 9, 2005, is a holding company. The Company is a provider of workers compensation insurance focused on select small businesses in low to medium hazard industries. It employs a disciplined, conservative underwriting approach designed to individually select specific types of businesses, predominantly those in the lowest four of the seven workers' compensation insurance industry defined hazard groups, that it believe will have fewer and less costly claims relative to other businesses in the same hazard groups. Workers' compensation is provided for under a statutory system wherein employers are required to provide coverage for their employees' medical, disability, vocational rehabilitation, and/or death benefit costs for work-related injuries or illnesses. It operates as a single reportable segment and conduct operations in 31 states and the District of Columbia, with a concentration in California, where over one-half of its business is generated.
Workers' compensation provides insurance coverage for the statutorily prescribed benefits that employers are required to provide to their employees who may be injured or suffer illness in the course of employment. The level of benefits varies by state, the nature and severity of the injury or disease, and the wages of the injured worker. Each state has a statutory, regulatory, and adjudicatory system that sets the amount of wage replacement to be paid, determines the level of medical care required to be provided, establishes the degree of permanent impairment, and specifies the options in selecting healthcare providers. These state laws generally require two types of benefits for injured employees: medical benefits, including expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of an injury, disease, or both, as well as any required rehabilitation and (indemnity payments, which consists of temporary wage replacement, permanent disability payments, and death benefits to surviving family members.
Disciplined Underwriting
The Company focuses on disciplined underwriting and continues to pursue profitable growth opportunities across market cycles. It carefully monitor market trends to assess new business opportunities that it expects will meet its pricing and risk standards. It prices its policies based on the specific risks associated with each potential insured rather than solely on the industry class in which a potential insured is classified. Its disciplined underwriting approach is a critical element of its culture and its believe that it has allowed them to offer competitive prices, diversify its risks, and out-perform the industry.
It executes its underwriting processes through automated systems and experienced underwriters with specific knowledge of local markets. It has developed automated underwriting templates for specific classes of business that produce faster quotes when certain underwriting criteria are met. Its underwriting guidelines consider many factors, such as type of business, nature of operations, and risk exposures, and are designed to minimize or prevent underwriting of certain undesirable classes of business.
Loss Control
Its loss control professionals provide consultation to policyholders to assist them in preventing losses and containing costs once claims occur. They also assist its underwriting personnel in evaluating potential and current policyholders and are an important part of its underwriting discipline.
Premium Audit
It conducts premium audits on substantially all of its policyholders annually upon the policy expiration. Premium audits allow them to comply with applicable state and reporting bureau requirements and to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll and employee job classifications. It also selectively perform interim audits on certain classes of business or if unusual claims are filed or concerns are raised regarding projected annual payrolls, whi! ch could ! result in substantial variances at final audit.
Claims and Medical Case Management
The role of its claims department is to actively and efficiently investigate, evaluate, and pay claims, and to aid injured workers in returning to work in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It has implemented rigorous claims guidelines and control procedures in its claims units and have claims operations throughout the markets it serves. It also provides medical case management services for those claims that it determines will benefit from such involvement. utilize medical provider networks affiliated with Anthem Blue Cross of California (Anthem) and Coventry Health Care, Inc. and make every appropriate effort to direct injured workers into these networks for medical treatments.
In addition to its medical networks, it work closely with local vendors, including attorneys, medical professionals, and investigators, to bring local to its reported claims. It pays special attention to reducing costs and have established discounting arrangements with the aforementioned service providers. It uses preferred provider organizations, bill review services, and utilization management to closely monitor medical costs. It actively pursues fraud and subrogation recoveries to mitigate claims costs. Subrogation rights are based upon state and federal laws, as well as the insurance policies it issues. Its fraud and subrogation efforts are handled through dedicated units.
The Company competes with The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., Zurich Insurance Group Ltd., and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Roberto Pedone]
Employers Holdings (EIG) is a provider of worker's compensation insurance focused on select small businesses engaged in low to medium hazard industries. This stock closed up 2.9% at $28.48 in Thursday's trading session.
Thursday's Volume: 252,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 119,789
Volume % Change: 75%
From a technical perspective, EIG jumped notably higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $26.48 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last five months, with shares soaring higher from its low of $21.03 to its recent high of $29.12. During that move, shares of EIG have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of EIG within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if EIG manages to take out its 52-week high at $29.18 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in EIG as long as it's trending above Thursday's low of $27.65 or above its 50-day at $26.48 and then once it sustains a move or close above its 52-week high at $29.18 with volume that's near or above 119,789 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then EIG will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $33 to $35.
