Best Financial Companies To Buy For 2014

We are within three hours of the close of trading and it appears that the E-mini S&P 500 might eek out a slight gain for the first week of the October trade. This coming on the heels of what has otherwise been a week filled with a barrage of negative news, political bickering and postponed economic reports. Currently, at 1:15pm EST the December E-mini S&P 500 contract sits at 1682.50, up .75% on the day. However, as we approach the close of trade on this relatively quiet Friday, our focus as a firm is beginning to shift to the week ahead. As it pertains to the broader market, and more specifically to the E-mini S&P 500 futures, we are using the following three areas of interest to guide our posturing ahead of next week's trade: 1. Government Shutdown and Debt Ceiling Discussion - While purely speculation of course, there seems to be rumblings through the markets today that some sort of progress will be made over the weekend as it relates to the budget impasse, which could result in a relief rally on Monday. While I tend to believe this is unlikely, I do not think that it is out of the question. With that said, we have been positioning ourselves to take advantage of what could be some volatile times in the week ahead. 2. Official Start of 3rd Quarter Earnings - All eyes will likely be on the financials as Wells Fargo (WFC) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) are set to report on Friday, which could provide some clarity as to how other financials fared during a quarter where many fear that higher interest rates negatively impacted mortgage lending and trading revenue. Any sort of positive news from the banks could greatly benefit the S&P 500, as the financials have found themselves out of favor with investors since mid September. 3. Treasuries and Precious Metals - The 10-year Treasury remains on our radar as yields were up slightly today to 2.655%, with what appeared to be traders positioning themselves ahead of debt ceiling discussions that seem to be going nowhere. With the Fed taper discussion seemingly on the back burner until at least December, I'm interested to see the direction that yields take in the week ahead. With that said, both gold and silver were also leaned on heavily this week. A continuation of the shutdown for any length of time, and/or speculation of a delay to the fed taper plans could benefit the metals to the upside. Substantial inflows to the metals could indicate an ugly scenario on the horizon for equity indices. While nothing that I mention above is certain, and is simply of my own opinion, I believe that it is prudent as a trader to start looking out one, two or five days ahead, to see what could potentially perk above the horizon and impact your trading plan. A failure to do so exemplifies complacency, which in our world equates to risk exposure. Travis McGhee CEO, FuturesANIMAL

Best Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Heritage Commerce Corp (HTBK)

Heritage Commerce Corp operates as a bank holding company for Heritage Bank of Commerce that provides various commercial and personal banking services to residents and the business/professional community in California. It offers a range of deposit products for retail and business banking markets, including checking accounts, interest-bearing transaction accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and retirement accounts. The company also provides various loan products comprising commercial loans, such as operating secured and unsecured loans advanced for working capital, equipment purchases, and other business purposes; small business administration loans; commercial real estate loans; commercial construction loans for rental properties, commercial buildings, and homes; home equity line loans; and consumer loans consisting of loans for financing automobiles, various consumer goods, and other personal purposes. In addition, it offers other banking services, including cashier 's checks, bank-by-mail, ATM, night depositories, safe deposit boxes, direct deposit, automated payroll, electronic funds transfer, online banking, online bill pay, remote deposit capture, automated clearing house origination, electronic data interchange, and check imaging services. The company provides its banking products and services through operating 10 full service branch offices in the southern and eastern regions of the general San Francisco Bay Area of California in the counties of Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa. Heritage Commerce Corp was founded in 1993 and is based in San Jose, California.

Best Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Capitaland Limited (C31.SI)

CapitaLand Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the real estate development, investment in real estate financial products and real estate assets, and management of serviced residences, as well as provision of advisory and management services. Its real estate and hospitality portfolio includes homes, offices, shopping malls, serviced residences, and mixed developments. The company is involved in the development and sale of residential properties; residential, commercial, and integrated property development; ownership and management of commercial and industrial properties; management of real estate funds and real estate investment trusts; and provision of financial advisory services. CapitaLand Limited operates primarily in Singapore, China, Australia, Europe, and other Asian countries. The company is headquartered in Singapore.

Top 5 Clean Energy Companies To Own For 2014: BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust (BFZ)

BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc. It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in municipal bonds. It invests in companies operating across in transportation, hospital, housing, education, power, industrial and pollution control, and tobacco sectors. BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust was formed in 2001 and is domiciled in United States

Best Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Hingham Institution for Savings(HIFS)

Hingham Institution for Savings provides various financial services to individuals and small businesses in Massachusetts. The company offers various deposit products, which include checking, savings, term certificates, NOW, money market, demand deposit, and individual retirement accounts. Its loan portfolio comprises residential and commercial real estate, construction, equity lines of credit, personal installment, and revolving credit loans, as well as home equity, overdraft protection, and personal and automobile loans. In addition, the company provides debit cards, direct deposits, safe deposit box, automated teller machines, and telephone and Internet-based banking services. As of December 31, 2010, it operated nine offices in Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. The company was founded in 1834 and is headquartered in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Best Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Credit Acceptance Corporation(CACC)

Credit Acceptance Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides auto loans, and related products and services to consumers in the United States. Its loan programs include portfolio program, which advances money to dealer-partners in exchange for the right to service the underlying consumer loans; and purchase program that buys the consumer loans from the dealer-partners and keeps amounts collected from the consumers. The company markets its products through a network of approximately 55,000 independent and franchised automobile dealers. Credit Acceptance Corporation was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Richard Moroney]

  Credit Acceptance (CACC) provides financing for auto purchases through a national network of nearly 4,500 car dealers. Its programs help dealers sell cars by attracting credit-challenged consumers unable to get conventional loans.