10 Best Consumer Service Stocks To Invest In 2014

Schwab Advisor Services’ annual Impact conference is the RIA custodian’s biggest event, but the impact of its invitation-only Explore conference for RIAs has grown more important over the years. That growth was evident at this year’s Explore, held in Tucson, Ariz.

In a telephone interview conducted during the conference, Schwab CEO Walt Bettinger and SAS’ head, Bernie Clark, provided an update on existing initiatives for advisors who custody with Schwab, along with a some insight into Schwab’s new corporate advertising campaign, which is meant to “re-establish Schwab as a challenger brand,” according to Bettinger.

In the wide-ranging interview on Thursday, Bettinger and Clark first spoke of the Explore attendees, who Clark said came from 158 RIA firms, 51% of which manage more than $1 billion in assets. Speakers at the show ranged from Schwab’s Liz Ann Sonders and Greg Valliere of the Potomac Research Group—speaking, respectively, of the state of the markets and the state of national politics—to Gen. Colin Powell and former Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Top 10 Defensive Companies To Watch For 2015: Petrosonic Energy Inc (PSON)

Petrosonic Energy, Inc, incorporated on June 11, 2008, is a development-stage company. The Company focused on the treatment and upgrading of heavy oil by sonicated solvent de-asphalting. On July 27, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of 60% ownership in Petrosonic Albania, SHA. from Sonoro.

The Company�� core technology is an industrial scale sonic reactor that transfers sonic energy on an industrial scale to physical, chemical or biological processes. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenue.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Pearson (PSON) jumped 6.2 percent to 1,329 pence, the highest price since May 2001. The media and education company said first-half revenue climbed 7 percent to 2.76 billion pounds ($4.3 billion), surpassing the 2.69 billion-pound average prediction of analysts. Profit fell 26 percent as the company invested in new products.

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  Pearson Plc (PSON) surged 6.2 percent to 1,329 pence, its highest price since 2001. The publisher of the Financial Times newspaper posted first-half sales of 2.76 billion pounds ($4.2 billion), exceeding the 2.69 billion pounds estimated by analysts in a Bloomberg survey.

10 Best Consumer Service Stocks To Invest In 2014: Powershares Qqq Trust Series 1 (QQQ)

PowerShares QQQ Trust, Series 1, formerly The NASDAQ-100 Trust, Series 1, is a unit investment trust that issues securities called Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock. The Trust holds all of the component securities of the Nasdaq-100 Index. The Trust's investment objective is to provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index.

The Trust was created to provide investors with the opportunity to purchase units of beneficial interest in the Trust representing proportionate undivided interests in the portfolio of securities held by the Trust, which consists of substantially all of the securities, in substantially the same weighting, as the component securities of the Nasdaq-100 Index. Nasdaq Global Funds, Inc. is the sponsor of the Trust and The Bank of New York is the trustee of the Trust.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Ciovacco]

  Investment Implications
  The Fed's desire to taper their bond purchases is concerning and something that we will monitor closely. However, the known desire to taper has not yet shown up in the credit markets in the form of risk aversion as it did in 2007 and 2011 prior to sharp declines in stocks. As long as that is the case, we will continue to favor stocks (SPY) over bonds (AGG). We will also hold our positions in leading sectors such as financials (XLF), technology (QQQ), and small caps (IWM). If the messages from the markets change, we are happy to migrate toward a more conservative stance.

10 Best Consumer Service Stocks To Invest In 2014: Alternative Energy Partners Inc (AEGY)

Alternative Energy Partners, Inc. (AEGY), incorporated on April 28, 2008, is engaged in providing support services for medical marijuana. In May, 2013, the Company acquired the PharmaJanes. In May, 2013, it also acquired Simple Prepay merchant payment solution from iEquity Corp.

The Simple Prepay system was developed to offer dispensaries, collectives, and delivery services for medical cannabis. Combined with the PharmaJanes on-line and smart phone ordering platform, medical marijuana patients will be able to order, process and pay for their authorized needs.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  On Monday, small cap marijuana stocks Alternative Energy Partners Inc (OTCBB: AEGY) and Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (OTCMKTS: REFG) surged 117.86% and 17.95%, respectively, while tech stock Portlogic Systems Inc (OTCMKTS: PGSY) sank 20%. However, it appears that only one of these small cap stocks has been the subject of disclosed paid promotions or investor relation activities. So what will these three small caps do today and the rest of the week? Here is a quick look to help you decide on a trading or investing strategy:

10 Best Consumer Service Stocks To Invest In 2014: Ferrellgas Partners L.P. (FGP)

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. engages in the distribution and sale of propane, and related equipment and supplies primarily in the United States. It transports propane to propane distribution locations, tanks on customers� premises, or to portable propane tanks delivered to retailers. The company conducts its portable tank exchange operations under the Blue Rhino brand name through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets. The company�s propane is primarily used for space heating, water heating, cooking, outdoor cooking using gas grills, crop drying, irrigation, weed control, and other propane fueled appliances; as an engine fuel for power vehicles and forklifts; and as a heating or energy source in manufacturing and drying processes. It serves approximately 1 million residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale, and other customers in 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. As of July 31, 2012, it had 924 propane distribution locations. The company also engages in the wholesale marketing of propane appliances; sale of refined fuels; and provision of common carrier services. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  But because SPH is more involved in the retail end of propane instead of the production/logistical side, it has been significantly outperformed by NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP). In short, the latter two are the ways to play higher propane prices, whereas SPH will see much less benefit from higher-priced propane.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  On Thursday, Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The master limited partnership might not be in the glamorous part of the energy space, but that hasn't held it back from posting good returns for investors.

• [By Robert Rapier]

  The four propane-focused MLPs are AmeriGas Partners (NYSE: APU), Suburban Propane Partners (NYSE: SPH), NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL), and Ferrellgas Partners (NYSE: FGP).

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Ferrellgas Partners LP (NYSE: FGP) is expected to report its Q2 earnings at $0.85 per share on revenue of $722.07 million.

  American Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: AMID) is estimated to post a Q4 loss at $0.30 per share on revenue of $89.74 million.

10 Best Consumer Service Stocks To Invest In 2014: (ACS)

ACS Motion Control, Ltd. develops and manufactures multi-axis motion controllers and integrated control modules for customers in Israel and internationally. It offers controllers, drives, interfaces, I/O products, and accessories for use in various applications, such as semiconductors, electronic assembly, FPD, bio medical, medical scanners, digital printing, laser processing, and motion centric. The company also provides support services. Its products are used in packaging, printing, robotics, linear stage control, semiconductor manufacturing and testing, electronic assembly and testing, medical imaging, and digital printing industries. ACS Motion Control, Ltd. was formerly known as ACS-Tech 80 Ltd. and changed its name to ACS Motion Control, Ltd. in March 2006. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Migdal Ha-Emek, Israel. It has sales and support centers in the United States, China, and South Korea.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Nicolas73]

  The Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) acquisition

  In September 2009, Xerox announced it would acquire ACS for $6.4 billion. ACS was a leading firm in Business Process Outsourcing (around 80% of 2009 total revenues, 40% of that coming from government contracts).

• [By Victor Selva]

  In February 2010, the company acquired Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) for approximately $6.4 billion in stock and cash. Last year, Xerox acquired WaterWare Internet Services with a view to upgrade its DocuShare enterprise content management (ECM) platform. WaterWare�� services include Web application and software development, integration and customization. It also purchased the U.K.-based Concept Group, increasing its presence in the UK market while working in parallel with other distribution channels in the region.

10 Best Consumer Service Stocks To Invest In 2014: Powershares Etf Fund Trusts Ii (PGX)

The PowerShares Preferred Portfolio (Fund) is based on The BofA Merrill Lynch Core Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index (Index). The Fund normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Index. The Index is designed to replicate the total return of a diversified group of investment-grade preferred securities. The Index is rebalanced on a monthly basis. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield (before fees and expenses) of a securities index. The Fund invests in sectors, such as basic materials, financial, utilities and unclassified. Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC. is the investment adviser. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  Public Storage has 10 different series of preferred stock, but I like the Series T because it trades at $21.83, which is more than 12% below par. I don�� see any reason for this discount, and it also boosts the 5.75% dividend (at par) to 6.58% at the current price.

  Preferred Stocks to Buy: PowerShares Preferred Portfolio (PGX)
  

  Dividend Yield: 6.6%

10 Best Consumer Service Stocks To Invest In 2014: Centerra Gold Inc (CAGDF.PK)

Centerra Gold Inc. (Centerra) is a gold mining company. The Company is engaged in the production of gold and related activities, including exploration, development, mining and processing in the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Turkey, China and the Russian Federation. The Company�� producing gold mines properties include Kumtor, in the Kyrgyz Republic (100%) and Boroo, in Mongolia (100%). Centerra�� development project includes Gatsuurt, in Mongolia. Its exploration projects include ATO, in Mongolia (100%); Oksut, in Turkey (100%); Kara Beldyr, in Russia (70%); Dvoinoy, in Russia (40%), and Ulaan Bulag, in Mongolia (100%). Kumtor gold mine is located in the Kyrgyz Republic, about 350 kilometers southeast of the capital Bishkek and about 60 kilometers north of the border with the People�� Republic of China. The Boroo gold mine is located in Mongolia some 110 kilometers to the northwest of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The Kara Beldyr project is a joint venture with Auriant Mining Company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Itinerant]

  Goldcorp, Newmont (NEM) or Agnico-Eagle use similar definitions. The important element here is the so-called 'sustaining capital expenditure', which is the capital required to sustain existing production levels. The table below is taken from the Agnico-Eagle presentation referenced above and provides a comparison of company-wide AISC for some of the major gold miners, including Goldcorp, Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining, Yamana Gold (AUY), Randgold (GOLD), Kinross (KGC), Agnico-Eagle Mines, Eldorado Gold (EGO), Goldfields and Centerra (CAGDF.PK). The difference between cash costs and AISC is significant. It is also important to note that these AISC are still noticeably below the present spot price for gold.