On Friday, the U.S. dollar rallied to its highest levels against the Japanese yen since October of 2008.
The greenback strengthened broadly after the the Fed's announcement on Wednesday -- that, starting in January, it will taper its monthly bond buying program to $75-billion from the $85-billion pace started in September 2012.
The Fed also said it will keep interest rates near zero for the foreseeable future. Bernanke addressed the target 6.5 percent unemployment threshold; saying he expects "there will be some time past the 6.5 percent before all of the other variables we'll be looking at will line up in a way that will give us confidence that the labor market is strong enough to withstand the beginning of increases in rates."
10 Best Wireless Telecom Stocks To Own For 2015: Gartner Inc (IT)
Gartner, Inc. (Gartner), incorporated on June 1, 1990, is an information technology (IT) research and advisory company. The Company operates in three business segments: Research, Consulting and Events.
Research provides objective insight on critical and timely technology and supply chain initiatives for chief information officers (CIO), other IT professionals, supply chain leaders, technology companies and the investment community through reports, briefings, tools, access to its analysts, peer networking services and membership programs that enables its clients to make better decisions about their IT and supply chain investments. Consulting provides customized solutions to client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as tools for measuring and improving IT performance with a focus on cost, performance, efficiency, and quality. Events provide IT, supply chain and business professionals the opportunity to attend various symposia, conferences and exhibitions to learn, contribute and network with their peers.
Research
Gartner delivers independent, objective IT research and insight primarily through a subscription-based, digital media service. Gartner Research is the fundamental building block for all Gartner services and covers all technology-related markets, topics and industries, as well as supply chain topics. The Company combines its research methodologies with industry and academic relationships to create Gartner solutions that address each role within an IT organization.
The Company�� research agenda is defined by clients��needs, focusing on the critical issues, opportunities and challenges they face every day. Research analysts provide in-depth analysis on all aspects of technology, including hardware; software and systems; services; IT management; market data and forecasts; and vertical-industry issues. The Company�� research content is presented in the form of reports, briefings, updates and related tools, is delivered direc! tly to the client�� desktop via its Website and/or product-specific portals.
Consulting
Gartner Consulting deepens relationships with its research clients by extending the reach of its research through custom consulting engagements. Gartner Consulting brings together its research insight, benchmarking data, problem-solving methodologies and hands-on experience to improve the return on a client�� IT investment. Consulting solutions capitalize on Gartner assets that are invaluable to IT decision making, including: its research, which ensures that its consulting analyses and advice are based on a deep understanding of the IT environment and the business of IT; its market independence, which keeps its consultants focused on its client�� success.
Gartner Consulting provides solutions to CIOs and other IT executives, and to those professionals responsible for IT applications, enterprise architecture, go-to-market strategies, infrastructure and operations, programs and portfolio management, and sourcing and vendor relationships. Consulting also provides targeted consulting services to professionals in specific industries. Finally, the Company provides actionable solutions for IT cost optimization, technology modernization and IT sourcing optimization initiatives.
Events
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo events and Gartner Summit events are gatherings of technology�� senior IT professionals, business strategists and practitioners. Gartner Events offers relevant and actionable technology sessions led by Gartner analysts to clients and non-clients. These sessions are augmented with technology showcases, peer exchanges, analyst one-on-one meetings, workshops and keynotes by technology�� top leaders. They also provide attendees with an opportunity to interact with business executives from the technology companies.
Gartner Events attract high-level IT and business professionals who seek in-depth knowledge about technology products and serv! ices. Gar! tner Symposium/ITxpo events are strategic conferences held in various locations throughout the world for CIOs and other senior IT and business professionals. Gartner Summit events focus on specific topics, technologies and industries, providing IT professionals with the insight, solutions and networking opportunities to succeed in their job role. Finally, the Company offers targeted events for CIOs and IT executives, such as CIO Leadership Forum.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dividend Growth Investor]
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides information technology (IT) products and services worldwide. I like this global technology juggernaut, the ability to consistently repurchase shares, raise dividends for 16 years and its vision to earn $20/share by 2015. The company has increased dividends for 18 years in a row, and has managed to boost them by 18.80%/year over the past decade. Currently, the stock trades at 14 times earnings and yields 1.90%. Check my analysis of IBM.
- [By Sally Jones]
Here�� a drill-down on two Internet technology (IT) stocks in David Tepper�� portfolio that are doing well and seem to have the technology ��t factor.��NetApp Inc. (NTAP) is a data storage provider that customizes solutions for a wide variety of applications, such as enabling original equipment manufacturers to offer IT and storage solutions that serve specific customer requirements. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP) from Israel is on a global mission to make the Internet secure, also via IT security.
- [By Eric Volkman]
Alamy Late last month, Chinese hardware giant Lenovo (LNVGY) was the subject of many headlines -- not all of them complimentary -- when it signed a high-profile deal to buy the Motorola Mobility smartphone unit from Google (GOOG). The Asian firm is ponying up a cool $2.9 billion to acquire the business, which is monstrously unprofitable to the tune of a $645 million operating loss in the first nine months of 2013. The market didn't appreciate this. Disturbed by the idea of gallons of red ink spilling from Motorola Mobility onto Lenovo's results, investors traded down the firm's stock by as much as 14 percent after the deal was made public. This might have been compounded by the firm's previous announcement, made only days earlier, that it was spending $2.3 billion to purchase IBM's (IBM) x86 -- read: lower-end -- line of servers. Was such a sell-off, in reaction to either or both, justified? At Home Abroad Lenovo is one of those companies that likes to expand by acquisition. Few Westerners had ever heard of the IT manufacturer in 2005 when it closed its first big buy -- the personal computing division of IBM, for total consideration of around $1.75 billion. The purchase seemed a counterintuitive move when everyone knew that a future stuffed with wireless Internet and portable computing was just around the corner. But guess what? Lenovo not only sold plenty of notebooks and desktops, it managed to grow into the top PC manufacturer in the world. According to figures from Gartner (IT), in Q4 2013 the company was the clear market leader in terms of PC vendor unit shipments. It moved nearly 15 million PCs during the quarter, a figure 6.6 percent higher than in the same period the previous year. This was particularly impressive considering that total shipments for the industry dropped by almost 7 percent over that time frame. Lenovo was able to do this because, for most of its life, it's made big strides in less affluent markets and is continuing to do so. In
Hot Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: diaDexus, Inc. (DDXS)
diaDexus, Inc. (diaDexus), incorporated on November 27, 1995, is a medical diagnostics company. The Company is focused on the development and commercialization of in vitro diagnostic products addressing unmet needs in cardiovascular disease. diaDexus�� product, the PLAC Test, helps identify individuals suffering a heart attack or stroke, the #1 and #3 causes of death, respectively in the United States. The PLAC Test measures Lp-PLA2, which is a vascular-specific inflammatory marker implicated in the formation of rupture-prone plaque.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has developed an Lp-PLA2 inhibitor (darapladib) and is testing the drug in two large, global, Phase III clinical trials involving over 27,000 patients to determine if inhibition of the enzyme reduces cardiovascular events. The PLAC Test is a blood test, available nationally through clinical reference, hospital, and advanced cardiovascular diagnostic laboratories.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap medical device or biotech related stocks Therapeutic Solutions International Inc (OTCMKTS: TSOI), diaDexus, Inc (OTCMKTS: DDXS) and Spherix Inc (NASDAQ: SPEX) have been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters with the good news being that it appears none are the subject of paid promotions from stock promoters. So why are these three stocks all of a sudden getting some attention and what else do you need to know about them before you make a short or a long term bet on one? Here is a closer look at the whole picture and what you might be missing:
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks Pulse Network Inc (OTCBB: TPNI), Sterling Consolidated Corp (OTCBB: STCC) and diaDexus, Inc (OTCMKTS: DDXS) have or could start to sizzle for investors. However, I should also mention that two of these stocks have been the subject of paid promotions while a third apparently has not been, and could be the real deal. With that in mind, here is a closer look along with a quick reality check about all three small caps to help you decide whether they are hot or not:
Hot Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Worthington Industries Inc.(WOR)
Worthington Industries, Inc. operates as a diversified metals processing company focusing on steel processing and manufactured metal products in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It processes flat-rolled steel and stainless steel for the automotive, construction, lawn and garden, hardware, furniture, office equipment, electrical control, tubing, leisure and recreation, appliance, agricultural, HVAC, container, and aerospace markets. The company also produces low-pressure liquefied petroleum gas and refrigerant gas cylinders; high-pressure and industrial/specialty gas cylinders; seamless steel high pressure cylinders for compressed natural gas storage in motor vehicles; aluminum-lined, composite-wrapped high-pressure cylinders; airbrake tanks; and consumer products. In addition, it produces recovery tanks for refrigerant gases; air reservoirs for truck and trailer original equipment manufacturers; and Balloon Time helium kits. Further, the company designs and manufactu res reusable custom platforms, racks, and pallets made of steel for supporting, protecting, and handling products throughout the shipping process; provides framing systems and stairs for mid-rise buildings, and current and past model automotive service stampings; designs, builds, and supplies light gauge steel framed commercial structures and multi-family housing units; supplies and constructs metal framing products for single family housing with a focus on military housing; and manufactures pre-engineered steel egress stair solutions. Worthington Industries was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Harsco have gained 4.7% to $26.43 today at 1:16 p.m., outpacing other construction & engineering companies. Dycom (DY) has advanced 0.5% to $30, KBR Inc. (KBR) has ticked up 0.1% to $33.03, Worthington Industries�(WOR) has risen 2.8% to $38.85�and Tutor Perini (TPC) has rallied 3.6% to $22.46.
- [By Yoshiaki Nohara]
Orix Corp., which provides leasing and loans, jumped 9.2 percent in Tokyo. Mizuno (8022) Corp. surged 18 percent after the Japanese sportswear company more than doubled its net-income forecast. Singapore Airlines Ltd. dropped 4.6 percent after posting a wider operating loss. WorleyParsons (WOR) Ltd., Australia�� largest oil and gas engineering company, plunged 13 percent after forecasting weaker earnings.
Hot Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Trex Company Inc.(TREX)
Trex Company, Inc. manufactures and distributes wood/plastic composite products, and related accessories primarily for the residential and commercial decking and railing applications in the United States. The company offers decking products, including Trex Transcend and Trex Enhance protective shells for protection against fading, staining, and scratching; Trex Accents that provides a smooth surface on one side and subtle wood grain on the other; Trex Escapes, a cellular PVC deck board; and Trex Hideaway, a hidden fastening system for specially grooved boards. It also provides railing products comprising Trex Designer Series Railing, which consists of a decorative top and bottom rail, refined balusters, and post caps and skirts; and Trex Transcend Railing for use with Trex decking products, as well as other decking materials. In addition, the company offers Trex Transcend Porch Flooring and Railing System, an integrated system of porch components and accessories; and fenci ng products, such as Trex Seclusions fencing product that uses interlocking pickets for privacy, and Trex Surroundings fencing that uses traditional pickets. Further, it provides TrexTrim product, a cellular PVC residential exterior trim product; steel deck framing systems under Trex Elevations name; and Trex DeckLighting, a line of energy-efficient LED dimmable deck lighting, which is designed for use on posts, floors, and steps. Additionally, the company acts as a licensor in various licensing agreements with third parties to manufacture and sell various products, including Trex Outdoor Furniture; Trex RainEscape, an above joist deck drainage system; Trex CustomCurve, an on-site system that allows contractors to heat and bend Trex products; and Trex Pergolas, a cellular PVC trim product. The company sells its products through wholesale distributors, retail lumber dealers, and Home Depot and Lowe?s stores. Trex Company, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Winc hester, Virginia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jason Hall]
Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA ) �and Trex� (NYSE: TREX ) have almost nothing in common. One is an innovative leader with expertise in a product that reduces greenhouse gas emissions versus its competitors, generally caters to an upscale clientele, and grew like crazy last year.�
- [By Rick Munarriz]
Then we have Trex (NYSE: TREX ) and Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL ) , the wood-alternative decking and hardwood-flooring retailers that posted double-digit revenue growth in their most recent quarters. Yes, those stocks trade at slightly higher multiples, but in this video longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz explains why they are worth it and why it might be time to trade in the orange aprons for a better alternative to both Lowe's and Home Depot stock.
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