5 Best Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014

Free checking? A 24-hour grace period on overdraft fees? Products actually designed to help the consumer better manage their finances? It seems like this sort of customer-centric banking would only exist in a dream world, but at Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ: HBAN  ) , it's reality.

Huntington, and other regional banks like KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY  ) and Regions Financial (NYSE: RF  ) , are staying out of the headlines, bringing strong products to the market, and as a result, winning new business. In the video below, Motley Fool contributor Jay Jenkins highlights Huntington as an industry leader in customer-focused banking.

Many investors are terrified about investing in big banking stocks after the crash, but the sector has one notable stand-out. In a sea of mismanaged and dangerous peers, it rises above as "The Only Big Bank Built to Last." You can uncover the top pick that Warren Buffett loves in The Motley Fool's�new report. It's free, so click here to access it now.

Top 10 Low Price Companies To Own In Right Now: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANEWF)

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) provides a range of banking and financial products and services to retail, small business, corporate and institutional clients. The Company conducts its operations in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. It also operates in a range of other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company operates on a divisional structure with Australia, International and Institutional Banking (IIB), New Zealand, and Global Wealth and Private Banking. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had 1,337 branches and other points of representation worldwide, excluding automatic teller machines (ATMs). In September 2012, it sold its remaining shareholding in Visa Inc. In May 2013, the Company ceased to be substantial holder in respect of ING Private Equity Access Limited. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australian stocks shimmied lower in early Tuesday trade, with earnings news moving the share prices of some major names. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) moved off a flat open to trade down 0.1% at 5,218.50 after rising 1.1% the previous day. Financial blue chip Macquarie Group Ltd. (AU:MQG) (MCQEF) lost 2.7% following the release of its operational update, with broker BBY telling Dow Jones Newswires that the quarterly statement was very similar to its previous update, signaling no change to earnings expectations. Shares of Cochlear Ltd. (AU:COH) (CHEOF) , the world's top hearing-implant maker, snapped 9.1% lower after the firm posted a larger-than-expected 73% drop in profit from a year earlier. However, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) managed to rise 0.5% after reporting a quarterly profit gain of more than 20% with fewer non-performing loans. Meanwhile, further gains for gold overnight lifted Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) by 1.3%, Evolution Mining Ltd. (AU:EVN) (CAHPF) by 2.5% and St. Barbara Ltd. (AU:SBM) by 3%. On the downside for miners, Paladin Energy Ltd. (AU:PDN) (PALAF) lost 2.5% as selling surfac

• [By MARKETWATCH]

  LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Australia stocks rose early Thursday, with miners leading the way higher after a positive production report from Rio Tinto Ltd. (AU:RIO) (RIO) , while overall sentiment got a lift from U.S. gains overnight. The S&P/ASX 200 (AU:XJO) improved by 0.6% to 5,274.30, with shares of Rio Tinto rising 2.2% after reporting record high iron-ore shipments for 2013 and a sold gain for copper output. Rio's peers also advanced, with BHP Billiton Ltd. (AU:BHP) (BHP) up 1.7%, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (AU:FMG) (FSUMF) ahead by 3.2%, and Oz Minerals Ltd. (AU:OZL) (OZMLF) adding 2.4%. Among the gold producers, Newcrest Mining Ltd. (AU:NCM) (NCMGF) surged 7.2% as J.P. Morgan raised its rating on the shares to overweight from neutral. Banks weren't as lucky, however, with Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (AU:ANZ) (ANEWF) down 0.3%, while Westpac Banking Corp. (AU:WBC) (WEBNF) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (AU:CBA) (CBAUF) lost 0.7% each as Citibank downgraded the trio t

5 Best Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014: GW Pharmaceuticals PLC (GWPRF)

GW Pharmaceuticals plc is a United Kingdom-based company. The Company is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of a range of cannabinoid prescription medicines to meet patient needs in a range of medical conditions. The Company is developing a portfolio of cannabinoid medicines, of which the main product is Sativex, an oromucosal spray for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms, cancer pain and neuropathic pain. The Company operates in three segments: Sativex Commercial, Sativex Research and Development and Pipeline Research and Development. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiaries include GW Pharma Limited, G-Pharm Limited, Cannabinoid Research Institute Limited, Guernsey Pharmaceuticals Limited and GWP Trustee Company Limited. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  But, as the Huffington Post points out, most of the companies that stand to benefit are very small–they make micro caps look big–trade over the counter–good bye liquidity. That includes transaction-processing company MediSwipe (MWIPD), GreenGro Technologies (GRNH) Medbox (MDBX), which makes dispenser for high-risk drugs, and GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPRF).

5 Best Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014: Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp (VAC)

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, incorporated on June 21, 2011, is a developer, marketer, seller and manager of vacations ownership and related products under the Marriott Vacation Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands. The Company is also the global developer, marketer and seller of vacations ownership and related products under the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club brand, and the Company has the non-exclusive right to develop, market and sell whole ownership residential products under the Ritz-Carlton Residences brands. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. (Ritz-Carlton), a subsidiary of Marriott International, generally provides on-site management for Ritz-Carlton branded properties.

As of December 28, 2012, the Company had 64 vacation ownership resorts in the United States and nine other countries and territories and approximately 421,000 owners of its vacation ownership and residential products. The Company offers the majority of its products through two points-based ownership programs: Marriott Vacation Club Destinations(MVCD) and Marriott Vacation Club, Asia Pacific.

The Company designs , build, manage and maintains its properties at upscale and luxury levels in accordance with the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton brand standards that the Company must comply with under the License Agreements. The Company offers its products under four brands: Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences, Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and Ritz-Carlton Residences.

The Marriott Vacation Club brand is the Company's signature offering in the upscale tier of the vacation ownership industry. Marriott Vacation Club resorts typically combine many of the comforts of home, such as spacious accommodations with one, two and three bedroom options, living and dining areas, in-unit kitchens and laundry facilities, with resort amenities such as feature swimming pools, restaurants and bars, convenience stores, fitness facilities and spas, as well as sports and recreation facilities appro! priate for each resort's location.

Grand Residences by Marriott is an upscale tier vacation ownership and whole ownership residence brand. The accommodations for this brand are similar to those the Company offers under the Marriott Vacation Club brand. The time period for each Grand Residences by Marriott vacation ownership interest ranges between three and thirteen weeks. The Company also offers whole ownership residential products under this brand.

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club is a luxury tier vacation ownership brand. The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club provides luxurious vacation experiences commensurate with the legacy of the Ritz-Carlton brand. Ritz-Carlton Destination Club resorts typically feature two, three and four bedroom units that generally include marble foyers, walk-in closets and custom kitchen cabinetry, and luxury resort amenities, such as feature pools and access to full service restaurants and bars. The on-site services, which usually include daily maid service, valet, in-residence dining, and access to fitness facilities as well as spa and sports facilities as appropriate for each destination, are delivered by Ritz-Carlton.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences is a luxury tier whole ownership residence brand. The Ritz-Carlton Residences include whole ownership luxury residential condominiums and home sites for luxury home construction co-located with Ritz-Carlton Destination Club resorts. Owners can typically purchase condominiums that vary in size from one-bedroom apartments to spacious penthouses. Ritz-Carlton Residences owners can avail themselves of the services and facilities that are associated with the co-located Ritz-Carlton Destination Club resort on an a la carte basis. On-site services are delivered by Ritz-Carlton.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GuruFocus]

  Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp (VAC): President and CEO Stephen P. Weisz Bought 8,000 Shares
  
  President and CEO of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp (VAC) Stephen P. Weisz bought 8,000 shares during the past week at an average price of $43.60. Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation is a Delaware Corporation. Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp has a market cap of $1.54 billion; its shares were traded at around $43.60 with a P/E ratio of 30.67 and P/S ratio of 0.94.

• [By Michael Lewis]

  It may be surprising�to�hear that hospitality and tourism are the fastest-growing industries in the world. One of the biggest names in the industry, unsurprisingly, is Marriott, which represents a variety of names in hotels, motels, and resorts around the world. As a spin-off from Marriott In late 2011,�Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE: VAC  ) �is a business that specializes in vacation ownership, otherwise known as timeshares. While thoughts of the quintessential timeshare salesman may bring a sting to your gut, this business offers investors bright prospects on the back of a booming industry. Here's what you need to know about Marriott Vacations.

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  So, which timeshare stocks are the ones to buy? Read on.

  Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC)

  Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) is a great starting point for timeshare stocks. It holds 62 properties made up of 12,829 villas, held by 420,000 customers across the U.S. and nine other countries.

5 Best Regional Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014: 3D Systems Corp. (DDD)

3D Systems Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of 3D printers and related products, print materials, and services. The company�s principle print engines comprise stereolithography, selective laser sintering, multi-jet modeling, film transfer imaging, selective laser melting, and plastic jet printers. Its 3D printers convert data input from computer-aided design software or 3D scanning and sculpting devices to produce physical objects from engineered plastic, metal, and composite print materials. The company also blends, markets, sells, and distributes various consumables, engineered plastics, metal materials, and composites; and offers various software tools, as well as pre-sale and post-sale services, including applications development, installation, warranty, and maintenance. In addition, it provides custom parts services, such as precision plastic and metal parts service and assembly capabilit ies. The company markets its stereolithography materials under the Accura and RenShape; laser sintering materials under the DuraForm, CastForm, and LaserForm; and materials for professional printers under the VisiJet brands. It primarily serves manufacturers of automotive, aerospace, computer, electronic, defense, education, consumer, energy and healthcare products, as well as original equipment manufacturers, government agencies, universities, and independent service bureaus. The company sells its products and services through its direct sales organization, sales agents, resellers, and distributors primarily in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. 3D Systems Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

  Nearest Resistance: $75��br>Nearest Support: $50��br>Catalyst: Earnings Guidance Disappointment

  3D printing stocks are off big today, after 3D Systems (DDD) gave guidance for its preliminary full year 2013 results. Shares of DDD are down more than 18% this afternoon after the firm announced that it expects earnings to fall in the 83 cents to 87 cents range, a level that's well below the 96-cent-per-share consensus. Like JCP, DDD is showing traders a broken chart, which means it makes sense to stay away.

  DDD has spent the last three months forming a head and shoulders top, a bearish pattern that triggered on today's gap down below the pattern's $75 neckline. Now, a move to the next-lowest support level at $50 looks like the high-probability move. Shareholders shouldn't expect a reprieve from selling just yet.

• [By Jay Unni]

  In this article, I will explain why I incorrectly called a bust in 3D Systems Corporation (DDD) in January, and why I now consider the January-March sell-off to be a "test phase" in an ongoing reflexive boom. I will then outline reasons why the boom should continue, and why it should eventually reverse. I will also discuss the two ways it might avoid a reversal, and why I think these are unlikely outcomes. Last, I will discuss the future of the technology using the Gartner technology curve I mentioned in my previous article.