10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. This article discusses the reasons to be bullish on Union Pacific after strong results in July 24, 2014.

Union Pacific has made a strong comeback after the financial crisis and the company�� fundamentals have improved significantly over the last five years. Union Pacific�� diluted earnings per share have increased from $3.74 in 2009 to $9.42 in 2013.

During the same period, the company�� dividend per share has surged to $2.96 from $1.08. Amidst an increase in dividends, the company�� operating cash flow has also increased to $6.8 billion in 2013 from $3.2 billion in 2009.

Union Pacific has also been successful in reducing the company�� debt to capital from 37% in 2009 to 31% in 2013. From a shareholder return perspective, the return on equity has surged to 21.4 in 2013 from 11.8 in 2009.

Top 10 High Tech Companies To Invest In Right Now: Keating Capital Inc (KIPO)

Keating Capital, Inc., incorporated on May 9, 2008, is a business development company. The Company is an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Company focuses to invest principally in equity securities, including convertible preferred securities, and other debt securities convertible into equity securities, of primarily non-public United States based companies. Keating Investments, LLC (Keating Investments) serves as the Company�� investment adviser and also provides it with the administrative services necessary for it to operate. Keating Investments is primarily responsible for the selection, evaluation, structure, valuation and administration of the Company�� investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had investments in industries, including technology equipment, consumer products and clean technology. In May 2013, the Company completed the sale of Solazyme Inc.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company made four portfolio company investments, which included investments in NeoPhotonics Corporation (NeoPhotonics); Livescribe, Inc. (Livescribe); Solazyme, Inc. (Solazyme), and MBA Polymers, Inc. (MBA Polymers). NeoPhotonics develops and manufactures photonic integrated circuit based components, modules and subsystems for use in telecommunications networks. Livescribe is a developer and marketer of a mobile, paper-based computing platform, consisting of smartpens, dot paper, smartpen applications, accessories, desktop software, an online community and development tools. Solazyme is engaged in development and commercialization of algal oil and bioproducts for the fuels and chemicals, nutritionals and health sciences markets. MBA Polymers is a manufacturer of recycled plastics sourced from end of life durable goods, such as computers, electronics, appliances and automobiles. The Company focuses to provide capital primarily to micro-cap companies and small-cap companies.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Helix Investment Research]

  In light of recent debates here on Seeking Alpha regarding Keating Capital (KIPO), we had the opportunity to speak with Tim Keating, the company's CEO, to receive his view of the company, as well as answer a variety of questions regarding the company's equity, portfolio, and investment philosophy. Based on our conversation with Mr. Keating, we believe that the market has misunderstood Keating Capital. With a discount to net asset value of over 20%, and with several catalysts set to materialize in the 2nd half, we believe that there is potential for double digit upside in the remainder of 2013 and 2014. Unless otherwise noted, financial statistics and managerial commentary will be sourced from Keating Capital's Q2 2013 earnings release, its Q2 2013 earnings call, its Q2 2013 earnings presentation, its latest 10-Q, or its 2012 10-K, as well as our conversation with Mr. Keating.

• [By Monica Wolfe]

  Keating Capital (KIPO)

  Over the past week there were four insiders making buys into Keating Capital as the company�� price is sitting near its 52-week low and as the company made a secondary public offering of its stocks.� The insiders making buys during this public offering of common stock were CEO and President Timothy Keating, Director Taylor Simonton, Chief Investment Officer Kyle Rogers and CFO, COO, CCO and Treasurer Frederic Schweiger.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Nu Skin Enterprises Inc.(NUS)

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. develops and distributes anti-aging personal care products and nutritional supplements worldwide. The company sells its personal care products under the Nu Skin brand; and nutritional supplements under the Pharmanex brand. Its personal care product line includes core systems, targeted treatments, total care, cosmetic, and Epoch, a product formulated with botanical ingredients. The company?s nutritional supplements product line comprises micronutrient supplements, targeted solution supplements, and weight management products. It also sells Vitameal, which are nutritious meal products for starving children or purchased for personal food storage. In addition, the company offers other products and services consisting of digital content storage, water purifiers, and other household products. It sells its products primarily through a network of independent distributors in north Asia, the Americas, Greater China, Europe, and the south Asia/Pacific. The c ompany also operates retail stores to sell its products in China. As of December 31, 2010, Nu Skin Enterprises operated 40 stores throughout China. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Provo, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Herbalife have jumped 4.2% to $71.81 in after-hours trading after gaining 3.8% today. Herbalife, Nu Skin Enterprises (NUS) and Usana Health Sciences�(USNA) advanced today on reports that China was considering stricter regulation of multi-level sellers.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Newell Rubbermaid Inc.(NWL)

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets consumer and commercial products. It operates in three segments: Home & Family, Office Products, and Tools, Hardware & Commercial Products. The Home & Family segment offers indoor/outdoor organization, food storage, and home storage products; infant and juvenile products, such as car seats, strollers, highchairs, and playards; drapery hardware, window treatments, and cabinet hardware; gourmet cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and small kitchen electrics; and hair care accessories and grooming products to mass merchants, specialty stores, and grocery/drug and department stores. The Office Products segment provides writing instruments, including pens, pencils, markers and highlighters, and art products; fine writing instruments and leather goods; office technology solutions, such as label makers and printers, interactive teaching solutions, and on-line postage to mass merchants, warehouse clubs, grocery/drug stores, office superstores, contract stationers, and retailers. The Tools, Hardware & Commercial Products segment offers industrial bandsaw blades and cutting tools for pipes and HVAC systems; hand tools and power tool accessories; manual paint applicators, window hardware, and convenience hardware; cleaning and refuse products, hygiene systems, material handling solutions, medical and computer carts, and wall-mounted workstations to mass merchants, home centers, department stores, hardware and commercial products distributors, industrial/construction outlets, custom shops, select contract customers, and professional customers. It sells its products under Rubbermaid, Graco, Aprica, Levolor, Kirsch, Amerock, Calphalon, Goody, Sharpie, Expo, Dymo, Paper Mate, Parker, Waterman, Lenox, Irwin, Shur-line, and Bulldog brands. The company operates in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. Newell Rubbermaid Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Like many consumer-goods companies, Newell Rubbermaid (NYSE: NWL  ) is best known for the products it makes. Lately, though, it's been the dependable earnings growth and solid dividend that have led investors to buy Newell Rubbermaid stock, and if the company can deliver on expectations in the coming years, then its shares could see even further gains. Let's take a closer look at what's been happening with Newell Rubbermaid lately and how it's has helped boost the stock.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: iShares MSCI Spain Capped ETF (EWP)

iShares MSCI Spain Index Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the Spanish market, as measured by the MSCI Spain Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the Spanish equity market. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index that aims to capture 85% of the (publicly available) total market capitalization. Component companies are adjusted for available float and must meet objective criteria for inclusion in the Index. The Index is reviewed quarterly.

The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matthew McCall]

  iShares MSCI Spain Index ETF (NYSE: EWP)

  Overnight, a surprise fall in the inflation number out of Spain had a ripple affect across the region. The 0.2 percent annual rate decline in consumer prices was the weakest number since October 2009 and well below expectations. Borrowing costs for Spain and Italy fell to their lowest levels in three years and stocks were trading higher.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Intergrative Stem Cell Holdings Inc (YFRM)

Intergrative Stem Cell Holdings Inc., formerly YaFarm Technologies, Inc., incorporated on June 16, 2006, is a Web development and Web hosting company. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, YaFarm Group, LLC, offers a range of business-class Website development and Web hosting products and services for small and medium-sized businesses. The Company offers Web solutions for small- and medium- sized companies, including Web development, Web hosting, Web maintenance and business image consulting services.

The Company offers Web solution packages to small and medium-sized businesses, which includes Bronze Small Business Package, Silver Medium-Sized Business Package and Gold E-Commerce Package. The Company did not generate any revenues.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  What�� the Catch With Caribbean International Holdings? According to various disclosures, transactions of $1.5k, $2k, $3k, $3.5k, $4k, $7k, $15k and $16k have or will occur to mention Caribbean International Holdings in various investment newsletters. At the beginning of last week, Caribbean International Holdings announced that it was in the final stages of construction of a new Winghouse and Entertainment Center facility on the strip in Sosua, Dominican Republic, that feature its signature wings complemented by a variety of sauce and spice choices plus a mechanical bull. Caribbean International Holdings also recently announced it will offer Winghouse restaurant franchises (for 25,000 dollars plus a percentage of gross revenues) throughout the Caribbean as well as Central and South America. Winghouse restaurants offer 18 flavor choices with four varieties of spicy heat in a country setting with mechanical bulls as the centerpiece. Finally and last May, Caribbean International Holdings announced that ��fter three months of silence,��the merger documents between YaFarm Technologies, Inc (OTCMKTS: YFRM) and the Integrated Stem Cell Institute in Cancun, Mexico, have been signed and that CIHN now has a 12.5% stake in a company that�� been a favorite of stock promoters. However, the most updated financials that I see for Caribbean International Holdings date from June of last year on Yahoo! Finance ��and A LOT can happen within a year��

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: TTM Technologies Inc.(TTMI)

TTM Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides printed circuit board (PCB) products and backplane assemblies worldwide. Its PCB products include conventional, high density interconnect, flexible, and rigid-flex PCBs, as well as backplane assemblies and IC substrates. The company also offers various services, such as design for manufacturability support during new product introduction stages, PCB layout design, simulation and testing services, quick turnaround production, and drilling and routing services. Its customers include original equipment manufacturers and electronic manufacturing service companies that primarily serve the networking/communications, aerospace/defense, high-end computing, cell phone, and medical/industrial/instrumentation end markets of the electronics industry. TTM Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of printed circuit board specialist TTM Technologies (NASDAQ: TTMI  ) soared 17% today after its quarterly results topped Wall Street expectations.

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Shares of Viasystems Group (NASDAQ: VIAS) got a boost, shooting up 35.81 percent to $15.89 after TTM Technologies (NASDAQ: TTMI) announced its plans to buy Viasystems for a total value of $16.46 per share.

• [By alicet236]

  TTM Technologies Inc (TTMI) Reached $5.98

  The prices of TTM Technologies shares have declined to $5.98, which is only 4.7% above the 5-year low of $5.70. It is now 71% off the 5-year high of $19.64. TTM Technologies is owned by three Gurus we are tracking. Among them, one has added to their position during the past quarter, while three reduced their positions. TTM Technologies is a global provider of time-critical and technologically complex printed circuit board (PCB) products and backplane assemblies (PCBs populated with electronic components), which serve as the foundation of sophisticated electronic products. Ttm Technologies has a market cap of $498.3 million; its shares were traded at around $5.98 with and P/S ratio of 0.40.

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  Shares of Viasystems Group (NASDAQ: VIAS) got a boost, shooting up 35 percent to $15.80 after TTM Technologies (NASDAQ: TTMI) announced its plans to buy Viasystems for a total value of $16.46 per share.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Robogroup TEK Ltd (ROBO)

RoboGroup T.E.K Ltd. is a global, diversified enterprise with proprietary technologies on the forefront of robotics, motion control and technology education. RoboGroup's activities are organized in two related business operations: Yaskawa Eshed Technology (YET) and Intelitek.

YET, a joint venture with Japan's Yaskawa Electric Corp., which provides industrial motion controls, particularly those based on its algorithms. Intelitek, which develops, manufactures and markets training products and e-learning systems. Intelitek�� broad educational product line covers subjects such as computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, configurable network computing, robotics, machine vision, hydraulics, pneumatics, sensors, process control and data acquisition. Intelitek also designs and produces integrated and customized manufacturing workcells, ranging from small-scale flexible manufacturing systems to complete computer integrated manufacturing systems.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Spruce Point Capital Management, LLC has released a research report about small cap robotics stock iRobot Corporation (NASDAQ: IRBT) entitled ��bout to Short Circuit,��meaning investors should take a closer look at the report, the�stock�and the performance of�robotics peer Adept Technology Inc (NASDAQ: ADEP) and�the Robo-Stox Global Robotics & Automation ETF (NASDAQ: ROBO). I should mention that we used to have both Adept Technology and iRobot Corporation in our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio�because we see the�robotics subsector improving as companies aim to reduce overhead and improve efficiencies through machine to machine (M2M) automation.

• [By Matt Krantz]

  Another way for investors to play the robotics industry is a new exchange traded fund, Robo-Stox Robotics & Automation (symbol: ROBO). The ETF owns a basket of robotics and automation stocks. One major caution, though, is that not all the stocks in the ETF are those investors traditionally think of when it comes to robotics. The largest weighting is in 3D Systems, a maker of a 3D printer, and Faro Technologies, which makes measurement devices. But none of the stocks in the ETF account for more than 4% of the total value, so the diversification helps give investors a way to play the speculative industry.