Top Companies For 2014

On this day in economic and business history...

The era of personal computing didn't really begin when IBM (NYSE: IBM  ) launched the PC in 1981. It began four years earlier, on April 16, 1977, when more than 12,000 computer enthusiasts flooded into the San Francisco Civic Auditorium to take part in the first West Coast Computer Faire. One booth in prime convention entry-hall space was staffed by a young and enthusiastic pair of guys both named Steve, exhibiting a machine that would become the gateway into technology for millions of children and young adults during the following decade: the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) II.

Source: photo:en.wikipedia.org/Devin Cook.

Apple had formally incorporated only four months earlier to secure the funding necessary to produce the first Apple IIs. The Steves -- Jobs and Wozniak, of course -- paired with early angel investor (and eventual Apple CEO) Mike Markkula to raise $250,000 in funding to build the new machine. It was the first truly complete computer ever sold to the public, as competition would not arrive on store shelves until that October with the launch of the Commodore PET, followed in November by the Radio Shack (NYSE: RSH  ) TRS-80. The Apple II, meanwhile, was commercially available in June of 1977, a mere two months after the West Coast Computer Faire.

Top Companies For 2014: Discovery Laboratories Inc.(DSCO)

Discovery Laboratories, Inc., a biotechnology company, focuses on developing products for the treatment of respiratory disease. The company?s product pipeline includes Surfaxin, a synthetic, peptide-containing surfactant that has completed Phase-III pivotal trial for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants; Surfaxin LS, a lyophilized dosage form of Surfaxin in Phase-III clinical trials, which enhances ease of use for healthcare practitioners; and AEROSURF, a drug-device combination product that has completed first pilot Phase II clinical study of aerosolized KL4 surfactant for the prevention of RDS in premature infants. It has license agreements with Philip Morris USA Inc.; Philip Morris Products S.A.; Johnson & Johnson; and Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation for its capillary aerosolization and KL4 surfactant technologies. The company also has a strategic alliance with Laboratorios del Dr. Esteve, S.A. for the development, marketing, and sale of a portfolio of potential KL4 surfactant products in Andorra, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Discovery Laboratories, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Warrington, Pennsylvania.

Top Companies For 2014: Stratasys Inc.(SSYS)

Stratasys, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of three-dimensional (3D) printers, rapid prototyping (RP) systems, and related consumable materials for office-based RP and direct digital manufacturing (DDM) markets. The company offers its products as integrated systems consisting of an RP machine and the software to convert the CAD designs into a machine compatible format, and modeling and support materials. Its products enable engineers and designers to create physical models, tooling, jigs, fixtures, prototypes, and end use parts out of production grade thermoplastic directly from a CAD workstation. The company also offers rapid prototyping and production part manufacturing services; and maintenance, leasing/renting, training, and contract engineering services for 3D production systems and 3D printers. Its products are used by design and manufacturing organizations in aerospace, architecture, automotive, business machines, consumer products, defense, direct digital manufacturing of custom parts, educational institutions, electronics, fixtures, jewelry, heavy equipment, medical systems, tooling, medical analysis, mold making, and dental markets. The company markets its products through a network of value-added resellers and distributors in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and China. Stratasys, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Victor Mora]

  Stratasys provides innovative 3D printing products and services to companies all around the world. The stock has been on a strong move higher and is now consolidating near all-time high prices. Over the last four quarters, investors in the company have been optimistic even as earnings have decreased while revenues have increased. Relative to its peers and sector, Stratasys has been a poor year-to-date performer. WAIT AND SEE what Stratasys does this coming quarter.

Best Cheap Companies To Invest In 2014: Marenica Energy Ltd(MEY.AX)

Marenica Energy Limited engages in the exploration and development of uranium deposits in Namibia and Australia. The company also explores for lead, zinc, silver, gold, and copper. Its principal project includes the Marenica Uranium project that covers an area of 527 square kilometers located in the Damara Province, Namibia. The company was formerly known as West Australian Metals Ltd and changed its name to Marenica Energy Limited in November 2009. Marenica Energy Limited was incorporated in 1978 and is based in West Perth, Australia.

Top Companies For 2014: Harvey Nash Group(HVN.L)

Harvey Nash Group plc, a professional recruitment and outsourcing consultancy, provides information technology (IT) professionals for permanent and contract positions to businesses, governments, and institutions worldwide. Its services include executive search, interim management, IT and finance recruitment, and IT outsourcing services. The company supports multinational organizations and smaller niche companies to attract, recruit, and retain outstanding executives and senior management through a specialist search approach and strategic leadership consultancy services related to various sectors, such as technology and telecommunications, professional services, financial services, consumer, retail, life sciences, business services, and public services, including central government. It also provides specialist interim executives across a range of sectors and functions; manages critical IT infrastructure functions, such as data centre operations, help desk services, producti on support, and local area network administration; and offers outsourcing services, including application development, third party software maintenance, and outsourced software services to blue chip clients across various sectors. In addition, the company provides businesses with qualified, talented finance professionals on a temporary and permanent basis, as well as offers IT systems management services, including management of mainframe platforms, including performance evaluation, data migration, system changes and support services. Harvey Nash Group plc was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Top Companies For 2014: Btg(BGC.L)

BTG plc, a specialist healthcare company, engages in developing and commercializing products targeting critical care, cancer, and other disorders. The company markets and sells CroFab (crotalidae polyvalent immune fab (ovine)), a snake bite antivenom, which is used to treat envenomation from North American Crotalid snakes, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths/water moccasins; DigiFab (digoxin immune fab (ovine)), an antidote to treat patients with life-threatening or potentially life threatening digoxin toxicity or overdose; and a range of interventional oncology products comprising embolisation beads, drug-eluting beads, and brachytherapy products that are medical devices used to address the needs of patients with cancer of the liver and prostate. Its products in pipeline comprise Voraxaze (glucarpidase) for the treatment of reduction of toxic methotrexate levels; Varisolve PEM for the treatment of symptoms and appearance of varicose veins in people with in competence of the great saphenous vein; DC Bead line of oncology products; AZD9773 for the treatment of sepsis and/or septic shock; and Otelixizumab for rheumatoid arthritis. The company?s partnered products include two-part hip cup, a prosthetic hip joint replacement that allows a range of motion that helps to avoid dislocation; Campath, an anti-lymphocyte antibody for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; ZYTIGA, which is used in combination with prednisone for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have received prior docetaxel chemotherapy; and MRC Humanisation IP, an antibody humanisation technology for various indications. BTG plc was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Top Companies For 2014: Acegas(AEG.MI)

Acegas-Aps S.P.A. operates as a multi-utility company in north-eastern Italy. It engages in the management and distribution of water, electricity, and gas; and collection and treatment of waste primarily in the areas of Trieste and Padova, as well as in the production of electric energy. The company also offers public services, such as funeral services, facility management, district heating, public lighting, management of traffic lights system, and re-lining services. In addition, it involves in waste collection and recycling activities. The company serves families, block of flats, small and medium companies, big companies, sectoral trade associations, and public administrations. Acegas-Aps S.P.A. is headquartered in Trieste, Italy.