Best Prefered Companies To Buy For 2014

A few years ago, Andrew W. Lo from the MIT Sloan School of Management gave a lengthy talk at a meet-and-greet for prospective students of the Master of Finance program. His speech offered a glimpse into the future of financial engineering for the benefit of society. Greed, he argues, was at the heart of the recent financial crisis and unsustainable run-up in real estate prices. But if we can invent novel financial vehicles that align individual incentives (financial gain) with solving some of society's biggest problems, everyone can get paid along the way to doing something truly transformative (and Foolish). Perhaps something as big as curing cancer.�

The status quo isn't good enough
Lo believes that financial engineering could cure cancer in the next 20 years. It may sound unreasonable, but the probabilities actually support the bold claim. The status quo of cancer treatment development is accompanied by some pretty dismal statistics. The average cancer drug takes approximately 10 years and $500 million to develop, according to Lo. Additionally, each oncology drug screened by scientists may only have a 5% chance at success. While many companies have brought innovative drugs to the market in recent years, big pharma cannot possibly pursue each cancer-fighting mechanism drafted on a laboratory whiteboard.

Top Industrial Disributor Stocks To Own Right Now: Rayonier Inc. REIT(RYN)

Rayonier, Inc. engages in the sale and development of real estate and timberland management, as well as in the production and sale of cellulose fibers in the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. The company operates in four segments: Timber, Real Estate, Performance Fibers, and Wood Products. Timber segment owns, leases, or manages timberlands and sells standing timber at auction to third parties, as well as sells delivered logs. Real Estate segment sells medium and large tracts of land with infrastructure. This segment holds development and rural properties primarily in the southeast United States. Performance Fibers segment manufactures cellulose specialties that are used principally in acetate textile fibers, cigarette filters, rigid packaging, LCD screens, photographic film, impact-resistant plastics, high-tenacity rayon yarn, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents, food casings, and food products; and absorbent materials that are used in disposable baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinence pads, convalescent bed pads, industrial towels and wipes, and nonwoven fabrics. Wood Products segment primarily manufactures and sells dimension lumber used for residential and industrial construction applications. In addition, Rayonier involves in trading and exporting logs, lumber, and wood panel products. As of December 31, 2005, it owned, leased, or managed approximately 2.5 million acres of timberland and real estate. The company has a joint venture with RREEF Infrastructure to own and manage timber lands in New Zealand. Rayonier has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes and would not be subject to federal income tax on its REIT income that it distributes to its shareholders. The company, formerly known as Rainier Pulp & Paper Company, was founded in 1926. Rayonier is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MONEYMORNING]

  Most investors don't think of Rayonier Inc. (NYSE: RYN) as a high-tech firm.

  This 85-year-old forest products company operates as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) after being first acquired, then later spun off, by ITT Corp. (NYSE: ITT).

Best Prefered Companies To Buy For 2014: Pioneer Exploration Inc (PIEX)

Pioneer Exploration Inc. (Pioneer) is an exploration-stage company. The Company is primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mining properties.

As of August 31, 2012, the Company has not generated any revenue. As of August 31, 2012, the Company does not have any manufacturing facilities, operations, suppliers, products, or customers.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks Metrospaces Inc (OTCMKTS: MSPC), LEEP INC (OTCMKTS: LPPI) and Pioneer Exploration Inc (OTCMKTS: PIEX) have been getting some attention lately due to either promotions or share trading activity. Unfortunately, there are still unanswered questions about these three ��ark horse��stocks which make it more difficult for investors and traders alike to evaluate. With that in mind, let�� try to shine the light on what we know about all three small caps:

Best Prefered Companies To Buy For 2014: NN Inc.(NNBR)

NN, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of metal bearing, plastic and rubber, and precision metal components for bearing manufacturers worldwide. It operates in three segments: Metal Bearing Components, Plastic and Rubber Components, and Precision Metal Components. The Metal Bearing Components segment manufactures precision steel balls that are used primarily by manufacturers of anti-friction bearings; steel rollers comprising tapered rollers used in automotive gearbox applications, automotive wheel bearings, and various industrial applications; cylindrical rollers; and precision metal retainers for roller bearings. The Plastic and Rubber Components segment offers precision bearing seals for use in the automotive, industrial, agricultural, and mining markets; precision plastic retainers for ball and roller bearings used in various industrial applications; and precision plastic components, including automotive under-the-hood components, electronic instrument cases, pre cision electronic connectors and lenses, and various specialized industrial and consumer parts. The Precision Metal Components segment provides engineered shafts, fluid power assemblies, and complex precision assembled and tested parts used in the automotive, HVAC, fluid power, and diesel engine markets. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Precision ball-bearings and tapered rollings manufacturer NN, Inc. (NNBR) raised its quarterly dividend 16.6% to 7 cents per share, payable March 14 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 28.
  NNBR Dividend Yield: 1.47%

• [By Eric Volkman]

  NN (NASDAQ: NNBR  ) has a new man in the CEO chair. Richard Holder has been tapped to be the firm's CEO, effective June 3. He replaces the retiring Roderick Baty. Holder will also assume Baty's board seat, the term for which runs through NN's annual meeting in 2015.

Best Prefered Companies To Buy For 2014: Vanguard Natural Resources LLC(VNR)

Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC, through its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Its properties are located in the southern portion of the Appalachian Basin, primarily in southeast Kentucky and northeast Tennessee; the Permian Basin, primarily in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico; and south Texas. As of December 31, 2010, the company had estimated proved reserves of 69.3 million barrels of oil equivalent, as well as working interests in 2,270 net productive wells. Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC was founded in 2006 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tyler Crowe]

  If you're looking for income investments, then it's awfully hard to argue with the massive distribution payments from LINN Energy (NASDAQ: LINE  ) (NASDAQ: LNCO  ) , Breitburn Energy Partners (NASDAQ: BBEP  ) , and Vanguard Natural Resources (NASDAQ: VNR  ) . Thing is, though, income investments need both a decent yield and a level of certainty that it will keep that distribution going for many years to come. Other than being high-yielding investments, they are also all master limited partnerships, which means you need to look beyond just the operations to see how these companies will stand the test of time.

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  One company to watch here is�Vanguard Natural Resources (NASDAQ: VNR  ) , which has eschewed increased organic production growth spending until now. However, the company is looking into the possibility of following LINN's blueprint and potentially change its game plan. Last year Vanguard was one of the most conservative E&P MLPs as its adjusted EBITDA was 4.6 times its capital spending. It's one company that certainly has the capacity to pursue organic production growth spending if it can change the philosophical mind-set that would be required to switch models.

Best Prefered Companies To Buy For 2014: C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR)

C. R. Bard, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, packaging, distribution, and sale of medical, surgical, diagnostic, and patient care devices worldwide. It offers vascular, urology, oncology, and surgical specialty products. The company?s vascular products include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty catheters, chronic total occlusions catheters, guidewires, introducers, and accessories; peripheral vascular stents and stent grafts, vena cava filters, and biopsy devices; electrophysiology products, such as electrophysiology laboratory systems and diagnostic, therapeutic, and temporary pacing electrode catheters; and fabrics, meshes, and implantable vascular grafts. Its urology products comprise infection control Foley catheters to reduce the rate of urinary tract infections; surgical slings to treat stress urinary incontinence; fecal incontinence products; natural and synthetic devices to treat pelvic floor and vaginal prolapse; brachyt herapy services, devices, and radioactive seeds to treat prostate cancer; intermittent urinary drainage catheters, and urine monitoring and collection systems; ureteral stents; specialty devices for ureteroscopic procedures and stone removal; and catheter stabilization devices. The company?s oncology products consist of specialty vascular access catheters and ports, vascular access ultrasound devices, dialysis access catheters, and enteral feeding devices to treat and manage various cancers, and other diseases and disorders. Its surgical specialty products include implanted patches and fixation systems for hernia and other soft tissue repairs; irrigation devices for orthopedic, laparoscopic, and gynecological procedures; and products for topical hemostasis. C. R. Bard sells its products directly and through distributors to hospitals, individual health care professionals, extended care facilities, and alternate site facilities. The company was founded in 1907 and is based in Murray Hill, New Jersey.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  C.R. Bard (BCR) gained 7% to $135.80 after the medical device company beat earnings.

  Lithia Motors (LAD) fell8.3% to $63.31 despite beating earnings forecasts on lower guidance.

• [By Maria Armental var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); popups.forEach]

  A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee Thursday unanimously recommended the use of C.R. Bard Inc.'s(BCR) Lutonix drug-coated balloon PTA catheter to treat patients with femoral and popliteal arterial blockages.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Intuitive Surgical has gained 4.3% to $397.20 today, easily trumping the gains in other healthcare-equipment companies. �Covidien�(COV) has ticked down 0.3% to $60.08, Medtronic�(MDT) has gained 0.5% to $52.97, Abbott Laboratories�(ABT) has fallen 0.8% to $33.24, and C.R. Bard (BCR) is little changed at $114.52.

Best Prefered Companies To Buy For 2014: The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated(CAKE)

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated operates upscale, casual, full-service dining restaurants in the United States. As of February 23, 2012, the company operated 170 dining restaurants, including 156 restaurants under The Cheesecake Factory mark in 35 states and the District of Columbia; 13 restaurants under the Grand Lux Cafe mark in 9 states; and 1 restaurant under the RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen mark in California. It also owns and operates two bakery production facilities located in Calabasas Hills, California; and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The company produces baked desserts and other products for its restaurants, as well as sells cheesecakes and other baked products on a wholesale basis to other foodservice operators, retailers, and distributors. The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated was founded in 1972 and is based in Calabasas Hills, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Earnings reports expected on Wednesday include:

  Caterpillar, Inc. (NYSE: CAT) is expected to report third quarter EPS of $1.70 on revenue of $14.40 billion, compared to last year�� EPS 0f $2.54 on revenue of $16.44 billion. Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is expected to report EPS of $1.54 on revenue of $21.65 billion, compared to last year�� EPS 0f $1.35 on revenue of $20.01 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) is expected to report third quarter EPS of $0.44 on revenue of $4.02 billion, compared to last year�� EPS 0f $0.41 on revenue of $3.74 billion. Motorola, Inc (NYSE: MSI) is expected to report third quarter EPS of $1.02 on revenue of $2.13 billion, compared to last year�� EPS 0f $0.84 on revenue of $2.15 billion. The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ: CAKE) is expected to report third quarter EPS of $0.52 on revenue of $469.16 million, compared to last year�� EPS of $0.49 on revenue of $453.82 million.

  Economics

Best Prefered Companies To Buy For 2014: Maiden Hldgs Ltd(MHLD)

Maiden Holdings, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance solutions to regional and specialty insurers primarily in the United States and Europe. The company offers property, casualty, accident, and health reinsurance products. It offers its products through the treaties with other insurers on a quota share or excess of loss basis, as well as on a facultative basis through third-party intermediaries and on direct basis. Maiden Holdings, Ltd. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Bermuda-based reinsurance solutions provider Maiden Holdings (MHLD) raised its quarterly dividend 22% to 11 cents per share, payable on Jan. 15 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 2.
  MHLD Dividend Yield: 3.79%