Top Performing Companies To Buy For 2014

On Wednesday, small cap FleetMatics Group PLC (NYSE: FLTX) sank 7.99% to $32.80 and shares have been in a sort of freefall for the past few weeks after outperforming the First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index (NASDAQ: SKYY) last summer. So what is going on and should you be investing or shorting this small cap?

What is FleetMatics Group PLC?

Samll cap FleetMatics Group PLC is a�global provider of fleet management solutions for small and medium-sized businesses delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS) for managing local fleets and�improving the productivity of mobile workforces by extracting actionable business intelligence from real-time and historical vehicle and driver behavioral data. Specifically, FleetMatics Group PLC���Web-based solutions provide fleet operators with visibility into vehicle location, fuel usage, speed and mileage, and other insights to reduce operating and capital costs, as well as increase revenue. The company currently serves more than 17,000 customers with over 300,000 actively subscribed vehicles worldwide.

5 Best Warren Buffett Stocks To Watch For 2015: Givaudan SA (GIVN)

Givaudan SA is a Switzerland-based holding company engaged in the fragrance and flavor industry. The Company has two business divisions: Fragrances and Flavors. The Fragrances business segment comprises the manufacture and sale of fragrances into three global business units: Fine Fragrances, comprising signature fragrances and line extensions, Consumer Products, comprising fabric and personal care, hair and skin care, household and air care, as well as oral care, and Fragrance Ingredients. The Flavors business division comprises the manufacture and sale of flavors into four business units: Beverages, comprising flavors for soft drinks, fruit juices and instant beverages; Dairy, comprising ice cream, yoghurt, desserts and yellow fats; Savory, covering soups and sauces, among others; and Confectionery. The Company is also engaged in research and development activities, which comprises the development of a palette of perfumery raw materials, both synthetic and natural. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Given Imaging (Nasdaq: GIVN  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Top Performing Companies To Buy For 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 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 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.

Top Performing Companies To Buy For 2014: MOCON Inc.(MOCO)

MOCON, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, and services measurement, analytical, and monitoring products to detect, measure, and analyze gases and other chemical compounds; and provides related consulting services. It offers permeation products, including systems and services that measure the rate at which various gases and vapors transmit through various materials for the manufacturers of packaging materials comprising papers, plastic films, coatings, and containers, as well as users of such packaging materials, such as food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer product industries; and laboratory testing services. The company also provides gas analyzer instruments, sensors, and detectors for use in industrial hygiene and safety, hydrocarbon gas analysis for oil and gas exploration, contaminant detection in the manufacture of specialty gases, environmental monitoring, and homeland security applications under the BEVALERT, PETROALERT, and piD-TECH names. In addition, it offers packaging products and services, including headspace analyzers to analyze the amount and type of gas present in the headspace of flexible and rigid packages for the packagers of foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals; and leak detection equipment to detect leaks in sterile medical trays, food pouches, blister packs, and other packages. Further, the company provides consulting and analytical services for foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, plastics, chemicals, electronics, and personal care products manufacturers; gas chromatography analyzer products and services for food, beverage, petroleum, chemical, and petrochemical manufacturers; and weighing and pharmaceutical products and services to determine the weight of pharmaceutical capsules and tablets. It sells its products through its direct sales force and independent sales representatives in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, and internationally. The company was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Minneapo lis, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By victorselva]

  On Nov. 21, Mario Gabelli bought Mocon Inc. (MOCO), a company which makes equipment to test packages and packaging material, and performs consulting and analytical services.

Top Performing Companies To Buy For 2014: American Airlines Group Inc (AAL)

American Airlines Group Inc., formerly AMR Corporation, incorporated in October 1982, operates in the airline industry. The Company's principal subsidiary is American Airlines, Inc. (American). As of December 31, 2011, American provided scheduled jet service to approximately 160 destinations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia. AMR Eagle Holding Corporation (AMR Eagle), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, owns two regional airlines, which do business as American Eagle-American Eagle Airlines, Inc. and Executive Airlines, Inc. (collectively, the American Eagle carriers). American also contracts with an independently owned regional airline, which does business as AmericanConnection (the AmericanConnection carrier). As of December 31, 2011, AMR Eagle operated approximately 1,500 daily departures, offering scheduled passenger service to over 175 destinations in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

American, AMR Eagle and the AmericanConnection airline served more than 250 cities in approximately 50 countries with, on average, 3,400 daily flights and the combined network fleet numbered approximately 900 aircraft as of December 31, 2011. American Airlines is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, which includes British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, LAN Airlines, Iberia, Qantas, JAL, Malev Hungarian, Mexicana, Royal Jordanian and S7 Airlines. Together, oneworld members serve 750 destinations in approximately 150 countries, with about 8,500 daily departures. American is also one of the scheduled air freight carriers in the world, providing a range of freight and mail services to shippers throughout its system onboard American's passenger fleet.

To improve access to each other's markets, American has established marketing relationships with other airlines and rail companies. As of December 31, 2011, American had marketing relationships with Air Berlin, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cape Air, C! athay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Dragonair, Deutsche Bahn German Rail, EL AL, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, GOL, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines (JAL), Jet Airways, JetStar Airways, LAN (includes LAN Airlines, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru), Niki Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.

American has established the AAdvantage frequent flyer program (AAdvantage). AAdvantage members earn mileage credits by flying on American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection carrier or by using services of other participants in the AAdvantage program. Mileage credits can be redeemed for free, discounted or upgraded travel on American, American Eagle or other participating airlines, or for other awards. American sells mileage credits and related services to other participants in the AAdvantage program. There are over 1,000 program participants, including a credit card issuer, hotels, car rental companies, and other products and services companies in the AAdvantage program. As of December 31, 2011, AAdvantage had approximately 69 million total members.

The Company competes with Alaska Airlines (Alaska), Delta Air Lines (Delta), Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways (JetBlue), Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines (Southwest) and AirTran Airways (Air Tran), Spirit Airlines, United Airlines (United) and Continental Airlines (Continental), US Airways and Virgin America Airlines.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  American Airlines (AAL) said it reached a tentative agreement with its flight attendants on Friday. The market doesn’t seem thrilled, however, as shares of American Airlines have dropped more than 2%.

  Credit Suisse analysts Julie Yates and Krishna Vege think investors are “missing the forests for the trees” when it comes to American Airlines:

  Following Friday’s tentative agreement with the Flight Attendant union and recent company discussions, we accelerate labor inflation for Flight Attendant & Pilot groups to 2015 from 2016. No details have been disclosed, but APFA indicated the agreement contains the highest wages and best work rules of any network carrier which is not a surprise since American Airlines management preferred fixed increases to profit sharing and is committed to strong labor relations. Healthy labor relations are key to executing the integration, so we see the swift pace of the flight attendant agreement as a positive and expect pilot negotiations will be similarly harmonious.

  For investors willing to wait out well-telegraphed near-term PRASM headwinds and downward adjustments to consensus as labor escalation is pulled forward in 2015, we think the QTD
  sell off of 15% offers an attractive entry point. Shares are trading at just 8x our 2015E when fully taxed and American Airlines stands to benefit the most in a declining fuel-price environment given the absence of hedging.

  Shares of American Airlines have dropped 2.5% to $36.70 at 2:03 p.m. today, though it’s not the only airline getting pounded. United Continental (UAL) has fallen 3.1% to $47.83 and Delta Air Lines (DAL) has declined 1.6% to $38.03.

• [By DAILYFINANCE]

  Getty Images WASHINGTON -- As one part of the U.S. government looks to remove restrictions on making phone calls from airplanes, another agency is apparently considering its own prohibition. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Thomas Wheeler told members of Congress that while his agency sees no technical reason to ban calls on planes, Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told him Thursday morning that the DOT will be moving forward with its own restrictions. Wheeler called his proposal to rescind the ban "the responsible thing to do." Calls have been prohibited for 22 years over fears that they would interfere with cellular networks on the ground. Technological advances had resolved those concerns. "When the rationale for a rule doesn't exist, the rule shouldn't exist," Wheeler told members of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee during his 39th day in office. Wheeler said he has called the chief executives of major airlines, telling them that the government isn't requiring them to allow calls. Ultimately, the decision will rest with individual airlines. "I understand the consternation caused by the thought of your onboard seatmate disturbing the flight making phone calls. I do not want the person in the seat next to me yapping at 35,000 feet any more than anyone else," Wheeler said. "But we are not the Federal Courtesy Commission." The DOT, which includes the Federal Aviation Administration, wasn't immediately available for comment. The FCC proposal comes just weeks after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted its ban on using personal electronic devices such as iPads and Kindles below 10,000 feet, saying they don't interfere with cockpit instruments. An Associated Press-GfK poll released Wednesday found that 48 percent of Americans oppose allowing cellphones to be used for voice calls while flying; just 19 percent support it. Another 30 percent are neutral. Among those who fly, opposition is stronger. Loo

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) was also down, falling 4.40 percent to $24.98 as traders looked exit the airline following its recent rally.

  Commodities
  In commodity news, oil traded up 0.67 percent to $100.22, while gold traded up 0.15 percent to $1,214.90. Silver traded up 1.54 percent Friday to $20.03, while copper fell 0.47 percent to $3.38.

Top Performing Companies To Buy For 2014: Baxter International Inc. (BAX)

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets products for people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. It operates in three segments: BioScience, Medication Delivery, and Renal. The BioScience segment processes recombinant and plasma-based proteins to treat hemophilia and other bleeding disorders; plasma-based therapies to treat immune deficiencies, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, burns and shock, and other chronic and acute blood-related conditions; products for regenerative medicine, such as biosurgery products; and vaccines. The Medication Delivery segment manufactures intravenous solutions and administration sets; premixed drugs and drug-reconstitution systems; pre-filled vials and syringes for injectable drugs; intravenous nutrition products; infusion pumps; and inhalation anesthetics. It also offers products and services related to pha rmacy compounding, drug formulation, and packaging technologies. The Renal segment provides products to treat end-stage renal disease or irreversible kidney failure. It manufactures solutions and other products for peritoneal dialysis, a home-based therapy; and distributes product for hemodialysis, which is conducted in a hospital or clinic. It markets its products to hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors? offices, clinical and medical research laboratories, and patients at home under physician supervision. The company was founded in 1931 and is based in Deerfield, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Vita Nelson]

  For example, our latest featured dividend reinvestment stock idea is Baxter International (BAX). Founded in 1931, Baxter International is a diversified medical products and services company.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Baxter International (BAX) has dropped 1.5% to 64.11 after it was cut to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse.

  Resources Connection (RECN) has plunged 8.2% to $12.56 after it reported a profit of 9 cents a share, below forecasts for 11 cents.

• [By Shauna O'Brien]

  On Friday, healthcare company Baxter International Inc. (BAX) announced that it has finalized its acquisition of medical technology company Gambro AB.

  The acquisition will help Baxter’s long term growth in the healthcare industry and will expand its product and therapies portfolio. Baxter will also help grow Gambro’s international exposure by expanding into Latin American and Asia Pacific.

  The deal was worth about $3.9 billion and will be included in BAX’s third quarter and full year results.

  Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter commented: “The combination of these two respected renal leaders – Baxter and Gambro – will enable Baxter to better serve healthcare providers and patients through a collective offering of innovative renal products and therapies.”

  “Together, we will advance the state of dialysis care for patients with kidney disease worldwide.”

  Baxter International shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Friday. The stock is up 5% YTD.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse based on earnings uncertainty around its competitive long-acting recombinant franchise.

Top Performing Companies To Buy For 2014: SWK Holdings Corp (SWKH)

SWK Holdings Corporation (SWK), incorporated on July 1996, is engaged in identifying and reviewing candidates for acquisition or other investment. The Company was previously engaged in the development, marketing and support of customer communications software products. It sold its products primarily in North America, Europe and Asia, through its direct sales force and third party integrators.

The Company's applications were designed to integrate with other enterprise software and legacy systems, and provide customers with capabilities for personalization, customer profile management, inquiry management, universal business rules, knowledge management and work flow. KANA also offered customer support and professional services, such as consulting and education.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tess Stynes]

  Verint Systems Inc.(VRNT) agreed to buy customer-service software firm Kana Software Inc.(SWKH) from private equity firm Accel-KKR for about $514 million in cash, as the data-analysis company seeks to expand its offerings.