Monday, May 18, 2015

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Watch Right Now

On Tuesday, small cap cancer diagnostic stock Myriad Genetics, Inc (NASDAQ: MYGN) jumped 11.42% in one day, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of small cap cancer diagnostic stocks like Rosetta Genomics Ltd (NASDAQ: ROSG) and�Genomic Health, Inc (NASDAQ: GHDX) plus mid cap diagnostic stock Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE: DGX). I should mention that we have had�Myriad Genetics in our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio since February 5th and we are already up 18.50%���a nice return in just two weeks time.

What is Myriad Genetics, Inc?

Small cap is a leading molecular diagnostic company dedicated to making a difference in patient's lives through the discovery and commercialization of transformative tests to assess a person's risk of developing disease, guide treatment decisions and assess risk of disease progression and recurrence. More specifically, Myriad Genetics�� hereditary cancer tests provide vital information to help people with a family history of disease understand their own risk of developing the disease while the company�� prognostic tests are designed to provide information about the level of aggressiveness of a cancer to a healthcare provider and their patient so that they can make more informed treatment decisions. In addition, Myriad Genetics�� personalized products provide valuable information for a healthcare provider to customize medical management plans individually for each patient.

Top Managed Healthcare Companies To Buy For 2016: Jive Software Inc (JIVE)

Jive Software, Inc. (Jive), incorporated in February 2, 2001, provides a social business software platform. The Company is focused on unlocking the power of the enterprise social graph, which is the extended social network of an enterprise, encompassing relationships among its employees, customers and partners, as well as their interactions with people, content, and business information. The Company's customers use the Company's platform across broad business use cases, such as strategic alignment, that involve all employees, as well as functional use cases that improve the results of specific business activities such as sales execution or customer service. The Company sells its platform primarily through a direct sales force both domestically and internationally. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 800 enterprise Jive Platform customers. In May 2013, Jive Software Inc acquired StreamOnce Inc.

The Company delivers a social business platform that features the innovation, creativity and ease of uses found in consumer applications combined with the security, flexibility and scalability necessary for enterprise deployment. The Company offers an enterprise-class social platform, purpose-built to enable its customers to manage workplace communication and collaboration. The Company's solution can be deployed across all employees, functional departments and business units. The Company's solution enables the Company's customers to operate both internal and external communities by offering a platform that allows communication and collaboration between and among employees, customers and partners. The Company's platform includes a recommendation engine that helps users connect to and easily locate relevant information and experts on an enterprise-wide basis across departmental and geographic boundaries, as well as across externally-facing customer and partner communities.

The Company's platform is capable of supporting deployments, including those with complex environments ! with tens of thousands of employees internally and millions of users externally. The Company provides tools to help its customers manage the critical elements of application security, including authentication, authorization and regulatory compliance. The Company enables customers to identify the impact of its platform on a particular business outcome. This includes identifying relevant user metrics, success rates and positive trends across the business. The Company's platform integrates with legacy IT infrastructure and a broad range of existing enterprise applications, including email, content management, customer relationship management, marketing automation, product development, eCommerce and instant messaging and enables access from mobile devices, browsers, desktop applications, collaboration applications and consumer social platforms.

The Company enables customers and third parties to develops applications that leverage its platform through its Jive Apps Market, built on the industry standard OpenSocial specifications. Users can easily find, purchase and install applications tailored to meet specific business needs in a variety of industries and business functions, enabling further innovation and functionality on the Company's platform. Developers can leverage the enterprise social graph to make applications more social and broaden their reach. The Company's platform has been developed to facilitate easy deployment with familiar interfaces. The Company offers its customers the ability to configure its solutions to deliver the specific functionality and user experience they want for their end-users, and the ability to modify the look and feel of its solutions to conform to their branding or other requirements. The Company's customers can use the Company's platform on demand through the public cloud, or via a private cloud. This flexible delivery model allows the Company to meet a variety of security and cost requirements and better address the needs of each customer, and enables the Co! mpany to ! target a wider range of potential customers.

The Company's flagship product, the Jive Platform, offers social business capabilities that enable employee, customer and partner engagement on a unified platform. The core platform can be expanded by adding optional modules, including Jive Present, Gamification, Ideation, Mobile, Video, and connectors into existing enterprise systems and applications. The Company's platform can also be extended to include cloud and customer-built applications through the Jive Apps Market. All of this activity and content is aggregated and presented to users via the Jive What Matters layer.

The Jive Platform serves two types of communities: Employees and Customers and partners. The Company's platform connects users across the enterprise and its functional departments, leveraging social intelligence, such as business relationships and areas of interest, to proactively provide relevant documents, discussions and other content to users. The Company's platform enables the Company's customers to build and manage external communities to build their brand, increase interaction and feedback, and reduce their support costs through enhanced online communication with their own customers and business partners.

The Jive Platform enables rich social profiles, visual enterprise directories, connections and identification. Users can easily find, follow and access both people and data through structured spaces, including public and private social groups and projects. This provides users with up to the minute access to relevant and critical information. The Company's platform enables blogging, microblogging, discussions, real time chat and video conversations and direct messaging and aggregates these familiar methods of social communications into a social inbox to allow users to find relevant information quickly and easily.

The Company's platform includes wikis, document sharing, an easy-to-use rich text editor, and full-fidelity rendering of Micros! oft Offic! e documents and PDFs with inline commenting, allowing users to collaborate real-time. The Company's platform enhances collaboration by allowing users to control access to content at the individual, group or document level. The Company's platform includes advanced search capabilities to locate relevant people, content and groups using information captured in the enterprise social graph, such as users' skills or profile information. The Company's platform can integrate with numerous enterprise systems such as customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, software configuration management, or product lifecycle management systems, via the Company's application programming interfaces, or APIs.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    Another stock that looks poised to trigger a near-term breakout trade is Jive Software (JIVE), which provides a social business software platform. It provides the Jive Engage platform for its customers for business. This stock has been under selling pressure over the last six months, with shares off by 14%.

    If you take a look at the chart for Jive Software, you'll notice that this stock recently gapped down sharply from over $17 a share to under $13.50 a share with heavy downside volume. Following that move, shares of JIVE went on to tag its recent low of $12.74 a share. That move has now pushed shares of JIVE into oversold territory, since its current relative strength index reading is 19.23. Oversold can always get more oversold, but it's also an area from which a stock can experience a powerful bounce higher. Shares of JIVE are now starting to trend back up and move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in JIVE if it manages to break out above Friday's intraday high of $13.87 a share and then once it clears its gap down day high of $14.13 a share high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 812,638 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then JIVE will set up to re-fill some of its previous gap down zone that started just above $17 a share.

    Traders can look to buy JIVE off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below its recent low of $12.74 a share. One could also buy JIVE off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

    The short-sellers love this stock, since the current short interest as a percentage of the float for JIVE is very high at 17.6%. This stock could easily experience a sharp short-covering rally if it gets into that gap

  • [By Jonathan Morgan]

    SAP AG (SAP) added 2.1 percent to 59.89 euros. The world�� largest maker of business-management software has ended discussions to acquire Jive Software Inc. (JIVE), which has a market value of more than $1 billion, people familiar with the matter said.

  • [By Lee Jackson]

    The Lazard trading desk said that active traders may want to look at software stocks that still had unusually high short interest. Those included Concur Technologies (NASDAQ: CNQR), Tangoe Inc. (NASDAQ: TNGO), Jive Software (NASDAQ: JIVE), Marketo Inc. (NASDAQ: MKTO), VeriSign Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN) and VMware Inc. (NYSE: VMW). Stocks with high short interest can explode to the upside if the company gets back on track and short sellers are forced to cover.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Watch Right Now: Lennox International Inc (LII)

Lennox International Inc. (LII) is a provider of climate control solutions. The Company designs, manufactures and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) markets. Its products and services are sold through multiple distribution channels under brand names, including Lennox, Armstrong Air, Ducane, Bohn, Larkin, Advanced Distributor Products, Service Experts and others. The Company operates in four segments: Residential Heating & Cooling, Commercial Heating & Cooling, Service Experts, and Refrigeration. On January 14, 2011, the Company acquired Kysor/Warren business from The Manitowoc Company. Kysor/Warren is a manufacturer of refrigerated systems and display cases for supermarkets throughout North America and is included in its Refrigeration Segment. In April 2012, it sold its Lennox Hearth Products business to Comvest Investment Partners IV.

Residential Heating & Cooling

The Company manufactures and markets a range of furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, packaged heating and cooling systems, and accessories. These products are available in a range of designs, and at a range of price points, and provide a range of home comfort systems. Its advanced distributor products (ADP) operation builds evaporator coils and air handlers under the Advanced Distributor Products brand, as well as the Lennox, brand. ADP sells their own ADP branded evaporator coils to HVAC distribution, comprising over 400 wholesale distributors across North America, as well as, a range of evaporator coils for Allied Air Enterprise.

The Company�� hearth products include factory-built gas, wood-burning and electric fireplaces; free standing wood-burning, pellet and gas stoves; wood-burning, pellet and gas fireplace inserts; gas logs, venting products and accessories. Its fireplaces are built with a blower or fan option. It markets its hearth products under the Lennox, Superior, Country Collection and Security Chimneys brand names.

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The Company competes with United Technologies Corp., Goodman Global, Inc., Ingersoll-Rand plc, Paloma Co., Ltd., Johnson Controls, Inc., Daiken, Nordyne, HNI Corporation and Monessen Hearth Company.

Commercial Heating & Cooling

In North America, the Company manufactures and sells unitary heating and cooling equipment used in light commercial applications, such as low-rise office buildings, restaurants, retail centers, churches and schools. Its product offerings for these applications include rooftop units ranging from 2 to 50 tons of cooling capacity and split system/air handler combinations, which range from 1.5 to 20 tons of cooling capacity. These products are distributed through commercial contractors and directly to national account customers.

In Europe, the Company manufactures and sells unitary products, which range from 2 to 70 tons of cooling capacity, and applied systems with up to 200 tons of cooling capacity. Its European products consist of small package units, rooftop units, chillers, air handlers and fan coils, which serve medium-rise commercial buildings, shopping malls, other retail and entertainment buildings, institutional applications and other field-engineered applications. It manufactures heating and cooling products in several locations in Europe and markets these products through both direct and indirect distribution channels in Europe, Russia, Turkey and the Middle East.

The Company competes with United Technologies Corp., Ingersoll-Rand plc, Johnson Controls, Inc., AAON, Inc. and Daikin Industries, Ltd.

Service Experts

The Company sells a range of its manufactured equipment, parts and supplies, and third-party branded products. It also has Lennox National Account Services business, which is providing service and preventive maintenance to commercial national account customers. It uses a portfolio of management procedures and practices, including standards for customer service, common informa! tion tech! nology systems and financial controls, a national accounting center and an inventory management program.

The Company competes with Direct Energy, Sears and American Residential Services.

Refrigeration

The Company manufactures and markets equipment for the global commercial refrigeration markets under the Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration name. It sells these products to distributors, installing contractors, engineering design firms, original equipment manufacturers and end-users. Its commercial refrigeration products for the North American market include condensing units, unit coolers, fluid coolers, air-cooled condensers, compressor racks and air handlers. These products are sold for refrigeration applications to preserve food and other perishables, and are used by supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, refrigerated warehouses and distribution centers. As part of the sale of commercial refrigeration products, it provides application engineering for consulting engineers, contractors and others. It also sells products for non-food and various industry applications, such as telecommunications, dehumidification and medical applications.

In international markets, the Company manufactures and markets refrigeration products, including condensing units, unit coolers, air-cooled condensers, fluid coolers, compressor racks and industrial process chillers. The Company has manufacturing locations in Germany, France, Brazil and China. In Australia and New Zealand, it is a wholesale distribution business serving the refrigeration and HVAC industry. It also owns a 50% interest in a joint venture in Mexico, which produces unit coolers, air-cooled condensers, condensing units and compressor racks. It also owns an 8% stock interest in a manufacturer in Thailand, which produces compressors for use in its products and for other HVACR customers.

The Company competes with Hussman Corporation, Emerson Electric Co., United Technologies Corp., GEA Group,! Alfa Lav! al and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Greg Williamson]

    Watsco's current P/E of 24.5 is in the same ballpark as its competitor Lennox International (NYSE: LII  ) (NYSE: LII  ) (NYSE: LII  ) , whose P/E is 23.8. Lennox is a manufacturer of HVAC equipment and components, and will also benefit from HVAC industry tailwinds.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Watch Right Now: Great American Group Inc (GAMR)

Great American Group, Inc. (Great American), incorporated on May 7, 2009, is a provider of asset disposition and valuation and appraisal services to a range of retail, wholesale and industrial customers, as well as lenders, capital providers, private equity investors and professional service firms. The Company operates its business in two segments: liquidation and auction solutions and valuation and appraisal services. Its liquidation and auction divisions assist customers in the disposition of assets. Such assets include multi-location retail inventory, wholesale inventory, trade fixtures, machinery and equipment, intellectual property and real property. Great American�� valuation and appraisal services division provides its clients with independent appraisals in connection with asset-based loans, acquisitions, divestitures and other business needs. Its valuation and appraisal services division provides valuation and appraisal services to financial institutions, lenders, private equity investors and other providers of capital. These services primarily include the valuation of assets for purposes of determining and monitoring the value of collateral securing financial transactions and loan arrangements, and in connection with potential business combinations. In October 2009, Great American formed a subsidiary, GA Capital, LLC (GA Capital).

Auction and Liquidation Solutions

The Company enables its clients to dispose of under-performing assets and generate cash from excess inventory by conducting or assisting in store closings, going out of business sales, bankruptcy sales and fixture sales. It also provides merger and acquisition due diligence, through the Company�� auction and liquidation segment and reverse logistics and appraisal services, through its valuation and appraisal services segment. It provides retail auction and liquidation services on a fee and guarantee basis. In guarantee retail liquidation engagements, it takes title to any unsold inventory. The Company ! designs and implements disposition programs for its customers seeking to convert excess wholesale and industrial inventory and operational assets into capital. Assets in an orderly liquidation are available for sale on a privately negotiated basis over a period of months. This sale method is often employed to dispose of furniture, fixtures and equipment in connection with retail liquidations, as well as wholesale inventory or industrial equipment. The Company�� live auctions can cover single sites or multiple locations, and the Company utilizes point-of-sale software to generate customized sales reports and invoices and to track assets. The Company webcasts its live auctions over the Internet. This auction format allows online bidders to compete in real time against bidders at the live auction. Bidders can log onto the auction from personal computers, view and bid on lots as they come up for sale, hear the auctioneers as the sale is being conducted and, in some cases, view live streaming video of the auctioneer calling the bids on-site. In the online auction format, the sale of assets takes place online, without a live auctioneer calling the sale.

The Company provides advisory services relating to the wind down process from beginning to end, including negotiation of early lease terminations, sale of intellectual property and sale of completed inventory through the client�� historical distribution channels. It assists clients with managing the disposition of customer returns, obsolete inventory, extraneous fixtures and dated equipment. The Company serves as a broker, providing assistance in reaching target markets and potential buyers or marketing to its database of buyers and end users. The Company performs sealed bid sales in situations where asset disposition requires anonymity of the buyer or seller or involves other confidentiality concerns. In this process, potential buyers submit bids without knowledge of the amount bid by other participants. It also provides wholesale and industr! ial servi! ces on a fee, guarantee and an outright purchase basis. The Company commenced auctions for foreclosed residential real estate properties, through its joint venture with Kelly Capital during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company coordinates the auction process, including the venue, personnel and onsite technological requirements. It also arranges for financial institutions, title and escrow companies to be onsite at the auction to provide onsite services to potential buyers. The Company provides its home auction services on a fee basis based on a percentage of sale prices and on an outright purchase basis.

Valuation and Appraisal Services

Great American�� valuation and appraisal teams provide independent appraisals to financial institutions, lenders and other providers of capital and other professional service firms for estimated liquidation values of assets. These teams include experts specializing in particular industry and asset classes. The Company provides valuation and appraisal services across five categories: Consumer and Retail Inventory, representative types of appraisals and valuations include inventory of specialty apparel retailers, department stores, jewelry retailers, sporting goods retailers, mass and discount merchants, home furnishing retailers and footwear retailers; Wholesale and Industrial Inventory, representative types of appraisals and valuations include inventory held by manufacturers or distributors of automotive parts, chemicals, food and beverage products, wine and spirits, building and construction products, industrial products, metals, paper and packaging; Machinery and Equipment, representative types of asset appraisals and valuations include a range of equipment utilized in manufacturing, construction, transportation and healthcare; Intangible Assets, representative types of asset appraisals and valuations include intellectual property, goodwill, brands, logos, trademarks and customer lists, and Real Estate, representative types of ass! et apprai! sals and valuations include owned and leased manufacturing and distribution facilities, retail locations and corporate offices.

The Company competes with overstock.com and eBay.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Today, GAMR surged (+8.57%) up +0.030 at $.380 with 10,000 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 10:28AM EDT July 12, 2013).

    Great American Group, Inc. has been selected to handle store closing sales at eight Orchard Supply Hardware locations, offering significant product discounts in the Citrus Heights, Fairfield, Huntington Beach, Lone Tree, Long Beach, Midtown, Newark and Vacaville stores

    Orchard previously reported on June 17, 2013, that it had reached an agreement through which Lowe�� Companies, Inc. will acquire the majority of its assets but will allow Orchard to continue day-to-day operations as a separate, standalone business with its brand, strategy and management team intact. To facilitate the acquisition agreement and restructure its balance sheet, Orchard filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The agreement with Lowe�� comprises the initial stalking horse bid in the Court-supervised auction process under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

  • [By CRWE]

    Today,�GAMR has shed (-9.46%) down -0.035 at $.335 with 160�shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 9:31AM EDT July 8, 2013), but don�� let this get you down.

    Great American Group, Inc. has been selected to handle store closing sales at eight Orchard Supply Hardware locations, offering significant product discounts in the Citrus Heights, Fairfield, Huntington Beach, Lone Tree, Long Beach, Midtown, Newark and Vacaville stores

    Orchard previously reported on June 17, 2013, that it had reached an agreement through which Lowe�� Companies, Inc. will acquire the majority of its assets but will allow Orchard to continue day-to-day operations as a separate, standalone business with its brand, strategy and management team intact. To facilitate the acquisition agreement and restructure its balance sheet, Orchard filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The agreement with Lowe�� comprises the initial stalking horse bid in the Court-supervised auction process under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Watch Right Now: SOHM Inc (SHMN)

SOHM, Inc. is a global generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, developer and marketer having a range of products, covering the therapeutic segments. The Company has its presence in healthcare segments, such as nutraceuticals, dermatology and all other therapeutic segments.

The Company�� generic pharmaceuticals are exported globally with a focus on distribution in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. The Company�� products has presence in analgesic, anti-flammatory, drops, suspensions, vitamins and tonics, antibiotics, beta-lactum antibiotics, injections, syrups, anti-cold, capsules, nutraceutical and tablets.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Peter Graham]

    Small cap stocks VizStar Inc (OTCMKTS: VIZS), SOHM Inc (OTCMKTS: SHMN) and American Soil Technologies, Inc (OTCMKTS: SOYL) have been getting some attention in various investment newsletters with two out of three of these stocks being the subject of paid promotions. However, there is nothing wrong with some paid for attention so long as everything is properly disclosed, but its going to be up to investors and traders alike to ultimately decide whether any of these stocks have what it takes to be the next hot stock. With that in mind, here is a quick reality check about all three small cap stocks:

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Watch Right Now: Zumiez Inc (ZUMZ)

Zumiez Inc. (Zumiez) is a specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories operating under the Zumiez brand name. As of January 28, 2012, the Company operated 434 stores in the United States and 10 stores in Canada. In addition, the Company operates a Website that sells merchandise online. At January 28, 2012, its stores averaged approximately 2,900 square feet. Its apparel offerings include tops, bottoms, outerwear and accessories, such as caps, bags and backpacks, belts, jewelry and sunglasses. Zumiez�� footwear offerings primarily consist of action sports related athletic shoes and sandals. Its equipment offerings, or hardgoods, include skateboards, snowboards and ancillary gear, such as boots and bindings. The Company also offers a selection of other items, such as miscellaneous novelties.

The Company supplements its merchandise assortment with a select offering of private label products across many of its apparel product categories. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), its private label merchandise represented 17.7% of the Company�� net sales. The Company sources its private label merchandise from foreign manufacturers worldwide.

The Company competes with Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Apparel, American Eagle Outfitters, Billabong, CCS, Forever 21, Hollister, Hot Topic, Old Navy, Pacific Sunwear of California, The Buckle, Wet Seal, Tilly��, Urban Outfitters, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Dick�� Sporting Goods, Sport Chalet and The Sports Authority.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Maria Armental and Tess Stynes var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); ]

    Zumiez Inc.(ZUMZ) said its fiscal first-quarter earnings were essentially flat with the year-ago period, though the teen apparel and sports-equipment retailer saw net sales increase.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Watch Right Now: Yongye International Inc.(YONG)

Yongye International, Inc. engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of fulvic acid based crop and animal nutrient products for the agriculture and stock farming industry in the People?s Republic of China. It provides liquid crop nutrient products that consist of fulvic acid compound base and nutrients for the health of crops; and powder animal nutrient products, which include fulvic acid compound base and additional nutrients, and Chinese herbs that reduce inflammation for dairy cows The company markets its products under the Shengmingsu trade name through a network of county-level distributors and independently owned branded retailers. Yongye International, Inc. is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Yongye International (NASDAQ: YONG) shares touched a new 52-week high of $6.97 after the company accepted a revised go private bid at $7.10 per share.

  • [By John Kell and Lauren Pollock var popups = dojo.query(".socialByline .popC"); ]

    Yongye International Inc.(YONG) said its shareholders rejected a go-private deal with Full Alliance International Ltd. that values the Chinese fertilizer company at $339 million. Shares declined 13% to $5.68 premarket.

Top 10 Mid Cap Stocks To Watch Right Now: Covidien PLC (COV)

Covidien Public Limited Company is engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of healthcare products for use in clinical and home settings. It operates its businesses through three segments: Medical Devices, which includes the development, manufacture and sale of endomechanical instruments, energy devices, soft tissue repair products, vascular products, oximetry and monitoring products, airway and ventilation products; Pharmaceuticals, which includes the development, manufacture and distribution of specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, and Medical Supplies, SharpSafety products and original equipment manufacturer products. In May 2012, it acquired Newport Medical Instruments, Inc. In May 2012, it acquired superDimension, Ltd. In June 2012, the Company acquired Oridion Systems Ltd. In October 2012, its Mallinckrodt acquired CNS Therapeutics, Inc. In January 2013, the Company acquired CV Ingenuity. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By ovenerio]

    In this article, let's take a look at Covidien PLC. (COV), a $41.12 billion market cap company, that develops, makes and distributes medical devices and supplies and other health care products.

  • [By Keith Speights]

    Product recalls usually hurt companies. Covidien's (NYSE: COV  ) shares were temporarily affected by the company's recall of surgical tools last year. Johnson & Johnson stock took a hit in 2010 and early 2011 partially due to recalls of several products.�

  • [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

    Claude Paris/AP Until April 15 approaches every year, it's hard for many Americans to pay much attention to tax issues. But the recent surge in the number of U.S. companies using a popular tax-cutting strategy known as a tax inversion has led to extensive controversy, with proponents of the strategy arguing that it's entirely legal while opponents worry about the loss of U.S. corporate tax revenue. Moreover, political fallout from having well-known companies like Burger King Worldwide (BKW), AbbVie (ABBV) and Medtronic (MDT) flee for foreign countries almost guaranteed that the U.S. government would take action. Earlier this week, the Treasury Department finally fought back, with new rules designed to limit some of the most common ways that companies structure tax inversions, but they fail to address the deeper issue that led to the use of tax inversions and similar tax-saving devices in the first place. What Tax Inversions Are and Why They're a Big Deal The reason that tax inversions have generated so much controversy is that they effectively take away U.S. tax revenue without having much meaningful impact on the way a company does business. A tax inversion involves a U.S. company buying out a foreign company, with the resulting combined business taking the tax home of the foreign company. Because most foreign tax systems have lower tax rates on businesses than the U.S. corporate tax rate of 35 percent, major corporations can save billions of dollars over the long run by moving abroad. Until now, moreover, it was relatively easy for companies to do tax inversions. Despite rules designed to limit their use, tax inversions involved huge U.S. companies merging with much smaller foreign companies. For instance, AbbVie is almost twice as big as its target, Shire, even after Shire shares soared following the buyout announcement. Medtronic has a similar size advantage compared to target Covidien (COV). What the Treasury Did In its notice to the public, the Trea

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