Wary investors have fallen in love with floating-rate bond funds. And no wonder: The funds pay a decent yield��ypically about 3%, sometimes more��nd are designed to protect against rising interest rates, which just about everyone expects once the Federal Reserve determines that it really is time to dial back its stimulative policies.
See Also: A Juiced-Up Junk Bond Fund
While most kinds of bonds struggled over the past year, floating-rate funds produced impressive gains. According to Morningstar, the average floating-rate fund delivered a total return of 5.9%, trouncing Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond index by some seven percentage points. But those generous returns suggest that the funds are not risk-free, so it pays to be selective when choosing one. (All performance figures are as of November 1.)
Hot Mid Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: GrowLife Inc (PHOT)
GrowLife, Inc., formerly, Phototron Holdings, Inc., incorporated on March 7, 2001, sells and distributse mini-hydroponic greenhouses (Phototron Units) and horticultural seeds, mineral nutrient solutions, growing mediums and germination kits. On February 14, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger (Merger Agreement) with PHI Merger Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary (MergerCo), and Phototron, Inc., (Phototron). On March 9, 2011, MergerCo was merged with and into Phototron and Phototron became its wholly owned subsidiary. In May 2011, it announced the launch of its wholly owned direct selling hydroponic gardening subsidiary, GrowLife Inc. In April 2012, it merged with SG Technologies Corp. A newly formed subsidiary of the Company was merged with and into SG Technologies Corp. On July 23, 2012, the Company acquired Greners.com, related to the online retail business operated by Greners.
The Company designs and manufactures indoor mini-hydroponic greenhouses capable of growing almost any herb, vegetable, flower, fruit or terrestrial plant better, stronger and faster than traditional farming methods. Its Phototron Units, consisting of 21 inch x 39 inch units and 21 inch x 51 inch units, provide between 18,900 and 36,000 lumens of light. Phototron Units also allow users to control what a plant receives, grow crops densely, avoid using pesticides, increase yields and automatically water plants.
The Company also formulates and sells horticultural seeds, mineral nutrient solutions, growing mediums and germination kits to facilitate hydroponic gardening through the use of its Phototron Units. In addition, it designs and manufactures replacement parts for its Phototron Units to facilitate customization of the units. It owns a mailing list and have a customer base exceeding 50,000 people. Its re-order program, which involves the sale of nutrients and related products and replacement parts for Phototron Units, represents 50% of its revenue.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bryan Murphy]
On Thursday of last week I was singing praises to Growlife Inc. (OTCBB:PHOT) for being able to put together such a strong management team. It already had a former Washington D.C.-based regulatory attorney in the fold as CEO (Sterling Scott), as well as a guy who brought a couple of key marijuana-related products to the market to serve as President of the company (the company president, Kyle Tracey, also happens to have a pretty thick industry-related rolodex). The big 'news' from PHOT then was the addition of Randy E. Breitman as the Director of Business Development. Breitman's background was as a real estate guy in the New Jersey/New York area, so he's been well-groomed to handle and close deals in what may be the toughest of market. Well, as at turns out, I could have waited three more days before explaining just how strong the PHOT management team was.
Top Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: 8x8 Inc(EGHT)
8x8, Inc. develops and markets telecommunications services for Internet protocol (IP), telephony, and video applications. The company offers 8x8 Virtual Office Business Telephone Service, an alternative to traditional private branch exchange systems that offers automated attendants to assist callers; extension-to-extension dialing services; direct inward dial; conference bridge, 3-way calling, music on hold, call park/pick-up, call transfer, hunt groups, and do not disturb services; voice mail, including email alerts and direct transfer to mailbox; call waiting/caller-ID; distinctive tone ringing; and optional receptionist console applications. Its products also include 8x8 Complete Contact Center, an integrated hosted call center solution that consists of skill-based routing, multi-media management, real time monitoring and reporting, voice recording and logging, historical reporting, interactive voice response, CRM integration, and contact and case management tools; 8x8 IP Telephones; 8x8 Virtual Meeting, a video Web conferencing service; and 8x8 Managed Hosting and Cloud-Based Computing Solutions. In addition, the company offers 8x8 Virtual Office Pro Unified Communications that allows subscribers to manage business communications functions online and delivers various tools, such as Microsoft Outlook contacts and corporate directory integration; virtual meeting; Virtual Office Mobile extension; fax; call recording; presence management; and a view of voicemails, recordings, FAX messages, calls, and chat history. The company markets its services under 8x8 brand to end users through direct sales force, Web site, and third party resellers primarily in the United States. As of June 30, 2011, it had approximately 25,000 business customers. 8x8, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
8x8 (NASDAQ: EGHT) was also up, gaining 7.81 percent to $10.22 after Bank of America initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and a $13.00 price target.
Top Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Tranzyme Inc.(TZYM)
Tranzyme, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of acute and chronic gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders in the United States and internationally. The company?s clinical product candidates include ulimorelin, an intraveneous ghrelin agonist, which is in the Phase III clinical development stage for the treatment of acute upper GI motility disorders; and TZP-102, an orally-administered ghrelin agonist that has commenced Phase IIb clinical development stage for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. Its preclinical product candidates comprise TZP-201, a motilin antagonist for the treatment of various forms of moderate-to-severe diarrhea; and TZP-301, an oral ghrelin antagonist for the treatment of metabolic diseases. The company has strategic collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company to discover, develop, and commercialize additional novel co mpounds; and a license agreement with Norgine B.V to develop and commercialize ulimorelin in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and north and South Africa. Tranzyme, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By CRWE]
Tranzyme Pharma (Nasdaq:TZYM) reported that it has closed the previously announced underwritten registered direct offering of approximately 3.0 million shares of its common stock at a price of $3.85 per share for gross proceeds, including the over-allotment option, of approximately $11.5 million.
Top Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: Intrepid Potash Inc (IPI)
Intrepid Potash, Inc.( Intrepid), incorporated on November 19, 2007, is a producer of muriate of potash (potassium chloride or potash) in the United States and are engaged the production and marketing of potash and langbeinite (sulfate of potash magnesia), another mineral containing potassium, magnesium, and sulfate, that is produced from langbeinite ore and as Trio when it refers to sales and marketing. Its Carlsbad assets consist of underground mining operations, which are supported by surface processing facilities. It is also operators of solar solution mining operations, as its Moab and Wendover facilities both utilize these techniques for recovering potash. Its revenues are generated from the sale of potash and Trio. As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned five potash production facilities, three in New Mexico and two in Utah. Its two products are potash and langbeinite, which is marketed as Trio.
Potash
The Company derives revenues and gross margin are derived from the production and sales of potash. Its potash is marketed for sale into three primary markets: the agricultural market as a fertilizer, the industrial market as a component in drilling and fracturing fluids for oil and gas wells, and the animal feed market as a nutrient. Its sales of potash tend to focus on agricultural areas and feed manufacturers in central and western United States, as well as oil and gas drilling areas in the Rocky Mountains and the greater Permian Basin area.
Trio
Trio is marketed into two primary markets, the agricultural market as a fertilizer and the animal feed market as a nutrient. It markets Trio internationally through an exclusive marketing agreement with PCS Sales (USA), Inc. (PCS Sales) for sales outside the United States and Canada and through a non-exclusive agreement for sales into Mexico.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tim Gallagher]
Mosaic (MOS), Agrium (AGU), Intrepid Potash (IPI) and CF Industries (CF) have been moving and trading hand-in-hand, with AGU, BHP and Rentech Nitrogen Partners LP (RNF) trading the best, losing the least and rebounding the most since July 30th. IPI has sold off a lot more in the post-news period, as would be expected from a smaller, less established company with mine projects still in development. BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) announced plans to proceed with its Jansen Mine Project in Saskatchewan, Canada, potentially tapping the largest and longest-lasting supply in the world known at this time. Scotiabank (BNS) recently commented on Jansen, stating that the added supply "could add the equivalent of 18%-20% of the potash market over recent years." Nearly all of the companies mentioned have had a pretty predictable mix of upgrades and downgrades. That's what makes a market.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Potash has dropped 1.6% to $31.23 at 12:59 p.m., and its dragging down other potash companies with it. Mosaic has fallen 2.3% to $45.21, Intrepid Potash (IPI) has dipped 0.5% to $15.14 and CF Industries (CF) has declined 1.2% to $204.47. Agrium has buckled the weakness by gaining 0.6% to $82.85.
Top Dow Dividend Stocks To Own For 2014: ALLETE Inc (ALE)
ALLETE, Inc. (ALLETE) is an energy company. Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.( Minnesota Power) is an operating division of the Company. ALLETE operates in two business segments: Regulated Operations and Investments and Other. Regulated Operations includes its regulated utilities, Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power Company (SWL&P), as well as its investment in American Transmission Company LLC (ATC), a Wisconsin-based regulated utility that owns and maintains electric transmission assets in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois. Investments and Other is comprised primarily of BNI Coal, Ltd (BNI Coal), its coal mining operations in North Dakota; ALLETE Properties, LLC and its subsidiaries (ALLETE Properties), its Florida real estate investment, and ALLETE Clean Energy. In July 2011, the Company incorporated new company, ALLETE Clean Energy.
Regulated Operations
Minnesota Power provides regulated utility electric service in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 144,000 retail customers. Minnesota Power's non-affiliated municipal customers consist of 16 municipalities in Minnesota and one private utility in Wisconsin. SWL&P, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLETE, is also a private utility in Wisconsin and a customer of Minnesota Power. SWL&P provides regulated electric, natural gas and water service in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 12,000 natural gas customers and 10,000 water customers. Its industrial customers are primarily in the taconite, paper, pulp and wood products and pipeline industries. The customers consist of five taconite producing facilities (two of which are owned by one company and are served under a single contract), one iron nugget plant, and four paper and pulp mills. During the year ended December 2011, its residential and commercial customers represented 20% of total regulated utility kilowatt-hour sales. In 2011, its municipal customers represented 7% of total regulated utility kilowatt-hou! r sales. The Company also enters into off-system sales with Other Power Suppliers.
The Company�� generation is primarily coal-fired, but also includes approximately 102 megawatts of hydro generation from ten hydro stations in Minnesota, approximately 107 megawatts of wind generation, and 73 megawatts of biomass co-fired generation. Purchased power is made up of long-term coal, wind and hydro power purchase agreements and market purchases. As of December 31, 2011, Minnesota Power had a coal inventory of 0.9 million tons. Minnesota Power entered into two long-term wind Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with an affiliate of NextEra Energy, Inc. to purchase the output from Oliver Wind I (50 megawatts) and Oliver Wind II (48 megawatts), wind facilities located near Center, North Dakota. Each agreement is for 25 years and provides for the purchase of all output from the facilities at fixed prices. The Company has a PPA with Manitoba Hydro that expires in April 2015. Under this agreement, Minnesota Power is purchasing 50 megawatts of capacity and the energy associated with that capacity. Minnesota Power has a separate PPA with Manitoba Hydro to purchase surplus energy from May 2011 through April 2022.
On May 19, 2011, Minnesota Power and Manitoba Hydro signed a long-term PPA. The PPA calls for Manitoba Hydro to sell 250 megawatts of capacity and energy to Minnesota Power for 15 years beginning in 2020 and requires construction of additional transmission capacity between Manitoba and the United States. On January 26, 2012, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) approved this PPA with Manitoba Hydro. The Company has electric transmission and distribution lines of 500 kilovolts (eight miles), 345 kilovolts (29 miles), 250 kilovolts (465 miles), 230 kilovolts (632 miles), 161 kilovolts (43 miles), 138 kilovolts (128 miles), 115 kilovolts (1,221 miles) and less than 115 kilovolts (6,216 miles). Thye Company owns and operates 164substations with a total capacity of 11,132 megav! oltampere! s. Some of its transmission and distribution lines interconnect with other utilities. Rainy River Energy, its wholly owned subsidiary, owns approximately 8% of American Transmission Company LLC (ATC), a Wisconsin-based utility that owns and maintains electric transmission assets in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois. Hibbard is a 51 megttsa biomass/coal/natural gas facility located in Duluth, Minnesota. Minnesota Power holds franchises to construct and maintain an electric distribution and transmission system in 94 cities and towns located within its electric service territory. SWL&P holds 17 similar franchises for electric, natural gas and/or water systems in one city and 16 villages and towns within its service territory.
Investments and Other
BNI Coal is a supplier of lignite in North Dakota, producing about four million tons annually. Two electric generating cooperatives, Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc. (Minnkota Power) and Square Butte Electric Cooperative (Square Butte), consumes virtually all of BNI Coal�� production of lignite under cost-plus, fixed fee coal supply agreements extending through 2026. The mining process disturbs and reclaims between 200 and 250 acres per year. ALLETE Properties represents its Florida real estate investment. Its two major development projects are Town Center and Palm Coast Park. Another major project, Ormond Crossings is in the design and permitting stage. ALLETE Properties occasionally provides seller financing to certain qualified buyers. In June 2011, the Company ALLETE Clean Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLETE. ALLETE Clean Energy intends to market to electric utilities, cooperatives, municipalities, independent power marketers and end-users across North America through long-term PPAs. ALLETE Clean Energy focuses on developing or acquiring capital projects that create energy solutions through wind, solar, biomass, hydro, natural gas/liquids, shale resources, clean coal and other clean energy. As of Decembe! r 31, 201! 1, non-rate base generation consists of 31 megawatts of generation at Rapids Energy Center. In 2011, it sold 0.1 million Megawatt-hours of non-rate base generation. The Company has approximately 5,500 acres of land available-for-sale in Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Eric Volkman]
ALLETE (NYSE: ALE ) is continuing to be all in with its dividend. The company has declared its latest common stock distribution, which is to be $0.475 per share paid on Sept. 1 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 15. That amount matches the company's previous two payouts, the most recent of which was dispensed at the beginning of June. Before that, the company was less generous by a cent and a half, handing out $0.46 per share.
- [By Marc Bastow]
Utility holding company Allete (ALE) raised its quarterly dividend 3.2% to 49 cents per share, payable on Mar. 1 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 14.
ALE Dividend Yield: 3.94%
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