We received one last earnings report over the weekend, and it came from our single largest position, which happens to be the holding company for Warren Buffett, explains Matt Coffina, editor of Morningstar Stock Investor.
It was a strong finish to an all-around solid year for Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B). The high-level takeaway is that book value per share advanced 18%.
CEO Warren Buffett focuses on book value per share as an objective��hough significantly understated��roxy for intrinsic value.
Under Buffett's leadership over the past 49 years, Berkshire's book value per share has compounded at an incredible 19.7% annual rate.
However, over the last ten years, book value per share has grown roughly 10% annually, reflecting the challenges of growing from such a large base. I suspect 10% annual book value growth is about what we can expect from Berkshire going forward.
Assuming the price/book multiple stays at the current level��hich I think is likely, if not conservative��hen we can expect similar total returns from Berkshire's stock over the long run.
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: LM Ericsson Telephone Company(ERIC)
LM Ericsson Telephone Company provides communications equipment, professional services, and multimedia solutions to mobile and fixed networks operators worldwide. The Networks segment delivers radio access solutions that interconnect with devices, such as mobile phones, notebooks, and PCs; fixed access solutions for fiber and copper; and IP core network solutions, including softswitches, IP infrastructure for edge- and core routing, IP multimedia subsystem, and media gateways. This segment also offers transmission/backhaul; and microwave and optical transmission solutions for mobile and fixed networks, as well as offers network management tools for configuration, performance monitoring, security management, inventory management, and software upgrades. The Global Services segment delivers managed services comprising network design and planning, network operations, field operations and site maintenance, and shared solutions, as well as consulting and systems integration, cus tomer support, and network rollout services. The Multimedia segment provides IPTV solutions, video compression, on-demand solutions, content management systems, advertising, and interactive TV applications for operators, service providers, advertisers, and content providers; and business support systems, including revenue management, customer care, provisioning, device management, and analytics. This segment also offers service delivery platforms, communication suite, messaging, social media portal, and location-based services for consumers; and business communication solutions, such as business communication suite and brokering solutions that facilitate payment and distribution of content. The Sony Ericsson segment offers mobile phones, accessories, content, and applications. The ST-Ericsson segment develops and sells semiconductors and wireless platforms to handset manufacturers, mobile operators, and device manufacturers. The company was founded in 1876 and is headquarter ed in Stockholm, Sweden.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By MONEYMORNING]
And Ericsson (Nasdaq ADR: ERIC), the Swedish telecom giant that's engineering a corporate turnaround of its own, was the one to pull it off.
Ericsson's Magic BoxLong known as a maker of networking gear for the mobile-telecommunications industry, Ericsson also focuses on the broadcast and media sectors with an array of video-processing equipment and related products.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Smartphones accounted for about 55% of all new devices sold globally in the third quarter of 2013, and broadband subscriptions grew at a rate of 40% in the last 12 months. The data was released Monday by Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) in the November edition of its Mobility Report.
- [By Anders Bylund]
So what's left of Nokia, assuming that the handset talk is real? The Finnish company would become a pure-play provider of network infrastructure and services, shoulder to shoulder with market leader Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC ) .
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: Netease.com Inc.(NTES)
NetEase.com, Inc., an Internet technology company, engages in the development of applications, services, and other technologies for the Internet in China. It provides online game services to Internet users through the in-house development or licensing of massively multi-player online role-playing games, including Fantasy Westward Journey, Westward Journey Online II, Westward Journey Online III, Tianxia II, Heroes of Tang Dynasty, and Datang, as well as the licensed game, Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft. The company also offers online advertising on its Web sites. In addition, NetEase has paid listings on its search engine and Web directory, and classified advertising services, as well as an online mall, which provides opportunities for e-commerce and traditional businesses to establish their own storefront on the Internet. Further, it provides wireless value-added services, such as news and information content, matchmaking services, music, and photos from the We b over SMS, MMS, WAP, IVR, and Color Ring-back Tone technologies. Additionally, the company offers community services, including instant messaging, online personal advertisements, matchmaking, alumni clubs, and community forums; and aggregates news content on world events, sports, science and technology, and financial markets, as well as entertainment content, such as cartoons, games, astrology, and jokes from over 100 international and domestic content providers. NetEase.com, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in Beijing, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Kevin Chen]
Two companies that seem on an unstoppable path of profits are Giant Interactive� (NYSE: GA ) and NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES ) .�Meanwhile, Shanda Games� (NASDAQ: GAME ) and Perfect World� (NASDAQ: PWRD ) haven't done as well.
- [By Kevin Chen]
In the video below, Fool contributor Kevin Chen details five reasons why SINA may be forever doomed:�
SINA Weibo's daily active users may be exaggerated. Its registered users lag that of competitor Tencent� (NASDAQOTH: TCEHY ) Weibo. Its penetration rate trails Tencent Weibo. Its geographic make-up isn't poised for China's economic growth. Meanwhile, Tencent Weibo is. Renren� (NYSE: RENN ) , the "Facebook of China," and gaming portal�NetEase� (NASDAQ: NTES ) threaten SINA Weibo's viability as a social network.�So before you try to profit from the growing microblogging market in China, watch the video below to learn more about the five things Wall Street overlooks when analyzing SINA.
Top 10 Construction Stocks To Watch Right Now: Rent-A-Center Inc.(RCII)
Rent-A-Center, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, primarily engages in leasing household durable goods to customers on a rent-to-own basis. The company?s stores offer durable products, such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, and furniture and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements that allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed upon rental period. It also provides merchandise on an installment sales basis in its stores. As of December 31, 2010, the company operated 3,008 company-owned stores in the United States, and in Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, including 42 retail installment sales stores under the names ?Get It Now? and ?Home Choice?; and 18 rent-to-own stores located in Canada under the ?Rent-A-Centre? name. It also operates 209 franchised rent-to-own stores in 32 states under the ColorTyme trade name; and 384 kiosk locations under the ?RAC Acceptance? model. In addition, the company, th rough its ColorTyme?s franchised stores, offers custom rims and tires for sale or rental under the trade names ?RimTyme? or ?ColorTyme Custom Wheels?. Rent-A-Center, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII) were down 21.51 percent to $24.51 on Q4 results.Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares tumbled 7.80 percent to $507.55 after the company issued weak sales forecast for the second quarter and reported downbeat holiday iPhone sales.
- [By Marc Bastow]
Rent-to-own consumer products company Rent-A-Center (RCII) raised its quarterly dividend 10% to 23 cents per share, payable on Jan. 23 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 3.
RCII Dividend Yield: 2.77%
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: Navigant Consulting Inc (NCI)
Navigant Consulting, Inc., incorporated in 1996, is an independent specialty consulting firm. Professional services include dispute, investigative, economic, operational, risk management technology, financial and regulatory advisory solutions. The Company provides companies, legal counsel and governmental agencies facing the challenges of uncertainty, risk, distress and significant change. It provides a range of offerings to its client base. It operates in four segments: Business Consulting Services, Dispute and Investigative Services, Economic Consulting and International Consulting. On July 15, 2011, the Company acquired assets of Ignited Solutions, LLC. In October 2011, the Company acquired Paragon Health, a national physician practice management and consulting firm specializing in Cardiovascular practices. Effective July 9, 2013, the Company acquired The Anson Group LLC.
The Business Consulting Services reporting segment provides strategic, operational, financial, regulatory and technical management consulting services to clients, principally C suite and corporate management, governmental entities and law firms. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the reporting segment consisted of three operating segments, Energy, Healthcare and Other Business Consulting. The Energy and Healthcare business units are defined as operating segments due to their size, importance and organizational reporting relationships. The Energy and Healthcare operating segments provide services to clients in those respective markets and the Other Business Consulting operating segment provides operations advisory, valuation and restructuring services to clients in the financial services and other industries..
The Dispute and Investigative Services reporting segment provides a range of services to clients facing the challenges of disputes, litigation, forensic investigation, discovery and regulatory compliance. The clients of this segment are principally law firms, corporate general counsel and cor! porate boards and government agencies.
The Economic Consulting reporting segment provides economic and financial analyses of legal and business issues principally for law firms, corporations and governmental agencies. Expertise includes areas, such as antitrust, corporate finance and governance, bankruptcy, intellectual property, investment banking, labor market discrimination and compensation, corporate valuation and securities litigation.
The International Consulting reporting segment provides a mix of dispute and business consulting services to clients predominately outside North America. The clients are principally C suite and corporate management, governmental entities and law firms. The clients are principally C suite executives and corporate management, governmental agencies and law firms.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By MONEYMORNING]
In fact, of the 10 companies examined, Navigant Consulting Inc. (NYSE: NCI) is the only one that has received no new contract awards since the GAO's March 31 study cutoff date. (The firm is tasked with data collection and customer outreach.)
In late October, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified under oath to Congress to address the Obamacare website launch disaster. She began with a prepared statement, with comments like "You deserve better," "I apologize," and "I'm accountable to you." - [By Grant Zeng]
The tolerability of ADXS-HPV continues to compare favorably with single agent and combination chemotherapies active in this disease setting. 41% (45/110) of patients experienced 104 mild-moderate Grade 1-2 adverse events and 2% (2/110) of patients experienced a Grade 3 serious adverse event. This compares to published treatment-related serious adverse event rates of 100%-400% in studies evaluating a range of chemotherapy regimens for cervical cancer, including the Moore study and studies conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
- [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 Navigant Consulting (NYSE: NCI ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: Ascent Media Corporation(ASCMA)
Ascent Capital Group, Inc., through its subsidiary, Monitronics International, Inc., provides security alarm monitoring and related services to residential and business subscribers in the United States and Canada. The company is involved in monitoring signals arising from burglaries, fires, medical alerts, and other events, as well as provides customer service and technical support. It also provides central station monitoring services on a wholesale basis for other independent alarm companies that do not have the capability to monitor systems for their customers. In addition, Ascent Capital Group, Inc. offers a range of residential security services, including hands-free two-way voice communication with the monitoring center, cellular options, and an interactive service option, which allows the customer to control their security system using a computer or smart phone. The company markets its services through a network of authorized dealers. Ascent Capital Group, Inc. is ba sed in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ian Wyatt, Publisher & Chief Investment Strategist, Wyatt Investment Research]
Both of these stocks are overlooked, undervalued, and cash flow machines. The companies are Ascent Capital Group (ASCMA) and Covanta Holdings (CVA).
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.(ALTI)
Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells nano-structured lithium titanate spinel, battery cells, battery packs, and multi-megawatt battery systems, as well as provides related design, installation, and test services in the United States and internationally. The company also provides contract research services to develop intellectual property and/or new products and technology. It markets its energy storage solutions to power companies and electric grid operators; and batteries to electric and hybrid-electric bus manufacturers, and other industrial markets. The company was formerly known as Altair International Inc. and changed its name to Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. in July 2002. Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Canon Investment Holdings Limited.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bryan Murphy]
Anybody who was lucky enough to be in an Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTI) position anytime before October 11th, then congratulations - you're now up anywhere between 38% and 157%, depending on when you stepped in. Now get out. Instead, use that capital to step into an Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN) position, which took a 20% hit on Friday. The rally from ALTI looks like it's ready to unravel, while the implosion from AMRN looks ripe for a reversal too.
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: Konared Corp (KRED)
KonaRed Corporation., formerly TeamUpSport Inc., incorporated on October 4, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company is focused to develop and commercialize on its Website www.teamupsport.com. As of May 31, 2011, the Company had not generated revenue. On October 4, 2013, the Company acquired Sandwich Isles Trading Co. Inc. dba KonaRed.
The Company's Website will be designed to integrate into a single online offering people�� interest in sports with the capabilities of online social networking. The Website will become a sports focused social networking Website.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
If you are looking for the next small cap beverage stock that could turn into the next Monster Beverage Corp (NASDAQ: MNST), under the radar beverage�companies like small caps National Beverage Corp (NASDAQ: FIZZ), Reed's, Inc (NYSEMKT: REED) and Konared Corp (OTCBB: KRED) could be just what you are looking for. I should point out that the beverage space is often a battle between David and Goliath as everyone, and especially�smaller players, must fight for every inch of shelf space. Nevertheless, the following small cap beverage stocks are at least holding their ground and putting up a good fight leading to profits for investors:
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: Chatham Lodging Trust (CLDT)
Chatham Lodging Trust is a hotel investment company. The Company was formed to invest in extended-stay, select-service and full-service hotels. The Company focuses on investing in select-service hotels, such as Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn and Suites. In addition, Chatham Lodging Trust focuses on investing in branded full-service hotels. In October 2011, the Company and affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., acquired 64 hotels from affiliates of Innkeepers USA Trust. In June 2013, Chatham Lodging Trust announced that has completed its acquisition of the 178-room Hyatt Place Pittsburgh/North Shore in Pittsburgh, Pa. Effective August 13, 2013, Chatham Lodging Trust acquired Hampton Inn & Suites, an owner and operator of hotels. In October 2013, Chatham Lodging Trust acquired Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center. In November 2013, Chatham Lodging Trust acquired the 231-room Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle Bellevue/Downtown. In December 2013, Chatham Lodging Trust acquired the 160-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott Savannah Downtown/Historic District.
The Company focuses on investing primarily in hotels in the metropolitan markets in the United States. The Company has not entered into any contracts to acquire hotel properties or other assets.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
Luxury, extended-stay hotel operator�Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT ) announced this morning�its dividend for the month of June of $0.07 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past five months after switching over to a monthly payment schedule.�
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: Under Armour Inc.(UA)
Under Armour, Inc. develops, markets, and distributes performance apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and youth primarily in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers products made from moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics designed to regulate body temperature and enhance performance regardless of weather conditions. The company provides its products in three fit types: compression (tight fitting), fitted (athletic cut), and loose (relaxed) extending across the sporting goods, outdoor, and active lifestyle markets. Its footwear offerings comprise football, baseball, lacrosse, softball, and soccer cleats; slides; performance training footwear; and running footwear. The company also provides baseball batting, football, golf, and running gloves, as well as licenses bags, socks, headwear, custom-molded mouth guards, and eyewear that are designed to be used and worn before, during, and after competition. Under Armour sells its products through retai l stores, as well as directly to consumers through its own retail outlets and specialty stores, Website, and catalogs. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By rusticnomad]
Under Armour (UA) reported solid results in the fourth quarter, and it seems that it is continuing the same pace. The stock has increased more than 30% in the first three months of 2014, and after the results, its performing even better. In spite of tough competition from its peers such as Nike (NKE) and Adidas, under Armour has performed well. It has various strategies under its sleeve, which might work well for the company. Let us have a detailed look at its future prospects.
- [By Paul Ausick]
Since being added to the Dow Jones Industrials index last September, shares of Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) are up just over 11%. In the same period, Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA) is up 57%. That is not an entirely fair comparison: Nike’s market value is about $126 billion, compared with Under Armour’s $13 billion, and size often makes a difference when it comes to growth. Adding 57% to $126 billion is a lot harder than adding the same amount to around $7.5 billion.
Top Warren Buffett Companies To Invest In 2015: PDI Inc.(PDII)
PDI, Inc. provides outsourced promotional services to various companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries in the United States. The company?s services offer customers a range of both personal and non-personal promotional options for the commercialization of their products throughout the product lifecycles, from development through maturity. It operates in three segments: Sales Services, Marketing Services, and Product Commercialization Services. The Sales Services segment focuses primarily on product detailing, which includes a sales representative meeting face-to-face with targeted physicians and other healthcare decision makers to provide a technical review of the product being promoted; and offers a portfolio of expanded sales services consisting of talent acquisition services, short-term teams, and vacancy coverage services. The Marketing Services segment is involved in the creation, design, and implementation of interactive digital commu nications programs to the healthcare community through the Internet, multimedia, tablet PCs, mobile devices, and dimensional direct mail, as well as DIAGRAM, a proprietary software to deliver non-personal selling solutions via interactive communications exchanges that accommodate the schedules of healthcare providers. This segment also engages in the creation of teledetailing programs executed via tele-representatives. The Product Commercialization Services segment provides product commercialization solutions, including product detailing, full supply chain management, operations, sales, marketing, compliance, and regulatory/medical management to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostics clients. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By CRWE]
PDI, Inc. (Nasdaq:PDII) reported the signing of a contract with a new customer to provide promotional services across PDI’s multiple communications channels that will target primary care physicians.
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