Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now

Worries about emerging markets have weighed on equities again Friday, and those same worries are tamping down prices for crude oil and natural gas. WTI crude is down about 0.5% at midday following a jump Thursday of about 0.8%.

Natural gas futures are faring even worse. Gas prices rose sharply on Wednesday only to tumble more than 8% Thursday�to close at about $5.01 per thousand cubic feet. The price fell another 5% Friday to around $4.76.

Wednesday�� 10% jump in gas prices was likely due more to the expiration of the February futures contract than to expected demand for natural gas. The weather forecast for the next 10 days indicates warmer temperatures in heavily populated parts of the country.

The slowdown in demand from emerging markets comes as developing markets are faced with a decision on whether to raise interest rates in order to protect their currencies. Rising rates in developing markets, including China, will slow growth it what has been the fastest growing segment of the global economy and is likely to curb demand for oil and other commodities.

Top Growth Stocks To Own Right Now: Otoc Ltd (OTC)

OTOC Limited through its wholly owned subsidiaries OTOC Group Pty Ltd and Whelans (WA) Pty Ltd (Whelans) provides construction and turnkey camp/ village installations, environmental, surveying, mapping, town planning, engineering, project delivery and specialist consulting services across the infrastructure, resources and energy sectors. The Company operates in two segments: OTOC Operations and Whelans Consulting Operations. OTOC Operations (OTOC) provides camp/village installations to the Western Australian resources and infrastructure sector. Whelans Consulting Operations (Whelans) provides surveying, mapping and town planning services throughout Western Australian. In July 2013, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary OTOC Australia has expanded its Facilities Division through the acquisition of full ownership of a 700 person commercial kitchen/diner facility. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Perrigo (PRGO) is a global manufacturer of over-the-counter (OTC) store brand and generic prescription pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, nutritional products and active pharma ingredients. The company is the dominant player in the OTC drug market with the largest distribution network and broadest range of product offerings. The OTC store brands have increased their market share by about 1-2% annually at the expense of national name product given their superior value proposition to both the consumer and retailers. Perrigo has numerous growth drivers over the next few years including the continued penetration of OTC store brands and introduction of new product categories. The stock sells at a reasonable valuation, in our opinion, given the company's strong management team, financial returns and long-term growth prospects.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Pharma-Bio Serv Inc (PBSV.PK)

Pharma-Bio Serv, Inc.( Pharma-Bio), incorporated on June 8, 2006, is a compliance and technology transfer services consulting firm with a laboratory testing facility, servicing the Puerto Rico, United States and Europe markets. The Company is engaged in providing technical compliance consulting service, and microbiological and chemical laboratory testing services primarily to the pharmaceutical, chemical, medical device and biotechnology industries. The Company�� operating segments include Puerto Rico technical compliance consulting, United States technical compliance consulting, Ireland technical compliance consulting and a Puerto Rico microbiological and chemical laboratory testing division (Lab). These segments provide services primarily to the pharmaceutical, chemical, medical device and biotechnology industries in their respective markets. As on April 30, 2012, the Company acquired 100% interest in its subsidiary, Pharma-IR.

The Company provides a broad range of compliance related consulting services. It also provides microbiological testing services and chemical testing services through its laboratory testing facility in Puerto Rico. It provides information technology consulting services and technical training/seminars. The Company offers services to its core industries already serviced as well as the cosmetic and food industries. The Company seeks opportunities in markets that could yield profitable margins using its professional consulting force and also provide services such as those performed by its microbiological testing laboratory facility, its information technology service division, Integratek, and its technical training division, Pharma Serv Academy.

The Company�� information technology services and consulting division based in Puerto Rico (Integratek) provides a variety of information technology services, such as Web pages and portals development, digital art design, intranets, extranets, software development including database integration, Window! s and Web applications development, software technical training and learning management systems, technology project management, and compliance consulting services, among others.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By The Specialist]

  Normally when one of my stocks reports its earnings results after hours on a Friday, I cringe in anticipation of a bad report. Normally Friday after hours is a time slot reserved for companies who have disappointing results to deliver and wish to stay off radar. Naturally, when I got the alert on a Friday afternoon that Pharma-Bio Serv (PBSV.PK) had just reported its earnings results, I had one eye shut when opening the press release, fearing what would be inside.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Compucon Computer Applications SA (COMP)

Compucon Computer Applications SA is a Greek company engaged mainly in the information technology sector. The Company's activities include the manufacture and trade of electronics and software for the embroidery, telematics, laser, Web solutions and medical fields. In the embroidery field it offers album presentation or embroidery designs, lettering with a variety of fonts, frames and specialized features, and realistic three-dimensional views of embroidery designs. The Company also produces laser cutting and engraving devices for the embroidery sector. The range of telematics applications includes automotive positioning systems, fleet management and navigation systems. Its Web solutions offering includes the SiteCosmos, which is an integrated tool for on-line content management and Website design for small and medium enterprises, while the medical applications target the management of patient-oriented information, diet schedules, word processing, prescriptions and other services. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Victor Reklaitis]

  The S&P 500 (SPX) � was last down less than 1 point to 1,701, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) also dipped less than 1 point to 15,401. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP) �edged up 8 points, or 0.2%, to 3,773.

• [By Wallace Witkowski]

  The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) , the S&P 500 Index (SPX) , and the Nasdaq Composite Index (COMP) all finished slightly lower last week, after all three hit their highs for 2013 on Dec. 31. The New Year�� Eve surge capped the best year for the S&P 500 and Dow average since the 1990��. The last leg of that rally came after the Fed finally made the move that had obsessed financial markets for the past year: It said it would start reducing asset purchases in January. Whether investors felt the tapering was slight ($10 billion) or because the Fed stressed it was committed to keep rates low, stocks kept on their rally hats. The S&P 500 rose by about 4% before year end following the Dec. 18 Fed decision.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO)

United States Brent Oil Fund, LP (USBO) is a commodity pool. USBO is focused on issuing units that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc. The investment objective of USBO is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its units��per unit net asset value (NAV) to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of Brent crude oil, as measured by the daily changes in the price of the futures contract for Brent crude oil traded on the ICE Futures Exchange (the ICE Futures).

The investment portfolio of USBO will consist primarily of investments in futures contracts for crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, natural gas and other petroleum-based fuels that are traded on the ICE Futures, New York Mercantile Exchange (the NYMEX) or other United States and foreign exchanges (collectively, Futures Contracts). USBO may also take positions in other crude oil-related investments, such as cash-settled options on Futures Contracts, forward contracts for oil, cleared swap contracts and non-exchange traded (over-the-counter) transactions that are based on the price of crude oil, other petroleum-based fuels, Futures Contracts and indices based on the foregoing (collectively, Other Crude Oil-Related Investments).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dr. Kent Moors]

  As I have noted before, investors can play this spread by using two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are already part of the Energy AdvantagePortfolio: PowerShares DB Energy Fund (NYSE Arca: DBE) and the United States Brent Oil Fund (NYSE Arca: BNO).

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  How to invest
  If those trends persist, then it could eventually solve the problem that United States Oil Fund has had in underperforming the spot price of crude. Given Brent's stronger backwardation trend, United States Brent Oil Fund (NYSEMKT: BNO  ) might be the better oil ETF to choose.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Whitecap Resources Inc (SPGYF.PK)

Whitecap Resources Inc., formerly Spitfire Energy Ltd., is engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids in Western Canada. The Company�� activities are concentrated primarily in Northwest Central Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan. On July 1, 2010, the Company amalgamated with its wholly owned subsidiary Whitecap Resources Inc. During fiscal 2010, the Company produced an average of 355 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed). On July 12, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a private company. The primary assets to be acquired are located in the Pembina region of west central Alberta with production and reserves focused in the Cardium formation. In October 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of a Cardium light oil property and a working interest consolidation of its Eagle Lake Viking unit. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Caiman Valores]

  The recent surge in oil prices has renewed investor interest in the small-cap oil and gas E&P sector. One company that stands out for all the right reasons is Canadian domiciled small-cap, Whitecap Resources (SPGYF.PK). Since 2009 the company has unlocked considerable value for investors through a range of acquisitions as well as development and exploration projects. This has seen its share price surge in value to be up by almost 53% over the last year alone. However, it is clear that the market has yet to fully recognize the true value of Whitecap and there is still considerable upside potential of over 30% for investors. This along with Whitecap's dividend growth strategy makes it a particularly appealing deep-value investment in the oil and gas E&P sector.

Best Integrated Utility Stocks To Invest In Right Now: American Apparel Inc (APP)

American Apparel, Inc. incorporated on July 22, 2005, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashions basic apparel and accessories for women, men, children and babies. As of January 31, 2013, the Company had operated 251 retail stores in 20 countries. The Company also operates an e-commerce site that serves over 60 countries worldwide at www.americanapparel.com . In addition, American Apparel operates a business that supplies T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and the imprintable industry. The Company operates in four business segment: U.S. Wholesale, U.S. Retail, Canada, and International.

The U.S. Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations of sales of undecorated apparel products to distributors and third party screen printers in the United States, as well as its online consumer sales to United States customers. The U.S. Retail segment consists of the Company's retail store operations in the United States. The Canada segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations in Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the Canada segment consisted of 35 retail stores. The International segment consists of the Company's retail, wholesale and online consumer operations outside of the United States, and Canada. As of December 31, 2012 , the retail operations in the International segment were consisted of 76 retail stores.

As of December 31, 2012 , the Company's retail operations consisted of 251 retail stores in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China. The Company's wholesale operations sell to over a dozen authorized distributors and approximately 10,000 screen printers and advertising specialty companies. The Company operates 12 online stores in the United States, Canada, the U! nited Kingdom, Continental Europe, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Company competes with The Gap, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Gildan Activewear, HanesBrands, Russell Athletic and Fruit of the Loom.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Dominik Pabis/Getty Images Do you want to buy clothes that are made in America? And are you willing to pay what it costs to help bring manufacturing jobs back to America -- and be once again able to buy quality goods that will last, in return for your money? Words and Actions Most Americans answer yes to the first question -- initially, at least. A New York Times poll last year found 46 percent of shoppers saying they would happily pay the same price -- or even a bit of a premium -- to own clothing made in America, as opposed to clothing made in China, Vietnam or another foreign country. Yet according to American-made apparel manufacturer Buck Mason, less than 3 percent of clothing is made in America. Why is this? Many products made in America sell for prices far higher than what similar products made elsewhere cost. What's more, even if you are willing to pay the premium for quality (the Times poll noted that 56 percent of Americans say American-made clothing is of higher quality than imports), Buck Mason laments: "it is virtually impossible to go to a mall anywhere, and find a high-quality, American-made garment" today. So there are really two problems for shoppers looking to "buy American" today. First, you can't find such goods to buy. Second, if you do find them, they cost too much. American Apparel One company trying to fix the first problem is Los Angeles-based American Apparel (APP). A vertically integrated clothing company (meaning it owns and operates its own retail stores, selling its own clothing), American Apparel makes its clothing in the U.S. and sells it here and abroad. Despite charging prices that can be twice the cost of imports, however, American Apparel has struggled to earn a profit. The company ran into difficulties with its financial auditor in 2010 and suffered through a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation as a result. Sales growth has been anemic; American Apparel is losing money; and at last report, the company wa