"Rather than worry about global uncertainy, we believe successful long-term stock investing is about identifying and owning businesses on the verge of a dramatic increase in profits -- such as Check Point Software (CHKP)," says Alexander Green.
The editor of The Oxford Club explains, "Founded in 1993 by three members of the Israeli military who linked top-secret computer networks, Check Point is the worldwide leader in securing the internet, providing customers with uncompromising protection against all manner of cyber threats.
Cyber Threats Boost Check Point Software (CHKP)
Continue reading Cyber Threats Boost Check Point Software (CHKP)
Options Update: CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust Overall Volatility Elevated as Yen Rallies
CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust (FXY) closed up 1.2% in pre-open trading. Overall option implied volatility of 15 is above its 26-week average of 11, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.
Red Hat Inc. (RHT) April 44 calls were active on 26K contracts. April and June call 40 call option implied volatility is at 43. This is compared to its 26-week average of 39 according to Track Data, suggesting traders taking positions for larger movement into Q4 results expected to be released on March 23.
Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.
Top Picks 2011: Allot Communications (ALLT)
This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.
"The smartphone revolution -- with web-browsing, video-watching, music-streaming mobile devices -- has made bandwidth a scarce resource," says small cap specialist Ian Wyatt.
The editor of Small Cap Investor PRO explains, "That's where Allot Communications (ALLT) comes in. Allot is an Israeli company that develops deep packet inspection (DPI) technology specifically designed to manage bandwidth use.
Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Allot Communications (ALLT)
Teva Pharmaceuticals MS Drug Study a Success
Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced this morning that a Phase 3 study of its multiple sclerosis drug laquinimod met its primary endpoint. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on TEVA.TEVA opened this morning at $52.48. So far today the stock has hit a low of $51.96 and a high of $52.73. As of 11:55, TEVA is trading at $52.27 up $3.00 (6.1%). The chart for TEVA looks bullish and S&P gives TEVA a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking
Continue reading Teva Pharmaceuticals MS Drug Study a Success
Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- The Journey Begins
It's that time of year when I start thinking about my 2011 stock picks, and enough folks have been nudging me that I might as well get on with it. The list will not be finalized until the end of the month. During the interim time I will take readers through a number of possibilities, explaining the rational for my suggestions along the way and adding and subtracting until I get the list down to ten.
Today I will start by reviewing opportunities discussed in another post and determine which of these stocks might provide the best value. The list was originally cast as a globally diversified, large cap, dividend paying and relatively stable group of companies that would likely weather any storm. See: Chasing Value: Bonds, Gold, Stocks and Capital Flight
Continue reading Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- The Journey Begins
Chasing Value: Bonds, Gold, Stocks and Capital Flight
It certainly is presumptuous, perhaps even self serving of me to assume the market is going higher in the face of so much uncertainty.The reason I hold this belief is that so much money is sitting on the sidelines and much of it is getting restless. It's one thing for those on a fixed income to suffer because the Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates so low, but it is quite another thing to expect $2 trillion dollars of corporate cash to want to live like senior citizens. That cash is a bigger drag on earnings with each passing day.
Continue reading Chasing Value: Bonds, Gold, Stocks and Capital Flight
Teva (TEVA): A 'Sure Pick' for the Long-Term
"With a sprawling portfolio of 409 different remedies, Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA) is easily the world's largest generic drug maker -- and unless people suddenly stop getting sick, Teva is one of the surest picks around for long-term investors," says Nathan Slaughter.The editor of Street Authority Market Advisor explains, "Teva is more than double the size of its closest rival in terms of both product breadth and market share.
"But even for a company of Teva's size, product No. 410 is a biggie. The firm recently introduced Venlafaxine, a generic version of Pfizer's anti-depressant Effexor.
Continue reading Teva (TEVA): A 'Sure Pick' for the Long-Term
Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders -- Part 3
There are many places that Warren Buffett may choose to invest Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A / BRK.B) capital. At the same time you can be sure there are places he will not set foot. It is not likely he will invest anywhere that does not have a vibrant, well-established stock market with a stable government. So, Mr. Hugo Chavez in Venezuela will not likely see any capital deployed from the likes of "my pal Warren" any time soon.As a matter of fact, I would put the chances at slim of any South American country, besides Brazil, getting a look at all. Brazil is just too big and too vibrant to ignore. I would rule out Africa entirely except for indirect investments in oil and minerals through large conglomerates. The closest thing in the region would be Israel, at the furthest western reaches of Asia. He has already invested there and there is a high probability he would again. Investors from most of Europe and Asia have done the same, although many would rather not discuss it.
He has also invested in China, Great Britain, South Korea, and Switzerland. I would expect more money to be plowed into all of them again without reservation if the right deal materialized.
Continue reading Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders -- Part 3
Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders -- Part 2
Trying to figure out what Warren Buffett will invest in next is no small task. Although, you can bet it will not be small. In fact, he may try to acquire whole companies because anything else might not move the needle when it comes to increasing shareholder value at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A / BRK.B).
This post is a follow up to Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders, where I concluded that Buffett will seek an opportunity to invest in a company that is paying a dividend and has a very easy to understand product or service that will not become obsolete any time soon.
Continue reading Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders -- Part 2
Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders
Stories are starting to appear that "my pal Warren" is gearing up for a major foreign acquisition. One of my dear friends Randy S. is taking a post graduate business class at UCLA where this issue is a part of the course. He is supposed to figure out what non US companies Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B), led by Warren Buffett, might be considering for investment.Ahh yes, the prediction business, quite tricky indeed. Starting with some basics, in most cases I would stick to the time tested philosophy that past performance is not an indicator of future success. That said, I think in the case of Buffett, it does. There are many clues along the trail based on his past performance.
Here are some basic consistencies from the existing portfolio that I would expect to hold true going forward.
Continue reading Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders
Make a Quick 35-40% in Tower Semiconductor
It's a volatile market out there, but investors shouldn't take that as a sign that they should run for the hills. The bottom line is that volatility can cut both ways -- and while most traders are more concerned with the downside risks, that shouldn't overshadow the potential for quick and substantial gains with a well-timed swing trade.In my book, one of the best short-term buys you can make right now is a well-timed in and out in small cap tech stock Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (TSEM). Shares cost about as much as a fountain soda from the corner store, but have the potential to add a sugar rush to your portfolio very quickly.
Five Global Favorites: 'Time to Buy'
"Given the stock market setback, the time to buy has come. So what is a global investor to do now? Where in the world do we go?" asks Vivian Lewis.
The editor of Global Investing reviews five global investment ideas: Mexico's Cemex (CX), Canada's Cameco (CCJ), Greece's Coca Cola Hellenic (CCH), Israel's Teva Pharmaceutcial (TEVA), and India's ICICI Bank (IBN).
"I think this May correction has been the result of insane blind total panic in the wake of the still unexplained flash crash. Logically nothing explains the sell-off -- nada, nichevo, nichts, rien. To imagine that Greece is going to pull down Britain, Germany and France is simply ridiculous.
Teva (TEVA): Generic Gains from Health Care Reform
"Now that health care reform has become law, what will it mean for investors in health care-related companies? One company that is likely to be among the biggest beneficiaries is Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA)," says Stephen Leeb.The editor of The Complete Investor explains, "With 32 million Americans gaining health insurance coverage , the reform package is certain to accelerate the growing use of generic drugs, a trend rooted both in demographics and in the push to cut costs.
"Generic drugs already benefit from our aging population, who take more drugs by the year. The additional numbers of insured Americans will mean a surge in people able to afford medications (and to see the doctors that prescribe them).
Continue reading Teva (TEVA): Generic Gains from Health Care Reform
Shamir Optical (SHMR): Visionary Value?
"Israel-based Shamir Optical Industries (SHMR) makes lenses for eyeglasses, focusing on progressive lenses (also called no-line bifocals); it also sells finished lenses directly to opticians and provides design services to other lens manufacturers," says income specialist Carla Pasternak.
The editor of High Yield International asserts, "The shares of this small cap company are attractively valued and carry a juicy 6% yield.
"Like many foreign companies, Shamir pays dividends once per year. The stock paid a $0.61 dividend in December 2009, which was a +150% increase over the 2008 dividend and translates to a solid 6.4% yield.
It's Time to Sell China -- and Buy These Emerging Markets
It's no secret that China's phenomenal growth has been driving the global recovery. China's first-quarter GDP grew at an 11.9% annual pace despite three significant increases to reserve requirements that were designed to cool lending and growth. That's why in much of 2009 and early 2010 I was bullish on China and overweighted my global portfolios in favor of this country.
But all good things must come to an end and right now it's time to get selective about which China stocks you buy. That's why I recommend investors cut back their China holdings and look for new opportunities in emerging markets.
Continue reading It's Time to Sell China -- and Buy These Emerging Markets

