If I can do my taxes, any Millennial can

For the first time this year, I did my own taxes. Actually, I did them twice.

I've only been filing a tax return for the past two years, but I have been around long enough to pick up on the dread and anxiety that surrounds tax season. TAXES. It's like a four-letter word. It might as well be spelled T@%$!.

As a young person though, the prospect of April 15 looming has meant a pretty hefty deposit into my bank account the past two years, the welcome tax refund. Time to go shopping and buy myself an iPad! OK, maybe a little shopping, but I've never actually splurged on an iPad and the first year I used half my refund toward my student loans.

My first year out of college, I passed along my W-2 to my parents' "tax man." I got my refund about a month later and remained none the wiser about what had happened behind the scenes. Last year, after seeing how much "tax man" had charged for his services, I decided to spare my parents the expense and turned to my boyfriend's dad for help — because what better person to help you file your taxes than an IRS auditor?

He assured me at the time that filing your taxes really wasn't that hard and that I could probably do it myself. This year, in the name of journalism and my own education, I took his advice. I decided I'd take on my taxes with a plan to write about my experience and, I hope, convince my fellow Millennials that it wasn't that horrible. So, here I am, after a week of doing my taxes a couple of times, telling you that it actually wasn't that horrible. In fact, it was easy and even a little gratifying.

Just for good measure, I went through the process of filling out my information twice (I filed only once), with both TaxSlayer and H&R Block's online programs. Then I met with an H&R Block tax adviser to double-check my work. The online programs make the whole process so easy I thought I had done something wrong. You'll basically be asked a series of questions about your life (did you move? change jobs? have a baby?) and be ! prompted to enter certain information based on how you answer.

Tax season may be the one time a year Millennials catch a break for falling so far behind on the adulthood spectrum; those milestones we're not achieving — marriage, buying a house, having a kid — make filing your taxes more complicated and prone to errors. Some of those situations also often mean tax benefits, but hey, we can't have it both ways.

The H&R Block adviser I met with in Vienna, Va., Jeffrey Momoi, told me the most common mistake he sees on tax returns is missing out on credits like the child credit and dependent care credit, which both reduce the amount of taxes you owe just for having a child and paying for child care.

Good to know, but I don't plan to be able to claim those credits anytime soon. I have a job and I'm paying off my student loans, which are essentially the only two circumstances that figure into my taxes. Break No. 2 for Millennials doing taxes: If you've paid interest on a student loan in the past year, that's tax deductible up to $2,500 and depending on your income. If you've paid $600 or more, your lender should provide you with a form called the 1098-E that will tell you how much interest you paid.

And while I seriously considered leaving it off because, well, who would ever really know? I also included more than $500 I made babysitting in the fall in the "other income" category. Because if I'm going to write publicly about doing my taxes, I probably shouldn't lie about them, right? Plus, disclosing this only reduced my refund slightly, and I figure I get "being a good person" points. Another FYI: If you work in a restaurant and receive cash tips, you have to report those as well.

After entering my W-2 and student loan interest information, that was it. The information was transferred to my state return. I answered "no" to the rest of the questions I was asked by the programs and was sent straight to the e-file part of the process. The programs automatically calculate yo! ur deduct! ions and credits and tell you how much money you owe or can expect to get back.

Unless you have an incredibly complicated tax situation, I'd say at least try to do your taxes yourself first. Online programs will walk you through the whole thing step by step and tell you what forms you should have on hand to be able to provide the right information. Doing mine with H&R Block in person was going to cost me almost $200 in expertise and labor! The expense takes into account personalized advice and the risk factor associated with your return, Momoi says. Doing them online would cost $28 through H&R Block and about $24 through TaxSlayer.

Most tax-filing programs let you do a federal return for free but charge for state returns because they're more complicated to process. I ultimately filed through TaxSlayer for the cheaper state return. H&R Block does offer a free "second look" where a tax pro will go over your return once you've already filed. Though if you have to amend and refile, there's a charge.

In a few weeks, I'll be a couple thousand dollars richer, all for about 45 minutes' worth of work (at least, if I had stuck with just doing my taxes once!). Thanks, government — even though most of it will go back to you anyway in the form of my federal student loan payments. T@$#!

Top 1% of Retirement Plans Hold Huge Majority of 401(k) Assets

Just-released analysis by Judy Diamond Associates shows that the top 1% of plans hold 71.1% of all 401(k) assets — giving large employers an “outsized influence” on the retirement market, according to managing director Eric Ryles.

Judy Diamond’s research found that while there were approximately 500,000 active 401(k) plans in the fourth quarter of 2013, with a collective $3.5 trillion in total assets, nearly three-quarters, or $2.54 trillion, was controlled by the top 1% (5,000 companies).

The other 99%, or 495,000 companies, of all 401(k) plans nationwide control only 29% of the total assets.

Judy Diamond’s research showed that fewer than two-tenths of 1% of 401(k) plan sponsors are responsible for fully half of the nation’s 401(k) retirement plan assets. “That’s only 630 very large companies controlling $1.75 trillion in assets,” Ryles says.

Indeed, one “needn’t look any further than the rise of target-date funds to see the influence of the top 1%,” Ryles told ThinkAdvisor. “The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allowed 401(k) plans to embrace target-date funds” as a qualified default investment alternative (QDIA), “and early adoption by the 1% led to an explosion in popularity.”

The investment options that large plan sponsors choose to make available to their participants “set the agenda for smaller companies to follow suit,” he says.

According to Ibbotson, during Q4, flows into target-date funds had a sizeable rebound, nearing $13 billion compared with $2.3 billion in the earlier period. Total assets held by investors in target-date funds were nearly $621 billion, a 28% jump from the end of 2012. For the 2013 calendar year, the average total return for target-date funds was a respectable 16.3%.

But Joni Tibbetts, vice president of retirement and investor services at the Principal Financial Group, said of the Judy Diamond findings that "whether big or small, plan sponsors have a fiduciary duty to design retirement plans and select and monitor investments based on the best interests of their participants."

Even among big plans, she says, "there will be differences based on the unique needs of each plan’s demographic. In our experience with small to medium-size plans, we know they watch trends but ultimately decisions are based on their business objectives and the best interests of their participants."

Tibbetts adds that service providers and financial professionals "who work with the other 495,000 plans — which still hold $1 trillion in assets—understand how to provide the services needed for all plan sizes. Those numbers: $1 trillion in 495,000 plans — which hold a significant share of participants — mean those other plan sponsors have an important impact as well."

Washington-based Judy Diamond, a sister company to ThinkAdvisor, based its research on the most recent 401(k) plan disclosure documents released by the Department of Labor, which is available in Judy Diamond’s Retirement Plan Prospector database.

Can Merck Continue to Surge Higher?

With shares of Merck (NYSE:MRK) trading around $53, is MRK an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let's analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Merck is a global health care company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products, which it markets directly and through its joint ventures. The company consists of four operating segments: the Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, Consumer Care, and Alliances segments, and one reportable segment in the Pharmaceutical segment. Merck aims to provide valuable health care products and services to consumers, animals, and companies in need worldwide. Look for the company to see rising profits as it advances the products and services of the health care field.

Merck is considering its options for its animal health and consumer-care operations and plans to carry out any moves this year. The pharmaceutical company said it “could reach different decisions” about the businesses. Merck’s comments follow reports last week that the company is in talks with Novartis (NYSE:NVS) about the Swiss pharmaceuticals company swapping its animal-health and human vaccines businesses for the U.S. drug maker’s over-the-counter health-products unit. As part of a plan announced in October, Merck expects to cut annual operating costs by $2.5B by the end of 2015 versus 2012, with $1B to be realized by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Merck has started the process of applying for approval of its MK-3475 immunotherapy for patients with advanced melanoma who have stopped responding to Bristol-Myer Squibb’s Yervoy. Merck expects to complete the initial filing this year.

T = Technicals on the Stock Chart Are Strong

Merck stock has been in a range over the last several years. However, the stock is currently surging higher and looks poised to continue. Analyzing the price trend and its strength can be done using key simple moving averages. What are the key moving averages? The 50-day (pink), 100-day (blue), and 200-day (yellow) simple moving averages. As seen in the daily price chart below, Merck is trading above its rising key averages, which signal neutral to bullish price action in the near-term.

(Source: Thinkorswim)

Taking a look at the implied volatility (red) and implied volatility skew levels of Merck options may help determine if investors are bullish, neutral, or bearish.

	Implied Volatility (IV)	30-Day IV Percentile	90-Day IV Percentile
Merck options	23.77%	96%	93%

What does this mean? This means that investors or traders are buying a very significant amount of call and put options contracts, as compared to the last 30 and 90 trading days.

	Put IV Skew	Call IV Skew
February Options	Flat	Average
March Options	Flat	Average

As of today, there is an average demand from call buyers or sellers and low demand by put buyers or high demand by put sellers, all neutral to bullish over the next two months. To summarize, investors are buying a very significant amount of call and put option contracts and are leaning neutral to bullish over the next two months.

On the next page, let’s take a look at the earnings and revenue growth rates and the conclusion.

E = Earnings Are Decreasing Quarter-Over-Quarter

Rising stock prices are often strongly correlated with rising earnings and revenue growth rates. Also, the last four quarterly earnings announcement reactions help gauge investor sentiment on Merck’s stock. What do the last four quarterly earnings and revenue growth (Y-O-Y) figures for Merck look like and more importantly, how did the markets like these numbers?

	Hot Safest Stocks To Watch For 2014 2013 Q3	2013 Q2	2013 Q1	2012 Q4
Earnings Growth (Y-O-Y)	-32.14%	-48.28%	-7.14%	-40.07%
Revenue Growth (Y-O-Y)	-34.99%	-9.38%	-9.04%	-4.53%
Earnings Reaction	-2.55%	-0.59%	-2.78%	-3.28%

Merck has seen increasing earnings and revenue figures over the last four quarters. From these numbers, the markets have been optimistic about Merck’s recent earnings announcements.

P = Excellent Relative Performance Versus Peers and Sector

How has Merck stock done relative to its peers, GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK), Novartis (NYSE:NVS), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), and sector?

	Merck	GlaxoSmithKline	Novartis	Pfizer	Sector
Year-to-Date Return	6.35%	-2.57%	0.24%	0.13%	2.03%

Merck has been a relative performance leader, year-to-date.

Conclusion

Merck provides essential health care products to consumers, animals, and companies around the world. The company is considering its options for its animal health and consumer-care operations and plans to carry out any moves this year. The stock been in an up-and-down trend over the past few quarters and is currently surging higher. Earnings and revenue figures have been decreasing over the last four quarters. However, investors are optimistic about recent earnings announcements. Relative to its peers and sector, Merck has been a relative year-to-date performance leader. Look for Merck to OUTPERFORM.

European stocks climb for second day; miners rise

LONDON (MarketWatch) — European stock markets rose for a second straight day on Monday, with resource firms tracking commodity prices higher and investors welcoming the latest round of earnings.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index (XX:SXXP)  added 0.4% to close at 334.56, after posting the biggest weekly gain of 2014 last Friday. U.S. markets were closed for Presidents Day.

Click to Play Europe's week ahead: Danone's baby steps and PMIs

Has Danone recovered from its baby-milk scandal last year? Earnings out next week will tell us as the result season continues on full speed. Meanwhile, euro-zone PMIs and U.K. labor data will keep markets busy. Photo: Getty Images

Among notable movers in the pan-European benchmark, shares of Hammerson PLC (UK:HMSO)  gained 3.1% after the property-development and investment company posted a rise in full-year profit on strong demand for retail property.

Mining firms were also among gainers, as most metals prices headed north. Shares of Polymetal International PLC (UK:POLY)  gained 4% and Glencore Xstrata PLC (UK:GLEN)  picked up 1.8%. Randgold Resources Ltd. (UK:RRS) added 1.7% after Citigroup lifted the company to neutral from sell. The analysts said valuations for gold miners have improved as the price of gold is stabilizing.

On a more downbeat note, shares of ThyssenKrupp AG (DE:TKA)  lost 1.8% after Citigroup cut the industrial conglomerate to sell from neutral. The analysts said the stock's recent performance, up 22% over the past two months, "suggests the market has grown increasingly comfortable with the concept of the stock as a diversified capital-goods story."

"While it could be an alluring long-term proposition, returns over the medium term are likely to remain depressed by the capital-intensive nature of the low-margin steel business," they said.

Italian politics were also in the spotlight on Monday after Prime Minister Enrico Letta resigned last Friday, following a call from Matteo Renzi, the head of Italy's largest party, for a new government to take power. Renzi is now poised to become Italy's youngest prime minister, with President Giorgio Napolitano formally asking the center-left leader to form a government. Renzi, 39, has pushed for quicker implementation of economic reforms and analysts broadly see him as a positive for Italian assets.

TRADING STRATEGIES: february
Terrence Horan/MarketWatch • See full Trading Strategies report /conga/story/2014/02/trading-strategies.html 295496

On Friday, Moody's Investors Service raised its outlook for Italy's government bond rating to stable from negative. The FTSE MIB index (XX:FTSEMIB)  gained 0.1% to 20,459.65 in Monday's action. The yield on 10-year Italian government bonds (IT:10YR_ITA)  fell 6 basis points to 3.62% according to electronic trading platform Tradeweb.

Elsewhere, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 index (UK:UKX)  added 1.1% to 6,736.00, France's CAC 40 index (FR:PX1)  fell 0.1% to 4,335.17, and Germany's DAX 30 index (DX:DAX) slipped 0.1% to 9,656.76.

Shares of Bouygues SA (FR:EN)  lost 0.8% in Paris after the construction and telecom conglomerate said it has written down the value of its investment in Alstom SA (FR:ALO)  by 1.4 billion euros ($1.92 billion).

Outside the major indexes, shares of Yara International ASA (NO:YAR)  lost 2.8% after UBS cut the Norwegian fertilizer firm to neutral from buy, with the analysts citing an unexpected rise in maintenance-capital expenditures.

More must-reads from MarketWatch:

Dividend hikes, consumer clues eyed in week ahead

China keeps lending party going

Greek PM: Budget surplus will be double target

Why Did Activision Blizzard End Up on Top?

Shares of Activision Blizzard  (NASDAQ: ATVI  )  have risen over 13% in the past week following positive fourth-quarter and full-year reports. The company is fresh off the launch of Call of Duty: Ghosts, which became the second best-selling game of the year behind Take-Two's  (NASDAQ: TTWO  )  Grand Theft Auto V. The shares of Take-Two and Electronic Arts  (NASDAQ: EA  )  fell after these companies' recent earnings reports as investors decide what to do with gaming companies now that the next-gen consoles have launched. How did Activision avoid a similar fate?  

Analysts estimated the company would report revenue of $2.2 billion for the fourth quarter and $4.3 billion for the year. Earnings per share estimates for the periods were $0.73 and $0.91, respectively. Activision Blizzard's fourth quarter included $2.3 billion in revenue along with EPS of $0.79, while the full-year result met on revenue and beat on EPS by three cents.  

Activision might have missed the top slot in game sales, but the company still has reasons to celebrate the year. 

Thriving franchises
The Call of Duty franchise in combination with World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Skylander accounted for 80% of Activision Blizzard's revenue in 2012. That dependence likely deepened in 2013 with new game launches.   

Call of Duty: Ghosts has sold over 19 million units worldwide since its November release which earned the game the runner-up spot on NPD Group's list of the best-selling games of the year. However, that news wasn't surprising considering that Call of Duty games always perform well at launch and Activision engaged in a public numbers race with Take-Two, pitting Ghosts sales against those of Grand Theft Auto V. 

The surprising news from the quarter came from massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Subscriber count for the game has declined slowly in recent years as new expansion packs failed to win over players. The game had around 7.6 million subscribers in the third quarter and this increased to 7.8 million in the fourth quarter. A new expansion was announced last fall and players continue to return in advance of its release. 

The real ace up Activision Blizzard's sleeve is the Skylanders series which combines video game play with add-on packs of toy-like character controls. The Skylanders games have achieved $2 billion in worldwide sales and sold about 175 million toys since the first title launched in 2011.    

What's next? 
For the near future, Activision simply plans to keep expanding its existing games while it has some fresh hit titles. Call of Duty: Ghosts will receive downloadable expansions through both the Xbox One and Xbox 360 of Microsoft before rolling out to other platforms. A new expansion pack for Diablo III arrives in March and World of Warcraft's announced expansion should come along soon. 

How'd the competition fare last year? 
Electronic Arts reported third-quarter revenue of $1.57 billion and EPS of $1.26. Analysts estimated the company would report $1.66 billion in revenue and EPS of $1.24. The company struggled with technical issues related to the launch of Battlefield 4, which caused delays that pushed the game into the fourth spot on the best-selling games list for that title and the general development pipeline. EA's next quarter will show the benefits -- or risks -- of the company's strong market share in early launch games for the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 of Sony. 

Take-Two shares dove following the company's third-quarter report despite the record-breaking success of Grand Theft Auto V. The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $767.7 and EPS of $1.70. Analysts had estimated the company would report revenue of $709 million and EPS of $1.40. The reason for Take-Two's share price drop could boil down to investors not having a warm attitude toward the company in general. Take-Two has Xbox One and PS4 games in development, but its current titles lean toward the older consoles and PC players. 

Foolish final thoughts 
Activision Blizzard ended 2013 on a high note thanks to the continued strength of two massively popular franchises -- Call of Duty and Skylanders -- and the surprise rebound of World of Warcraft. The company is well-positioned to keep expanding those franchises throughout this year. 

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Chart Watchers: Don't Believe the Bounce in Stocks

Although stocks have powered higher for four-straight sessions, some chart watchers still aren't convinced the market downdraft is over.

Despite Tuesday's broad rally in stocks, technicians say relatively weak internal readings and a change in leadership warn that a drop at least 6% from current levels is still likely. A full-fledged correction of declines totaling 10% or more remains possible.

One reason to expect further weakness is that the percentage of NYSE stocks above their 200-day moving average, which many use as a guide to predicting long term trends, fell recently below 60%, said Bank of America Merrill Lynch technical research analyst Stephen Suttmeier. That’s a “blatant difference” from the short and shallow pullbacks investors got used to in 2013, Mr. Suttmeier said, because “that didn’t happen last year at all.”

Past breakdowns below 60% coincided with the much larger market corrections in 2010 and 2011, when the S&P 500 dropped 16% and 19%, and with the 9.9% and 7.7% selloffs in 2012, Mr. Suttmeier said. At the Feb. 3 closing low of 1741.89, the S&P 500 had lost 5.8% from its Jan. 15 record high of 1848.38.

FactSet

He said a decisive close above nearby resistance at 1823 could trigger some follow-through buying, but it would take a rise back above the Jan. 15 high to turn the technical tone positive.

Another negative sign is the recent underperformance by small-capitalization stocks and the transportation sector, technicians say, as that implies a break in market leadership.

The S&P 500 rose 1.1% to 1819.75 on Tuesday, and has gained 4.5% since closing at a 3 ½-month low on Feb. 3. Meanwhile, the Russell 2000 has bounced 3.2% and the Dow Transports have recovered 2.8% since Feb. 3.

In 2013, the Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks climbed 37% and the Dow Jones Transportation Average ran up 39%, while the S&P 500 gained 30%.

“That’s bothersome, because [the small caps and the transports] have shown leadership over the last couple years,” said Douglas Ramsey, chief investment officer of the Leuthold Group, which oversees $1.6 billion. “If this really is the bounce back to new highs, we would want to see transportation and small caps lead the way.”

In addition, signs of investor complacency in the options market during the selloff is worrying technicians. Many investors buy put options as insurance against a sharp decline.

But Bofa Merrill Lynch’s Mr. Suttmeier said the five-day average of the ratio of the volume in put options, which gives the buyer the right to sell at a specified price, over the volume in call options, which gives the buyer the option to buy, didn't rise above 1.0 as the market fell. During the relatively shallow and short-lived pullbacks in November 2012 and February, June and October of 2013, he said the five-day put/call ratio rose above 1.0 each time.

So the fact that the five-day average of put volumes remained below call volumes indicates people weren’t positioned as defensively as they were at previous lows, Mr. Suttmeier said.

"If people just shrug through a correction, that's usually a contrary sign that there's more to come," Mr. Ramsey said, who moved to hedge a small piece of his equity exposure during this week's gains. "We think there will be another leg down that will undercut last week's lows."

The initial target for further S&P 500 declines many technicians have been calling for is the 200-day moving average, which extended to about 1714 on Tuesday, or 5.8% below current levels. The last time the S&P 500 closed below its 200-day moving average was Dec. 4, 2012.

"I was looking for the S&P 500 to [at least] get to the 200-day moving average," said Dan Wantrobski, director of technical research at Janney Capital Markets. "To get positive on the S&P 500, you have to make new highs."

Given all the underlying weakness, Mr. Suttmeier said the risk is that "we have a deeper pullback" than many might expect, possibly down to support at 1685, which is 8.8% below the Jan. 15 high. Below that, support is at 1644, or 11% below the high.

Deere & Company Shatters EPS Estimates; Stocks Rise (DE)

Before the opening bell on Wednesday morning, Deere & Co. (DE) reported its first quarter earnings, posting a 3% rise in sales over last year’s Q1 figure. 

DE’s Earnings in Brief

Deere reported first quarter revenues of $7.65 billion, up from last year’s Q1 revenues of $7.42 billion; this was higher than analysts’ estimates of $6.62 billion. Net income attributable to Deere was also up from last year, coming in at $681 million compared to last year’s Q1 figure of $650 million. DE’s EPS came in at $1.81, far above last year’s Q1 EPS figure or $1.65, and much higher than analysts’ estimates of $1.53. Looking ahead to the full year, DE sees equipment sales decreasing 3%.

CEO Commentary

Samuel R. Allen, Deere’s chairman and CEO, had the following to say about the company’s Q1: ”With another record quarter, John Deere has started 2014 on a strong note. Our results demonstrate the adept execution of our operating and marketing plans, which are aimed at expanding our global market position and helping our customers throughout the world be more profitable and productive,” he said. “In addition, we are seeing further benefit from efforts to hold the line on costs.”

DE’s Dividend

Deere last announced a dividend raise in February 2013, when it bumped its quarterly payout to 46 cents to 51 cents. With the company’s “record quarter,” and this release blowing estimates out of the water, we will look for a dividend raise announcement in the next few weeks.

Stock Performance

Deere stock was up $1.94, or 2.22%, in pre-market trading. YTD, the company’s stock is down 3.01%.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now

Things have gone from very good to very bad for U.S. oil refiners.   Refiners take crude oil and turn it into products like gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil. If they can buy oil cheap and sell those products at high prices, they make a lot of money.   Over the last two years, they've made LOTS of money. Giant refiners Valero and Marathon saw revenues rise 117% and 89%, respectively, from 2009 to 2012.   But the great conditions that led to great profits for refiners are gone. And these stocks have more room to fall.   For the last three years, the price of U.S. crude oil (called West Texas Intermediate or WTI) cost less than the European crude oil (called Brent).   As longtime S&A readers know, new fracking technology has allowed the U.S. to tap into incredible oil reserves in areas like the Eagle Ford, Cline, and Bakken shales. As I've showed you before, U.S. crude production has jumped by millions of barrels a day in just the last few years.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: HollyFrontier Corp (HFC)

HollyFrontier Corporation (HollyFrontier), formerly Holly Corporation, incorporated in 1947, is a petroleum refiner, which produces light products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, specialty lubricant products, and specialty and modified asphalt. HollyFrontier operates in two segments: Refining and Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (HEP). The Refining segment includes the operations of its El Dorado, Tulsa, Navajo, Cheyenne and Woods Cross Refineries and NK Asphalt. The HEP segment involves all of the operations of HEP. The Company merged with Frontier Oil Corporation (Frontier), on July 1, 2011. On November 9, 2011, HEP acquired from the Company certain tankage, loading rack and crude receiving assets located at its El Dorado and Cheyenne Refineries.

Refinery Operations

The Company�� refinery operations serve the Mid-Continent, Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. HollyFrontier owned and operated five refineries having an aggregate crude capacity of 443,000 barrels per day, as of December 31, 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2011, gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and specialty lubricants represented 48%, 32%, 5% and 3%, respectively of its total refinery sales volumes. Its refineries are located in El Dorado, Kansas, (the El Dorado Refinery), Tulsa, Oklahoma (the Tulsa Refineries), which consists two production facilities, the Tulsa West and East facilities, a petroleum refinery in Artesia, New Mexico, which operates in conjunction with crude, vacuum distillation and other facilities situated 65 miles away in Lovington, New Mexico (the Navajo Refinery), Cheyenne, Wyoming (the Cheyenne Refinery) and Woods Cross, Utah (the Woods Cross Refinery). Light products are shipped by product pipelines or are made available at various points by exchanges with other parties and are made available to customers through truck loading facilities at the refinery and at terminals.

The Company�� principal customers for gasoline include other refin! ers, convenience store chains, independent marketers, and retailers. Diesel fuel is sold to other refiners, truck stop chains, wholesalers, and railroads. Jet fuel is sold for military and commercial airline use. Specialty lubricant products are sold in both commercial and specialty markets. LPG�� are sold to LPG wholesalers and LPG retailers. HollyFrontier produces and purchases asphalt products that are sold to governmental entities, paving contractors or manufacturers. Asphalt is also blended into fuel oil and is either sold locally or is shipped to the Gulf Coast. Tulsa West facility is 85,000 barrels per stream day refinery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It owns Tulsa East facility is 75,000 barrels per stream day refinery that is also located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In September 2011, HEP completed the Tulsa interconnecting pipeline project which facilitated a combined crude processing rate of 125,000 barrels per stream day. The El Dorado Refinery is a coking refinery.

The El Dorado Refinery is located on 1,100 acres south of El Dorado, Kansas and is a refinery. The principal process units at the El Dorado Refinery consists of crude and vacuum distillation; hydrodesulfurization of naphtha, kerosene, diesel, and gas oil streams; isomerization; catalytic reforming; aromatics recovery; catalytic cracking; alkylation; delayed coking; hydrogen production, and sulfur recovery. Supporting infrastructure includes maintenance shops, warehouses, office buildings, a laboratory, utility facilities, and a wastewater plant (Supporting Infrastructure) and logistics assets owned by HEP, which includes approximately 3.7 million barrels of tankage, a truck sales terminal, and a propane terminal. The facility processes approximately 135,000 barrels per stream day of crude oil with the capability. The Tulsa West facility is located on a 750-acre site in Tulsa, Oklahoma situated along the Arkansas River. The principal process units at the Tulsa West facility consists of crude distillation (with light ends recovery), n! aphtha hy! drodesulfurization, catalytic reforming, propane de-asphalting, lubes extraction, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) dewaxing, delayed coker and butane splitter units.

Tulsa West facility�� Supporting Infrastructure includes approximately 3.2 million barrels of feedstock and product tankage, of which 0.4 million barrels of tankage is owned by Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (Plains), and an additional 1.2 million barrels of tank capacity was out of service, as of December 31, 2011. The Tulsa East facility is located on a 466-acre site also in Tulsa, Oklahoma situated along the Arkansas River. The principal process units at the Tulsa East facility consists of crude distillation, naphtha hydrodesulfurization, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), isomerization, catalytic reforming, alkylation, scanfiner, diesel hydrodesulfurization and sulfur units. The Tulsa East facility�� Supporting Infrastructure includes approximately 3.75 million barrels of tankage capacity on the refinery�� premises, of which approximately 3.4 million barrels of tankage is owned by HEP. The primary markets for the El Dorado Refinery�� refined products are Colorado and the Plains States, which include the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The gasoline, diesel and jet fuel produced by the El Dorado Refinery are primarily shipped via pipeline to terminals for distribution by truck or rail. The Company ships product via the NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership L.P. Pipeline to the northern Plains States, via the Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P. (Magellan) mountain pipeline to Denver, Colorado, and on the Magellan mid-continent pipeline to the Plains States. The Tulsa Refineries��principal customers for conventional gasoline include Sinclair Oil Company (Sinclair), other refiners, convenience store chains, independent marketers and retailers. Sinclair and railroads are the primary diesel customers. Jet fuel is sold primarily for commercial use. The refinery�� asphalt and roofing flux products are sold via truck or! railcar ! directly from the refineries or to customers throughout the Mid-Continent region primarily to paving contractors and manufacturers of roofing products. HollyFrontier�� Tulsa West facility also produces specialty lubricant products sold in both commercial and specialty markets throughout the United States and to customers with operations in Central America and South America.

The El Dorado Refinery is located about 125 miles, and the Tulsa Refineries are located approximately 50 miles from Cushing, Oklahoma, a crude oil pipeline trading and storage hub. Both its Mid-Continent Refineries are connected via pipeline to Cushing, Oklahoma. In addition, the Company has a transportation services agreement to transport up to 38,000 barrels per calendar day of crude oil on the Spearhead Pipeline from Flanagan, Illinois to Cushing, Oklahoma, enabling it to transport Canadian crude oil to Cushing for subsequent shipment to either of the Company�� Mid-Continent Refineries or to its Navajo Refinery. The Navajo Refinery has a crude oil capacity of 100,000 barrels per stream day.The Navajo Refinery�� Artesia, New Mexico facility is located on a 561-acre site and is a refinery with crude distillation, vacuum distillation, FCC, residuum oil supercritical extraction, (ROSE) (solvent deasphalter), hydrofluoric (HF) alkylation, catalytic reforming, hydrodesulfurization, mild hydrocracking, isomerization, sulfur recovery and product blending units. Supporting Infrastructure includes approximately 2 million barrels of feedstock and product tankage, of which 0.2 million barrels of tankage are owned by HEP.

The Artesia facility is operated in conjunction with a refining facility located in Lovington, New Mexico, approximately 65 miles east of Artesia. The principal equipment at the Lovington facility consists of a crude distillation unit and associated vacuum distillation units. Supporting Infrastructure includes 1.1 million barrels of feedstock and product tankage, of which 0.2 million barrels of! tankage ! are owned by HEP. The Lovington facility processes crude oil into intermediate products that are transported to Artesia by means of three intermediate pipelines owned by HEP. The Navajo Refinery primarily serves the southwestern United States market. The Navajo Refinery primarily serves the southwestern United States market. The Company�� products are shipped through HEP�� pipelines from Artesia, New Mexico to El Paso, Texas and from El Paso to Albuquerque and to Mexico via products pipeline systems owned by Plains and from El Paso to Tucson and Phoenix via a products pipeline system owned by Kinder Morgan�� subsidiary, SFPP, L.P. (SFPP). In addition, the Navajo Refinery transports petroleum products to markets in northwest New Mexico and to Moriarty, New Mexico, near Albuquerque, via HEP�� pipelines running from Artesia to San Juan County, New Mexico.

HollyFrontier has refined product storage through its pipelines and terminals agreement with HEP at terminals in El Paso, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; and Artesia, Moriarty and Bloomfield, New Mexico. The Company uses a common carrier pipeline out of El Paso to serve the Albuquerque market. In addition, HEP leases from Mid-America Pipeline Company, L.L.C., a pipeline between White Lakes, New Mexico and the Albuquerque vicinity and Bloomfield, New Mexico. HEP owns and operates a 12-inch pipeline from the Navajo Refinery to the leased pipeline, as well as terminalling facilities in Bloomfield, New Mexico, which is located in the northwest corner of New Mexico, and in Moriarty, which is 40 miles east of Albuquerque. The Navajo Refinery is situated near the Permian Basin. The Company purchases crude oil from independent producers in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas, as well as from oil companies.

HollyFrontier also purchases volumes of isobutane, natural gasoline and other feedstocks to supply the Navajo Refinery from sources in Texas and the Mid-Continent area that are delivered to its region on a common carrier pipeline ! owned by ! Enterprise Products, L.P. The Cheyenne Refinery has a crude oil capacity of 52,000 barrels per stream day and the Woods Cross Refinery has a crude oil capacity of 31,000 barrels per stream day. The Cheyenne Refinery processes Canadian crudes, as well as local sweet crudes, such as that produced from the Bakken shale and similar resources. The Woods Cross Refinery processes regional sweet and black wax crude, as well as Canadian sour crude oils into light products. The Cheyenne Refinery facility is located on a 255- acre site and is a refinery with crude distillation, vacuum distillation, coking, FCCU, HF alkylation, catalytic reforming, hydrodesulfurization of naphtha and distillates, butane isomerization, hydrogen production, sulfur recovery and product blending units. Supporting Infrastructure includes approximately 1.6 million barrels of feedstock and product tankage, of which 1.5 million barrels of tankage are owned by HEP.

The Woods Cross Refinery facility is located on a 200-acre site and is a fully integrated refinery with crude distillation, solvent deasphalter, FCC, HF alkylation, catalytic reforming, hydrodesulfurization, isomerization, sulfur recovery and product blending units. Supporting Infrastructure includes approximately 1.5 million barrels of feedstock and product tankage, of which 0.2 million barrels of tankage are owned by HEP. The facility processes or blends an additional 2,000 barrels per stream day of natural gasoline, butane and gas oil over its 31,000 barrels per stream day capacity. The Company owns and operates four miles of hydrogen pipeline that connects the Woods Cross Refinery to a hydrogen plant located at Chevron�� Salt Lake City Refinery. The Cheyenne Refinery primarily markets its products in eastern Colorado, including metropolitan Denver, eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska. Crude oil is transported to the Cheyenne Refinery from suppliers in Canada, Nebraska, North Dakota and Montana via common carrier pipelines owned by Kinder Morgan, Plains All Am! erican Pi! peline and Suncor Energy, as well as by truck.

The Woods Cross Refinery obtains its supply of crude oil from suppliers in Canada, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado as delivered via common carrier pipelines that originate in Canada, Wyoming and Colorado. HollyFrontier manufactures and markets commodity and modified asphalt products in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and northern Mexico. The Company has three manufacturing facilities located in Glendale, Arizona; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Artesia, New Mexico. The Company's Albuquerque and Artesia facilities manufacture modified hot asphalt products and commodity emulsions from base asphalt materials provided by its refineries and third-party suppliers. The Company�� Glendale facility manufactures modified hot asphalt products from base asphalt materials provided by its refineries and third-party suppliers. HollyFrontier�� products are shipped via third-party trucking companies to commercial customers that provide asphalt based materials for commercial and government projects.

The Company owns Ethanol Management Company, is 25,000 barrels per calendar day products terminal and blending facility located near Denver, Colorado. It also owns a 50% joint venture interest in Sabine Biofuels II, LLC, a 30 million gallon per year biodiesel production facility located near Port Arthur, Texas. The Company owns a 75% joint venture interest in the UNEV Pipeline, a 400 mile 12-inch refined products pipeline from Salt Lake City, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada, together with terminal and ethanol blending facilities in the Cedar City, Utah and North Las Vegas areas and storage facilities at the Cedar City terminal with Sinclair, its joint venture partner, owning the remaining 25% interest. The pipeline has a capacity of 62,000 barrels per calendar day (based on gasoline equivalents). The pipeline was mechanically completed in November 2011.

Holly Energy Partners, L.P.

As of December 31, 2011, the Compa! ny owned ! a 42% interest in HEP, including the 2% general partner interest. HEP owns and operates logistic assets consisting of petroleum product and crude oil pipelines and terminal, tankage and loading rack facilities in the Mid-Continent, Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. Revenues are generated by charging tariffs for transporting petroleum products and crude oil through its pipelines and by charging fees for terminalling petroleum products and other hydrocarbons, and storing and providing other services at its storage tanks and terminals. In additioin, HEP owns a 25% interest in the SLC Pipeline LLC (SLC Pipeline) that serves refineries in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Revenues from the HEP segment are earned through transactions with unaffiliated parties for pipeline transportation, rental and terminalling operations, as well as revenues relating to pipeline transportation services provided for its refining operations. HEP has a 15-year pipelines and terminals agreement with Alon USA, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  And it should come as no surprise that other refiners are seeing similar, though less extreme, boosts.� Marathon has gained 7% during the past three months, Tesoro has risen 7.6% and Hollyfrontier (HFC) is up 2.3%.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Caiterra International Energy Corp (CTI.V)

CaiTerra International Energy Corporation (Caiterra), formerly Cyterra Capital Corp., is a Canada-based company is engaged in the exploration and development of oil and gas properties. The Company�� project includes Faust, Amadou and Lac La Biche. On March 9, 2012, the Company completed its qualifying transaction with West Pacific Petroleum Inc. (WPP), pursuant to which the Company acquired all of WPP�� working interests in certain petroleum and natural gas leases and an oil sand lease in the Lac La Biche and Amadou Projects located in Alberta, Canada and certain other assets (the QT Oil and Gas Properties) from West Pacific Petroleum Inc. (WPP). On December 17, 2012 the Company acquired the Faust Property located just north of the Swan Hills oil field and south of the Town of Slave Lake.

Top 10 Casino Stocks To Invest In 2015: Reliance Industries Ltd (RELI.NS)

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is a conglomerate with business in the energy and materials value chain. The Company operates in three segments: petrochemicals, refining and oil & gas. The petrochemicals segment includes production and marketing operations of petrochemical products which include, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly butadiene rubber, polyester yarn, polyester fibre, purified terephthalic acid, paraxylene, ethylene glycol, olefins, aromatics, linear alkyl benzene, butadiene, acrylonitrile, caustic soda and polyethylene terephthalate. The refining segment includes production and marketing operations of the petroleum products. The oil and gas segment includes exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. Its others segment includes textile, retail business, special economic zone (SEZ) development and telecom / broadband business.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Petrotech Oil & Gas Inc (PTOG)

PetroTech Oil and Gas, Inc., formerly Unity Management Group, Inc., incorporated on April 10, 1998, operates and develops Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) opportunities within qualifying oil reservoirs in the United States using its Enhanced Oil Recovery method and technique. The company is also a construction and heavy equipment company. The Company is focussing on developing and acquisitions of technology in secondary oil recovery, oil and gas reporting software, trading software and Nitrogen and CO2 injection equipment. Enhanced oil recovery is also called improved oil recovery or tertiary recovery. The Company�� services include Work over and Installation Services, Heavy Equipment Services, Nitrogen, CO2 and Gas Mixture Treatments, Exhaust Gas Unit, Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage and Reservoir Development. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company acquired On Track Technology, Inc. On June 30, 2012, the Company acquired Metropolitan Computing Corp.

Work over and Installation Services

Drilling Vertical or Horizontal Well Supervision, Traditional Work over, Oilfield Work Over Rigs and Roustabout Services to be on location while recompletion, plugging or equipping of wells for in house leases and third party jobs as well. Where applicable Petrotech will utilize flexible Poly Urethane tubing for testing of wells and permanent installs for some shallow depths. The flexible tubing has a Paraffin�� and Asphalt Ines don�� stick to flexible tubing (as it does to steel tubing); and flexible tubing has an estimated 10 times longer life dependent upon the corrosiveness of production and by products, such as the water produced with hydrocarbons.

Heavy Equipment Services

Heavy Equipment Services includes heavy equipment, oilfield roustabout, crane work, water hauling, setting pumping units, separators, tanks, digging pitts and locations roads and heavy equipment services also includes highways for in house leases, third party oil companies and loca! l and government agencies.

Nitrogen, CO2 and Gas Mixture Treatments

The Company focuses in treating with Nitrogen, CO2 or a combination of the two; through two applications where applicable-Huff and Puff and Steady flooding. In cases, HoCyclic gas injection processes has been primarily restricted to the use of pure CO2 or CO2 that has been slightly contaminated.

Exhaust Gas Unit

The CO2/N2 gas mixture focuses to generated from a patented one-of-a-kind portable exhaust unit capable of producing 2.5 millions of cubic feet equivalent at 2000 psi. The exhaust unit manufacturing facility is capable of building over 100 million of daily of deliverability or 180,000 horse power of equipment per year.

Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage

Natural segregation of its gas mixture at miscibility pressure is a component in recreating a gas cap. Doubling of the primary oil recovery from a reservoir is expected with this EOR method and gas mixture. SPE paper #89357 documents GAGD recoveries averaging 63% of the OOIP.

Reservoir Development

Petrotech Oil and Gas Inc. focuses to use the technology in third dimension geophysics available, drilling and compositional reservoir modeling to devise the reservoir�� development plan. In some reservoirs has two horizontal wellbores; one each for the injection of gas and production of oil.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Precision Drilling Corp (PDS)

Precision Drilling Corporation (Precision) is a provider of contract drilling and completion and production services primarily to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in Canada and the United States. The Company operates in two segments: Contract Drilling Services, and Completion and Production Services. In Canada, the Contract Drilling Services segment includes land drilling services, directional drilling services, procurement and distribution of oilfield supplies and the manufacture and refurbishment of drilling and service rig equipment, and the Completion and Production Services segment includes service rigs for well completion and workover services, snubbing services, camp and catering services, wastewater treatment services and the rental of oilfield surface equipment, tubulars, well control equipment and wellsite accommodations.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: CVR Refining LP (CVRR.N)

CVR Refining, LP, incorporated on September 17, 2012, is an energy limited partnership with refining and related logistics assets that operates in the mid-continent region. As of January 8, 2013, the Company owned two of only seven refineries in the underserved Group 3 of the PADD II region of the United States. It owns and operates a 115,000 barrels per day (bpd) coking medium-sour crude oil refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas and a 70,000 bpd medium complexity crude oil refinery in Wynnewood, Oklahoma capable of processing 20,000 bpd of light sour crude oils (within its 70,000 bpd capacity). In addition, it also controls and operates supporting logistics assets, including approximately 350 miles of owned pipelines, over 125 owned crude oil transports, a network of strategically located crude oil gathering tank farms, and over six million barrels of owned and leased crude oil storage capacity. On December 15, 2011, the Company�� subsidiary Coffeyville Resources, LLC (Cof feyville Resources) acquired Wynnewood Energy Company, LLC, formerly Gary-Williams Energy Corporation.

The Company�� Coffeyville and Wynnewood refineries are located approximately 100 miles and 130 miles from the crude oil hub at Cushing, Oklahoma. As of January 8, 2013, the Company gathered approximately 50,000 bpd of price-advantaged crudes from its gathering area, which includes Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. The Company also has 35,000 bpd of contracted capacity on the Keystone and Spearhead pipelines that allows it to supply price-advantaged Canadian and Bakken crudes to its refineries. As of January 8, 2013, the Company had 145,000 bpd pipeline system that transports crude oil from its Broome Station tank farm to its Coffeyville refinery, as well as a total of 6 million barrels of owned and leased crude oil storage capacity, including approximately 6% of the total crude oil storage capacity at Cushing.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Houston American Energy Corp (HUSA)

Houston American Energy Corp (Houston American), incorporated on April 2, 2001, is an independent oil and gas company focused on the development, exploration, exploitation, acquisition, and production of natural gas and crude oil properties in the United States Gulf Coast region and in South America. The Company�� oil and gas reserves and operations are concentrated in the South American country of Colombia and in the onshore Gulf Coast region, particularly Texas and Louisiana. The Company, along with its partners, manages its resources through acquisitions and divestitures where reserves can be identified, developed, monetized and financial resources redeployed with the objective of growing reserves, production and shareholder value. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company participated in the drilling of a total of 13 gross wells, all of which were in Colombia. Of the 13 wells drilled, 11 were classified as exploratory and two were classified as development.

United States Properties

In the United States, the Company�� properties and operations are located in the on-shore Gulf Coast region of Louisiana and Texas. Its producing and exploration properties in Louisiana consist of East Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish and Vermilion Parish. It holds a 37.5% working interest in the Profit Island and North Profit Island prospects, covering 3,805 gross acres in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. In addition, it holds a 7.29% royalty interest in 2,485 royalty acres, as well as a 5.675% royalty interest in the Crown Paper #01 well. It holds a 1.8% working interest in the SL 180771 well and prospect, which covers 300 gross acres. It holds a 2.25% working interest in the 830 acre La Furs, Inc. F-16 well and prospect. Its principal exploration properties in Texas consist of Jim Hogg County and Matagorda Country. The Company holds a 4.375% working interest in the 340 acre Hog Heaven Prospect in Jim Hogg County, Texas. As of December 31, 2011, the Hog Heaven Prospec! t produced gas from a single 6,200-foot well. It holds a 3.5% working interest in the 779 acre Harrison Prospect in Matagorda County, Texas.

Colombian Properties

As of December 31, 2011, the Company held interests in multiple prospects in Colombia covering 825,657 gross acres. Its holdings in Colombia are located within the Llanos and the Caguan Putumayo Basins. As of December 31, 2011 it held interests in five concessions operated by Hupecol. The La Cuerva and LLA 62 concessions are located in the Llanos Basin of Colombia and the Loc Picachos, Macaya and Serrania concessions are located in the Caguan Putumayo Basin of Colombia. The concessions cover an aggregate area of 480,205 acres. As of December 31, 2011, it had interests in 14 gross wells (0.22 net wells) in the La Cuerva block operated by Hupecol. Pursuant to two Farmout Agreements and a Joint Operating Agreement, it holds an interest in the 345,452 acre CPO 4 Block located in the Western Llanos Basin and operated by SK Innovation. As of December 31, 2011, it held a 37.5% interest in the CPO 4 Block. In July 2011, it commenced drilling operations on the first well on the CPO-4 Block, the Tamandua #1. As of December 31, 2011, the Tamandua #1 sidetrack well had been drilled to 13,989 feet. As of March 1, 2012, the Tamandua #1 sidetrack well was drilled to total depth of 15,562 feet.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Marathon Oil Corporation(MRO)

Marathon Oil Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an international energy company with operations in the United States, Canada, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, Oil Sands Mining, and Integrated Gas. The Exploration and Production segment explores for, produces, and markets liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas. The Oil Sands Mining segment mines, extracts, and transports bitumen from oil sands deposits in Alberta, Canada; and upgrades the bitumen to produce and market synthetic crude oil and vacuum gas oil. The Integrated Gas segment markets and transports products manufactured from natural gas, such as liquified natural gas and methanol. The company was formerly known as USX Corporation and changed its name to Marathon Oil Corporation in July 2001. Marathon Oil Corporation was founded in 1887 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joshua Bondy]

  The smaller players
  Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO  ) recently spun off its downstream assets into Marathon Petroleum. Marathon Oil's development of the Bakken and Eagle Ford are the main changes boosting its production volumes. Year-over-year, its second quarter U.S. volumes increased 38%. The Eagle Ford alone averaged 80 Mboepd and the Bakken averaged 39 Mboepd.

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  For instance, Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO  ) , which reported sizable improvements in both well costs and drilling days in the Eagle Ford, said it may reduce its rig count in the region by two this year, even though it plans to add 290 wells and boost production to 85,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

• [By David Smith]

  Discarding downstream
  As you know, a year ago Conoco spun off its refining, chemical, and pipeline assets to form Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX  ) . The new company has treated its shareholders well, chalking up gains of more than 80% during the past year, and 17% year to date. Of course, ConocoPhillips isn't the only formerly integrated company to have shed its downstream operations. Nearly a year earlier, Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO  ) formed Marathon Petroleum (NYSE: MPC  ) through a similar spinoff. That step resulted in another new company that's up more than 95% during the past year and nearly 30% year to date.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Genesis Energy LP (GEL)

Genesis Energy, L.P. (Genesis) is a limited partnership focused on the midstream segment of the oil and gas industry in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, primarily Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. The Company has a portfolio of customers, operations and assets, including pipelines, refinery-related plants, storage tanks and terminals, barges and trucks. Genesis provides an integrated range of services to refineries, oil, natural gas and carbon dioxide (CO2) producers, industrial and commercial enterprises that use sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and caustic soda, and businesses that use CO2 and other industrial gases. The Company operates in three segments: Pipeline Transportation, Refinery Services, and Supply and Logistics. In August 2011, the Company acquired black oil barge transportation business of Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. In November 2011, it acquired a 90% interest in a 3,500 barrel per day refinery located in Converse County, Wyoming, including 300 miles of abandoned 3- 6 pipeline. On January 3, 2012, it acquired interests in several Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems, including its 28% interest in the Poseidon pipeline system, its 29% interest in the Odyssey pipeline system, and its 23% interest in the Eugene Island pipeline system. In August 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of all the assets of the downstream transportation business of Hornbeck Offshore Transportation, LLC (Hornbeck).

Pipeline Transportation

The Company transports crude oil and carbon dioxide (CO2) for others for a fee in the Gulf Coast region of the United States through approximately 550 miles of pipeline. Its Pipeline Transportation segment owns and operates three crude oil common carrier pipelines and two CO2 pipelines. Its 235-mile Mississippi System provides shippers of crude oil in Mississippi indirect access to refineries, pipelines, storage terminals and other crude oil infrastructure ! located in the Midwest. Its 100-mile Jay System originates in southern Alabama and the panhandle of Florida and provides crude oil shippers access to refineries, pipelines and storage near Mobile, Alabama. The Company�� 90-mile Texas System transports crude oil from West Columbia to several delivery points near Houston. Its crude oil pipeline systems include access to a total of approximately 0.7 million barrels of crude oil storage.

The Company�� Free State Pipeline is an 86-mile, 20 CO2 pipelines that extends from CO2 source fields near Jackson, Mississippi, to oil fields in eastern Mississippi. It has a twenty-year transportation services agreement (through 2028) related to the transportation of CO2 on its Free State Pipeline.

Refinery Services

Genesis provides services to eight refining operations located in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, which operates storage and transportation assets in relation to its business and sell NaHS and caustic soda to industrial and commercial companies. The refinery services involve processing refiner�� sulfur (sour) gas streams to remove the sulfur. The refinery services also include terminals and it utilizes railcars, ships, barges and trucks to transport product. Its contracts are long-term in nature and have an average remaining term of four years.

Supply and Logistics

The Company provides services to Gulf Coast oil and gas producers and refineries through a combination of purchasing, transporting, storing, blending and marketing of crude oil and refined products, primarily fuel oil. It has access to a range of more than 250 trucks, 350 trailers and 50 barges with 1.5 million barrels of terminal storage capacity in multiple locations along the Gulf Coast, as well as capacity associated with its three common carrier crude oil pipelines.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Aimee Duffy]

  Distributions are incredibly important to master limited partnerships -- they are the reason many investors buy in, and ultimately what drive the market performance for this asset class. As news of distribution increases trickle in for the third quarter, Fool.com contributor Aimee Duffy takes a look at the payouts from Genesis Energy (NYSE: GEL  ) , Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE: PAA  ) , and Memorial Production Partners (NASDAQ: MEMP  ) , as all three MLPs are leading the way with the biggest distribution increases.

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Midstream oil and gas MLP Genesis Energy (GEL) raised its quarterly distribution 2.5% to 52.25 cents per share, payable Nov. 14 to unitholders of record as of Nov. 1.
  GEL Dividend Yield: 4.25%

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: Pembina Pipeline Corp (PBA)

Pembina Pipeline Corporation (Pembina) is a Calgary-based company, engaged in providing transportation and midstream services. It owns and operates: pipelines that transport conventional and synthetic crude oil and natural gas liquids produced in western Canada; oil sands, heavy oil and diluent pipelines; gas gathering and processing facilities; and, an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. It has facilities located in western Canada and in natural gas liquids markets in eastern Canada and the United States. Pembina also offers a spectrum of midstream and marketing services. Pembina�� Midstream business is organized into two segments: crude oil and NGL. The crude oil segment represents the Company�� midstream operations. The NGL segment includes two operating systems: Redwater West and Empress East. Pembina's Conventional Pipelines business consists of a pipeline network, located 7,850 kilometers, that extends across much of Alberta and British Columbia. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Vanin Aegea]

  Two companies that have been around for some time now are Imperial Oil (IMO) and Pembina Pipeline (PBA). Political instability in the Middle East has also given an extra relevance to the reserves found at this region, so let us see what the future holds and what gurus think of them.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Midstream operator Pembina Pipeline (NYSE: PBA  ) announced yesterday its monthly dividend for July, of $0.135 per share, which is designated an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. For non-resident shareholders, Pembina's dividends are considered "qualified dividends," subject to Canada's withholding tax.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Midstream operator�Pembina Pipeline� (NYSE: PBA  ) �announced yesterday its monthly dividend for May of $0.135 per share,�which is designated an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. For non-resident shareholders, Pembina's dividends are considered "qualified dividends" and are subject to Canadian withholding tax.

Top Oil Stocks To Buy Right Now: National-Oilwell Inc.(NOV)

National Oilwell Varco, Inc. designs, constructs, manufactures, and sells systems, components, and products used in oil and gas drilling and production; provides oilfield services and supplies; and distributes products, and provides supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry worldwide. Its Rig Technology segment offers offshore and onshore drilling rigs; derricks; pipe lifting, racking, rotating, and assembly systems; rig instrumentation systems; coiled tubing equipment and pressure pumping units; well workover rigs; wireline winches; wireline trucks; cranes; and turret mooring systems and other products for floating production, storage and offloading vessels, and other offshore vessels and terminals. The company?s Petroleum Services & Supplies segment provides various consumable goods and services to drill, complete, remediate, and workover oil and gas wells and service pipelines, flowlines, and other oilfield tubular goods. It also manufacture s, rents, and sells products and equipment for drilling operations, including drill pipe, wired drill pipe, transfer pumps, solids control systems, drilling motors, drilling fluids, drill bits, reamers and other downhole tools, and mud pump consumables. In addition, this segment provides oilfield tubular services comprising the provision of inspection and internal coating services; equipment for drill pipe, line pipe, tubing, casing, and pipelines; and coiled tubing pipes and composite pipes. Its Distribution Services segment sells maintenance, repair and operating supplies, and spare parts to drill site and production locations. The company primarily serves drilling contractors, shipyards and other rig fabricators, well servicing companies, pressure pumping companies, oil and gas companies, supply stores, and pipe-running service providers. National Oilwell Varco, Inc. was founded in 1862 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Isac Simon]

  Some solid performance
  Oilfield services companies have been performing quite well and I believe will continue to do so. Halliburton (NYSE: HAL  ) has been up 23% in the past 12 months. The company's drilling and evaluation and well completion services have seen sustained demand thanks to the various complexities involved in shale oil drilling. National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV  ) , on the other hand, is the industry leader when it comes to offshore drilling equipment. This company is a seasoned player in the industry and through its three divisions -- rig technology, petroleum services and supplies, and distribution and transmission. In short, National is a one-stop shop for all oilfield-related services.

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, oilfield services specialist National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday’s session are United Parcel Service Inc.(UPS), Newell Rubbermaid Inc.(NWL) and National Oilwell Varco Inc.(NOV)

• [By Tony Daltorio]

  But the best investment in this sector, according to Moors, is National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE: NOV).

  He calls it the "one company that stands to benefit most directly from what is happening in the equipment sector."

Europe: Poised to Shine

As it shakes off the political dysfunction, financial crises and recessions of 2013, Europe is enjoying a recovery that should accelerate in 2014. Indeed, European stocks are set to outperform this year.

In 2013, Europe’s performance wasn’t exactly shabby, either. US stocks locked in their best year in decades with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 27 percent in 2013 and the S&P 500 up 30 percent. But the Continent kept pace, despite a host of challenges.

London’s FTSE 100 finished the year 14 higher while Germany’s DAX Index shot up by 26 percent, as Europe’s economic woes finally began waning. The final quarter of 2013 saw several of the region’s economies return to growth as the European Union’s (EU) sovereign debt crisis eased.

Revenues at many European companies have been growing over the past year and margins are generally expanding. Earnings also grew on average in the high single digits last year and are expected to outpace those of US companies in 2014.

That’s largely due to the fact that while the European Central Bank (ECB) has maintained an extremely accommodative monetary policy, the pan-European government took a different approach to the region’s debt crisis than its American counterpart. The US relied primarily on stimulus efforts to grow out our recession, but theEU forced a tough program of austerity on its debtor governments and compelled them to bear most of the pain of the crisis.

Given those different approaches to crisis management, while European stocks are up by more than 140 percent since their 2009 lows, in economic terms Europe’s economic recovery is at least a couple of years behind America’s.

Risks still lurk in Europe. Many EU countries continue to carry what appear to be unsustainably high debt burdens and most of the region’s banks still hold substantial amounts of sovereig! n debt. But given that Europe is in a nascent recovery stage, its expected 1 percent growth in gross domestic product in 2014 should create better than 14 percent growth in earnings per share (EPS), thanks to this low base. Some investment banks are even more optimistic, with UBS (NYSE: UBS) forecasting average EPS growth in the region of 30 percent.

But even as the recovery is gaining momentum, the ECB is expected to maintain its extremely dovish stance. The will weigh on the euro, particularly relative to the US dollar as the US Fed tapers back its bond purchases, giving the region’s exporters a strong competitive advantage.

In light of the tear American equities have been on over the past three years, 2014 will likely be a much better year for European stocks than for those in the US.

In the early stages of the US economic recovery, the financial sector outperformed and, odds are, the case will be much the same in Europe. While risks continue looming on the balance sheets of major European banks such as HSBC (NYSE: HSBC) and BNP Paribas (OTC: BNPQY), these firms will experience significant margin expansion as Europe’s economy returns to growth even as the ECB remains accommodative and might even undertake additional stimulus measures to avoid deflation

Technology names such as SAP (NYSE: SAP) and Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG) will also get a boost from a pickup in both business and consumer spending. Businesses have been dragging their feet on technology upgrades thanks to the weak business environment. Sagging consumer confidence also helped to push the region’s personal savings rate up to a recent high of 13.1 percent in the euro zone in the second quarter, but that number should start creeping down as the economy improves.

So while the US economic recovery has become old news, Europe will likely be the real success story in 2014 and should gain momentum into 2015 as economic growth continues to accelerate. Don’t underweight emerging market sto! cks and c! ertainly don’t dump the US, but Europe will be the big winner in the new year.

Diamond Offshore’s Beat, Market Rally Brings Respite For Battered Drillers

What would it take to get hard-hit offshore drillers rallying? How about strong market and solid earnings from Diamond Offshore (DO)?

Associated Press

Diamond Offshore had dropped 18% this year through yesterday’s close, while Transocean (RIG) had fallen 15%, Noble (NE) had declined 17%, Seadrill (SDRL) had dropped 12% and Atwood Oceanics (ATW), which reported earnings yesterday, had fallen 13%. But all the bearishness has been forgotten, what with the S&P 500 up more than 1% and Diamond Offshore trouncing analyst forecasts.

Diamond Offshore said it earned 96 cents a share not including special items, well above forecasts for an 80 cent profit. Revenue fell 3% to $726.5 million but beat forecasts for $697.5 million. Cowen’s J.B. Lowe, who rates Diamond Offshore Market Perform, says the results “have modestly positive implications for the stock,” and is excited about Diamond Offshore’s increased dayrates:

Contract drilling revenues from continuing operations of $685 million (adjusting for $23 million in non-operating revenue in connection with a settlement agreement with a customer) surpassed our estimate of $677 million. Sequential performance improvement was driven by increased average dayrates across all floater segments. Ultra-deepwater average dayrates for the quarter were up from $284 k/d to $350 k/d, while deepwater dayrates increased to $402 k/d from $380 k/d, and mid-water floater rates increase to $277 k/d from $258 k/d.

Wunderlich’s Todd Scholl, who rates the stock Neutral, worries about the short duration of Diamond Offshore’s contracts. He writes:

The company announced new one-well contracts for the Ocean King, Ocean Princess, Ocean Confidence, and the Ocean Apex as well as a 121 day extension for the Ocean Titan. While the announcement of the contracts and extensions is a positive we believe the low duration of these contracts may be the new norm for many of Diamond’s older lower specification rigs which will translate to a lower backlog and less revenue visibility.

As for Atwood Oceanics, Barclays’ James West and Zachary Sadow, who presented a troubling picture for the industry in a report last week, worry about what the future holds for the company–and offshore drillers generally.

The floating rig market is in the process of deteriorating due to a variety of issues, including the delivery of numerous uncontracted newbuilds, a slow-down in tenders, drilling program cancellations, and some unsuccessful appraisal drilling recently. As a result, conditions should continue to soften in the coming months and there is increasing scope for older idle units (or rigs rolling off contract) to be coldstacked in mid-2014. The jackup market continues to hold-up and [Atwood Oceanics] is doing a good job executing in the shallow-water; however, we are becoming increasingly cautious on the jackup outlook considering the coming supply (84% of 133 on order uncontracted).

On a relative basis, [Atwood Oceanics] is well positioned to circumvent these changes due to strong fleet coverage this year (96% of fleet is contracted). However, we see increasing scope for some of the company's rigs to be idle prior to conditions improving, notably the Atwood Hunter…

Diamond Offshore has gained 1.7% today, while Transocean has risen 2.3%, Noble has advanced 1.5%, Seadrill has gained 2% and Atwood Oceanics has advanced 2.3%.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now

Obesity is a growing pandemic for many industrialized nations, especially in the U.S., where it now affects almost 36% of adults and 17% of adolescents. As with any sweeping problem, there are many ways to attack obesity. One new approach is through weight-loss pills that have successfully completed the regulatory gauntlet of clinical trials and scientific panels. In the last year alone, the Food and Drug Administration approved Belviq from Arena Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARNA  ) and Qsymia from VIVUS (NASDAQ: VVUS  ) . Both drugs work by suppressing the appetite and have demonstrated their effectiveness and safety in clinical trials.

Unfortunately, doctors have not been knocking down the doors to prescribe Qsymia, and I foresee a similar slow start for Belviq when it launches this June. This wasn't unexpected for the new treatments, but over time the prospects should brighten. Market research performed by Orexigen (NASDAQ: OREX  ) suggests that obesity prescriptions could grow 300% to 400% in the next five years from just 7.8 million in 2012. Given the obesity market's ability to support multiple blockbusters, investors may be wondering what other weight-loss therapies are being developed elsewhere in the industry. Here are three compounds in the pipeline that could become the future of the fight against obesity. �

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: SAP AG(SAP)

SAP AG provides business software primarily in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific Japan region. The company?s products includes SAP Business Suite software, which supports large organizations in their core business operations, such as supplier relationship, production, warehouse management, sales, administration, and customer relationship; SAP Business All-in-One, a business management software that assists midsize companies in managing various business functions, including financials, human resources, procurement, inventory, manufacturing, logistics, product development, sales, and marketing; SAP Business One, a business management application for small businesses; and SAP Business ByDesign, an on-demand solution for integrated business management applications. Its products also comprises SAP BusinessObjects Edge business intelligence and enterprise performance management solutions; Xcelsius, a data visualization software; Crystal Reports, which helps users design interactive reports; Sybase IQ, an optimized analytics server designed to deliver results for business intelligence, analytics, data warehousing, and reporting solutions; SAP solutions for sustainability; and SAP NetWeaver technology platform, which integrates information and business processes across various technologies and organizational structures. In addition, the company offers industry and solution-focused, business transformation, information technology transformation, custom development, and support services; and program, project management, quality assurance, and education and certification services. It sells its products through its subsidiaries and resellers. SAP AG has a strategic relationship with Cap Gemini S.A. to develop and deploy enterprise mobility solutions. The company was formerly known as SAP Aktiengesellschaft Systeme, Anwendungen, Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung. SAP AG was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Walldorf , Germany.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sarah Jones]

  SAP AG (SAP) climbed 1.2 percent to 57.36 euros and Cap Gemini SA (CAP) gained 1.8 percent to 39.95 euros as peer Infosys Ltd. surged the most in six months in Mumbai trading after first-quarter profit rose and the company�� sales forecast in dollar terms beat analyst estimates.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Koninklijke Ahold NV (AHONY.PK)

Koninklijke Ahold N.V. (Ahold), incorporated on April 29, 1920, is engaged in the operation of retail food stores in the United States and Europe through subsidiaries and joint ventures. Ahold�� retail operations are presented in four segments: Stop & Shop/Giant-Landover, Giant-Carlisle, Albert Heijn and Albert/Hypernova. During the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 (fiscal 2009), it operated 2,909 stores. On February 8, 2010, Ahold�� Giant-Carlisle acquired 25 stores from Ukrop�� Super Markets

Franchisees operated 783 of the Albert Heijn, Etos and Gall & Gall stores, 463 of which were either owned by the franchisees or leased independently from Ahold. Of the 2,446 stores, 20% were company-owned and 80% were leased. Ahold�� stores range in size from 20 to over 10,000 square meters. Albert Heijn is a food retailer in the Netherlands. Etos is a health and beauty retailer in the Netherlands. Gall & Gall is a wine and liquor specialist in the Netherlan ds. Stop & Shop is a supermarket brand, operating in six states in the northeast United States. Giant-Landover is a supermarket brand, operating in four states in the mid-Atlantic United States. Peapod is an online grocery delivery service working in partnership with Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover. It also serves the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, and the northern areas of Indiana.

5 Best Casino Stocks To Watch Right Now: Nestle SA (NESN)

Nestle SA is a Swiss Company engaged in the nutrition, health and wellness sectors. It is the holding company of the Nestle Group, which comprises subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures throughout the world. It has such business units as Food and Beverage, Nestle Waters and Nestle Nutrition. It is also active in the pharmaceutical sector. It divides its products into Powdered and liquid beverages, Water, Milk products and Ice cream, Nutrition, Prepared dishes and cooking aids, Confectionery, PetCare and Pharmaceutical products. In February 2011, the Company acquired CM&D Pharma Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  Swiss stocks fell for a second day, their first back-to-back losses this month, as Nestle (NESN) SA retreated after reporting slower growth in sales.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Pinnacle Foods Inc (PF)

Pinnacle Foods Inc., incorporated on July 28, 2003, is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded food products in North America. The Company operates in three segments: the Birds Eye Frozen Division, the Duncan Hines Grocery Division and the Specialty Foods Division. The Birds Eye Frozen Division and the Duncan Hines Grocery Division, which collectively represent its North America Retail operations, include the brands. Its brand portfolio enjoys household penetration in the United States, where its products can be found in approximately 85% of U.S. households. Its products are sold through supermarkets, grocery wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, super centers, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores and warehouse clubs in the United States and Canada, as well as in military channels and foodservice locations. On June 24, 2011, the Company completed the sale of its Watsonville, California facility which had been recorded as an asset held for sale.

Birds Eye Frozen Division

The Company�� Birds Eye Frozen Division includes its steamed and non-steamed product offerings, with a 27.0% market share, making Birds Eye the recognized frozen vegetables brand in the United States. Birds Eye was the Company to capture a nationwide market share with a product that enables consumers to conveniently steam vegetables in microwaveable packaging.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division

Duncan Hines is the division�� brand and includes cake mixes, ready-to-serve frostings, brownie mixes, muffin mixes, and cookie mixes. During the fiscal year ended September 23, 2012, the Company added two additional items to the line. In February 2012, the Company introduced a line of frosting products, Duncan Hines Frosting Creations, which uses a patent pending frosting system to allow consumers to customize their frosting into one of 12 different flavors. The Company also offers a complete line of shelf-stable pickle products that we market and distribute n! ationally, primarily under the Vlasic brand, and regionally under the Milwaukee�� and Wiejske Wyroby brands. In 2012, the Company introduced Vlasic Farmers Garden, artisan-quality pickle line.

Specialty Foods Division

The Company�� snack products primarily consist of Tim�� Cascade, Snyder of Berlin and Husman��. These direct store delivery brands have local awareness and hold market share positions in their regional markets. The Company also manufactures and distributes certain products, mainly in the frozen breakfast, canned meat, and pie and pastry fruit filling categories, through food service channels. The Company also manufactures and distributes certain private label products in the canned meat, shelf-stable pickles and frozen seafood. As part of its ongoing strategic focus over the last several years, the Company has deemphasized the food service and private label businesses for the benefit of its higher margin branded food products.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Diamond's new hire was most recently CFO of privately held Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company. Before that, he filled the same role with a number of firms, including Cott and Swift & Company. Silcock launched his career at Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB  ) in 1979. He currently serves on the board of directors of Pinnacle Foods (NYSE: PF  ) .

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  The biggest new holdings are Canadian Pacific Railway�and Allstate. Other new holdings of interest include Pinnacle Foods (NYSE: PF  ) and Eaton (NYSE: ETN  ) . Pinnacle Foods debuted via an IPO earlier this year, and soon after, initiated�a dividend, which yields about 2.8%. Its brands�include Birds Eye, Aunt Jemima, Hungry-Man, Van de Kamp's, Armour, Lender's, Mrs. Paul's, Vlasic, Log Cabin, Mrs. Butterworth, and Duncan Hines, among others. With the company carrying significant debt, it's reasonable that some worry about its interest in acquiring Unilever's�Wish-Bone salad dressing brand and Del Monte Foods' canned foods.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: 1-800 FLOWERS.COM Inc.(FLWS)

1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, operates as a florist and gift retailer in the United States. The company offers a range of products, including fresh-cut flowers, floral arrangements and plants, gifts, popcorn, gourmet foods and gift baskets, cookies, chocolates, candy, and wine through its telephonic and online sales channels, company-owned and operated retail floral stores, and franchised stores. It provides gourmet gifts, such as popcorn and specialty treats through thepopcornfactory.com; cookies and baked gifts through cheryls.com; chocolates and confections through fanniemay.com and harrylondon.com; gift baskets and towers through 1800baskets.com; Celebrations brand party ideas and planning tips through celebrations.com; and customizable invitations, announcements, and greeting cards through finestationery.com. As of July 3, 2011, the company operated 2 floral retail stores, 1 fulfillment center, and approximately 100 franchised stores located within the United States. It has strategic online relationships with Facebook, Google, AOL, Yahoo!, and Microsoft. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Carle Place, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Equities Lab]

  The stocks that currently pass the stock screen in order of market cap are Frontier Communications Corp , Crown Media Holdings (CRWN), Vonage Holding (VG), MCG Capital Corp (MCGC), 1-800-FLOWERS.COM (FLWS), MTR Gaming Corporation (MNTG), Alaska Communications (ALSK), and Enzon Pharmaceuticals (ENZN).

• [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 1-800-Flowers.com (Nasdaq: FLWS  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Earnings Expected From: 1-800 Flowers.com, Inc (NASDAQ: FLWS)

  Economic Releases Expected:�Eurozone unemployment rate, Italian CPI, Greek retail sales, French consumer spending, Canadian GDP.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Kellogg Co (K)

Kellogg Company (Kellogg), incorporated in 1922, is engaged in the manufacture and marketing of ready-to-eat cereal and convenience foods. Kellogg�� principal products are ready-to-eat cereals and convenience foods, such as cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, frozen waffles and veggie foods. As of February 28, 2012, these products were, manufactured by the Company in 17 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries. It also markets cookies, crackers, and other convenience foods, under brands, such as Kellogg��, Keebler, Cheez-It, Murray, Austin and Famous Amos, to supermarkets in the United States. Its cereal products are generally marketed under the Kellogg�� name and are sold principally to the grocery trade through direct sales forces for resale to consumers. Effective June 1, 2012, Procter & Gamble Co announced that it has completed the sale of its Pringles business to Kellogg.

As of February 28, 2012, Kellogg operated manufacturing plants and distribution and warehousing facilities totaling more than 30 million square feet of building area in the United States and other countries. Its manufacturing facilities in the United States include four cereal plants and warehouses located in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; Omaha, Nebraska and other plants or facilities in San Jose, California; Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, and Rome, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Seelyville, Indiana; Kansas City, Kansas; Florence, Louisville, and Pikeville, Kentucky; Grand Rapids and Wyoming, Michigan; Blue Anchor, New Jersey; Cary and Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati, West Jefferson, and Zanesville, Ohio; Muncy, Pennsylvania; Rossville, Tennessee; Clearfield, Utah; and Allyn, Washington. As of February 28, 2012, outside the United States, the Company had, additional manufacturing locations, some with warehousing facilities, in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Great Britain, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, S! outh Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Venezuela.

The Company�� trademarks include Kellogg�� for cereals, convenience foods and its other products, and the brand names of certain ready-to-eat cereals, including All-Bran, Apple Jacks, Bran Buds, Cinnamon Crunch Crispix, Choco Zucaritas, Cocoa Krispies, Complete, Kellogg�� Corn Flakes, Corn Pops, Cracklin��Oat Bran, Crispix, Cruncheroos, Crunchmania, Crunchy Nut, Eggo, Kellogg�� FiberPlus, Froot Loops, Kellogg�� Frosted Flakes, Kellogg�� Krave, Frosted Krispies, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Fruit Harvest, Just Right, Kellogg�� Low Fat Granola, Mueslix, Pops, Product 19, Kellogg�� Raisin Bran, Raisin Bran Crunch, Rice Krispies, Rice Krispies Treats, Smacks/Honey Smacks, Smart Start, Kellogg�� Smorz, Special K, Special K Red Berries and Zucaritas in the United States and elsewhere; Crusli, Sucrilhos, Vector, Musli, NutriDia, and Choco Krispis for cereals in Latin America. Vive and Vector are brands in Canada; Coco Pops, Chocos, Frosties, Fruit�� Fibre, Kellogg�� Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes, Honey Loops, Kellogg�� Extra, Sustain, Muslix, Country Store, Ricicles, Smacks, Start, Pops, Optima and Tresor for cereals in Europe; and Cerola, Sultana Bran, Chex, Frosties, Goldies, Rice Bubbles, Nutri-Grain, Kellogg�� Iron Man Food, and BeBig for cereals in Asia and Australia. In additional, the Company trademarks are the names of certain combinations of ready-to-eat Kellogg�� cereals, including Fun Pak, Jumbo, and Variety.

Other Company brand names include Kellogg�� Corn Flake Crumbs; All-Bran, Choco Krispis, Froot Loops, Special K, NutriDia, Kuadri-Krispis, Zucaritas and Crusli for cereal bars, Komplete for biscuits; and Kaos for snacks in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America; Pop-Tarts and Pop-Tarts Ice Cream Shoppe for toaster pastries; Pop-Tarts Mini Crisps for crackers; Eggo, Eggo FiberPlus and Nutri-Grain for frozen waffles and pancakes; Rice Krispies Treats for baked snacks and convenience foods; Special K! and Spec! ial K2O for flavored protein water mixes and protein shakes, and Nutri-Grain cereal bars, Nutri-Grain yogurt bars, for convenience foods in the United States and elsewhere. Brands like K-Time, Rice Bubbles, Day Dawn, Be Natural, Sunibrite and LCMs for convenience foods in Asia and Australia; Nutri-Grain Squares, Nutri-Grain Elevenses, and Rice Krispies Squares for convenience foods in Europe; Kashi and GoLean for certain cereals, nutrition bars, and mixes; TLC for granola and cereal bars, crackers and cookies; Special K and Vector for meal replacement products; Bear Naked for granola cereal, bars and trail mix and Morningstar Farms, Loma Linda, Natural Touch, Gardenburger and Worthington for certain meat and egg alternatives. It also markets convenience foods under trademarks and trade names, which include Keebler, Austin, Keebler Baker�� Treasures, Cheez-It, Chips Deluxe, Club, E. L. Fudge, Famous Amos, Fudge Shoppe, Kellogg�� FiberPlus, Gripz, Jack��, Jackson��, Krispy, Mother��, Murray, Murray Sugar Free, Ready Crust, Right Bites, Sandies, Special K, Soft Batch, Stretch Island, Sunshine, Toasteds, Town House, Vienna Creams, Vienna Fingers, Wheatables and Zesta.

The Company�� trademarks also include logos and depictions of certain animated characters in conjunction with its products, including Snap!Crackle!Pop! for Cocoa Krispies and Rice Krispies cereals and Rice Krispies Treats convenience foods; Tony the Tiger for Kellogg�� Frosted Flakes, Zucaritas, Sucrilhos and Frosties cereals and convenience foods, and Ernie Keebler for cookies, convenience foods and other products. It also includes the Hollow Tree logo for certain convenience foods; Toucan Sam for Froot Loops cereal; Dig ��m for Smacks/Honey Smacks cereal; Sunny for Kellogg�� Raisin Bran and Raisin Bran Crunch cereals, Coco the Monkey for Coco Pops cereal; Cornelius for Kellogg�� Corn Flakes; Melvin the Elephant for certain cereal and convenience foods, and Chocos the Bear, Sammy the Seal (aka Smaxey the Seal! ) for cer! tain cereal products.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Kellogg (NYSE: K  ) reported earnings on May 2. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 30 (Q1), Kellogg missed estimates on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Tate & Lyle PLC (TLY)

Tate & Lyle PLC is a global provider of ingredients and solutions to the food, beverage and other industries. Through its manufacturing plants, it uses technology to turn raw materials into ingredients for its customers. These ingredients add taste, texture, nutrition and functionality to products globally use or consume every day. The Company operates through two global business units: speciality food ingredients, and bulk ingredients. These two business units are supported by support services and its commercial development group. The Company operates in two industries: corn wet milling and sweeteners.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Campbell Soup Co (CPB)

Campbell Soup Company (Campbell), incorporated on November 23, 1922, together with its subsidiaries, is a manufacturer and marketer of branded convenience food products. The Company operates in five segments: U.S. Simple Meals; Global Baking and Snacking; International Simple Meals and Beverages; U.S. Beverages; and North America Foodservice. In June 2012, the Company purchased 1300 Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Camden. On August 6, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of BF Bolthouse Holdco LLC (Bolthouse Farms). In September 2012, Vilmorin & Cie SA acquired the tomato and pepper breeding and sales business of the Company. In June 2013, Campbell Soup Co completed the acquisition of Plum Organics. In August 2013, Campbell Soup Company completed the acquisition of Kelsen Group A/S.

In the United States, Canada and Latin America, the Company�� products are resold to consumers in retail food chains, mass discounters, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores, drug stores, dollar stores and other retail, commercial and non-commercial establishments. In Europe, the Company�� products are resold to consumers in retail food chains, mass discounters, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores and other retail, commercial and non-commercial establishments. In the Asia Pacific region, the Company�� products are resold to consumers through retail food chains, convenience stores and other retail, commercial and non-commercial establishments.

U.S. Simple Meals

The U.S. Simple Meals segment aggregates the operating segments: U.S. Soup and U.S. Sauces. The U.S. Soup retail business includes the products, such as Campbell�� condensed and ready-to-serve soups, and Swanson broth and stocks. The U.S. Sauces retail business includes Pregopasta sauces, Pace Mexican sauces, Campbell�� canned gravies, pasta, and beans, and Swanson canned poultry.

Global Baking and Snacking

The Global Baking and Snacking segment include Pepperi! dge Farm cookies, crackers, bakery and frozen products in the United States retail. It also includes Arnott�� biscuits in Australia and Asia Pacific.

International Simple Meals and Beverages

The International Simple Meals and Beverages segment aggregates the simple meals and beverages operating segments outside of the United States, including Europe, the retail business in Canada, and the businesses in Asia Pacific, Latin America and China. The segment�� operations include Erasco and Heisse Tasse soups in Germany,Liebig and Royco soups in France, Devos Lemmens mayonnaise and cold sauces and Campbell�� and Royco soups in Belgium, and Bla Band soups and sauces in Sweden. In Canada, operations include Habitant and Campbell�� soups, Prego pasta sauces, Pace Mexican sauces, V8 juices and beverages and certain Pepperidge Farm products. In Asia Pacific, operations include Campbell�� soup and stock, Kimball sauces, V8 juices and beverages, Prego pasta sauce and Swanson broths.

U.S. Beverages

The U.S. Beverages segment represents the United States retail beverages business, including V8 juices and beverages, and Campbell�� tomato juice.

North America Foodservice

The North America Foodservice segment represents the distribution of products, such as soup, specialty entrees, beverage products, other prepared foods and Pepperidge Farm products through food service channels in the United States and Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Tuesday’s session are Best Buy Co.(BBY), Home Depot Inc.(HD) and Campbell Soup Co.(CPB)

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Sysco Corporation(SYY)

Sysco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, distributes food and related products primarily to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry in North America and Europe. The company offers a line of frozen foods, such as meats, fully prepared entrees, fruits, vegetables, and desserts; a line of canned and dry foods; fresh meats, custom-cut fresh steaks, other meat, seafood, and poultry; dairy products; beverage products; imported specialties; and fresh produce. It also supplies various non-food items, including paper products, such as disposable napkins, plates, and cups; tableware, which include china and silverware; cookware comprising pots, pans, and utensils; restaurant and kitchen equipment and supplies; and cleaning supplies. In addition, the company offers personal care guest amenities, equipment, housekeeping supplies, room accessories, and textiles to the lodging industry. It serves restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes, schools and colleges, hotels and mote ls, lodging establishments, and other foodservice customers. Sysco Corporation was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Sysco (SYY) doesn’t move look this. Really, it doesn’t.

  Sysco’s shares have gained 4.51% to $34.03 at 1:22 p.m. today, which, if the stock closed there now, would be the biggest gain since August 2012. It’s also just the 31st time in 2612 trading days that Sysco has move 4.51% or more in either direction in a single day, just 1.2% of the time. It also has a beta, or volatility relative to the S&P 500, of just 0.62.

  Most of the big-move days, I imagine, are like today, when Sysco got a big boost from its fiscal first-quarter earnings report. MarketWatch has the details:

  For the period ended Sept. 28, Sysco reported a profit of $285.6 million, or 48 cents a share, down from $286.6 million, or 49 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding restructuring-related expenses and other items, adjusted earnings were lower at 56 cents from 58 cents. Revenue increased 5.7% to $11.71 billion.

  Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters recently expected per-share earnings of 48 cents and revenue of $11.62 billion.

  Today’s move is quite a turnaround for Sysco, which plunged more than 4% on August 12 after releasing a disappointing earnings report.

  Guggenheim’s John Heinbockel and Steven Forbes remain unconvinced that Sysco has fixed its problems:

  We remain Neutral-rated on Sysco, believing that an ongoing challenging economic environment and pressure on gross margin to drive top-line growth (and market share) will limit EBIT growth over at least the next few quarters. The longer-term outlook could be better, as some benefit is derived from ERP, but uncertain. The shares are rising 4% pre-market (vs. a 0.40% increase in the S&P 500), possibly on lower BTS expenses as well as a greater-than-expected CP-funded share buyback. We would remain on the sidelines and expect other names, like Family Dollar (FDO), Kroger (KR), and Five Below (FIVE) to outperform from here.

  Try telling that to the mark

• [By Jacob Roche]

  Still, even a crushing fourth-quarter miss would give United Natural some growth for the year. That's more than can be said for the company's conventional counterparts. Safeway (NYSE: SWY  ) is estimating essentially flat sales growth, and analysts estimate that Sysco (NYSE: SYY  ) , the world's largest food distributor, will see an actual drop in sales this year.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  ��Sysco Corp. (SYY), a food distributor, announced disappointing earnings as weakness in its end markets has made it difficult to achieve anticipated revenue growth targets.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (FITX)

Creative Edge Nutrition Inc. (CENergy), formerly Laufer Bridge Enterprises Inc, incorporated on January 10, 2008, is engaged in the development, marketing and sales of nutraceuticals and health supplements. The Company�� product categories include lean, energy, essentials, mass, vitamins and apparel. In July 2012, it acquired Innovative Fulfillment Corp. In August 2012, the Company acquired SCD Enterprises, LLC. In September 2012, the Company acquired A-Z-Nutrition.com. In September 2012, the Company acquired Sci-Fit and Nature's Science product brands. In March 2013, it announced its entrance into the Medical Marijuana Sector through Hemp Protein Powder, Naturals Line, Hemp-plex and Chia-plex. In May 2013, Creative Edge Nutrition Inc acquired Canadian Nutrition Super Stores.

Metabolic Xtreme utilizes the technology and advancement in weight loss technology. Cenergy�� Amino Acid Complex is the supplement for athletes, bodybuilders and anyone who's trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap stocks CD International Enterprises Inc (OTCMKTS: CDII), Creative Edge Nutrition Inc (OTCMKTS: FITX) and Metrospaces Inc (OTCMKTS: MSPC) have all been the subject of recent as well as past paid for stock promotions. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed stock promotions or investor awareness campaigns, but they can and do often backfire on unwary investors and traders alike. With that in mind, will investors and traders come out winners with these small caps or should they just be left to the promoters? Here is a quick reality check:

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Neutra Corp (NTRR.PK)

Neutra Corp. incorporated on January 11, 2011, is a development-stage company. The Company�� business and registered office is located in Sarasota, Florida. The Company�� intended private label products consists of aging, cognitive support, antioxidants/flavonoids, circulatory support, detoxification support, endocrine support, essential fatty acids, gastrointestinal support, immune support, men�� health, minerals, mood/sleep support, multiples, musculoskeletal support, neurological support, proteins/amino acids, vitamins, women�� health and veterinary products. The Company�� product focuses to research and development in a range of areas, such as weight-loss, detox, men�� health, acid-alkali pH balance, anti-aging, sleep disorders, autism, pain management with the use of medical cannabis products, and air space sanitation derived by nutraceutical technology.

The Company focuses to market and sell nutraceutical supplement products to health pra ctitioners. It focuses direct marketing and sales towards Members of the American Association for Health Freedom (American Association for Health Freedom has merged with Alliance for Natural Health) www.anh-usa.org; American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, www.naturopathic.org; American Association of Oriental Medicine, www.aaom.org, and American College for Advancement in Medicine, www.acamnet.org. It also focuses direct marketing and sales towards American Holistic Medical Association, www.holisticmedicine.org; American Dietetic Association, www.eatright.org, and American Herbalist Guild, www.americanherbalistsguild.com.

The Company competes with Thone Research, The Vitamin Company, Nutraceutical International Corp! oration, Protocol For Life, Medagenics and Standard Process.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: Chiquita Brands International Inc. (CQB)

Chiquita Brands International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution and marketing of bananas and fresh produce under the Chiquita and other brand names worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Bananas, Salads and Healthy Snacks, and Other Produce. The Banana segment sources, transports, markets, and distributes bananas to retailers and wholesalers, and chain stores. It also engages in the cultivation and production of bananas. The Salads and Healthy Snacks segment offers value-added salads under the Fresh Express and other labels; and fresh vegetable and fruit ingredients used in foodservice, healthy snacks, and processed fruit ingredient products. This segment also provides fresh-cut products, such as lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, cabbage, and onions to foodservice distributors who resell these products to foodservice operators. It distributes Fresh Express branded products to food retailers, foodservice distributors, and quick-service restaurants; and fresh produce foodservice offerings primarily to third-party distributors for resale principally to quick-service restaurants in the United States. The Other Produce segment engages in sourcing, marketing, and distributing fresh fruits and vegetables other than bananas in Europe and North America. It offers grapes, pineapples, melons, kiwis, tomatoes, and avocados. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Lewis]

  In the ever-difficult, commoditized business of produce, Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB  ) has been a constant player, if troubled in recent years. Margin pressure and a shift in industry trends left the company with weak financials and angry shareholders, but in the past 12 months much of that has turned around. In the midst of a restructuring and armed with a (relatively) new CEO, this company is pushing its 52-week highs but may be headed higher. Does the banana brand belong in your portfolio?

• [By Sara Murphy]

  Furthermore, the court's finding does not undermine the use of the ATS in cases of human rights abuses. It just requires a stronger connection to the United States. That means that other ATS cases currently working their way through the legal system, such as Earth Rights International's case against Chiquita (NYSE: CQB  ) for allegedly funding and arming Colombian terrorists, are still on track. That also means that the link from human rights violations to corporate liability remains.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  After all, like Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB  ) , Dole's been undergoing a significant corporate restructuring, and last month it�sold its packaged-foods and Asia fresh business for $1.7 billion, making it a more focused international fresh fruit business, but one subject to all the vagaries that entails. In comparison, Chiquita's reorganization has it looking to become a high-volume, low-cost producer of bananas and chopped salads.

• [By Rich Smith]

  Charlotte, N.C.-based Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB  ) will soon have a new chief financial officer -- and a new chief operating officer, too. Sort of.

Best Food Stocks To Watch Right Now: MusclePharm Corp (MSLP.PK)

MusclePharm Corporation (MusclePharm), incorporated on August 4, 2006, is engaged in the business of providing personal fitness training using isometric techniques (Tone in Twenty). Muscle Pharm offers 12 products: Assault, Battle Fuel, Bullet Proof, Combat Powder, MuscleGel, Shred Matrix, Re-con, Armor-V, BCAA 3:1:2, ZMA Max, Glutamine and Creatine. MusclePharm is an expanding healthy life-style company that develops and distributes a full line of National Sanitation Foundation International and scientifically approved, nutritional supplements that are 100% free of any banned substances. MusclePharm products are sold in over 120 countries and available in over 5,000 United States retail outlets, including GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and Vitamin World. The Company also sells its products in over 100 online stores, including bodybuilding.com, amazon.com and vitacost.com.

Assault

Assault helps fight fatigue, boost performance, build muscle, increase int ensity, hydrate muscles and feed muscles valuable, clinically-proven nutrients, such as ConCrete, Beta Alanine, BCAAs and Cinnulin. Assault is a safe pre-workout formula that increases strength, aerobic and anaerobic performance, reduces stomach fat and meets NFS and informed choice product standards for being free of banned substances.

Battle Fuel

Battle Fuel helps to increase lean mass and strength, improve endurance and energy levels, naturally detoxify and enhance aggressive mental focus. The herbal formula enhances and supports all things masculine to drive strength, power and lean muscle mass development. Battle Fuel also assists with recovery through an intense combination of cleansing agents and natural elements that reduce fatigue and improve cellular immunity.

Bullet Proof

Bullet Proof helps increase recovery effectiveness and hormonal up-regulation. It also improves lean muscle tissue growth and helps relieve som e forms of pain.

Combat Powder

C! om! bat helps the body receive 25 grams of high quality protein, fuel fat loss, support healthy body composition, nourish lean muscle and speed up recovery. Combat is designed to help fill the gap in nutrition that athletes and super-active people may experience, to ensure their bodies are growing and recovering.

MuscleGel

MuscleGel helps in receiving more of the nutrients that body needs every day. Packed full of different proteins like building block amino acids, MuscleGel�� patented Pro-Fusion Technology gel format yields a fast-absorbing, highly bio-available source of next generation fitness food. For protein, carbohydrates and vitamins, MuscleGel delivers. It works on-the-go, fills athletes up and streams right to those parts of an athletes��body where nutrients are needed most.

SHRED Matrix

SHRED Matrix is superior for burning fat naturally, counteracting mood swings and helping athletes stay focused on weight loss a nd quick results. This 8-Stage Weight Loss System was specifically made for athletes and people who exercise regularly. As a total body diet, it sheds pounds, burns fat cells and attacks fat loss from every angle. While natural fat burners are at work, proven ingredients like Sugar Stop and the enzyme aid matrix keep athletes��appetites in check. Additionally, the formula is tuned so users won�� experience jitters or a crash.

Re-con

Re-con helps athletes recover quicker and more effectively, repair muscle cells, feed the body nutrients and grow stronger with ingredients, such as BCAAs, EAAs, cellular detoxifiers, muscle-loading carbohydrates and stress hormone regulators. This maximizes an athlete�� anabolic window, the post-workout phase where the body repairs and rebuilds tissue. Re-con promotes growth from every angle, delivering proteins and nutritious elements in their ideal forms.

Armor-V

Armor-V helps athletes receive a full dose of important vitamins and minerals,! keep! s ! vital o! rgans, such as the liver clean of toxins, recover faster and keep the body�� hormones balanced. This system was designed to meet the standards of high-performance athletes, who need a dedicated source of vitamins and minerals. Loaded with anti-oxidants and system optimizers derived from fruits and vegetables, Armor-V brings together organic, herbal and natural ingredients into a multi-nutrient complex that benefits active bodies.

BCAA 3:1:2

BCAA helps athletes receive ideal amounts of the Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, from this patented ratio of 3:1:2, promote muscle development and maintenance, increase lean body mass and spur weight loss. BCAAs are part of the group of essential amino acids a body needs. Its patented 3:1:2 ratio is designed to release the ideal amounts of each amino acid both before and after a workout. This prevents muscle breakdown and leads to gains in body mass without losing weight.

ZMA Max

MusclePharm ZMA Max supports muscle growth and recovery, promotes deeper and more efficient sleep to maximize healing, tissue repair, anabolic hormone production and testosterone levels. It delivers the benefits of precise dosages and ZMA ingredient ratios and adds the synergistic effects of clinically-proven Fenugreek to support the balance of cholesterol levels, as well as increase of healthy libido function in women and men.

MP Glutamine

MusclePharm Core Series MP Glutamine supplement increases whole body glutamine status by enhancing an athlete�� uptake, bioavailability and digestion. Feeding the body a dedicated source of glutamine ultimately provides optimal muscle-tissue saturation through an range of three pure yet diverse nutritional glutamine complexes that delivers a substantial range of benefits.

Creatine

MusclePharm MP Core Series Creatine increases creatine status by enhancing up take and bioavailability while fueling stamina, s! trength a! nd! lean mus! cle growth. Many athletes who engage in high-intensity/short duration exercises like weightlifting use creatine. The clinically-proven ingredient Cinnulin heightens absorption, which assists its five pure and diverse creatine complexes, delivering a range of benefits will launch directly into muscles. MP Creatine increases explosive energy, ATP energy and overall power.

The Company competes with Optimum Nutrition, Inc. (Optimum), Iovate Health Sciences, Inc. (IHS), Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition, Inc. (BSN).