JFK Said These Very Wise Words

JFK never said, "Ich bin ein Taxpayer," but he might have. He understood something many people in America don't even 50 years after his death. Our tax system creates odd incentives and needs reform. That was true 50 years ago and remains so today.

JFK didn't like expense accounts and business entertainment in the Mad Men era of the three martini lunch. And JFK did say this: ''The slogan – 'It's deductible' – should pass from our scene.'' He said it in a Special Message to Congress on Taxation, Apr. 20, 1961.

Beyond expense accounts and business entertainment, his message had far broader implications. Then, as now, ''it's deductible'' can sound downright obnoxious. Spend freely and deduct it so someone else—American taxpayers—will pay the bill, it seems to exhort.

10 Best Canadian Stocks To Watch Right Now

If JFK were alive today he'd probably have something to say about much of our society and politics. And the tax deductions our system allows. When the IRS took a beating over lavish expenses in this report, it was clear that is isn't just taxpayers saying "it's deductible" so spend away.

According to the report, the IRS spent $4.1 million on a conference in Anaheim. There were "questionable expenses," some even "lavish." Yet tax rules make lavish expenses a no-no. Taxpayers can deduct reasonable business expenses, not lavish or extravagant ones.

What's lavish or extravagant? It depends, and the IRS doesn't provide much guidance. An expense isn't lavish or extravagant if it is reasonable considering the facts and circumstances. Expenses will not be disallowed just because they take place at deluxe restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, or resorts.

So what's lavish? It's sometimes defined as a business expense that is significantly higher than what is considered reasonable. Again, not much help. What if a company pays triple the market rate? That may be lavish or extravagant. That makes it–at least the portion deemed lavish by the IRS–not tax deductible.

And the mere fact that you conduct business entertainment at a high-end restaurants or hotels doesn't mean it's lavish. Consider the 10 most expensive restaurants in the world. Yet even if you can legitimately deduct it, that doesn't mean such spending is smart. And sometimes if you are spending in the stratosphere, you might expect the IRS to claim it's personal.

Would you spend $3.46M for lunch with Warren Buffett? That's expensive even if it was to support San Francisco's Glide Memorial Church. It was for charity and included Buffett, the donor, and up to six guests. So maybe the lunch is worth $1,000?

Oddly enough, Buffett's presence—or any celebrity's—isn't treated as having any value. Although Buffett's investment advice might be priceless, this lunch excludes investment discussions. Yet as a practical matter, the lunch might have a huge value for the donor. Want proof?

The donor who bought lunch with Buffett in 2011 now helps manage Berkshire Hathaway's Investment Portfolio. See What Return Does Lunch With Warren Buffett Yield? Most of that $3.46M should be deductible, but as a charitable contribution (in excess of the meal value), not as a business expense. Should Warren Buffett's $3.46M Lunch Be Tax Deductible?

You can reach me at Wood@WoodLLP.com. This discussion is not intended as legal advice, and cannot be relied upon for any purpose without the services of a qualified professional.

Analysts Team Issues Upside Targets on Twitter, Ahead of the IPO

Most Wall Street analysts wait for a company’s IPO to actually price and then start trading before they issue Buy, Sell, or Hold recommendations (or other recommendations). This is not the case for Twitter as Sterne Agee’s Arvind Bhatia and Brett Strauser initiated coverage of Twitter with upside price targets that would translate to a “Buy” rating if the IPO came out right in its expected price range.

The Sterne Agee team did not establish any formal rating or price target yet. It is the tone of this report that sounds so positive, and they have opined that shares would be attractive if the IPO prices in the $17 to $20 proposed range.

Twitter’s IPO is expected to hit in the first week of November. The team’s valuation work suggests a base case valuation of $25 to $32 per share in the next 12 months to 24 months. The upside case is a value of $33 to $48 per share, versus a downside case of $13 to $15 per share. Again, this is a call for the next 12 months to 24 months.

Twitter was shown to have some 232 million monthly active users, including 53 million in the U.S. Mobile accounts for 76% of the monthly active users, and over 70% of the advertising revenue was from mobile in the most recent quarter. The social network’s international user base represents 77% of the total but that same international group accounts for only 25% of the revenue.

The Sterne Agee team called the valuation proposal, “Twitter's scale and deeply engaged user base create valuable opportunities for advertisers to leverage the platform. Advertisers can communicate directly with their followers for free, or they can purchase Twitter's advertising services to reach a broader audience. Twitter's platform partners include publishers, media, outlets, and developers, who have integrated with Twitter through an application programming interface, which allows them to seamlessly leverage Twitter as a complementary distribution channel for their content. Twitter plans to continue to integrate more content into their API to allow platform partners to distribute more forms of content.”

Another issue pointed out is that 11% of Twitter’s revenue came from Data Licensing. This is where it provides data partners with detailed historical and real-time analytics regarding total user interactions with the platform. Only five of the top data partners generated about 73% of the data licensing revenue in the first 9 months of 2013.

Twitter plans to issue 70 million shares, or up to 80.5 million shares if you include the overallotment shares for the underwriters. This would generate a capital raise of $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion before fees.

Top BD Execs Predict What the Industry Will Look Like in 10 Years

A panel of top BD executives gave their predictions on what the industry will look like 10 years from now — as well as what it will take for advisors and broker-dealers to survive that long.

Tony Batman, chairman and CEO of 1st Global, said that hybrid advisors were best suited to serve clients’ many needs. Amy Webber, president and COO of Cambridge Investment Research, agreed that the hybrid model was the “best” one.

Both Batman and Wayne Bloom, CEO of Commonwealth Financial Network, also agreed that those advisors who can master wealth decumulation — as accumulation becomes passé for retiring clients — will fare well. Advisors who can successfully move from the accumulation phase to the decumulation phase and “do this well and provide retirement income will generate assets,” Bloom said.

Added Batman: “Wealth decumulation is complicated, but our industry is the only one with the answers.”

While all three noted the importance of technology to firms’ survival, Bloom noted that advisors will also be dealing with a “different set of clients,” and that they will have to develop “new communication skills.”

Webber added that while clients will change, the make-up of firms will have to change as well. The “most successful” advisors will have “three generations” of advisors working there, and also more women.

Batman pointedly noted the industry’s failure to go after the next generation of clients: “One in 4 of top 1% of earners are under age 40 — they are income-rich and are totally neglected.”

---

Check out ‘Improving’ FINRA Among Top Goals for BD Lobby on ThinkAdvisor.

Susquehanna Maintains “Positive” Rating on UnitedHealth; Raises PT (UNH)

Susquehanna reported on Wednesday that it has maintained a “Positive” rating on UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH).

The firm has reiterated a “Positive” rating on UNH, and has increased the company’s price target from $81 to $84. This new price target suggests a 15% upside from the stock’s current price of $71.63.

In the report the firm noted, "We expect the managed care group will post solid third quarter results beginning when UNH kicks of earnings on October 17. The earnings period will matter for the group as Humana will offer specific EPS guidance for 2014 and others, particularly UNH, are likely to offer at least some preliminary expectations for next year."

UnitedHealth shares were mostly flat during Wednesday morning trading. The stock is up 32% YTD.

These Momentum Stocks Were Laggards Not All That Long Ago

Wall Street is a very fickle mistress. Analysts that work on Wall Street often cannot see the forest for the trees. They are more concerned about defending their reputation than actually doing the heavy lifting that can really help an investor find top stocks to buy before they make their move.

UBS regularly puts out a research report on overwriting options on specific stocks. The most recent edition did not hold any great surprises, as the analysts are reluctant to be too aggressive with the volatility index (VIX) running low, but were inline with the average for the year. However they did point out some names that specifically they suggested not to overwrite. They also made some interesting comments on laggards that had turned into momentum stocks.

Momentum stocks are typically the ones people buy strictly on the notion that, even if they buy high, shares will go higher. This works great in a bull market like we are in, not so great if the market turns down. Here is an interesting list of names from UBS that were lagging the field and turned hot.

Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY) was an old time big-box retailer thought to be left for dead. The founder was trying to make waves, and electronics stores as a whole, like Circuit City, were in the Wall Street graveyard. Best Buy revamped its inventory and sales focus, opened up the online sales effort and has totally blown away the short sellers. The Thomson/First Call estimate for the stock is $39, and investors are paid a 1.8% dividend.

Cree Inc. (NASDAQ: CREE) was buried as light emitting diode (LED) sales had stumbled due to overcapacity. The company also overproduced some radio frequency (RF) semiconductor parts and had to slow production at one point to almost a standstill. A resilient housing and automobile market turned the market around and the stock went on a tear. The consensus price target is posted at a stunning $70.

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) is the epitome of the Wall Street research Titanic voyage. Beloved as the hottest stock ever before a botched IPO, analysts could not stand the stock as it sunk to its high teen lows. Now, at 52-week highs, everybody is a buyer. UBS concedes that despite the hot run, Facebook probably is still under-owned by institutions. The consensus target for the social media giant is $45.

Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) was totally left for dead, despite the fact that it dominated and innovated the entire online coupon industry. Many a struggling business resurrected their models by using Groupon to get consumers in the door. The stock has been off the charts hot. Up 10% in September and 120% over the past year, can it continue the hot streak? The consensus price target for the stock is at $11.50, close to yesterday’s close.

Fusion-io Inc. (NYSE: FIO) was busy going nowhere until Virident was bought by disc drive giant Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC). Then all eyes on Wall Street started to focus on which company may be the next acquisition target. Many think the odds are good that Fusion-io is that candidate. The consensus price target is posted at $15. The high target on Wall Street is a staggering $29.

Mosaic Co. (NYSE: MOS) got absolutely crushed as the potash market went into a tailspin this year. The stock was down almost 50% and totally left for dead as the short sellers circled. The potash market has stabilized and the stock has rebounded solidly. The consensus target for this top name is $85, and investors are paid a 2.2% dividend. A move to the target from today’s trading level would be an almost 100% gain for investors.

Nuance Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) is the company that brought you the Siri application that you can talk to on your iPhone. The stock also got crushed after an earnings miss this year. Mega-investor Carl Icahn has accumulated a 16.9% share of the company and may be looking for more. The consensus target for the stock sits at $22.

As September began, there were plenty of reasons to be careful about stocks, heading into what is typically the most challenging month of the year. Today will bring some resolution to the beginning of the Federal Reserve’s tapering program. All of the laggards turned momentum stocks are the least affected by the macro events, as many of them may have a binary event to drive them higher. That could prove big for investors.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now

Asian stocks fell, with a regional gauge retreating from a four-month high, as American lawmakers struggled over an accord to raise the U.S. debt limit and restore government operations.

LG Electronics Inc., the world�� No. 2 television maker that gets about 30 percent of sales in North America, slipped 0.9 percent in Seoul. Newcrest Mining Ltd. (NCM), Australia�� biggest gold producer, declined 3.9 percent as the bullion traded near a three-month low. OZ Minerals Ltd., a copper supplier, tumbled 8.1 percent in Sydney after reducing its production forecast.

The MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index dropped 0.3 percent to 471 as of 10:04 a.m. in Singapore, with about three shares falling for each that rose. Markets in Tokyo and Hong Kong are shut for holidays. With the U.S. borrowing authority set to lapse Oct. 17, Senate leaders in Washington sought a pact to avert a default and re-open the government.

��t�� a situation no one wants to be in, causing market volatility,��said Angus Gluskie, managing director at White Funds Management Ltd., where he helps oversee about $550 million ��he two political parties do need to reach an agreement. If there�� no deal by Thursday, markets will fall further. Investors are getting a little bit concerned on China after seeing a couple of weak data points.��

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Ensign Energy Svs Com Npv (ESI.TO)

Ensign Energy Services Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides oilfield services to the crude oil and natural gas industry in Canada, the United States, and internationally. Its oilfield services include drilling and well servicing, oil sands coring, directional drilling, underbalanced drilling, equipment rentals, transportation, wireline services, production testing services, and custom manufacturing. The company offers shallow, intermediate and deep well drilling, and specialized drilling services, including horizontal drilling, underbalanced drilling, horizontal re-entry, and slant drilling for steam assisted gravity drainage applications. It also provides coring/drilling rigs that support oil sands, coal bed methane, and shallow oil and natural gas development, as well as coring and drilling services to the mining and oil and natural gas industries. In addition, the company offers shallow to deep well services to oil and natural gas producers, such as completion s, abandonments, production workovers, and bottom hole pump changes; engages in the rental of oilfield equipment comprising drill strings, loaders, tanks, pumps, rig matting, and blow-out preventers; and offers ancillary equipment consisting of mud cleaning equipment, drill collars, drives, rotating heads, gas busters, iron roughnecks, hydraulic chokes, forklifts, and loaders. Further, it provides drilling contractor services, including directional drilling services; slickline, braided line, and production testing services; production and manufacturing services to the oil and natural gas industry; and mechanical wireline, production testing, and well optimization services, as well as designs and manufactures oil and natural gas production equipment. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned and operated a fleet of 344 land drilling and specialty rigs, as well as 139 well servicing rigs. Ensign Energy Services was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: SPX Corporation(SPW)

SPX Corporation provides flow technology products, test and measurement products, thermal equipment and services, and industrial products and services worldwide. The company?s Flow Technology segment provides products and solutions that are used to process, blend, filter, dry, meter, and transport fluids. This segment?s primary offerings include engineered pumps, mixers, process systems, heat exchangers, valves, and dehydration and drying technologies for food and beverage, general industrial, and power and energy markets. Its Test and Measurement segment provides diagnostic service tools, fare-collection systems, and portable cable and pipe locators for the transportation, telecommunications, and utility industries. The company?s Thermal Equipment and Services segment engineers, manufactures, and services cooling, heating, and ventilation products, including dry, wet, and hybrid cooling systems for the power generation, refrigeration, HVAC, and industrial markets, as well as boilers, heating, and ventilation products for the commercial and residential markets. This segment also provides thermal components and engineered services. Its Industrial Products and Services segment designs, manufactures, and markets power systems; industrial tools and hydraulic units; precision machine components for the aerospace industry; crystal growing machines for the solar power generation market; television, radio, and cell phone and data transmission broadcast antenna systems; communications and signal monitoring systems; and precision controlled industrial ovens and chambers. SPX Corporation markets its products through various channels, including stocking distributors, manufacturing representatives, third-party distributors, direct sales, and retailers. The company was formerly known as Piston Ring Company and changed its name to SPX Corporation in 1988. SPX Corporation was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Damon Churchwell]

  These companies manufacture processing products used by industries such as food and beverages, oil & gas, and wastewater treatment, among others. They serve a wide range of end markets that are mostly poised for increased earnings and are likely to spend on capital projects. While these positive trends persist, flow technology companies' prospects ought to remain favorable. Let's�highlight several sector participants, starting with a top selection,�SPX�(NYSE: SPW),.

5 Best Value Stocks To Buy Right Now: Astral Mining Corp (AA.V)

Astral Mining Corporation, a junior exploration company, engages in the acquisition, evaluation, exploration, and development of precious metal properties in North America. The company primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. It holds interest in the Jumping Josephine Gold property consisting of 99 mineral claims covering 43,488 hectares in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. The company was formerly known as Amanda Resources Corp. and changed its name to Astral Mining Corporation in June 2005. Astral Mining Corporation was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. As of February 12, 2013, Astral Mining Corp. operates as a subsidiary of Orex Minerals Inc.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Owens-Illinois Inc.(OI)

Owens-Illinois, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells glass container products primarily in Europe, North America, South America, and the Asia Pacific. The company produces glass containers for beer, ready-to-drink low alcohol refreshers, spirits, wine, food, tea, juice, and pharmaceuticals, as well as for soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages, including returnable/refillable glass containers. It serves brewers, wine vintners, distillers, and food producers. The company sells its products directly to customers under annual or multi-year supply agreements, as well as through distributors. Owens-Illinois, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Eisen and Saumya Vaishampayan]

  Owens Illinois Inc. (OI) �was down 2.1% Friday. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch reportedly downgraded the glass company to neutral from buy , according to the Analyst Ratings Network.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Owens-Illinois Inc. (NYSE: OI) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral by J.P. Morgan, sending shares up almost 4%.

  Also see a guide to oil and stocks based up military action in Syria �prepared by UBS.

• [By Anora Mahmudova]

  Owens Illinois Inc. (OI) �fell 1.9%. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch reportedly downgraded the glass company to neutral from buy , according to the Analyst Ratings Network.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Primo Water Corporation(PRMW)

Primo Water Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides three- and five-gallon purified bottled water, self-serve filtered drinking water, water dispensers, and carbonating beverage appliances in the United States and Canada. The company?s Primo Water segment sells multi-gallon purified bottled water and self-serve filtered drinking water vending service through retailers in the United States and Canada. It offers its services through point of purchase display racks or self-serve filtered water vending displays, and recycling centers. Its Primo Dispensers segment sells water dispensers that are designed to dispense Primo and other dispenser-compatible bottled water. This segment engages in dispensers sales primarily through retailers. The company also offers home beverage appliances, flavor concentrates, carbon dioxide cylinders, and accessories used with the appliances to make various cold beverages. As of December 31, 2011, its exchange and refill services wer e offered in each of the contiguous United States and in Canada at approximately 23,600 combined retail locations. Primo Water Corporation was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap water stocks Primo Water Corporation (NASDAQ: PRMW), Arrowhead Water Products Ltd. (CVE: AWA) and Alkaline Water Company Inc (OTCBB: WTER) might be the last place you expect to see much action, but these stocks have been boiling lately for investors���either with news or they have been producing profits:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Primo Water (PRMW) is a provider of multi-gallon purified bottled water, self-serve filtered drinking water, water dispensers and carbonating beverage appliances sold through major retailers in the U.S. and Canada. This stock closed up 9.6% to $2.16 in Thursday's trading session.

  Thursday's Range: $1.97-$2.20
  
  52-Week Range: $0.69-$2.20
  
  Thursday's Volume: 329,000
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 145,397

  From a technical perspective, PRMW ripped higher here right above some near-term support at $1.85 with heavy upside volume. This stock broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $2.14 and into new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PRMW as long as it's trending Thursday's low of $1.97 and then once it sustains a move or close above its new 52-week high at $2.20 and above some past resistance at $2.28 with volume that hits near or above 145,397 shares. If we get that move soon, then PRMW will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish price action. Some possible upside targets off that move are its next major overhead resistance levels at $3 to $3.11.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Halfords Group Ord 1p(HFD.L)

Halfords Group plc engages in retailing automotive, leisure, and cycling products. It offers car maintenance products, including car parts, servicing consumables, workshop tools, and body repair equipment; and car enhancement comprising in-car entertainment systems, cleaning products, accessories, interior and exterior car styling products, navigation systems, and alloy wheels. The company also sells new cycles; cycle accessories, such as lights, locks, and cycle safety helmets; car travel equipment, which include roof boxes and cycle carriers; travel accessories that comprise batteries, safety equipment, and child car seats; and outdoor leisure equipment. It sells its products through operating 473 stores in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, as well as through its halfords.com and halfords.ie Web sites; and provides car servicing and repairs through its 240 car servicing centers in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1892 and is headquartered in R edditch, the United Kingdom.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Zions Bancorporation(ZION)

Zions Bancorporation, a multi bank holding company, provides various banking and related products and services in the United States. The company offers community banking services, including small and medium-sized business and corporate banking; commercial and residential development, construction, and term lending; retail banking; treasury cash management and related products and services; residential mortgage; trust and wealth management; and investment activities. It also provides personal banking services to individuals, including home mortgages, bankcard, installment loans, home equity lines of credit, checking accounts, savings accounts, time certificates, safe deposit facilities, direct deposits, and automated teller machine access. In addition, the company offers small business administration lending services; secondary market agricultural real estate mortgage loans; municipal finance advisory and underwriting services; and wealth management and online brokerage ser vices. As of December 31, 2010, Zions Bancorporation offered its banking services through 495 branches in Utah, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico. The company was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  He currently has buy recommendations on private-equity firm Fortress Investment Group LLC (FIG) and Zions Bancorporation. (ZION)

  Analysts Surveyed

  To compile the ranking, Stamford, Connecticut-based Greenwich Associates surveyed 945 buy-side analysts at 190 investment management firms, mutual funds, hedge funds, pension funds and insurers from December to March. The analysts were asked to name the Wall Street research teams they considered their most important sources of advice on investments.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Zinco Mining Corp. (ZIM.V)

Zinco Mining Corporation, a junior exploration company, engages in the discovery and development of volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in Mexico. It holds interest in the Almatea, Cabrel, Canton, and El Volantin properties located in the Jalisco State; and El Maple/La Diana property located in Cuale district. The company was formerly known as International Croesus Ventures Corp. and changed its name to Zinco Mining Corporation in January 2007. Zinco Mining Corporation was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Surrey, Canada.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: ProPhase Labs Inc.(PRPH)

ProPhase Labs, Inc. engages in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing, and sale of over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedy and consumer products, natural base health products, and other supplements and cosmeceuticals in the United States. Its OTC offerings include Cold-EEZE, a zinc gluconate glycine product to reduce the duration and severity of the common cold symptoms; Kids-EEZE soft chews to treat chest congestion, cough/cold, or allergies; and Organix Complete cough/cold drops for coughs and sore throats due to the common cold. The company sells its consumer health products through national wholesalers and distributors, as well as independent and chain food, drug and mass merchandise stores, and pharmacies. ProPhase Labs, Inc. has a joint venture with Phusion Laboratories, LLC for the development and commercialization of non-prescription remedies using patented TPM technology. It also manufactures private label lozenges for retail customers; and man ufactures, markets, and distributes a range of homeopathic and health products. The company was formerly known as The Quigley Corporation and changed its name to ProPhase Labs, Inc. in May 2010. ProPhase Labs, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Prospero Silver Corp (PSL.V)

Prospero Silver Corp., together with its subsidiary, Minera Fumarola S.A. de C.V., engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, and base metals. Its properties include the Campana property consisting of 9 titled claims with an area of 6,035 hectares and an untitled claim of 7,226 hectares in north-central Durango; San Luis del Cordero project situated in Durango City in Durango state; Baborigame property comprising 8 claims with an area of 8,736 hectares located to the southwest of Chihuahua city in Chihuahua state; and Santa Maria del Oro project covering 33,800 hectares situated in Durango state. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Richmond, Canada.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Exactech Inc.(EXAC)

Exactech, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells orthopaedic implant devices, and related surgical instrumentation and biologic services. It offers knee implants that address orthopedic surgeons? concerns for contact stress, patellar tracking, polyethylene wear, joint stability, bone preservation, and instrumentation; and hip implants for hip arthroplasty, hip fractures, and primary hip surgery. The company also provides biologics and spine products for the healing and regeneration of bone and soft tissue; and allograft tissue implants for oral and dental applications. In addition, it offers shoulder systems for the treatment of degenerative disease and trauma; hip, knee, and shoulder spacers that are used in two stage revision procedures; and an air-driven impact handpiece that surgeons could use during joint implant revision procedures to remove failed prostheses and bone cement. The company markets its orthopedic implant products through a network of independent sales agencies, direct sales representatives, and independent distributors to hospitals, surgeons and other physicians, and clinics in the United States and internationally. It has a strategic partnership with Genzyme Biosurgery Corporation for the development of polymer-based synthetic biomaterials. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Gainesville, Florida.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: (CRWG)

CrowdGather, Inc. engages in developing and hosting forum based Web sites. It monetizes a network of online forums and message boards to engage, provide information to, and build community around users. The company focuses on building social, advertising, and user generated content networks by consolidating existing groups of online users that post on message boards and forums. Its forum communities connect a network of people sharing their questions, expertise, and experiences. The company also provides advertising and marketing services for its online customers. It holds approximately 81 properties and 599 domain names. The company is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California.

Best Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: United States Steel Corporation(X)

United States Steel Corporation produces and sells steel mill products in North America and Central Europe. It operates in three segments: Flat-rolled Products (Flat-rolled), U. S. Steel Europe (USSE), and Tubular Products (Tubular). The Flat-rolled segment offers slabs, rounds, strip mill plates, sheets, and tin mill products, as well as iron ore and coke. This segment serves service center, conversion, transportation, construction, container, and appliance and electrical markets in North America. The USSE segment offers slabs, sheets, strip mill plates, tin mill products, and spiral welded pipes, as well as heating radiators and refractory ceramic materials. This segment serves the European construction, service center, conversion, container, transportation, and appliance and electrical, as well as and oil, gas, and petrochemical markets. The Tubular segment offers seamless and electric resistance welded steel casing and tubing; and standard, and line pipe and mechanical tubing. It primarily serves customers in the oil, gas, and petrochemical markets. The company also provides transportation services, including railroad and barge operations. In addition, it owns, develops, and manages various real estate assets, which include approximately 200,000 acres of surface rights primarily in Alabama, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania; participates in joint ventures that are developing real estate projects in Alabama, Maryland, and Illinois; and owns approximately 4,000 acres of land in Ontario, Canada. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  Steelmaker U.S. Steel (NYSE: X  ) was another beneficiary, advancing 4.4% on the day. However, unlike Cliffs, which I think has a strong chance to rebound, I'm not nearly as enthusiastic about U.S. Steel, which boasts nearly $3.4 billion in net debt and is a very heavily shorted stock. There are other strong options in the steel sector that have far less debt to contend with, and I'd suggest not being tempted by today's rally in spite of Alcoa's strong results.

• [By Brian Stoffel]

  5. U.S. Steel (NYSE: X  ) , P/E of 124
  Shareholders of U.S. Steel, one of America and Europe's largest steel producers, have certainly seen better days. The stock has just 10% of the value it had back in 2008 -- when the developing world hungered for steel.

El-Erian resignation raising questions about Pimco

Bloomberg News

Less than 24 hours after news broke that Mohamed El-Erian is resigning as chief executive of Pacific Investment Management Co., the financial advice industry remains abuzz with speculation about what happened at the fifth-biggest U.S. money management firm.

Even as speculation ranges from whether the highly regarded and high-profile economic strategist was forced out or simply burned out, the general consensus is that Mr. El-Erian's departure will not hurt Pimco's reputation or asset management prowess.

“The news was an incredible surprise, and we have a number of clients with investments in Pimco funds,” said Richard Konrad, managing partner at Value Architects Asset Management.

“But at the same time, the issue of talent within the Pimco organization is unquestionable,” he added. “Even without [Mr. El-Erian], the essence of the firm remains, along with a track record that has been established over many years.”

(See which Pimco portfolio manager made the list of Morningstar Inc.'s fund managers of the year.)

Pimco's parent company, Allianz SE, announced late yesterday that Mr. El-Erian, 55, will be stepping down from his dual roles as chief executive and co-chief investment officer in mid-March.

Douglas Hodge, the firm's operating chief, will become CEO, and money managers Andrew Balls and Daniel Ivascyn will become deputy investment chiefs, overseeing the firm's $1.97 trillion in assets alongside Bill Gross, who will remain CIO.

Mr. El-Erian did not respond to direct requests for comment, nor did Pimco's in-house spokesman.

Without more details from either the company or Mr. El-Erian, the market is left with speculation that automatically begins with the horrible 2013 experienced by a firm regarded as a formidable fixed-income operation.

By Morningstar's calculations, Pimco's open-end mutual fund lineup suffered more than $30 billion in net outflows last year. That compares with $62.7 billion worth of net inflows in 2012.

Pimco's taxable bond funds, representing the largest share of the firm's mutual fund business, suffered net outflows of more than $44 billion last year. The fixed-income funds had $55.4 billion in net inflows in 2012.

Performancewise, the Pimco funds on average finished the year in the 63rd percentile, which compares to the 43rd percentile in 2012, and the 42nd percentile in 2011.

“I wasn't surprised by the resignation announcement because even though [Mr. El-Erian] is obviously a smart guy, it's pretty clear that Bill Gross is leading things,” said Gerard Klingman, president and founder of Klingman and Associates.

“I would say, it's no big shock and it's no big loss for Pimco, because! I don't think his role was that crucial and I don't think he was spending a lot of time on strategic planning,” he added. “It is certainly possible that he was forced out, but I can only speculate on that point.”

Mr. El-Erian will stay on the international executive committee of Allianz and advise the management board of Europe's biggest insurer on global economic and policy issues, reporting directly to CEO Michael Diekman, according to the company's statement.

Mr. El-Erian “will soon be no longer a part of Pimco and will be operating essentially in an advisory capacity,” according to Todd Rosenbluth, director of mutual fund research at S&P Capital IQ.

“Leadership changes happen when high-profile fund companies struggle, and 2013 was a rough year for Pimco, so I'm sure everything was reviewed,” he added.

Mr. Rosenbluth cited the $3.5 billion Pimco Global Advantage Strategy Fund (PGSAX) and the $2.3 billion Pimco Global Multi-Asset Fund (PGMAX) as the funds most closely associated with Mr. El-Erian.

The Advantage Strategy Fund declined by 3% last year and finished in the 53rd percentile of the world bond category. The Global Multi-Asset Fund fell 8.9% last year and finished in the 94th percentile of the tactical allocation category.

“He was part of Pimco's investment committee that set strategy, and for a firm that sets strategy from the top down, that is an important role,” Mr. Rosenbluth said. “It's hard for me to find a good comparison across the fund industry of somebody at that level stepping down.”

Jeff Tjornehoj, head of Americas research at Lipper Inc., interpreted Mr. El-Erian's departure as a formalizing of a professional evolution.

“It sounds as if he's moving into a role of very much what he has been doing, as the economist on staff,” he said. “He will now be more like a one-man think tank.”

In terms of Mr. El-Erian being forced out or being asked to fall on the sword, Mr. Tj! ornehoj b! elieves that would be oversimplifying matters.

“I don't see how anyone could pin the outflows and the performance issues on El-Erian,” he said. “I'm sure he's been a significant voice at Pimco, but he's not alone there.”

Whether Mr. El-Erian was asked to leave or not, Theodore Feight, owner of Creative Financial Design, believes it was an opportunistic move.

“I can understand why he's leaving because the next few years, the bond industry will be in strife,” he said. “Once a company starts losing assets, it has an effect on what a company can do.”

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now

With shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE) trading around $27, is GE an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

General Electric is a diversified industrial, technology, and financial services company that operates worldwide. The products and services of the company range from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing, and household appliances to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, and industrial products. General Electric�� segments are Energy Infrastructure, Aviation, Healthcare, Transportation, Home & Business Solutions, and GE Capital. General Electric is a leading provider of a wide range of products and many are essential in daily lives of consumers and companies around the world.

General Electric on Monday continued its push to expand its healthcare operation, agreeing to acquire certain life science assets of Thermo Fisher Scientific for $1.06 billion in cash.�The deal includes Waltham, Mass.-based Thermo Fisher’s cell culture, gene modulation, and magnetic bead businesses. The units, part of Thermo Fisher’s analytical technologies segment, generated combined revenue of about $250 million in 2013.�Fairfield, Conn.-based GE has been seeking to refocus its sprawling collection of businesses since the economic downturn, and looking to divest its consumer finance operations and to grow in healthcare and energy. The company said the Thermo Fisher units would be folded into its $4 billion-sales GE Healthcare life sciences business, giving it a more complete portfolio of tools used for cell biology research, cell therapy and for the manufacture of new biological medicines and vaccines.

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: National Bankshares Inc.(NKSH)

National Bankshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for the National Bank of Blacksburg (NBB), a chartered national bank that provides a range of retail and commercial banking services to individuals, businesses, non-profits, and local governments in Virginia. It offers demand, money market, savings, and certificates of deposit accounts; commercial, agricultural, real estate, home equity, and consumer loans; merchant credit card services, and business and consumer debit and credit cards; letters of credit, night depositories, safe deposit boxes, travelers? checks, utility payment services, and automatic funds transfers; and telephone and Internet banking services. The company operates 24 branch offices and 25 automated teller machines in southwest Virginia. NBB also conducts a general trust business that provides wealth management, and trust and estate services for individual and business customers. In addition, the company, through its subsidiary, National Bankshar es Financial Services, Inc., offers non-deposit investment products and insurance products. The company was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Investec(INVP.L)

Investec plc provides various financial products and services primarily in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia. The company operates in six divisions: Asset Management, Wealth and Investment, Property Activities, Private Banking, Investment Banking, and Capital Markets. The Asset Management division offers investment products and services to institutional and individual investors. The Wealth and Investment division provides investment management services for private clients, charities, and pension schemes and trusts, as well as independent financial planning advice for private clients and businesses. The Property Activities division involves in the property investments, property fund and asset management, property trading and development, and property backed distressed debt acquisition activities. The Private Banking division offers personal savings, mortgage services, treasury products, and cash management; growth and acquisition finance; wealth management; sp ecialized lending; structured property finance; and trust and fiduciary services targeting high net worth individuals, wealthy entrepreneurs, professionals, self-employed entrepreneurs, owner managers in mid-market companies, and investors. The Investment Banking division provides corporate finance, institutional research, sales and trading, direct investments, and private equity services to the listed and unlisted companies, fund managers, government, and parastatals. The Capital Markets division offers asset and liability management, treasury, interest rate, structured equity, financial, structured and asset finance, project finance, commodities and resource finance, debt capital market, and corporate and leveraged debt services to corporate clients, public sector bodies, and institutions. The company was founded in 1974 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Investec plc operates as a subsidiary of Investec Group.

Top 10 Value Companies To Buy For 2014: Liberte Investors Inc. (FAC)

First Acceptance Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in retailing, servicing, and underwriting non-standard personal automobile insurance and related products. Its primary business involves issuing automobile insurance policies to individuals who are categorized as non-standard based primarily on their inability or unwillingness to obtain insurance coverage from standard carriers due to various factors, including their payment history or need for monthly payment plans, and failure to maintain continuous insurance coverage or driving record. The company also offers optional products that provide ancillary reimbursements and benefits in the event of an automobile accident; and underwrites a tenant homeowner policy that provides contents and liability coverage to renters. In addition, it engages in activities related to the disposition of real estate held for sale. The company distributes its products through retail locations. As of March 31, 2012, it leased and op erated 378 retail locations. First Acceptance Corporation was founded in 1969 and is based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Auto sales continue to rise and that is good news for small cap auto insurers Infinity Property and Casualty Corp (NASDAQ: IPCC), First Acceptance Corporation (NYSE: FAC) and Atlas Financial Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: AFH) which are focused on niche auto insurance markets.�A Yahoo! Autos blog post�recently noted that in August, automakers sold 1.5 million new vehicles for the highest rate in years. Moreover,�most industry forecasters expect sales to�return to the level they hit before the 2008 recession of 16 million vehicles a year. The blog post then went on to note the three forces driving auto sales:

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: ProAssurance Corporation(PRA)

ProAssurance Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides medical and other professional liability insurance products to health care service, legal service, and other professional service providers in the United States. It primarily offers its products to physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, and allied health professionals. The company markets its products through an internal sales force, as well as independent agents. ProAssurance Corporation was founded in 1976 and is based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  ProAssurance Corp.(PRA) agreed to acquire Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc.(EIHI) for about $205 million, expanding the insurance company’s casualty insurance offerings. Eastern Insurance is a domestic casualty insurance group specializing in workers’ compensation products and services, among other things. ProAssurance plans to pay $24.50 in cash for each outstanding Eastern share, a 16% premium over Monday’s closing price.

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Specialty insurance company�ProAssurance� (NYSE: PRA  ) �announced yesterday�its second-quarter dividend of $0.25 per share, the same rate it's paid since it initiated a payout in 2011.

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Imperial Equities Inc. (IEI.V)

Imperial Equities Inc. engages in real estate and pharmaceutical businesses in Canada. The company�s Real Estate segment is involved in the acquisition, development, redevelopment, and leasing of commercial and industrial properties in Alberta, Canada. Its Pharmaceuticals segment engages in the sale and distribution of pharmaceutical products to hospitals, long-term care networks, corporate clinical environments, retail pharmacies, and medical and veterinary clinics. Imperial Equities Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada.

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. (ARE)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), engages in the ownership, operation, management, development, acquisition, and redevelopment of properties for the life sciences industry. Its properties consist of buildings containing scientific research and development laboratories, and other improvements. The company offers its properties for lease primarily to universities and independent not-for-profit institutions; and pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, life science product, service, biodefense, and translational research entities, as well as governmental agencies. As of December 31, 2006, it had 159 properties, including 156 properties located in 9 states in the United States and 3 properties located in Canada. As a REIT, the company is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes 100% of its taxable income to its stockholders. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in Pasadena, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  Owens Realty Mortgage's competitors include American Assets Trust (AAT), Alexandria Real Estate Equities (ARE) and Boston Properties (BXP). American Assets Trust has seen five insider buy transactions and four insider sell transactions this year. American Assets Trust has a dividend yield of 2.78%. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has seen 14 insider sell transactions this year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a dividend yield of 4.10%. Boston Properties has seen one insider buy transaction and four insider sell transactions this year. Boston Properties has a dividend yield of 2.43%.

• [By Shauna O'Brien]

  Real estate investment trust Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc (ARE) announced on Tuesday that its board has approved a 4.6% increase to its quarterly dividend.

  The firm has raised its dividend from 65 cents to 68 cents per share, or $2.72 annually. The dividend will be paid on October 15 to shareholders of record on September 30. The stock will go ex-dividend on September 26.

  Alexandria Real Estate Equities shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Tuesday. The stock is down 9% YTD.

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Doxa Energy Ltd (DXA.V)

Doxa Energy Ltd., a junior oil and gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties primarily in south Texas, the United States. The company develops and maintains a portfolio of producing and developing conventional projects; and unconventional assets, including the Eagle Ford Shale Oil Play in south Texas. It also holds interest in the Mississippian Oil Play in northern Oklahoma. Doxa Energy Ltd. was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Best Financial Companies To Own In Right Now: Stratus Properties Inc.(STRS)

Stratus Properties Inc. engages in the acquisition, development, management, operation, and sale of commercial, hotel, entertainment, and multi-family and single-family residential real estate properties located primarily in the Austin, Texas area. It operates the W Austin Hotel & Residences project located on a 2-acre city block in downtown Austin; and residential real estate properties, including developed, under development, and undeveloped properties in the Barton Creek community, the Circle C community and Lantana, and the condominium units at the W Austin Hotel & Residences project. The company also engages in the leasing of commercial properties comprising two office buildings at 7500 Rialto Boulevard; office and retail space at the W Austin Hotel & Residences project; and a retail building and a bank building in the Barton Creek Village, as well as two retail buildings, including a bank building and the Parkside Village project in the Circle C community. Stratus Pr operties Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

4 Stocks to Trade for Breakouts on Unusual Volume

DELAFIELD, Wis. (Stockpickr) -- Professional traders running mutual funds and hedge funds don't just look at a stock's price moves; they also track big changes in volume activity. Often when above-average volume moves into an equity, it precedes a large spike in volatility.

>>5 Hated Earnings Stocks You Should Love

Major moves in volume can signal unusual activity, such as insider buying or selling -- or buying or selling by "superinvestors."

Unusual volume can also be a major signal that hedge funds and momentum traders are piling into a stock ahead of a catalyst. These types of traders like to get in well before a large spike, so it's always a smart move to monitor unusual volume. That said, remember to combine trend and price action with unusual volume. Put them all together to help you decipher the next big trend for any stock.

>>5 Rocket Stocks to Buy in September

With that in mind, let's take a look at several stocks rising on unusual volume today.

Alon USA Energy

Alon USA Energy (ALJ) is a refiner and marketer of petroleum products operating mainly in the South Central, Southwestern and Western regions of the U.S. This stock closed up 4.7% at $12.95 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Volume: 1.27 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 574,814

Volume % Change: 122%

>>5 Stocks Ready to Break Out

From a technical perspective, ALJ jumped sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $12.14 with strong upside volume. This stock had been downtrending badly for the last four months with shares sliding lower from its high of $18.72 to its recent low of $10.81. During that downtrend, shares of ALJ have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That said, the downside volatility for ALJ looks over and the stock has now started to uptrend. This move is starting to push shares of ALJ within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if ALJ manages to take out its 50-day moving average of $13.03 to Tuesday's high of $13.05 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ALJ as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $12.14 to $12 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 574,814 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then ALJ will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $13.84 to $14.12. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give ALJ a chance to tag its 200-day moving average at $16.03.

Qiwi

Qiwi (QIWI), along with its subsidiaries, provides payment services in Russia and the CIS. This stock closed up 5.6% at $31.48 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Volume: 350,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 208,428

Volume % Change: 90%

>>5 Stocks Insiders Love Right Now

From a technical perspective, QIWI bounced sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $29.66 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last three months, with shares moving higher from its low of $14.31 to its all-time high of $36. During that uptrend, shares of QIWI have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of QIWI within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if QIWI manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $32 to $32.50 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in QIWI as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $29.66 or $28 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that this near or above 208,428 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then QIWI will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance level at its all-time high of $36. Any high-volume move above $36 will then give QIWI a chance to tag $40 to $42.

AFC Enterprises

AFC Enterprises (AFCE) develops, operates and franchises quick-service restaurants under the trade names Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. This stock closed up 1.2% at $41.45 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Volume: 389,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 172,433

Volume % Change: 138%

>>3 Huge Stocks to Trade (or Not)

From a technical perspective, AFCE trended up modestly higher here right above some near-term support at $40.50 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last four months with shares moving higher from its low of $31.13 to its recent high of $43. During that uptrend, shares of AFCE have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of AFCE within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if AFCE manages to take out its 52-week high at $43 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in AFCE as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $41 or above $40.50 and then once it sustains a move or close above its 52-week high at $43 with volume that hits near or above 172,433 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then AFCE will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $47 to $50.

Constant Contact

Constant Contact (CTCT) provides on-demand engagement marketing tools designed for small businesses, associations and non-profits primarily in the U.S. This stock closed up 2.5% to $19.62 in Tuesday's trading session.

Tuesday's Volume: 519,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 274,362

Volume % Change: 115%

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Set to Soar

From a technical perspective, CTCT bounced higher here and broke out above some near-term overhead resistance at $19.48 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of CTCT within range of triggering another major breakout trade. That trade will hit if CTCT manages to take out some more resistance at $19.80 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CTCT as long as it's trending above some near-term support levels at $19 or above $18.50 and then once it sustains a move or close above $19.80 with volume that hits near or above 274,362 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CTCT will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $21.22. Any high-volume move above that level will then put $24 to $26 into range for shares of CTCT.

To see more stocks rising on unusual volume, check out the Stocks Rising on Unusual Volume portfolio on Stockpickr.

-- Written by Roberto Pedone in Delafield, Wis.

RELATED LINKS:

Top 10 Companies To Invest In Right Now

>>5 Stocks Under $10 Triggering Breakouts

>>5 Commodity Stocks to Trade for Gains

>>5 Sin Stocks Ready for Dividend Boosts

Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Delafield, Wis., is an independent trader who focuses on technical analysis for small- and large-cap stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. Roberto studied international business at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany. His work has appeared on financial outlets including

CNBC.com and Forbes.com. You can follow Pedone on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zerosum24 or @zerosum24.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014

LAS VEGAS ��Lee Roy Myers has everything you'd expect to find in the nation's porn capital in Southern California: sets of a classroom, hospital room, locker room and a bedroom, as well as a list of porn stars waiting to perform.

But his plywood universe is not in the San Fernando Valley. It's a few paces away from the glittery casinos of the Las Vegas Strip.

"Las Vegas is a fresh town, and it's where people need the business," said Myers, whose new studio is part of a boom in X-rated production in Sin City sparked by a Los Angeles law requiring male actors to wear condoms.

The rule and potential opportunities in Nevada were the talk of the Adult Entertainment Expo this week. The annual sex industry trade show culminates Saturday with an awards ceremony for adult films.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: Nevada Gold & Casinos Inc (UWN)

Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc., incorporated on April 7, 1977, is primarily a gaming company involved in financing, developing, owning and operating gaming projects. Through the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Gold Mountain Development, LLC, the Company owns approximately 268 acres of undeveloped land in the vicinity of Black Hawk, Colorado. On January 27, 2012, through the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, NG South Dakota, LLC, the Company acquired A.G. Trucano, Son & Grandsons, Inc. (South Dakota Gol). On July 18, 2011, through the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, NG Washington III, LLC, the Company acquired Red Dragon mini-casino in Mountlake Terrace, Washington (Washington III). On May 25, 2012, the Company sold all of the assets, including rights in the Colorado Grande name and gaming-related liabilities, of the Colorado Grande Casino to G Investments, LLC (GI).

Commercial Gaming Projects

The Company owns and operates 10 gaming facilities in Washington, and a slot machine route operation in South Dakota. These properties are wholly owned and operated by the Company: the Crazy Moose Casinos in Pasco and Mountlake Terrace, Washington, the Coyote Bob�� Casino in Kennewick, Washington, the Silver Dollar Casinos in SeaTac, Bothell and Renton, Washington, the Club Hollywood Casino in Shoreline, Washington, the Royal Casino in Everett, Washington, the Golden Nugget Casino in Tukwila, Washington, and the Red Dragon Casino in Mountlake Terrace, Washington (Washington Gold), and the South Dakota Gold slot route operation in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Commercial Casino Projects

The Company own two mini-casinos operating in Mountlake Terrace. The Red Dragon mini-casino, located in western Washington State, has a total of 15 table games, including Player Banked Poker, Baccarat, and other banked table games. The mini-casino is located within 14 miles of downtown Seattle. South Dakota Gold is a slot machine route that operates over 900 slots at approximate! ly 20 locations in Deadwood, South Dakota, which represent about 24% of the total number of slot machines in that market. Deadwood is a town of 1,300 residents located in the Black Hills, South Dakota, in the southwest corner of the state.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: Wynn Resorts Limited(WYNN)

Wynn Resorts, Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, ownership, and operation of destination casino resorts. The company owns and operates Wynn Las Vegas casino resort in Las Vegas, which includes approximately 22 food and beverage outlets comprising 5 dining restaurants; 2 nightclubs; 1 spa and salon; 1 Ferrari and Maserati automobile dealership; wedding chapels; an 18-hole golf course; meeting space; and foot retail promenade featuring boutiques. Wynn Las Vegas casino resort also features approximately 147 table games, 1 baccarat salon, private VIP gaming rooms, 1 poker room, 1,842 slot machines, and 1 race and sports book. It also owns and operates an Encore at Wynn Las Vegas resort, a destination casino resort located adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas that features a 2,034 all-suite hotel, as well as a casino with 95 table games, 1 sky casino, 1 baccarat salon, private VIP gaming rooms, and 778 slot machines. In addition, the company operates Wyn n Macau casino resort located in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People?s Republic of China. Wynn Macau casino resort features approximately 595 hotel rooms and suites, 410 table games, 935 slot machines, 1 poker room, 1 sky casino, 6 restaurants, 1 spa and salon, lounges, meeting facilities, and retail space featuring boutiques. Further, it operates Encore at Wynn Macau resort located adjacent to Wynn Macau. Encore at Wynn Macau resort features approximately 410 luxury suites and 4 villas, as well as casino gaming space, including a sky casino consisting of 60 table games and 80 slot machines, 2 restaurants, 1 luxury spa, and retail space. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  Any thought that the Las Vegas gaming market would recover quickly after the recession has long since been lost, but there is a slow and steady recovery taking place in Sin City. High-end operators Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS  ) and Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN  ) have been seeing improved results as wealthy customers return to the casinos, but the lower end of the market, where MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) and Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR  ) play, has been choppy to say the least.

Hot Canadian Stocks To Buy For 2014: MGM Resorts International(MGM)

MGM Resorts International, through its subsidiaries, primarily owns and operates casino resorts in the United States. The company?s resorts offer gaming, hotel, dining, entertainment, retail, and other resort amenities. It also owns and operates golf courses and a golf club. As of December 31, 2010, the company owned and operated 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi, and Michigan; and has 50% investments in 4 other casino resorts in Nevada, Illinois, and Macau. In addition, MGM Resorts International has an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates a casino resort in Connecticut, to carry the ?MGM Grand? brand name. The company was formerly known as MGM MIRAGE and changed its name to MGM Resorts International in June 2010. MGM Resorts International was founded in 1986 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  How to invest
  Several key international players have legitimate shots of receiving gaming licences in Japan. Las Vegas Sands would be the top pick along with Melco Crown. (NASDAQ: MPEL  ) �Meanwhile�MGM Resorts� (NYSE: MGM  ) �is unlikely to emerge a winner.

• [By Monica Wolfe]

  MGM Resorts International (MGM)

  Paulson�� fifth largest position is in MGM Resorts International. The guru holds on to 34 million shares of the company�� stock, representing 3.5% of his total portfolio and 6.94% of the company�� shares outstanding.

• [By Travis Hoium]

  But there's still evidence that it exists, even if authorities don't push hard for information. MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) was forced to divest its New Jersey properties because of the company's relationship with Pansy Ho, whose father had ties to triads in Macau. Las Vegas Sands is under investigation by the U.S. attorney's office for possibly violating money laundering laws in Macau last year.

• [By Travis Hoium]

  MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) doesn't have the flashy management that's made gaming companies famous, and CEO James Murren has taken a quieter role in the industry. But he has guided the company through the financial crisis and now has a huge growth opportunity on Cotai. But he isn't the only person investors need to watch.�

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: Boyd Gaming Corporation(BYD)

Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in the United States. As of December 31, 2011, the company owned and operated 1,042,787 square feet of casino space, containing approximately 25,973 slot machines, 655 table games, and 11,418 hotel rooms. It also owned and operated 16 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and New Jersey. In addition, the company owns and operates a pari-mutuel jai-alai facility located in Dania Beach, Florida, as well as a travel agency in Hawaii. Further, it holds a 50% controlling interest in the limited liability company that operates Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Boyd Gaming Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  Earnings from Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD  ) surprised investors last week, but there's still a lot of fundamental weakness for the company. Revenue is declining across the country as more supply is added to the market, and the only way to grow is through acquisitions. The Fool's Erin Miller sat down with Travis Hoium to see how to play the gaming market now.�

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: Umax Group Corp (UMAX)

Umax Group Corp., incorporated on March 21, 2011, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses to develop and distribute its product to the arcade and entertainment industry. The Company�� products include Rocket Launch, is Strength testing game which allows players to test their pushing/ throwing strength; Space Hockey, is a two player hockey game - each player must score as many as possible goals and Boxer, is a Simple punch testing game: insert coin/token/bill, press start button, hit the punch bag, wait for result, and try to beat opponent�� score or high score.

As of April 30, 2013, the Company had no revenues. The Company has developed its business plan, and executed exclusive distribution contract GEO a private enterprise, where it engages GEO as an independent contractor for the specific purpose of developing, manufacturing and supplying games for the Company.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: NanoTech Entertainment Inc (NTEK)

NanoTech Entertainment, Inc. (NanoTech), formerly Aldar Group, Inc., is a provider of gaming technology for the coin-op arcade, casino gaming and consumer gaming markets. The Company operates as a manufacturer, developing technology and games, and then licensing them to third parties for manufacturing and distribution. As of June 30, 2009, the Company�� products included MultiPin, Xtreme Rally Racing, NanoNET Online System, Pinball Wizard, Mot-Ion Adapter, Opti-Gun Adapter and Retr-IO Adapter. In April 2009, the Company acquired NanoTech Entertainment, Inc. In July 2013, NanoTech Entertainment Inc completed the acquisition of Clear Memories, Inc. of Napa California. Effective August 9, 2013, NanoTech Entertainment Inc acquired Worldwide Global Entertainment, a developer of prepackaged software.

The Company�� physics engine and motion sensors allow MultiPin to accurately recreate the experience of a mechanical pinball machine, while providing players with a variety of classic and modern pinball games to choose from. Xtreme Rally Racing is a driving machine that features three modes of game play: Xtreme Off-Road-Race Head to Head against other players and the computer to checkpoints while driving anywhere on the map with no preset course; Timed Rally Stages-Classic Rally Racing on real world courses. Players will be able to race in five different countries on real world rally courses, and Xtreme Stadium Racing-Custom Stadiums designed for Xtreme racing, including a figure eight multi-lap course with huge jumps. NanoNET Online System is remote operator control of machines, including diagnostics, accounting reports, and automatic software updates and enhancements downloaded over the net.

The Company has created the input device designed to give the pinball players a way to experience real pinball controls on their personal computer. Based on the technology developed for the MultiPin product it has built a controller that lets people play pinball using traditional controls and! the ability to shake and nudge the table. The Mot-Ion adapter is a universal serial bus (USB) adapter that allows do it yourself Pinball enthusiasts to build their own cabinet using real pinball controls providing analog inputs for nudging and bumping. The OptiGun adapter is a USB adapter that allows players to connect Arcade Light Guns to any USB based system. The Retr-IO adapters provide a standard JAMMA interface for USB based systems.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Nyxio Technologies Corp (OTCMKTS: NYXO), COREwafer Industries Inc (OTCMKTS: WAFR) and NanoTech Entertainment, Inc (OTCMKTS: NTEK) are three small cap stocks in some very diverse industries. In fact, one of these stocks just bought a 3D ice sculpture business. So will investors see their investment melt with that small cap stock�along with the other two? Here is a closer look to help you decide for yourself:��

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  Call them hunches (because that's all they are), but now would be a great time to get out of a NanoTech Entertainment, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NTEK) position and/or get into an ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ACAD). NTEK looks like its reached its maximum potential - for the time being - while ACAD looks like it's ready to start rolling higher again.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: Caesars Entertainment Corp (CZR)

Caesars Entertainment Corporation, incorporated on November 2, 1989, is a diversified casino-entertainment provider. The Company�� business is primarily conducted through a wholly owned subsidiary, Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc. (CEOC), although certain material properties are not owned by CEOC. As of December 31, 2012, it owned, operated, or managed, through various subsidiaries, 52 casinos in 13 United States states and seven countries. The majority of these casinos operate in the United States, primarily under the Caesars, Harrah��, and Horseshoe brand names, and in England. In November 2012, the Company sold its Harrah's St. Louis casino to Penn National Gaming, Inc. In December 2012, the Company purchased all of the net assets of Buffalo Studios, LLC, a social and mobile games developer and owner of Bingo Blitz.

The Company�� casino entertainment facilities include 33 land-based casinos, 11 riverboat or dockside casinos, three managed casinos on Indian lands in the United States, one managed casino in Cleveland, Ohio, one managed casino in Canada, one casino combined with a greyhound racetrack, one casino combined with a thoroughbred racetrack, and one casino combined with a harness racetrack. The Company�� land-based casinos include nine in England, two in Egypt, one in Scotland, one in South Africa and one in Uruguay. As of December 31, 2012, its facilities had an aggregate of approximately three million square feet of gaming space and approximately 43,000 hotel rooms. In southern Nevada, Caesars Palace, Harrah�� Las Vegas, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Bally�� Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, The Quad Resort & Casino (formerly the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino), Bill�� Gamblin��Hall & Saloon, and Hot Spot Oasis are located in Las Vegas and draw customers from throughout the United States. Harrah�� Laughlin is located near both the Arizona and California borders and draws customers primarily from! the southern California and Phoenix metropolitan areas and, to a lesser extent, from throughout the United States through charter aircraft. In northern Nevada, Harrah�� Lake Tahoe and Harveys Resort & Casino are located near Lake Tahoe and Harrah�� Reno is located in downtown Reno. These facilities draw customers primarily from northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada.

The Company�� Atlantic City casinos, Harrah�� Resort Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, and Bally�� Atlantic City, draw customers primarily from the Philadelphia metropolitan area, New York, and New Jersey. Harrah�� Philadelphia (formerly Harrah's Chester) is a combination harness racetrack and casino located approximately six miles south of Philadelphia International Airport and draws customers primarily from the Philadelphia metropolitan area and Delaware. The Company�� Chicagoland dockside casinos, Harrah�� Joliet in Joliet, Illinois, and Horseshoe Hammond in Hammond, Indiana, draw customers primarily from the greater Chicago metropolitan area. In southern Indiana, it owns Horseshoe Southern Indiana, a dockside casino complex located in Elizabeth, Indiana, which draws customers primarily from northern Kentucky, including the Louisville metropolitan area, and southern Indiana, including Indianapolis. In Louisiana, the Company owns Harrah�� New Orleans, a land-based casino located in downtown New Orleans, which attracts customers primarily from the New Orleans metropolitan area. In northwest Louisiana, Horseshoe Bossier City, a dockside casino, and Harrah�� Louisiana Downs, a thoroughbred racetrack with slot machines, both located in Bossier City, cater to customers in northwestern Louisiana.

The Company owns the Grand Casino Biloxi, located in Biloxi, Mississippi, which caters to customers in southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and northern Florida. Harrah�� North Kansas City dockside casino draws customers from the Kansas City metropolitan ar! ea. Harra! h�� Metropolis is a dockside casino located in Metropolis, Illinois, on the Ohio River, drawing customers from southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and central Tennessee. Horseshoe Tunica, Harrah�� Tunica, and Tunica Roadhouse Hotel & Casino, dockside casino complexes located in Tunica, Mississippi, are approximately 30 miles from Memphis, Tennessee and draw customers primarily from the Memphis area and, to a lesser extent, from throughout the United States through charter aircraft. Horseshoe Casino and Bluffs Run Greyhound Park, a land-based casino and pari-mutuel facility, and Harrah�� Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel, a dockside casino facility, are located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. At Horseshoe Casino and Bluffs Run Greyhound Park, the Company owns the assets other than gaming equipment, and leases these assets to the Iowa West Racing Association (IWRA), a nonprofit corporation, and it manages the facility for the IWRA under a management agreement expiring in October 2024. The license to operate Harrah�� Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel is held jointly with IWRA, the qualified sponsoring organization.

The Conrad Resort & Casino located in Punta Del Este, Uruguay (the Conrad), draws customers primarily from Argentina and Uruguay. In November 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Enjoy S.A. (Enjoy) to form a strategic relationship in Latin America. Under the terms of the agreement, Enjoy will acquire 45% of Baluma S.A., its subsidiary, which owns and operates the Conrad, and the Company will become a 10% shareholder in Enjoy upon consummation of the agreement. Upon the closing of the transaction, which is subject to certain conditions, including the receipt of all regulatory and governmental approvals, Enjoy will assume primary responsibility for management of the Conrad. Enjoy will have the option to acquire the remaining stake in Baluma S.A. between years three and five following closing. The cl! osing of ! the transaction remains subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory and governmental approvals in both Uruguay and Chile.

The Company owns four casinos in London: the Sportsman, the Golden Nugget, The Playboy Club London, and The Casino at the Empire. Its casinos in London draw customers primarily from the London metropolitan area, as well as international visitors. The Company also owns Alea Nottingham, Alea Glasgow, Alea Leeds, Manchester 235, Rendezvous Brighton, and Rendezvous Southend-on-Sea in the provinces of the United Kingdom, which primarily draw customers from their local areas. Pursuant to a concession agreement, it also operates two casinos in Cairo, Egypt, The London Club Cairo (which is located at the Ramses Hilton) and Caesars Cairo (which is located at the Four Seasons Cairo), which draw customers primarily from other countries in the Middle East. Emerald Safari, located in the province of Gauteng in South Africa, draws customers primarily from South Africa. It owsn and operates Bluegrass Downs, a harness racetrack located in Paducah, Kentucky.

The Company owns three casinos for Indian tribes: Harrah�� Phoenix Ak-Chin, located near Phoenix, Arizona, Harrah�� Cherokee Casino and Hotel, and Harrah�� Rincon Casino and Resort, located near San Diego, California. The Company manages Caesars Windsor, located in Windsor, Ontario, which draws customers primarily from the Detroit metropolitan area, Horseshoe Cleveland casino in Ohio, which it manages for Rock Ohio Caesars LLC (ROC), a venture with Rock Ohio Ventures, LLC (Rock Gaming), in which it has a 20% equity interest, and the Horseshoe Cincinnati casino in Ohio for ROC for a fee under a management agreement that will expire in March 2033. It also has a minority interest in Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC (Suffolk Downs), which owns a horse-racing track in Boston, Massachusetts, and the right to manage a future gaming facility. The Company also owns ans operates a golf course on 175 acres of prime real! estate t! hrough a land concession on the Cotai strip in Macau.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  Any thought that the Las Vegas gaming market would recover quickly after the recession has long since been lost, but there is a slow and steady recovery taking place in Sin City. High-end operators Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS  ) and Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN  ) have been seeing improved results as wealthy customers return to the casinos, but the lower end of the market, where MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) and Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR  ) play, has been choppy to say the least.

• [By Travis Hoium]

  At its core,�Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR  ) is an extremely flawed company. It has a huge presence in the struggling regional gaming market, it has no exposure to gaming's biggest market, Macau, and it has $21.3 billion of debt strangling it. So how has it gained 130% this year, easily outpacing more profitable rivals? �

• [By Matt Thalman]

  While all the major casino operators will benefit from a recovering Las Vegas, this market probably won't produce any massive growth for the industry anytime soon. Double-digit growth rates will still probably only be seen in Macau, but since MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) and Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR  ) control such a large portion of the hotel rooms and casino floor space in Las Vegas, news that the city is recovering should help.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: Penn National Gaming Inc.(PENN)

Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries own and manage gaming and pari-mutuel properties in the United States. It operates approximately 27,000 gaming machines; 500 table games; and 2,000 hotel rooms in 23 facilities in 16 jurisdictions, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. The company was formerly known as PNRC Corp. and changed its name to Penn National Gaming, Inc. in 1994. Penn National Gaming, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is based in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

   

  Penn National Gaming (PENN) is a diversified, multi-jurisdictional owner and manager of gaming and pari-mutuel properties. This stock closed up 1.4% at $56.13 in Monday's trading session.

   

  Monday's Volume: 1.11 million
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 824,334
  
  Volume % Change: 73%

   

   

  From a technical perspective, PENN jumped modestly higher here right above some near-term support at $54.71 with above-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of PENN within range of triggering a breakout trade. That trade will hit if PENN manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance at $57.44 to some past resistance at $58 with high volume.

   

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PENN as long as it's trending above Monday's low $55.65 or above more support at $54.71 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that this near or above 824,334 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then PENN will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $59.93. Any high-volume move above $59.93 will then give PENN a chance to hit $65.

   

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Penn National Gaming Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) completed on Monday the spin-off of its real-estate holdings into a new REIT, Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (G&LP) (NASDAQ: GLPI). The spin-off was first announced a year ago. Shares in GLPI are trading at around $46.51 after opening at $45.76 this morning.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.(PNK)

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. owns, develops, and operates casinos, and related hospitality and entertainment facilities in the United States. It operates casinos, such as L'Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles, Louisiana; River City Casino and Lumiere Place in St. Louis, Missouri; Boomtown New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana; Belterra Casino Resort in Vevay, Indiana; Boomtown Bossier City in Bossier City, Louisiana; and Boomtown Reno in Reno, Nevada. The company also operates River Downs racetrack in southeast Cincinnati, Ohio. As of May 26, 2011, it operated seven casinos and one racetrack. The company was formerly known as Hollywood Park, Inc. and changed its name to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. in February 2000. Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. was founded in 1935 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA  ) and Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK  ) fell as much as 11% today after the government brought into question the merger of the two companies.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Pinnacle Entertainment (PNK) has gained 56% this year; Las Vegas Sands (LVS) has climbed 38%. And Deutsche Bank has nice things to say about both today.

  Bloomberg

  First Pinnacle. Deutsche Bank’s Carlo Santarelli ponders the stock’s big move and comes away still seeing value in its shares. He writes:

  When we upgraded PNK in April, our thesis centered on the FCF strength of the combined entities [Pinnacle completed its acquisition of Ameristar Casinos on Aug. 14], a handful of favorable catalysts, easing regional gaming comps, & an inexpensive relative valuation. Given the shares’ sizeable move since then, we believe it is worth revisiting the investment case. Post the announcement of several asset sales and the closing of the transaction, we are adjusting our estimates, raising our PT to $30 from $24, and maintaining our bullish view at current levels given what we still believe to be an attractive free cash flow valuation, meaningful potential synergy realization beyond the $40 mm of announced benefits, and a free option on a lagging regional recovery.

  Santarelli also revisited Las Vegas Sands and there too, he likes what he sees. He writes:

  With…LVS at [a share price level] that have been challenging to break from over the last year plus, we believe this time is different and hence we see continued upward momentum…In the case of LVS, we see; 1) meaningful mass market strength continuing through year end, setting the stage for upward company and market estimate revisions for 2014, 2) continued cash flow appreciation and capital returns serving as downside protection and positive catalysts, and 3) continued shared gains, largely driven by table optimization and mass market strength, driving both estimates and sentiment.

  He also likes Wynn Resorts (WYNN), despite its 34% gain.�Santarelli writes:

  As for WYNN, we believe near-term estimates continue to take a back seat to capital return

• [By Sean Williams]

  Time to make the switch
  If I could name a sector that I'd certainly tread lightly around considering that consumers are tightening their wallets, it would be the casino sector. Casino companies rely on loose wallets and vacations to drive profits. This is why I feel it could be the time to say goodbye to casino and race track operator Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK  ) near its 52-week high.

• [By Dan Radovsky]

  Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK  ) has reached an agreement in principle with the Bureau of Competition of the Federal Trade Commission that would allow the company to complete its proposed acquisition of Ameristar Casinos (NASDAQ: ASCA  ) , Pinnacle announced today.

Top 10 Casino Companies To Buy For 2014: (XTRN)

Las Vegas Railway Express Inc. focuses to re-establish a conventional passenger train service between the Las Vegas and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. It plans to establish a ?Vegas-style? passenger train service. The company is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Obama seeking to help poor students, but policies favor the rich: opinion

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) A White House push to increase the college enrollment of low-income students comes as universities and government policies are increasingly favoring high-income over low-income students.

Students from the poorest families are less than half as likely as those from the wealthiest families to get bachelor's degrees by the time they're 25, a statistic cited by the Obama administration as a reason why 140 heads of universities and advocacy groups were invited to unveil ideas aimed at increasing the number of low-income students who enroll in and graduate from college.

These include waiving the application fees, working with primary and secondary schools to better prepare them for college, providing more scholarships in science- and technology-related fields, and connecting them with adult mentors and advisors.

All of these things have been proven in pilot programs to increase college attendance and graduation rates among students from the nation's poorest families.

"We don't want these to be the exceptions," President Barack Obama told the college leaders and others on Thursday. "We want these to be the rule."

However, university interests are conflicting with White House goals and the one essential incentive to get students to go to college -- money, in the form of financial aid -- has been slowly shifting to wealthier families, not low-income ones.

At the same time, more aid is going to students who don't need it: Since 1995, the percentage of students who received financial aid based on need remained flat at around 43%, while those who received aid but did not demonstrate a financial need for it has nearly doubled to 42%, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal figures also show that students from families that earn at least $100,000 a year get an average of $10,200 in financial aid, significantly more than the $8,000 that goes to students from families that earn less than $20,000.

This is happening because colleges worried about their bottom lines are giving small amounts of financial aid to lure wealthy families that can afford to pay the rest, rather than large amounts to poor families that can't. It's also driven by annual rankings, which reward colleges for the high-school achievements of their incoming students. Since applicants from wealthier school districts with better facilities and more resources often do better on such things as entrance tests, many of them get money, even if they don't need it.

It's not only financial aid that has been moving to high! er-income students. So have some federal tax breaks, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which Obama signed into law in 2010 and allows households earning as much as $180,000 to claim expenses paid for tuition, fees and other costs related to higher education.

  Is the cost of college crippling?

That credit, and other education-related tax breaks, now account for nearly $34 billion annually, or $1 billion more than the federal government spends on Pell Grants for low-income students. And more than a third of the money goes to the wealthiest fifth of American households, according to the Center for Law and Social Policy. Fifty-seven percent of the tuition tax deduction alone goes to those families earning more than $100,000, while only 12% of families that made under $50,000 got the tax deduction.

A coalition of advocacy groups wants the income eligibility for these tax breaks lowered from $180,000 to $86,000, in order to refocus the perks on poor students. A bill to that effect has been introduced by congressmen Danny Davis, a Democrat from Illinois, and Diane Black, a Republican from Tennessee, though supporters concede the prospect it will pass is slight.

The president previously won a victory when he convinced Congress to raise the maximum amount low-income students could receive in Pell Grants, the direct grants that can be used toward college costs without having to be paid back. Three-quarters of recipients come from families making $30,000 or less.

But Pell Grants are losing a battle with escalating college costs. Even though the taxpayer-supported program is at record funding levels, it covers only a third of the cost of attending a four-year university or college, on average -- the lowest share ever.

! Another ! federal financial-aid program, the work-study program under which students can earn money by working on campus, is also disproportionally benefiting the rich.

Partly because the $1 billion a year in taxpayer money that goes to work-study is based on a 50-year-old formula that gives preference to high-priced private universities and colleges, nearly one work-study recipient out of four comes from a family that earns $80,000 a year or more, according to Education Department figures. That's a higher proportion than those that make less than $20,000. And fewer than half meet the federal definition of financial need.

Community colleges enroll 30% of all students, including many who have comparatively low incomes. But they collectively get only 16% of work-study money, according to the College Board. Fewer than 2% of community college students have work-study jobs. By comparison, private, nonprofit institutions enroll only 17% of all students but get 40% of the work-study funding.

Last summer, Obama pitched a plan that would rate colleges based on their prices, average student loan debt and graduation rates, among other measures, and dole out federal aid based on those ratings. But colleges are pushing back on this proposal, claiming it will punish the schools that serve the lowest-income students and force them to stop taking chances on those students who show promise.

"Even after all these steps that we've taken over the last five years, we still have a long way to go to unlock the doors of higher education to more Americans," Obama told the college and university presidents. "And especially lower-income Americans."