Hot Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014

Source: JAKKS Pacific

After JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ: JAKK  ) �on July 23 reported revenue that smashed forecasts because of the success of its products from Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS  ) �and earnings that fell short of estimates for the second quarter of its 2014 fiscal year, shares plummeted 13%. In spite of this fall, however, the company's stock is still trading 63% above its 52-week low. Is this a sign that there's still plenty of room for the business to fall, making larger competitors like Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT  ) more attractive prospects? Or will JAKKS Pacific see a rebound in the long run?

Revenue soared but earnings missed... terribly!
For the quarter, JAKKS Pacific reported revenue of $124.2 million. In addition to coming in 17% above the $106.2 million management reported for the same quarter a year earlier, the company's top line blew past the $112.9 million analysts anticipated. According to the company's press release, this jump in sales was driven, for the most part, by the success of its Frozen product line.

Top 10 Building Product Stocks To Invest In 2015: Ishares S&P Midcap 400 Index Fund (IJH)

iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poor�� MidCap 400 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 400/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The components stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The component stocks have a market capitalization between $1 billion and $4 billion (which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets), and are selected for liquidity and industry group representation.

The Index is adjusted to reflect changes in capitalization resulting from mergers, acquisitions, stock rights, substitutions and other capital events. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Moreover,�my guess is that the switch will be a wash for investors as funds and ETFs that track the S&P 500 will dump their positions in Advanced Micro Devices and SAIC Inc while those that track the S&P Mid Cap 400 will be obligated to take up positions in both. A quick look at the performance of the iShares S&P 500 Index ETF (NYSEARCA: IVV) verses the iShares Core S&P Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA: IJH) reveals the following:

Hot Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income ETF (CVY)

The Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income ETF (the Fund), formerly Claymore/Zacks Multi-Asset Income Index ETF, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance of an equity index called the Zacks Multi-Asset Income Index (the Index). The Index consists of approximately 125 to 150 securities selected, based on investment and other criteria, from a universe of domestic and international companies. The universe of securities within the Index includes United States-listed common stocks, American depositary receipts (ADRs) paying dividends, real estate investment trusts, master limited partnerships, closed-end funds and traditional preferred stocks. The companies in the universe are selected using a methodology developed by the index provider, Zacks Investment Research, Inc. The Fund, using a passive or indexing investment approach, seeks to replicate the performance of the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is Claymore Advisors, LLC. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Genia Turanova]

  Moreover, investors can do one-stop shopping for most income classes through a single ETF as well. One interesting choice here is Guggenheim Multi-Asset Income (CVY).

Hot Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: International Paper Co (IP)

International Paper Company (International Paper), incorporated on June 23, 1941, is a global paper and packaging company, with primary markets and manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. The Company operates in four segments: Industrial Packaging, Printing Papers, Consumer Packaging and Distribution. As of December 31, 2012, in the United States, the Company operated 28 pulp, paper and packaging mills, 187 converting and packaging plants, 18 recycling plants and three bag facilities. Production facilities as of December 31, 2012 in Europe, Asia, Latin America and South America included 11 pulp, paper and packaging mills, 65 converting and packaging plants, and two recycling plants. It distribute printing, packaging, graphic arts, maintenance and industrial products principally through over 88 distribution branches in the United States and 32 distribution branches located in Canada, Mexico and Asia. As of December 31, 2012, it owned or managed approximately 327,000 acres of forestland in Brazil and had, through licenses and forest management agreements, harvesting rights on government-owned forestlands in Russia. On July 2, 2012, it sold Ontario and Oxnard (Hueneme), California containerboard mills to New-Indy Containerboard LLC, and its New Johnsonville, Tennessee containerboard mill to Hood Container Corporation. On January 3, 2013, it acquired joint venture partner, Sabanci Holding.

Industrial Packaging

International Paper is a manufacturer of containerboard in the United States. Its production capacity is about 14 million tons annually. The Company�� products include linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium and saturating kraft. About 80% of its production is converted domestically into corrugated boxes and other packaging by its 178 United States container plants. In addition, it recycles approximately one million tons of old corrugated containers (OCC) and mixed and white paper through ! our 20 recycling plants. In Europe, our operations include one recycled fiber containerboard mill in Morocco and 20 container plants in France, Italy, Spain, and Morocco. In Asia, its operations include 19 container plants in China and additional container plants in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Its container plants are supported by regional design centers, which offer total packaging solutions and supply chain initiatives.

Printing Papers

International Paper is a producer of printing and writing papers. Products in this segment include uncoated and coated papers, uncoated bristols and pulp. This business produces papers for use in copiers, desktop and laser printers and digital imaging. End use applications include advertising and promotional materials, such as brochures, pamphlets, greeting cards, books, annual reports and direct mail. Uncoated papers also produce a variety of grades that are converted by its customers into envelopes, tablets, business forms and file folders. Uncoated papers are sold under private label and International Paper brand names that include Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Postmark, Accent, Great White, Chamex, Ballet, Rey, Pol and Svetocopy. The mills producing uncoated papers are located in the United States, France, Poland, Russia, Brazil and India. The mills have uncoated paper production capacity of approximately five million tons annually.

Pulp products include fluff, and southern softwood pulp, as well as southern and birch hardwood paper pulps. These products are produced in the United States, France, Poland, Russia, and Brazil and are sold around the world. International Paper facilities have annual dried pulp capacity of about 1.7 million tons.

Consumer Packaging

International Paper is a producer of solid bleached sulfate board with annual United States production capacity of about 1.7 million tons. Its coated paperboard business produces coated paperboard for a variety of packag! ing and c! ommercial printing end uses. Its Everest, Fortress, and Starcote brands are used in packaging applications for everyday products, such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, computer software and tobacco products. Its Carolina brand is used in commercial printing end uses, such as greeting cards, paperback book covers, lottery tickets, direct mail and point-of-purchase advertising. Its United States capacity is supplemented by about 365,000 tons of capacity at its mills producing coated board in Poland and Russia and by its International Paper & Sun Cartonboard Co., Ltd. joint venture in China, which has annual capacity of 1.0 million tons. Its Foodservice business produces cups, lids, food containers and plates through three domestic plants and four international facilities.

Distribution

xpedx, the Company�� North American merchant distribution business, distributes products and services to a number of customer markets, including commercial printers with printing papers and graphic pre-press, printing presses and post-press equipment; building services and away-from-home markets with facility supplies; manufacturers with packaging supplies and equipment, and to a number of customers, it provides distribution capabilities, including warehousing and delivery services. xpedx is the wholesale distribution marketer in these customer and product segments in North America, operating 108 warehouse locations in the United States and Mexico.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Divine]

  Demand, or lack thereof, also contributed to International Paper's (NYSE: IP  ) 3.5% decline Thursday. While on the bright side, the company reported growth in revenue and earnings in the first quarter, those single-digit advances failed to impress shareholders. A strong housing market brought in more revenues for International Paper's moving boxes, but a weak packaged food industry entirely mitigated the resultant gains.�

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

  J. C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Maxim Group.

• [By Shauna O'Brien]

  On Wednesday, Jefferies analyst Philip Ng reported that he sees additional upside for International Paper Company (IP).

  On Tuesday, IP announced a $1.5 billion share buyback program and a 17% dividend increase. Following these reports, the analyst reported that he believes this buyback program has not reflected analyst earnings estimates.

  Ng commented: “While IP is up 24% YTD (S&P 500: up 18%), it has lagged its containerboard peers and we believe now that the mgmt has proved it’s committed in returning cash back to shareholders, the stock should break out of its trading range.”

  Jefferies currently has a “Buy” rating and $60 price target on IP. This price target suggests an 18% increase from the stock’s current price of $49.27.

  International Paper shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Wednesday. The stock is up 24% YTD.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of MeadWestvaco have jumped 4.6% to $37.29 today at 3:36 p.m. Other paper packaging companies, however, aren’t getting a boost from the news or from Merrill’s upgrade. Shares of Rock-Tenn (RKT) have dipped 0.1% to $100.34, International Paper (IP) has ticked up 0.1% to $48.74and Packaging Corp. of America (PKG) is little changed at $65.40.

Hot Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: View Systems Inc (VSYM)

View Systems, Inc. (View Systems), incorporated on July 25, 2003, develops, produces and markets computer software and hardware systems for security and surveillance applications. The Company has penetrated four market segments for this product: correctional facilities, judicial facilities, probation offices and federal facilities in the Mid-Atlantic States, the West Coast and the South. The Company�� products and services include ViewScan Concealed Weapons Detection System, Multi-Mission Mobil Video (MMV), ViewMaxx Digital Video System, Additional Applications and Integration of ViewScan and ViewMaxx, the MINI, Network Services, FiberXpress, Inc., Visisys Ltd. and Training and Service Programs.

ViewScan Concealed Weapons Detection System

ViewScan is sold under the name Secure Scan, is a walk-through concealed weapons detector, which uses data sensing technology to pinpoint the location, size and number of concealed weapons. This walk-through portal is controlled by a master processing board and a personal computer based unit which receives magnetic and video information and combines it in a manner that allows the suspected location of the weapon to be stored electronically and referenced. ViewScan products are distributed in three basic configurations; stand-alone units, portable units and integrated door systems. ViewScan is designed to overcome the traditional shortcomings of electromagnetic induction scanners.

Multi-Mission Mobil Video

The MMV is a lightweight, wireless camera system housed in a tough, waterproof body. The camera system sends back real-time images to a computer or video monitor at the command post located outside the exclusion zone or containment area. The MMV also uses an Extension Link which is a separate transmitter and receiving system that increases the operating range of the MMV.

The Company has incorporated a video encryption feature that allows first responders to transmit on-scene video to the command post! without the data being intercepted by unwanted parties. The MMV is fully deployed by one person in a stand-alone configuration in less than 10 minutes. The system is battery operated and can operate for eight continuous hours using one set of spare camera batteries.

ViewMaxx Digital Video System

ViewMaxx is a high-resolution, digital video recording and real-time monitoring system. This system can be scaled to meet a specific customer's needs by using anywhere from one camera up to 32 surveillance cameras per each ViewMaxx unit. The system uses a video capture card recording which translates closed-circuit television analog video data (a format normally used by broadcasters for national television programs) to a computer readable digital format to be stored on direct access digital disk devices rather than the conventional television format of video tape. ViewMaxx offers programmable recording features that can eliminate the unnecessary storage of non-critical image data.

Additional Applications and Integration of ViewScan and ViewMaxx

The Company offers integration of other products with ViewScan or ViewMaxx. Its product can be interfaced with ViewScan and/or ViewMaxx to limit individual access to an area. ViewScan and/or ViewMaxx can be coupled with magnetic door locks to restrict access to a particular area. It also offers a central monitoring or video command center for ViewScan or ViewMaxx products.

The MINI

The MINI (Mobile Intelligent Network Informer) is a portable, wireless watchdog communication device that checks for intrusion into uninhabited areas such as foreclosed houses, storage spaces and vacation homes. The MINI senses motion and sends text messages to a user's cell phone. Property and remote assets may be guarded by this device that requires no plug-in electricity, no physical phone line and no monitoring service. The MINI runs on batteries and one configuration of the system can even send a photo of the in! truder to! the user's cell phone. Camera settings can be controlled and changed via short message service (SMS) commands. It licenses the MINI from its manufacturer and acts as a distributor.

Network Services

View Systems Inc. Network Services group supplied integrated electronic security and control systems. It supplied for commercial and industrial applications throughout the Mid Atlantic area.

FiberXpress, Inc.

FiberXpress, Inc. sells specialist data network related products. It sells its products through its Internet Website.

Visisys Ltd.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, there were no revenues from this partnership. The Company's partnership with Visisys, Ltd. has been terminated.

Training and Service Programs

The Company offers support services for our products, which includes on site consulting/planning with customer architect and engineers; installation and technical support; installation and technical support, and cand. The Company's family of products offers government and law enforcement agencies, commercial security professionals, private businesses and residential consumers an enhanced surveillance and detection capacity. Its ViewScan products and technology can be used where there is a temporary requirement for real-time weapons detection devices in areas where a permanent installation is prohibitive or impractical.

A primary market for the Company's ViewScan portal is federal and state government courthouses, county and municipal buildings, and correctional facilities. The Company has installed its ViewScan weapons detection products in a variety of court house situations. The MMV product's market includes National Guard units and first response agencies such as fire, police, SWAT, and homeland security response teams.

The Company competes with Ranger Security Scanners, Inc., Garrett Electronics, Inc., CEIA SpA, Sensormatic Corporation, NICE Systems, Ltd. and Inte! gral Syst! ems.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  It's worth noting that it's not their fault. The measures needed to defend a primary and secondary school are foreboding, and can be expensive, and therefore are politically unpopular. Sadly though, each school shooting victim's death chips away at the disdain for physical barriers and checkpoints at a school's doors. Enter View Systems Inc. (OTCBB:VSYM).

Hot Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: Powershares Dynamic Media Portfolio (PBS)

PowerShares Dynamic Media Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of an equity index called the Dynamic Media Intellidex Index (the Media Intellidex). The Media Intellidex consists of stocks of 30 United States media companies. These are companies that are principally engaged in the development, production, sale and distribution of goods or services used in the media industry. These companies may include advertising, marketing and public relations companies; companies that own, operate or broadcast free or pay television, radio or cable stations; theaters; film studios; publishers or sellers of newspapers, magazines, books or video products; printing, cable television and video companies and equipment providers; pay-per-view television companies; companies involved in emerging technologies for the broadcast and media industries; cellular communications companies; companies involved in the development, syndication and transmission of television, movie programming, advertising and cellular communications; companies that distribute data-based information, and other companies involved in the ownership, operation or development of media products or services. Stocks are selected principally on the basis of their capital appreciation potential as identified by the AMEX (the Intellidex Provider) pursuant to its Intellidex methodology.

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks of media companies. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Media Intellidex. The Media Intellidex is adjusted quarterly, and the Fund, using an indexing investment approach, attempts to replicate the performance of the Media Intellidex. The Fund�� investment advisor is PowerShares Capital Management LLC.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Small cap media stock�LIN Media LLC (NYSE: LIN) might not be a household name, but there is a good chance you might be watching the company�� programs because like the Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc (NASDAQ: SBGI) and Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc (NASDAQ: NXST), its helping to consolidate the media industry plus its making investment in other forms of media like social media. The stock has also outperformed those two peers along with the�PowerShares Dynamic Media Portfolio ETF (NYSEARCA: PBS).

• [By John Udovich]

  On Monday, shares of small cap�Rocket Fuel Inc (NASDAQ: FUEL) took off like a rocket by surging 18.96% after plunging about 20% on Friday after earnings���meaning it might be time to take a closer look at the stock as well as benchmark it with the performance of�the Global X Social Media Index ETF (NASDAQ: SOCL) and the PowerShares Dynamic Media Portfolio ETF (NYSEARCA: PBS).

Hot Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: PolyOne Corp (POL)

PolyOne Corporation (PolyOne), incorporated on August 31, 2000, is a provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions with operations in specialty polymer formulations, color and additive systems, polymer distribution and specialty vinyl resins. The Company is a specialized developer and manufacturer of additives, liquid colorants, and fluoropolymer and silicone colorants. The Company offers approximately 52,000 polymer solutions to approximately 14,000 customers across the globe. The Company has 60 manufacturing sites and nine distribution facilities in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. The Company operates in four segments: Global Specialty Engineered Materials; Global Color, Additives and Inks; Performance Products and Solutions, and PolyOne Distribution. On January 3, 2011, the Company acquired Uniplen Industria de Polimeros Ltda. (Uniplen). In February 2011, the Company sold its 50% interest in SunBelt Chlor Alkali Partnership (SunBelt). On December 21, 2011, the Company acquired ColorMatrix Group, Inc. In December 2012, the Company acquired Glasforms Inc. Effective March 13, 2013, the Company acquired the interest of Spartech Corporation.

Global Specialty Engineered Materials

Global Specialty Engineered Materials is a provider of custom plastic formulations, services and solutions for designers, assemblers and processors of thermoplastic materials across a range of markets and end-use applications. Its product portfolio includes standard and custom formulated high-performance polymer compounds that are manufactured using thermoplastic compounds and elastomers, which are then combined with advanced polymer additive, reinforcement, filler, colorant and/or biomaterial technologies. The segment includes GLS Corporation (GLS). Global Specialty Engineered Materials has plants, sales and service facilities located throughout North America, Europe and Asia and South America.

Global Color, Additives and Inks

Global Color! , Additives and Inks is a provider of specialized color and additive concentrates, as well as inks and latexes. Its additive masterbatches encompass a range of performance enhancing characteristics and are commonly categorized by the function that they perform, such as ultra violet (UV) stabilization, anti-static, chemical blowing, antioxidant and lubricant, and processing enhancement. Its colorant and additives masterbatches are used in a range of plastics, including those used in food and medical packaging, transportation, building products, pipe and wire and cable markets. The Company also provides custom-formulated liquid systems that meet a variety of customer needs and chemistries, including vinyl, natural rubber and latex, polyurethane and silicone. Products include inks and latexes for diversified markets, including recreational and athletic apparel, construction and filtration, outdoor furniture and healthcare. Global Color, Additives and Inks has plants, sales and service facilities located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and North America.

Performance Products and Solutions

Performance Products and Solutions offers an array of products and services for vinyl coating, molding and extrusion processors principally in North America. Its product offerings include vinyl compounds, vinyl resins, and specialty coating materials based on vinyl. These products are sold to manufacturers of plastic parts and consumer-oriented products. The Company also offers a range of services, including materials testing and component analysis, custom compound development, colorant and additive services, design assistance, structural analyses, process simulations and extruder screw design. Vinyl is utilized across a range of applications in building and construction, wire and cable, consumer and recreation markets, transportation, packaging and healthcare. The segment also includes Producer Services, which offers custom compounding services to resin producers and processors that desig! n and dev! elop their own compound and masterbatch recipes.

PolyOne Distribution

The Company�� PolyOne Distribution business distributes approximately 3,500 grades of engineering and commodity grade resins, including PolyOne-produced compounds, to the North American market. These products are sold to approximately 5,700 custom injection molders and extruders who, in turn, convert them into plastic parts that are sold to end-users in a range of industries. Representing approximately 20 major suppliers, the Company offers its customers a product portfolio, just-in-time delivery from multiple stocking locations and local technical support. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company extended its distribution operations to Asia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Specialized polymer materials manufacturer and distributor PolyOne (POL) raised its quarterly dividend 33% to 8 cents per share, payable on Jan. 9, 2014 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 17.
  POL Dividend Yield: 0.97%

• [By Travis Hoium]

  What: Shares of PolyOne (NYSE: POL  ) jumped 10% today after the company reported earnings.

  So what: First quarter revenue was up 7.5% to $801.1 million and adjusted earnings per share rose 29% to $0.31. Analysts expected higher revenue of $817.1 million but only $0.26 in earnings per share so the bottom line is what investors are excited about today. �