Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Watch For 2014

Company and Financial Overview

Silver Spring Networks (SSNI) is a leading networking platform and solutions provider that enables utilities to transform the power grid infrastructure into smart grid. SSNI was founded in 2002 to address this challenge, pioneering a fundamentally new approach to connect utilities with millions of devices on the power grid. Since inception, SSNI has been awarded contracts to network more than 22 mn Silver Spring-enabled devices, of which 15.8 mn have been delivered to utility customers.

What are the Key Investment Highlights?

According to IDC Energy Insights, SSNI is the market leader in the US for Electric Advanced Metering (EMA) infrastructure communications with 31% market share. The company revenues have grown 60x over the past 3 years to touch $196 mn in 2012. Its gross margins have turned positive for the first time in 2011, while EBITDA is still negative. However things are expected to turn around from 2013, and EPS is projected to turn positive.

Top 5 Small Cap Companies To Invest In Right Now: Delphi Automotive PLC (DLPH)

Delphi Automotive PLC (Delphi), incorporated on May 19, 2011, is a global vehicle components manufacturer and provides electrical and electronic, powertrain, safety and thermal technology solutions to the global automotive and commercial vehicle markets. As of December 31, 2012, the Company operated 126 manufacturing facilities and 15 technical centers utilizing a regional service model that enables it to serve its global customers. The Company operates through four segments: Electrical / Electronic Architecture; Powertrain Systems; Electronics and Safety and Thermal Systems. In October 2012, the Company acquired FCI Group�� Motorized Vehicles Division.

The Company�� Electrical / Electronic Architecture segment provides complete design of the vehicle�� electrical architecture, including connectors, wiring assemblies and harnesses, electrical centers and hybrid power distribution systems. Its Powertrain Systems segment provides systems integration of full end-to-end gasoline and diesel engine management systems, including fuel handling, fuel injection, combustion, electronic controls and test and validation capabilities. Its Electronics and Safety segment provides critical components, systems and advanced software for passenger safety, security, comfort and infotainment, as well as vehicle operation, including body controls, reception systems, infotainment and connectivity systems, hybrid vehicle power electronics, passive and active safety electronics, displays and mechatronics. Thermal Systems segment provides powertrain cooling and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, such as compressors, systems and controls, and heat exchangers for the vehicle markets.

Electrical/Electronic Architecture

The Company�� offers complete electrical/electronic architectures for its customer-specific needs. Connectors are engineered for use in the automotive and related markets, but also have applications in the aerospace, military and telematics sector! s. Electrical centers provide centralized electrical power and signal distribution and all of the associated circuit protection and switching devices, thereby optimizing the overall vehicle electrical system. Distribution systems are integrated into one optimized vehicle electrical system, which can utilize smaller cable and gauge sizes and ultra-thin wall insulation.

The Company competes with Lear Corporation, Leoni AG, Molex Inc, TE Connectivity, Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation and Yazaki Corporation.

Powertrain Systems

The Company offers products for complete engine management systems (EMS) and other products to help optimize performance, emissions and fuel economy. The gasoline EMS portfolio features fuel injection and air/fuel control, valvetrain, ignition, sensors and actuators, transmission control products, and powertrain electronic control modules with software, algorithms and calibration. The diesel EMS product line offers common rail fuel and air injection system technologies. The Powertrain Systems segment also supplies integrated fuel handling systems for gasoline, diesel, flexfuel and biofuel configurations. It also includes diesel and automotive aftermarket and original equipment service in the Powertrain Systems segment.

The Company competes with BorgWarner Inc., Bosch Group, Continental AG, Denso Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd. and Magneti Marelli S.p.A.

Electronics and Safety

The Company offers a range of electronic and safety equipment in the areas of controls, security, infotainment, communications, safety systems and power electronics. Electronic controls products consist of body computers and security systems. Infotainment and driver interface portfolio consists of receivers, advanced reception systems, digital receivers, satellite audio receivers, navigation systems, displays and mechatronics. Safety electronics includes occupant detection systems, collision warning systems, advanced cruise control technologies a! nd collis! ion sensing. Electric and hybrid electric vehicle power electronics includes power modules, inverters and converters and battery packs.

The Company competes Autoliv AB, Bosch Group, Continental AG, Denso Corporation, Harman International Industries and Panasonic Corporation.

Thermal Systems

The Company offers energy efficient thermal system and component solutions for the automotive market and continues to develop applications for the non-automotive market. Its automotive thermal products are designed to meet customers��needs for powertrain thermal management and cabin thermal comfort. Powertrain cooling products include condenser, radiator, fan module and charge air cooling heat exchangers assemblies. Climate control portfolio includes HVAC modules, with evaporator and heater core components, compressors and controls.

The Company competes with Denso Corporation, MAHLE Behr Industry, Sanden Corporation, Valeo Inc. and Visteon Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Analysts at Morgan Stanley maintained an Overweight rating on Delphi Automotive (NYSE: DLPH) with a price target raised to $90 from a previous $85. Shares gained 0.10 percent, closing at $66.85.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Morgan Stanley’s strategists are no fans of consumer sectors–staples or discretionary–but that doesn’t mean all consumers stocks are stinkers, as stocks like Delphi Automotive (DLPH) and Macy’s (M) look primed to shine.

• [By Jason Hall]

  However, there are a couple of bright spots out there. First, sales of Westport's 12 liter ISX12 G, being co-built with�Cummins� (NYSE: CMI  ) , are on track to meet targets for 2014 according to a number of industry experts. Sales of natural gas trucks in 2014 are expected to have grown 27% this year versus 2013. Also, part of the delay in bringing HPDI to market is Westport's shift to HPDI 2.0, and the adoption of HPDI 2.0 by development partners like�AB Volvo� (NASDAQOTH: VOLVY  ) . The injector components are expected to be manufactured in Westport's venture with�Delphi Automotive� (NYSE: DLPH  ) , and the costs will be less than earlier versions, helping natural gas engines be more cost-competitive with diesel.�

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  JPMorgan’s Ryan Brinkman and team note that Delphi Automotive (DLPH) could be in the firing line. They explain:

  We learned that Delphi is the supplier in question of the ignition switches [General Motors] is recalling on 1.6 mn affected vehicles. The ignition switch was produced by a predecessor entity to the current post-bankruptcy Delphi Automotive, potentially shielding the supplier from liability, but we nevertheless expect Delphi to incur costs to assist�[General Motors] in fixing the affected vehicles, which we believe both�[General Motors] and Delphi are committed to doing in as expeditious a manner as possible. Delphi management commented that a typical ignition switch is an inexpensive part, sometimes costing as little as $2 to $5 to produce (suggesting a total recall cost of ~$3.2 mn to $8.0 mn, ex-labor, or ~$0.01 to $0.02 of EPS), and that swapping the ignition for a new one is not labor intensive ��potentially done in only a few minutes. This contrasts with other recalls with which Delphi has been involved, which can sometimes necessitate replacement of a costlier component or one that is in a hard-to-reach area, such as deep within an engine, and was described as relatively straight-forward.

Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Watch For 2014: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.(HOT)

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. operates as a hotel and leisure company worldwide. The company operates luxury and upscale full service hotels, select-service hotels, extended stay hotels, resorts, retreats, and residences under St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le M�idien, Sheraton, Four Points, Aloft, and Element brand names. It also engages in the development and operation of vacation ownership resorts; marketing and selling vacation ownership interests in the resorts; and provision of financing to customers who purchase such interests. In addition, the company develops, markets, and sells residential units at mixed use hotel projects. As of December 31, 2011, its hotel portfolio included 1,076 owned, managed, or franchised hotels with approximately 315,300 rooms; and 13 stand-alone vacation ownership resorts and residential properties. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwid e Inc. operates independently of ITT Corporation as of December 19, 1995.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Reuters]
  ATLANTA -- A credit card data breach has been detected that exposed guests at certain Marriott, Holiday Inn, Sheraton and other hotel properties to theft, hotel management firm White Lodging Services said Monday. The breach occurred at food and beverage outlets at 14 hotels, including some operated under the Westin, Renaissance and Radisson names, between March 20 and Dec. 16 last year, White Lodging said in a statement. The company said information subject to potential theft by cybercriminals included names and numbers on consumers' debit or credit cards, security codes and card expiration dates. Customers who used their cards at the affected outlets should review all statements from the time in question and consider placing fraud alerts on their credit files, White Lodging said. White Lodging wouldn't estimate how many card numbers might have been taken. Krebs on Security, the cybersecurity blog that first reported the breach Friday, said thousands of accounts had been compromised. The latest data breach comes after the FBI warned retailers last month to prepare for more cyber attacks after discovering about 20 hacking cases in the past year involving the same kind of malicious software used against Target (TGT) over the holiday shopping season. The incident involving Target, the No. 3 U.S. retailer, was one of the biggest retail cyber attacks in history. In a confidential, three-page report to retail companies the FBI described the risks posed by "memory-parsing" malware that infects point-of-sale systems, which include cash registers and credit-card swiping machines in checkout aisles. Restaurants and lounges affected by the White Lodging breach were at hotels in Chicago; Austin, Texas; Richmond, Va.; Plantation, Fla.; Denver; Boulder and Broomfield, Colo.; Louisville, Ky.; Erie, Pa.; Indianapolis; and Merrillville, Ind., the company said. White Lodging, which manages 169 hotels that include brands of Marriott International (MAR), Starwood
• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT  ) : up 150%
  Unlike most companies, Starwood makes dividend payments only once a year, but its end-of-2012 payout of $1.25 per share was far above the $0.50 it paid in 2011. Even with its international exposure leaving it facing headwinds in troubled areas such as Europe, recovering prospects in its key U.S. market and expansion into growth markets around the world have led to strong performance for Starwood, and sharing the wealth with shareholders shows that Starwood expects the good times to continue.

• [By MONEYMORNING]

  What's more optimistic news for potential HLT stock investors: Hilton stock traded above its IPO level on a day the market lost more than 100 points. At a $20 IPO price, Hilton had a market cap value of $19.7 billion on Thursday morning, far more than industry rivals Hyatt Hotels Corp. (NYSE: H), Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: HOT), and Marriott International Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR).

• [By Ben Rooney]

  Hilton Worldwide (HLT) and Starwood Hotels (HOT) are on Lutz's list...

  ...as are amusement park operator Six Flags (SIX) and movie theater company Regal Entertainment (RGC).

Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Watch For 2014: Snam SpA (SRG)

Snam SpA is an Italy-based company engaged in the management of natural gas services. The Company is diversified into four operating segments. The Transportation segment covers transportation-related gas services, including capacity management and transportation of the gas at the entry points of the gas network to the redelivery points. It owns transportation infrastructures of gas pipelines. The Regasification segment is focused on extraction activities of natural gas, its liquefaction for transport by ship and subsequent regasification. The Storage segment covers deposits, gas treatment plants, compression plants and the operational dispatching system. The Distribution segment engages gas distribution through local transportation networks from delivery points at the metering and reduction stations to the gas distribution network redelivery points at the end customers. Additionally, Snam SpA as the parent company, focuses on planning, management, coordination and control of the group. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tom Stoukas]

  Snam SpA (SRG) dropped the most in almost a year as Eni SpA sold an 11.7 percent stake in the owner of Italy�� biggest natural-gas network. Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc tumbled the most in more than 14 months. Experian Plc jumped to a record after the world�� largest credit-checking company raised its dividend and announced a share buyback.

• [By Victor Selva]

  The Specialty Restaurant Group (SRG), which includes Bahama Breeze and The Capital Grille, has grown over the last couple of quarters. Eddie V's Restaurants and Yard House might be meaningful long-term drivers, as we think most of the growth in the next years will come from the acquisition of those restaurants.

Top 5 Diversified Bank Companies To Watch For 2014: Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc (DSM)

Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the fund) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The fund�� investment objective is to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. The Dreyfus Corporation serves as the fund�� investment adviser.

The fund invests at least 80% of its assets in municipal bonds. The fund also issues auction rate preferred stock and invests the proceeds in a manner consistent with its investment objective.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Trista Kelley]

  Cenkos Securities Plc (CNKS) is running the spinoff and the share sale. Royal DSM NV (DSM), the world�� largest maker of vitamins, holds about 9 percent of SiS, while U.K. venture-capital trust Downing LLP owns 16.7 percent, Moon said. Provexis stockholders received one share of Science in Sport for every 100 shares of Provexis.

• [By Jonathan Morgan]

  Royal DSM NV (DSM) gained 6.4 percent to 56.02 euros. The Dutch chemical company posted second-quarter profit that beat analyst estimates after a $3.1 billion-acquisition spree and as it cut costs. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization jumped 19 percent to 345 million euros. That exceeded the 333 million-euro average estimate of 11 analysts.

• [By Sherine El Madany]

  Dubai�� DFM General Index (DSM) posted the biggest drop in the Middle East, losing 2.3 percent, the most since June 10, to 2,345.47 at the 2 p.m. close in the emirate. Emaar Properties PJSC (EMAAR), developer of the world�� tallest tower in Dubai, registered its biggest decrease since April. The ADX General Index (MSM30) fell 0.9 percent, while the Bloomberg GCC200 Index (BGCC200) was down 0.2 percent.

• [By Tom Stoukas]

  Royal DSM NV (DSM) slid 5.4 percent to 55.13 euros. The company that spent $3.2 billion on nutrition-ingredient acquisitions said profit this year may fall short of an initial target because of stagnant markets in Europe and lower chemical prices.