Sunday, January 18, 2015

Top 5 Healthcare Technology Companies To Invest In Right Now

One of the benefits of attending the Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B  ) shareholders' meeting is learning from the great value investors and Buffettologists who also make the yearly trek to Omaha. In this multipart series, Fool analyst Rex Moore speaks with Lawrence Cunningham, author of The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America. The book offers a unique approach by arranging all of Buffett's shareholder letters thematically, rather than chronologically.

Today, Professor Cunningham talks about what might happen to Berkshire shares when Buffett is gone.

Is Berkshire for you?
Thanks to the savvy of investing legend Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway's book value per share has grown a mind-blowing 586,817% over the past 48 years. But with Buffett aging and Berkshire rapidly evolving, is this insurance conglomerate still a buy today? In The Motley Fool's premium report on the company, Berkshire expert Joe Magyer provides investors with key reasons to buy as well as important risks to watch out for. Click here now for instant access to Joe's take on Berkshire!

Top Value Companies To Watch For 2015: Pengrowth Energy Corp (PGH)

Pengrowth Energy Corporation (Pengrowth) is engaged in the development, production and acquisition of, and the exploration for, oil and natural gas reserves in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The Company�� producing properties include Lindbergh, Swan Hills Area, Greater Olds/Garrington Area and Southeast Saskatchewan. In February 2012, the Company commenced the injection of steam at its Lindbergh pilot project. On May 31, 2012, the Company acquired NAL Energy Corporation. In November 2012, the Company acquired additional Lochend Cardium assets with production capability of approximately 650 barrels of oil equivalent, weighted 95% to light oil. In March 2013, the Company completed the divestiture of its non-core Weyburn asset. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dan Caplinger]

    Pengrowth Energy (NYSE: PGH  ) will release its quarterly report on Thursday, and with shares having climbed recently, investors seem to be expecting good things from the company. Yet Pengrowth earnings expectations don't appear to be behind the jump in the stock lately, with some one-time events drawing the bulk of investor attention instead.

  • [By Roberto Pedone]

    Pengrowth Energy (PGH) is engaged in the development, production and acquisition of, as well as the exploration for, oil and natural gas reserves in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. This stock closed up 1.6% to $5.69 in Thursday's trading session.

    Thursday's Range: $5.60-$5.75

    52-Week Range: $3.82-$7.49

    Thursday's Volume: 1.06 million

    Three-Month Average Volume: 1.62 million

    From a technical perspective, PGH bounced modestly higher here right above some near-term support at $5.57 with decent upside volume. This stock recently pulled back after a solid uptrend, from $6.06 to that $5.57 low. Shares of PGH now look ready to resume its uptrend and potentially trigger a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if PGH manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $5.88 to $6.06 with high volume.

    Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PGH as long as it's trending above support at $5.57 to more support at $5.40 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 1.62 million shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then PGH will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at 7 to $7.50.

  • [By GURUFOCUS]

    Canadian Trusts- Baytex Energy Trust (BTE) | Yield: 6.1%
    - Enerplus Resources Fund (ERF) | Yield: 5.6%
    - Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGH) | Yield: 7.1%

  • [By Stephan Dube]

    Cold Lake's most notable producers:

    Husky Energy (HUSK.PK), see article here.Pengrowth Energy Corporation (PGH), see article here.Southern Pacific Resource (STPJF.PK), see article here.Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), see article here.Devon Energy (DVN), see article here.Imperial Oil (IMO), see article here.Baytex, see article here.Bonavista Energy (BNPUF.PK), see article here.

    Athabasca's most notable producers:

Top 5 Healthcare Technology Companies To Invest In Right Now: Ram Resources Ltd (RMR)

Ram Resources Limited is an Australia-based company. The Company is engaged in exploration of mineral properties in Greenland and Western Australia. The Company�� Motzfeld Project is located in South Greenland, some 24 kilometers from the town of Narsarsuaq and comprises exploration licences 2010/46 and 2011/24. The Company holds 51% interest in the Motzfeldt project. The Romney (EL 2010/46) located in the Lejrelev Valley about 3.5 kilometers to the west of the Aries prospect. The Merino forms a steep-sided ridge at the north-eastern end of this valley, about 2.5 kilometers to the north-north-west of Aries. The Company�� Voskop Prospect is located within Exploration Licence 2011/24 in the Storeelv Valley about 7 kilometers to the northwest of the Company�� Aries target. The Drysdale Prospect is located on top of a broad ridge about 7.5 kilometers southeast of Aries and at an elevation of about 1,600 meter. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Chris DeMuth Jr.]

    To use a recent REIT example, take CommonWealth REIT. This is a large well established REIT that is valued in the market with one of the lowest multiples of FFO in the industry. The reason the company trades at a multiple roughly half its competitors, in my opinion, is the poorly aligned management incentive structure. The management of CommonWealth is contracted to an external management firm, Reit Management Research (RMR). Many of the trustees of CommonWeath are owners of RMR and serve on both boards. RMR is primarily compensated by growing CWH's assets which are under RMR's management, not on stock price, FFO, or anything else that is closely aligned to generating shareholder returns. This has the perverse effect of motivating them to issue lots of equity and buy lots of buildings irrespective of the value add to CommonWealth shareholders. Neither the management company nor its employees have a significant amount of their income based on the performance of CommonWealth's stock price. This has resulted in an activist, Corvex Capital, buying a significant position in the company and taking action to replace the board and the management team. The proxy advisory firm, ISS, has sided with the activist and recommended that shareholders vote out the current trustees. ISS notes, "Between 2007-2012 …while the CommonWealth management team increased assets by 198% of period-ending market cap - driving a significant increase in fees payable to management - Commonwealth's share price - the measure of value appreciation for shareholders - fell by 68%." This is the poster child of misaligned management incentives.

Top 5 Healthcare Technology Companies To Invest In Right Now: AmerisourceBergen Corp (ABC)

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (AmerisourceBergen), incorporated on March 16, 2001, is a pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada, and selected global markets. Servicing both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services. The Company distributes a range of pharmaceuticals (including specialty pharmaceutical products), generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to a range of healthcare providers located in the United States, Canada and selected global markets, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical and dialysis clinics, physicians and physician group practices, long-term care and other alternate site pharmacies, and other customers. The Company also provides pharmacy services to certain specialty drug patients. In addition, the Company furnishes healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers with an assortment of related services, including pharmacy automation, inventories management, reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services, logistics services, and pharmacy management. The Company serves its customers (healthcare providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and specialty drug patients) through a network of distribution service centers and other operations in the United States, Canada, and global markets. In the Company's pharmaceutical distribution business, the Company is a source of supply of pharmaceutical and related products to its healthcare provider customers.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company's operations were comprised of the Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment and Other. Other consists of the AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services (ABCS) and World Courier operating segments. In September 2011, the Company acquired IntrinsiQ, LLC (IntrinsiQ) and Premier Source! . IntrinsiQ is a provider of informatics solutions, which help community oncologists make treatment decisions for their patients. Premier Source is a provider of consulting and reimbursement services to medical device, pharmaceutical, molecular diagnostic, and biotechnology manufacturers, as well as other health services companies. On November 1, 2011, the Company acquired TheraCom, LLC (TheraCom). TheraCom is a provider of commercialization support services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, including reimbursement and patient access support services. On April 30, 2012, the Company acquired World Courier Group, Inc. (World Courier), which is a global specialty transportation and logistics provider for the biopharmaceutical industry.

Pharmaceutical Distribution Segment

The Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment is consisted of two operating segments, which include the operations of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (ABDC) and AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (ABSG). Servicing healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment's operations provide drug distribution and related services. ABDC distributes a offering of brand-name pharmaceuticals (including specialty pharmaceutical products) and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to a range of healthcare providers, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and other alternate site pharmacies, and other customers. ABDC also provides pharmacy management, staffing and other consulting services; scalable automated pharmacy dispensing equipment; medication and supply dispensing cabinets, and supply management software to a range of retail and institutional healthcare providers. In addition, ABDC delivers packaging solutions to institutional and retail healthcare providers.!

ABSG, through a range of operating businesses, provides pharmaceutical distribution and other services to physicians who specialize in a range of disease states, especially oncology, and to other healthcare providers, including dialysis clinics. ABSG also distributes plasma and other blood products, injectible pharmaceuticals and vaccines. In addition, ABSG provides third party logistics and other services for biotechnology and other pharmaceutical manufacturers. The Company's use of the term specialty and specialty pharmaceutical products refers to drugs used to treat complex diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Specialty pharmaceutical products are part of complex treatment regimens for serious conditions and diseases, which require ongoing clinical monitoring.

Other

ABCS, through a number of operating businesses, provides commercialization support services, including reimbursement support programs, outcomes research, contract field staffing, patient assistance and copay assistance programs, adherence programs, risk mitigation services, and other market access programs to pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers. World Courier, which operates in over 50 countries, is a specialty transportation and logistics provider for the biopharmaceutical industry. As of September 30, 2012, the Company committed to a plan to divest AndersonBrecon.

The Company competes with Cardinal Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation, FFF Enterprises, Henry Schein, Inc. and UPS Logistics.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By DAILYFINANCE]

    Russel A. Daniels/AP Walgreen Co.'s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings soared 86 percent, as the nation's largest drugstore chain booked gains from its method of inventory accounting and its acquisition of a stake in European health and beauty retailer Alliance Boots. The Deerfield, Ill., company said Tuesday that it earned $657 million, or 69 cents a share, in the quarter that ended Aug. 31. That compares with earnings of $353 million, or 39 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue climbed 5 percent to $17.94 billion. Adjusted earnings totaled 73 cents a share, excluding acquisition-related costs among other items. Analysts forecast earnings of 72 cents a share on $17.96 billion in revenue, according to FactSet. Walgreen (WAG) shares slipped 15 cents to $53.65 Tuesday before markets opened and after the company announced results. Walgreen recorded an $8 million "last-in-first-out" inventory benefit in this year's quarter, compared with a $132 million charge last year. LIFO is a method of accounting for inventory that assumes a company sells its newest inventory first. The company takes a credit or charge each quarter according to the anticipated inflation rate for the year. The company attributed the big swing to lower-than-anticipated prescription drug inventory ahead of a transition it made to AmerisourceBergen Corp. (ABC). Walgreen had announced earlier this year that it and Alliance Boots were buying an ownership stake in drug distributor AmerisourceBergen Corp. Walgreen also entered into a supply agreement with AmerisourceBergen for its drugstores, mail order and specialty pharmacy businesses. Last year, Walgreen acquired a 45 percent stake in Swiss-based Alliance Boots for about $4 billion in cash plus 83.4 million Walgreen shares. Walgreen then booked $124 million in equity earnings from its stake in this year's quarter. Walgreen runs the nation's largest chain of drugstores, with 8,116 locations nationwide. The company said an influx of generic drugs a

  • [By alicet236]

    AmerisourceBergen Corp (ABC): President & CEO Steven Collis sold 157,500 Shares

    President & CEO of AmerisourceBergen Corp (ABC) Steven Collis sold 157,500 shares on June 11 at an average price of $71.83. AmerisourceBergen Corp is a Delaware Corporation and was formed in 2001. Amerisourcebergen Corp has a market cap of $16.21 billion; its shares were traded at around $71.78 with a P/E ratio of 38.70 and P/S ratio of 0.16. The dividend yield of Amerisourcebergen stocks is 1.27%. Amerisourcebergen Corp had an annual average earnings growth of 14.70% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Amerisourcebergen Corp the business predictability rank of 4.5-star.

Top 5 Healthcare Technology Companies To Invest In Right Now: Communications Systems Inc.(JCS)

Communications Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells modular connecting and wiring devices, digital subscriber line filters, structured wiring systems, and media and rate conversion products primarily in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company?s Suttle segment manufactures and markets copper and fiber connectivity systems, enclosure systems, XDSL filters and splitters, and active technologies for voice, data, and video communications under the Suttle brand name; and residential structured wiring products under the SOHO Access brand name. This segment offers its products directly and through distributors to communication companies, smaller telephone companies, electrical/low voltage contractors, home builders, cable customers, and original equipment manufacturers. Its Transition Networks segment designs, assembles, and markets network interface devices, media converters, network interface cards, Ethernet switches, sma ll form factor pluggable modules, and other connectivity products under the Transition Networks and MILAN brand names. This segment sells its products through distributors, resellers, integrators, and original equipment manufacturers. The company?s JDL Technologies segment offers information technology (IT) solutions, including network design and integration IT service management, network security, desktop virtualization, and managed network operation center services. This segment serves educational clients, IT value added resellers, and managed service providers, as well as healthcare, enterprise, and government markets. Its Austin Taylor segment provides telephony and data networking products to telecommunications companies, distributors, and installers. This segment designs and manufactures external metal cabinets and internal metal boxes to industry standards and to customer specifications. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Advisors' Opinion:

  • [By Victor Selva]

    On Dec.24, Mario Gabelli, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. added Communications Systems Inc. (JCS) at an average price of $11.05 and currently holds 330,172 shares of the stock. It was the 5th time he added the stock during this year, which makes me feel that he is betting in favor of a positive future for the consumption of network capacity.
    Recommendations of the Board
    Communications Systems is engaged in the manufacture and sale of modular connecting and wiring devices for voice and data communications, digital subscriber line filters, and structured wiring systems, and through its Transition Networks business unit in the manufacture of media and rate conversion products for telecommunications networks.
    Few months ago the firm announced�a series of actions to increase revenues and improve profitability. The first change was to operate as a holding company, monitoring and supporting all the business units: Suttle, Transition Networks (TN) unit and JDL Technologies. With this ��ew format�� each unit will operate with a high degree of autonomy. This will result in the reduction of labor costs, the emphasizing of accountability in the units as well as better recognition of performance. "While difficult decisions for the Board, we believe the changes we have taken to restructure our parent company as a holding company and to focus on individual business unit performance is in the best interest of our shareholders and will increase shareholder value" said Curtis A. Sampson, the Company's Board Chair and Interim CEO. Furthermore, strategic investments in the TN unit such as marketing, sales and product development will boost revenues in the future.
    Severe Warning Signs
    Not all are good news, we found three severe warning signs issued by GuruFocus: Piotroski F-Score of 2 is low, which usually implies poor business operation; revenue has been in decline over the past 3 years and operating margin has been in 5-year

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