Top Healthcare Equipment Companies To Own In Right Now

By David Russell, reporter at OptionMonster

NEW YORK -- Traders went into Wednesday positive on the global economy. Then the Federal Reserve kept easy money in place, and the bulls ran rampant.

Gains were initially limited after the Fed announcement, but then money poured into stocks that benefit from a weak dollar and low interest rates -- gold and silver miners, homebuilders, and emerging markets.

Fed officials will continue to buy $85 billion of bonds a month because higher interest rates "could slow the pace of improvement in the economy and labor market," according to the central bank's statement. Bond yields had climbed sharply in recent months on concern that the Fed would "taper" purchases, and most economists expected a reduction to about $70 billion going into Wednesday's meeting. But more is going on than simple money printing. Economic reports from around the world have beaten forecasts since the summer, suggesting that both Chinese and European growth were accelerating on their own. ResearchLab has flagged this trend on several occasions, detecting the flow of capital into ocean-shipping companies, Chinese stocks, and steelmakers over the last month. optionMONSTER also pointed to price action in the euro and Australian dollar as a bullish indicator earlier this month. Two metal stocks in particular stood out early Wednesday, long before the Fed gave a green light to target the sector. Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) saw early buyers in its November 28 calls for 60 cents, followed minutes later by the November 25 calls in U.S. Steel (X) for 26 cents. The Cliffs contracts ended the session up to 70 cents, while the U.S. Steel calls fetched 33 cents. Later in the day, there was also heavy bullish activity in related companies including Vale (VALE) , BHP Billiton (BHP) , and Rio Tinto (RIO) . Russell has no positions in any of the stocks mentioned in this article.

Best Building Product Companies To Own In Right Now: Peat Resources Ltd (PET)

Peat Resources Limited is a Canada-based, development-stage company. The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of peat properties in Newfoundland and Labrador (Newfoundland) and Ontario. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenue from its operations. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By TaniaC]

  The Coca-Cola Company (KO) and its bottling partners in Mexico announced a joint, six-year investment of $8.2 billion at a ceremony commemorating the world's largest food-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle-to-bottle recycling plant. Coca-Cola began operations in Mexico 88 years ago.

Top Healthcare Equipment Companies To Own In Right Now: Enzo Biochem Inc. (ENZ)

Enzo Biochem, Inc., an integrated life sciences and biotechnology company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of diagnostic and research products based on genetic engineering, biotechnology, and molecular biology. The company operates in three segments: Clinical Labs, Life Sciences, and Therapeutics. The Clinical Labs segment offers routine and esoteric clinical laboratory tests or procedures used in general patient care by physicians to establish or support a diagnosis, monitor treatment or medication, and search for an otherwise undiagnosed condition. This segment operates a full-service clinical laboratory, a network of approximately 30 patient service centers, a laboratory, and a full-service phlebotomy and in-house logistics department. The Life Sciences segment manufactures, develops, and markets products and tools to life sciences, drug development, and clinical research customers. It provides proteins, antibodies, peptides, small molec ules, labeling probes, dyes, and kits, which offer tools for target identification/validation, high content analysis, gene expression analysis, nucleic acid detection, protein biochemistry and detection, and cellular analysis to life science researchers. This segment provides its products to scientific experts primarily in the field of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, diabetes and obesity, endocrine disorders, infectious and autoimmune disease, hepatotoxicity, and renal injury. The Therapeutics segment researches and develops therapeutic drug candidates in the areas of gastrointestinal, infectious, ophthalmic, and metabolic diseases. The company sells its products through its direct sales force; and a network of distributors worldwide. Enzo Biochem, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Enzo Biochem Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) is a pioneer in molecular diagnostics, leading the convergence of clinical laboratories, life sciences and therapeutics through the development of unique diagnostic platform technologies that provide numerous advantages over previous standards.

Top Healthcare Equipment Companies To Own In Right Now: Endologix Inc(ELGX)

Endologix, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices for the treatment of aortic disorders. It offers the ELG System, a stent graft and delivery system for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms through minimally-invasive endovascular repair. The company also provides aortic extensions and limb extensions, which attach to the main body of ELG Device, enabling physicians to customize it to fit the patient?s anatomy. In addition, it offers accessories, such as guidewires, snares, and catheter introducer sheaths that facilitate the optimal delivery of its ELG Device. Endologix, Inc. sells its products through direct sales force and independent distributors in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, and Mexico. The company was formerly known as Radiance Medical Systems, Inc. and changed its name to Endologix, Inc. in May 2002. Endologix, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By DailyFinance Staff]

  Concerns about the political uncertainty in Ukraine caused some volatility in the markets Friday afternoon, with the major indexes making several U-turns ahead of the weekend. The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI), which had been up by as much as 125 points, briefly dropped into loss territory before rebounding to end 49 points higher. The Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) edged up 5 points, adding to Thursday's record high, but the Nasdaq composite (^IXIC) lost 10 points. AP/Darko VojinovicPro-Russian militias have seized local government buildings in Crimea, Ukraine; the unrest there is making investors around the world nervous. February was a great month for investors. All three major averages jumped by about 4 percent. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) led the blue chips, gaining 1½ percent. Other health providers – Aetna (AET), Wellpoint (WLP), Cigna (CI) and Humana (HUM) -- all gained between 1½ and 2 percent. And retail stocks remained active. Target (TGT) added another 3 percent. Best Buy rose 4 percent, and Fred's (FRED), a regional department store chain, jumped 10 percent. But Pier 1 (PIR) fell 5½ percent after lowering its earnings outlook for a second time. That led to a series of brokerage downgrades. Decker Outdoor (DECK) tumbled 12 percent. The maker of footwear brands such as Ugg and Teva issued a weak outlook. And apparel maker Lululemon (LULU) fell 5-percent on negative comments from Credit Suisse. It seems as though there are always some big movers in the drug and biotech sectors – and that was certainly the case today. GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) rose 2 percent after the FDA granted orphan status to its drug to treat a rare form of childhood epilepsy. But most of the action was on the downside. Endologix (ELGX) slid 24 percent after forecasting lower revenue growth. Questcor (QCOR) fell 10 percent. It's lost big for three straight days amid allegations of questionable business practices. Jazz Pharma

• [By John Kell]

  Medical device maker Endologix Inc.(ELGX) issued targets for the new year that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, pushing shares down 23% to $13.75 premarket.

Top Healthcare Equipment Companies To Own In Right Now: LTC Properties Inc (LTC)

LTC Properties, Inc., incorporated on May 12, 1992, a health care real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company invests primarily in senior housing and long term care properties through property lease transactions, mortgage loans and other investments. Its primary senior housing and long term healthcare property types include skilled nursing properties (SNF), assisted living properties (ALF), independent living properties (ILF) and combinations thereof. During 2011, it leased a private school property to a non-for-profit corporation providing therapeutic support and intensive home, school and center-based behavioral therapy for children, youth and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Company, during 2011, acquired a 196-bed skilled nursing property. It purchased a 140-bed skilled nursing property located in Texas during 2011. During December 31, 2011, it acquired a vacant parcel of land in Texas. The Company, on March 26, 2012, acquired a skilled nursing property with 144 licensed beds. In May 2012, the Company acquired a 3.16 acre vacant parcel of land in Colorado. In July 2012, the Company acquired a skilled nursing property with 90 licensed beds. In August 2012, it acquired two skilled nursing facilities with a total of 288 licensed beds. In January 2013, the Company purchased two parcels of land.

As of 2011, it has investments in 12 states that include mortgages to 14 different operators. Skilled nursing facilities provide restorative, rehabilitative and nursing care for people not requiring the more extensive and sophisticated treatment available at acute care hospitals. Many skilled nursing facilities provide ancillary services that include occupational, speech, physical, respiratory and IV therapies, as well as sub-acute care services which are paid either by the patient, the patient's family, private health insurance, or through the federal Medicare or state Medicaid programs.

Assisted living facilities serve elderly persons who require assistance w! ith activities of daily living, but do not require the constant supervision skilled nursing facilities provide. Services are usually available 24 hours a day and include personal supervision and assistance with eating, bathing, grooming and administering medication. The facilities provide a combination of housing, supportive services, personalized assistance and health care designed to respond to individual needs.

Independent living facilities, also known as retirement communities or senior apartments, offer a sense of community and numerous levels of service, such as laundry, housekeeping, dining options/meal plans, exercise and wellness programs, transportation, social, cultural and recreational activities, on-site security and emergency response programs. Many offer on-site conveniences like beauty/barber shops, fitness facilities, game rooms, libraries and activity centers.

One of the properties in the Company�� real estate investment portfolio is a charter school. Charter schools provide an alternative to the traditional public school. Charter schools are autonomous entities authorized by the state or locality to conduct operations independent from the surrounding public school district. Laws vary by state, but generally charters are granted by state boards of education either directly or in conjunction with local school districts or public universities. Operators are granted charters to establish and operate schools based on the goals and objectives set forth in the charter. Upon receipt of a charter, schools receive an annuity from the state for each student enrolled. The other school in the Company�� investment portfolio is a private school and is closed and classified as held-for-sale.

As of 2011, the Company had investments in 25 states leased to 30 different operators. The Company�� owned properties are leased pursuant to non-cancelable operating leases generally with an initial term of 10 to 15 years. Many of the leases contain renewal options and! one cont! ains limited period options that permit the operator to purchase the property. The leases provide for fixed minimum base rent during the initial and renewal periods. The majority of the Company�� leases contain provisions for specified annual increases over the rents.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  LTC Properties (NYSE: LTC  ) is tapping the markets for more capital with an underwritten public stock issue. The firm will offer 3.5 million shares of its common stock for $44.50 per share. Additionally, its underwriters have been granted a 30-day purchase option for up to an additional 525,000 shares to cover overallotments, if any.

• [By GURUFOCUS]

  LTC Properties Inc. (LTC) operates as a health care real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States.Yield: 5.2%

  Gladstone Commercial Corporation (GOOD) operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States.Yield: 7.9%

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Finally, you need to consider going where services you want are offered. For instance, health-care real-estate investment trusts Senior Housing Properties (NYSE: SNH  ) , LTC Properties (NYSE: LTC  ) , and Health Care REIT (NYSE: HCN  ) , which recently acquired Sunrise Senior Living, all offer facilities in various places across the nation to provide for retirees who need health-care assistance in their living arrangements. But if your particular medical needs require specialists that are concentrated in particular cities, it's far more important for your health to be close to those specialists -- even if it means paying more in taxes.

Top Healthcare Equipment Companies To Own In Right Now: Ishares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB)

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (the Index). The Index consists of securities of NASDAQ-listed companies that are classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as either biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, and which also meet other eligibility criteria. The Index is one of the eight sub-indices of the NASDAQ Composite, which measures all common stocks listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

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 Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of AbbVie are little changed at $49.30 at 2:03 p.m., while Gilead Sciences has gained 0.7% to $74.60. Gilead’s gain is particularly impressive considering that the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has dropped 2.1% to $224.88 today.

Top Healthcare Equipment Companies To Own In Right Now: Andatee China Marine Fuel Services Corporation(AMCF)

Andatee China Marine Fuel Services Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, storage, distribution, and wholesale purchase, and sale of blended marine fuel oil for cargo and fishing vessels primarily in Tianjin City, and Liaoning, Shandong, and Zhejiang Provinces in the People?s Republic of China. It sells its products through distributors, as well as to retail customers. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Dalian, the People?s Republic of China.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another under-$10 energy player that's starting to move within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Andatee China Marine Fuel Services (AMCF), which is engaged in the production, storage, distribution and wholesale purchases and sales of blended marine fuel oil for cargo and fishing vessels. This stock has been in play with the bulls so far in 2013, with shares up big by 180%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Andatee China Marine Fuel Services, you'll notice that this stock has been uptrending strong over the last month and change, with shares moving higher from its low of 98 cents per share to its recent high of $1.69 a share. During that move, shares of AMCF have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move is now starting to push shares of AMCF within range of triggering a big breakout trade above a key downtrend line.

  Market players should now look for long-biased trades in AMCF if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.69 to $1.80 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 215,352 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then AMCF will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $1.98 to just above $2.20 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give AMCF a chance to tag its 52-week high at $2.75 a share.

  Traders can look to buy AMCF off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right around some key near-term support levels at $1.29 or at $1.15 a share. One can also buy AMCF off strength once it starts to clear those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Andatee China Marine Fuel Services (AMCF) is engaged in the production, storage, distribution and wholesale purchases and sales of blended marine fuel oil for cargo and fishing vessels. This stock closed up 4.1% to $1.27 in Thursday's trading session.

  Thursday's Range: $1.22-$1.32
  
  52-Week Range: $0.45-$2.75
  
  Thursday's Volume: 150,000
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 193,369

  From a technical perspective, AMCF spiked sharply higher here with lighter-than-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of AMCF within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if AMCF manages to take out Thursday's high of $1.32 to its 50-day moving average of $1.39 with high volume.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in AMCF as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $1.15 or at $1.09 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 193,369 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then AMCF will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $1.80 to $1.98. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give AMCF a chance to re-test its 52-week high at $2.75.