Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, credit card giant MasterCard (NYSE: MA ) has earned a respected four-star ranking.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at MasterCard and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
MasterCard facts
Headquarters (founded)
Purchase, N.Y. (1966)
Market Cap
$66.3 billion
Industry
Data processing and outsourced services
Trailing-12-Month Revenue
$7.5 billion
Top 5 International Companies To Watch For 2015: ProShares Trust II (YCS)
ProShares Trust II (the Trust) is a statutory trust organized into separate series. The Trust offers seven Funds. The Trust offers beneficial interest in each of its 24 series. The 24 separate series include ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Commodity, ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Commodity, ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Crude Oil, ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Crude Oil, ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Natural Gas, ProShares Short DJ-UBS Natural Gas, ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Natural Gas, ProShares Short Gold, ProShares Ultra Gold, ProShares UltraShort Gold, ProShares Ultra Silver, ProShares UltraShort Silver, ProShares Ultra Euro, ProShares UltraShort Euro, ProShares Ultra Yen ProShares UltraShort Yen, ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, ProShares UltraShort VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, ProShares Ultra VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF, ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF, ProShares Short VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF and ProShares UltraShort VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF.
The Funds offer investors the opportunity to obtain leveraged, inverse or inverse leveraged exposure to a particular benchmark. The Funds include funds linked to futures-based commodity indexes (the Commodity Index Funds), particular commodities (the Commodity Funds) or particular currencies (the Currency Funds). ProShare Capital Management LLC serves as the Trust�� Sponsor, commodity pool operator and commodity trading advisor. Wilmington Trust Company is the sole Trustee of the Trust.
Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index
ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Commodity and ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Commodity are designed to track a multiple or an inverse multiple of the daily performance of the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity IndexSM. The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity IndexSM (the Dow Jones-UBS) is designed to be a highly liquid and diversified benchmark for the commodity futures market. It focuses to reflect the overall commodity sector by measuring the performance of commodity fu! tures contracts. The Dow Jones-UBS is a rolling index, which means that the Dow Jones-UBS does not take actual physical possession of any commodities; rather, it tracks a rolling futures position. An investor with a rolling futures position is able to avoid delivering (or taking delivery of) underlying physical commodities while maintaining exposure to those commodities. The roll for each Index component occurs over a period of five Dow Jones-UBS business days in certain months according to a pre-determined schedule. The exact roll methodology differs between certain commodities. The Index will reflect the performance of its underlying commodities, including roll costs, without regard to income earned on cash positions. The Dow Jones-UBS is consisted of eight different commodity sectors, such as petroleum, natural gas, livestock, grains, industrial metals, precious metals, softs and vegetable oils. These eight sectors track futures contracts prices of 19 specific commodities, such as natural gas, crude oil, unleaded gasoline, heating oil, live cattle, lean hogs, wheat, corn, soybeans, soybean oil, aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, gold, silver, sugar, cotton and coffee. The Dow Jones-UBS is consisted of commodities traded on the United States exchanges, with the exception of aluminum, nickel and zinc, which trade on the London Metal Exchange.
Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas Subindex
ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Natural Gas and ProShares UltraShort DJ-UBS Natural Gas are designed to track twice (2x) or twice the inverse (-2x) of the daily performance of the Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas SubindexSM, respectively The Dow Jones-UBS Natural Gas SubindexSM is intended to reflect the performance of a rolling position in natural gas futures contracts traded on the NYMEX without regard to income earned on cash positions. An investment in natural gas futures contracts may often perform very differently than the price of physical natural gas.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By MONEYMORNING]
Split your capital in two halves. With one half, buy ProShares UltraShort Yen (NYSE Arca: YCS), and with other half, buy shares of AMLP, simple and clean.
10 Best Sliver Stocks To Buy Right Now: IMAX Corp (IMAX)
IMAX Corporation, incorporated on January 1, 2002, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, is an entertainment technology companies, specializing in motion picture technologies and presentations. The Company�� customers who purchase lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theatre systems are theatre exhibitors, which operate commercial theatres, museums, science centers, and destination entertainment sites. IMAX theatre systems combine the Company�� digital re-mastering movie conversion technology (IMAX DMR), projectors with equipment and automated theatre control systems, sound system components, screens, theatre geometry, and theatre acoustics.
The Company�� principal business is the design, manufacture and delivery of theater systems (IMAX theater systems). The Company�� customers who purchase, lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theater systems through joint revenue sharing arrangements are theater exhibitors that operate commercial theaters (particularly multiplexes), museums, science centers, or destination entertainment sites. The Company does not own IMAX theaters, but licenses the use of its trademarks along with the sale, lease or contribution of the IMAX theater system.
IMAX Systems, Theater System Maintenance and Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements
The Company provides IMAX theater systems to customers on a sales or long-term lease basis with an initial 10-year term. These agreements consist of initial fees and ongoing fees (which can include a fixed minimum amount per annum and contingent fees in excess of the minimum payments) and maintenance and extended warranty fees. The initial fees vary depending on the system configuration and location of the theater and generally are paid to the Company in installments between the time of system signing and the time of system installation. Ongoing fees are paid over the term of the contract, commencing after the theater system has been installed and are generally equal to the greater of a fixed minimu! m amount per annum or a percentage of boxoffice receipts. The Company also provides IMAX theater systems to customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements, pursuant to which the Company provides the IMAX theater system in return for a portion of the customer�� IMAX box-office receipts, and in some cases concession revenues and/or a small upfront or initial payment. As at December 31, 2012, the Company had 316 theaters in operation under joint revenue sharing arrangements.
Production and Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR)
The Company�� technology digitally re-masters Hollywood films into IMAX digital cinema package format or 15/70-format film. IMAX DMR digitally enhances the image resolution of motion picture films for projection on IMAX screens while maintaining or enhancing the visual clarity and sound quality to levels for which The IMAX Experience is known. This technology enabled the IMAX theater network to release Hollywood films simultaneously with domestic release. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company will receive a percentage of net box-office receipts of any commercial films released in the IMAX network, which is generally 10-15%, from a film studio for the conversion of the film to the IMAX DMR format and access to its distribution platform. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 35 films converted through the IMAX DMR process were released to theaters within the IMAX network. As of December 31, 2012, the Company released 23 IMAX DMR titles to theaters within the IMAX network. During 2012, five local language IMAX DMR films were released, including one French film, Houba! On the Trail of the Marsupilami: The IMAX Experience and four Chinese IMAX DMR titles: Tai Chi 0: An IMAX 3D Experience, Tai Chi Hero: An IMAX 3D Experience, Back to 1942: The IMAX Experience and CZ12: The IMAX Experience.
Film Distribution and Post-Production
The Company is also a distributor of large-format films, primarily catering to its institution! al theate! r partners. The Company generally distributes films, which it produces or for which it has acquired distribution rights from independent producers. The Company generally receives a percentage of the theater box-office receipts as a distribution fee. Films produced by the Company are typically financed through third parties, whereby the Company will generally receive a film production fee in exchange for producing the film and a distribution fee for distributing the film. The Company utilizes third-party funding for the majority of original films it produces and distributes. In 2012, the Company, along with Warner Bros. Pictures (WB) and MacGillivray Freeman Films (MFF) released an original title, To the Artic 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience.
The Company derives a small portion of its revenues from other sources. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had four owned and operated theaters. In addition, the Company has a commercial arrangement with one theater resulting in the sharing of profits and losses and provides management services to two theaters. The Company also rents its two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) large-format film and digital cameras to third party production companies. The Company maintains cameras and other film equipment and also offers production advice and technical assistance to both documentary and Hollywood filmmakers. Additionally, the Company generates revenues from the sale of after-market parts and 3D glasses. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 54.2% of IMAX systems in operation were located in the United States and Canada. As at December 31, 2012, approximately 45.8% of IMAX systems in operation were located within international markets (other than the United States and Canada).
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Anders Bylund]
IMAX (NYSE: IMAX ) reported results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Non-GAAP earnings fell 9% year over year to $0.08 per share. Sales came in 10.3% lower, at $49.9 million. Analysts had expected adjusted earnings of $0.09 per share on $54.1 million in revenue.
- [By Roberto Pedone]
Imax (IMAX), together with its subsidiaries, operates as an entertainment technology company specializing in motion picture technologies and presentations worldwide. This stock closed up 2.8% at $25.31 in Monday's trading session.
Monday's Volume: 916,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 494,841
Volume % Change: 84%From a technical perspective, Imax gapped notably higher here with above-above volume. This stock has been downtrending for the last few weeks, with shares moving lower from its high of $26.68 to its recent 52-week low of $24.01. During that move, shares of IMAX have been consistently making lower highs and lower lows, which is bearish technical price action. That move pushed shares of IMAX into oversold territory, since its relative strength index reading recently dipped below 30. That said, shares of IMAX are now starting to bounce off its 52-week low and off oversold levels with strong upside volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in IMAX as long as it's trending above Monday's intraday low of $24.85 or above its 52-week low of $24.01 and then once it sustains a move or close above Monday's intraday high of $25.44 to around $26 with volume that this near or above 494,841 shares. If that move starts soon, then IMAX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at its 50-day moving average of $26.48 to its 200-day moving average of $27.51, or even $28 to around $29.
10 Best Sliver Stocks To Buy Right Now: Arlington Asset Investment Corp (AI)
Arlington Asset Investment Corp. is a principal investment firm that acquires mortgage-related and other assets. The Company acquires residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS), either issued by United States government agencies or guaranteed as to principal and interest by United States government agencies or United States government-sponsored entities (agency-backed MBS). It also acquires MBS issued by private organizations (private-label MBS). It manages a portfolio of mortgage holdings with the goal of obtaining a high risk-adjusted return on capital. The Company acquires direct interests in residential MBS guaranteed as to principal and interest by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
The Company focuses on acquiring Fannie Mae MBS and Freddie Mac MBS. It also acquires and holds non-agency private-label MBS. Private-label MBS are MBS that are not issued by the United States Government agency or a United States Government-sponsored entity, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and that are generally backed by a pool of single-family residential mortgage loans. Certificates are issued by originators of, investors in, and other owners of residential mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose conduit subsidiaries of these institutions. The Company focuses on acquiring Residential Prime Senior MBS, Residential Non-Prime Senior MBS, Residential Subordinate MBS and Residential Re-REMIC Support MBS.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alyssa Oursler]
Arlington Asset Investment Corp. (AI) is an investment firm that acquires mortgage-related and other assets — and that rewards investors with a juicy dividend.
- [By victorselva]
The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) is a savings and loan holding company. The company is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in securities brokerage, banking, money management, and financial advisory services. Its subsidiaries include Charles Schwab & Co. (a leading discount broker-dealer), Charles Schwab Investment Management (a mutual fund investment advisor) and Charles Schwab Bank.In this article, let's take a look at this brokerage firm and try to explain to investors the reasons this is an apparently appealing investment opportunity.The FocusThe company provides financial services to individuals and institutional clients through two segments: Investor Services and Institutional Services. The Investor Services segment provides retail brokerage and banking services to individual investors. The Institutional Services segment provides custodial, trading, and support services to independent investment advisors. The Institutional Services segment also provides retirement plan services, specialty brokerage services, and mutual fund clearing services. The company seeks to meet the financial services needs of investors, advisers and employers. It focuses on building client loyalty with the goal of attracting new clients and serving them. Additionally, Schwab麓s strengths through shared core processes and technology advances which help create services that are scalable and consistent with the business.Interest Rates, Capital Structure and Debt-to-Capital RatioThe results are dependent on short-term interest rates, as 37% of its top line came from net interest income in the first quarter of 2014.The broker has been making significant efforts to become less dependent on interest rates, which we expect Federal Reserve will raise them in late 2014 or 2015. Also, the company麓s plan is to reach a low-cost capital structure and targets a long-term debt-to-total financial capital ratio of less than 30%.Lucrative Derivatives Trading In 2011, the company acquired Compl
10 Best Sliver Stocks To Buy Right Now: Envision Healthcare Holdings Inc (EVHC)
Envision Healthcare Holdings, Inc., incorporated on February 28, 2011, is a provider of physician-led, outsourced medical services in the United States. The Company offers a range of clinically-based and coordinated care solutions across the patient continuum from medical transportation to hospital encounters to comprehensive care alternatives in various settings. The Company conduts its business primarily through two operating subsidiaries, EmCare Holdings, Inc. (EmCare) and American Medical Response, Inc. (AMR). The Company markets its services primarily under the EmCare and AMR brands. EmCareis a provider of integrated facility-based physician services, including emergency, anesthesiology, hospitalist/inpatient care, radiology, tele-radiology and surgery. EmCare also offers physician-led care management solutions outside the hospital. AMR is a provider and manager of community-based medical transportation services, including emergency (911), non-emergency, managed transportation, fixed-wing air ambulance and disaster response.
EmCare is a provider of integrated facility-based physician services to healthcare facilities, communities and payors in the United States. During the year ended December 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012), EmCare had approximately 10.5 million weighted patient encounters in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The Company segregates patient encounters into four categories:ED visits, hospitalist encounters, radiology reads and anesthesiology cases due to the differences in reimbursement rates for and associated costs of providing the various services. In fiscal 2012, AMR treated and transported approximately 2.8 million patients in 40 states and the District of Columbia. As of December 31, 2012, AMR had more than 3,700 contracts with communities, government agencies, healthcare providers and insurers to provide ambulance transport services. The Company segregates transports into two categories: ambulance transports (including emergency, as well as non-emergency, critical! care and other interfacility transports) and wheelchair transports to the differences in reimbursement rates for and associated costs of providing ambulance and wheelchair transports.
The Company competes with Team Health, Hospital Physician Partners, The Schumacher Group, Sheridan Healthcare, California Emergency Physicians, National Emergency Services Healthcare Group, IPC, Rural/Metro Corporation, Falck, Southwest Ambulance, Paramedics Plus and Acadian Ambulance.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Kell]
Envision Healthcare Holdings Inc.(EVHC) lowered its 2013 earnings outlook but also projected an adjusted profit for the recently started new year that topped expectations. The company said results improved in the latter part of the quarter, mostly the result of higher flu-related activity and seasonal volume. Shares rose 6.3% to $34.60 premarket.
- [By alicet236]
According to GuruFocus Insider Data, these are the largest CEO sales during the past week: VF Corp, Infinera Corp, Eaton Vance Corp, and Envision Healthcare Holdings Inc.VF Corp (VFC): Chairman, President & CEO Eric C Wiseman sold 454,800 SharesChairman, President & CEO of VF Corp (VFC) Eric C Wiseman sold 454,800 shares during the past week at an average price of $66.76. V.F. Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation was organized in 1899. Vf Corp has a market cap of $29.18 billion; its shares were traded at around $67.68 with a P/E ratio of 24.00 and P/S ratio of 2.56. The dividend yield of Vf Corp stocks is 1.55%. Vf Corp had an annual average earnings growth of 8.90% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Vf Corp the business predictability rank of 4-star.VF Corp announced its 2014 third quarter results. The Company reported revenues of $3.5 billion and net income of $470.5 million.Chairman, President & CEO Eric C Wiseman sold 454,800 shares of VFC stock in October. CFO Robert K Shearer sold 63,407 shares of VFC stock in August and October. Sr. Vice President - Americas Steven E Rendle, VP-VF Direct/Customer Teams Michael T Gannaway, Director Bedout Juan Ernesto De, and Director Raymond G Viault sold 65,852 shares of VFC stock in October.Infinera Corp (INFN): CEO Thomas J Fallon sold 220,000 SharesCEO of Infinera Corp (INFN) Thomas J Fallon sold 220,000 shares on 10/27/2014 at an average price of $13.56. Infinera Corporation or Infinera was founded in December 2000, originally operated under the name 'Zepton Networks'. Infinera Corp has a market cap of $1.82 billion; its shares were traded at around $14.53 with and P/S ratio of 2.91.Infinera Corp. reported revenues of $165.4 million and net income of $4.8 million for its 2014 second quarter financial results.CEO Thomas J Fallon sold 440,000 shares of INFN stock from August to October. CFO Brad Feller bought 25,000 shares of INFN stock on 05/16/2014 at the average price of 8.25. President David F W
10 Best Sliver Stocks To Buy Right Now: Stamps.com Inc.(STMP)
Stamps.com Inc. provides Internet-based postage solutions. The company offers solutions to mail and ship various mail pieces, including postcards, envelopes, flats, and packages. Its products and services include the United States Postal Service (USPS)-approved PC Postage Service that enables users to print electronic stamps directly onto envelopes, plain paper, or labels using personal computer, printer, and Internet connection; and PhotoStamps, a patented form of postage, which allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs, or images into valid United States postage. The company also sells NetStamps labels, shipping labels, other mailing labels, postage printers, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies through its mailing and shipping supplies store, as well as offers back-end integration solutions, an electronic postage for transactions to manage the front-end process. In addition, it offers Stamps.com branded insurance enabling users to insure their mail or packages; and official USPS package insurance. Stamps.com Inc. serves individuals, small businesses, home offices, medium-size businesses, and large enterprises. The company was formerly known as StampMaster, Inc. and changed its name to Stamps.com Inc. in December 1998. Stamps.com Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jon C. Ogg]
Then there is that lucky or unlucky outcome of price hikes. The public will pay more for stamps, making you and me the losers in this. The question to ask is whether or not Stamps.com Inc. (NASDAQ: STMP) just get a built-in revenue booster per customer on a static basis?
- [By Michael Lewis]
While the United States Postal Service may be limping toward extinction, postage itself is far from a dying business. Web-based Stamps.com (NASDAQ: STMP ) had worried investors and analysts for some time that demand would soften along with the USPS decline, but it's done nearly the opposite. In its most recent quarter, Stamps.com broke company records and showed strong promise in the future. The announcement delighted investors, sending the stock up more than 13% immediately following. But with a relatively rich valuation, the company may only be a buy for opportunistic, growth-happy investors. Here's what you need to know.
- [By Alex Planes]
Investors love stocks that consistently beat the Street without getting ahead of their fundamentals and risking a meltdown. The best stocks offer sustainable market-beating gains, with robust and improving financial metrics that support strong price growth. Does Stamps.com (NASDAQ: STMP ) fit the bill? Let's take a look at what its recent results tell us about its potential for future gains.
- [By Brian Pacampara]
What: Shares of online postage provider Stamps.com (NASDAQ: STMP ) surged 24% today after its quarterly results and guidance.
So what: The stock has slumped a bit in 2013 on concerns over slowing growth, but today's first-quarter results -- adjusted EPS spiked 38% on a 13.5% revenue increase -- and upbeat full-year guidance naturally eases some of those worries. In fact, Stamps.com hit its highest level of total paid customers -- and added its largest number of new paid customers -- during the quarter, giving investors plenty of good vibes about the company's prospects going forward.
10 Best Sliver Stocks To Buy Right Now: Duke Realty Corporation (DRE)
Duke Realty Corporation operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States. It offers leasing, property and asset management, development, construction, build-to-suit, and other tenant-related services. As of December 31, 2006, Duke Realty owned approximately 721 industrial, office, and retail properties comprising 113.8 million rentable square feet, as well as owned 6,400 acres of unencumbered land for development. The company has elected to be taxed as REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income tax purposes, provided that it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its shareholders. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana with regional offices in Alexandria, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Raleigh, North Carolina; St. Louis, Missouri; and Tampa and Weston, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brad Thomas]
Other REITs mentioned: (O), (NNN), (STAG), (DCT), (EGP), (PDM), (DRE), (LRY)
Source: Chambers Street: More Liquidity Magic On The Way In REIT-DomDisclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)
10 Best Sliver Stocks To Buy Right Now: Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc(AVNR)
Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in acquiring, developing, and commercializing novel therapeutic products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders primarily in the United States. The company primarily offers NUEDEXTA, a unique proprietary combination of dextromethorphan and low-dose quinidine for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect. Its product line also comprises AVP-923 in Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of central neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis; and in Phase III trial for the treatment of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. In addition, the company provides Docosanol 10% cream, an over-the-counter product for cold sores treatment. Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rebecca McClay]
Finally, Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: AVNR) is up about 7% today after it settled with Actavis South Atlantic and Actavis Inc. (NYSE: ACT) to resolve pending patent litigation regarding ACT's seeking approval to market generic versions of AVNR's NUEDEXTA capsules. ACT is up about 1%.
- [By Sean Williams]
What: Shares of Avanir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AVNR ) , a biopharmaceutical company focused on rare central nervous systems disorders, jumped as much as 13% after the Food and Drug Administration OK'd an accelerated development pathway for AVP-786.
- [By Bryan Murphy]
This is NOT a judgment call on the drug. This isn't a judgment call on the company either. This is a judgment call on how emotional and distracted traders can get from time to time, and we only have to look at Antares Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ATRS), Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNR), and VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) to see how drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid ultimately punished anyone who bought rather than sold ATRS, VVUS, and AVNR right when the news seemed to incredibly encouraging.
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