Engineering teams from Ford (NYSE: F ) and GM (NYSE: GM ) are working together to develop new nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions with an eye toward improving automotive performance and fuel efficiency, the companies announced today.
Once developed and tested, the new transmissions will be used in both front- and rear-wheel drive cars, SUVs, trucks, and crossover vehicles. Each company will manufacture its own transmissions in its own plants with many common components.
"We expect these new transmissions to raise the standard of technology, performance and quality for our customers while helping drive fuel economy improvements into both companies' future product portfolios," Jim Lanzon, GM's vice president of global transmission engineering, was quoted as saying.
Teams from both Ford and GM have already begun initial design work on the new transmissions, though no timetable for when the transmissions will be available for full-scale rollout was announced.
Hot Gas Stocks To Own For 2015: EPAM Systems Inc (EPAM)
EPAM Systems, Inc. (EPAM), incorporated on December 18, 2002, is a global information technology (IT) services provider focused on software product development services, software engineering and vertically-oriented custom development solutions. EPAM has been serving independent software vendors (ISVs), and technology companies. These companies produce advanced software and technology products that demand software engineering talent, tools, methodologies and infrastructure to deliver solutions. Its service offerings cover the full software development lifecycle from complex software development services through maintenance and support, custom application development, application testing, enterprise application platforms and infrastructure management. Its key service offerings include software product development services, custom application development services, application testing services, enterprise application platforms, application maintenance and support and infrastructure management services. In December 2012, the Company acquired Empathy Lab.
Software Product Development Services
EPAM provides a set of software product development services, including product research, design and prototyping, product development, component design and integration, full lifecycle software testing, product deployment and end-user customization, performance tuning, product support and maintenance, as well as porting and cross-platform migration. The Company focuses on development services for enterprise software products covering a range of business applications, as well as product development for multiple mobile platforms and embedded software product services.
Custom Application Development Services
EPAM offers custom application development services. The Company�� range of services includes business and technical requirements analysis, solution architecture creation and validation, development, component design and integration, quality assurance and testing, d! eployment, performance tuning, support and maintenance, legacy applications re-engineering/refactoring, porting and cross-platform migration and documentation.
Application Testing Services
The Company�� application testing services include software application testing, including test automation tools and frameworks, and testing for enterprise IT, including test management, automation, functional and non-functional testing, as well as defect management. It also includes and consulting services focused on helping clients improve their existing software testing and quality assurance practices.
Enterprise Application Platforms
As a provider of software product development services to ISVs, EPAM has developed industry standard technology and business application platforms and their components in such areas as customer relationship management and sales automation, enterprise resource planning, enterprise content management, business intelligence, e-commerce, mobile, Software-as-a-Service and cloud deployment. The Company offers services around Enterprise Application Platforms, which include requirements analysis and platform selection, deep and complex customization, cross-platform migration, implementation and integration, as well as support and maintenance.
Application Maintenance and Support
EPAM delivers application maintenance and support services. The Company�� application maintenance and support offerings meet rigorous CMMI and SAS 70 Type II requirements. Its services include incident management, fault investigation diagnosis, work-around provision, application bug fixes, release management, application enhancements and third-party maintenance.
Infrastructure Management Services
EPAM service offerings cover infrastructure management services. The Company has implemented large infrastructure monitoring solutions, providing real-time notification and control from the low-level infrastructure up! to and i! ncluding applications. Its solutions cover the lifecycle of infrastructure management, including application, database, network, server, storage and systems operations management, as well as incident notification and resolution.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
EPAM Systems (NYSE: EPAM ) reported earnings on May 9. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), EPAM Systems met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.
Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: iShares Short-Term National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (SUB)
iShares 2016 AMT-Free Muni Term ETF, formerly iShares S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Short Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the short-term investment-grade segment of the United States municipal bond market. The Fund invests in a representative sample of the 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 Todd Rosenbluth]
Two others are iShares Short-Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (SUB) and Market Vectors Short Municipal Index ETF (SMB).
The Market Vectors fund, not surprisingly, has more A bond exposure and less AA exposure than the iShares fund. However, both have lower average durations than iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond and thus might appeal to investors concerned about the impact of higher rates.
Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: Actions Semiconductor Co. Ltd.(ACTS)
Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. operates as a semiconductor company in the People?s Republic of China. The company designs, develops, and markets integrated platform solutions, including system-on-a-chips (SoCs), firmware, software development tools, and reference designs for the manufacturers of portable media players. Its SoCs are integrated circuits that incorporate digital signal processor, a micro controller unit, embedded memory, codec, a power management unit, and other components. The company?s SoCs products also comprise on-chip memory, controllers for color liquid crystal display, and analog components, including digital-to-analog converters, phase lock loops, and USB transceivers. Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd.?s solution development kits include the embedded firmware code, software tools, and documentation to utilize its SoCs in portable media players. The company?s firmware utilizes an embedded structure design with interface that allows customers to pick and choose functionalities and add new device drivers. Its manufacturing software tools also allow its customers in the mass production of products based on its turnkey process. The company?s reference designs consist of detailed specifications of other required components and references, which allow customers to assemble a portable media player. Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. also offers semiconductor product testing services. The company sells its integrated platform solutions directly, as well as through distributors to portable media player manufacturers, brand owners, and value-added distributors in China and internationally. Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Zhuhai, the People?s Republic of China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to Actions Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ACTS ) .
- [By Lisa Levin]
Actions Semiconductor Co (NASDAQ: ACTS) rose 13.21% to $2.40 after the company reported Q2 results and announced that it expects to commence a Dutch auction tender offer for its ordinary shares.
Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: Stanley Furniture Company Inc.(STLY)
Stanley Furniture Company, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and imports wood furniture products for the residential market. It offers a line of adult furniture products comprising dining, bedroom, home office, home entertainment, and accent items under the Stanley Furniture brand name; and children?s furniture product line under the brand name of Young America. The company provides its products under various design categories, including traditional, continental, contemporary, transitional, and cottage designs. Stanley Furniture Company, Inc. sells its furniture products through independent sales representatives to independent furniture stores, interior designers, smaller specialty retailers, regional furniture chains, buying clubs, and e-tailers in the United States. Stanley Furniture Company, Inc. was founded in 1924 and is based in High Point, North Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Anna Prior]
Stanley Furniture Co.(STLY) said it will close a North Carolina factory that manufactures its Young America brand, shifting operations to its growing Stanley line. The move will delay the company’s first-quarter report until after the market closes on April 30 as the company evaluates restructuring charges. Shares dropped 4.8% to $2.60 premarket.
- [By Monica Gerson]
Stanley Furniture Co (NASDAQ: STLY) is estimated to post a Q3 loss at $0.11 per share on revenue of $25.32 million.
Posted-In: Earnings scheduleEarnings News Pre-Market Outlook Markets
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Monday
Earnings Releases Expected: Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), Stanley Furniture Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLY), Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: WTFC) Economic Releases Expected: Swiss PPI, eurozone industrial productionTuesday
Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.B)
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), incorporated on February 5, 2002, is an independent oil and gas company. The Company owns, directly or indirectly, investments in the numerous companies constituting Shell. Shell is engaged worldwide in the principal aspects of the oil and gas industry and also has interests in chemicals and other energy-related businesses. The Company operates in three segments: Upstream, Downstream and Corporate. Upstream combines the operating segments Upstream International and Upstream Americas, which are engaged in searching for and recovering crude oil and natural gas; the liquefaction and transportation of gas; the extraction of bitumen from oil sands that is converted into synthetic crude oil, and wind energy. Downstream is engaged in manufacturing; distribution and marketing activities for oil products and chemicals, in alternative energy (excluding wind), and carbon dioxide (CO2) management. Corporate represents the key support functions, comprising holdings and treasury, headquarters, central functions and Shell�� self-insurance activities. In October 2011, the Company bought a marine terminal on Canada's Pacific Coast as a possible site for a liquefied natural gas export terminal. In January 2012, the Company's 50% owned, Australia Arrow Energy Holdings Pty Ltd acquired all of the shares in Bow Energy Ltd. In January 2014, Royal Dutch Shell plc completed the acquisition of Repsol S.A.'s liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio outside North America.
Upstream International manages the Upstream businesses outside the Americas. It searches for and recovers crude oil and natural gas, liquefies and transports gas, and operates the upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver oil and gas to market. Upstream International also manages Shell�� entire liquefied petroleum gas (LNG) business, gas to liquids (GTL) and the wind business in Europe. Its activities are organized primarily within geographical units, although there are some activities that are mana! ged across the businesses or provided through support units.
Upstream Americas manages the Upstream businesses in North and South America. It searches for and recovers crude oil and natural gas, transports gas and operates the upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver oil and gas to market. Upstream Americas also extracts bitumen from oil sands that is converted into synthetic crude oil. Additionally, it manages the United States-based wind business. It comprises operations organized into business-wide managed activities and supporting activities.
Downstream manages Shell�� manufacturing, distribution and marketing activities for oil products and chemicals. These activities are organized into globally managed classes of business, although some are managed regionally or provided through support units. Manufacturing and supply includes refining, supply and shipping of crude oil. Marketing sells a range of products including fuels, lubricants, bitumen and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for home, transport and industrial use. Chemicals produces and markets petrochemicals for industrial customers, including the raw materials for plastics, coatings and detergents. Downstream also trades Shell�� flow of hydrocarbons and other energy-related products, supplies the Downstream businesses, markets gas and power and provides shipping services. Downstream additionally oversees Shell�� interests in alternative energy (including biofuels, and excluding wind) and CO2 management.
Projects and Technology manages the delivery of Shell�� major projects and drives the research and innovation to create technology solutions. It provides technical services and technology capability covering both Upstream and Downstream activities. It is also responsible for providing functional leadership across Shell in the areas of health, safety and environment, and contracting and procurement.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sara Sjolin]
On Monday, energy firms also showed positive moves, with shares of BG Group PLC (UK:BG) �1.2% higher and Royal Dutch Shell PLC (UK:RDSB) � (RDS.B) rising 0.8%. Oil prices, however, moved slightly lower, but held above the $101-a-barrel level.
- [By Cash Flow Investor]
Using this alternative payout ratio has saved me from a few situations in which the traditional payout ratio indicated that the dividend was covered - only for the company to later declare a dividend freeze or cut when the free cash flow ran out. One specific example is Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.B), the global oil behemoth.
Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: Rambus Inc.(RMBS)
Rambus Inc. engages in the creation, design, development, and licensing of patented innovations, technologies, and architectures to digital electronics products and systems. Its patented innovations include Dual Edge Clocking, which is designed to allow data to be sent on the clock pulse; Variable Burst Length that improves data transfer efficiency by allowing varying amounts of data to be sent per a memory read or write request in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and flash memory; and FlexPhase technology, which synchronizes data output and compensates for circuit timing errors. The company also offers Channel Equalization to improve signal integrity and system margins in high speed parallel and serial link channels; Module Threading, which improves the power efficiency of a memory module by applying parallelism to module data accesses; and MicroLens optical design technology, which provides optimum utilization of high-brightness light-emitting diodes (LED) in edge-lit lighting applications. In addition, it licenses its architectures and industry-standard solutions for use in digital electronics products and systems, including XDR Memory Architecture enabling the production of DRAM; XDR2 Memory Architecture that incorporates DRAM micro-threading for graphics intensive applications, such as gaming and digital video; Mobile XDR Memory Architecture, which enables applications, such as HD video recording and 3D gaming on battery powered mobile devices; RDRAM Memory used in play stations, Intel-based personal computers, televisions, and routers; and FlexIO Processor Bus, a high speed chip-to-chip interface. Further, the company offers industry-standard chip interface solutions, including DDRx; digital logic controllers for peripheral component interconnect express and other industry standard interfaces; and custom solutions for displays, LED backlights, and general lighting. Rambus Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Ca lifornia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS) declined 6.50% to $11.50 after the company reported Q1 earnings of $0.17 per share on revenue of $78.30 million. Rambus also expected Q2 sales of $69.0 million to $74.0 million, versus analysts' estimates of $74.50 million.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS) was down, falling 6.02 percent to $11.56 after the company reported Q1 earnings of $0.17 per share on revenue of $78.30 million. Rambus also expected Q2 sales of $69.0 million to $74.0 million, versus analysts' estimates of $74.50 million.
Hot Quality Stocks To Buy Right Now: Fujitsu Ltd (FJTSY)
Fujitsu Limited (Fujitsu), incorporated on June 20, 1935, is engaged in providing solutions in the field of information and communication technology. Along with multifaceted services provision, its business consists of the development, manufacture, sales and maintenance of the high-quality products and electronic devices that make these services possible. The Company operates in three segments: technology solutions, ubiquitous products solutions and device solutions. On June 4, 2009, Fujitsu introduced the docomo PRIME series F-09A mobile handset. On July 15, 2009, Fujitsu announces acquisition of shares in information technology (IT) subsidiary of AUTOBACS SEVEN. In October 2010, the Company and Toshiba Corporation announced that they have completed the merger of their mobile phone businesses. Effective August 15, 2013, Intel Corp acquired Fujitsu Semiconductor Wireless Products Inc, from Fujitsu Semiconductor Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd.
Technology solutions
Fujitsu provides solutions/system integration services focused on information system consulting and integration, and infrastructure services centered on outsourcing services (complete information system operation and management). Fujitsu offers system products, such as servers and storage systems, which form the backbone of information systems, along with network products, such as mobile phone base stations, optical transmission systems and other communications infrastructures. Its services include system integration (system construction), consulting, front-end technologies (automated teller machines (ATMs)), outsourcing services (datacenters, IT operation/management, software as a service (SaaS), application operation/management and business process outsourcing), network services (business networks, distribution of Internet/mobile content), system support services (maintenance and surveillance services for information systems and networks) and security solutions (installation of information systems an! d networks).
Ubiquitous products solutions
Fujitsu offers the personal computers (PCs), mobile phones and other products indispensable for realizing the emerging ubiquitous networked society. In PCs, along with more conventional desktop and notebook models, the Company develops netbooks and products with security features, providing a global lineup that allows customers to choose the product for their application. In mobile phones, it provide a variety of products that include high-performance models featuring specs and water resistance, separable mobile phone handset, and products created from collaborations with brands. Its products include PCs, mobile phones and optical transceiver modules.
Device solutions
LSI devices and electronic components comprise Fujitsu�� Device Solutions. Fujitsu Semiconductor, the Fujitsu operating company in semiconductors, provides LSI devices found in products, such as digital home appliances, automobiles, mobile phones and servers. The Company�� subsidiaries Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd. and Fujitsu Component Limited, along with FDK Corporation, provide semiconductor packages and other electronic components, as well as structural components, such as batteries, relays and connectors. Its products include LSI devices, electronic components (semiconductor packages), batteries and structural components (relays and connectors).
Advisors' Opinion:- [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- A rising Japanese yen and weak results from Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) overnight sent Tokyo-listed shares lower in early Thursday trade, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) falling 0.4% to 14,363.59, while the Topix also lost 0.4%. With the U.S. dollar remaining below the 98-yen level amid concerns about the health of China's largest banks, some currency-sensitive shares extended their losses after driving the Nikkei Average down 2% in the previous session. Among them, trading house Mitsui & Co. (JP:8031) (MITSY) fell 1.3%, retail major J. Front Retailing Co. (JP:3086) lost 1.2%, auto maker Nissan Motor Co. (JP:7201) (NSANY) retreated 0.6%, and Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) traded 1% lower. The below-forecast quarterly results and outlook cut from U.S. construction-equipment maker Caterpillar sent its Japanese rivals tumbling, with Komatsu Ltd. (JP:6301) (KMTUF) dropping 3.5% and Hitachi Construction Macheriny Co. (JP:6305) (HTCMF) falling 3.1%. On the upside, Hitachi Ltd. (JP:6501) (HTHIF) soared 5.4% after raising its profit and revenue guidance for the fiscal first hal
- [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks rose in early Monday trading, with weaker-than-expected trade data pushing the yen lower, which in turn helped some export stocks. The Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) added 1% to 14,704.36, with the broader Topix up 0.8%, also enjoying support from gains Friday in the U.S. After data showing exports grew less than analysts had projected, the dollar (USDJPY) moved back above the 98-yen level, sending some exporters climbing, with a 2.2% rise for Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) , a 1.2% improvement for Alps Electric Co. (JP:6770) , and a 1% bump for Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203) (TM) . Shares of Suzuki Motor Corp. (JP:7269) (SZKMF) added 2.9% after a Nikkei report saying the company would record its highest-ever operating profit for the April-September half. Retailers were also a strong spot Monday, with J. Front Retailing Co. (JP:3086) up 2%, online marketplace Rakuten Inc. (JP:4755) (RKUNF) adding 2.4%, and 7-Eleven operator Seven & I Holdings Co. (JP:3382) (SVNDF) ahead by 1.4%.
- [By MARKETWATCH]
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japanese stocks weakened in early Thursday trading as the yen rose and Wall Street ended mixed, with the Nikkei Stock Average (JP:NIK) falling 1.2% to 15,929.74 after a 1.9% advance a day earlier. With the yen (USDJPY) slightly firmer than in the previous session, some investors sold currency-sensitive exporters, with Fanuc Corp. (JP:6954) (FANUF) down 2%, Kyocera Corp. (JP:6971) (KYOCF) off 1.9%, and Fujitsu Ltd. (JP:6702) (FJTSY) losing 2.3%. News that China would lift a ban on some sales of videogame consoles had sent shares of Nintendo Co. (JP:7974) (NTDOF) shooting 11% higher on Wednesday, but apparent profit-taking sent the stock down 4.2% in early Thursday action. Shares of rival Sony Corp. (JP:6758) (SNE) , however, followed with a 4% rise, also possibly buoyed by a Nikkei Asian Review report that it was planning a "smartphone offensive" in the U.S. and China. Canon Inc. (JP:7751) (CAJ) fell 2% on a separate Nikkei report that the company's 2013 operating profit would miss forecasts. Toshiba Corp. (JP:6502) (TOSYY)
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