The big gains continue from across the Pacific. Japan's Nikkei (NIKKEIINDICES: ^NI225 ) stock index, which has outperformed virtually every other index around the globe in its run higher so far this year, rose another 2.3% this past week, hitting another 52-week high in the process. While Japan's simmering political feud with China took an unwelcome turn over the past few days, one of the country's leading financials stocks reported outstanding results to happy investors. Let's dive into the details you need to know.
CPI and China struggle, but stocks soar
Japanese lawmakers this week visited a Tokyo shrine to the country's citizens killed in war, a historically controversial move that could inflame tensions with China further even as the two nations attempt to defuse their ongoing spat. Chinese coast guard ships didn't help matters early in the week, as several vessels drew close to the waters surrounding the disputed Senkaku Islands, which both nations claim. Japan's move to purchase three of the Senkakus from a private owner last year sparked protests and riots in China, and the ongoing conflict has hurt numerous Japanese exporters to the world's second-largest economy, such as automakers.
Best Machinery Companies To Own In Right Now: iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN)
iShares S&P Global Technology Sector Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poor�� Global Information Technology Sector Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the Standard & Poor�� Global 1200 Index, and measures the performance of companies that Standard & Poor�� deems to be part of the information technology sector. Component companies include those involved in the development and production of technology products, including computer hardware and software, telecommunications equipment, microcomputer components, integrated computer circuits and office equipment utilizing technology.
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 Russ Koesterich]
The list above is based on my team's analysis of whether sector valuations appropriately price in each sector's expected earnings growth, profitability and risk. Based on these factors, I have a preference for the energy and informational technology sectors, accessible through the iShares S&P Global Energy Sector Fund (IXC) and the iShares S&P Global Technology Sector Fund (IXN). And as I write in my new Investment Directions commentary piece, if it turns out that we do see more investors rotating out of defensives and into more attractively priced cyclicals, these two sectors are poised to especially benefit.
Top 5 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: PHI Inc.(PHII)
PHI, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides helicopter transportation services to the integrated energy, and independent exploration and production companies primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Oil and Gas, Air Medical, and Technical Services. The Oil and Gas segment provides helicopter services to oil and gas exploration and production companies, and other offshore oil service companies primarily for routine transportation of personnel and equipment; transportation of personnel during medical and safety emergencies; and evacuation of personnel during the threat of hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions. The Air Medical segment provides air medical transportation services for hospitals and emergency service agencies in 17 states. The Technical Services segment offers helicopter repair and overhaul services for existing flight operations customers. It also operates 5 aircrafts for the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. As of December 31, 2011, it owned or operated 259 aircrafts, including 167 aircrafts by Oil and Gas segment, 86 aircrafts by Air Medical segment, and 6 for other operations. The company was formerly known as Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. and changed its name to PHI, Inc. in December 2005. PHI, Inc. was founded in 1949 and is based in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
PHI (NASDAQ: PHII) shares jumped 97.46% to reach a new 52-week high of $80.96. PHI shares have jumped 26.08% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 15.37% in the same period.
Top 5 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Newport Corporation(NEWP)
Newport Corporation and its subsidiaries provide technology products and systems to scientific research, microelectronics, aerospace and defense/security, life and health sciences, and industrial markets in the United States, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. The company operates in three divisions: Photonics and Precision Technologies (PPT), Lasers, and Ophir. The PPT division provides photonics instruments and systems; vibration isolation systems and subsystems; precision positioning devices, systems, and subsystems; optics and optical hardware; opto-mechanical subassemblies and subsystems; and advanced manufacturing systems. It also offers automated systems for various applications in the manufacture of solar panels, and communications and electronic devices, including microwave, optical, radio frequency, and multi-chip modules. The Lasers division provides laser and laser-based system, such as ultrafast lasers and systems, diode-pumped solid state Q-switched lasers, diode-p umped solid state continuous wave (CW) and quasi-CW lasers, pulsed Nd:YAG and tunable lasers, and gas lasers. The Ophir division offers optics, photonics instruments, and three-dimensional non-contact measurement equipment and sensors. It also provides laser instrumentation, including laser power and energy meters, and laser beam profilers. This division serves the scientific research, microelectronics, aerospace, defense/security, life and health sciences, and industrial markets. The company offers its products under the ILX Lightwave, New Focus, Newport, Ophir, Optimet, Oriel Instruments, Richardson Gratings, Spiricon, and Spectra-Physics names. It sells its products to original equipment manufacturers and end-user customers through direct sales organizations, a network of independent distributors, and sales representatives, as well as through product catalogs and Web sites. Newport Corporation was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
What: Shares of Newport (NASDAQ: NEWP ) got crushed today, down by as much as 12% after the company reported earnings that fell short of expectations.
Top 5 Japanese Companies To Invest In Right Now: Solutia Inc(SOA)
Solutia Inc. and its subsidiaries manufacture performance materials and specialty chemicals used in various consumer and industrial applications. The company?s Advanced Interlayers segment provides polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheet that is used in the manufacture of laminated glass for automotive and architectural applications, and as an encapsulant in photovoltaic applications primarily under the SAFLEX name; ethyl vinyl acetate films under the VISTASOLAR name for photovoltaic module encapsulation; and specialty intermediate PVB resin and plasticizer products under the BUTVAR name. Its Performance Films segment manufactures solar control, decorative, safety and security window films for aftermarket automotive and architectural applications under the LLUMAR, V-KOOL, H�ER OPTIK, VISTA, GILA, and FORMULA ONE HIGH PERFORMANCE AUTOMOTIVE TINT names; and advanced film components that are used in electronics and energy industrial products under the FLEXVUE name. The company?s Te chnical Specialties segment manufactures and sells chemicals for the rubber, solar energy, process manufacturing, and aviation industries. This segment offers insoluble sulfur under the CRYSTEX name; and antidegradants, which are used in pneumatic tire components, solid tires, belts, hoses, cables, automotive mounts, bushings, and general mechanical products under the SANTOFLEX name. This segment also provides heat transfer fluids that are used for indirect heating or cooling of chemical processes in various types of industrial equipment and in solar energy power systems under the THERMINOL name; and aviation hydraulic fluids for airline airframe manufacturers and aviation maintenance facilities under the SKYDROL name. The company sells its products to end users in various industries through distributors and franchisees, as well as through its sales force in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. Solutia Inc. was founded in 1901 and is headquartere d in St. Louis, Missouri.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
His largest new buys in the first quarter are: Penn Virginia Group Holdings LP (PVG), Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN), Methanex Corp. (MEOH), Solutia Inc. (SOA) and Georgia Gulf (GGC). Of his top eight stocks, five are from the chemicals industry.
No comments:
Post a Comment