Best Income Stocks For 2014

Master limited partnerships (MLPs) have proven their value in the asset allocation mix. As an asset class, they generate reliable, growing distributions for income investors. Plus, their mid- and long-term total returns have outpaced other investments such as REITs, utility stocks and the broad market indices.

A recent study from New York-based Yorkville Capital Management sheds some light on the variable distribution MLP sub-category.

These MLPs have been in the news lately as one company that sells frac sand, Emerge Energy Services (EMES), has seen its units’ price increase this year from the mid-teens in May to $40 by November.

The Yorkville study notes that there are several key differences between variable distribution (so-called “variables”) and traditional MLPs (or “traditionals”).

First, variables lack an internally mandated minimum quarterly distribution.

“Instead of generally maintaining or increasing distributions, variable MLPs will pay out distributions each quarter that vary with quarterly cash flows of the business,” the report explains.

Top 10 Machinery Stocks For 2015: Medical Properties Trust Inc (MPW)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc., incorporated on August 27, 2003, is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on investing in and owning net-leased healthcare facilities. The Company conducts substantially all of its business through MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. The Company acquires and develops healthcare facilities and leases the facilities to healthcare operating companies under long-term net leases, which require the tenant to bear the costs associated with the property. The Company also makes mortgage loans to healthcare operators collateralized by their real estate assets. In addition, the Company selectively makes loans to certain of its operators through its taxable REIT subsidiaries. In September 2013, Medical Properties Trust Inc completed the acquisition of the real estate of three acute care hospitals operated by IASIS Healthcare LLC.

As of February 18, 2013, the Company's portfolio consists of 82 properties: 69 facilities (of the 74 facilities that the Company owns) are leased to 23 tenants, five are under development, and the remainder are in the form of mortgage loans to three operators. The Company's owned facilities consist of 27 general acute care hospitals, 24 long-term acute care hospitals, 15 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, two medical office buildings, and six wellness centers. The non-owned facilities on which the Company has made mortgage loans consist of three general acute care facilities, two long-term acute care hospitals, and three inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. At December 31, 2012, no one property accounted for more than 5% of the Company's total assets.

At December 31, 2012, the Company had leases with 22 hospital operating companies, eight mortgaged loans, six under development, and one property under re-development covering 82 facilities. Ernest leased 12 of these facilities pursuant to a master lease agreement. The master lease agreement has a 20-year term with three five-year extension options and provides for ! an initial rental rate of 9%, with consumer price-indexed increases, limited to a 2% floor and 5% ceiling annually thereafter. At December 31, 2012, these facilities had an average remaining lease term of approximately 19 years. In addition to the master lease, the Company holds a mortgage loan on four facilities owned by affiliates of Ernest.

Affiliates of Prime Healthcare Services, Inc. (Prime) leased 11 facilities pursuant to master lease agreements. The master leases are for 10 years commencing July 3, 2012 and contain two renewal options of five years each. The initial lease rate is generally consistent with the blended average rate of the prior lease agreements. However, the annual escalators, which in the prior leases were limited, have been increased to reflect 100% of CPI increases, along with a 2% minimum floor. The master leases include repurchase options substantially similar to those in the prior leases, including provisions establishing minimum repurchase prices equal to the Company's total investment. In addition to leases, the Company holds mortgage loans on three facilities owned by affiliates of Prime.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  It was an impressive quarter for Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPW  ) . In its Q1 report, revenues amounted to $58 million, up 42% from the $41 million in the same period the previous year. Attributable net profit advanced much more strongly, growing 148% to $26 million ($0.18 per diluted share) from Q1 2012's figure of $11 million ($0.08). Funds from operations -- a key metric for real estate investment trusts -- came in at $35 million ($0.25 per diluted share) on a normalized basis, compared with $22 million ($0.18) in the year-ago quarter.

Best Income Stocks For 2014: Symmetry Medical Inc (SMA)

Symmetry Medical Inc. designs, develops, and produces implants and related surgical instruments and cases to orthopedic device manufacturers worldwide. It offers orthopedic implants that are used in reconstructive surgeries to replace or repair hips, knees, and other joints, such as shoulders, ankles, and elbows; trauma implant systems, which are used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone or tissue while the body heals; and spinal implant systems, including plates and screws used by orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in the treatment of degenerative diseases, deformities, and injuries in various regions of the spine. The company also provides surgical instruments, such as knee cutting blocks, osteotome revision systems, reamers, and retractors used in hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction procedures, as well as in spinal, trauma, and other implant procedures. In addition, it produces a range of plastic, metal, and hybrid orthopedic cases to store, transport, and arrange surgical instruments and related implant systems, and other medical devices for orthopedic device manufacturers; endoscopy cases for endoscope sterilization; dental cases used in dental implant and general dental procedures; sterilization containers for the sterilization of various surgical instruments; and other cases for arthroscopy, osteobiologic, cardiovascular, ophthalmology, and diagnostic imaging, as well as ear, nose, and throat procedures. Further, the company engages in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of aerospace products comprising net shaped aerofoils and non-rotating aircraft engine forgings produced for the aerospace customers; and offers aerospace machining capabilities. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  What: Shares of Symmetry Medical (NYSE: SMA  ) , a medical device solutions and surgical instruments manufacturer, dipped as much as 17% after the company updated its second-quarter and full-year financial guidance.

Best Income Stocks For 2014: Thomson Reuters Corp(TRI)

Thomson Reuters Corporation provides intelligent information for businesses and professionals worldwide. The company allows market participants to connect, access content, and trade in a secure environment through Thomson Reuters Eikon desktop, Thomson Reuters Elektron network, content integration and management technology, content feeds and databases, and transactions infrastructure solutions that support buy- and sell-side customers to trade in foreign exchange, fixed income and derivatives, equities, exchange-traded instruments, and commodities and energy markets. It also offers information, analytics, workflow, and technology solutions to buy-side and off-trading floor customers; access to liquidity in over-the-counter markets, trade execution, and connections for market participants and financial professionals? communities; and a suite of solutions offering informed outcomes to regulated industries and law firms. In addition, the company provides critical information , decision support tools, and software and services to legal, investigation, business, and government professionals; integrated tax compliance and accounting software and services for accounting and law firms, corporations, and government professionals; intellectual property and scientific resources that enable its customers to discover, develop, and deliver innovations; and data analytics, and performance benchmarking solutions and services to healthcare sector. Further, it offers coverage of global, regional, and national news in 20 languages covering politics, business, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, health, science, and sports; and engages in advertising-supported direct-to-consumer publishing activities of Reuters.com and its network of Websites, mobile applications, and electronic out-of-home displays. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Wolfe]

  Thomson Reuters (TRI)

  On Feb. 11, Thomson Reuters declared a dividend of $0.330 per share, representing 3.80% dividend yield for the company. This dividend is payable on March 17 to shareholders of the record at the close of business on Feb. 24, 2014.

• [By Rich Smith]

  This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, our headlines feature an upgrade for Thomson Reuters Reuters (NYSE: TRI  ) , a new buy rating for Novavax (NASDAQ: NVAX  ) -- but for Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP  ) , a downgrade. Let's get that bad news out of the way first.

Best Income Stocks For 2014: Enphase Energy Inc (ENPH)

Enphase Energy, Inc. (Enphase), incorporated in March 20, 2006, designs, develops and sells microinverter systems for the solar photovoltaic industry. The Company sells its microinverter systems primarily to distributors who resell them to solar installers. It also sells directly to installers, as well as through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Company�� microinverter system consists of three components: Enphase microinverter, Envoy communications gateway and Enlighten Web-based software.

Enphase Microinverter

The Company�� Enphase microinverter delivers power conversion at the individual solar module level by introducing a digital architecture that incorporates custom application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) power electronics devices and an embedded software subsystem. A residential solar installation consists of 5 to 50 microinverters; a small commercial solar installation consists of 50 to 500 microinverters, and medium or larger commercial solar installation consists of 500 to 10,000 microinverters, or more.

Envoy Communications Gateway

The Company�� Envoy communications gateway is installed in the system owner�� home or business and serves as a networking hub that collects data from the microinverter array and sends the information to its hosted data center. One Envoy is typically sold with each solar installation and can support up to 500 Enphase microinverters.

Enlighten Software

The Company�� Enlighten Web-based software collects and analyzes this information to enable system owners to monitor and realize the performance of their solar photovoltaics (PV) system and also provides an online portal designed for installers to enable them to track and manage all of their Enphase enabled projects and monitor and analyze the performance of their installed systems.

The Company competes with SMA Solar Technology AG, Fronius International GmbH, Power-One, Inc., SunPower Corp.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Enphase Energy (NASDAQ: ENPH) shares moved up 21.73% to $11.81. The volume of Enphase Energy shares traded was 749% higher than normal. Enphase Energy reported a Q2 loss of $0.01 per share.

Best Income Stocks For 2014: Enersys (ENS)

EnerSys manufactures, markets, and distributes industrial batteries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It offers reserve power products that are used for backup power for the continuous operation of critical applications in telecommunications systems, uninterruptible power systems applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, and in other specialty power applications, including security systems; starting, lighting, and ignition applications; switchgear and electrical control systems used in electric utilities and energy pipelines; and commercial aircraft, satellites, military aircraft, submarines, ships, and tactical vehicles. The company also offers motive power products that are used to provide power for manufacturing, warehousing, and other material handling equipment, including electric industrial forklift trucks, mining equipment, and diesel locomotive starting and other rail equipment. In addition, it offers industrial battery re lated products, such as chargers, power equipment, and battery accessories, as well as provides related after-market and customer-support services. EnerSys markets and sells its reserve power batteries principally under the ABSL, ABSL Power, ABSL Space, ArmaSafePlus, Cyclon, DataSafe, Genesis, Hawker, Huada, Odyssey, Oerlikon Battery, PowerSafe, and SuperSafe brand names; and motive power batteries primarily under the Douglas Battery, Express, Fiamm Motive Power, General Battery, Hawker, Huada, and Ironclad brand names through a network of distributors, independent representatives, and its internal sales force. The company was formerly known as Yuasa, Inc. and changed its name to EnerSys in January 2001 to reflect its focus on the energy systems business. EnerSys was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Stored energy solution specialist�EnerSys� (NYSE: ENS  ) �announced yesterday�it would be initiating its first quarterly dividend payment of $0.125 per share, payable on June 28 to the holders of record at the close of business on June 14.��

• [By Rich Smith]

  This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, our headlines feature a pair of downgrades, for toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK  ) and electrical equipment maker EnerSys (NYSE: ENS  ) alike. But the news isn't all bad, so before we address those two, let's take a look at why one analyst thinks that...

• [By Michael Flannelly]

  Early on Wednesday, industrial battery manufacturer EnerSys (ENS) entered into an agreement to acquire Purcell Systems for $115 million.

  EnerSys expects the transaction to be accretive to its earnings by 15 to 20 cents per share in the first year. The company will finance the purchase of the Spokane, Washington-based company with existing cash and credit facilities.

  Purcell Systems is a manufacturer of “thermally managed electronic equipment and battery cabinet enclosures for customers globally in telecommunication, broadband, utility, rail and military applications.”

  EnerSys shares were inactive during pre-market trading on Wednesday. The stock is up 48.1% year-to-date.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  On Tuesday, EnerSys (NYSE: ENS  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed knee-jerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.

Best Income Stocks For 2014: C&J Energy Services Inc (CJES)

C&J Energy Services, Inc., incorporated on December 15, 2010, is a provider of hydraulic fracturing, coiled tubing, wireline and other complementary services with a focus on complex, technically demanding well completions. The Company also manufactures and repairs equipment to fulfill its internal needs and for third-party companies in the energy services industry. The Company operates in three reportable segments: Stimulation and Well Intervention Services, Wireline Services and Equipment Manufacturing.

The Company provides hydraulic fracturing coiled tubing and related well intervention services through its Stimulation and Well Intervention Services segment to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. On June 7, 2012, the Company acquired Casedhole Holdings, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries, including Casedhole Solutions, Inc.

Stimulation and Well Intervention Services

The Company's Stimulation and Well Intervention Services segment provides hydraulic fracturing and coiled tubing and other well intervention services, with a focus on complex, technically demanding well completions. The Company's customers use the Company's hydraulic fracturing services to enhance the production of oil and natural gas from formations with low permeability, which restricts the natural flow of hydrocarbons. Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping a fluid down a well casing or tubing at sufficient pressure to cause the underground producing formation to fracture, allowing the oil or natural gas to flow more freely. The Company's engineering staff also provides technical evaluation, job design and fluid recommendations for the Company's customers as an integral element of its fracturing service. The Company's engineering staff also provides technical evaluation, job design and fluid recommendations for the Company's customers as an integral element of its fracturing service.

Wireline Services

The Company's Wireline Services segment p! rovides cased-hole wireline and other complementary services. Its services includes logging, perforating, pipe recovery, pressure testing and pumpdown services, which are critical throughout a well's life cycle.

Equipment Manufacturing

The Company's Equipment Manufacturing segment constructs oilfield equipment, including hydraulic fracturing pumps, coiled tubing units, pressure pumping units and other equipment for the Company's Stimulation and Well Intervention Services and Wireline Services segments as well as for third-party customers in the energy services industry. This segment also provides equipment repair services and oilfield parts and supplies to the energy services industry and to meet the Company's own internal needs.

The Company competes with Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Weatherford International, RPC, Inc., Pumpco, an affiliate of Superior Energy Services, Frac Tech, Stewart & Stevenson, Enerflow Industries Inc., United Engines Manufacturing, Dragon Products and National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lee Jackson]

  C&J Energy Services Inc. (NYSE: CJES) undertook an aggressive expansion plan for 2013. That strategy culminated in several deals during the fourth quarter and further plans for 2014. The domestic hydraulic fracturing specialist has spent the past couple of years expanding the business line and, surprisingly, building new equipment. Now with natural gas inventories plunging to five-year lows, C&J Energy is positioned to take advantage of a market where utilization is already firming. Jefferies price target holds steady at $28, and the consensus estimate is $25. Shares closed Friday at $24.50.

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  C&J Energy Services (NYSE: CJES  )
  One of the more interesting purchases this quarter is the $7.4 million Soros poured into C&J Energy Services. The oilfield service company specializes in complex well completions, making it an important company for extracting ever-harder-to-reach oil and gas. With operations spanning the most active shale plays, an investment in C&J is one that benefits as oil and gas companies drill more wells using even more complex hydraulic fracturing techniques.

• [By Traders Reserve]

  C&J Energy Services (CJES) grew more than 25% in 2012, after tripling in 2011, but has stalled in 2013 and will come in with near-zero growth. Part of the reason is the softening of oil prices and the shuttering marginal fields ��C&J Energy Services provides fracking-related oil field services on a spot basis with prices defined under long-term contracts.

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  For investors, the choice is clear — you need to focus globally when it comes to oil stocks. North American-focused oil stocks like C&J Energy (CJES) and Basic Energy Services (BAS) might not be up to snuff in such a highly challenging pricing environment.

Best Income Stocks For 2014: Cadence Pharmaceuticals Inc.(CADX)

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on acquiring, in-licensing, developing, and commercializing proprietary product candidates principally for use in the hospital setting in the United States and Canada. It holds rights to OFIRMEV injection, a proprietary intravenous formulation of acetaminophen for the management of pain and reduction of fever in adults and children. The company in-licenses rights to OFIRMEV from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, which sells intravenous acetaminophen in Europe and other markets for the treatment of acute pain and fever under the Perfalgan brand name. Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Stocks on the Move: Zulily Inc. (NASDAQ: ZU) is up 71.4% at $37.70 after its IPO today. Cadence Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CADX) is up 33.8% at $7.87 on a patent ruling. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) is down 7.4% at $24.04.