It's been a bumpy ride for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) this morning, which is down 57 points at 11 a.m. EDT. Following another record close yesterday, the index has been fighting to stay close to those new heights after disappointing economic and international news generated concerns among investors. And with earnings season under way, new records are being set in the financial sector, but shareholders may be looking for quality over quantity.
Economic concerns abound
Retail sales fell 0.4% last month, disappointing analysts and investors, who had expected a flatline trend for March. On top of the weakened retail news, the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index fell to a nine-month low, with many consumers feeling concerned about the economic recovery stalling. The index tumbled from 78.6 down to 72.3,�while analysts had expected a measly 0.1-point drop. While the question remains as to how consumer spending will ramp up in the future, the current news signals a slowing thanks to increased taxes and forced unpaid furloughs for government employees.
Best Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: EDAP TMS S.A.(EDAP)
EDAP TMS S.A., through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of minimally invasive medical devices primarily for urological diseases. The company operates in two divisions, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), and Urology Devices and Services (UDS). The HIFU division involves in the development, manufacture, and marketing of medical devices based on HIFU technology for the minimally invasive destruction of various types of localized tumors. This division offers Ablatherm, a HIFU-based ultrasound guided device for the treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer. Its HIFU technology allows the surgeon to destroy a defined area of diseased tissue without damaging surrounding tissue and organs. This division also engages in the leasing of equipment, as well as the sale of disposables, spare parts, and maintenance services. This division markets and sells its products through its direct marketing and sales organization, as well as through third-party distributors and agents. The UDS division engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of medical devices for the minimally invasive diagnosis or treatment of urological disorders, primarily urinary stones and other clinical indications. This division provides lithotripters for the treatment of urinary tract stones by means of ESWL technology. This division manufactures three models of lithotripters: the Sonolith Praktis, the Sonolith i-move, and the Sonolith i-sys. This division also involves in the leasing of lithotripters, as well as the sale of disposables, spare parts, and maintenance services. This division markets and sells its products through its direct sales and service platform, as well as through agents and third-party distributors. The company?s customers include public and private hospitals, urology clinics, and research institutions worldwide. EDAP TMS S.A. was founded in 1979 and is based in Vaulx-en-Velin, France.
Best Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: Mdn Inc Com Npv(MDN.TO)
MDN Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties in Tanzania and Canada. The company is involved in various gold exploration projects totaling 815 square kilometers in the area of Lake Victoria Goldfield, as well as holds a 30% interest in a joint venture with African Barrick Gold in the Tulawaka mine and its adjacent permits. It also owns interests in Le Tac, Lac Shortt, Lesp�ance, and MCGold projects in the Chibougamau area; Isle-Dieu project in the Matagami area; and Crevier project in Lac-St-Jean, Quebec. The company was formerly known as Northern Mining Explorations Ltd. and changed its name to MDN Inc. in May 2007. MDN Inc. was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
Top 5 Tech Stocks To Own Right Now: (GSPL.NS)
Gujarat State Petronet Limited operates as a natural gas transmission company in India. The company develops energy transportation infrastructure and connects natural gas supply sources, including LNG terminals to various markets in Gujarat. Its transmission network consists of a medium-to-high pressure natural gas transmission grid comprising approximately 1874 kilometers of pipeline network that transports approximately 35 million metric standard cubic meters per day of natural gas. The company serves power, fertilizer, steel, chemical plants, and distribution companies. It also engages in generation of electricity through windmills. Gujarat State Petronet Limited was founded in 1998 and is based in Gandhinagar, India.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Martin]
From Bharat Petroleum to Petronet LNG, some really large companies are investing serious money in the changing energy mix of India in favour of natural gas. In the coming years, hundreds of miles of pipeline will carry natural gas to nooks and corners of India. Gujarat State Petronet is a strong play on this theme, trading at surprisingly low P/E.
Best Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: Raffaele Caruso SpA (YRC.MI)
Raffaele Caruso SpA is an Italy-based company, operating in the apparel sector. It produces tailor-made suits, coats and jackets, for men only. The Company owns three industrial facilities in Soragna and in Ponte dell��glio, Italy. The Company distributes its products worldwide through its own brands Raffaele Caruso and Fluo. The Company also acts as wholesaler for brands of other companies.
Best Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: Fortegra Financial Corporation (FRF)
Fortegra Financial Corporation, an insurance services company, provides distribution and administration services primarily in the United States. The company�s Payment Protection segment delivers credit insurance, debt protection, warranty and service contracts, and motor club solutions under the Life of the South, Continental Car Club, United Motor Club, and Auto Knight Motor Club brand names to consumer finance companies, regional banks, community banks, retailers, small loan companies, warranty administrators, automobile dealers, vacation ownership developers, and credit unions. This segment specializes in providing products that protect consumer lenders and their borrowers from death, disability, or other events that could impair their borrowers' ability to repay a debt. Fortegra Financial Corporation�s Business Process Outsourcing segment offers various administrative services under the Consecta and Pacific Benefits Group Northwest, LLC brand names to insurance and o ther financial services companies. This segment�s services include sales and marketing, electronic underwriting, premium billing and collections, policy administration, claims adjudication, and call center management services. The company�s Brokerage segment sells specialty property and casualty, and surplus lines insurance to retail insurance brokers and agents, and insurance companies under the Bliss & Glennon, eReinsure.com, Inc., and South Bay Acceptance Corporation brand names. This segment also provides its clients the ability to obtain various types of commercial insurance coverage outside of their core areas of focus. In addition, it offers insurance underwriting services as a managing general agent for specialized insurance carriers. The company was formerly known as Life of the South Corporation and changed its name to Fortegra Financial Corporation in 2008. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.
Best Quality Companies To Watch For 2014: Optiscan Imaging Ltd(OIL.AX)
Optiscan Imaging Limited engages in the development and application of microscopic imaging technologies for medical markets. It offers Pentax ISC 1000, a flexible confocal endomicroscopy system for medical applications; and Optiscan FIVE 1, a handheld fluorescence endomicroscope that is designed for vivo investigations of animal tissues. The company offers its products in Asia, Australia, Europe, the United States, and Canada. Optiscan Imaging Limited was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Notting Hill, Australia.
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