Best Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014

In yesterday�� article ��ow Warren Buffett Made His First $100,000��I told you what stocks Warren Buffett bought when he was in his early 20s. Today, I�� going to talk about how he thought about those stocks.

There�� a general perception that Warren Buffett switched from investing in cheap, low-quality businesses when he was very young to investing in less cheap, higher quality businesses when he was older. There is some truth to this.

But only some.

We know that Warren Buffett still buys some lower quality companies. Just in very small amounts. In fact, we know that he bought Korean companies in the early 2000s. This is what he told Harvard Business School students about those Korean stocks:

路 Citigroup sent him a manual on Korean stocks.

路 Within 5 or 6 hours��(he) found 20 stocks selling at 2 or 3 (times) earnings with strong balance sheets.

路 Korea rebuilt itself in a big way post 1998. Companies overbuilt their balance sheets.

Top Mid Cap Companies For 2015: Universal Display Corp (OLED)

Universal Display Corporation, incorporated on April, 24, 1985, is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in flat panel display, solid state lighting and other product applications. The Company�� primary business strategy is to develop and license its OLED technologies to product manufacturers for use in these applications. Its primary business is to develop and license its OLED technologies to manufacturers of products for display applications, such as cell phones, portable media devices, tablets, laptop computers and televisions, and specialty and general lighting products; and develop new OLED materials and sell the materials to those product manufacturers. The Company sells its OLED materials to customers for evaluation and use in commercial OLED products. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owns, exclusively license or have the sole right to sublicense more than 3,000 patents issued and pending worldwide. On July 23, 2012, the Company entered into a Patent Sale Agreement (the Agreement) with FUJIFILM. Under the Agreement, FUJIFILM sold more than 1,200 OLED related patents and patent applications.

Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Diode Technologies

Phosphorescent OLEDs utilize specialized materials and device structures that allow OLEDs to emit light through a process known as phosphorescence. Traditional fluorescent OLEDs emit light through an inherently less efficient process. Theory and experiment show that phosphorescent OLEDs exhibit device efficiencies up to four times higher than those exhibited by fluorescent OLEDs. Phosphorescence substantially reduces the power requirements of an OLED and is potentially useful in displays for hand-held devices, such as Smartphone��, where battery power is often a limiting factor. Phosphorescence is also important for area displays such as televisions, where higher device efficiency and lower heat generation may enable longer ! product lifetimes and increased energy efficiency.

Additional Proprietary Organic Light Emitting Diode Technologies

Additional OLED Technologies include FOLED Flexible OLEDs, Thin-Film Encapsulation, UniversalP2OLED Printable Phosphorescent OLEDs, OVJP Organic Vapor Jet Printing, OVPD Organic Vapor Phase Deposition and TOLED Transparent OLEDs. The Company is working on a number of technologies required for the fabrication of OLEDs on flexible substrates. As of December 31, 2012, it was conducting research and development on FOLED technologies internally, under several of its United States government programs and in connection with the government-sponsored Flexible Display Center at Arizona State University (ASU). The Company announced its, patented encapsulation technology for the packaging of flexible OLEDs and other thin-film devices, as well as for use as a barrier film for plastic substrates. Its approach for manufacturing a small molecule OLED, including a PHOLED, is based on a vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) process.

The Company has partnered with Aixtron AG, which is a manufacturer of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition equipment, to develop and qualify equipment for the fabrication of OLED displays utilizing the OVPD process. It has developed a technology for the fabrication of OLEDs that have transparent cathodes. TOLEDs use a transparent cathode and either a transparent, reflective or opaque metal anode.

Organic Light Emitting Diode Materials Supply Business

The Company supplies its proprietary UniversalPHOLED materials to display manufacturers and others. The Company qualifies its materials in OLED devices before shipment in order to ensure that they meet required specifications. During 2012, the Company continued supplying its proprietary UniversalPHOLED materials to SDC for use in its commercial AMOLED display products and for its development efforts. During 2012, the Company also supplied its UniversalPHOLED materials to! LG Displ! ay for use in its commercial AMOLED display products, to Tohoku Pioneer for use in its commercial PMOLED display products, and Konica Minolta for its manufacture of commercial OLED lighting products. During 2012, the Company also supplied its proprietary OLED materials to these and various other product manufacturers for evaluation and for purposes of development, manufacturing qualification and product testing.

The Company competes with Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak), Cambridge Display Technology, Ltd. (CDT), Sumitomo Chemical Company (Sumitomo), Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Idemitsu Kosan), Merck KGaA and BASF Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Steve Symington]

  What:�Shares of Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ: OLED  ) plunged 10% Monday following reports Samsung� (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF  ) has abandoned plans to build a next-gen OLED television manufacturing facility.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Corning is also tied to the TV industry, where large-screen models require far more of its glass than relatively tiny smartphone screens. The company does have competition, though, such as from Universal Display (NASDAQ: OLED  ) , with its impressive OLED technology that threatens LCD displays' share. Both companies stand to benefit from Samsung's upcoming S4 phone, though, with its bigger and better screens.

• [By Anders Bylund]

  All the really hot names are relative upstarts, according to market analyst Strategy Analytics.�It seems clear that the gold rush in the smartphone era is coming to an end. In this video, Fool contributor Anders Bylund walks you through the signs of a coming revolution, and makes an educated guess at what might be next. Spoiler alert: This could be a great time to invest in bleeding-edge component makers like Universal Display (NASDAQ: OLED  ) .

Best Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: Rio Tinto(reg)

Rio Tinto plc engages in finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. The company produces aluminum products, including bauxite, alumina, and aluminum; copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and nickel; diamonds; minerals, such as borates, titanium dioxide feedstocks, high purity iron, metal powders, zircon, and rutile; thermal and coking coal, and uranium; and iron ore and salt. It primarily operates in Australia, North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and southern Africa. The company was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Rio Tinto plc is a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Grocery-store-anchored shopping center operator�Regency Centers (NYSE: REG  ) announced this morning its second-quarter dividend on two series of preferred stock.�

• [By Dividend King]

  Regency Centers Corp. (REG): Regency Centers Corp. has been slightly appreciating after reaching a low of around $22 back in 2009. Currently, the stock issues an annual dividend of $1.85, has a yield of 4.30% and a payout ratio of 529%. During the last 12 months sales and income increased 5.10% and 208.30%, respectively. Revenue during the last four years increased at a compound annual growth rate of 0.28% while income decreased at a compound annual growth rate of 21.63%. The moderate revenue increase and lower income are due primarily to the real estate bubble that burst around 2007. However, revenue has started to pick up during the last two years, a good indication that the stock will begin appreciating in value.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Abbvie (ABBV)
  Ameren Corp. (AEE)
  Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG)
  E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. (DD)
  ENSCO (ESV)
  Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD)
  General Mills (GIS)
  H&R Block (HRB)
  Hancock Holding (HBHC)
  Kraft Foods Group (KRFT)
  Lorillard (LO)
  Magellan Midstream Partners LP (MMP)
  MarkWest Energy Partners L P (MWE)
  McDonald’s (MCD)
  Microchip Technology (MCHP)
  NextEra Energy (NEE)
  Regency Centers (REG)
  TELUS Corp. (TU)
  West Corp. (WSTC)
  Williams Companies (WMB)

Best Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: Embraer SA (EMBR3)

Embraer SA is a Brazil-based holding company primarily engaged in the manufacture of aircrafts. The Company�� business activities are divided into three business segments: Commercial Aviation; Defense and Security Business, and Executive Aviation. The Commercial Aviation segment is involved in the development, production and sale of commercial jets, as well as in the provision of support services, with emphasis on the regional aviation industry and aircraft leasing. The Defense and Security Business segment mainly includes the research, development, production and modification of defense aircrafts as well systems and software design. Through the Executive Aviation segment, the Company is active in the development, production and sale of business jets, provision of support services related to this sector of the market and aircraft leasing. The Company has subsidiaries, affiliated companies and representative offices in Brazil, the United States, France, Holland and China, among others. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ney Hayashi]

  The Ibovespa dropped for a third day as planemaker Embraer SA (EMBR3) led losses among exporters on speculation that a strengthening local currency will erode revenue from outside Brazil.

• [By Lyubov Pronina]

  Most emerging-market stocks fell as Samsung Electronics Co.�� earnings missed estimates and planemaker Embraer SA (EMBR3) posted a surprise loss. Turkish stocks capped the biggest weekly loss since June after policy makers raised borrowing costs.

Best Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NBY)

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, engages in the development of various product candidates for the therapeutic needs of the anti-infective market. Its products include Aganocide compounds comprising NVC-422 that are synthetic molecules for the treatment of impetigo and adenoviral conjunctivitis, as well as for reducing the incidence of urinary catheter blockage and encrustation, and the associated urinary tract infections. The company is also involved in developing NeutroPhase, a solution for cleansing and debriding wounds. It has collaboration and license agreement with Galderma S.A. to develop and commercialize its Aganocide compounds, which covers acne, impetigo, and other dermatological conditions. The company was formerly known as NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and changed its name to NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in February 2007. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Emeryville, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  NovaBay(r) Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex:NBY), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing its first-in-class, anti-infective Aganocide(r) compounds for the local non-systemic treatment and prevention of infections, reported that Tom Paulson, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Rodman & Renshaw 14th Annual Healthcare Conference held September 9-11, 2012, in New York, NY.

Best Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: Bayer AG (BAYN)

Bayer AG is a German management holding company with core competencies in the field of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. It's business operations are organized into three subgroups: HealthCare, involved in the research, development and manufacture of health products for people and animals, CropScience, engaged in the crop protection and non-agricultural pest control, and MaterialScience, that provides polymers, and develops solution for a range of applications, supported by the service companies Bayer Business Services, Bayer Technology Services and Currenta. It operates through numerous subsidiaries, affiliated companies as well as joint ventures located in Europe, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, North America as well as the Asia/Pacific region, such as Bayer Chemicals AG in Germany, Cotton Growers Services Pty. Limited in Australia and Bayer Israel Ltd in Israel, among others. In July 2013, it acquired Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonathan Morgan]

  Bayer AG (BAYN) and BASF SE gained, following their European peers higher. Commerzbank AG (CBK), the country�� second-biggest lender, slid 3.7 percent. Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) dropped the most in more than a month after JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded the shares.

• [By Jonathan Morgan]

  German stocks declined the most in more than two months as a report showed that Germany�� auto market plummeted last month, while Bayer AG (BAYN) and BASF SE (BAS) fell.

Best Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: Israel Corporation Ltd (ILCO)

Israel Corporation Ltd is an Israel-based holding company. The Company operates mainly through its subsidiaries: Israel Chemicals Ltd, operating in the areas of fertilizers and special chemicals; Oil Refineries Ltd, engaged in crude oil refining, production of fuel products, raw materials for the petrochemical industry and materials for the plastics industry; ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd, operating in the shipping lines��industry through use of tankers, offering delegation, Customs clearance, overland transport, distribution, warehousing, insurance, container terminals, marine terminal operation services and logistic services; I.C. Power Ltd, engaged in the production and sale of electricity, as well as in activities intended for the construction and operation of power stations, and Other subsidiaries, engaged in advanced technology, vehicles, infrastructures for electric-powered vehicles, and clean energy. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Claudia Maedler]

  The DFM General Index (DFMGI) climbed 4.8 percent to 2,659.93, the highest close since Aug. 26. The measure had plunged as much as 15 percent since reaching a five-year high on Aug. 25 on concern the U.S. would launch a military strike against Syria. Emaar Properties PJSC (EMAAR), the stock with the biggest weighting on the index, jumped 4.7 percent, while Deyaar Development (DEYAAR) PJSC surged 9.1 percent. Israel Corp. (ILCO) led gains in Tel Aviv.

Best Consumer Service Companies To Watch For 2014: Apollo Residential Mortgage Inc (AMTG)

Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc. is a holding company, which conducts its business primarily through ARM Operating, LLC and its other operating subsidiaries. The Company is a residential real estate finance company that invests in residential mortgage assets in the United States. The Company invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae (Freddie Mac), or an agency of us the United Sates Government, such as Ginnie Mae (collectively, the Agencies, with RMBS being issued or guaranteed by the Agencies being referred to as Agency RMBS), whose underlying collateral includes fixed rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and interest-only and inverse interest-only securities (collectively, Agency Derivatives). The Company also invests in RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by the United Sates government Agency (non-Agency RMBS) and considers investing in residential mortgage loans and other residential mortgage assets. As of December 31, 2011, the Company held a diversified portfolio. The Company is externally managed and advised by ARM Manager, LLC.

The assets that the Company targets for investment: Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, residential mortgage loans and other residential mortgage assets. Agency RMBS includes primarily whole pool Agency RMBS, and Agency collateralized mortgage obligations. Non-Agency RMBS includes highly rated, as well as non-investment grade and unrated, tranches backed by Alt-A mortgage loans, subprime mortgage loans and prime mortgage loans. Residential mortgage loans includes prime mortgage loans, jumbo mortgage loans, Alt-A mortgage loans and subprime mortgage loans. Other residential mortgage assets consist of interest-only and principal-only Agency RMBS and non-Agency RMBS, inverse floating rate and floating rate securities, and other Agency and non-Agency RMBS derivative securities, as well as other financial assets, includi! ng common stock, preferred stock and debt of other real estate-related entities.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Residential mortgage-backed securities REIT�Apollo Residential Mortgage (NYSE: AMTG  ) announced yesterday its second-quarter dividend of $0.70 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past three quarters after lowering the payout almost 18% from $0.85 per share.

• [By Tim Melvin]

  I sat down this morning and spent some time looking for cheap stocks that might do well regardless of market action in 2014. While bargains are scarce there are still a few to be found. One such bargain is mortgage REIT Apollo Residential Mortgage (AMTG). The stock is trading at less than 80% of quarter-end book value, and management also announced a $50 million share buyback at the same time. There may be some erosion of book value as they look to adopt more credit-sensitive portfolio policies, but I doubt it will be substantial.