WASHINGTON (AP) ��The U.S. trade deficit fell in November to its lowest level in four years, an encouraging sign for economic growth. Gains in energy production and stronger sales of American-made airplanes, autos and machinery lifted exports to an all-time high.
The trade gap dropped 12.9% in November to $34.3 billion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That's the smallest monthly trade deficit since October 2009.
Exports rose 0.9% to a record $194.9 billion, aided by a 5.6% rise in petroleum exports. Imports dropped 1.4% to $229.1 billion. A decrease in demand for foreign oil offset a record level of imported autos.
Through 11 months of 2013, the trade deficit is 12.3% lower than the same period in 2012. Exports have strengthened, while imports are slightly lower.
A smaller trade deficit can boost economic growth. It typically shows that American companies are earning more from sales overseas, while U.S. consumers are buying fewer products from foreign companies.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Caterpillar Inc.(CAT)
Caterpillar Inc. manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. It operates through three lines of businesses: Machinery, Engines, and Financial Products. The Machinery business offers construction, mining, and forestry machinery, including track and wheel tractors, track and wheel loaders, pipelayers, motor graders, wheel tractor-scrapers, track and wheel excavators, backhoe loaders, log skidders, log loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, paving products, skid steer loaders, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, and related parts. It also manufactures diesel-electric locomotives; and manufactures and services rail-related products and logistics services for other companies. The Engines business provides diesel, heavy fuel, and natural gas reciprocating engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, marine, petrol eum, construction, industrial, agricultural, and other applications. It offers industrial turbines and turbine-related services for oil and gas, and power generation applications. This business also remanufactures Caterpillar engines, machines, and engine components; and offers remanufacturing services for other companies. The Financial Products business provides retail and wholesale financing alternatives for Caterpillar machinery and engines, solar gas turbines, and other equipment and marine vessels, as well as offers loans and various forms of insurance to customers and dealers. It also offers financing for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. The company markets its products directly, as well as through its distribution centers, dealers, and distributors. It was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. and changed its name to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Carroll]
Outside of the energy sector, Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) shares are performing even worse today. The industrial giant's stock has fallen 1.9% today to lead all Dow laggards lower. The company cut off talks with the United Steelworkers union�in Milwaukee today as a labor dispute continues to rage at its mining equipment plant. The mining industry's downturn, sparked by China's slowdown and other leading economies slumping, has forced Caterpillar to lay off hundreds of mining equipment workers already. Caterpillar's Milwaukee plant remains open as this labor dispute continues, but until the global economy picks up, the company's mining business will continue to struggle.
- [By John Maxfield]
Given the news out of China, it should be no surprise that the Dow's worst-performing stock this afternoon is Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) . The heavy-machinery company looks to China for a considerable portion of sales and depends on global growth more generally to fuel demand for its products. In addition, as my colleague Dan Caplinger noted earlier today, the fall in gold prices could also have a negative impact on mining activity, an important source of demand for Caterpillar equipment.
- [By Travis Hoium]
Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) led the way with a 6.1% gain this week. There wasn't an abundance of news out about the company, but the stock will often jump when investors feel more confident about the economy. Caterpillar reports earnings July 24, and that's when we'll learn how bullish management is about the domestic and global economy.
- [By Daniel Miller]
The U.S. economy has rebounded gradually, which is more than the rest of the world can say. Unfortunately for Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) , which derives the majority of its profits internationally, a global rebound can't come soon enough. The stock is down about 22% over the last 12 months and sits at a price to earnings ratio well below its historical average. Caterpillar recently released its first-quarter information, which disappointed investors but its stock price remained unaffected ��it even rose in the days after the earnings release. Does this mean Caterpillar stock has finally bottomed out, giving investors a chance to buy in?
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: FreightCar America Inc (RAIL.O)
FreightCar America, Inc. (America) is engaged in manufacturing of aluminum-bodied railcars in North America. America is also a manufacturer of coal cars. During the year ended December 31, 2011(2011), the Company was specialized in the production of coal cars, which represented 93% of its deliveries of railcars. The Company also refurbishes and rebuilds railcars and sells forged, cast and fabricated parts for all of the railcars it produces, as well as those manufactured by others. During 2011, its primary customers were railroads, shippers and financial institutions, which represented 83%, 2% and 1%, respectively, of its total sales attributable to each type of customer. During 2011, it delivered 6,188 railcars, including 4,500 aluminum-bodied coal cars. It offers railcar leasing and refurbishment alternatives to its customers. Through its newly formed subsidiary FreightCar Rail Services, LLC (FCRS), it provides railcar repair and maintenance, inspections, and railcar fleet management services for all types of freight railcars. Its railcar manufacturing facilities are located in Danville, Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia.
The Company also leases freight cars through its JAIX Leasing Company subsidiary. In addition, the Company manufactures coal cars for export to Latin America and manufactures intermodal railcars for export to the Middle East. With operations in Colorado, Indiana and Nebraska, it services freight cars and unit coal trains utilizing rail corridors in the Midwest and Western regions of the United States. The Company designs and manufactures aluminum-bodied and steel-bodied railcars that transport a range of various products. It manufactures two primary types of coal cars, such as gondolas and open-top hoppers. The BethGon is the aluminum-bodied coal gondola railcar segment, which is used in North America. Its aluminum bodied open-top hopper railcar, the AutoFlood, is a five-pocket coal car equipped with a bottom discharge gate mechanism. AutoFlood II and AutoFlood III des! ! ign incorporates the automatic rapid discharge system, the MegaFlo door system and a mechanism that uses an over-center locking design, enabling the cargo door to close with tension rather than by compression.
The Company also manufactures a range of other types of aluminum and steel-bodied coal cars, including triple hopper, hybrid aluminum/stainless steel hoppers and gondolas and flat bottom gondola railcars. The Company�� portfolio of other railcar types include the AVC Aluminum Vehicle Carrier design, which is used to transport commercial and light vehicles (automobiles and trucks) from assembly plants and ports to rail distribution centers; the Articulated Bulk Container railcar designed to carry dense bulk products, such as waste products in 20 foot containers; Intermodal Double Stack railcars, including a stand-alone, 40 foot well car and the DynaStack articulated, 5-unit, 40 foot and 3-unit, 53 foot well cars for transportation of containers; a Small Cube Covered Hopper railcar, which is used to transport products, such as roofing granules, fly ash, sand and cement; a Mill Gondola Railcar, which is used to transport steel products and scrap; Slab and Coil steel railcars, which is designed for transportation of steel slabs and coil steel products, respectively; Flat Railcars, Bulkhead Flat Railcars and Centerbeam Flat Railcars, which is designed to transport a range of products, including machinery and equipment, steel and structural steel components (including pipe), forest products and other bulky industrial products; a Woodchip Gondola Railcar, which is designed to haul woodchips and municipal waste, and a range of non-coal carrying open top hopper railcars designed to carry aggregates, iron ore, taconite pellets, petroleum coke and other bulk commodities.
The Company has established a licensing arrangement with a railcar manufacturer in Brazil pursuant to which its technology is used to produce various ty pes of railcars in Brazil. In addition, it manufacture co! al ! cars! for ! export to Latin America and have manufactured intermodal railcars for export to the Middle East. Railroads outside of North America have a range of track gauges that are sized differently than in North America, which requires it, in some cases, to alter manufacturing specifications for foreign sales. The Company has added 10 new or redesigned products to its portfolio in the last five years, including the AVC, slab and coil steel railcar, triple hopper and hybrid aluminum/stainless steel railcars, ore cars, ballast cars and aggregate cars. The Company�� manufacturing process involves four basic steps: fabrication, assembly, finishing and inspection. In its fabrication processes, it employ standard metal working tools, many of which are computer controlled. Each assembly line typically involves 15 to 20 manufacturing positions, depending on the complexity of the particular railcar design. It uses mechanical fastening in the fitting and assembly of its aluminum-bodied railca r parts, while it uses welding for the assembly of its steel-bodied railcars.
The Company competes with Trinity Industries, Inc., National Steel Car Limited, The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. and American Railcar Industries, Inc.
Arcam publ AB is a Sweden-based company that provides additive manufacturing (AM) technology, Electron Beam Melting (EBM), for the production of fully dense metal parts. The EBM technology builds parts layer-by-layer from metal powder using a powerful electron beam. The Company offers a portfolio of EBM machines, such as Arcam A1 for implant manufacturing, and Arcam A2 for the aerospace and defense industries; auxiliary equipment, such as the Power Recovery System, Power Handling trolley and Explosion-protected vacuum cleaner; software, such as Pre-processing software, EBM Build Assembler, EBM Control Software and EBM LogStudio; powder metals, service and maintenance, and training. The Company�� customers include NASA, Airbus, Boeing, Lima, Adler Ortho and FIT, among others. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had two wholly owned subsidiaries, including Arcam Forskning och Utveckling AB, Sweden, and Arcam CAD to Metal Inc., the United States.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Universal Detection Technology (UNDT)
Universal Detection Technology, incorporated on December 24, 1971, is engaged in the research, development and marketing of bioterrorism detection devices. The Company�� flagship product is an automated real-time bacterial spore detector, called BSM-2000, used for detection of abnormal levels of airborne endospores, such as anthrax. BSM-2000 combines a bio-aerosol capture device with a chemical test for bacterial spores that is designed to detect anthrax attack. The Company also provides various counter-terrorism products and services that are complimentary to BSM-2000. These products and services include handheld assays used for detection of five bioterrorism agents, training courses for first responders, event security, threat evaluation and consulting, radiation detection systems, and digital versatile discs (DVDs) aimed at providing information and training regarding combating terrorism and managing emergency situations. Its bioterrorism detection kits can be used by emergency personnel to determine whether a suspicious substance is actually anthrax, botulinum toxin, ricin toxin and plague.
The Company�� BSM-2000 consists of four components: an air sampler for aerosol capture, which collects aerosolized particles on a fiber tape; thermal lysis for releasing the dipicolinic acid from the spores; reagent delivery via syringe pump, and a lifetime gated luminescence detection of the terbium-dipicolinate complex. The BSM-2000 is designed to continuously monitor the air and measure the concentration of airborne bacterial spores. The testing intervals are adjustable to respond to varying client needs and can be as short as 15 minutes. Bacterial spores are captured on the glass fiber tape. Next, thermal lysis pops the endospores, releasing a chemical from inside the endospore called dipicolinic acid, which is unique to bacterial spores. Then, a syringe pump adds a drop of terbium containing solution to the tape on the location where the endospores were lysed. Finally, a lifetime gated ph! otometer measures the resultant terbium dipicolinate luminescence intensity, which is proportional to the bacterial spore concentration on the tape. A large change in endospore concentration is an indication of an anthrax attack, because endospores are the means by which anthrax travels.
Pursuant to the Company�� development plan, if an increase in spore concentration is detected, an alarm can sound notifying both a building's internal security, as well as local emergency services through the device's landline or wireless networking capability. The system can be adjusted to ensure that the maximum time it takes to detect, and generate an alarm in response to a release of bacterial spores is approximately 15 minutes, which is designed to be adequate to substantially reduce the likelihood of widespread contamination. The system is designed for constant and unattended monitoring of spaces, such as public facilities and commercial buildings. Its device does not detect spores from other microorganisms, such as fungi and molds, and discriminates against detecting aerosol components, such as dust. In addition, upon installation of the device, the Company operates it for 7 to 10 days to measure the natural concentrations of bacterial spores in the area, in which the device operates, so that the triggering threshold of that device will be set at an appropriate level for that environment. BSM-2000 device is designed to function as a complement to an existing bioterrorism detection device in places, such as public buildings and stadiums. The United States Army, Washington DC Fire and Safety Management, and the Burbank Police Department have purchased the Company�� detection test kits.
The Company competes with Cepheid and Northrop Grumnan.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Lindsay Corp (LNN)
Lindsay Corporation incorporated on January 7, 1974, is a provider of range of water management and road infrastructure products and services. The Company operates in two segments: Irrigation and Infrastructure. The Company�� irrigation segment includes the manufacture and marketing of center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel irrigation systems, which are used principally in the agricultural industry. The irrigation segment also manufactures and markets repair and replacement parts for its irrigation systems and controls, and designs, manufactures and services water pumping stations and controls for the agriculture, golf, landscape and municipal markets. The Company�� infrastructure segment includes the manufacture and marketing of moveable barriers, specialty barriers, crash cushions and end terminals, road marking and road safety equipment, large diameter steel tubing, railroad signals and structures, and outsourced manufacturing services. The Company�� principal infrastructure manufacturing facilities are located in Rio Vista, California, Milan, Italy, and Omaha, Nebraska. In August 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of Claude Laval Corp.
Irrigation Segment
The Company manufactures and markets its center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems in the United States and internationally under its Zimmatic brand. The Company also manufactures and markets separate lines of center pivot and lateral move irrigation equipment for use on smaller fields under its Greenfield and hose reel travelers under the Perrot and Greenfield brands in Europe and South Africa. The Company also produces or markets irrigation controls, chemical injection systems and remote monitoring and control systems, which it sells under its GrowSmart brand. In addition to whole systems, the Company manufactures and markets repair and replacement parts for its irrigation systems and controls. The Company also designs, manufactures and services water pumping stations and! controls for the agriculture, golf, landscape and municipal markets.
The Company�� irrigation systems are primarily of the standard sized center pivot type, with a small portion of its products consisting of the lateral move type. Both are automatic, continuous move systems consisting of sprinklers mounted on a water carrying pipeline, which is supported approximately 11 feet off the ground by a truss system suspended between moving towers. The Company also manufactures and distributes mini-pivots and hose reel travelers. The Company also markets pivot monitoring and control systems, which include remote telemetry and a Web or personal computer-hosted data acquisition and monitoring application. These systems allow growers to monitor their pivot system, accumulate data on the operation of the system, and control the pivot from a remote location by logging onto an Internet Website. The pivot monitoring and control systems are marketed under the GrowSmart brand and product name FieldNET.
In the United States, the Company sells its irrigation systems, including Zimmatic, to over 200 independent dealer locations, who resell to their customer, the farmer. Dealers assess their customer�� requirements, assemble and erect the system in the field, and provide additional system components, primarily relating to water supply (wells, pumps, pipes) and electrical supply (on-site generation or hook-up to power lines). Lindsay dealers generally are local agribusinesses, many of which also deal in related products, such as well drilling and water pump equipment, farm implements, grain handling and storage systems, and farm structures. The Company has production and sales operations in France, Brazil and China, as well as distribution and sales operations in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and sales operations in Central America and the Middle East serving the European, South American, Chinese, African, Australian, New Zealand, Central American and Middle Eastern markets, respect! ively.
Infrastructure Segment
The Company�� Quickchange Moveable Barrier (QMB) system consists of three parts: T-shaped concrete barriers that are connected to form a continuous wall; a Barrier Transfer Machine (BTM), capable of moving the barrier laterally across the pavement, and the variable length barriers necessary for accommodating curves. The BTM employs an inverted S-shaped conveyor mechanism that lifts the barrier, moving it laterally before setting it back on the roadway surface. The QMB system is useful in busy commuter corridors and at choke points, such as bridges and tunnels. QMB systems can also be deployed at roadway or roadside construction. The Company offers a range of equipment lease options for QMB systems and BTM equipment used in construction applications.
The Company offers a line of redirective and non-redirective crash cushions, which are at locations, such as toll booths, freeway off-ramps, medians and roadside barrier ends, bridge supports, utility poles and other fixed roadway hazards. The Company�� primary crash cushion products cover a range of lengths, widths, speed capacities and application accessories and include brand names, such as TAU, Universal TAU-II, TAU-B_NR, ABSORB 350 and Walt. In addition to these products the Company also offers guardrail end terminal products such as the X-Tension and TESI systems. The Company also offers specialty barrier products, such as the SAB, ArmorGuard, PaveGuard and DR46 portable barrier and/or barrier gate systems. The gates are generally used to create openings in barrier walls of various types for both construction and incident management purposes. The DR46 is an energy absorbing barrier to shield motorcyclists from impacting guardrail posts.
The Company offers preformed tape and a line of road safety accessory products. The preformed tape is used primarily in temporary applications, such as markings for work zones, street crossings, and road center lines or boundaries. The road s! afety equ! ipment consists of plastic and rubber products used for delineation, slowing traffic, and signaling. The Company also manages a testing laboratory, Safe Technologies, Inc., that performs testing of safety products. The Company�� Diversified Manufacturing and Tubing business unit (Diversified Manufacturing) manufactures and markets large diameter steel tubing and railroad signals and structures, and provides outsourced manufacturing and production services for other companies. The Company�� customer base includes certain industrial companies and railroads. The Company�� primary infrastructure market includes moveable concrete barriers, delineation systems, guardrails and similar protective equipment. The United States roadway infrastructure market includes projects, such as new roadway construction, bridges, tunnels, maintenance and resurfacing, and the purchase of rights-of-way for roadway expansion and development of technologies for relief of roadway congestion.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Monica Gerson]
Lindsay (NYSE: LNN) is projected to report its Q4 earnings at $0.91 per share on revenue of $155.68 million.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) is expected to post its Q4 earnings at $0.25 per share on revenue of $2.71 billion.
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Next week investors will be waiting for several key earnings reports including�Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN),RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM), ADTRAN, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN), and Del Frisco�� Restaurant Group, Inc (NASDAQ: DFRG)
- [By Mike the PhD]
Historically the stock prices of Deere (DE) and other agricultural equipment firms and retailers like Case-New Holland (CNH), Titan Machinery (TITN), AGCO (AGCO), Tractor Supply (TSCO), Valmont (VAL), and Lindsay (LNN) have tended to closely track the price of corn. When corn prices go up, farmers tend to make more money, and they spend that money on new equipment from Deere and other firms. This relationship is especially strong for Deere and Corn, but it holds true for all of the stocks above to some extent. (Correlation coefficients between all of the stock prices above and corn are statistically significant to at least the 5% level, see my blog here for more details.)
- [By Jacob Roche]
In 2008, only about 14% of cropland in the U.S. was irrigated, and less than half of that was done with high-efficiency center pivot systems, like the kind Valmont and its competitor Lindsay (NYSE: LNN ) sell, so farmers have been scrambling to upgrade their equipment to deal with increasingly bad weather. This presents a big opportunity for Valmont, which gets about 28% of sales from irrigation equipment. The opportunity is even bigger for Lindsay, which gets about two-thirds of its sales from irrigation equipment.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Terex Corporation(TEX)
Terex Corporation manufactures capital goods machinery products worldwide. Its Aerial Work Platforms segment offers portable material lifts, portable aerial work platforms, trailer-mounted articulating booms and light towers, self-propelled articulating and telescopic booms, scissor lifts, telehandlers, and bridge inspection and utility equipment under the Terex and Genie brands. The company?s Construction segment provides off-highway trucks and material handlers; loader backhoes, compaction equipment, mini and midi excavators, site dumpers, compact track loaders, skid steer loaders, wheel loaders, and tunneling equipment; and asphalt and concrete equipment, and landfill compactors principally under the Terex name. Its Cranes segment offers mobile telescopic and tower cranes, lattice boom crawler and truck cranes, and truck-mounted cranes; and straddle and sprinter carriers, gantry cranes, ship-to-shore cranes, reach stackers, empty and full container handlers, and genera l cargo lift trucks under the Terex brand. The company?s Material Handling and Port Solutions segment provides standard and process cranes, rope and chain hoists, electric motors, and light crane systems; and crane components and port equipment, such as mobile harbor and automated stacking cranes, and automated guided vehicles, as well as terminal automation technology, including software under the Demag and Gottwald names. Its Materials Processing segment offers crushers, washing systems, screens, apron feeders, chippers, and related components and replacement parts under the Terex and Powerscreen brands. The company provides financing solutions to assist customers in the rental, leasing, and acquisition of its products. It serves construction, infrastructure, quarrying, mining, manufacturing, shipping, transportation, refining, energy, and utility industries through dealers, rental companies, direct sales, and major accounts. The company was founded in 1925 and is based i n Westport, Connecticut.
Advisors' Opinion: Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: First Majestic Silver Corp.(AG)
First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the production, development, exploration, and acquisition of mineral properties with a focus on silver in Mexico. The company owns interests in La Encantada Silver Mine comprising 4,076 hectares of mining rights and 1,343 hectares of surface land located in Coahuila; La Parrilla Silver Mine consisting of mining concessions covering an area of 69,867 hectares; and San Martin Silver Mine comprising approximately 7,841 hectares of mineral rights and approximately 1,300 hectares of surface land rights located in Jalisco. It also holds interests in Del Toro Silver Mine consisting of 393 contiguous hectares of mining claims and an additional 129 hectares of surface rights located in Zacatecas; Real de Catorce Silver Project comprising 22 mining concessions covering 6,327 hectares located in San Luis Potosi state; and Jalisco Group of Properties consisting of mining claims totalling 5,240 hectares located in Jalisco. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Doug Ehrman]
It is no secret that precious metals companies have been taking a pounding for some time now. The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEMKT: GLD ) and iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV ) , the gold and silver ETFs, have been hard hit and operating companies like First Majestic (NYSE: AG ) and Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX ) have been hit even harder. Through all of these struggles, and in some cases because of them, one precious metals company continues to look attractive for the long term: Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW ) .
- [By Doug Ehrman]
In terms of individual companies, there are several good choices, but these can behave very differently. Pan American Silver (NASDAQ: PAAS ) , for example, missed revenue expectations and beat earnings expectations in its last earnings release. But despite the beat, EPS shrank considerably from a year earlier on a GAAP basis. The stock has been fairly flat ever since. Conversely, First Majestic (NYSE: AG ) reported strong revenue growth and a small bump in profits, sending the stock higher since the announcement. First Majestic reported increased cash costs and tightening margins, largely driven by lower silver prices. Each of these companies faces pressure from increasing production costs and environmental concerns.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Concrete Leveling Systems Inc (CLEV)
Concrete Leveling Systems, Inc. (CLS), incorporated on August 28, 2007, is an operating company that fabricates and markets a concrete leveling
service unit utilized in the concrete leveling industry. This unit secures to the back of a truck and consists of a mixing device to mix lime with water and a pumping device capable of pumping the mixture under pressure into pre-drilled holes in order to raise the level of any flat concrete surface.
As of July 31, 2012, there are other concrete leveling service units of a similar nature, currently being manufactured in the United States.
The Company manufactures for sale specialized equipment for use in the concrete leveling industry. The Company's product is sold primarily to end users. The Company recognizes its revenue when the product is shipped or picked up by the customer.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Rockwell Automation Inc.(ROK)
Rockwell Automation, Inc. provides industrial automation power, control, and information solutions. It operates in two segments, Architecture and Software, and Control Products and Solutions. The Architecture and Software segment offers control platforms that perform multiple control disciplines and monitoring of applications, including discrete, batch and continuous process, drives control, motion control, and machine safety control; and products comprising controllers, electronic operator interface devices, electronic input/output devices, communication and networking products, and industrial computers. This segment also offers software products, such as configuration and visualization software used to operate and supervise control platforms, advanced process control software, and manufacturing execution software to enhance manufacturing productivity and meet regulatory requirements; and rotary and linear motion control products, and sensors and machine safety components . The Control Products and Solutions segment provides low and medium voltage electro-mechanical and electronic motor starters, motor and circuit protection devices, AC/DC variable frequency drives, push buttons, signaling devices, termination and protection devices, relays and timers, and condition sensors; and packaged solutions, such as configured drives and motor control centers to automation and information solutions, as well as life-cycle support services. The company sells its products, solutions, and services primarily under the Rockwell Automation, Allen-Bradley, A-B, and Rockwell Software brand names to the food and beverage, transportation, oil and gas, metals, mining, home and personal care, pulp and paper, and life sciences markets through independent distributors and direct sales force in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Rockwell Automation, Inc. was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Milwaukee , Wisconsin.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By David Sterman]
So which companies are likely to most greatly benefit from an eventual rise in capital spending? Firms involved in construction, business process automation, and other productivity tools. Here's a short sample, though you should keep an eye out for any companies that have a high level of sensitivity to changes in capital spending levels.
1. Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) This maker of factory automation systems has managed to boost sales less than 10% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2012. Yet management hasn't been waiting around for business to improve. In that time, Rockwell has been investing hundreds of millions in its Logix Automation control platform, an open-source software system that enables all components of a production process control system to easily interoperate. Moreover, Rockwell's core strength in manufacturing has now been extended into the fields of energy refineries, mining, and food and beverage production.
- [By Rich Duprey]
Industrial automation specialist�Rockwell Automation� (NYSE: ROK ) �announced yesterday�its third-quarter dividend of $0.52 per share, the same rate it paid last quarter after raising the payout almost 11% from $0.47 per share.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Barnes Group Inc (B%20&%20D)
Barnes Group Inc. (Barnes Group), incorporated on January 30, 1925, is an international aerospace and industrial manufacturer and service provider, serving a range of end markets and customers. The products and services provided by Barnes Group are used in applications, which provide transportation, communication, manufacturing and technology globally. The Company operates under three global business segments: Aerospace, Industrial and Distribution. In August 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Synventive Molding Solutions. In April 2013, MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc announced that it has completed the acquisition of the North American distribution business (BDNA or the Business) of the Company. In April 2013, MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc announced that it has completed the acquisition of the North American distribution business (BDNA or the Business) of the Company.
Aerospace
Aerospace produces precision-machined and fabricated components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) turbine engine, airframe and industrial gas turbine builders throughout the world, and the military. Aerospace also provides jet engine component overhaul and repair (MRO) services for turbine engine manufacturers, commercial airlines and the military. MRO activities include the manufacture and delivery of aerospace aftermarket spare parts, including the revenue sharing programs (RSPs), under which the Company receives a right to supply designated aftermarket parts over the life of the related aircraft engine program, and component repairs.
Industrial
Industrial is a supplier of engineered components for critical applications focused on providing solutions for an industrial and transportation customer base. It is equipped to produce precision spring, from fine hairsprings for electronics and instruments to heavy-duty springs for machinery. It is also a manufacturer and supplier of precision mechanical products, including precision mechanical spr! ings, compressor reed valves and nitrogen gas products. Industrial also manufactures punched and fine-blanked components used in transportation and industrial applications, nitrogen gas springs and manifold systems used to control stamping presses, and retention rings that position parts on a shaft or other axis. Industrial has a customer base with products purchased by durable goods manufacturers located globally in industries, including transportation, consumer products, farm equipment, telecommunications, medical devices, home appliances and electronics.
Distribution
Distribution provides logistics support services, including inventory management, technical sales, and supply chain solutions for maintenance, repair, operating, and production supplies and services. The global operations are engaged in supplying, servicing and engineering of maintenance, repair and operating components. Activities include logistics support through vendor-managed inventory and technical sales for stocked replacement parts and other products, catalog offerings and custom solutions.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Barnes Group Inc (B%20&)
Barnes Group Inc. (Barnes Group), incorporated on January 30, 1925, is an international aerospace and industrial manufacturer and service provider, serving a range of end markets and customers. The products and services provided by Barnes Group are used in applications, which provide transportation, communication, manufacturing and technology globally. The Company operates under three global business segments: Aerospace, Industrial and Distribution. In August 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Synventive Molding Solutions. In April 2013, MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc announced that it has completed the acquisition of the North American distribution business (BDNA or the Business) of the Company. In April 2013, MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc announced that it has completed the acquisition of the North American distribution business (BDNA or the Business) of the Company. In October 2013, the Company announced that it has completed its acquisition of the operating companies of privately held Manner.
Aerospace
Aerospace produces precision-machined and fabricated components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) turbine engine, airframe and industrial gas turbine builders throughout the world, and the military. Aerospace also provides jet engine component overhaul and repair (MRO) services for turbine engine manufacturers, commercial airlines and the military. MRO activities include the manufacture and delivery of aerospace aftermarket spare parts, including the revenue sharing programs (RSPs), under which the Company receives a right to supply designated aftermarket parts over the life of the related aircraft engine program, and component repairs.
Industrial
Industrial is a supplier of engineered components for critical applications focused on providing solutions for an industrial and transportation customer base. It is equipped to produce precision spring, from fine hairsprings for electronics and instruments to heavy-duty s! prings for machinery. It is also a manufacturer and supplier of precision mechanical products, including precision mechanical springs, compressor reed valves and nitrogen gas products. Industrial also manufactures punched and fine-blanked components used in transportation and industrial applications, nitrogen gas springs and manifold systems used to control stamping presses, and retention rings that position parts on a shaft or other axis. Industrial has a customer base with products purchased by durable goods manufacturers located globally in industries, including transportation, consumer products, farm equipment, telecommunications, medical devices, home appliances and electronics.
Distribution
Distribution provides logistics support services, including inventory management, technical sales, and supply chain solutions for maintenance, repair, operating, and production supplies and services. The global operations are engaged in supplying, servicing and engineering of maintenance, repair and operating components. Activities include logistics support through vendor-managed inventory and technical sales for stocked replacement parts and other products, catalog offerings and custom solutions.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Actuant Corp (ATU)
Actuant Corporation, incorporated on October 26, 1910, is a global diversified company that designs, manufactures and distributes a range of industrial products and systems to various end markets. The Company operates four business segments: Industrial, Energy, Electrical and Engineered Solutions. The Industrial segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded hydraulic and mechanical tools to the maintenance, industrial, infrastructure and production automation markets. The Energy segment provides joint integrity products and services, as well as rope and cable solutions to the global oil and gas, power generation and other energy markets. The Electrical segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of a range of electrical products to the retail DIY, wholesale, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), solar, utility, marine and other harsh environment markets. The Engineered Solutions segment provides engineered position and motion control systems to OEMs in various on and off-highway vehicle markets, as well as, a range of other products to the industrial and agricultural markets. In August 2013, the Company announced the completion of its acquisition of Viking SeaTech (Viking).
Industrial
The Industrial segment is a global supplier of branded hydraulic and mechanical tools to a broad array of end markets, including general maintenance and repair, industrial, infrastructure and production automation. The Company's primary products include hydraulic tools, engineered heavy lifting solutions, workholding (production automation) solutions and concrete stressing products. These hydraulic and mechanical tools are marketed primarily through the Company's Enerpac, Simplex, Precision Sure-Lock and Milwaukee Cylinder brand names. The high-force hydraulic and mechanical tools, including cylinders, pumps, valves, specialty tools and presses.
The Company's hydraulic tools operate at high pressures of approxim! ately 5,000 to 12,000 pounds per square inch and are generally sold by a diverse group of industrial and specialty fluid power distributors to customers in the infrastructure, mining, steel mill, cement, rail, oil and gas and general maintenance industries. Key industrial distributors include W.W. Grainger, Applied Industrial Technologies and MSC. In addition to providing a line of industrial tools, the segment also provides hydraulic systems (integrated solutions) to meet customer specific requirements for safe and precise control of movement and positioning. These customized heavy lifting solutions, which combine hydraulics, steel fabrication and electronic controls with engineering and application knowledge, are typically utilized in major infrastructure projects (bridges, stadiums, tunnels and offshore platforms) for heavy lifting, launching & skidding or synchronous lifting applications.
The Industrial segment has leveraged production and engineering capabilities to also offer a range of workholding products (work supports, swing cylinders and system components) that are marketed through distributors to the automotive, machine tool and fixture design markets. In addition, the segment designs, manufactures and distributes concrete pre- and post-tensioning products (chucks and wedges, stressing jacks and anchors) which are used by concrete tensioning system designers, fabricators and installers for the residential and commercial construction, railroad, bridge, infrastructure and mining markets.
Energy
The Energy segment provides technical products and services to the global energy markets, where safety, security, reliability and productivity are key value drivers. Products include joint integrity tools and connectors for oil & gas and power generation installations, as well as rope and cable solutions. In addition to these products, the Energy segment also provides manpower services, including machining, engineering and maintenance activities. The products and ! services ! of the Energy segment are distributed and marketed under various brand names (principally Hydratight, D.L. Ricci, Morgrip, Cortland, FibronBX, Puget Sound Rope, Biach, Selantic and Jeyco) to OEMs, maintenance and service organizations and energy producers in emerging and developed countries.
Joint integrity products include hydraulic torque wrenches, bolt tensioners and portable machining equipment. These products are used in the maintenance of bolted joints on oil rigs and platforms, wind turbines, refineries and pipelines, petrochemical installations, as well as fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. The Energy segment also provides rope and cable solutions that maximize performance, safety and efficiency for customers in various markets, including oil and gas, heavy marine, subsea, ROV and seismic. With its global design and manufacturing capabilities the Cortland business is able to provide customized synthetic ropes, heavy lift slings, specialized mooring, rigging and towing systems, electro-optical-mechanical cables and umbilicals to customers, including firms, such as CGG Veritas, Expro and Sercel. These products are utilized in critical applications, often deployed in harsh operating conditions (sub-sea oil & gas production, maintenance and exploration) and are required to meet robust safety standards. In addition custom designed products are also sold into a range of other niche markets including medical, security, aerospace and defense.
Electrical
The Electrical segment is involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of a broad range of electrical products to the retail DIY, OEM, electrical distribution, power transformation and harsh environment electrical markets. The Electrical segment sells its products through a combination of distributors, direct sales personnel and manufacturers' representatives. The Electrical segment provides the retail DIY market with a range of electrical tools and consumables, such as wire strippers, electrical meters,! connecto! rs, terminals, cable ties, staples and other wire management products and conduit bending equipment under the Gardner Bender, Del City and A.W. Sperry brands. These products are sold to retailers, such as Lowe's, The Home Depot, Menards, True Value and Ace Hardware, as well as numerous electrical distributors and OEM's.
The Electrical segment sells power transformation products in North America, including low voltage, single-phase dry type transformers and custom toroidal transformers under the Acme Electric brand name and high voltage switches under the Turner Electric brand name. These transformers are sold through electrical wholesale distributors, as well as directly to OEMs, such as Rockwell Automation, Eaton, Yaskawa and General Electric. Product offerings also include electrical components and systems for the harsh environment and marine markets under the Ancor, Marinco, Guest, Mastervolt and B.E.P Marine brand names. These products are primarily sold to various customers in the industrial, marine, power generation, industrial and retail markets, including West Marine, Applied Materials and Kohler. Solar products (primarily high efficiency solar inverters for residential and small commercial applications) are sold through local distributors and installers.
Engineered Solutions
The Engineered Solutions segment is a global designer and assembler of customized position and motion control systems and other industrial products to various transportation and other niche markets. This segment focuses on providing technical and engineered products, including actuation systems, mechanical power transmission products, engine air flow management solutions and rugged electronic instrumentation. Products in the Engineered Solutions segment are primarily marketed directly to OEMs through a technical sales organization. Approximately 55% of this segment's revenue comes from the vehicle systems product line (Power-Packer, Gits and Power Gear brands), which is sold to the t! ruck, aut! omotive, off-highway and specialty vehicle markets. Products include hydraulic cab-tilt and latching systems, which are sold to global heavy duty truck OEMs, such as Volvo, Iveco, Scania, Paccar-DAF and CNHTC and electro-hydraulic convertible top latching and actuation systems. The automotive convertible top actuation systems are utilized on both retractable soft and hard top vehicles manufactured by OEMs, such as Daimler, Volkswagen, Renault, Peugeot, BMW, Volvo and Nissan.
The Company's diesel engine air flow solutions, such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems, are used by diesel engine and turbocharger manufacturers to reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency and horsepower. Primary end markets include heavy duty truck and off-highway equipment serving customers, such as Caterpillar, Cummins, Honeywell and Borg Warner. It also sells actuation systems to various specialty vehicle OEMs (principally in the defense, recreational vehicle and off-highway markets), such as Oshkosh and Fleetwood.
The Maxima Technologies tuck-in acquisitions of Turotest Medidores Ltda and CrossControl AB, along with the fiscal 2011 acquisition of Weasler Engineering have further diversified the geographic presence, technologies and end markets of the Engineered Solutions segment. The range of products, technologies and engineered solutions of Weasler Engineering, Maxima Technologies, Elliott Manufacturing, Sanlo and Nielsen Sessions comprise the other product line within the segment. Products include severe-duty electronic instrumentation (including displays and clusters, machine controls and sensors), power transmission products (engineered power transmission components, including drive shafts, torque limiters, gearboxes, torsional dampers and flexible shafts), and a comprehensive line of case, container and industrial hardware. These products are sold to a range of niche markets, including agricultural implement, lawn & turf, construction, forestry, industrial, aerospace, material handling! and secu! rity.
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 Actuant (NYSE: ATU ) .
- [By Rich Duprey]
Choosing to focus instead on its industrial, energy, and engineered solutions segments, diversified industrial specialist Actuant (NYSE: ATU ) is jettisoning its electrical division, a move it expects to be completed in fiscal year 2014.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: Universal Detection Technology (UNDT.PK)
Universal Detection Technology, incorporated on December 24, 1971, is engaged in the research, development and marketing of bioterrorism detection devices. The Company�� flagship product is an automated real-time bacterial spore detector, called BSM-2000, used for detection of abnormal levels of airborne endospores, such as anthrax. BSM-2000 combines a bio-aerosol capture device with a chemical test for bacterial spores that is designed to detect anthrax attack. The Company also provides various counter-terrorism products and services that are complimentary to BSM-2000. These products and services include handheld assays used for detection of five bioterrorism agents, training courses for first responders, event security, threat evaluation and consulting, radiation detection systems, and digital versatile discs (DVDs) aimed at providing information and training regarding combating terrorism and managing emergency situations. Its bioterrorism detection kits can be used by emergency personnel to determine whether a suspicious substance is actually anthrax, botulinum toxin, ricin toxin and plague.
The Company�� BSM-2000 consists of four components: an air sampler for aerosol capture, which collects aerosolized particles on a fiber tape; thermal lysis for releasing the dipicolinic acid from the spores; reagent delivery via syringe pump, and a lifetime gated luminescence detection of the terbium-dipicolinate complex. The BSM-2000 is designed to continuously monitor the air and measure the concentration of airborne bacterial spores. The testing intervals are adjustable to respond to varying client needs and can be as short as 15 minutes. Bacterial spores are captured on the glass fiber tape. Next, thermal lysis pops the endospores, releasing a chemical from inside the endospore called dipicolinic acid, which is unique to bacterial spores. Then, a syringe pump adds a drop of terbium containing solution to the tape on the locatio n where the endospores were lysed. Finally, a lifetime gate! d! photometer measures the resultant terbium dipicolinate luminescence intensity, which is proportional to the bacterial spore concentration on the tape. A large change in endospore concentration is an indication of an anthrax attack, because endospores are the means by which anthrax travels.
Pursuant to the Company�� development plan, if an increase in spore concentration is detected, an alarm can sound notifying both a building's internal security, as well as local emergency services through the device's landline or wireless networking capability. The system can be adjusted to ensure that the maximum time it takes to detect, and generate an alarm in response to a release of bacterial spores is approximately 15 minutes, which is designed to be adequate to substantially reduce the likelihood of widespread contamination. The system is designed for constant and unattended monitoring of spaces, such as public facilities and commercial buildings. Its device does not detect spores from other microorganisms, such as fungi and molds, and discriminates against detecting aerosol components, such as dust. In addition, upon installation of the device, the Company operates it for 7 to 10 days to measure the natural concentrations of bacterial spores in the area, in which the device operates, so that the triggering threshold of that device will be set at an appropriate level for that environment. BSM-2000 device is designed to function as a complement to an existing bioterrorism detection device in places, such as public buildings and stadiums. The United States Army, Washington DC Fire and Safety Management, and the Burbank Police Department have purchased the Company�� detection test kits.
The Company competes with Cepheid and Northrop Grumnan.
Hot Machinery Companies To Invest In 2014: FreightCar America Inc (RAIL)
FreightCar America, Inc. (America) is engaged in manufacturing of aluminum-bodied railcars in North America. America is also a manufacturer of coal cars. During the year ended December 31, 2011(2011), the Company was specialized in the production of coal cars, which represented 93% of its deliveries of railcars. The Company also refurbishes and rebuilds railcars and sells forged, cast and fabricated parts for all of the railcars it produces, as well as those manufactured by others. During 2011, its primary customers were railroads, shippers and financial institutions, which represented 83%, 2% and 1%, respectively, of its total sales attributable to each type of customer. During 2011, it delivered 6,188 railcars, including 4,500 aluminum-bodied coal cars. It offers railcar leasing and refurbishment alternatives to its customers. Through its newly formed subsidiary FreightCar Rail Services, LLC (FCRS), it provides railcar repair and maintenance, inspections, and railcar fleet management services for all types of freight railcars. Its railcar manufacturing facilities are located in Danville, Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia.
The Company also leases freight cars through its JAIX Leasing Company subsidiary. In addition, the Company manufactures coal cars for export to Latin America and manufactures intermodal railcars for export to the Middle East. With operations in Colorado, Indiana and Nebraska, it services freight cars and unit coal trains utilizing rail corridors in the Midwest and Western regions of the United States. The Company designs and manufactures aluminum-bodied and steel-bodied railcars that transport a range of various products. It manufactures two primary types of coal cars, such as gondolas and open-top hoppers. The BethGon is the aluminum-bodied coal gondola railcar segment, which is used in North America. Its aluminum bodied open-top hopper railcar, the AutoFlood, is a five-pocket coal car equipped with a bottom discharge gate mechanism. AutoFlood II and AutoFlood III design! incorporates the automatic rapid discharge system, the MegaFlo door system and a mechanism that uses an over-center locking design, enabling the cargo door to close with tension rather than by compression.
The Company also manufactures a range of other types of aluminum and steel-bodied coal cars, including triple hopper, hybrid aluminum/stainless steel hoppers and gondolas and flat bottom gondola railcars. The Company�� portfolio of other railcar types include the AVC Aluminum Vehicle Carrier design, which is used to transport commercial and light vehicles (automobiles and trucks) from assembly plants and ports to rail distribution centers; the Articulated Bulk Container railcar designed to carry dense bulk products, such as waste products in 20 foot containers; Intermodal Double Stack railcars, including a stand-alone, 40 foot well car and the DynaStack articulated, 5-unit, 40 foot and 3-unit, 53 foot well cars for transportation of containers; a Small Cube Covered Hopper railcar, which is used to transport products, such as roofing granules, fly ash, sand and cement; a Mill Gondola Railcar, which is used to transport steel products and scrap; Slab and Coil steel railcars, which is designed for transportation of steel slabs and coil steel products, respectively; Flat Railcars, Bulkhead Flat Railcars and Centerbeam Flat Railcars, which is designed to transport a range of products, including machinery and equipment, steel and structural steel components (including pipe), forest products and other bulky industrial products; a Woodchip Gondola Railcar, which is designed to haul woodchips and municipal waste, and a range of non-coal carrying open top hopper railcars designed to carry aggregates, iron ore, taconite pellets, petroleum coke and other bulk commodities.
The Company has established a licensing arrangement with a railcar manufacturer in Brazil pursuant to which its technology is used to produce various types of railcars in Brazil. In addition, it manufacture coal car! s for exp! ort to Latin America and have manufactured intermodal railcars for export to the Middle East. Railroads outside of North America have a range of track gauges that are sized differently than in North America, which requires it, in some cases, to alter manufacturing specifications for foreign sales. The Company has added 10 new or redesigned products to its portfolio in the last five years, including the AVC, slab and coil steel railcar, triple hopper and hybrid aluminum/stainless steel railcars, ore cars, ballast cars and aggregate cars. The Company�� manufacturing process involves four basic steps: fabrication, assembly, finishing and inspection. In its fabrication processes, it employ standard metal working tools, many of which are computer controlled. Each assembly line typically involves 15 to 20 manufacturing positions, depending on the complexity of the particular railcar design. It uses mechanical fastening in the fitting and assembly of its aluminum-bodied railcar parts, while it uses welding for the assembly of its steel-bodied railcars.
The Company competes with Trinity Industries, Inc., National Steel Car Limited, The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. and American Railcar Industries, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By SA Pro Top Ideas]
Stock Movers and Great Calls
Alpha-Rich long and short ideas regularly move stocks and identify stocks that are about to move. Some notable recent calls subscribers had early access to:
On July 24, Mike Williams explained why FreightCar America's (RAIL) shares could double by 2015 as it returned to historic profitability. Shares are +16.3% to date after a strong earnings report this week. Read article » Vince Martin said on June 17 that Cray's (CRAY) sell-off after Q1 earnings was way overdone, offering investors a great deal. After a strong earnings report last week, shares now stand +45% from where they were before the article. Read article » To Come Today
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The SA Pro team is Eli Hoffmann (Editor in Chief), Rachael Granby (Editorial Product Manager), Daniel Shvartsman, Samir Patel, Michael McDonald, and Jeffrey Fischer (Senior Pro Editors). You can reach us at pro-editors@seekingalpha.com.
- [By Eric Volkman]
FreightCar America (NASDAQ: RAIL ) has found an executive to lead its finance team. The company announced that it appointed Charles Avery as its CFO, vice president of finance, and treasurer, replacing Joseph McNeely. Avery will take up his position on Aug. 1.
- [By Eric Volkman]
FreightCar America (NASDAQ: RAIL ) has found an internal candidate to be its new COO and president. The company named CFO Joseph McNeely to the position, effective immediately.
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