Top 10 Railroad Companies To Own For 2014

Railroads from Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC  ) to Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP  ) have been dealing with a declining coal trade in the United States. Although that negative trend hasn't changed yet, there are some key signs of an upturn to watch for.

Natural gas stole the show
New drilling methods quickly led to a glut of natural gas. That depressed prices and led to increased use of gas for electricity. The fact that it is cleaner burning also helped it steal market share from coal-fired power plants.

Natural gas is generally transported through pipelines owned by companies like�Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD  ) . Increased gas supply and demand has allowed it, along with many others, to expand their pipeline operations. And that growth should continue to reward shareholders, too. Enterprise and its toll-taker business model has increased its distribution for 36 consecutive quarters.

Coal, which is generally sent by rail, on the other hand, has seen utility demand fall off. That's been bad news for coal companies with large U.S. thermal operations, like Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU  ) , and for the railways that carry the fuel. Peabody saw its U.S. coal volume fall around 8% in the first half.

Hot Asian Stocks To Buy For 2015: Interleukin Genetics Inc (ILIU.PK)

Interleukin Genetics, Inc., incorporated on March 28, 2000, is a personalized health company, which develops genetic tests to provide information to manage health and specific health risks. The Company�� business focuses on personalized health, by providing genetic tests with clinical value. Its tests are made available through marketing partners or directly to end users. The Company's primary business focus and strategy is to continue the Company's commercialization efforts with its PST genetic test. In addition, the Company plans to continue to develop and sells tests for its own business needs under the Inherent Health brand.

The Company's genetic tests that are being commercialized includes PST is a genetic test, which analyzes genetic variations associated with inflammation and identifies individuals who are at increased risk for more severe periodontal disease; Weight Management Genetic Test determines whether a low fat, low carbohydrate or balanced diet may normal or vigorous exercise, which is needed to lose existing body fat; Bone Health Genetic Test is designed to identify whether an individual is more likely to be susceptible to spine fractures and low bone mineral density associated with osteoporosis; Heart Health Genetic Test is designed to identify genetic predisposition to excess inflammation, which is a risk factor for heart attack, and Wellness Select Genetic Test allows buyers to purchase any combination of Inherent Health genetic tests at a discounted price. The Company is also focusing its genetic test development efforts on the development of an Osteoarthritis, or OA, genetic test to identify individuals at increased risk for severe OA.

Genetic Test for Risk of Periodontal Disease

PST is a genetic test that analyzes genetic variations associated with inflammation and identifies individuals who are at increased risk for more severe periodontal disease. The PST genetic test identifies specific polymorphisms (genetic variations) in genes that! regulate the production of interleukin cytokines.Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is well-established as one of the critical regulators of periodontal disease, and studies in non-human primates have shown that drugs specifically blocking IL-1 alone or IL-1 plus TNFa reduces tissue destruction even when the bacterial challenge is not reduced.

Inherent Health Brand of Genetic Tests

The Company's Weight Management Genetic Test helps take the guesswork out of finding an effective diet and exercise solution by revealing actionable steps to achieve weight goals based on genetics. The test provides new information beyond traditional assessments, so that nutritional intake and fitness routines can be tailored for improved, sustainable results. This test identifies five SNPs in four human genes: fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2); adrenergic receptor beta 2 (ADRB2 two variations); adrenergic receptor beta 3 (ADRB3); and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR- ). These markers are involved in certain physiological pathways relating to body weight. Certain patterns of markers are associated with differential response to certain diet and exercise regimens.

The Company has conducted a number of studies that demonstrate a gene-diet interaction based on the multi-locus patterns . In the original study, 311 overweight/obese (body mass index, 27-40 kg/m2), nondiabetic, premenopausal, generally healthy women were randomly assigned for 12 months to either the Atkins-like ( low carbohydrate), Zone-like (low carbohydrate), LEARN-like (balanced), or Ornish-like (low fat) diets for the primary purpose of losing weight. The data collected in that study included dietary intake assessment (three unannounced 24-hour recalls for each time point administered by a dietitian and analyzed using NDS-R, University of Minnesota), anthropometric measures including weight, and related physiological variables, all collected at baseline, two, six, and 12 months.

Bone Health Genetic T! est

The Company's Bone Health Genetic Test is designed to identify whether an individual is more likely to be susceptible to spine fractures and low bone mineral density associated with osteoporosis. Although it typically starts later in life, early intervention can help prevent osteoporosis. Preventive measures can reduce the risk for bone loss and fractures, which in the case of vertebral fractures leads to a hunched over appearance. The test identifies a SNP in each of three genes involved in processes that affect bone; estrogen receptor alpha (ER1 Xba1), vitamin D receptor (VDR), and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Certain patterns of variations are associated with increased risk of spine fracture and/or low bone mineral density. The test can be used as an aid to making diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices to maintain and improve bone health.

Nutritional Needs Genetics Test

The Company's Nutritional Needs Genetics Test is designed to identify DNA variations in genes crucial to B-vitamin metabolism and the ability to manage oxidative stress. Individuals with certain variations in these genes may be at increased risk for ineffective utilization of B-vitamins and potential for cell damage caused by oxidative stress, both of which can in some cases lead to increased risk for certain diseases. The test identifies the presence or absence of human genotypic markers methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and transcobalamin II (TCN2) involved in vitamin B metabolism and markers superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), glutathione S-transferase 1 deletions (GSTM1), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), X-ray repair cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1) in response to oxidative stress. Certain variations are associated with less efficient B-vitamin metabolism or reduced activity of endogenous anti-oxidant systems. The test may be used to aid individuals in deciding whether to supplement their diet with B vitamins and/or antioxidants.

Genetic Test Pipeline

The Company is focusing! its gene! tic test development efforts on programs, including Osteoarthritis Genetic Test. OA is the common adult joint disease, increasing in frequency and severity in all aging populations. The estimated U.S. prevalence is 20-40 million patients or five times that of rheumatoid arthritis. The Company's OA program plans to investigate whether interleukin gene variations together with several other inflammatory gene variations is associated with the occurrence of multi-joint OA for the development of a genetic risk assessment test.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Marckx]

  Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (ILIU.PK) develops genetic tests focused on personal health. Through applied genetics research and scientific collaborations, the company has made significant progress in understanding how genetic make-up can affect an individual's predisposition and risk of suffering from certain diseases. Interleukin's research has specifically focused on a form of genetic variation called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and how it can have an impact on a person's health. The company has applied this knowledge in the development of genetic tests focused on areas such as weight management, cardiovascular health and periodontal disease. Interleukin sells its Inherent Health line of tests, which launched in 2009, to the consumer market and maintains a CLIA-certified lab at its headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, where consumers send test samples for processing.

Top 10 Railroad Companies To Own For 2014: Endeavour Silver Corporation(EXK)

Endeavour Silver Corp., a mid-cap silver mining company, focuses on the growth of its silver production, reserves, and resources in Mexico and Chile. It principally holds interests in two producing silver mines in Mexico, including the Guanacevi mine, located in Durango State; and the Guanajuato mine located in Guanajuato State. Endeavour Silver Corp. was formerly known as Endeavour Gold Corp. and changed its name on September 14, 2004. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Next Monday, Endeavour Silver (NYSE: EXK  ) 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.

• [By Selena Maranjian]

  Endeavor Silver (NYSE: EXK  ) sank 58%. It's focused on silver mines in Mexico and also mines gold. Last month, due to one of its three mines outperforming, management raised silver-production projections by 20%, representing a 34% increase over 2012 levels. Gold-production forecasts were hiked 48%. Not all mines are performing well, though, and the price of silver has fallen, so the company has been cutting costs, in part via layoffs.

Top 10 Railroad Companies To Own For 2014: Luminex Corporation(LMNX)

Luminex Corporation engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of proprietary biological testing technologies and products for the life sciences and diagnostic industries. It offers xMAP technology, an open architecture and multiplexing technology that allows simultaneous analysis of approximately 500 bioassays from a drop of fluid by reading biological tests on the surface of microscopic polystyrene beads called microspheres. The company?s xMAP technology is used in various segments of the life sciences industry, such as the fields of drug discovery and development, clinical diagnostics, genetic analysis, bio-defense, food safety, and biomedical research. It operates in two segments, Technology and Strategic Partnerships; and Assays and Related Products. The Technology and Strategic Partnerships segment provides Luminex LX 100/200 that integrates fluidics, optics, and digital signal processing; FLEXMAP 3D system for use as a general laboratory instrument; and MAGP IX system, a multiplexing analyzer for qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins and nucleic acids. This segment also offers consumables comprising dyed polystyrene microspheres and sheath fluids. The Assays and Related Products segment develops and sells assays on xMAP technology for use on its installed base of systems. This segment?s products are focused on the human genetics, personalized medicine, and infectious disease segments of the genetic testing market. This segment provides various assay products, which consist of a combination of chemical and biological reagents, and company?s proprietary bead technology used to perform diagnostic and research assays on samples. It serves pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, research institutions, and medical institutions in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  Illumina's competitors include Affymetrix (AFFX), Life Technologies Corporation (LIFE) and Luminex Corporation (LMNX). Here is a table comparing these companies.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  There's no foolproof way to know the future for Luminex (Nasdaq: LMNX  ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  A health care stock that insiders are jumping into here is Luminex (LMNX), which develops, manufactures and sells proprietary biological testing technologies and products with applications throughout the life sciences and diagnostics industries. Insiders are buying this stock into notable strength, since shares are up 23.2% so far in 2013.

  Luminex has a market cap of $859 million and an enterprise value of $784 million. This stock trades at a premium valuation, with a price-to-sales of 119.83 and a price-to-book of 33.63. Its estimated growth rate for this year is 36.7%, and for next year it's pegged at 51.2%. This is a cash-rich company, since the total cash position on its balance sheet is $42.97 million and its total debt is just $1.67 million.

  A director just bought 27,000 shares, or about $540,000 worth of stock, at $20.01 per share.

  From a technical perspective, LMNX is currently trending above its 200-day and just below is 50-day moving average, which is neutral trendwise. This stock recently gapped down sharply from $23.50 to $19.75 a share with heavy downside volume flows. Following that move, shares of LMNX have started to rebound off $19.75 and the stock is starting to push within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade.

  If you're bullish on LMNX, then look for long-biased trades as long as this stock is trending some key near-term support at $19.75, and then once it breaks out above its 50-day at $21.14 a share and above its gap down day high of $21.83 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 206,755 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then LMNX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $24.10. Any high-volume move above that level will then give LMNX a chance to tag $25 to $26.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Now what: Normally, a $5 million haircut isn't a big deal. However, if a company is losing money and that $5 million is a clean 14% below its original forecasts, then it's certainly going to garner a negative reaction. It also doesn't help that Natural Molecular Testing Corporation -- that aforementioned "large customer" -- recently entered in a multi-year collaboration with Luminex (NASDAQ: LMNX  ) earlier this month, casting a gray cloud over GenMark's future revenue stream with NMTC. Until we get better visibility from GenMark's management team and see the company moving toward profitability, this is a name I'd suggest keeping your distance from.

Top 10 Railroad Companies To Own For 2014: CVR Partners LP(UAN)

CVR Partners, LP engages in the production of nitrogen fertilizers including ammonia and urea ammonium nitrate. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Sugar Land, Texas. CVR Partners, LP operates as a subsidiary of CVR Energy, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  Nitrogen fertilizer producer CVR Partners (NYSE: UAN  ) just cannot catch a break lately. It was pushed aside during Carl Icahn's takeover bid for parent CVR Energy last year. A biannual turnaround at its sole facility at the end of 2012 pushed down onstream factors on its production lines and made sales, income, and dividend distributions appear weak, albeit artificially. And although a recent divestment from one of its holding companies seemed to spook investors earlier this spring, the number of shares outstanding was not affected. In the following video, Fool.com contributor Maxx Chatsko explains why he's adding to his personal position in the company.

Top 10 Railroad Companies To Own For 2014: Universal Biosensors Inc (UBI)

Universal Biosensors, Inc. (Universal Biosensors) is an early-stage specialist medical diagnostics company focused on the research, development and manufacture of in vitro diagnostic test devices for consumer and professional point-of-care use. The Company uses its electrochemical cell technology platform to develop tests for a number of different markets. The Company�� principal activities are research and development, commercial manufacture of approved medical or testing devices and the provision of services including contract research work. The Company operates primarily in Australia. The Company uses its electrochemical cell technology platform to develop tests for a number of different markets. The Company has rights to a portfolio comprising patent applications owned by its wholly owned subsidiary, Universal Biosensors Pty Ltd, and a number of patents and patent applications licensed to the Company by LifeScan, Inc., an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson Company. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  Banco Popolare SC (BP) declined 3.5 percent to 1.29 euros and Unione di Banche Italiane SCPA (UBI) slid 2.3 percent to 4.93 euros after Societe Generale SA reduced its 12-month price forecast on the shares.

Top 10 Railroad Companies To Own For 2014: Stryker Corporation(SYK)

Stryker Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a medical technology company worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Reconstructive, MedSurg, and Neurotechnology and Spine. The Reconstructive segment offers orthopaedic reconstructive (hip and knee) and trauma implant systems, as well as other related products. The MedSurg segment provides surgical equipment and surgical navigation systems; endoscopic and communications systems; patient handling and emergency medical equipment; and other related products. The Neurotechnology and Spine segment offers neurovascular products, spinal implant systems, and other related products. The company sells its products through local dealers and direct sales force to doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities, as well as through third-party dealers and distributors in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan, Canada, the Pacific region, and the Latin America region. Stryker Corporat ion was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Stryker (NYSE: SYK) is projected to post its Q3 earnings at $1.00 per share on revenue of $2.15 billion.

  Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ: WERN) is expected to post its Q3 earnings at $0.29 per share on revenue of $503.82 million.

• [By James E. Brumley]

  Just for the record, I'm not going to imply that BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. (OTCBB:BRTX) is poised to put companies like Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) or Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK). On the other hand, BioRestorative Therapies won't need to destroy Stryker Corporation or Medtronic to be rewarding for its shareholders. BRTX is only a $10 million company, and even the tiniest sliver of the spinal-related business that SYK or MDT are doing now could still be a windfall for shareholders of the up-and-coming organization.

• [By ovenerio]

  The company has a current ROE of 15.24% which is higher than the industry median. Also, it is higher than the ones exhibit by Abbott (ABT) and Stryker (SYK). In general, analysts consider ROE ratios in the 15-20% range as representing attractive levels for investment. So, for investors looking at those levels, Medtronic and Baxter (BAX) also could be good options. It is very important to understand this metric before investing, and it is important to look at the trend in ROE over time.

• [By Dan Carroll]

  Despite all this, however, leading orthopedics firms have pushed on. Companies such as Stryker (NYSE: SYK  ) and Zimmer Holdings (NYSE: ZMH  ) have shown signs of hope for investors even while dealing with problems such as device recalls, but is this enough to warrant your investment in the orthopedics industry? Motley Fool contributor Dan Carroll and health care analyst Max Macaluso discuss what you need to know about this industry in the video below.

Top 10 Railroad Companies To Own For 2014: Scana Corporation(SCG)

SCANA Corporation and its subsidiaries engage in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to retail and wholesale customers in South Carolina. It owns nuclear, coal, hydro, oil and gas, and biomass generating facilities. The company also purchases, sells, and transports natural gas; offers energy-related risk management services; acquires, owns, and provides financing for nuclear fuel, fossil fuel, and emission allowances; and offers service contracts on home appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. In addition, SCANA Corporation owns two liquefied natural gas plants, including one located near Charleston, and the other in Salley, South Carolina; and provides tower site construction, management, and rental services in South Carolina and North Carolina. As of December 31, 2010, the company supplied electricity to approximately 660,000 customers; and natural gas to approximately 482,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers i n North Carolina, and 313,500 customers in South Carolina, as well as to approximately 460,000 customers in Georgia. Further, SCANA Corporation owns and operates a 500-mile fiber optic telecommunications network and Ethernet network, and data center facilities in South Carolina. Through a joint venture, it builds, manages, and leases communications towers with interest in 2,280 miles of fiber in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The company?s retail customers comprise municipalities, electric cooperatives, other investor-owned utilities, registered marketers, and federal and state electric agencies. It primarily serves chemicals, educational services, paper products, food products, lumber and wood products, health services, textile manufacturing, rubber and miscellaneous plastic products, and fabricated metal products industries. The company is based in Cayce, South Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Calling all cash flows
  When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on SCANA (NYSE: SCG  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.