Saturday, May 31, 2014

Nokia Looks Attractive After This Acquisition

There was a point in time when the Finnish phone maker Nokia (NOK) was the undisputed champion in the mobile handset market and had prominent presence in several other business segments. However, after the sale of its handset business to Microsoft (MSFT), Nokia has been reduced to a telecom hardware provider and global location based service provider only.

While many consider this to be a sad situation for the phone maker, Nokia is able to see through the situation and is moving forward aggressively to the opportunities that are available. Recently the company completed the acquisition of Desti, a personalized travel planner that uses artificial intelligence to provide the user exactly what information he wants. Desti originally comes from SRI International, the same company that had developed Siri, the app that now Apple (AAPL) owns so proudly.

Nokia's Latest Possession

The acquisition of Desti by Nokia and its addition to the Here mapping division comes as a well planned move from the company. Though Here accounts for only 10% of Nokia's remaining business, the company is not talking the offering lightly. Nokia believes Desti's expertise will add greatly to Here's growth and help the app gain better user acceptance.

Desti has been available for consumer use for some time now and the overall customer experience has been very pleasing. However, following this acquisition, the app will no longer be available to consumers and it has already been removed from the App Store, and Nokia plans to complete shut down the app in the coming 90 days. Post all this, the only way one will be able to use Desti's features will be through Nokia Here. The Finnish company will be working on combining both the offerings over the next few months.

Now that Nokia handsets are not a part of the company anymore, Nokia has very different plans to support its top-line. The company will be making its offering available to third-parties. But, the question is, will Nokia limit the benefits of Desti only to Microsoft devices, or will it go for other platforms also. Industry experts and analysts are of the opinion that over the span of next four years, Nokia will keep the service exclusive to Microsoft because of the mapping deal signed by the companies. After that, Nokia will surely launch Here on parallel ecosystems. This will also give some time to the app to gain popularity.

Competition

Leisure & Lifestyle is a segment that has witnessed huge growth in the past couple of years and industry experts believe the segment has unimaginable upside potential. No wonder why so many companies are thinking of getting in to it while it is still in the development stage.

It's not just Nokia that understands the growing importance of location based services that will aid travelling. Google (GOOG) too has this in mind and is working rigorously to develop Google Maps. Recently the company acquired Quest Visual, the maker of the Word Lens app that provides instant translation of words from one language to another. The Mountain View based giant will be incorporating the features in its translation offering, as well as in Google Maps. Apart from Quest Visual, Google recently also acquired Skybox Imaging, a company that builds satellites and specializes in satellite imaging and video. Analysts believe the capabilities of Skybox will be added to Google Maps to enhance the app.

Departing Thoughts

Nokia missed the smartphone train once and lost most of its market share and eventually the story ended with the sale of its handset business to Microsoft. The company surely doesn't want to go through all this ever again. Nokia has been investing a lot of time and money in R&D and is coming up with ways to enrich its remaining offerings. The company is trying to understand the pulse of the consumers and after this acquisition, it seems, Nokia is on the right path. The journey will not be easy for sure with Google and Apple also focusing on the same audience, but the Finnish company will have to find ways to make its offerings attractive enough to gain substantial consumer acceptance.

About the author:Quick PenA seasonal writer with a Management Degree in Finance and interests in automotive, technology, telecommunication and aerospace sectors.
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The top 5 reasons why you're broke

In the event of a financial catastrophe such as a job loss, would you be able to cover your bills and expenses for three months? What about six months? If you answered "no" to either of these questions, you fall into the same category as around half of Americans. According to a Bankrate survey, 55% of women and 45% of men do not have at least three months' worth of emergency savings.

The official poverty rate in the U.S. is 15%. That's 46.5 million people earning less than $11,670 per year ($972.50 per month) for single-person households. Families of four in this category are earning $23,850 or less annually.

Although many of the lower-income earners are among those who have no emergency savings and are in essence broke, they are not the only ones. Most Americans -- 76%, in fact -- live paycheck to paycheck. This category includes those across many income levels, particularly middle-income earners. Why is this? Why is the average consumer who is earning a middle-class income broke? Here are five reasons why.

1. Employment and earnings

In all likelihood, you're earning less than the middle-class members of some of the previous generations. A family that earns a median household income of $51,017 today is a fairly accurate representation of a middle class household in the United States. In 1969, a middle-class household earned $54,817 in today's money. In 1979, that number went up to $54,993 in today's money. By 1999, middle-class households were earning $59,758 in today's dollars — more than $8,700 per year more than they are making today.

In addition to the middle class earning less than it did in the past, the recent economic downturn caused a spike in unemployment in 2009, where rates reached 10% in October and then remained at 9% or above for the next 23 months. When there are that many people unable to find a job who are actively looking, many of them end up obtaining low-paying positions for which they are overqualified.

2. Prices

While you're earning less! , you're also paying more for the goods and services you purchase. A publication by Daily Finance compares prices between 1999 and 2009. A gallon of gas was $1.30 in 1999, and by 2009, that price went up to $2.56. Today, you pay an average price of $3.65 per gallon at the pump. For a McDonald's Big Mac, you'd shell out $2.50 in 1999 and today, you're looking at an average of around $4.60.

3. Lifestyle and overspending

Consumerism is such a strong ideology in today's society. One estimate indicates that 52% of Americans are spending more than they earn. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer expenditure surveys reflects this sentiment. Annual expenditures exceed income across several locations, income levels, and demographics.

Each time the newest piece of technology hits the market, consumers rush out to purchase it. Wants have turned into perceived necessities, resulting in more spending and less savings.

4. Student loans

In addition to earning less and spending more, you may also begin your career in debt. Starting out behind, it may be difficult to get caught up while paying your loans on top of a home, vehicle, and all of your other expenses. Student loan debt in the U.S. adds up to a combined total of more than $1 trillion.

5. Credit and debt

Interest on revolving lines of credit may result in long-term high monthly payments. The result is you end up paying for a single credit card purchase or series of purchases for several years. As of late 2013, Creditcards.com reports the total revolving debt in the U.S. was around $860 billion, with the average cardholder owning 3.7 credit cards each.

So while you are earning less, spending more, and starting your adult life in debt, you are also borrowing additional funds at high interest rates just to get by – that is why you are broke.

Wall St. Cheat Sheet is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Friday, May 30, 2014

IBM Eyes Investments in Linux (IBM)

On Tuesday, New York-based “Big Blue” bellwether IBM Corp. (IBM) announced its commitment to developing and investing in open source software, namely Linux.

IBM re-affirmed its dedication to work more closely with the Linux OS in light of the LinuxCon event taking place this week. The company is reportedly setting aside roughly $1 billion over the course of the next four to five years to invest in the development of Linux-based technologies and platforms. Sources say the money will likely go into building a “cloud” based on IBM Power servers running Linux; the company did not disclose whether it was financing Linux developments internally or through third-party projects.

IBM shares sank lower on Tuesday, shedding 0.51% on the day. The stock is flat YTD.

Wal-Mart fights back at proxy firm

NEW YORK (AP) — Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, fired back at a prominent proxy advisory firm that critiqued the company's executive pay plan and how it handled an overseas bribery probe.

Institutional Shareholder Services earlier this week urged shareholders to vote against Wal-Mart's executive compensation package and asked them to back a resolution for the appointment of an independent chairman.

It also recommended shareholders vote against the re-election of board members Robson Walton, the company's chairman, and Mike Duke, recently Wal-Mart's CEO. The ISS cited the failure of the board to provide more information to shareholders about specific findings of an investigation into bribery outside of the United States.

Those issues go to a vote at the company's shareholder meeting June 6. The meeting will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas, about 30 miles from the company's headquarters in Bentonville.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday, Wal-Mart said that the ISS analysis "misconstrues the nature and operation of Wal-Mart's executive compensation program."

Wal-Mart said the ISS analysis is based on information provided by CtW Investment Group, a union-backed organization that has a long history of opposition to Wal-Mart.

ISS cited changes that it believes have diminished the consistency of performance goals set for company executives.

Wal-Mart said its pay structure emphasizes performance and is "intended to closely align the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our shareholders."

Wal-Mart pointed out that because the company's fiscal 2014 performance was worse than expected, Duke, who stepped down as CEO earlier this year, was paid about $1.5 million less. It also said that the bonus paid to Doug McMillon, who succeeded Duke, was nearly $520,000 less.

Wal-Mart said that ISS's request for disclosure of "specific findings" in regard to possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practic! es Act, which can include bribery, is "contrary to the best interests of the company" because such a disclosure could interfere with the ongoing investigations.

Wal-Mart said that that type of disclosure could also "adversely affect the company's position in any current or future legal proceedings."

Allegations first surfaced two years ago that Wal-Mart failed to notify law enforcement that company officials authorized millions of dollars in bribes in Mexico to speed up building permits and gain other favors. Wal-Mart has been working with government officials in the U.S. and Mexico on that investigation.

With the shareholders meeting a week away, a union-backed group called OUR Wal-Mart, which started three years ago and includes former and current members of Wal-Mart, will stage protests at 20 cities around the country. The protesters will be Wal-Mart workers who are pushing for higher pay and protesting what it calls retaliation against employees who speak out against the company.

Follow Anne D'Innocenzio on Twitter @adinnocenzio

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Ex-Microsoft CEO Ballmer to buy Clippers for $2B

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer agreed to pay $2 billion for the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday, which stands to be the most ever paid for an NBA franchise.

The person, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, said Shelly Sterling had a signed contract with Ballmer that was sent to the NBA for approval. At least three-quarters of the league's owners must approve the sale.

The person said Donald Sterling does not have to sign off on the agreement because he has been determined to be mentally unfit to make decisions about the family trust, which owns the team with each spouse having a 50% share. The trust spells out provisions and procedures related to the trustees' mental capacity, and an expert determination was made about Donald Sterling that left Shelly Sterling in charge of the trust, the person said.

ARMOUR: $2 billion is much too much

MAGIC: Clippers fans will love Ballmer

Sterling's attorney has maintained that no sale can occur without his approval even though Sterling authorized his wife in writing last week to sell the team. The attorney did not return calls seeking comment late Thursday.

The sale price would shatter the previous record paid for an NBA team, $550 million for the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month. It would be the second-highest price for a sports franchise in North America, trailing only the $2.1 billion paid for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012.

Shelly Sterling had pushed to find a buyer before Tuesday, when league owners are scheduled to vote on whether to terminate the Sterlings' ownership. The NBA declined to comment Thursday night.

Silver announced on April 29 that he would force a sale of the Clippers after Sterling was heard in an audio recording making racist remarks about African-Americans in a private conversation with his companion, V. Stiviano. The recording was leaked months later to the gossip site TMZ, promptin! g Silver to ban Sterling for life and fine him $2.5 million.

In a scathing 32-page response to the league, Sterling argued that his comments occurred in a private conversation that was illegally recorded under California law, and that he had not broken any NBA rules.

Ballmer, who was chief executive of Microsoft for 14 years, beat out other bidders that included Los Angeles-based investors Tony Ressler and Steve Karsh and a group that included David Geffen, Oprah Winfrey, Larry Ellison and executives from the Guggenheim Group, the Chicago-based owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ballmer was part of a group headed by hedge-fund manager Chris Hansen that bid last year to buy the Sacramento Kings and move them to Seattle. But Ballmer told The Wall Street Journal earlier this month that he would not want to move the Clippers, should he buy them, because that would hurt the team's value.

Brent Schrotenboer is an investigative and enterprise reporter for USA TODAY Sports. Contact him on Twitter or via e-mail.

GALLERY: Donald Sterling through the years

FacebookTwitterGoogle+LinkedInClippers owner Donald Sterling through the years FullscreenPost to FacebookPosted!

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Longtime Clippers owner Donald Sterling, shown in 2010, has been banned by the NBA. Flip through this gallery for more of Sterling. Longtime Clippers owner Donald Sterling, shown in 2010, has been banned by the NBA. Flip through this gallery for more of Sterling.  Mark J. Terrill, APFullscreenSterling and former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley pose for a photo in 1987. Sterling and former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley pose for a photo in 1987.  Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty ImagesFullscreenA portrait of Sterling, who also is a real estate entrepreneur, as he holds a mug and stands near a deck chair in  Malibu, Calif., June 1989. A portrait of Sterling, who also is a real estate entrepreneur, as he holds a mug and stands near a deck chair in Malibu, Calif., June 1989.  Rob Lewine, Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageFullscreenSterling sits courtside during a game in 2010. Sterling sits courtside during a game in 2010.  Danny Moloshok, APFullscreenSterling and LaLa Vazquez sit next to each other at a Clippers-Nuggets playoff game, where Vazquez's future husband, Carmelo Anthony, starred for Denver. Sterling and LaLa Vazquez sit next to each other at a Clippers-Nuggets playoff game, where Vazquez's future husband, Carmelo Anthony, starred for Denver.  Garrett Ellwood, NBAE/Getty ImagesFullscreenSterling and former GM Elgin Baylor pose after Baylor, who later sued the team for wrongful termination, won the 2005-06 NBA Executive of the Year Award. Sterling and former GM Elgin Baylor pose after Baylor, who later sued the team for wrongful termination, won the 2005-06 NBA Executive of the Year Award.  Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty ImagesFullscreenSterling smiles during the first round of the 2012 playoffs, when the Clippers beat the Grizzlies. Sterling smiles during the first round of the 2012 playoffs, when the Clippers beat the Grizzlies.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling and wife Shelly attend a game in November 2013. Sterling and wife Shelly attend a game in November 2013.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling sits courtside at a December 2012 game. Sterling sits courtside at a December 2012 game.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling greets fans during December 2012. Sterling greets fans during December 2012.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling takes in player introductions during the 1997 playoffs, when his team lost to the Jazz. Sterling takes in player introductions during the 1997 playoffs, when his team lost to the Jazz.  Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling has a laugh with former Clippers star Elton Brand in 2001. Sterling has a laugh with former Clippers star Elton Brand in 2001.  Catherine Steenkeste, NBAE/Getty ImagesFullscreenSterling talks with former Clippers star Lamar Odom before a 2000 game. Sterling talks with former Clippers star Lamar Odom before a 2000 game.  Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling and former NBA commissioner David Stern meet with officials before a Clippers 2012 second-round playoff game vs. the Spurs. Sterling and former NBA commissioner David Stern meet with officials before a Clippers 2012 second-round playoff game vs. the Spurs.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling and wife Shelly pose for a photo before a 2012 playoff game. Sterling and wife Shelly pose for a photo before a 2012 playoff game.  Andrew D. Bernstein NBAE/Getty ImagesFullscreenSterling during the 2012 NBA playoffs. Sterling during the 2012 NBA playoffs.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenSterling in Nov. 2012. Sterling in Nov. 2012.  Mark J. Terrill, APFullscreenLike this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:ReplayLongtime Clippers owner Donald Sterling, shown in 2010, has been banned by the NBA. Flip through this gallery for more of Sterling.Sterling and former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley pose for a photo in 1987.A portrait of Sterling, who also is a real estate entrepreneur, as he holds a mug and stands near a deck chair in  Malibu, Calif., June 1989.Sterling sits courtside during a game in 2010.Sterling and LaLa Vazquez sit next to each other at a Clippers-Nuggets playoff game, where Vazquez's future husband, Carmelo Anthony, starred for !   Denver.Sterling and former GM Elgin Baylor pose after Baylor, who later sued the team for wrongful termination, won the 2005-06 NBA Executive of the Year Award.Sterling smiles during the first round of the 2012 playoffs, when the Clippers beat the Grizzlies.Sterling and wife Shelly attend a game in November 2013.Sterling sits courtside at a December 2012 game.Sterling greets fans during December 2012.Sterling takes in player introductions during the 1997 playoffs, when his team lost!    to the J!   azz.Sterling has a laugh with former Clippers star Elton Brand in 2001.Sterling talks with former Clippers star Lamar Odom before a 2000 game.Sterling and former NBA commissioner David Stern meet with officials before a Clippers 2012 second-round playoff game vs. the Spurs.Sterling and wife Shelly pose for a photo before a 2012 playoff game.Sterling during the 2012 NBA playoffs.Sterling in Nov. 2012.A! utoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide

Why Donald Sterling Might Win in the Sale of the Clippers


Source: Flickr / Noize Photography.

Think Donald Sterling is appropriately being punished by being forced to sell the L.A. Clippers? Troublingly, it turns out this may actually be a good thing for him.

The demand of the league
It isn't worth rehashing the awful remarks that brought Sterling into this mess. And it should come as no surprise ESPN reported he was going to fight the demands of the NBA "to the bloody end," and would do all he could to ensure his Clippers weren't sold.

What is regrettably lost in all of this is Sterling might be the big winner as a result of his disgusting remarks.

Staples Center. Source: Flickr / David Jones.

The troubling truth
Consider the reality that there is only one Clippers team.

When supply is fixed at one, the price is only determined by demand. It's a straight line, and it will only get sold for what people are willing to pay for it.

And in the case of Donald Sterling, that may be exactly what is happening. With the widespread media attention surrounding the controversy, it's not difficult to imagine some of the possible groups interested in buying the Clippers are those who would've never considered it otherwise. Perhaps their thought to buy the Clippers was driven solely by the fact it's such a well-known sale.

After all, it was just last month when the Milwaukee Bucks were sold for $550 million, and Sports Illustrated said, "The sale of the team concludes a quiet, extended process carried out with specific ends in mind." 

And while there would undoubtedly be more demand for the Clippers than the Bucks under normal circumstances, a "quiet" and "extended process" is the exact opposite of what the sale of the Clippers will ultimately be.

ESPN said today there are "at least six serious groups" who've approached Sterling's wife to buy the team already. And last week it also reported "the number of bidders for the Clippers is expected to stray well into double digits," provided the league is able to "force the sale of the team."

So does that mean demand will double? While we cannot say for certain, we do know the sale is expected to top $1 billion. But it was just this January when Forbes pegged the value of the Clippers at "just" $575 million. With the demand on the rise, and the supply fixed at one, the price is apparently only moving up. Meaning Sterling will only get more from the sale.

The surprising bright spot
To think a deplorable man like Sterling could actually benefit by getting a higher price than he would otherwise as a result of the attention devoted to him is somewhat defeating. Yet there is one lone bright spot.

Sterling's remarks note:

On top of that punishment, forcing a sale rather than allowing the team to pass by succession to the remaining spouse or heirs would trigger an avoidable capital gains tax estimated to be more than $300 million to $500 million.

If the price rises, it means Sterling will end up having to pay more in taxes. And while we may all think what we will about taxes, it turns out this may be one instance where the taxes appropriately make all Americans -- but one -- a little richer.

Your credit card may soon be completely worthless
The news about the possibility of Sterling coming out on top is troubling, but it turns out supply and demand can actually benefit us all. The plastic in your wallet is about to go the way of the typewriter, the VCR, and the 8-track tape player. When it does, a handful of investors could stand to get very rich as the demand for one company's product sky rockets. You can join them -- but you must act now. An eye-opening new presentation reveals the full story on why your credit card is about to be worthless -- and highlights one little-known company sitting at the epicenter of an earth-shaking movement that could hand early investors the kind of profits we haven't seen since the dot-com days. Click here to watch this stunning video.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Toll Brothers Posts Blowout Profits, But Don’t Sound an All-Clear for Housing

Twitter Logo LinkedIn Logo Google Plus Logo RSS Logo Dan Burrows Popular Posts: 5 Midcap Stocks to Buy for Growth AND Stability5 Stocks to Sell in JuneThe Top 10 S&P 500 Dividend Stocks for March Recent Posts: 5 Stocks to Sell in June Toll Brothers Posts Blowout Profits, But Don’t Sound an All-Clear for Housing Bank of America Dividend Request Is Looking Good (BAC) View All Posts

Outside of a financial crisis of historical proportions, you can’t really go wrong selling stuff to rich people.

toll brothers Toll Brothers Posts Blowout Profits, But Don't Sound an All Clear for HousingJust look at luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers (TOL), which reported soaring quarterly profits despite a slowdown in the housing market.

Rising mortgage rates and weaker housing data were pointing to housing market weakness ever before brutal winter weather gripped so much of the country earlier this year. That tampered the outlook for homebuilders, which have cooled off substantially after reaping the rewards of a big bounce back in 2011 and 2012.

But those fears appear to be unfounded — at least for high-end homebuilders — as Toll Brothers beat analysts’ fiscal second-quarter estimates for both earnings and revenue. It also should allay some anxiety felt by anyone holding TOL stock, which is on its way to breakeven for the year-to-date on the surprisingly strong earnings and outlook.

For the three months ended April 30, Toll Brothers said profit more than doubled by a wide margin, jumping 164% to $65.2 million, or 35 cents a share, from $24.7 million, or 14 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters projected earnings of just 26 cents a share.

In more good news for TOL stock, the top line rose sharply to likewise eclipse Street estimates by a wide margin. Revenue increased 67% to $860.4 million. Analysts were looking for revenue of $828 million.

Toll Brothers Not Necessarily a Bellwether

It’s unclear how much of the good fortune at Toll Brothers extends to the broader collection of homebuilders. After all, Toll Brothers sells homes with an average price of $706,000, up from $577,000 a year ago. Indeed, the strong quarter was driven by price and volume gains.

But most rival homebuilders’ customers aren’t looking to spend anywhere near that level.

Furthermore, Toll Brothers — and TOL stock — benefits from building in the wealthy corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C. Toll Brothers also is developing condos-for-sale projects in the affluent New York City/northern New Jersey area, as well as Philadelphia.

By catering to the wealthy, Toll Brothers is able to enjoy rapid price escalation even as national home prices rise much more slowly.

On the other hand, housing recoveries tend to ebb and flow, according to Toll Brothers CEO Douglas C. Yearley Jr., so the slowdown may just be a normal pause for the market and the homebuilders. As Yearley said in a media release:

“We note that last cycle’s recovery, in the early 1990s, began with a period of rapid acceleration, followed by leveling, before further upward momentum. We believe that we are in a similar leveling period in the early stages of the housing recovery with significant pent-up demand building.”

Even if that’s the case, and there’s more upside for the housing market and homebuilders ahead, that doesn’t make Toll Brothers’ shares a buy on the latest news. TOL stock was already trading at a 26% premium to its competitors on a forward earnings basis, according to data from Thomson Reuters Stock Reports, so today’s good news appears to have been more than reflected in the stock’s price.

Toll Brothers might be too pricey to add to any position here, but the future looks bright enough that you sure wouldn’t want to sell it, either.

As of this writing, Dan Burrows did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

What Drives Retirement Rollover Decisions When Workers Leave a Job

What workers do with their employer-based retirement savings accounts when they change or leave jobs largely depends on whether they retire or stay in the work force, according to a just-released report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

EBRI’s analysis — which was based on 2008 and 2010 data from the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS) and focused on the financial behavior of job changers older than 50 — found that among those still in the labor force, the most common outcome was to leave it in the previous employer’s plan, while among those who retire, the most common choice was to take the money.

However, EBRI’s report, “Take it or Leave it? The Disposition of DC Accounts: Who Rolls Over into an IRA? Who Leaves Money in the Plan and Who Withdraws Cash?” also found that other factors also play a role in influencing workers’ choice.

For instance, the report found that a decision to take a cash withdrawal of accumulated savings declined with higher account balances, higher incomes, existing ownership of an individual retirement account (IRA) and higher financial wealth, while the decision to take a cash withdrawal rose with debt levels.

In contrast, the decision to roll over a DC distribution (typically from a 401(k) to an IRA) is “the mirror image of the characteristics influencing cash withdrawals: Rollover decisions increased with higher account balance, higher income, previous ownership of an IRA account, and greater financial wealth. They also declined with higher debt.”

Sudipto Banerjee, EBRI research associate and author of the report, cautioned in a statement that there is “no clear trend with respect to those variables and whether workers decide to leave their retirement balances in the prior employer plans.”

This suggests, he continued, “that there may be behavioral factors — such as inertia — driving what in some cases might be seen as a ’non-decision.’” Additionally, “those who are postponing the distribution may simply be deferring the decision until they need the money.”

Deciding what to do with a 401(k)-type retirement plan is one of the biggest issues a worker will face. The report cites that a “poor decision” would be, for example, withdrawing the money prior to age 59-½, which results in a 10% penalty in addition to income tax on that distribution. This choice “could reduce their retirement assets significantly,” the report states.

While rolling the assets to an IRA is a common way to preserve the savings, the study notes, this could also bring with it “higher investment and/or administrative costs than a 401(k) plan.”

Indeed, detecting IRA rollover abuse has become a focus for both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

IRA guru Ed Slott told ThinkAdvisor in a recent interview that it behooves advisors to educate themselves on the six options that workers can choose from when retiring or shifting jobs.

“I’d say over 90% of advisors” don't know the six options available to workers “because mostly they [advisors] begin their careers as salespeople,” and “because advisors are not trained on the tax rules — all they know is a rollover,” Slott said.

While capturing boomers’ rollover dollars is the “opportunity of a lifetime for advisors,” Slott said, advisors who fail to beef up their knowledge about helping their clients — particularly boomers — enter the distribution phase of their retirements will likely face outright loss of those clients and a failure to bring on new ones.

Of the six choices available to workers when leaving a job — roll over to an IRA, leave it in the company plan or roll to a new company’s plan, take a lump-sum distribution, make a Roth conversion or an in-plan Roth conversion — Slott said that the right choice depends on the participant’s circumstances, but “the best option is still usually the IRA rollover, to be fair to advisors.”

However, Slott warned that “there are situations where you have to ask questions, and this is where advisors need to be better educated on the options.”

---

Check out Time to Rein In Rollovers? on ThinkAdvisor.

Fracking Battle in California Could Be Costly

The following video is from Tuesday's Digging for Value, in which host Alison Southwick and Motley Fool energy analysts Joel South and Taylor Muckerman  get to the heart of the biggest stories in energy investing today.

In this segment, Joel takes investors through the legal battle over fracking in the state of California, and tells investors who could benefit from the enormous amount of reserves located in the Monterey shale.

Record oil and natural gas production is revolutionizing the United States' energy position. Finding the right plays while historic amounts of capital expenditures are flooding the industry will pad your investment nest egg. For this reason, the Motley Fool is offering a comprehensive look at three energy companies set to soar during this transformation in the energy industry. To find out which three companies are spreading their wings, check out the special free report, "3 Stocks for the American Energy Bonanza." Don't miss out on this timely opportunity; click here to access your report -- it's absolutely free. 


10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now

Employers expect to hire more college graduates from the class of 2014 than from the class of 2013, shows an update to the National Association of Colleges and Employers job outlook survey out Wednesday.

Employers plan to hire 8.6% more graduates this year than from the class of 2013. Though NACE says that rate of increase is about the same as in past years.

"Even though it's positive, we consider it somewhat flat," says Andrea Koncz, employment information officer for NACE. "It's not going gangbusters or anything."

So what's the recipe for job success? Bachelor's degrees are most in demand. And business, engineering, and accounting majors ��you are a hot commodity. Nearly 70% of the employers who responded to the survey are hiring business majors. That's the most of any major.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Mitek Systems Inc (MITK)

Mitek Systems, Inc. (Mitek), incorporated in 1986, is engaged in the development, sale and service of software solutions related to mobile imaging applications and intelligent recognition software. Mitek is applying its technology and in image correction, optical character recognition and intelligent data extraction to mobile devices. Using Mitek Mobile Apps, camera-equipped smartphone users can deposit checks, pay bills, save receipts and fax documents. Users simply take a picture of the document and its products corrects image distortion, extracting relevant data, routing images to their desired location, and processing transactions through users��financial institutions. It has developed and deployed Mobile Deposit, a software application that allows users to deposit a check using their smartphone camera. It has developed and deployed Mobile Receipt, a receipt archival and expense report application, and Mobile Phax, a mobile document faxing application. Its Mobile Photo Bill Pay, a mobile bill paying application that allows users to pay their bills using their smartphone camera. During fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 (fiscal 2010), it had one operating segment based on its product and service offerings.

IMagePROVE Technology Products

Using IMagePROVE, the Company has a suite of business productivity applications for camera-equipped smartphones, including the iPhone and selected BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile handsets. It has four products that use its IMagePROVE technology Mobile Deposit, Mobile Receipt, Mobile Phax and Mobile Photo Bill Pay. Its products are used in the financial services industry. It has secured sales partnerships with system integrators for the financial services industry, including Fiserv, FIS, NCR, Jack Henry, Wausau, BankServ, RDM, J&B Software and Bluepoint Solutions.

The Company�� Mobile Deposit is the smartphone application allows banks to accept check deposits through photos of checks taken with camera-equipped smart! phones. Mobile Deposit allows users to make deposits by photographing the front and back of a check and submitting the item electronically to their bank from their smartphone. Its Mobile Receipt is designed to convert the photo of a receipt taken with a smartphone into an image and with a single touch, converts the data into a professional looking expense report. Mobile Phax allows user to take a photo of any letter sized document or page and send it as a portable document format (PDF) file to any e-mail address or fax machine.

The Company�� Mobile Photo Bill Pay allows users to take pictures of their bills with their smartphone cameras and its Mobile Photo Bill Pay product correct image distortion, reading relevant data and processing the transactions through the users��banks. The payment is made electronically by debiting the users checking account and using existing online bill pay systems. With Mobile Photo Bill Pay, users can submit electronic payments from their smartphones without having to write checks, lick stamps, visit a payment location or even use their personal computers.

ImageNet Intelligent Character Recognition Toolkits

The Company�� ImageNet products are designed to provide remittance processing, proof of deposit and lock box processing applications. Its products are used to reduce manual labor by automatically extracting amounts and routing information from checks and distinguishing between common document types, such as personal and business checks, substitute checks, pre-authorized drafts and other document types specified by customers. It sells ImageNet suite of products to its channel partners, who resell them as integrated components of their solutions and services. Its ImageNet suite of products includes ImageNet Prep & ID, ImageNet Payments, ImageNet Data Capture and ImageNet Signatures.

ImageNet Prep & ID is a software toolkit that is designed to provide automatic form information document (ID), form registration and fo! rm/templa! te removal. Image Net Prep & ID reduces the image size by removing information, such as pre-printed text, lines, and boxes; leaving only the filled-in data. ImageNet Payments allows for the automatic reading of machine and hand print information found on scanned documents and forms from any structured form, as well as bank documents, such as checks, deposit slips, and remittance coupons. ImageNet Payments integrates technology components from the CheckReader product that it licenses from a vendor that is designed to read rates of the currency and legal amounts of checks drawn on the United States and Canadian financial institutions.

ImageNet Data Capture is a software toolkit that captures data from types of unstructured business documents. ImageNet Data Capture is used in data capture applications where data must be found and extracted from documents that have no pre-determined format or layout, but share common data elements. ImageNet Data Capture is designed to locate this data on documents using contextual, positional, format and keyword specific information. It has supplied ImageNet Data Capture as a stand alone application programming interface (API) to several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the document processing field. ImageNet Signatures is a software toolkit that locates, extracts and verifies signatures in any document. It encodes each signature and compares it with encoded reference examples rather than comparing actual images. Its image analytics encode 60 characteristics of each signature, which allows for accurate signature fraud detection.

FraudProtect Systems

The Company�� FraudProtect System is an automated software application designed to allow banks to detect check fraud from forged signatures and counterfeit checks, as well as the detection of pre-authorized drafts and payee name alterations. Its FraudProtect suite of products includes FraudProtect SDK, PADsafe and PayeeFind. Its FraudProtect SDK is a toolkit designed to detect c! heck frau! d and forgery using image analytics to uncover inconsistencies and alterations in checks as they are processed by banks. These products are sold to OEMs and system integrators and can detect forged or illegally modified checks. Its PADsafe product detects fraudulent preauthorized drafts (PADs). PADsafe automatically identifies PADs from checks, and then notifies the user of fraudulent transactions, reducing and preventing the unauthorized withdrawal of funds. Its PayeeFind product is designed to prevent payee-altered checks from clearing.

ImageScore

ImageScore is the Company�� Check 21 readiness solution for any financial institution that truncates or uses check images in an accounts receivables conversion environment. Integrated solution providers for financial institutions can also buy ImageScore to enhance their products. ImageScore is designed to analyze check images to provide the usability and information needed to help financial institutions act in accordance with regulatory and industry mandates.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Eric Volkman]

    Mitek Systems (NASDAQ: MITK  ) is hoping to widen its capital base. The company announced it is floating nearly 2.86 million shares of its common stock in an underwritten public flotation, at a price of $5.25 per share. Additionally, the company's underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to 428,571 shares to cover overallotments, if any.

  • [By U.S. News]

    In at least one Texas bank and one Ohio credit union, 3D video banking is currently undergoing testing, according to TheFinancialBrand.com, a website for bank and credit union marketing executives. Three-dimensional video banking is similar to a consumer video conference with a bank representative –- only in this case, the executive looks like a living, breathing person sitting across from you. Thanks to theater surround sound, the representative also sounds as if they're in the same room. And since the consumer is interacting with a real person and not an automated hologram, the experience apparently isn't much different than the real thing. Banking and managing money isn't what it used to be. The 1970s and 1980s brought us the rise of the ATM. Consumers became acquainted with online banking during the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s. The 2010s are shaping up as the era of mobile banking. That was underscored Sept. 10-11 in New York City when Mitek Systems Inc. (MITK), a San Diego-based technology company, debuted its Mobile Photo Account Opening product at Finovate, a trade show where banking tech products are often unveiled. The product allows consumers to open a bank account within 60 seconds. If you have your bank's app, you can use your smartphone's camera to take a photo of the front and back of your driver's license, and presto, your new checking, savings or credit card account is open. Here's a look at other financial products and services personal financial experts think we'll be using in the future. Within 10 years. "The economic payments system will begin to 'know us,' either through biometrics, optical sensor or facial recognition," says Joshua Siegel, managing principal of StoneCastle Partners, a New York-based asset management firm that invests in banks. That's already happening to some extent with smartphones –- the new Apple (AAPL) iPhone 5S, for example, uses fingerprint scanning to unlock the phone. Meanwhile, some fi

  • [By James E. Brumley]

    Anybody who was lucky enough to get into a Recon Technology, Ltd. (NASDAQ:RCON) position before October 7th, then congratulations - you're up big-time. Now get out. Instead, a better use of that capital is Mitek Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:MITK). While RCON is overbought and ripe for a pullback, MITK is itching to stage a breakout.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Imation Corp (IMN)

Imation Corp. (Imation) is a global scalable storage and data security company. The Company�� portfolio includes tiered storage and security offerings for business and products designed to manage audio and video information in the home. The Company�� global brand portfolio includes the Imation brand, the Memorex brand, the XtremeMac and MXI Security brands. Imation is also the exclusive licensee of the TDK Life on Record brand. Its three product categories include traditional storage, secure and scalable storage, and audio and video information. It operates in four geographic segments: Americas, Europe, North Asia and South Asia. On February 28, 2011, it acquired all of the assets of Encryptx Corporation. On June 4, 2011, it acquired the assets of MXI Security, from Memory Experts International Inc. On October 4, 2011 it acquired the secure data storage hardware assets of IronKey Systems Inc. In December 2011, it acquired the data deduplication technology from Nine Technology.

The Americas segment includes North America, Central America and South America. The Europe segment includes Europe and parts of Africa. North Asia segment includes Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. The South Asia segment includes Australia, Singapore, India, the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Imation brand products include magnetic tape media, recordable compact discs (CDs), digital versatile Discs (DVDs) and Blu-ray discs, flash products and hard disk drives. The Imation brand includes the DataGuard Data Protection Appliances, InfiniVault Storage appliances and removable disk technology (RDX) removable hard disk storage systems. Imation Defender products include secure storage flash drives and external hard drives. Imation brand products are sold throughout the worldwide and target the commercial user and individual consumer. Imation Defender products include secure storage flash drives and external hard drives. TDK Life on Record brand products include recordable CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray d! iscs, flash drives, tape cartridges, headphones and computer speakers which are sold to commercial customers and individual consumers. TDK Life on Record brand products is sold throughout the world.

XtremeMac brand products include cases, chargers and audio solutions to protect, power and play Apple iPad, iPod, iPhone and other devices. XtremeMac products are developed for Apple enthusiasts and are available worldwide. Its MXI Security brand includes secure storage flash drives and external hard drives, as well as software solutions to help manage portable security devices on the network.

Traditional Storage

The Company�� optical media products consist of CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray recordable media. It sells Blu-ray discs, which are used primarily for recording high-definition video content. Its recordable optical media products are sold through a variety of retail and commercial distribution channels and sourced from manufacturers primarily in Taiwan and India. Optical storage capacities range from 650 megabyte CD-R (recordable) and CD-RW (rewritable) optical discs to 9.4 gigabyte double-sided DVD optical discs and Blu-ray discs with 25 gigabyte to 100 gigabyte of capacity. Its optical media is sold throughout the world under brands it owns or controls, including Imation, Memorex and TDK Life on Record and under a distribution agreement for the Hewlett Packard brand.

The Company�� magnetic tape media products are used for back-up, business and operational continuity planning, disaster recovery, near-line data storage and retrieval and for mass and archival storage. Other traditional storage products include primarily optical drives and audio and video tape media.

Secure and Scalable Storage

Secure storage products and software include universal serial bus (USB) flash drives and external hard drives designed to meet the security standards to protect data at rest with Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) validation, pa! ssword an! d biometric authentication, including biometric USB drives, encrypted and biometric hard disk drives, secure portable desktop solutions and software solutions. It also sells standard USB flash drives and external hard disk drives throughout the world under its Imation, Memorex and TDK Life on Record brands. It sources these products from manufacturers primarily in Asia and the United States and sell them through a variety of retail and commercial distribution channels around the world. Scalable storage products include data protection appliances, such as DataGuard network attached storage backup appliances and InfiniVault active archive appliances.

Audio and Video Information

The Company�� audio and video information products include Apple iPad, iPod and iPhone accessories, headphones, CD players, alarm clocks, portable boom boxes, moving picture experts group layer-3 audio (MP3) players, and speakers sold under the Memorex, TDK Life on Record and XtremeMac brands. It designs products to meet user needs and source these products from manufacturers throughout Asia.

The Company competes with Maxell, JVC, Sony, Verbatim, Fuji, HP, SanDisk, Lexar, PNY and Kingston.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Geoff Gannon] g>4. Tuesday Morning (TUES)
    5. Pacific Biosciences (PACB)
    6. Maxygen (MAXY)
    7. Westell (WSTL)
    8. Volt Information Sciences (VISI)
    9. Yasheng Group (YHGG)

    I don�� love that list. I like the 14 past picks in the Ben Graham Net-Net Newsletter�� model portfolio much better. The newsletter only owns 1 of those 9 net-nets. Remember, we have 9 net-nets out of the 14 picked for the newsletter that are trading below where we picked them. So, obviously I like those 9 net-nets a lot better than these 9 net-nets.

    Like I said, I wouldn�� encourage you to buy those nine net-nets shown here ��even if you��e looking to put a lot of money into net-nets. Instead you should look at your favorite net-nets ��or the net-nets in the Ben Graham: Net-Net Newsletter ��and use them as a buy list you are constantly placing orders from month after month.

    Building a diversified collection of net-net through many months of purchasing is a better way to invest a lot of money in net-nets than trying to focus on the biggest net-nets.

    Read Geoff�� Other Articles
    Ask Geoff a Question
    Check out the Buffe

Top 5 Machinery Stocks To Buy Right Now: Diebold Inc (DBD)

Diebold, Incorporated, incorporated in August 1876, is engaged in providing integrated self-service delivery and security systems and services to the financial, commercial, government and retail markets. Sales of systems and equipment are made directly to customers by the Company�� sales personnel, manufacturers��representatives and distributors globally. The sales and support organizations work closely with customers and their consultants to analyze and fulfill the customers��needs. The Company has two lines of business: Self-Service Solutions and Security Solutions. The Company�� segments are consisted of two sales channels: Diebold North America (DNA) and Diebold International (DI). In September 2012, it acquired GAS Tecnologia (GAS).

The DNA segment sells and services financial and retail systems in the United States and Canada. The DI segment sells and services financial and retail systems over the remainder of the globe through wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and independent distributors in countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and in the Asia Pacific region, excluding Japan and Korea.

Self-Service Solutions

The Company offers an integrated line of self-service technologies and services, including comprehensive automated teller machine (ATM) outsourcing, ATM security, deposit and payment terminals and software. The Company is a global supplier of ATMs and related services. The Company offers a range of self-service solutions. Self-service products include a range of ATMs and teller automation, including deposit automation technology, such as check-cashing machines, bulk cash recyclers and bulk check deposit. The Company offers software solutions consisting of multiple applications, which process events and transactions. These solutions are delivered on the appropriate platform. From analysis and consulting to monitoring and repair, the Company provides value and support to its customers every step of the way. ! Services include installation and ongoing maintenance of its products, OpteView remote services, branch transformation and distribution channel consulting. Outsourced and managed services include remote monitoring, troubleshooting for self-service customers, transaction processing, currency management, maintenance services and full support through person to person or online communication.

Security Solutions

The Company provides its customers with the technological advances to protect their assets. The Company provides physical and electronic security systems, as well as facility transaction products, which integrate security, software and assisted-service transactions, providing total security systems solutions to financial, retail, commercial and government markets. The Company provides security solutions and facility products, including in-store bank branches, pneumatic tube systems for drive-up lanes, vaults, safes, depositories, bullet-resistive items and undercounter equipment. The Company provides a range of electronic security products, including digital surveillance, access control systems, biometric technologies, alarms and remote monitoring and diagnostics. The Company provides security monitoring solutions, including fire, managed access control, energy management, remote video management and storage, as well as logical security.

Integrated Solutions

The Company provides end-to-end outsourcing solutions with a single point of contact for customer�� self-service channel. Its solution includes hardware, software, services or a combination of all three components. The Company provides value to its customers by offering a range of integrated services and support. The Company�� service organization provides analysis and planning of new systems, systems integration, architectural engineering, consulting and project management, which encompass all facets of a financial self-service implementation. The Company also provides design, products, ser! vice, ins! tallation, project management and monitoring of electronic security products to financial, government, retail and commercial customers.

Election Systems

The Company is a provider of voting equipment and related products and services in Brazil. The Company provides elections equipment, networking, tabulation and diagnostic software development, training, support and maintenance.

The Company competes with NCR Corporation, Wincor-Nixdorf, Grg Equipment Co., Nautilus Hyosung, Itautec and Perto.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Insider Monkey]

    Security and services company Diebold (DBD) is simply a dividend beast. It has raised dividends in 60 consecutive years and currently offers a yield of 3.8%. Over the past three months, two insiders, CEO Andreas Mattes and VP John Kristoff, have bought Diebold stock. Mattes currently owns about $824K worth of the stock while Kristoff's position is a bit smaller, and in the entire year of 2013, Board members Rajesh Soin and Henry Wallace have also initiated purchases here.

  • [By Rich Smith]

    North Canton, Ohio-based Diebold (NYSE: DBD  ) has a new CEO.

    On Thursday, the manufacturer of "ATM" machines announced it has named Andy W. Mattes as the company's new president and chief executive officer. Mattes was chosen after a four-month search, and plucked from a position as senior vice president for global strategic partnerships at flash memory maker Violin Memory. He is keeping an advisory role at Violin, even as he takes over the top job at Diebold.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Makism 3D Corp (MDDD)

Makism 3D Corp., incorporated on May 4 2010, is a three dimensional (3D) printer manufacturing company. The Company produces consumer and professional grade 3D printers. The Company�� flagship product, branded as the Wideboy family of printers, offers packaging designed to fit any office or professional space.

Its 3D printers utilize British and German engineered components. Its printers are assembled in Cambridge (United Kingdom).

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By John Udovich]

    Small cap OTC stocks Sovereign Lithium Inc (OTCMKTS: SLCO), Life Stem Genetics Inc (OTCMKTS: LIFS), Nevada Gold Corp (OTCMKTS: NVGC), Guar Global Ltd (OTCMKTS: GGBL) and Makism 3D Corp (OTCMKTS: MDDD) all saw their trading halted late last year by the SEC, but now all of these stocks are trading again. So what's going on and why the sudden crackdown? First, here is a quick look at what happened to the following five small cap stocks:

  • [By James E. Brumley]

    All well and good, but for veteran traders, there's something uneasy about the recent swelling of interest in these names... there's too much hype, and not enough substance. Enter another small cap name in the 3D printing race - Makism 3D Corp. (OTCBB:MDDD). It's not throwing any parties for itself, and it's not congratulating itself for achievements that may be a solution to a problem that doesn't actually exist. MDDD is simply on the verge of making a high-quality 3D printer at a very practical price that will appeal to individual consumers as well as businesses.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Logitech international SA (LOGI)

Logitech International S.A. (Logitech) is a holding company. Logitech develops and markets hardware and software products for digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Logitech operates in two segments: peripherals and video conferencing. The Company�� peripherals segment includes design, manufacturing and marketing of peripherals for personal computers (PCs) and other digital platforms. Its products for the PC include mice, trackballs, keyboards, interactive gaming controllers, multimedia speakers, headsets, webcams, and lapdesks. Logitech�� Internet communications products include webcams, headsets, video communications services, and digital video security systems for a home or small business. Its digital music products include speakers, earphones, and custom in-ear monitors. On July 6, 2010, Logitech acquired all of the assets of Paradial AS. On March 31, 2011, the Company sold its equity interest in certain 3Dconnexion subsidiaries.

3Dconnexion subsidiaries are the providers of the Company�� 3D controllers, and its intellectual property rights related to the manufacture and sale of certain 3Dconnexion products. Paradial AS provides firewall and network address translation (NAT) traversal solutions for video communications. For home entertainment systems, Logitech offers the Harmony line of advanced remote controls, Squeezebox wireless music solutions and, in the United States, a line of Logitech products for the Google TV platform. For gaming consoles, the Company offers a range of gaming controllers and microphones, as well as other accessories. Logitech�� sells its peripheral products to a network of distributors and resellers and to other equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Company�� worldwide retail network includes wholesale distributors, consumer electronics retailers, mass merchandisers, specialty electronics stores, computer and telecomm! unications stores, resellers and online merchants.

The Company�� video conferencing segment includes design, manufacturing and marketing of LifeSize video conferencing products, infrastructure and services for the enterprise, public sector and other business markets. LifeSize products include high-definition (HD) video communication endpoints, HD video conferencing systems with integrated monitors, video bridges and other infrastructure software and hardware to support large scale video deployments, and services to support these products. Logitech sells its LifeSize products and services to distributors, resellers, OEMs and direct enterprise customers. Logitech conducts its business through subsidiaries in the Americas, including North and South America; Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific, including, among other countries, China, Taiwan, Japan, India and Australia.

Pointing Devices

Logitech offers a range of computer mice, sold through retail and OEM channels. Its mice products include M215, M310 and M305 wireless mice with advanced 2.4 gigahertz wireless connection and cordless universal serial bus (USB) plug-and-forget nano-receiver; Performance Mouse MX and Anywhere Mouse MX with Logitech Darkfield Laser Tracking; Marathon Mouse 750, and Wireless Trackball M570. Logitech�� mice products also include a line of gaming mice, including the Wireless Gaming Mouse G700, with 13 precisely placed, programmable controls to perform single actions and complex macros, full-speed gaming-grade wireless, and a quick-connect charging cable. In addition, the Company sells both corded and cordless mice designed specifically for OEM customers.

Keyboards and Desktops

Logitech offers a range of corded and cordless keyboards and desktops (keyboard-and-mouse combinations). The Company�� keyboards and desktops include Wireless Solar Keyboard K750; K800 Illuminated Wireless Keyboard; The diNovo Edge keyboard; Wireless Desktop MK320, and G! 19 Keyboa! rd for Gaming.

Audio

Logitech designs and manufactures a range of multimedia speakers, including Wireless Speaker Z515, The Laptop Z305 speaker, and The S-series line of portable iPod/MP3 docks, including the Rechargeable Speaker S715i and the Portable Speaker S135i. It also designs and manufactures The Z-623 2.1 THX certified speakers, the Z-506 5.1 Speakers, and the Z-906 5.1 Surround Sound speakers. Logitech offers a portfolio of network music systems. The Squeezebox Touch, with its 4.3-inch color touch screen, connects to existing stereo system and speakers and supports sampling rates of up to 24 bits at 96 kilohertz. The Squeezebox Radio is a compact network music player and alarm that allows to connect to home network, and access Internet radio, personal music collection or subscription services.

The Ultimate Ears product line offers a range of in-ear consumer or fit earphones for portable music enthusiasts, as well as custom stage earphones for musicians and sound engineers. Its line of earphones include Ultimate Ears 100 and 200 value-priced earphones, with silicone ear cushions in a durable sweat-resistant design; Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 with triple armature speakers, and The Ultimate Ears 600 featuring single armature speakers, the Ultimate Ears 600vi, and the Ultimate Ears 700 featuring dual armature speakers. Its line of Ultimate Ears Custom Stage Earphones include Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitors co-designed with Capitol Studios for professional studio engineers and producers for use during recording, mixing and mastering original music content, the UE-18 Pro featuring a six-speaker design, the UE-7 Pro for live performance and stage use, and the UE-4 Pro featuring a dual speaker design for artists and audiophiles.

Logitech offers headsets and microphones designed for applications, such as PC voice communications, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) applications and online gaming. Its products in this category include the ClearCha! t PC Wire! less headset, the Wireless Headset H760, the USB Headset H530, the G35 Surround Sound Headset for gaming, the Wireless Gaming Headset G930, the USB Desktop Microphone, and the OCS certified Logitech B-530 USB Headset.

Video

Logitech�� webcam offerings include Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910, Logitech Webcam Pro 9000, Logitech HD Webcam C510 and Logitech TV Cam for use with Logitech Revue. Logitech�� webcams works with video messaging applications, and provides up to HD 720p video calling in Skype, Windows Live Messenger and Logitech Vid HD. The Logitech Alert digital video security system is a complete home or small business video security system, with software that provides motion alerts and a live view from an Internet-connected computer, smartphone, tablet or Google TV system, including Logitech Revue.

Gaming

Logitech offers a range of game controllers for PC gamers, including joysticks, steering wheels, gamepads, mice and keyboards, and headsets, as well as gaming products for console platforms, such as PlayStation2, PlayStation3, PSP (PlayStation Portable), Xbox, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. The Company�� gaming products include Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse; Logitech G13 advanced gameboard with a built-in LCD screen, 25 programmable keys and onboard memory; Logitech G27 Racing Wheel and Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset.

Digital Home

The Company�� line of remotes includes Harmony One remote, Harmony 900 remote and Harmony 650. In October 2010, Logitech introduced its line of products for Google TV in the United States, including Logitech Revue and the Logitech Keyboard Controller; Logitech TV Cam and Vid HD service, and Logitech Mini Controller.

LifeSize Video Conferencing

LifeSize division offers HD video communication solutions, including HD video conferencing products, audio conference telephones, hardware infrastructure solutions, video management software, and services to support ! video and! audio communications and help users connect to any network securely and with ease. The LifeSize product line includes Passport, LifeSize Video Center, Express Series, Team Series, Room Series and LifeSize Bridge.

The Company competes with Microsoft Corporation, Plantronics, Inc., Altec Lansing LLC, Creative Labs, Inc., Bose Corporation, Sony Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics NV, Hewlett-Packard, Intec, Razer USA Ltd., Performance Designed Products, LLC (Pelican Accessories), Mad Catz Interactive, Inc., Universal Remote Control, Inc., Universal Electronics Inc., RCA, Apple Inc., Roku, Inc., Cisco, Radvision Ltd., Vidyo, Inc. and Polycom.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Matthew McCall]

    The top stock is Logitech International (NASDAQ: LOGI), which accounts for three percent of the portfolio. The stock is up 80 percent for the year and trading at the best level in two years. The remainder of the top ten holdings do not trade on a major U.S. exchange. This is what makes DFE so attractive to the average investor, it gives their portfolios exposure to stocks otherwise overlooked. The added diversification will help lower overall risk of a portfolio.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Western Digital Corp (WDC)

Western Digital Corporation (WD) is a provider of solutions for the collection, storage, management, protection and use of digital content, including audio and video. Its principal products are hard drives, which are devices that use one or more rotating magnetic disks (magnetic media) to store and allow access to data. Its hard drives are used in desktop and notebook computers, corporate and cloud computing data centers, home entertainment equipment and stand-alone consumer storage devices. In addition to hard drives, its other products include solid-state drives and home entertainment and networking products. The Company operates as the parent company of its hard drive business, Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Effective March 8, 2012, the Company acquired Viviti Technologies Ltd. In May 2012, the Company completed the divestiture of certain 3.5-inch hard drive assets to Toshiba Corporation. As part of its deal with Toshiba, WD also completed its purchase of Toshiba Storage Device (Thailand) Company Limited (TSDT), which manufactured hard drives.

The Company offers a line of storage devices. Its hard drives include 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch form factors, capacities ranging from 80 gigabytes to three terabytes, nominal rotation speeds up to 10,000 revolutions per minute, and interfaces, such as Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) and Serial Attached SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) (SAS). In addition, the Company offers a family of hard drives specifically designed to consume less power than standard drives, utilizing its WD GreenPower Technology. Its solid-state drives include 2.5-inch and Compact Flash form factors, capacities ranging from 1 gigabyte to 256 gigabytes, and interfaces, such as SATA and PATA.

Client Compute Storage Products

Client compute consists of hard drives and solid-state drives for desktop and mobile personal computers (PC��). During the fiscal year ended July 1, 2011 (fiscal 2011), it shipped 151 million hard drive clie! nt compute unit. Its client compute storage products include WD Caviar, WD Scorpio and WD Silicon Edge. WD Caviar family of hard drives is designed for use in desktop PCs. WD Scorpio family of hard drives is designed for use in mobile PCs. WD Silicon Edge family of solid-state drives is designed for both read-intensive client/consumer applications and write-intensive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) applications.

Client Non-Compute Storage Products

Client non-compute consists of branded products and consumer electronics products. Its hard drive client non-compute unit shipments were 46 million, during fiscal 2011.

Branded Products

Branded products consists of hard drives embedded into WD-branded external storage appliances with capacities ranging from 250 gigabytes to 8 terabytes and using interfaces, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, USB 3.0, external SATA, FireWire and Ethernet network connections. Certain branded products models include software that assists customers with back up, remote access and management of digital content. Branded products also include its home entertainment and networking products. Its branded products include My Book and WD Elements Desktop family of storage appliances. My Passport and WD Elements Portable family of storage appliances include WD ShareSpace, WD TV and WD Livewire.

My Book and WD Elements Desktop family of storage appliances are designed to add external capacity to desktops and digital video recorders (DVRs), allow for the transfer and storage of videos directly from certain camcorders, and connect to networks to simplify storage for consumers. My Passport and WD Elements Portable family of storage appliances are designed for external portability weighing less than one-half of a pound and allow for the transfer and storage of videos directly from certain camcorders. WD ShareSpace is a network-attached storage system designed for home office or small office applications. WD TV m! edia play! ers connect to a user�� television or home theater system and play digital movies, music and photos from an integrated hard drive, network hard drives, any of its WD-branded external hard drives, other USB mass storage devices or content services accessed over the Internet. WD Livewire, which enables consumers to use their existing electrical outlets to extend Internet connections throughout the home.

Consumer Electronics Products

WD AV family of hard drives is designed for use in products, such as DVRs and audio and video applications. WD AV drives deliver the characteristics CE manufacturers.

Enterprise Storage Products

Enterprise consists of hard drives for traditional enterprise and nearline storage applications, as well as solid-state drives for embedded applications. Its hard drive enterprise unit shipments were 10 million, for fiscal 2011. Its enterprise storage products include WD S25 hard drive, WD VelociRaptor, WD RE and WD SiliconDrive. WD S25 hard drive is designed for mission-critical enterprise server and storage applications, such as data centers and data arrays. WD VelociRaptor hard drive is designed for enterprise server and storage applications. This hard drive is also used in the high-end desktop PC market for applications including gaming, servers and advanced computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems. WD RE family of hard drives is designed for nearline storage enterprise applications. WD SiliconDrive family of solid-state drives features fast read/write speeds in high capacities and is designed for embedded system OEM applications.

The Company competes with Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Intel Corporation, Micron Technology, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Seagate Technology, STEC, Inc. and Toshiba Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Chris Neiger]

    Today,�Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC  ) will begin shipping�the world's first 2.5-inch, 5mm WD Blue hard drives and new WD Black solid state drives. According to the company, "With 500 GB of storage capacity and models with high performance-enabling solid state hybrid drive technology, this slim product line helps to address the trade-offs system designers often make between capacity, physical size and performance."

  • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

    NetApp isn't the only computer storage stock that's flush with cash. Western Digital (WDC) is another.

    Western Digital is the largest hard drive maker in the world, thanks to last year's acquisition of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. The firm's customers include enterprise IT departments and original equipment manufacturers as well as consumer technology retailers, who sell WDC's popular line of internal and external hard drives.

    The exact same growing demand for data that's boosting NTAP is providing tailwinds for Western Digital right now. On the consumer side, one of the biggest changes has been individuals' data needs. Today, more consumers than ever before carry around high-definition cell phone cameras capable of consuming gigabytes of storage capacity in minutes -- data that's generally backed up across multiple devices. As data needs continue to increase, WDC should continue to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

    The transition to newer technologies like flash memory does pose some threats to WDC. But the firm is fighting back the best way. By using some of its $2.35 billion net cash position to acquire flash memory makers like Stec (STEC). The firm's hefty cash balance gives it the ability to ramp up its investments in flash to avoid falling behind as prices fall for the technology.

  • [By Jonas Elmerraji]

    Hard-disk maker Western Digital (WDC) is another name that enjoyed market-crushing momentum last year, dishing out 94% gains to investors who bet on the computer storage stock this time last year. The computer storage business still has some enormous tailwinds pushing at its back right now, and those should continue to propel the world's biggest hard drive maker to new highs in the year ahead.

    Worldwide, demand for storage is increasing like never before. That's because, today, consumers carry around devices that record HD video and photos, store data-intensive applications, and store it all in the cloud. That means that storage is critical both on consumers' local PCs and on the server farms that continue to sprout up.

    For conventional hard drive makers, solid state drives represent the future. For now, their costs are keeping SSDs from all but the most performance-demanding tasks, but eventually it's likely they'll supplant HDDs as the standard storage medium. While that's been a threat to firms like WDC, recent acquisitions like STEC should help to boost Western Digital's SSD capabilities.

    Western Digital currently has a solid cash position: around $2.5 billion net of debt as of the most recent quarter. And that number is likely to be closer to $3 billion by the time next quarter rolls around. That's enough dry powder to pay for around 12.5% of WDC's current market capitalization right now, a fact that helps reduce the risk in shares after such a big run higher.

    If WDC can continue to use cash in a smart way, investors stand to keep benefiting.

  • [By John Divine]

    Stocks headed into the weekend on a strong note, as all three major indices ended higher and the Dow finished at an all-time closing high. Although Wall Street polished off the week with gains, there wasn't an overwhelming, undeniable sense of bullishness; in fact, just less than 54% of stocks managed to advance. Not included in that 54% were today's three most miserable performers: NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA  ) , Consolidated Edison (NYSE: ED  ) , and Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC  ) , each of which ended near the bottom of the S&P 500 Index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) on Friday. The S&P, for its part, tacked on two points, or 0.2%, to end at 1,878.�

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Imagination Technologies Group PLC (IGNMF.PK)

Imagination Technologies Group plc is engaged in multimedia and communication technologies. The Company operates in two segments: Technology business and the Pure business. The Company�� Technology business segment is engaged in the development of embedded graphics, video, display and multi-threaded processor and multi-standard broadcast receiver and connectivity technologies for licensing to semiconductor companies for incorporation into silicon devices. The Company�� Pure business segment is engaged in the development and marketing of consumer products to showcase the technologies of the Technology business and to develop markets for such technologies. In March 2012, Toumaz Ltd completed the exchange of Imagination Technologies Group plc's interest in Toumaz Ltd�� Toumaz Microsystems subsidiary. In February 2013, it acquired the operating business and certain patent properties of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Ashraf Eassa]

    However, I expect that Intel is at risk of having a significant marketing problem trying to sell a dual core product into a world of quad core phones, even if the dual core part delivers better performance/watt. I further expect that from what is currently known about Bay Trail's GPU (4 EU Gen7 GPU), it is unlikely that -- unless Intel is either using Imagination's (IGNMF.PK) next generation PowerVR 6 or a beefed up Gen7 design for the "Merrifield" SoC -- it will be as competitive with the Snapdragon 800 on the GPU side of things, which could pose as an additional headwind to adoption. I also believe that the Q1 2014 launch curtails any hope that there will be a 14nm smartphone product launched in 2014 (although Mr. Krzanich's comments about "acceleration" could be a source of optimism here), which means that the company's process lead could ultimately prove to be ephemeral in this particular end market. Fortunately, product cycles in this space are short, so it may be okay to have Merrifield be reasonably short lived.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Lenovo Group Ltd (LNVGF.PK)

Lenovo Group Limited is principally engaged in investment holding. It is a personal technology company serving customers in more than 160 countries. The Company is a personal computer (PC) vendor. The Company develops, manufactures and markets technology products and services. Its product lines include Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile Internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. It offers a range of commercial desktops and notebooks to businesses of all sizes that feature cutting-edge technology, customer-centric innovation and productivity features. It operates in three segments: China, Emerging Markets (excluding China) and Mature Markets. Lenovo has research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina, the United States. Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Investometrica]

    x86: With regards to the specific x86 server business, it seems that IBM is considering the possibility of fully divesting it. According to Morgan Stanley, the server business generated about $4.9 billion of the company's $15.4 billion in server sales last year. This enormous volume is due to the fact that IBM may be producing the overall market's highest volumes, at the lowest profit level; which suggests this segment is doomed. Finally, IBM has a history of aggressive shifts to areas with better growth prospects and margins. For example, the company agreed to sell off the PC business to Lenovo (LNVGF.PK) at a moment where the PC still seemed attractive.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: IceWEB Inc (IWEB)

IceWEB, Inc. (IceWEB), incorporated in 1994, manufacture and market unified data storage, purpose built appliances, network and cloud attached storage solutions and deliver on-line cloud computing application services. The Company�� customer base includes the United States government agencies, enterprise companies, and small to medium sized businesses (SMB). The Company has three product offerings: Iceweb Unified Data Network Storage line of products, Purpose Built Network/Data Appliances and Cloud Computing Products/Services. In October 2013, IceWEB Inc completed its acquisition of Computers and Tele-Comm, Inc. and KC-NAP, LLC of Kansas City (collectively CTC).

IceWEB Unified Data Storage line of products

IceWEB is a provider of Unified Data Storage solutions. Its storage systems make it possible to operate and manage files and applications from a single device and consolidate file-based and block-based access in a single storage platform, which supports Fibre Channel SAN, IP-based SAN (iSCSI), and NAS (network attached storage). A unified storage system simultaneously enables storage of file data and handles the block-based I/O (input/output) of enterprise applications. One advantage of unified storage is reduced hardware requirements. The IceWEB Storage System is an all-inclusive storage management system, which includes de-duplication; unlimited snapshots; thin provisioning; local or remote, real-time or scheduled replication; capacity and utilization reporting, and integration with virtual server environments.

Purpose Built Network and Data Appliances

Purpose Built Network and Data Appliances are devices, which provide computing resources (processors and memory), data storage, and specific software for a specific application. The primary appliance products that IceWEB has built have been centered on a single large business partner, ESRI Corporation. IceWEB and ESRI have collaborated to create ultra-high performance IceWEB/ESRI GIS systems tha! t allow customers to access data with speed. ESRI Corporation takes responsibility for marketing to their customers and business partners, via their worldwide sales and consultancy organization.

Cloud Computing Products and Services

Cloud computing products and services consist of cloud computing services and cloud storage appliances. IceWEB provides IceMAIL, a packaged software service that provides network hosted groupware, e-mail, calendaring and collaboration functionality. Online services were expanded to include IcePORTAL, which provides customers with a complete Intranet portal and IceSECURE a hosted e-mail encryption service. Originally such hosted services were referred to as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Such services, hosted across the Internet are commonly referred to as Cloud Computing. A cloud storage appliance is a purpose built storage device configured for either branch office or central site deployment, which allows the housing and delivery of customer data across not only their internal networking infrastructure, but also to make that data available to employees or business partners securely via the Internet (often called the cloud).

The Company competes with EMC, Network Appliance, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Hitachi Data Systems, IBM, Compellent Technologies and Isilon.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Bryan Murphy]

    So far the brewing recovery effort from IceWEB, Inc. (OTCBB:IWEB) has remained off most traders' radars. That may be about to change, however. That's why you may want to go ahead and take a speculative plunge on IWEB now, on faith that the clues we're seeing now will indeed end up as they're suggesting.

10 Best Computer Hardware Stocks To Own Right Now: Fusion-io Inc (FIO)

Fusion-io Inc (Fusion) is a provider of datacenter solutions that accelerate databases, virtualization, cloud computing, big data, and the applications that help drive business from the smallest e-tailers to some of the largest data centers, social media leaders, and Fortune Global 500 businesses. The Company's integrated hardware and software platform enables the decentralization of data from legacy architectures and specialized hardware. The Company sells its solutions through a global direct sales force, original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, including Cisco, Dell, HP, and IBM, and other channel partners. In August 2011, the Company acquired IO Turbine, Inc.,. Effective March 18, 2013, the Company acquired ID7.

Fusion-io's ioMemory hardware is a sub-system connecting a large array of industry-standard NAND Flash memory through the Company's data-path controller and its virtual storage layer, or VSL, software to create a high capacity memory tier that natively attaches to a server's PCI-Express peripheral bus (PCIe).

The Company's portfolio of storage memory products incorporates the Company's ioMemory hardware combined with its virtual storage layer (VSL) and caching software into its family of ioDrive, ioFX, and ioCache enterprise grade products. The Company's ioDrive products work in conjunction with the Company's directCache data-tiering software, ioTurbine virtualization software, ioSphere management system, and ION Data Accelerator software. The Company's latest ioDrive, ioFX, and ioCache product families are a line of PCIe standard form-factor storage memory platforms that combine one or more ioMemory sub-systems with the Company's VSL software.

The Company's directCache software extends the Company's ioMemory based platforms and permits interoperability with traditional direct-attached, network-attached, storage area network attached, and appliance attached backend storage systems. The Company's ioTurbine virtualization software extends the Company! 's ioMemory platform and permits host-based data acceleration to specifically address the demand for high-density, high-performance server, and desktop virtualization.

ioSphere is a suite of management software purpose-built for the Company's storage memory infrastructure and designed around its application acceleration platform. ioSphere software is accessible through a graphical user interface that enables datacenter administrators to centrally configure, monitor, manage, and tune all distributed ioMemory devices throughout the datacenter. In addition, this software offers real-time, predictive, and historical reporting of ioMemory's performance and wear.

The Company's ION Data Accelerator software transforms server platforms into application acceleration appliances that share Fusion ioMemory across applications. ION Data Accelerator delivers Fusion-io performance on open server platforms with software-defined storage, or SDS, for applications such as Oracle RAC, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, and SAP HANA, along with other applications where shared storage aids deployment. The Company's original equipment manufacturer�� (OEMs), including Cisco, Dell, HP, and IBM, sell branded storage memory solutions based on the Company's standard products as well as custom form-factor versions to fit specific applications.

The Company competes with EMC Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P, Texas Memory Systems, Oracle, Adaptec, Inc., LSI Corporation, Sandisk, Corp, IBM, CA, Inc, Nagios Enterprises, LLC., Hitachi Data, Huawei Technologies, Co., Intel Corp., LSI Corporation, Marvell Semiconductor, Inc., Micron Technology, Inc., OCZ Technology Group, Inc., Samsung Electronics, Inc., SanDisk, Corp., Seagate Technology, STEC, Inc., Toshiba Corp., and Western Digital Corp.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Lisa Levin]

    Fusion-io (NYSE: FIO) shares jumped 14.75% to $10.81 on stronger-than-expected quarterly results.

    Posted-In: market moversNews Intraday Update Markets Movers

  • [By Selena Maranjian]

    Finally, Tocqueville's biggest closed positions included Gentex�and Ferro. Other closed positions of interest include Fusion-io (NYSE: FIO  ) , an enterprise storage company focused on technologies such as flash memory and solid-state drives. It already serves some rather major customers, such as Apple, but much of its revenue comes from just a few �key clients. The company recently posted strong earnings and an upbeat outlook, sending its shares up by double digits. Bulls also like its purchase of NexGen Storage, but bears worry about competitors looming�.