LONDON --�Remember the good old days when investors held banking shares for their safe dividend income? The financial crash shattered that. More recently, banking stocks have been a recovery play for those investors brave enough to bet that the eurozone crisis wouldn't blow up in their faces. It's been a remarkably successful bet.
But if you're hankering for a safer play on the banking sector and yearn for those reliable dividends, it's worth having a look at�HSBC� (LSE: HSBA ) (NYSE: HBC ) . After recent broker upgrades, its shares are on a prospective yield of 5%, with a 4.2% historic yield in the bag. That's well ahead of�Standard Chartered�and�Barclays,�the other two dividend-paying banks. And HSBC surely has the safest dividend in the sector.
Safety in numbers
It's not just that HSBC is the second largest company on the FTSE 100, with a market cap roughly equal to the other four banks put together. HSBC's global footprint underpins its safety. With over 6,000 offices in 80 countries, its worldwide reach provides a strong competitive advantage to capture international trade flows and service multinational corporations.
5 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Pimco Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (PTY)
PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund (the Fund) is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund�� investment objective is to seek maximum total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation in a diversified portfolio of United States dollar-denominated corporate debt obligations of varying maturities and other income producing securities. The Fund will normally focus on corporate debt obligations rated in the lowest investment-grade category (Baa or BBB) and in the highest non-investment-grade category (Ba or BB). Its portfolio includes corporate bonds and notes, the United States Government agency securities, sovereign debt obligations, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and short-term investments.
The Fund invests in residual interest municipal bonds and residual interest tax exempt bonds (inverse floaters), whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund may purchase and write (sell) put and call options. The Fund may sell options on the United States Treasury futures and other fixed-income instruments. PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund invests in various industries, including airlines, banking, energy, financial services, food and beverage, hotels/gaming, oil and gas, paper/paper products, telecommunications and utilities. The Fund's investment manager is Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Global Investors of America L.P. PIMCO Corporate Opportunity Fund's sub-advisor is Pacific Investment Management Company LLC.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Caplinger]
Lesson 1: Income is king.
A look at the four funds trading at the highest premiums to net asset value reveals a common thread: They're all focused on maximizing income. What's interesting, though, is that they use different methods to reach the same ends. Among the three PIMCO funds, PIMCO High Income (NYSE: PHK ) looks largely to the high-yield bond market for its holdings, while PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunities (NYSE: PTY ) has a somewhat lower distribution rate but has a sizable allocation to investment-grade debt. The fund with the highest premium, PIMCO Global StocksPLUS, uses futures contracts to add stock exposure to its portfolio of income-producing bonds. Finally, BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond rounds out the top four with its tax-free bond portfolio.
5 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Clovis Oncology Inc (CLVS)
Clovis Oncology, Inc. (Clovis) incorporated on April 20, 2009, is a Development-stage Company. The Company is a Biopharmaceutical Company. The Company focuses on acquiring, developing and commercializing anti-cancer agents in the United States, Europe and additional international markets. The Company also focuses on the treatment of specific subsets of cancer populations. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company was in the process of developing three product candidates for which it holds global marketing rights: CO-101, a lipid-conjugated form of the anti-cancer drug gemcitabine; CO-1686, an oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant-selective inhibitor and CO-338, a poly ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate)-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. Effective November 19, 2013, Clovis Oncology Inc acquired the entire share capital of Ethical Oncology Science SpA.
CO-101 - a Lipid-Conjugated Form of the Anti-Cancer Drug Gemcitabine
CO-101 is designed to treat patients with pancreatic cancer whose tumors express low amounts of a membrane transporter protein on the surface of the cancer cell known as hENT1 and are thus expected to be resistant to standard gemcitabine-based therapy. Based on the published results of multiple studies assessing the correlation of hENT1 expression to survival outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine, the Company estimates that approximately 40% to 50% of pancreatic patients express low levels of hENT1, and thus derive little or no benefit from gemcitabine therapy. CO-101 is in an international, randomized and controlled 360-patient study for the first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. This open-label study compares CO-101 to gemcitabine as a first-line therapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Clovis is partnered with Ventana Medical Systems for the development and commercialization of a companion diagnostic for the assessment of hENT1 levels.
CO-1686-an Oral EGFR Mutant-Selective ! Inhibitor
CO-1686 is an orally available, small molecule covalent inhibitor of the cancer-causing mutant forms of EGFR for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). CO-1686 targets both the initial activating EGFR mutations as well as the primary resistance mutation, T790M, it treats both first- and second-line NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. Such initiating activating mutations occur in approximately 10% to 15% of NSCLC cases in Caucasian patients and approximately 30% to 35% of NSCLC cases in East Asian patients. Following treatment with approved NSCLC therapies, Tarceva (erlotinib) or Iressa (gefitinib), both known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), approximately half of these patients develop the T790M mutation.
The Company focuses on the development of CO-1686 as both a second-line therapy for EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients who become resistant to TKIs due to the emergence of the T790M secondary mutation and as a first-line treatment for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Clovis is partnered with Roche Molecular Systems for the development and commercialization of a companion diagnostic for identification of EGFR mutations.
CO-338-a PARP Inhibitor
CO-338 is a small molecule PARP inhibitor that the Company focuses to develop as both monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of selected cancer patients. CO-338 is in a Phase I clinical trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose of oral CO-338 that can be combined with intravenous, or IV, platinum chemotherapy in the treatment of solid tumors. This program is supplemented by two ongoing investigator-initiated trials, using the IV formulation of CO-338: a Phase I/II study in germ-line BRCA mutant breast and ovarian cancer and a Phase II study in the adjuvant treatment of germ-line BRCA mutant and triple-negative breast cancer. The Company also focuses on initiating a Phase I monotherapy study of the oral formulation, to determine an appropriate dose and schedule.!
The Company competes with Eli Lilly, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, APP Pharmaceuticals, AB Science SA, Amgen Inc., Astellas Pharma, BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Celgene Corporation, Immunomedics, Inc., Lorus Therapeutics, Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Astra Zeneca, Abbott, Merck, Eisai, Cephalon and Biomarin.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Keith Speights]
Give me a double
The Motley Fool's David Williamson summed up the great week for Clovis Oncology (NASDAQ: CLVS ) perfectly in his headline a few days ago: "1 Biotech + 2 Cancer Drugs = 100% Pop." While that 100% pop drifted down to 96% by the end of the week, Dave hit the nail on the head. - [By Sean Williams]
Clovis Oncology (NASDAQ: CLVS ) certainly made a name for itself, more than doubling its share price, after reporting positive early stage data on CO-1686 for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer and rucaparib for solid tumors such as ovarian cancer. Rucaparib provided an 89% clinical benefit to patients with ovarian cancer while CO-1686 indicated a partial response in three out of four patients with the T790M resistance mutation. I would still urge caution among investors, though, as these are still early studies and Clovis lost its then lead drug, CO-101, to a failed mid-stage pancreatic cancer trial in November. �
Top 5 Low Price Companies To Watch In Right Now: Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation(CTSH)
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation provides information technology (IT), consulting, and business process outsourcing services in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its IT consulting and technology services include business and knowledge process consulting; IT strategy consulting; program management consulting; technology consulting; application design, development, integration, and re-engineering, such as complex custom systems development, data warehousing/business intelligence, customer relationship management (CRM) system implementation, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation; and software testing services. The company?s outsourcing services comprise application maintenance, including custom application, CRM, and ERP maintenance; IT infrastructure outsourcing; and business and knowledge process outsourcing. It offers its services to various markets, such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and retail, hospitality, con sumer goods, communications, and high technology, as well as information, media, and entertainment markets. The company markets and sells its services directly through its professional staff, senior management, and direct sales personnel. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Caplinger]
Cognizant Technology (NASDAQ: CTSH ) , down 15.1%
As an important player in information-technology services, Cognizant's decline largely followed poor results from other large IT companies during April. With firms around the world looking to cash in on high profit margins available from a more services-based business, Cognizant finds itself under threat from increased competition. As it turned out, Cognizant's own earnings were fairly strong, leading the stock to a substantial recovery. But until the company finds a lasting niche, it'll be hard for it to convince investors of the sustainability of its success. - [By Mani]
[Related -Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (CTSH): How Q3 Earnings Will Fare?]
In the Healthcare domain, the strong growth in the third quarter should continue as more state exchanges continue to go live providing additional opportunity for payers.
- [By Grace L. Williams]
At Cognizant Tech Solutions (CTSH), InsiderScore notes that selling continued after the business consulting and IT solutions company reported its third quarter earnings and the shares hit a 14-year high of $54. InsiderScore writes:
5 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY)
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector of the S&P 500 Index (the Index). The Index includes companies from industries, such as automobiles and components, consumer durables, apparel, hotels, restaurants, leisure, media and retailing.
The Fund utilizes a passive or indexing investment approach to invest in a portfolio of stocks that seek to replicate the Index. The Fund�� investment advisor is SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY), which had been down as much as 0.8%, is now little changed at $60.78, while the Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) is off just 0.2% at $20.27.� Hardest hit is the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU), which has dropped 1.2% to $37.67. The Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) is the top performer: It’s up 0.1% at $32.49.
- [By Mary Anne & Pamela Aden]
So, for now, the US stock market is the best overall market. So continue holding the stocks you have, which are mostly doing very well. If you want to buy new positions and increase your stock allocation, the following ETFs are among the strongest ETFs, and we recommend them for purchase: SPDR KBW Bank (KBE)
Consumer Discretionary SPDR (XLY)
Merrill Lynch Retail HOLDRS (RTH)
iShares Dow Jones US Financial Service (IYG)
PowerShares Dynamic Leisure & Entertainment (PEJ)
Subscribe to The Aden Forecast here��/P>
5 Best Safest Stocks To Invest In 2015: Bank of Hawaii Corp (BOH)
Bank of Hawaii Corporation, incorporated on February 4, 1998, is a bank holding company. The Company�� operating subsidiary is Bank of Hawaii (the Bank). The Bank provides a range of financial services and products primarily to customers in Hawaii, Guam and other Pacific Islands. The Bank's subsidiaries include Bank of Hawaii Leasing, Inc., Bankoh Investment Services, Inc. and Pacific Century Life Insurance Corporation. The Bank's subsidiaries are engaged in equipment leasing, securities brokerage, investment services and providing credit insurance. It operates in four segments: Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Investment Services, and Treasury and Other. Its other subsidiary is the BOHC Investment Fund, LLC (the Fund). The Fund was organized to invest in and hold securities of Qualified High Technology Businesses.
Retail Banking
Retail Banking offers a range of financial products and services to consumers and small businesses. Loan and lease products include residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases and installment loans. Deposit products include checking, savings, and time deposit accounts. Retail Banking also offers retail insurance products. Products and services from Retail Banking are delivered to customers through 65 Hawaii branch locations, 494 automated teller machines (ATMs) throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, e-Bankoh (on-line banking service), around-the-clock customer service center, and a mobile banking service.
Commercial Banking
Commercial Banking offers products, including corporate banking, commercial real estate loans, commercial lease financing, auto dealer financing, and deposit products. Commercial lending and deposit products are offered to middle-market and large companies in Hawaii. Commercial real estate mortgages focus on customers that include investors, developers, and builders predominantly domiciled in Hawaii. Commercial Banking also includes international banking a! nd operations at the Bank's 11 branches in the Pacific Islands and also provides merchant services to its small business customers.
Investment Services
Investment Services includes private banking, trust services, investment management, and institutional investment advisory services. The private banking and personal trust group assists individuals and families in building and preserving their wealth by providing investment, credit, and trust services to high-net-worth individuals. The investment management group manages portfolios utilizing a variety of investment products. Institutional client services offer investment advice to corporations, government entities and foundations. Investment Services also provides a full service brokerage offering equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products.
Treasury and Other
Treasury consists of corporate asset and liability management activities, including interest rate risk management and a foreign exchange business. This segment's assets consist of interest-bearing deposits, investment securities, federal funds sold and purchased, government deposits, and short and long-term borrowings. The primary sources of noninterest income are from bank-owned life insurance, net gains from the sale of investment securities, and foreign exchange income related to customer driven currency requests from merchants and island visitors.
Investment Securities
The Bank�� investment securities portfolio includes debt securities issued by the United States Treasury and Government Agencies, debt securities issued by states and political sub-divisions, debt securities issued by corporations, mortgage-backed securities issued by government agencies and the United States Government-Sponsored Enterprises. As of December 31, 2012, its available-for-sale investment securities portfolio consisted of securities with an average base duration of less than three years.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Maxfield]
Percentages aside, the benefit of the relative health of these housing markets can be seen in the performance of smaller, regional banks like Bank of Hawaii (NYSE: BOH ) , BB&T (NYSE: BBT ) , and TD Bank (NYSE: TD ) which have large presences in Hawaii, West Virginia, and Maine, respectively. Shares of all of these banks have more than recovered since the financial crisis as a testament to this.
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