Top Mid Cap Companies To Buy For 2014

I just got back from the Hennessy Fund’s grand reveal of the new portfolio for its Hennessy Cornerstone Mid Cap 30 Fund (HFMDX), which gets rebalanced once a year.

The fund uses a quantitative screen to select 30 stocks with low valuation and high momentum, and last year it loaded up on companies that would be using their cash balance sheets for buybacks, dividends and acquisitions.

That portfolio has done well. The Hennessy Cornerstone Mid Cap 30 Fund has returned 12.3% so far this year, easily topping the 7.8% return in the S&P MidCap 400 and nearly equal to the S&P 500′s 12.4% return.

This year, portfolio managers Neil Hennessy and Brian Peery think companies will be doing their spending on capital improvements and hiring, rather than buybacks, dividends and acquisitions, as the United States economy continues to grow at a slow and steady pace. There’s nothing that can hurt the U.S. economy “short of a catastrophe,” Hennessy said. “Any pullback [in the stock market] is a buying opportunity.”

Top 5 Long Term Companies To Watch In Right Now: Performance Technologies Incorporated(PTIX)

Performance Technologies, Incorporated manufactures and supplies network communications solutions to carrier, government, defense, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) markets. The company offers a suite of SEGway signaling solutions, including IP-centric STPs, gateways, edges, and network applications that provide signaling, routing, IP migration, gateway capabilities, SIP bridging, and core-to-edge distributed intelligence. It also provides IPnexus application-ready systems, which are IP-native integrated platforms and element management systems; Xpress, a portfolio of SIP-based applications and enabling infrastructure for next-generation network architectures; and universal signaling point and SP2000 products. The company markets its products through its direct sales forces, as well as through OEMs, value added resellers, distributors, and systems integrators worldwide. Performance Technologies, Incorporated was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Rochester, Ne w York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another stock that's starting to move within range of a big breakout trade is Performance Technologies (PTIX), which is a supplier of advanced network communications solutions to carrier, government and OEM markets. This stock has been red hot so far in 2013, with shares up huge by 275%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Performance Technologies, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways and consolidating for the last three months and change, with shares moving between $2.50 on the downside and $3.97 on the upside. Shares of PTIX have now started to spike higher back above its 50-day moving average of $2.92 a share with bullish upside volume flows. This spike is quickly pushing shares of PTIX within range of triggering a big breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern.

  Market players should now look for long-biased trades in PTIX if it manages to break out above some key overhead resistance levels at $3.40 to $3.79 a share, and then once it takes out its 52-week high at $3.97 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 167,669 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then PTIX will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $6 to $7 a share.

  Traders can look to buy PTIX off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support around $2.50 a share. One can also buy PTIX off strength once it clears those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Ben Fox Rubin]

  Sonus Networks Inc.(SONS) agreed to buy Performance Technologies Inc.(PTIX), a supplier of network communications products, for $3.75 a share, a 26% premium of Thursday’s close, or $42 million. The companies said the deal was worth $30 million, net of Performance Technologies’ cash and excluding acquisition costs. Performance Technologies shares jumped 24% to $3.70 premarket, just under the offer price.

Top Mid Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: dELIA*s Inc.(DLIA)

dELiA*s, Inc. operates as a direct marketing and retail company in the United States. It offers a collection of apparel, dresses, swimwear, roomwear, footwear, outerwear, and key accessories primarily for teenage girls. The company sells its products through direct mail catalogs, Websites, and mall-based specialty retail stores under the dELiA*s brand name. As of January 29, 2011, it operated 114 dELiA*s retail stores. The company also markets and sells branded junior apparel, dresses, accessories, swimwear, footwear and outerwear primarily to young women through catalogs and Internet under the Alloy brand name. dELiA*s, Inc. was founded in 1997 and based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  dELIA*s (NASDAQ: DLIA  ) is now a lighter company following the divestment of one of its brand lines. The company announced that it has sold its Alloy subsidiary to HRSH Acquisitions, which is conducting business under the name Alloy Apparel and Accessories. dELIA*s was paid $3.7 million in cash for the unit, and the buyer will assume roughly $3.1 million in liabilities.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Don't fight history
  Sometimes we just have to remember as investors that there isn't room enough for every company to succeed. Thus enters dELiA*s (NASDAQ: DLIA  ) , an online and mail catalog retailer that markets apparel to teenage girls and young women.

Top Mid Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: Barclays PLC (BARC)

Barclays PLC (Barclays) is a global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services. The Company�� operations include its overseas offices, subsidiaries and associates. The Company operates in eight segments: UK Retail and Business Banking (UK RBB), Europe Retail and Business Banking (Europe RBB), Africa Retail and Business Banking (Africa RBB), Barclaycard, Barclays Investment Bank, Barclays Corporate Banking, Wealth and Investment Management, and Head Office and Other Operations. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sarah Jones]

  HSBC contributed the most to a selloff by European banks as treasuries slumped, pushing 10-year yields to the highest since 2011, as government bonds from the U.K. to Germany and Ireland slid. HSBC, Europe�� biggest lender, lost 0.9 percent to 655.6 pence. Barclays Plc (BARC) slid 0.9 percent to 279.05 pence.

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  BSkyB climbed to its highest price since March 2001 after quarterly revenue topped estimates. SABMiller rose 4.2 percent after saying quarterly beer sales returned to growth. Barclays Plc (BARC) and HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) led banks lower as Exane BNP Paribas said a need for further capital will delay dividend payments at British lenders.

• [By Namitha Jagadeesh]

  Experian (EXPN) lost 2.8 percent for the biggest decline on the FTSE 100 Index after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. recommended selling the credit-reference company�� shares. Speedy Hire Plc (SDY) tumbled the most since January 2009 after the construction-equipment leasing company reported accounting irregularities and its chief executive officer resigned. Barclays Plc (BARC) advanced 2.3 percent, pushing a gauge of banks higher.

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  A gauge of lenders climbed, with National Bank of Greece SA rallying 24 percent and Barclays Plc (BARC) advancing 6.9 percent. Man Group Plc, the world�� largest publicly traded hedge-fund manager, surged the most in four years as regulators cut the amount of capital it must hold. Volkswagen AG and Pirelli & C. SpA slid more than 4 percent as auto-industry shares declined.

Top Mid Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: Western Refining Logistics LP (WNRL)

Western Refining Logistics, LP, incorporated on July 17, 2013, owns, operates, develops, and acquires terminals, storage tanks, pipelines, and other logistics assets. As of December 31, 2012, the Company�� assets includes pipeline and gathering assets and terminalling, transportation, and storage assets in the Southwestern portion of the United States, which included approximately 300 miles of pipelines and approximately 7.9 million barrels of active storage capacity, as well as other assets. The Company's assets are integral to the operations of Western�� refineries located in El Paso, Texas, and near Gallup, New Mexico.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company owns and operates two refineries, in El Paso, Texas and Gallup, New Mexico, with a total crude oil throughput capacity of 153,000 barrels per day (bpd). The Company does not take ownership of the hydrocarbons or products (other than certain additives) that it handles or engages in the trading of any commodities.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  Western Refining Logistics (NYSE: WNRL) debuted on Oct. 10. The partnership was formed by Western Refining (NYSE: WNR) to own, operate, develop and acquire terminals, storage tanks, pipelines, and other logistics assets. WNRL’s assets include 300 miles of crude oil pipelines, gathering systems, and 566,000 barrels of crude oil storage located primarily in the Permian Basin. Most of its revenue is expected to be derived from two 10-year, fee-based agreements with Western Refining.

Top Mid Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: Macy’s Inc (M)

Macy�s, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates stores and Internet Websites in the United States. Its retail stores and Internet Web sites sell a range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories for men, women, and children; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods. The company also operates Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores that offer a range of apparel and accessories, including ready-to-wear, shoes, fashion accessories, jewelry, handbags, and intimate apparel products. As of January 28, 2012, it operated approximately 840 stores under the names of Macy�s and Bloomingdale�s; and 7 Bloomingdale�s Outlet stores, as well as macys.com and bloomingdales.com. The company was formerly known as Federated Department Stores, Inc. and changed its name to Macy�s, Inc. in June 2007. Macy�s, Inc. was founded in 1820 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Among the many retailers that no longer report monthly sales are Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT), Macy�� Inc. (NYSE: M), Kohl�� Corp. (NYSE: KSS), Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO).

Top Mid Cap Companies To Buy For 2014: Zoltek Companies Inc (ZOLT)

Zoltek Companies, Inc. is a holding company, which operates through wholly owned subsidiaries, Zoltek Corporation, Zoltek Zrt., Zoltek de Mexico SA de CV, Zoltek de Occidente SA de CV, Engineering Technology Corporation (Entec Composite Machines), Zoltek Properties, Inc., and Zoltek Automotive, LLC. Zoltek Corporation (Zoltek) develops, manufactures and markets carbon fibers and technical fibers in the United States. The Company is an applied technology and advanced materials company. It commercialization of carbon fiber through composites used in a range of commercial products, which it sells under the Panex trade name. In addition to manufacturing carbon fiber, it produces an intermediate product, a stabilized and oxidized acrylic fiber used in flame- and heat-resistant applications, which it sells under the Pyron trade name. During fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 (fiscal 2011), its net sales to Vestas Wind Systems, a wind turbine manufacturer represented % of its net sales. In October 2011, Zoltek purchased a building in St. Peters, Missouri to house its prepreg operations.

Zoltek Zrt. is a Hungarian subsidiary that manufactures and markets carbon fibers and technical fibers and manufactures acrylic fiber precursor raw material used in production of carbon fibers and technical fibers. Zoltek de Mexico SA de CV and Zoltek de Occidente SA de CV are Mexican subsidiaries that manufacture carbon fiber and precursor raw material. Entec Composite Machines manufactures and markets filament winding and pultrusion equipment used in the production composite parts. The Company�� sales markets are in Europe and the United States. The Company has manufacturing plants in Nyergesujfalu, Hungary, Guadalajara, Mexico, Abilene, Texas and St. Charles, Missouri. Its Texas plant houses carbon fiber manufacturing lines and value-added processing capabilities. Its Missouri plant is engaged in the production of technical fibers for aircraft brake and other friction applications and also produces limited! amounts of carbon fibers. In addition, it has facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah where it designs and builds composite manufacturing equipment and produce resin pre-impregnated carbon fibers, called prepregs. It performs certain downstream processing, such as weaving, knitting, blending with other fibers, chopping and milling and preparation of pre-form, pre-cut stacks of fabric. In addition, its Salt Lake City-based Entec Composite Machines subsidiary designs and builds composite manufacturing equipment and markets the equipment along with manufacturing technology and materials. It also provides composite design and engineering for development of applications for carbon fiber reinforced composites.

The Company competes with Hexcel Corporation, Cytec Industries, Toray Group, Toho Tenax, Mitsubishi Chemical and SGL Carbon.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  Shares of world-leading carbon fiber manufacturer�Zoltek� (NASDAQ: ZOLT  ) �have been pushed to new highs after a frantic attempt by Quinpario Partners to acquire a large position in the company. Despite being turned away by management, the fund does make valid points about the company's general lack of progress given its global scope and potential. Investors in this business built around a game-changing material may be worrying whether shares are about to fall back to earth. In the following video, Fool.com contributor Maxx Chatsko gives at least one reason for investors to think that shares can hold their current levels -- or even trek higher.

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Toray Industries Inc.(3402.TO), the global market leader in carbon fiber, agreed to buy smaller rival Zoltek Cos.(ZOLT) in a deal valued at $584 million. The Japanese synthetic-fiber maker offered $16.75 a share, a 9.5% discount to Thurday’s close. Zoltek has struggled amid what it has called a cyclical downturn in the wind energy market. Zoltek shares dropped 10% to $16.58 in light premarket trading.

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  3. Zoltek (NASDAQ: ZOLT  )
  Zoltek was an interesting investment at the beginning of the year for futurist investors. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of carbon fiber in the world. In fact, its lightweight and high-strength carbon fiber is used almost exclusively in the largest wind turbine blades around the world and played a major role in America's 20-fold improvement in breezy energy capacity since 2000. This material of the future has many other uses and potential uses as well, but Zoltek has never really gained the confidence of the market in any big way: Its market cap was hovering near $300 million at the start of the year.