10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014

Next Tuesday, Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise.

As a major railroad company, Norfolk Southern gained a substantial amount of business when high fuel prices made rail transportation a more energy-efficient choice for moving goods than alternatives. With a substantial amount of its business coming from coal-mining customers, though, weak coal prices have led to lower shipping volumes for the railroad. Let's take an early look at what's been happening with Norfolk Southern over the past quarter and what we're likely to see in its report.

Stats on Norfolk Southern

Analyst EPS Estimate

$1.17

Top 10 Services Stocks To Own Right Now: Lakeland Industries Inc (LAKE)

Lakeland Industries, Inc. (Lakeland), incorporated on April 30, 1986, manufactures and sells a line of safety garments and accessories for the industrial protective clothing markets. Lakeland�� product categories include limited use/disposable protective clothing, chemical protective suits, fire fighting and heat protective apparel, fire fighting and heat protective apparel, reusable woven garments, high visibility clothing and glove and sleeves. The Company�� industrial customers include integrated oil, chemical/petrochemical, utilities, automobile, steel, glass, construction, smelting, munition plants, janitorial, pharmaceutical, mortuaries and high technology electronics manufacturers, as well as scientific and medical laboratories. In addition, Lakeland supplies federal, state and local governmental agencies and departments, such as fire and law enforcement, airport crash rescue units, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control.

Limited Use/Disposable Protective Clothing

Lakeland manufactures a line of limited use/disposable protective garments, including coveralls, laboratory coats, shirts, pants, hoods, aprons, sleeves, arm guards, caps and smocks. Limited use garments can also be coated or laminated to splash protection against harmful inorganic acids, bases and other hazardous liquid and dry chemicals. Limited use garments are made from several nonwoven fabrics, which are made of spunlaced polyester, polypropylene, laminates, micropourous films and derivatives. Lakeland incorporates many seaming, heat sealing and taping techniques depending on the level of protection needed in the end uses application.

The users of these garments include integrated oil/petrochemical refineries, chemical plants and related installations, automotive manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, construction companies, coal, gas and oil power generation utilities and telephone utility companies, laboratories, mortuarie! s and governmental entities. The Company warehouses and sells its limited use/disposable garments primarily at its Decatur, Alabama and China manufacturing facilities and secondarily from warehouses in Hull, United Kingdom; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Toronto, Canada; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Santiago, Chile; Moscow, Russia; Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan; Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.

High-End Chemical Protective Suits

Lakeland manufactures and sells protective chemical suits and protective apparels from its CRFR, ChemMax 3, 4, Interceptor and other fabrics. These suits are worn by individuals on hazardous material teams and within general industry to provide protection from concentrated and lethal chemical and biological toxins, such as toxic wastes at super fund sites, toxic chemical spills or biological discharges, chemical or biological warfare weapons and chemicals and petro-chemicals present during the cleaning of refineries and nuclear facilities.

Lakeland has also introduced two garments approved by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) for varying levels of protection, which include Interceptor, two multilayer films laminated on either side of durable nonwoven substrate, and ChemMax 4 is a multilayer barrier film laminated to a durable nonwoven substrate. Lakeland manufactures chemical protective clothing at its facilities in Decatur, Alabama, Mexico and China. Using fabrics, such as ChemMax 1, ChemMax 2, ChemMax 3, ChemMax 4 and Interceptor, Lakeland designs, cut, glue and /or sews the materials to meet customer purchase orders.

Fire Fighting and Heat Protective Apparel

The Company manufactures a line of products to protect individuals who work in heat environments. Lakeland's heat protective aluminized fire suit product lines include kiln entry suit, proximity suits and approach suits. Lakeland manufactures fire fighter protective apparel for domestic and foreign fires departments. Lakeland developed the 32-! inch coat! high back bib style (Battalion) bunker gear.

Gloves and Sleeve Products

The Company manufactures and sell glove and sleeve protective products made from Kevlar, a cut and heats resistant fiber produced by DuPont; Spectra, a cut resistant fiber made by Honeywell and its engineered yarns. Lakeland manufactures these string knit gloves primarily at its Mexican facility.

Reusable Woven Garments

Lakeland manufactures and markets a line of reusable and washable woven garments. The Company's product lines include electrostatic dissipative apparel, clean room apparel, flame resistant Nomex/FR Cotton coveralls/pants/jackets and cotton and polycotton coveralls, lab coats, pants and shirts. Lakeland manufactures and sells woven cloth garments at its facilities in China, Mexico and Decatur, Alabama.

High Visibility Clothing

Lakeland Reflective manufactures and markets a line of reflective apparel. The line includes vests, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, coats, raingear, jumpsuits, hats and gloves. Lakeland's domestic vest production occurs at Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. Much of the manufacturing at this facility is focused on custom vest requirements. In addition to ANSI Reflective items, Lakeland Hi-Visibility manufactures Nomex and FR cotton garments which have reflective trim as a part of their design criteria. These garments are used in rescue operations, such as those encountered with a vehicular crash.

The Company competes with DuPont, Kimberly Clark, Ansell Edmont and Honeywell.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Lakeland Industries (LAKE) have soared 49% to $16.08 after the company said it would double production to handle a rapid increase in orders for its hazmat suits used to protect against Ebola.

• [By Matt Egan]

  Shares of Lakeland Industries (LAKE) popped 8% on Wednesday. The company makes protective clothing, including Hazmat suits.

  "$TKMR traders $LAKE has a product to monetize right now," Stocktwits user aaoomomo wrote.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Castle Brands Inc. (ROX)

Castle Brands Inc. develops and markets beverage alcohol products. The company provides rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka, tequila, and wine. It offers its products under various brands, including Gosling�s Rum, Gosling�s Dark �n Stormy, Jefferson�s, Jefferson�s Reserve and Jefferson's Presidential Select, Jefferson�s Rye, Clontarf, Pallini, Boru, Knappogue Castle Whiskey, Tierras, Celtic Honey, Brady's Irish Cream, Travis Hasse�s Original Pie, Gozio, A. de Fussigny, and CC. The company offers its products through a network of wholesale distributors and state-operated agencies in the United States, Ireland, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Bulgaria, France, Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and China, as well as in continental Europe and Latin America. Castle Brands Inc. is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another stock that's rapidly moving within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Castle Brands (ROX), which develops and markets premium and super-premium brands in the beverage alcohol categories: rum, whiskey, liqueurs, vodka, tequila and fine wine. This stock has been on fire so far in 2013, with shares up huge by 234%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Castle Brands, you'll notice that this stock has been uptrending very strong for the last three months, with shares soaring higher from its low of 30 cents per share to its recent high of 99 cents per share. During that uptrend, shares of ROX have been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of ROX within range of triggering a big breakout trade.

  Market players should now look for long-biased trades in ROX if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at 93 cents per share to its 52-week high at 99 cents per share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average volume of 501,958 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then ROX will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $1.50 to $2 a share.

  Traders can look to buy ROX off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at 80 cents to 77 cents per share, or around its 50-day at 70 cents per share. One can also buy ROX 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.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Gen-Probe Incorporated(GPRO)

Gen-Probe Incorporated engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of molecular diagnostic products and services that are used primarily to diagnose human diseases and screen donated human blood. Its women?s health product line includes APTIMA Combo 2 assay, APTIMA CT, APTIMA GC assays, and PACE family of assays to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea; APTIMA Trichomonas ASRs to detect trichomonas; APTIMA HPV assay to detect 14 sub-types of high-risk HPV associated with cervical cancer; and AccuProbe Group B Streptococcus (GBS) assay to detect GBS from culture. The company?s infectious diseases product line comprises ProFlu+ to detect influenza A, B, and Respiratory syncytial virus; ProFAST+ to detect and differentiate seasonal H1, seasonal H3, and H1N1pdm09; ProGastro Cd to detect toxigenic strains of clostridium difficile; AMPLIFIED MTD to detect mycobacterium tuberculosis; GAS Direct to detect gas directly from a throat swab; APTIMA HIV-1 and APTIMA HCV assays to detect RNA from HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus; and ASRs for quantitative HCV testing. Its blood screening products include Procleix HIV-1/HCV, Procleix Ultrio, Procleix Ultrio Plus, and Procleix WNV assays to detect HIV-1, HCV, HBV, and west nile virus in donated blood, plasma, organs, and tissues. The company?s transplant diagnostics products comprise LIFECODES HLA DNA typing kits; LIFECODES HLA antibody kits; LIFECODES PF4 assay to detect PF4 heparin-dependent antibodies; and LIFECODES PAK products for platelet antibody screening and detection. It also provides instrumentation and software for performing NAT assays; and genetic testing products, such as PROGENSA PCA3 and PCA3 ASRs to detect the PCA3 genes. The company serves reference laboratories, public health institutions, and hospitals through its direct sales force in United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as through distributors internationally. Gen-Probe Incorporated was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in S an Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Analysts at JMP Securities initiated coverage of GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO) with a Market Outperform rating and $60 price target. Shares gained 13.0 percent, closing at $41.63.

• [By Adam Levy]

  This NHL season, you'll be able to experience hockey from a whole new perspective -- the players'. The NHL is teaming up with GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO  ) to provide footage of certain plays from the perspective of goalies and stick handlers. The one caveat is the footage won't come from in-game situations. The footage will be shot during practice, used for promotions, and interspersed with live broadcasts so color commentators can explain plays better.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Lufkin Industries Inc.(LUFK)

Lufkin Industries, Inc. manufactures and supplies oilfield and power transmission products for use in energy infrastructure and industrial applications. The company operates through two segments, Oil Field and Power Transmission. The Oil Field segment manufactures and services artificial lift products, including reciprocating rod lift equipment, including air-balanced, beam-balance, crank-balanced, Mark II Unitorque, and hydraulic units. It also transports and repairs pumping units; and refurbishes used pumping units. In addition, this segment designs, manufactures, installs, and services computer control equipment and analytical services for artificial lift equipment, as well as operates an iron foundry to produce castings for new pumping units. Further, the Oil Field segment provides gas lift, plunger lift, and completion equipment. The Power Transmission segment designs, manufactures, and services speed increasing and reducing gearboxes. It also manufactures capital spa res for customers in conjunction with the production of new gearboxes, as well as produces parts for after-market service. In addition, this segment provides on and off-site repair and service for its own products, and also those manufactured by other companies. Further, the Power Transmission segment is involved in analysis, design, and manufacture of precision, custom-engineered tilting-pad bearings and related components for high-speed turbo equipment operating in critical duty applications, as well as services, repairs, and upgrades turbo-expander process units for air and gas separation. The company markets its products and services primarily in the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, and north Africa. Lufkin Industries, Inc. was founded in 1902 and is based in Lufkin, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By reports.droy]

  While GE has seen some organic growth in this line of business, acquisitions have been its key driver. Between 2010 and 2013, GE has spent over $11 billion on acquisitions linked to this industrial segment. The most notable of these was the deal to acquire Lufkin (LUFK) in 2013, for which the company paid a premium of 40%. By acquiring Lufkin, GE was able to acquire a specialized equipment provider for oil and gas wells, specifically those involved with artificial lift technology.

• [By Marc Courtenay]

  On April 8th, we learned that General Electric (GE) would be acquiring Lufkin Industries (LUFK). The deal is one of the three largest in the oilfield machinery and equipment industry during the past decade, and sets the stage for further acquisitions in this sector. Investors should start considering which companies might be next.

• [By Reuters]

  Richard Drew/APA board overlooking the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shows an intraday number above 1,600 for the S&P 500 on Friday. A big gain in the job market lifted the stock market to a record high. NEW YORK -- The Dow and S&P 500 advanced to all-time closing highs on Friday, with major indexes jumping 1 percent after an unexpectedly strong April jobs report eased concerns about an economic slowdown. The S&P closed above 1,600 and the Dow briefly traded above 15,000 for the first time as stocks extended this year's rally. Bellwether companies, including Chevron Corp. (CVX), Boeing Co. (BA) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), reached 52-week highs. The Russell 2000 stock index of mid- and small cap companies also hit a record, confirming the broadness of the rally. About 70 percent of stocks on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq ended in positive territory. Non-farm payrolls rose by 165,000 last month and the unemployment rate fell to 7.5 percent, a four-year low, from 7.6 percent, the government said. In addition, hiring was much stronger than previously thought in February and March. Investors welcomed the gains after weeks of disappointing data, including tepid manufacturing reports, that suggested the economic recovery was losing steam. "We were all wringing our hands over the past month but this alleviates fears about a sharp spring slowdown," said Brad Sorensen, director of market and sector analysis at Charles Schwab in Denver. The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) was up 140.61 points, or 0.95 percent, at 14,972.19. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (^GSPC) was up 16.63 points, or 1.04 percent, at 1,614.22. The Nasdaq Composite Index (COMPX) was up 38.01 points, or 1.14 percent, at 3,378.63. Both the Dow and S&P ended at all-time closing highs. For the week, the Dow rose 1.8, the S&P gained 2 percent and the Nasdaq rose 3 percent in its biggest weekly climb since the first week of the year. Sectors ti

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Endesa SA (ELE.MC)

Endesa SA is a Spain-based holding company engaged in the energy sector. The Company is primarily involved in the generation, distribution and supply of energy from different sources, such as gas, cogeneration and renewables. It also generates, distributes and supplies electricity. The Company is also engaged in real estate operations as well as coal mining. Its business is divided into four lines: Electricity, Gas, Cogeneration and renewables; as well Other activities. The Company operates in such countries as Spain, Portugal, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Morocco and China, among others. The Company operates a number of subsidiaries worldwide. The Company is a member of Enel Group. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anna Prior]

  Cheniere Energy Inc.(LNG) said Spanish energy company Endesa SA(ELE.MC) agreed to purchase about 1.5 million tons a year of liquified natural gas from the Houston-based company’s planned Corpus Christi export operations. The agreement is for 20 years from the first commercial delivery, which is expected to start as soon as 2018. Shares edged up 2.4% to $58.99 premarket.

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Reaves Utility Income Fund (UTG)

Reaves Utility Income Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide dividend income and capital appreciation. W.H. Reaves & Co., Inc. (Reaves) serves as the Fund's investment adviser. ALPS serves as the Fund's administrator. The Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its total assets in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks, and debt instruments of companies within the utility industry. The remaining 20% of its assets may be invested in other securities, including stocks, money market instruments and debt instruments, as well as certain derivative instruments in the utility industry or other industries.

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 (fiscal 2005), the common stock of electric utilities averaged about 47% of the Fund's portfolio. The telephone sector, particularly rural telecom, was a significant source of dividend income for the Fund, with an average yield of 5.75% in fiscal 2005. Telecommunications common holdings averaged about 19% of the Fund's portfolio during fiscal 2005. Preferred stock holdings, yielding 6.9%, accounted for 8.5% of the Fund's portfolio as of October 31, 2005. The top five holdings of the Fund, as of October 31, 2005, were Duke Energy (7.1%), Ameren Corporation (5.8%), Altria Group (5.4%), Great Plains Energy (5.1%) and AT&T (4.1%).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Harry Domash, Publisher, DividendDetective and Winning Investing]

  Harry Domash: Well, one that's really good for us has been Reaves Utility Income. It holds primarily US utility and telecom stocks and it's been a pretty good dividend raiser. The ticker is (UTG), paying about a 6.1% yield now and it's a good serial dividend increaser so it's a very good one.

  If you're worried about rising interest rates then Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities, ticker (VTA), invests in below investment-grade floating rate bank loans. In other words, these are called senior loans.

  They're bank loans that adjust their payouts based on prevailing interest rates, so if interest rates go up, these loans will pay higher dividends, so this is a good hedge if you are concerned about rising interest rates.

  Another one that's really performed, and it's paying a 6.9% yield right now, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities, ticker (GOF), that's actually Claymore Guggenheim, holds corporate and government backed, that it's mostly investment-grade and it's paying a 10.1% yield right now, which is pretty high. Those are three that I could recommend right now.

  Steven Halpern: Well, we really appreciate you joining us today and sharing your expertise. Thank you.

  Harry Domash: You're welcome.

  Subscribe to the Dividend Detective here...

10 Best Railroad Stocks For 2014: Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.(TTWO)

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. publishes, develops, and distributes interactive entertainment software, hardware, and accessories worldwide. The company develops and publishes software titles for various gaming and entertainment hardware platforms, including PlayStation3 and PlayStation2 computer entertainment systems, PlayStation Portable system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and Wii and DS systems, as well as for the personal computer and games for Windows. It offers products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports, and 2K Play. The company, through its subsidiary, Jack of All Games, also distributes software, hardware, and accessories in North America. Its proprietary brand franchises include Grand Theft Auto; Sid Meier's Civilization; Max Payne; Midnight Club; Manhunt; Red Dead Revolver; Bully; BioShock; Sid Meier's Railroads!; Sid Meier's Pirates!; Carnival Games; and Top Spin, as wel l as licensed brands comprise the sports games Major League Baseball 2K; NBA 2K; and NHL 2K. The company sells its software titles to retail outlets through direct relationships with large retail customers and third party distributors. Its customers include mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, video stores, electronics stores, toy stores, national and regional drug stores, and supermarket and discount store chains. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CNNMoney Staff]

  What's moving: Shares of Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) jumped after the company said its latest game, Grand Theft Auto V, raked in $800 million in worldwide retail sales on the first day of its release Tuesday.

• [By Rick Munarriz]

  Let's go over a few reasons to worry as Activision Blizzard steps up to report.

  Analysts see a brutal quarter with revenue falling 43% and earnings falling even harder. Wall Street's forecasting a profit of $0.06 a share, well off the $0.20 a share it earned a year earlier. World of Warcraft players continue to defect from the massive multiplayer game. The game peaked in popularity with more than 12 million active accounts three years ago. We're now down to 8 million -- and falling. Last year's sleeper hit -- Skylanders: Spyro's Adventures -- will be challenged in a few weeks. Disney's (NYSE: DIS  ) Disney Infinity takes the same model of physical figures that can enter a virtual world when planted on a base. Skylanders was the industry's hottest seller through the first half of 2012, but now we're seeing Activision Blizzard turn to deep discounts to get young gamers hooked before Disney steps in next month. The video game industry has been declining for four years, but diehard gamers feel that November's debut of PS4 and Xbox One will breathe new life into the niche. That may be wishful thinking, and at the very least it will take a couple of years before either platform grows into a substantial base of players. Call of Duty: Ghosts also happens to hit the market in November. This is the franchise that has been Activision Blizzard's saving grace as other once-popular lines fall out of favor. It should set new sales records, but it won't be easy. Gamers saving up for new platforms or those concerned about buying too many games for current generation systems may be more hesitant than usual this time. Take-Two Interactive's (NASDAQ: TTWO  ) Grand Theft Auto IV held the sales record before Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty games took the lead. After more than five years, Grand Theft Auto V hits the market in September. If Call of Duty: Ghosts fails to raise the bar for initial unit sales, don't be surprised if the finger gets poi
• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Next Monday, Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO  ) will release its latest quarterly results. The key to making smart investment decisions on stocks reporting earnings is to anticipate how they'll do before they announce results, leaving you fully prepared to respond quickly to whatever inevitable surprises arise. That way, you'll be less likely to make an uninformed kneejerk reaction to news that turns out to be exactly the wrong move.