Canadian Solar stock has rallied over 50 percent this year

On Monday, Canadian Solar Inc.'s stock (CSIQ) surged 5.36 percent, to close the day at $39.09. The stock recorded a trading volume of 5.99 million shares, above its three months average volume of 2.45 million shares. The company's shares oscillated between $37.22 and $40.08 during the session.

Over the last one month and over the past three months, Canadian Solar Inc.'s shares have surged 13.17 percent and 42.46 percent, respectively. Furthermore, the stock has rallied 61.60 percent since the start of this year.

The stock is trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Canadian Solar Inc.'s 50-day moving average of $34.34 is above its 200-day moving average of $29.97. Additionally, the stock traded at a PE ratio of 7.86 and has a Relative Strength Index of 58.56.

Source: Investor Edge

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stocks mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this post.

Canadian Solar stock advanced 20 percent in past year

Canadian Solar Inc.'s stock finished Tuesday's session 0.79 percent lower at $33.92. A total of 1.37 million shares were traded, which was below its three months average volume of 2.91 million shares. The stock moved between $33.83 and $34.53 during the session.

Canadian Solar's shares have gained 1.10 percent in the last one month and 54.60 percent in the previous three months. Additionally, the stock has advanced 19.65 percent in the past one year.

The company's shares are trading above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Moreover, the stock's 50-day moving average of $29.61 is greater than its 200-day moving average of $29.17. Canadian Solar Inc.'s stock traded at a PE ratio of 8.45 and has an RSI of 59.81.

Source: Investor Edge

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stocks mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this post.

Willdan and CDI, engineering a new stock portfolio

The improved economic environment together with further diversification of services and expansion into new geographies are securing a solid foundation for future growth and profitability in the engineering & R&D services arena. Two stocks standout as leaders in the sector.

Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) 

Willdan Group is a provider of professional technical and consulting services to public agencies at all levels of government, public and private utilities, and commercial and industrial firms. It offers services in four segments: Engineering Services, Energy Efficiency Services, Public Finance Services, and Homeland Security Services. The company assists its clients with a range of complementary services relating to engineering and planning; energy efficiency and sustainability; economic and financial consulting, and national preparedness and interoperability. Willdan operates its business through a network of offices located primarily in California and New York. The company also has operations in Arizona, Florida, Texas, Washington and Washington, D.C.

WLDN shares are up 188 percent over the last 52 weeks (Jan. 6, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015). This year alone the stock is up seven percent, closing Friday at $14.50 per share, up seven percent for the day. WLDN has a 52-week low of $4.34 and a high of $18.92.

CDI Corp. (NYSE:CDI) 

CDI is an integrated engineering and technology services company. Effective January 2012, the company’s segments included: Global Engineering and Technology Solutions (GET), Professional Services Staffing (PSS) and Management Recruiters International, Inc. (MRI). CDI’s restructured business is focused on offering services through three geographic regions: the Americas; Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The majority of the company’s operations are located in the Americas. Its GET provides engineering and information technology solutions for its clients that include the production of deliverable work products or services performed at a CDI facility or at a client’s facility. Its PSS provides technical and professional personnel to its clients. MRI is a global franchisor that does business as MRINetwork and provides the use of its trademarks, business systems and training and support services to its franchisees.

CDI shares are down two percent over the last 52 weeks (Jan. 6, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015). This year alone the stock is down two percent, closing Friday at $17.32 per share, down two percent for the day. CDI has a 52-week low of $12.91 and a high of $18.89.

CDI paid a $0.13 dividend in March, May, August and November 2014. 

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stock mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any stock mentioned in this post.

Golden stocks in Canada and South Africa

Public demand for gold coins was strong during 2014. Despite often negative and sometimes misleading comments on Wall Street about gold, there's a continuing public demand for gold as a time-proven, long-term investment, and the stock market reflects this view.

The long-term outlook for gold remains positive with predictions it may climb to $1,500 an ounce or more in 2015. Here are two stocks leading the mining gold sector: 

Richmont Mines Inc. (NYSE:RIC) 

Richmont Mines is engaged in activities related to the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of mineral properties. As of Dec. 31, 2011, the company operates two gold mines, two of its three material properties, (the Beaufor Mine in Quebec and the Island Gold Mine in Ontario) and is developing a third mine (the Francoeur Mine in Quebec).

The Beaufor Mine property, along with other adjacent properties such as Pascalis, Perron, Colombiere, Courvan and Perron Blocks two, three and four, are located approximately 20 kilometers to the northeast of the town of Val-d’Or, in the Abitibi-East County, in the Province of Quebec.

The Island Gold Mine is located approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Wawa, Ontario, in the Sault Ste. Marie Mining Division. Dubreuilville, Ontario, is approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the Island Gold Mine.

On Jan. 24, 2011, Richmont Mines sold its 70 percent interest in the Valentine Lake Property.

RIC shares are up 219 percent over the last 52 weeks (Jan. 2, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014). Shares closed at $3.16 on Wednesday, up one percent for the day. RIC has a 52-week low of $0.99 and a high of $3.49.

Sibanye Gold Ltd. (NYSE:SBGL)

For a dividend play we turn our attention to SibanyeGold, formerly GFI Mining South Africa (Pty) Limited, a producer of gold in South Africa.

Sibanye Gold is primarily engaged in underground and surface gold mining and related activities, including extraction, and processing. Its principal mining operations include Kloof-Driefontein Complex and Beatrix. Exploration activities are focused on the extension of existing ore bodies and identification of new ore bodies at existing sites. As of Jan. 10, 2013, Sibanye Gold mined only gold, with silver as a by-product.

SBGL shares are up 59 percent over the last 52 weeks (Jan. 2, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014). Shares closed at $7.57 on Wednesday, up two percent for the day. SBGL has a 52-week low of $4.58 and a high of $11.29.

The company paid a $0.24 dividend on March 12, 2014, and a $0.14 dividend on Aug. 20, 2014.

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stock mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any stock mentioned in this post.

Pershing sells entire stake in JC Penny, 39 million shares

Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., announced Monday they are selling 39,075,771 shares of J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) common stock owned by them. “J.C. Penney will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders in this offering,” Pershing said in a press statement.

The offering will be made under J.C. Penney's registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Citigroup is acting as sole bookrunning manager and underwriter for the offering.

JCP shares are down 46 percent over the last 52 weeks (Aug. 27, 2012 to Aug. 26, 2013). This year alone, the stock is down 32 percent, closing Monday at $13.35 per share, down one percent for the day. JCP has a 52-week low of $12.34 and a high of $32.55.

Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., based in New York City, is an SEC registered investment advisor to private investment funds. Pershing Square manages funds that are in the business of trading - buying and selling - securities and other financial instruments. Funds managed by Pershing Square have long positions in stock and other financial instruments tied to the performance of J.C. Penney's stock.

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stocks mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this post.

Canadian Solar leads upward trend in solar stocks

Click image to enlarge.

Consistent research and development efforts to improve solar cell efficiency have yielded positive results for stock investors year over year. The increasing focus in the U.S. on green energy will see more and more power being produced from solar cells.

In 2013, only 0.2 percent of the power produced in the U.S. will come from solar generation, according to a report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. However, solar generation is expected to grow by 79 percent in 2013 and 49 percent in 2014. The whole solar market is predicted to provide nice returns for the long-term investors, with Canadian Solar Inc. leading the sector.

Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ), designs, develops, and manufactures solar wafers, cells and solar module products that convert sunlight into electricity for a variety of uses. The company’s products include a range of standard solar modules built to general specifications for use in a range of residential, commercial and industrial solar power generation systems. It also designs and produces specialty solar modules and products based on its customers' requirements. Specialty solar modules and products consist of customized solar modules that its customers incorporate into their own products, such as solar-powered bus stop lighting, and complete specialty products, such as portable solar home systems and solar-powered car battery chargers.

CSIQ stock shares are up 258 percent over the last 52 weeks (July 23, 2012 to July 19, 2013). This year alone, the stock is up 294 percent, closing Friday at $13.42 per share, up one percent for the day. CSIQ has a 52-week low of $1.95 and a high of $14.47.

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stocks mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this post.

Management changes at Gray Television as stock soars in 2013

Gray Television, Inc. announced several management changes at its television stations on Friday.

WSAZ-TV

Gray announced the long-planned retirement of industry leader Don Ray after more than 40 years in the broadcast industry. Ray has served as a regional vice president since 2005 and as the general manager of WSAZ-TV in Charleston/Huntington, West Va., since 1989. Under several different ownerships, including Lee Enterprises and Emmis Communications, Ray worked his way up through the sales ranks at WSAZ-TV, starting as an account executive in 1973. He has held both national sales manager and general sales manager positions there. During his tenure, Ray was named director of sales for Lee in 1999 and served as interim general manager of WFTX in Fort Myers in 2005 for Emmis.

On Aug. 1, Matt Jaquint will fill the general manager position at WSAZ-TV. Ray and Jaquint have been working closely on a smooth transition of leadership at the station since the spring, and Ray has agreed to remain with Gray Television for an additional period to complete that transition effort.

Jaquint was most recently the general manager at Newport Television's KTVX and KUCW in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jaquint led sales as general sales manager for WSAZ from 2002 to 2005, and he was general manager of Gray's WNDU in South Bend, Ind., from 2006 until 2008. He has also worked in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and El Paso, Texas markets.

Effective immediately, Gray also appointed the following new vice presidents and general managers:

WMTV

Don Vesely is now vice president and general manager of NBC affiliate WMTV in Madison, Wis. Vesely has been WMTV's general sales manager since 2008. He began his career in television sales in Rockford, Ill. in 1993, working for both the FOX and NBC stations in the market. He moved to WMTV in Madison as an account executive in 2001, and he became local sales manager the following year.

WCTV

Heather Peeples is now vice president and general manager of CBS affiliate WCTV in Tallahassee, Fla. Peeples has been the station's general sales manager since 2007. She started in the broadcast industry in 1989 at WTLH in Tallahassee. Peeples spent six years as account executive with the Quad Cities Radio Group in Davenport, Iowa, followed in 1997 by various sales and promotional positions at WFLI-TV in Chattanooga, Tenn. Peeples returned to Tallahassee in 1999 first as an account executive, then local sales manager, and finally general sales manager.

WOWT

Vic Richards is now vice president and general manager of NBC affiliate WOWT in Omaha, Neb. Richards has been WOWT's director of creative and station operations since 2012. He began his career at KOLN/KGIN in Lincoln in 1996 first in production and then creative services. He moved to WOWT in 1999, where he has held various positions in promotion and operations and management.

KOLN/KGIN and MY affiliate KSNB

Susan Ramsett-Kretz is now vice president and general manager of CBS affiliate KOLN/KGIN and MY affiliate KSNB, all in the Lincoln, Neb. television market, and KNPL in North Platte. Ramsett-Kretz most recently served as station manager at the Lincoln operation. She began her broadcast career in radio news and sales in 1986. Ramsett-Kretz worked in various news positions in the La Crosse- Eau Claire market at both WXOW and WKBT, and as promotions manager at WLAX/WEUX beginning in 1995. She was an evening anchor and news director at Gray's WSAW-TV in Wausau, Wis., between 2001 and 2011, when she moved to Lincoln to become news director for KOLN/KGIN.

Gray Television President and CEO Hilton Howell said, "With the changes announced earlier this week and today, Gray Television is poised to lead the broadcast industry, by exploring new opportunities and building on our past success."

Company stock

Meanwhile, the company's stock shares are on a major upswing in 2013.

Shares of GTN are up 444 percent over the last 52 weeks (July 13, 2012 to July 12, 2013). This year alone, the stock is up 308 percent, closing Friday at $8.99 per share, up 3 percent for the day. GTN has a 52-week low of $1.45 and high of $9.00.

As a side note, GTN is up 72 percent since my article on April 13.

Gray is a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., that owns and operates television stations broadcasting 45 channels affiliated with one of the "Big 4 Networks" (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) and 41 additional channels of programming in 30 television markets.

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice.

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