Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015

Concerns over a prolonged government shutdown and a negative report on private job sector growth helped push the S&P 500 futures down sharply on Globex yesterday. The futures opened sharply lower at 8:30 Central and went into a 3-handle chop, holding above Tuesday's 1675.25 Globex low. After a few failed rally attempts the ESZ (E-mini S&P) broke down through the 1675.00 level, hitting sell stops down to a new daily low at 1673.25.

The Asian markets closed mostly higher and Europe is trading modestly higher. This morning's economic calendar includes six different economic reports and four fed governors speaking. When the S&P 500 gaps down sharply, prepare to buy.

One of our key trading rules is the Fade Trade. It resembles "Counter-Trend Friday," but the fade trade applies to days when the S&P futures gaps up or down sharply--in this case, down. You prepare to buy on the assumption that those short-sellers will have buy stops which the algos will find and hit.

We believe two things happen. The first is most of the selling was done before the 8:30 open, but when the ESZ started going down after the open the second wave of selling came in. The algos pushed the S&P down through the sell stops to the low of the day. By that point, all the selling had been used up. Trading is all about timing, and yesterday when the ESZ started breaking down I thought it was too early in the day to start buying. The call was exact but my execution and timing were off. When that happens your whole game plan gets thrown off and that is exactly how it went.

This morning crude oil sold off below $104 a barrel and European stocks bounced after China's services sector expanded. As the U.S. deadlock continues, the dollar is trading at an eight-month low. Despite all the negatives, stocks seem to be drawing some support from the idea that the central bank may have to keep its bond buying program going well past the end of 2013.

A budget deal seems closer, but the talk! s (or lack of talks) have prolonged the deadlock. At today's White House press briefing a reporter asked press secretary Jay Carney, "How does it help you get a deal if you're calling Republicans extortionists and terrorists?" Sen. Harry Reid offered Speaker John Boehner a temporary funding extension--at levels the House Republicans demanded--while a bipartisan commission discusses details. He has made similar offers 18 times and Boehner rejected it again, suggesting that he thinks it's to his political advantage to shut down rather than let government workers keep working while Congress negotiates. One WWII veteran disagreed: during a photo-op at the (closed to the public) World War II memorial, Boehner was told by a veteran, who trespassed onto the memorial site, to "go back and do your %&#*$ job."

The ongoing fight doesn't serve either party or the public. While the markets remain weak, the risk is to the upside. That said, there is a lot of wear and tear going on. As of this morning the S&P has closed lower eight out of the last 10 sessions. Our view is to buy the early weakness and sell the rallies. We remain hesitant about the sell side because we fear the an announcement of a deal will cause a big push back up. There are a lot of buy stops building up above 1688 up to 1695. I think there is a good possibility we see that today.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: Kane Biotech Inc. (KNE.V)

Kane Biotech Inc., a biotechnology company, engages in the research and development of products to prevent and disperse biofilms in medical and industrial applications. Its products include DispersinB, an antibiofilm enzyme, which inhibits and disperses biofilms of bacterial pathogens for human, animal, agricultural, and industrial applications; Aledex, an anti-infective composition used in the prevention of catheter associated infections; Competence stimulating peptide, a toothpaste and mouthwash additive for preventing and dispersing dental plaque biofilms; and KBI antibacterial disinfectant, a patented antimicrobial-antibiofilm combination comprising Chlorhexidine and Sodium Metaperiodate used for the antimicrobial activity against common pathogens in the areas of healthcare, veterinary, aquaculture, industries and institutions, and food processing establishments. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in Winnipeg, Canada.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: Vigil Health Solutions Inc.(VGL.V)

Vigil Health Solutions Inc. engages in the development, marketing, and distribution of emergency response and monitoring solutions to the providers of seniors housing in Canada and the United States. The company offers Vigil Integrated Care Management System, a technology platform combining software and hardware to provide solutions that guide care of and monitor seniors living in long-term care facilities. Its Vigil Integrated Care Management System includes Vitality Care System, a wireless or hybrid call system designed to alert caregivers or security staff when a resident is in need of assistance, identify who the resident is, and provide a general description of his/her location; and Vigil Nurse Call System, which allows residents to call caregivers through hardwired call buttons with call cords, emergency push stations, or emergency pull stations. The company?s Vigil Integrated Care Management System also includes Vigil Perimeter Monitoring, a bed monitoring system t hat offers an additional form of notification for those facilities where door alarms and resident smoke detectors may not be heard throughout the facility; Vigil Resident Check-In System that alerts staff when a resident is not well enough to have checked-in for the day; and Vigil Dementia System, which provides long-term care residents suffering from dementia and monitors resident rooms to detect unexpected behavior. Its solutions are used in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. Vigil Health Solutions Inc. is based in Victoria, Canada.

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: SMART Technologies Inc.(SMT)

SMART Technologies Inc. designs, develops, and sells interactive technology products and solutions that enhance learning and enable people to collaborate worldwide. The company offers a range of SMART Board interactive whiteboards and displays, as well as other interactive products, such as interactive tables, interactive pen displays, student response systems, wireless slates, audio enhancement systems, document cameras, conferencing software, and a line of interactive learning software. Its portfolio of related attachment products include SMART Response, SMART Slate, SMART Document Camera, SMART Table, SMART Audio, and SMART Classroom Suite. SMART Technologies also provides free online learning resources, an online teacher community, and training and professional development. It sells its interactive whiteboards through a network of distributors and dealers to the education, business, and government markets. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Calgary , Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Smart Technologies (Nasdaq: SMT  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on May 16. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

  The 10-second takeaway
  Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Smart Technologies's revenues will wither -22.4% and EPS will remain in the red.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG)

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG), incorporated on May 21, 2004, is a global hotel company, operating seven brands internationally. IHG is the holding company. The principal activities of the Company are in hotels and resorts, with franchising, management, ownership and leasehold interests in over 4,400 establishments, with more than 658,000 guest rooms in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. IHG�� hotels brands include InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Priority Club Rewards. It has four geographical segments: Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA), and Greater China. As of December 31, 2011, the pipeline totalled 1,144 hotels (180,484 rooms). In March 2012, the Company announced the launch of HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts in China. During the year ended 31 December 2011, it sold four hotels, three in the Americas region and one in the AMEA region. IHG also manages the hotel loyalty program, Priority Club Rewards. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has 3,832 hotels operate under franchise agreements; managed 637 hotels worldwide and owned 11 hotels. During 2011, the Company opened 241hotels (44,265rooms) and removed 98 hotels (33,078 rooms). IHG is focused on the three segments that together generate over 90% of branded hotel revenues: midscale (broadly 3-star hotels), upscale (4-star), and luxury (5-star). InterContinental Hotels & Resorts InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is IHG�� 5-star brand located in cities and resort destinations across more than 60 countries worldwide. Hotels under InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand are principally managed by the Company. As of December 31, 2011, there were 169 hotels and 57,598 rooms. As of December 31, 2011, it had 51 hotels in development pipeline. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is the IHG�� upscale 4-star segment, specializes in offering modern business and meeting facilities with a service style to provide productive and energising experiences to guests. The majority of hotels under Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand are principally operated under franchise agreements in the United States and Europe, and are managed by the Company. As of December 31, 2011, there were 387 hotels and 105,104 rooms. As of December 31, 2011, it had 108 hotels in development pipeline. Hotel Indigo Hotel Indigo provides guests with the refreshing design and service experience with a boutique hotel. The Hotels Indigo brand is principally operated under franchise agreements. As of December 31, 2011, there were 39 hotels and 4,564 rooms. As of December 31, 2011, it had 59 hotels in development pipeline Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Club Vacations The Holiday Inn brand family consists of Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Club Vacations is the midscale hotel brand. Focused on creating an atmosphere where guests can relax, the brand is designed to support both business and leisure travellers. The brand family operates under franchise agreements. As of December 31, 2011, there were 1,240 hotels and 228,256 rooms. As of December 31, 2011, it had 267 hotels in development pipeline. Holiday Inn Express Holiday Inn Express offers convenience and comfort. As of December 31, 2011, there were 2,114 hotels and 196,666 rooms. As of December 31, 2011, it had 470 hotels in development pipeline. Staybridge Suites Staybridge Suites is the Company�� upscale extended stay brand for guests on longer trips, offering studios and suites complete with full kitchens and separate sleeping and work areas in a sociable, family-like atmosphere. Properties under Staybridge Suites brand are operated under a mixture of franchise and management agreements. As of December 31, 2011, there were 179 hotels and 19,567 rooms. As of December 31, 2011, it had 95 hotels in development pipeline. Candlewood Suites Candlewood Suites is the Company�� midscale extended stay brand that gives its guests all the essentials they need for a home-like stay. Properties under Candlewood Suites brand are principally operated under franchise agreements. As of December 31, 2011, there were 285 hotels and 27,500 rooms. As of December 31, 2011, it had 94 hotels in development pipeline. The Company competes with Accor, Choice Hotels International, Inc., Hilton Hotels Corporation, Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Wyndham Worldwide Corporation. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tony Reading]

  In this series, I'm assessing the boardrooms of companies within the FTSE 100 (UKX). I hope to separate the management teams that are worth following from those that are not. Today, I am looking at�InterContinental Hotels� (LSE: IHG  ) (NYSE: IHG  ) , the world's largest listed hotels group.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: Creso Exploration Inc. (CXT.V)

Creso Exploration Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and Guatemala. It primarily explores for gold and silver, as well as for copper and zinc. The company�s principal mining exploration holdings include the Tyranite, Minto, and Duggan properties located in the Shining Tree mining camp of northern Ontario. Creso Exploration Inc. is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: FirstService Corporation (FSRV)

FirstService Corporation provides real estate related services to commercial, institutional, and residential customers in North America and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Commercial Real Estate Services, Residential Property Management, and Property Services. The Commercial Real Estate Services segment offers brokerage, property management and maintenance, valuation, project management, and corporate advisory services primarily on office, industrial, retail, and multi-unit residential properties to owners, investors, tenants, corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals. The Residential Property Management segment manages private residential communities, including condominiums, cooperatives, homeowner associations, and various other residential developments governed by multi-unit residential community associations. This segment provides a range of property management services comprising facility maintenance, landscaping, swim ming pool management, home service contracts, energy usage benchmarking and retrofit consulting, real estate sales and leasing, heating, air conditioning, and concierge services. The Property Services segment offers various residential and commercial services through delivery channels, such as contractor network, franchise networks, and branchises. It provides property preservation, maintenance, repair, and inspection services to residential mortgage lenders and servicers for properties in the delinquency and foreclosure process; residential and commercial restoration services serving the insurance restoration industry; residential and commercial painting, and decorating services; installed closet and home storage systems; exterior residential painting and window cleaning services; home repair and remodeling service franchise; home inspection; and residential floor coverings design and installation services. FirstService Corporation was founded in 1972 and is headquartered i n Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Midcaps CBRE Group Inc (NYSE: CBG) and Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE: JLL) are probably the better known real estate services stocks with the latter surging 12.36% yesterday on impressive earnings, but small cap stocks Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc (NYSE: KW) and FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV) are also important real estate services providers that you may have overlooked. After all, real estate services stocks like the following would offer exposure to real estate by being invested in property as well as generating revenue from transactions, property management and other services: ��

• [By Seth Jayson]

  FirstService (Nasdaq: FSRV  ) reported earnings on April 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), FirstService missed slightly on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: PTB Group Ltd(PTB.AX)

PTB Group Limited provides turbine engine repair and overhaul services in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, North America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The company specializes in the repair and overhaul of two engine types, the Pratt & Whitney PT6A and Honeywell TPE331. It also trades in aircraft airframes, turbine engines, and related parts; provides finance for aircraft and turbine engines sold to customers; and leases, rents, or hires aviation parts, including whole airframes and engines. The company was formerly known as Pacific Turbine Brisbane Limited and changed its name to PTB Group Limited in December 2006. PTB Group Limited was founded in 2001 and is based in Brisbane, Australia.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.(ACTC)

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a biotechnology company, focuses on the development and commercialization of human embryonic and adult stem cell technology in the field of regenerative medicine. Its embryonic stem cell research programs include cellular reprogramming, reduced complexity program, and stem cell differentiation research programs. The company?s cellular reprogramming involves in the development of therapies based on the use of genetically identical pluripotent stem cells generated by its cellular reprogramming technologies. Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. also generates stable cell lines with particular focus on blood lineage and vascular epithelial cell lines from hemangioblast cells. In addition, it is developing an autologous myoblast transplantation therapy to restore cardiac function in patients with advanced heart disease. The company?s stem cell-based therapy would provide treatment for a range of acute and chronic degenerative diseases. Further, it deve lops adult stem cell-based products that are specifically targeted at therapies for heart and other cardiovascular diseases. The company is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, ACTC surged (+1.96%) up +0.0014 at $.0730 with 1,679,139 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:31PM EDT July 26, 2013).

  Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. previously reported the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), an independent group of medical experts closely monitoring the company�� three ongoing clinical trials, has authorized the company to move forward with enrollment and treatment of remaining two patients in the third cohort of each of the three clinical trials. The decision follows an interim review by the DSMB six weeks after the first patient was treated in the third cohort of each trial. ACT will proceed with screening and enrollment for the patients who, in keeping with trial protocol, will be injected with 150,000 retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

• [By John Udovich]

  As the the year comes to end, there is still a steady flow of interesting news coming from small cap biotech stocks like Organovo Holdings Inc (NYSEMKT: ONVO), Advanced Cell Technology, Inc (OTCMKTS: ACTC) and TNI BioTech (OTCMKTS: TNIB)�plus still largely private biotech companies like Genocea Biosciences (NASDAQ: GNCA), Retrophin (OTCMKTS: RTRX), Auspex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ASPX) and GlycoMimetics (NASDAQ: GLYC) who have filed to become the next potentially hot biotech IPOs���presumably some time early�next year. Just consider the following biotech news:

• [By John Udovich]

  Summer and the slow news for the market that usually comes with it�is over with and both stem cell researchers or small� cap stem cell stocks like Advanced Cell Technology, Inc (OTCBB: ACTC), Neuralstem, Inc (NYSEMKT: CUR), NeoStem Inc (NASDAQ: NBS), International Stem Cell Corp (OTCMKTS: ISCO)�and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) having news for investors and traders alike. Consider the following:

• [By CRWE]

  Today, ACTC has shed (-1.05%) down -0.0008 at $.0751 with 2,338,132 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:55AM EDT July 22, 2013), but don�� let this get you down.

  Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. previously reported the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), an independent group of medical experts closely monitoring the company�� three ongoing clinical trials, has authorized the company to move forward with enrollment and treatment of remaining two patients in the third cohort of each of the three clinical trials. The decision follows an interim review by the DSMB six weeks after the first patient was treated in the third cohort of each trial. ACT will proceed with screening and enrollment for the patients who, in keeping with trial protocol, will be injected with 150,000 retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: Harleysville Group Inc.(HGIC)

Harleysville Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the property and casualty insurance business primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States. It underwrites personal and commercial property and casualty coverages, including automobile, homeowners, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation. The company markets its insurance products through independent agents to individuals, and small and medium-sized businesses. Harleysville Group Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. Harleysville Group Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company.

Best Asian Companies To Watch For 2015: Waterstone Financial Inc.(WSBF)

Waterstone Financial, Inc. operates as the holding company for WaterStone Bank that provides various banking services. It generates various deposit products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, demand deposits, and negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. The company?s loan portfolio comprises one- to four-family residential mortgage loans; over four-family real estate loans; residential construction and land loans; commercial real estate loans; home equity loans and home equity lines of credit; commercial loans secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, and real estate; and consumer loans. It operates eight banking offices and nine automated teller machines, including stand-alone automated teller machine facilities in Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties, Wisconsin. The company was formerly known as Wauwatosa Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Waterstone Financial, Inc. in August 20 08. Waterstone Financial, Inc. was founded in 1921 and is based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Waterstone Financial, Inc. is a subsidiary of Lamplighter Financial, MHC.