Hot Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014

No economic conversation has captured the public's eye quite like the explosion of national debt. From the U.S. to Europe to Asia, leading economies have staved off the worst of the recession by incurring runaway debts that have blossomed to the size of GDP -- or greater.

But which nation is leading this unfortunate race to the debtor's bottom? Among the largest 50 economies worldwide, here are the five most debt-burdened nations, according to IMF estimates for 2013. Investors beware: These lagging leaders may not be the countries you expected.

No. 5: Ireland, 122% Debt/GDP
Kicking things off in fifth place is Ireland, one of the hardest-hit nations in the recession. The crisis slammed the country's GDP and devastated the country's economy; Irish unemployment still lingers above 14% five years after the depths of the recession. Despite the eurozone's recession, however, hope remains for Ireland: The European Commission expects Ireland's GDP to grow 1.1% this year, the third-fastest rate in the eurozone. By 2015, the IMF expects Ireland's unemployment rate to fall below 13% -- not good, but progress nonetheless.

10 Best Semiconductor Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Chanticleer Holdings Inc (HOTR)

Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., incorporated in 1999, is a business operator focused on expanding the Hooters casual dining restaurant brand in international markets. Chanticleer has rights to develop and operate Hooters restaurants in South Africa and has joint ventured with the current franchisee in Australia. The company also has franchise rights to develop Hungary and parts of Brazil while evaluating several additional opportunities internationally. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Chanticleer and a group of private equity investors acquired Hooters of America, Inc. (HOA). HOA is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 28 foreign countries. In October 2013, Chanticleer Holdings Inc purchased American Roadside Burgers, Inc. In December 12, 2013, Chanticleer Holdings Inc acquired a 51% interest in JF Restaurants LLC, an owner and operator of restaurants. In February 2014, it acquired Hooters' United States Pacific Northwest franchise rights and two existing restaurants in Oregon and Washington.

The Company operates in two business segments: Hooters franchise restaurants, and investment management and consulting services businesses. Hooters has also branched out to other areas, including licensing its name to a golf tour and the sale of packaged food in supermarkets. Its subsidiaries include Chanticleer Advisors, LLC, (Advisors), Avenel Ventures, LLC (Ventures), Avenel Financial Services, LLC (AFS), Chanticleer Holdings Limited (CHL), Chanticleer Holdings Australia Pty, Ltd. (CHA), Chanticleer Investment Partners, LLC (CIP), DineOut SA Ltd. (DineOut), Kiarabrite (Pty) Ltd (KPL), Dimaflo (Pty) Ltd (DFLO), Tundraspex (Pty) Ltd (TPL), Civisign (Pty) Ltd (CPL), Dimalogix (Pty) Ltd (DLOG) and Crown Restaurants Kft. (CRK).

South Africa

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had four Hooters locations in South Africa in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg (two locations), which are owned by four companies, which it control. The Com! pany formed a management company to operate the current South African Hooters locations. It owns 80% of the management company, with two members of local management owning the remaining 20%. The management company charges a management fee of 5% of net revenues to the Hooters locations in South Africa.

Other Countries

The Company has acquired development rights for Hooters in five states of Brazil, which would include Rio de Janeiro. It has applied to HOA for franchise rights in Hungary, where it own 80% of the entity the Company anticipate will hold the franchise rights and its local partner owns the remaining 20%. The Company has partnered with the Hooters franchisee in a joint venture in which it owns 49% and its partner 51%. The first Hooters restaurant under this joint venture (which would be the third Hooters restaurant open in Australia) opened in January 2012 in Campbelltown, a suburb of Sydney. It has a non-binding letter of intent with a franchisee to purchase 100% of an existing Hooters location.

Management and consulting services

The Company provides management and consulting services for small companies, which are seeking to become publicly traded. The Company also provides management and investment services for Investors LLC and Investors II, which are affiliates of the Company.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Konrad Kuhn]

  Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR), a franchisee of international Hooters restaurants, has exploded through its upside target prices; however, in our view, the stock has a long way to go, as it expands its restaurants abroad, and in the US.

• [By Chris Isidore]

  Restaurant chains are trying to hold the line on prices. Mark Allison, senior vice president of culinary operations at Chanticleer Holdings (HOTR), which operates the American Roadside Burger chain, said his chain raised prices about 12%, even though their beef costs are up even more than that.

Hot Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Central European Media Enterprises Ltd.(CETV)

Central European Media Enterprises Ltd., a media and entertainment company, operates broadcast, content, and new media businesses in central and eastern Europe. The company operates in three segments: Broadcast, Media Pro Entertainment, and New Media. The Broadcast segment operates 30 television channels reaching an aggregate of approximately 49 million people primarily in 6 countries. It operates television channels, including BTV, BTV CINEMA, BTV COMEDY, RING.BG, BTV ACTION, and BTV LADY, a female-oriented cable channel in Bulgaria; NOVA TV, DOMA, and NOVA WORLD in Croatia; TV NOVA, NOVA CINEMA, NOVA SPORT, and MTV CZECH in the Czech Republic; PRO TV, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL, ACASA, PRO CINEMA, MTV ROMANIA, PRO TV CHISINAU, and SPORT.RO in Romania; TV MARK�A and DOMA in the Slovak Republic; POP TV, KANAL A, and POP BRIO in Slovenia, as well as various radio channels in Bulgaria. The Media Pro Entertainment segment develops, produces, and distributes content for its own te levision channels, as well as to third parties through the theatrical and home video operations; sells DVD and Blu Ray discs to wholesale and retail clients; and distributes theatrical, home entertainment, digital, and television film rights. It also owns and operates 16 cinema screens in Romania. The New Media segment offers television content; and operates various news portals, niche Websites, and television-related Websites. Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. was founded in 1994 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

   

  Central European Media Enterprises (CETV) is a media and entertainment company that operates broadcast, content and new media businesses in central and Eastern Europe. This stock closed up 8.7% to $2.37 in Tuesday's trading session.

   

  Tuesday's Range: $2.20-$2.40
  
  52-Week Range: $2.03-$6.85
  
  Tuesday's Volume: 1.48 million

   

  Three-Month Average Volume: 1.11 million

   

  From a technical perspective, CETV ripped sharply higher here right off some near-term support at $2.17 with above-average volume. This move pushed shares of CETV into breakout territory, since the stock took out some near-term overhead resistance at $2.31. This move is also coming off oversold territory, since CETV's current relative strength index reading is 29.39. Market players should now look for a continuation move higher in the short-term if CETV can take out Tuesday's high of $2.40 to some more resistance at $2.53 with high volume.

   

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CETV as long as it's trending above support at $2.17 or at $2.12 and then once it sustains a move or close above $2.40 to $2.53 with volume that hits near or above 1.11 million shares. If we get that move soon, then CETV will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $3 to $3.18. Any high-volume move above $3.18 will then give CETV a chance to tag its 200-day at $4.17.

   

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Central European Media Enterprises (NASDAQ: CETV) shares dropped 25.53% to $4.55 in pre-market trading after the company posted an operating loss in the third quarter and lowered its 2013 outlook.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Central European Media Enterprises (CETV) is a media and entertainment company that operates broadcast, content and new media businesses in central and Eastern Europe. This stock closed up 5.1% to $3.68 in Thursday's trading session.

  Thursday's Range: $3.50-$3.80
  
  52-Week Range: $2.60-$7.92
  
  Thursday's Volume: 365,000
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 741,458

  From a technical perspective, CETV bounced sharply higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $3.42 with lighter-than-average volume. This move is quickly pushing shares of CETV within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit if CETV manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $3.79 to $3.89 with high volume.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in CETV as long as it's trending above its 50-day at $3.42 or above more near-term support at $3.25 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 741,458 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then CETV will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $4.45 to $4.68. Any high-volume move above those levels will then put its next major overhead resistance levels at $5 to $5.25 into range for shares of CETV.

Hot Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: NetSpend Holdings Inc.(NTSP)

Netspend Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides general purpose reloadable (GPR) prepaid debit and payroll cards, and alternative financial service solutions to underbanked and other consumers in the United States. Its GPR cards offer access to FDIC-insured depository accounts with a menu of pricing and features tailored to underbanked consumers needs; and serves as access devices to an FDIC-insured depository account with a bank. The company also provides various products and services to its cardholders, such as direct deposit, interest-bearing savings accounts, bill pay functionality, card-to-card transfer capability, personal financial management tools, and online and mobile phone card account access, as well as overdraft protection through its issuing Banks, and complimentary insurance coverage services. Netspend Holdings, Inc. markets its cards through various distribution channels, including retail distributors, direct-to-consumer and online marketi ng programs, and contractual relationships with corporate employers. As of December 31, 2011, it offered approximately 2.1 million active cards through approximately 600 retail distributors at approximately 40,000 locations; and reload services through approximately 450 retailers at approximately 130,000 locations. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Austin, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jane Edmondson]

  One additional item of note: the stock has been a rumored take-out candidate since another large competitor, NetSpend (NTSP), received an offer to be acquired in February by global payment solutions provider TSYS (TSS).

Hot Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Leap Wireless International Inc.(LEAP)

Leap Wireless International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides digital wireless services under the ?Cricket? brand name in the United States. The company offers unlimited local and the U.S. long distance services from various Cricket service area and unlimited text messaging services, as well as mobile Web, 411 services, navigation, and data back-up. It also provides BridgePay, a flexible payment option for customers to use and pay for the company?s cricket wireless service; handsets and devices with various features; cricket broadband service, an unlimited mobile broadband service that allows customers to access the Internet through their computers; Cricket PAYGo Service, a pay-as-you-go unlimited prepaid wireless service designed for customers who prefer the flexibility and control offered by traditional prepaid services; and Muve Music Service, an unlimited music download service for mobile handsets in select cricket markets. In addition, the company off ers voice and data roaming services. It markets its cricket handsets and services, primarily through company-owned retail stores and kiosks, as well as through authorized dealers and distributors, including premier dealers, local market authorized dealers, national mass-market retailers, and other indirect distributors. As of December 31, 2010, the company offered services in 35 states and the District of Columbia to approximately 5.5 million customers. Leap Wireless International, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  On the downside, Verizon (NYSE: VZ  ) has fallen almost 1% after rival AT&T (NYSE: T  ) agreed to purchase Leap Wireless (NASDAQ: LEAP  ) in a $1.2 billion deal that would pay Leap investors $15 per share. Leap has more than doubled to surpass that $15 level, suggesting that investors expect Verizon or another rival bidder to try to make a play for the prepaid-mobile company. Given the huge demand for wireless spectrum that has driven several past deals within the industry, Verizon must not take its status as the No. 1 U.S. wireless carrier for granted. Yet with shares of other spectrum-holding companies also on the rise, it looks as though AT&T just raised the bar in its own quest to retain its No. 2 status and find ways to grow in the increasingly saturated U.S. market. Watch closely to see whether any other bidders emerge for Leap in the days to come.

• [By Mike Arnold]

  The wireless business has generated about $80 million in adjusted EBITDA over the last twelve months, but is clearly in decline. The recent AT&T (T) acquisition of Leap (LEAP) should be viewed in positive light, a transaction that included valuable spectrum and derived a premium 8x EV/EBITDA multiple.

• [By Neha Marwah]

  This is not all. The second largest wireless operator is also in the process of closing a deal with regional carrier Leap Wireless (LEAP) in a transaction of $1.2 billion and by assuming a net debt of $2.8 billion. The regional carrier postponed its shareholders vote for the proposed acquisition as it was required to make corrections in prior financial statements.

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  AT&T (NYSE: T  ) is now looking to acquire Leap Wireless (NASDAQ: LEAP  ) in a move that's very plainly a bid for more spectrum. While the headline cost is $1.2 billion, or $15 per share, AT&T is actually on the hook for a lot more.

Hot Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: Kona Grill Inc.(KONA)

Kona Grill, Inc. owns and operates upscale casual dining restaurants in the United States. The company operates its restaurants under the Kona Grill name. As of September 22, 2011, it owned and operated 23 upscale casual restaurants in 16 states, including Arizona, Missouri, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, Indiana, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Connecticut, Louisiana, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Maryland. Kona Grill, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Kona Grill (NASDAQ: KONA) shares rose 2.76% to reach a new 52-week high of $14.95. Kona Grill shares have jumped 66.10% over the past 52 weeks, while the S&P 500 index has gained 26.62% in the same period.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  The 24/7 Wall St. list of public companies expected to double sales in the next few years includes the following: Kona Grill Inc. (NASDAQ: KONA), LinkedIn Corp. (NYSE: LNKD),�Noodles & Co. (NASDAQ: NDLS),�Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ONXX),�Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: KORS),�Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOR),�Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA),�Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA),�Workday Inc. (NYSE: WDAY) and Yelp Inc.�(NYSE: YELP). Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB)�might as well be considered a runner-up here, but it was a direct competitor of LinkedIn in the selections.

• [By Quoth the Raven]

  My argument here is very similar to my argument I recently made with Kona Grill (KONA). Not only is NGS similar to Kona in the fact that they both have insiders with a huge stake in the game, but they both have the same growth prospects.

Hot Electric Utility Stocks To Invest In 2014: ImmunoGen Inc.(IMGN)

ImmunoGen, Inc. engages in the research and development of targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer using cancer biology, monoclonal antibodies, and highly potent cell-killing agents. The company develops its products using its Targeted Antibody Payload (TAP) technology. Its product candidates include Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), a Phase III clinical trial product for HER2+ breast cancer; lorvotuzumab mertansine (IMGN901), a Phase I clinical trial product, which targets CD56 found on small-cell lung cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, multiple myeloma, ovarian cancers, carcinoid tumors, and other cancers of neuroendocrine origin; IMGN529, a pre-investigational new drug stage drug for CD37+ B-cell malignancies, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and IMGN853, a preclinical stage product for cancers that overexpress folate receptor 1, including ovarian cancer. The company?s earlier-stage compounds in development stage comprise SAR3419, a Phase I clinical trial product for CD19+ B-cell malignancies, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; SAR650984, a Phase I clinical trial product for CD38+ hematological malignancies; SAR566658, a phase one clinical trial product for DS6+ solid tumors; and BT-062, a Phase I product for multiple myeloma. It has collaboration agreements with Amgen, Inc.; Bayer Schering Pharma AG; Biogen Idec MA Inc.; Biotest AG; Genentech, Inc.; Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc.; and sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. ImmunoGen, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sean Williams]

  High-risk, high-reward suggestions
  There's an undeniably large dollar amount being pledged to cancer research, but, even if a drug gains approval, that's no guarantee that the biotech or pharmaceutical company behind that drug will be a success. Some of the biggest gains (and losses) come from taking a leap of faith based on clinical data, or the approval of one or two drugs or devices within a pipeline. After that, it's all up to the drug or devices' effectiveness, its pricing, and the success of the marketing teams promoting the drug or device. Here are a few high-risk, high-reward names you should be keeping your eye on.

  Exelixis (NASDAQ: EXEL  ) : In November Exelixis had its first drug, known as Cometriq, approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. Although the market for this disease is pretty small -- somewhere between 500 and 700 people in the U.S. -- the near-tripling in progression-free survival, or PFS, in trials would indicate to me a strong likelihood that it could translate to success in other cancer types. In mid-stage prostate cancer trials, for instance, Cometriq was found to be particularly effective in dealing with bone metastases as a second or third-line treatment. We won't get any additional data until next year on Cometriq, but positive data on the prostate cancer front could be enough to double its share price if the PFS, compared to the placebo, is notably strong. ImmunoGen (NASDAQ: IMGN  ) : In February, Roche�and ImmunoGen received approval for Kadcyla as a secondary treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer. This is ImmunoGen's first drug approval, and it gives the company a chance to showcase what I feel is one of the future pathways of fighting cancer -- its targeted-antibody payload, or TAP, technology. ImmunoGen's TAP technology works by attaching a toxin -- in this case Roche's Herceptin -- to an antibody, and teaching that antibody to release the to
• [By Bryan Murphy]

  It may not have blazed a trail into the young, immunology segment of the biotech industry the way Dendreon Corporation (NASDAQ:DNDN) did back in 2010 with the debut of Provenge. It may not have the same immunology pipeline (and company size) that ImmunoGen, Inc. (NASDAQ:IMGN) boasts. One thing is pretty certain about cancer-immunotherapy developer CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSEMKT:CVM) right now, however - its stock may be poised to dole out a much bigger foreseeable-future reward than DNDN or IMGN are.

• [By Lee Jackson]

  While very upbeat on the sector as a whole, UBS was very cautious on sell-rated Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ: IRWD) and ImmunoGen Inc. (NASDAQ: IMGN). Neutral-rated Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTX) and Seattle Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN) were also viewed with a skeptical eye.

• [By Sean Williams]

  Now what: We're still in the top of the second inning of a nine-inning game here, but ADCs certainly appear to be the future of cancer therapy -- at least one path to treating it. Immunomedics still has a long road to climb as its two ADC peers are much further along in their development process. ImmunoGen (NASDAQ: IMGN  ) , for instance, already has an FDA-approved drug for late-stage HER2-positive breast cancer known as Kadcyla that utilizes the company's proprietary targeted-antibody payload technology (the same concept as ADCs with a different name) in combination with Roche's�Herceptin. In trials, this combo extended median overall survival by 5.8 months over the placebo to 30.9 months. Something similar can be said for Seattle Genetics�and its ADC pipeline.