Wednesday, August 13, 2014

10 Best Machinery Stocks For 2014

Given that you clicked on this article, it seems safe to assume you either own stock in Synovus Financial (NYSE: SNV  ) or are considering buying shares in the near future. If so, then you've come to the right place. The table below reveals the nine most critical numbers that investors need to know about Synovus stock before deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold it.

As the bank's website tells it, Synovus traces its roots back to 1888 when a mill worker at Eagle and Phenix Mill in Columbus, Georgia "had her dress tangled in the factory machinery, and money sewn into the hem spilled across the floor." The mill's secretary and treasurer thereafter began offering to keep employees' money in a safe and pay them monthly interest on it. And thus was born Synovus Financial. With roughly $27 billion in assets today, the bank has since grown into one of the largest regional banks in the country.

As you can see in the table above, Synovus is still struggling to emerge from the financial crisis. Among other things, its nonperforming loans ratio is 101 basis points higher than the average of the 100-plus banks that I surveyed for this series. In addition, its efficiency ratio shows that virtually all of its revenue is eaten up by the costs of running the bank. And finally, its dividend payout ratio is roughly a third of where most bank investors like to see it. As a side note, Synovus' return on equity is abnormally high due to a large income tax benefit it recorded last year. It's for these reasons, in turn, that shares in the regional lender are trading for a 16% discount to tangible book value.

Best New Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Mueller Industries Inc (MLI)

Mueller Industries, Inc., incorporated on October 03, 1990, is a manufacturer of copper, brass, plastic, and aluminum products. The Company�� products include copper tube and fittings; brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; plastic pipe, fittings and valves; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabricated tubular products; and steel nipples. The Company also resells imported brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets and plumbing specialty products. Mueller�� operations are located throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and China. The Company has two segments: the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) segment. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment is composed of the Standard Products Division (SPD), European Operations, and Mexican Operations. The OEM segment is composed of the Industrial Products Division (IPD), Engineered Products Division (EPD), and Jiangsu Mueller-Xingrong Copper Industries Limited (Mueller-Xingrong), the Company�� Chinese joint venture. On August 16, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Westermeyer Industries, Inc. (Westermeyer), located in Bluffs, Illinois. Westermeyer designs, manufactures, and distributes high-pressure components and accessories for the air-conditioning and refrigeration markets. In October 2013, Commercial Metals Company completed the sale of Howell Metal Company, to Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Mueller Industries, Inc.

Plumbing & Refrigeration segment

SPD manufactures and sells copper tube, copper and plastic fittings, plastic pipe, and valves in North America and sources products for import distribution in North America. European Operations manufacture copper tube in Europe, which is sold in Europe and the Middle East; activities also include import distribution in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Mexican Operations consist of pi! pe nipple manufacturing and import distribution businesses, including product lines of malleable iron fittings and other plumbing specialties. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment sells products to wholesalers in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and refrigeration markets, to distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries, and to building material retailers.

Mueller�� Plumbing & Refrigeration segment includes SPD, which manufactures a line of copper tube, in sizes ranging from 1/8 inch to eight inch diameter, which are sold in various straight lengths and coils. Mueller is in the air-conditioning and refrigeration service tube markets. In addition, Mueller supplies a variety of water tube in straight lengths and coils used for plumbing applications in virtually every type of construction project. SPD also manufactures copper and plastic fittings and related components for the plumbing and heating industry that are used in water distribution systems, heating systems, air-conditioning, and refrigeration applications, and drainage, waste, and vent systems. SPD�� products are used in the domestic residential and commercial construction markets. The Plumbing & Refrigeration segment also fabricates steel pipe nipples and resells imported brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets, and plumbing specialty products to plumbing wholesalers, distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries and building materials retailers.

The Company competes with Cerro Flow Products, Inc., Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC , Wolverine Tube, Inc., KobeWieland Copper Products LLC, Howell Metal Company, Elkhart Products Company, NIBCO, Inc. and Charlotte Pipe & Foundry.

OEM segment

The OEM segment manufactures and sells brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum and copper impact extrusions; refrigeration valves and fittings; fabr! icated tu! bular products, and gas valves and assemblies. Mueller-Xingrong manufactures engineered copper tube primarily for air-conditioning applications. The products are sold primarily to OEMs located in China. The OEM segment sells its products primarily to original equipment manufacturers, many of which are in the HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration markets.

Mueller�� OEM segment includes IPD, which manufactures brass rod, nonferrous forgings, and impact extrusions that are sold primarily to OEMs in the plumbing, refrigeration, fluid power, and automotive industries, as well as to other manufacturers and distributors. The Company extrudes brass, bronze and copper alloy rod in sizes ranging from 3/8 inches to four inches in diameter. These alloys are used in applications that require a high degree of machinability, wear and corrosion resistance, as well as electrical conductivity. IPD also manufactures brass and aluminum forgings, which are used in a variety of products, including automotive components, brass fittings, industrial machinery, valve bodies, gear blanks, and computer hardware. IPD also serves the automotive, military ordnance, aerospace, and general manufacturing industries with cold-formed aluminum and copper impact extrusions. The OEM segment also includes EPD, which manufactures and fabricates valves and custom OEM products for refrigeration and air-conditioning, gas appliance, and barbecue grill applications. In addition, EPD manufactures shaped and formed tube, produced to tight tolerances, for baseboard heating, appliances, and medical instruments.

The Company competes with Chase Brass and Copper Company.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Neil Macneale]

    Among the potential addition to our portfolio, Mueller Industries (MLI) may seem among the least likely. It�� a very small-cap company ($1.8B) and it�� not very well known (covered by only two analysts).

10 Best Machinery Stocks For 2014: Kadant Inc (KAI)

Kadant Inc., incorporated in November 1991, is a supplier of equipment used in the global papermaking and paper recycling industries and a manufacturer of granules made from papermaking byproducts. Through its Papermaking Systems segment, the Company develops, manufactures and markets a range of equipment and products for the global papermaking, paper recycling, and process industries. Through its Fiber-based Products business, the Company manufacture and sell granules derived from pulp fiber for use as carriers for agricultural, home lawn and garden, and professional lawn, turf and ornamental applications, as well as for oil and grease absorption. Its Papermaking Systems segment consists of product lines, such as stock-preparation, fluid-handling, doctoring and water-management. On May 27, 2011, its subsidiary, Kadant Johnson Europe B.V., acquired all the interests in m-clean papertech holding AB. In April 2013, it completed the acquisition of Companhia Brasileira de Tecnologia Industrial (CBTI).

The Company�� customer base includes major global paper manufacturers and with its equipment found in most of pulp and paper mills. The Company manufactures its products in nine countries in Europe, North and South America and Asia. It develop, manufacture and market complete custom-engineered systems and equipment, as well as standard individual components, for pulping, de-inking, screening, cleaning, and refining recycled and virgin fibers for preparation for entry into the paper machine. Its principal stock-preparation products include recycling and approach flow systems and Virgin pulping process equipment.

The Company develop, manufacture and market rotary joints, precision unions, steam and condensate systems, components, and controls used primarily in the dryer section of the papermaking process and during the production of corrugated boxboard, metals, plastics, rubber, textiles, chemicals and food. Its principal fluid-handling systems include rotary joints, siphons, turbul! ator bars, and engineered steam and condensate systems. Its mechanical devices, used with rotating shafts, allow the transfer of pressurized fluid from a stationary source into and out of rotating machinery for heating, cooling, or the transfer of fluid power. Its devices, installed primarily inside the rotating cylinders of paper machines, are used to remove condensate from the drying cylinders through rotary joints located on either end of the cylinder. Its steel or stainless steel axial bars, installed on the inside of cylinders, are used to induce turbulence in the condensate layer to improve the uniformity and rate of heat transfer through the cylinders. Its steam systems control the flow of steam from the boiler to the paper drying cylinders, collect condensed steam, and return it to the boiler to improve energy efficiency during the paper drying process.

The Company develop, manufacture and market a range of doctoring systems and related consumables that continuously clean rolls to keep paper machines running efficiently; doctor blades made of a variety of materials to perform functions, including cleaning, creping, web removal, flaking, and the application of coatings, and profiling systems that control moisture, Web curl, and gloss during paper converting. Its principal doctoring products include doctor systems and holders, profiling systems and doctor blades. Its doctor systems clean papermaking rolls to maintain the operation of paper machines and other equipment by placing a blade against the roll at a constant and uniform pressure. A doctor system consists of the structure supporting the blade and the blade holder. It offers profiling systems that control moisture, Web curl, and gloss during paper converting. It manufacture doctor and scraper blades made of a variety of materials, including metal, bi-metal, or synthetic materials that perform a variety of functions, including cleaning, creping, Web removal, flaking and the application of coatings.

The Company devel! ops, manu! facture and markets water-management systems and equipment used to continuously clean paper machine fabrics and rolls, drain water from pulp mixtures, form the sheet or Web, and filter the process water for reuse. Its principal water-management systems include shower and fabric-conditioning systems, formation systems, and water-filtration systems. Its shower and fabric-conditioning systems assist in the removal of contaminants that collect on paper machine fabrics used to convey the paper Web through the forming, pressing and drying sections of the paper machine. A typical paper machine has between 3 and 12 fabrics. It supplies structures that drain, purify, and recycle process water from the pulp mixture during paper sheet and Web formation. It offer a variety of filtration systems and strainers that remove contaminants from process water before reuse and recover reusable fiber for recycling back into the pulp mixture.

The Company competes with Voith Paper GmbH, Metso Corporation, Maschinenfabrik Andritz AG, Deublin Company, Barco Company, Christian Maier GmbH & Co. KG, Duff-Norton Company, Joh. Clouth GmbH & Co. KG, Bonetti, S.p.A., Metso Corporation and IBS-Paper Performance Group.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Seth Jayson]

    Calling all cash flows
    When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Kadant (NYSE: KAI  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

10 Best Machinery Stocks For 2014: AB SKF (SKFRY.PK)

AB SKF, formerly SKF AB, is a global supplier of products, solutions and services within rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems. The services provided by the Company include technical support, maintenance services, condition monitoring and training. The Company operates in three divisions: Industrial Division and Service Division, servicing industrial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket customers respectively, and Automotive Division, servicing automotive OEMs and aftermarket customers. SKF operates in around 40 customer segments, including cars and light trucks, wind energy, railway, machine tool, medical, food and beverage and paper industries. In April 2009, the Company acquired the remaining 49% interest in SKF Polyseal.

In February 2008, the Company acquired QPMAerospaces�� metallic rods business. In October 2008, the Company acquired Cirval S.A Argentina. In November 2008, the Company acquired GLO s.r.l. Italy. In December 2008, the Company acquired the remaining 30% of the operations of SKF Automotive Bearings Company. In September 2008, the Company acquired PEER Bearing Company and its manufacturing units in the People�� Republic of China and Thailand.

Industrial Division

The Industrial Division serves industrial OEMs customers in some 30 global industry customer segments with a range of energy-efficient offerings. The solutions and know-how are based on the manufacturing of a wide range of bearings, such as spherical and cylindrical roller bearings, angular contact ball bearings, medium deep groove ball bearings and superprecision bearings, as well as lubrication systems, linear motion products, magnetic bearings, by-wire systems and couplings.

Service Division

The Service Division serves the global industrial aftermarket providing products and knowledge-based services for customers��plant asset efficiency. The solutions are based on SKF�� knowledge of bearings, sea! ls, lubrication systems, mechatronics and services, and customers are served by SKF and its network of over 7,000 authorized distributors. The division runs a network of Condition Monitoring Centres, which designs and produces global hardware and software. Service Division is also responsible for all SKF�� sales in certain markets.

Automotive Division

The Automotive Division serves manufacturers of cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, buses, two-wheelers and the vehicle service market, supporting them in bringing solutions to global markets. In addition, the division provides energy-saving solutions for home appliances, power tools and electric motors. Within the Automotive Division, SKF develops and manufactures bearings, seals and related products and services. Products include wheel hub bearing units, tapered roller bearings, small deep groove ball bearings, seals, and automotive specialty products for engine, steering and driveline applications. For the vehicle service market, the division provides complete repair kits, including a range of drive shafts and constant velocity joints.

Logistics Services

SKF�� business is supported by its logistics processes and systems, which involve all parts of the logistics needs in the supply chain. SKF Logistics Services provides warehousing, transportation, packaging and inventory management based on seamless information and communication technology for the SKF Group globally.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Stephen Simpson, CFA]

    I wrote on bearings and velocity control products company Kaydon (KDN) in early March of this year, and I didn't see a lot of value at the time. As the year went on, that call looked worse and worse, as the stock climbed about 18% - well above the S&P 500, and well above industry peers/competitors like Timken (TKR) and SKF (SKFRY.PK). To top it all off, Kaydon announced this morning (September 5) that it had received and accepted a buyout offer from SKF valuing the company at $35.50 - some 45% higher than the price when I thought it looked only about 10% undervalued. So what did I get wrong here, and what can investors do to avoid a similar mistake?

10 Best Machinery Stocks For 2014: Komatsu Ltd (KMTUY)

Komatsu Ltd. (Komatsu), incorporated in May 13, 1921, is a global company engaged in the manufacturing, development, marketing and sale of a range of industrial-use products and services. The manufacturing operations of Komatsu are conducted primarily at plants located in Japan, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Indonesia, China, Thailand and India. Komatsu�� products are primarily sold under the Komatsu brand name and almost all of its sales and service activities are conducted through its sales subsidiaries and independent distributors who primarily sell products to retail dealers in their respective geographic area. Komatsu operates and competes in the six principal markets, such as Japan, the United States, Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), China, Asia (excluding Japan and China) and Oceania and the Middle East and Africa. In May, 2009, Komatsu acquired the additional interest in Komatsu Australia Corporate Finance Pty. Ltd.

Construction, Mining and Utility Equipment

The Company offers various types of construction, mining and utility equipment, ranging from super-large machines capable of mining applications to general construction equipment and mini construction equipment for urban use. Komatsu�� range of products in this operating segment also includes a variety of attachments to be used with its products. Komatsu�� principal products include excavating equipment, loading equipment, grading and roadbed preparation equipment, hauling equipment, forestry equipment, tunneling machines, recycling equipment, industrial vehicles, other equipment, engines and components, casting products and logistics.

Industrial Machinery and Others

The Company�� Industrial Machinery and Others segment products are used by a range of businesses and include industrial machinery, such as forging and sheet metal machinery and other services. Komatsu�� principal products include metal forging and stampi! ng presses, sheet metal machines, machine tools, defense systems, temperature-control equipment and others.

The Company competes with Caterpillar Inc., Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., Volvo Construction Equipment NV, CNH Global N.V., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Dan Carroll]

    Chinese manufacturing and materials stocks may not be the only picks in trouble, however. Leading international manufacturers could see demand in the world's second-largest economy, cutting into lofty growth expectations that relied upon China's surge to make up for weakness elsewhere around the globe. Japanese industrial power Komatsu (NASDAQOTH: KMTUY  ) , the second-largest industrial machinery manufacturer in the world, is betting on�growing Chinese demand this fiscal year, in combination with the weak yen, to fuel growth.

  • [By Dan Carroll]

    That doesn't mean you should rush headfirst into any old Japanese stock on the hopes of a nationwide surge; as with all investing, picking the best stocks is the way to go. The country's top exporters have seen their stock rise and fall with the yen's volatility, but leading manufacturers such as Kubota (NASDAQOTH: KUBTY  ) and Komatsu (NASDAQOTH: KMTUY  ) are poised to ride a weaker yen higher to better compete against foreign rivals.

  • [By Nicole Seghetti]

    Dumped
    Japanese industrial manufacturer Komatsu (NASDAQOTH: KMTUY  ) recently picked up market share in China by outcompeting rival Caterpillar on price. But Fisher probably dumped Komatsu stock based partly on the company's shrinking profits resulting from falling demand in Asian nations such as China and Indonesia�.

10 Best Machinery Stocks For 2014: Cleantech Transit Inc (CLNO)

Cleantech Transit, Inc., incorporated on June 28, 2006, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses to explore opportunities in the development and production of hybrid, electric, alternative fuel and diesel heavy duty transit buses, luxury motor coaches and tour buses. On July 11, 2011, the Company formed Cleantech Energy, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary. In February 2013, the Company announced that acquired from Crown Equity Holdings Inc., Crown Buy Rite.

On July 25, 2011, the Company formed Cleantech Exploration Corp. as a wholly owned subsidiary. On October 31, 2011, the Company acquired a 40% interest in Ortigalita Power Systems, LLC a waste power generating project in California.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By CRWE]

    Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. CLNO currently (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:10PM EDT June 19, 2013)�surged�(+7.02%)�up�+0.0059 at $.0899.�This morning (June 19, 2013), this company�hit as low as $.073�and as high as $.09. The fact that their is under a million shares in play thus far only ignites the excitement that�CLNO brings to the table.

    Today�(June 19) CLNO�� daily range was at ($.09 – $.073) currently at $.0899 would be considered a (+8072.7%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011.�Eventhough CLNO has��surged�(+7.02%)�up�+0.0059 at $.0899 with 535,400 shares in play far (ref. google finance Delayed: 11:32AM EDT June 19, 2013), the stock is up +5893.33% since the concerning dates of December 20, 2013 ��June 19, 2013. +5893.33% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

    Earlier this month (June 3), CLNO acquired control of Discovery Carbon Environmental Securities Corporation (��iscovery��. The acquisition advances the strategy of developing significant market share in the alternative clean energy sector. Discovery�� proprietary GreenTrees��for renewable energy, and EvoCert��environmental credits for offsetting business and individual carbon foot prints are some of the exciting products Discovery provides to clients throughout the world.

    Breaking Shareholder News: (Jun 18, 2013)

    Cleantech Transit Inc. will change its name to EQCO2, Inc. The name change is more reflective of the Company�� proposed business operations.

    This change is being implemented after the company�� acquisition of Discovery Carbon which engages in the offsetting (equalizing/neutralizing) carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through the development and use of renewable energy products and emission offset credits. As a result of the name change, the Company may be issued a ne

  • [By CRWE]

    Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net ) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. Last Friday, CLNO previously surged (+12.82%) up +0.025 at $.220 with 163,136 shares in play at the close (ref. google finance July 26, 2013 ��Close).

    CLNO �� daily range was at ($.22 – $.185) thus far and currently at $.22 would be considered a (+19900%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. The stock is up +0.22 ( +9066.67%) since the concerning dates of January 28, 2013 ��July 26, 2013. +9066.67% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

10 Best Machinery Stocks For 2014: Robogroup TEK Ltd (ROBO)

RoboGroup T.E.K Ltd. is a global, diversified enterprise with proprietary technologies on the forefront of robotics, motion control and technology education. RoboGroup's activities are organized in two related business operations: Yaskawa Eshed Technology (YET) and Intelitek.

YET, a joint venture with Japan's Yaskawa Electric Corp., which provides industrial motion controls, particularly those based on its algorithms. Intelitek, which develops, manufactures and markets training products and e-learning systems. Intelitek�� broad educational product line covers subjects such as computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, configurable network computing, robotics, machine vision, hydraulics, pneumatics, sensors, process control and data acquisition. Intelitek also designs and produces integrated and customized manufacturing workcells, ranging from small-scale flexible manufacturing systems to complete computer integrated manufacturing systems.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Matt Krantz]

    Another way for investors to play the robotics industry is a new exchange traded fund, Robo-Stox Robotics & Automation (symbol: ROBO). The ETF owns a basket of robotics and automation stocks. One major caution, though, is that not all the stocks in the ETF are those investors traditionally think of when it comes to robotics. The largest weighting is in 3D Systems, a maker of a 3D printer, and Faro Technologies, which makes measurement devices. But none of the stocks in the ETF account for more than 4% of the total value, so the diversification helps give investors a way to play the speculative industry.

10 Best Machinery Stocks For 2014: Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc (RSI)

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., incorporated on July 19, 1996, is engaged in the designing, development, engineering, manufacturing and marketing of laser-based products used for cutting, welding and marking a range of materials. The Company offers a range of laser products and related services for three material processing applications: cutting, welding, and surface treatment (macro applications); marking, and fine cutting, fine welding, micro drilling, and micro structuring (micro applications). It provides a range of laser sources and laser-based system solutions to markets, such as the machine tool, automotive, semiconductor, electronics, and photovoltaic industries. Its product categories include Laser macro products, Laser marking products, Laser micro products and Components. The products are sold directly to end-users and to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had over 4,000 customers (including multinational companies with multiple facilities purchasing from the Company). During the year ended September 30, 2013 (fiscal 2013), approximately 38%, of the Company�� revenues related to sales of laser products for macro applications, approximately 13%, related to sales of components, and approximately 49%, related to sales of laser products for marking and micro applications.

LASER MACRO PRODUCTS

The Company�� carbon dioxide laser products for macro applications consist of DC Slab Series, SC Series, XL Series, STS Series, FH Series and SM Series. Its XL, STS, FH and SM Series fast-axial flow carbon dioxide lasers are used for both cutting and welding applications and are marketed under the PRC and NELC brand. XL, STS, FH, SM, FA, and PLS Series products are used primarily by the machine tool industry. Its SC Series diffusion cooled, wave-guide carbon dioxide lasers are developed and produced by Rofin-Sinar UK Ltd. The SC Series are sealed-off lasers, used for cutting and structuring applications. Markets for the! se include machine tool, electronics, and packaging industries. The Company�� DQ Series of Q switched, solid-state lasers are designed for applications, such as removal, cleaning and insulation of various materials in the automotive, consumer electronics and photovoltaic markets. The Company�� FL Series of high-brightness single or multi-mode fiber lasers use fiber optics as the active medium. These fiber lasers are used for cutting and welding applications, as well as for new applications, such as remote cutting. Its diode lasers are designed to meet the requirements of a range of welding, soldering and surface treatment applications.

LASER MARKING PRODUCTS

Rofin offers standardized and customized laser marking systems in different power ranges and wavelengths for use in various industrial segments. The Company�� standard PowerLine marking products consist of a range of lasers with output power from 2 watts to 100 watts with a galvo-head, a personal computer with processor, and Rofin�� VisualLaserMarker software. Special options and accessories include a double marking head allowing speeds of up to 1,600 characters per second in certain applications, as well as beam-switching and -splitting options for marking of products in multiple production lines using a single laser. It is used in the semiconductor and electronics industries. MultiScan vector scanning marker utilizes a 100 watts sealed-off carbon dioxide laser. It is used in marking of consumer goods in the packaging industry. LabelMarker Advanced is a laser-based system is Rofin�� solution. This laser system is used in any production area without additional safety requirements. The EasyMark is a transportable desktop device. The EasyMark offers a program-controlled z-axis and a rotary axis, which can optionally be integrated. An aluminum T-slot plate facilitates mounting of customer-specific work piece carriers. The EasyJewel is a transportable desktop device developed to mark jewellery. CombiLine Cube/CombiLi! ne Advanc! ed compact laser workstations have been designed for small and medium-size batches. NuQ pulsed fiber laser sources are produced and marketed under the Nufern brand and are designed for OEM customers and integrators.

LASER MICRO PRODUCTS

The Company markets and sells a range of laser products, including, pulsed, fiber and other solid-state lasers for various spot welding and fine cutting applications; carbon dioxide Slab lasers for perforating applications; Q switched, solid-state lasers for surface structuring, and diode lasers for soldering and plastic welding applications. The Company's manual welders for micro applications, which are sold under the name Performance Tool Open and Internal, consist of pulsed, solid-state lasers in the range of 60 watts to 200 watts, which are primarily used for fine welding applications in the medical device, jewelry and mold making industries. The StarPulse Series consists of pulsed Nd:YAG rod lasers with power ratings from 40 to 500 watts. These are designed for use in fine welding applications, such as laser welding of reflective materials in the medical device and electronics industry.

The StarFiber Series achieve nominal powers of 100 watts up to 600 watts. The lasers can be operated in either pulse-modulated or continuous wave mode. The StarFiber Series is designed for a range of applications for fine welding and fine cutting, such as welding of electromechanic components or fine cutting. The X-Lase Series consists of picosecond pulse mode-locked fiber laser systems with an output power of upto 24 watts. Markets are in the semiconductor, electronics and display industries. In these industries, the X-Lase products can be used for thin film patterning, ablation and scribing applications. Its StarFemto Series consists of femtosecond pulse mode-locked laser systems with a maximal output power of 5 watts. Main markets are medical implants and other fine cutting or structuring applications. The PerfoLas Systems consist of a carbo! n dioxide! laser in combination with a galvo scanning head and is used for precise cutting, drilling, and surface structuring.

The Universal Workstation (UW) and Modular Processing System (MPS) Series are modular laser-based systems that are designed to meet a variety of applications, including welding, cutting, surface modification and ablation. Depending on the application, the UW and MPS Systems can be equipped with different laser sources (femtosecond, fiber, diode, or solid-state laser) and modified for specific handlings. Series 800 are flash-lamp pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers, and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDP and LEP are diode pumped, solid-state lasers sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro and marking applications. Series LDPP are diode pulse-pumped Nd:YAG lasers that are designed to cut thin metals. Market is the medical devices industry. Series LFP are hybrid diode pumped, solid state, picosecond lasers that are produced and marketed under the Lee Laser brand and are sold to OEM customers and system integrators for various micro applications.

The COMPACT and MINI Diode Laser System Series are laser systems are available in a range of output powers and wavelengths, including fiber-coupled direct beam or line source solutions, and are engineered for utilization in industrial laser materials processing, mainly for plastic welding, soldering and brazing applications in the automotive, medical device and electronic industries. The KLS Series lasers are pulsed solid-state lasers which are used for fine cutting, drilling and scribing applications. The FLS Series are lamp pumped, pulsed, solid-state lasers with high peak power for deep penetration cutting, welding and drilling. SLS CL Series are pulsed Nd:YAG solid-state lasers with output powers in the range of 5 to 250 watts. The KLS 246, FLS, LFS and SLS CL Series are all manufactured by the Company's Switzerland-based subsidiary LASAG.

COMP! ONENT PRODUCTS

The Company offers power supplies for pulsed and continuous wave solid-state lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, diode lasers, as well as radio frequency (RF) generators for acousto-optic Q-switches through its wholly owned subsidiary PMB Elektronik GmbH. Fiber and Optics Technology are special fiber lasers, fiber coupling products and optical engines, for use in fiber lasers are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� Finland-based subsidiary Corelase Oy. Laser Diodes and Modules are high-power semiconductor components, such as high power, high-brightness laser diodes and modules are manufactured and marketed by the Company�� subsidiaries Dilas Diodenlaser GmbH, Dilas Diodelaser Inc., Dilas Diodelaser China and m2k-laser GmbH. Fibers, fiber components, beam splitters or switches and beam combiners designed for use in industrial lasers or as beam delivery systems are manufactured and marketed by Optoskand AB. Fibers and fiber laser technology components are developed, manufactured and marketed by Nufern, East Granby. The Company�� high-technology components are either integrated by other laser manufacturers into their products or are used for the Company�� own product portfolio.

The Company competes with Trumpf, GSI Group, Unitek Miyachi, Han's Laser, Fanuc, Synrad, Coherent, IPG, Laserline and Jenoptik.

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Greg Harmon]

    The Fresh Market (TFM), has been rising off of a bottom in March. It recently went through a 'W' consolidation and jumped higher, but is now retesting the top of the 'W'. The relative strength index (RSI) has held the mid line during the pullback and remains bullish while the moving average convergence divergence indicator (MACD) is not as positive. A turn higher, back over 53.50 could be a catalyst for a long entry, but a fall under 52 sets a target for a measured move (MM) lower to 50. This stock does not report earnings until late August.

  • [By Joon Choi]

    Currently, the monthly relative strength indicator (RSI) reading is 83.7. (A reading over 70 is considered to be overbought.) To put this figure in perspective, the monthly RSI of the Nasdaq Composite was 85.9 on March of 2000 (the index peak), and we know what happened afterwards.

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