10 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2014

Petrobras SA (NYSE: PBR  ) �currently produces above 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, 43% in the Santos basin and 57% in the Campos basin. Petrobras achieved this level of production with only 17 wells in pre-salt basins located in offshore Brazil. Furthermore, about 96% of its total production is achieved in Brazil, and the company currently has 69 floating rigs for well construction and maintenance in the country.

Petrobras holds world-class assets with tremendous potential that will boost its operating income in the coming years. From January 2012 to February 2013, a hefty 53 discoveries were made of which 25 were offshore, including 15 in pre-salt basins. According to the producer, production of more than one million barrels per day should be reached by 2017, and over 2.1 Mmbbls/d could be reached by 2020 for its pre-salt assets.

Petrobras' prolific assets in the Santos Basin
Notably, Petrobras owns several wells in the Santos pre-salt basins. However, some are attracting more attention recently, such as the Sapinhoa asset which started producing in January 2013, expected to ultimately reach capacity of 120,000 Bbls/d. Moreover, its Lula asset had first oil in May 2013 and is expected to reach capacity of 120,000 Bbls/d as well. In late October, Petrobras was awarded the Libra field concession, an offshore asset that will be developed and operated for the next 35 years, with a consortium composed of four other partners. The Libra field, according to Brazil's National Petroleum Agency (ANP), could hold between 8 billion barrels and 12 billion barrels of recoverable reserves.

Best Healthcare Technology Stocks To Watch For 2015: Holcim Ltd (HOLN)

Holcim Ltd (Holcim) is a Switzerland-based holding company that specializes in the manufacture, distribution and marketing of building materials. The Company operates four business segments, including Cement, Aggregates, Other construction materials and services, and Corporate. The Cement segment is engaged in the development of cement and comprises clinker and other cementitious materials, among others. The Aggregates business segment includes crushed stone, gravel and sand. The Other construction materials and services business segment comprises ready-mix concrete, concrete products, asphalt, construction and paving, and trading, among others. Additionally, other construction materials and services segment provides environmental services, including waste management, among others. The Corporate segment is engaged in holding activities and general management. It operates through subsidiaries in Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, North America, Africa and Middle East regions. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  Holcim Ltd. (HOLN) lost 0.9 percent to 68.15 francs in Zurich. Bank of America Corp.�� Merrill Lynch unit cut its rating on the world�� largest cement maker to underperform, similar to a sell recommendation, from neutral. Merrill Lynch cited the company�� exposure to emerging markets.

10 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2014: Opus International Consultants Ltd (OIC)

Opus International Consultants Limited is a supplier of multidisciplinary consultancy and project management services across a range of disciplines including, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, and planning, environmental, architectural and property management. The Company operates in four segments: New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Services supplied support asset development and asset management activities of the Company�� clients. Asset management services include property management and asset maintenance services predominantly using our engineering and environmental specialists. Asset development services include civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, planning, environmental and architectural work. Effective September 3, 2013, Opus International Consultants Ltda majority-owned unit of Opus Group Bhd acquired Stewart, Weir & Co Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John McCamant]

  Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) is expected to get FDA approval this year for its lead drug naloxegol, a once-a-day pill for opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The drug is licensed to AstraZeneca. NKTR will receive up to $245 million in milestone payments, plus royalties.

10 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2014: Fluor Corporation(FLR)

Fluor Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and project management services worldwide. Its Oil & Gas segment offers design, engineering, procurement, construction, and project management services to upstream oil and gas production, downstream refining, chemicals, and petrochemicals industries. This segment also provides consulting services comprising feasibility studies, process assessment, and project finance structuring and studies. The company?s Industrial & Infrastructure segment offers design, engineering, procurement, and construction services to the transportation, wind power, mining and metals, life sciences, manufacturing, commercial and institutional, telecommunications, microelectronics, and healthcare sectors. Its Government segment provides engineering, construction, logistics support, contingency response, management, and operations services to the United States government focusing on the Departme nt of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense. The company?s Global Services segment offers operations and maintenance, small capital project engineering and execution, site equipment and tool services, industrial fleet services, plant turnaround services, temporary staffing services, and supply chain solutions. Its Power segment provides engineering, procurement, construction, program management, start-up and commissioning, and operations and maintenance services to the gas fueled, solid fueled, plant betterment, renewables, nuclear, and power services markets. The company also offers unionized management and construction services in the United States and Canada. Fluor Corporation was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Editor , ETFChannel.com]

  CAT operates in the Construction sector, among companies like Deere (DE) which is up about 0.1% today, and Fluor (FLR) trading lower by about 0.6%. Below is a three month price history chart comparing the stock performance of CAT, versus DE and FLR.

10 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2014: Bouygues SA (EN)

Bouygues SA is a France-based group that operates in two sectors: Telecommunications and Media, and Construction. The Construction division comprises three core subsidiaries: Bouygues Construction, specializing in building and public works activities, notably in the areas of electrical engineering, and facility maintenance; Bouygues Immobilier, a property development company, whose activities include the development of residential, corporate and commercial properties, and the execution of urban development schemes, and Colas, engaged in the construction and maintenance of transport, urban development and leisure infrastructure. The Telecommunications and Media division of the Group comprises two companies: TF1, specializing in audiovisual and cinema production, the acquisition and sale of audiovisual rights, and the publishing and distribution of compact discs, among others, and Bouygues Telecom, which offers mobile telephone and broadband Internet services. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sofia Horta e Costa]

  Bouygues SA (EN), the French building, telecommunications and television company, surged 7.2 percent to 26.96 euros, the highest close since November 2011. Credit Suisse Group AG upgraded the shares to neutral, similar to a hold recommendation, from underperform.

10 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2014: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.(SWK)

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. manufactures tools and engineered security solutions worldwide. The company?s Security segment provides a range of mechanical and electronic security products and systems, as well as various security services consisting of security integration systems, software, and related installation, maintenance, monitoring services; automatic doors, door closers, and exit devices; healthcare storage and supply chain solutions; patient protection products; hardware; and locking mechanisms. This segment sells its products to retailers; educational, financial, and healthcare institutions; and commercial, governmental, and industrial customers through direct sales forces and third party distributors. Its Industrial segment offers mechanics tools and storage systems, including wrenches, sockets, electronic diagnostic tools, tool boxes, and industrial storage and retrieval systems; engineered healthcare storage and retrieval systems; hydraulic tools and accessor ies; plumbing, heating, and air conditioning tools; assembly tools and systems; and specialty tools. This segment sells its products to industrial customers through third party distributors and direct sales forces. The company?s Construction & Do-It-Yourself segment manufactures hand tools, including measuring and leveling tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, knives and blades, saws, chisels, and consumer tackers; consumer mechanics tools; storage units comprising plastic and metal tool boxes; and pneumatic tools and fasteners for use in construction, remodeling, furniture making, pallet and manufacturing applications. This segment sells its products to professional end users and consumers through retailers, including home centers, mass merchants, hardware stores, and retail lumber yards. The company was formerly known as The Stanley Works and changed its name to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. in March 2010. Stanley Black & Decker was founded in 1843 and is based in New B ritain, Connecticut.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  This series, brought to you by Yahoo! Finance, looks at which upgrades and downgrades make sense, and which ones investors should act on. Today, our headlines feature a pair of downgrades, for toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK  ) and electrical equipment maker EnerSys (NYSE: ENS  ) alike. But the news isn't all bad, so before we address those two, let's take a look at why one analyst thinks that...

• [By Mike Deane]

  Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK) reported its fourth quarter earnings early on Friday morning, posting results that beat both revenue and earnings estimates.

  SWK�� Earnings in Brief

  Stanley Black & Decker reported fourth quarter revenues of $2.9 billion, up 9% from last year’s Q4 revenue of $2.7 billion. Net earnings for the quarter came in at $38.5 million, up from last year’s Q4 net income of $36.1 million. SWK’s EPS for the quarter was reported at 41 cents, but after excluding one-time charges, diluted EPS for Q4 came in $1.32 The company was able to beat analysts’ estimates of $1.30 EPS on revenues of $2.87 billion. For the full year, SWK reported reported diluted EPS of $4.98 on revenues of $11 billion.

  CEO Commentary

  SWK’s chairman and CEO, John F. Lundgren Chairman, commented on the company’s earnings: ��uring 2013 we made significant progress driving organic growth throughout the organization and the fourth quarter was no exception as the momentum continued from our organic growth initiatives. CDIY and Industrial delivered strong top and bottom line growth in spite of FX headwinds and on-going challenging global market conditions. The Security segment�� margin recovery is underway with notable improvement in North America and actions to improve Europe�� margins in place.

  ��s we move into 2014 it is important to note that our long-term strategy and financial objectives remain intact. We are, however, focused on executing previously announced operating and capital allocation actions to boost returns in the near term. These actions demonstrate our commitment to drive sustainable improvements to the Company�� cash flow return on investment and drive shareholder value.��/p>

  SWK�� Dividend

  Stanley Black & Decker did not announce a change to its quarterly payout in its earnings release. The company announced a raise to its dividend in July, boosting its quar

10 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2014: Stock Building Supply Holdings Inc (STCK)

Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc., incorporated on April 16, 2009, is a diversified lumber and building materials (LBM) distributor and solutions provider that sells to new construction and repair and remodel contractors. The Company�� primary products are lumber & lumber sheet goods, millwork, doors, flooring, windows, structural components, such as engineered wood products (EWP), trusses, wall panels and other exterior products. The Company serves a customer base, including large-scale production homebuilders, custom homebuilders and repair and remodeling contractors. In addition, the Company provides solution-based services to its customers, including design, product specification and installation management services. The Company�� primary operating regions include the South and West regions of the United States.

The Company provides a balanced mix of products and services to the United States production and custom homebuilders and repair and remodel, multi-family and commercial contractors. The Company offer over 39,000 products sourced through its strategic network of suppliers, which together with its various solution-based services; represent approximately 50% of the construction cost of a new home.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Stock Building Supply Holdings (NASDAQ: STCK) dipped 1.53% to $19.95 in the pre-market session after the company prices 5.6 million shares at $19.50 per share by selling shareholders.

10 Best Construction Stocks To Watch For 2014: Tile Shop Holdings Inc (TTS)

Tile Shop Holdings, Inc., incorporated on June 21, 2012, is a specialty retailer of manufactured and natural stone tiles, setting and maintenance materials, and related accessories in the United States. The Company sells over 4,500 products from around the world, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stainless steel manufactured tiles and, marble, granite, quartz, sandstone, travertine, slate, and onyx natural tiles. It purchases its tile products and accessories directly from producers. The Company manufactures its own setting and maintenance materials, such as thinset, grout, and sealers under its brand name. The Company operates 70 stores in 22 states, with an average size of 23,000 square feet. It also sells its products on its Website. In January 2014 Tile Shop Holdings Inc launched its first retail store in Oklahoma City.

The Company offers a complete assortment of tile products, generally sourced directly from producers, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stainless steel manufactured tiles, and marble, granite, quartz, sandstone, travertine, slate, and onyx natural tiles. The Company also offers a range of setting and maintenance materials, such as thinset, grout and sealers, and accessories, including installation tools, shower and bath caddies, drains, and similar products.

The Company competes with Home Depot, Tile America, World of Tile, Century Tile, and Floor and Decor, Dal-Tile and Florida Tile.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  The shorts appear to be trying to crack small cap Tile Shop Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: TTS)���meaning it might be worth taking a realistic look at the stock and any potential problems surrounding it plus the performance of other home improvement retailers or peers like Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE: LL), which is not into tiles, and The Home Depot, Inc (NYSE: HD) and Lowe's Companies, Inc (NYSE: LOW) which would be into tiles.

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, natural stone tile retailer Tile Shop Holdings (NASDAQ: TTS  ) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

   

  Another under-$10 home improvement stores player that's starting to move within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade is Tile Shop (TTS), which operates as a specialty retailer of manufactured and natural stone tiles, setting and maintenance materials, and related accessories in the U.S. This stock has been hammered lower over the last six months, with shares down sharply by 40%.

  If you look at the chart for Tile Shop, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways over the last few weeks, with shares moving between $9.11 on the upside and $8.16 on the downside. This trend is occurring below both of TTS's 50-day and 200-day moving averages, although the 50-day moving average is not far off from current levels. Shares of TTS are now starting to bounce a bit above the lower-end of its range and it's begging to approach a breakout trade.

  Market players should now look for long-biased trades in TTS if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $8.68 to $9.11 a share and then above its 50-day moving average of $9.20 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 501,409 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then TTS will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $10.14 to $11.19 a share.

  Traders can look to buy TTS off weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support at $8.16 a share. One can also buy TTS off strength once it starts to bust above those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

  Must Read: 10 Stocks Billionaire John Paulson Loves in 2014

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Equities Trading DOWN
  Shares of Tile Shop Holdings (NASDAQ: TTS) were down 2.16 percent to $12.67. Citigroup downgraded Tile Shop from Buy to Neutral.