The Supreme Court sided with Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A ) today in the landmark Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum case dealing with alleged corporate human rights abuses in the Niger River Delta. This decision constitutes a disgraceful victory for corporate impunity. Shell shareholders would be shortsighted to celebrate, and responsible investors have the power to do what the judiciary won't.
Dismissed, but not innocent
To be clear, the Supreme Court did not find Shell innocent of the accusations against it. Those accusations are for crimes against humanity, including torture and extrajudicial executions. Rather, the court found that the case could not be resolved in U.S. courts under a federal law called the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), because Shell is a foreign company that allegedly committed acts against foreign victims on foreign soil. Never mind that Shell is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and earned almost 20% of its 2012 revenue in the United States.
Fiat SpA, incorporated in 1906, is engaged principally in the manufacture and sale of automobiles, agricultural and construction equipment and commercial vehicles. It also manufactures other products and systems, principally engines, transmission systems, automotive-related components, metallurgical products and production systems. In addition, it is involved in certain other sectors, including publishing and communications. The Company and its subsidiaries operates approximately in 50 countries. The Company operates under five segments: automobiles, agricultural and construction equipment (CNH-Case New Holland), trucks and commercial vehicles, components and production systems, and other businesses. On 10 June 2009, the Company acquired 20% interest in Chrysler Group LLC. In January 2014, Fiat SpA announced that through its wholly owned subsidiary Fiat North America LLC (FNA) completed its announced acquisition of all of the VEBA Trust�� membership interests in Chrysler Group LLC.
Automobiles
The Company�� automobiles segment designs, develops and sells automobiles, which include Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth, Fiat Professional, Maserati and Ferrari. During the year ended December 31, 2009, this segment delivered a total of 2,150,700 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
Agricultural and Construction Equipment (CNH-Case New Holland)
The Company�� agricultural and construction equipment segment is engaged in the development of the agricultural and construction equipment industries in Europe and the United States. CNH operates through six brands: Case IH, New Holland Agriculture, Steyr, New Holland Construction, Case Construction and Kobelo. Case IH includes a range of tractors, combines and bailers. New Holland Agriculture�� products include tractors, harvesting equipment and telehandlers. Steyr is the producer of tractors in Austria. New Holland Construction is a producer of construction equipment with a network of 800 dealers an! d more than 2,100 points of sale in 100 countries.
Case Construction sells and provides service support for a range of construction machinery: from loader backhoes to crawler and wheel excavators, from wheel loaders to wheel and crawler skid steer loaders, from articulated dumpers to telescopic handlers. Kobelco produces and sells a range of compact, mid-size and full-size excavators ranging from 1.9 to 88 tons. It owns more than 250 sales outlets located throughout North America.
Truck and Commercial Vehicles
Truck and Commercial Vehicles segment develops, produces and sells a range of trucks and buses under the brands, which include Iveco, Iveco Irisbus, Iveco Astra and Iveco Magirus. Iveco produces a range of light, medium and heavy commercial and industrial vehicles for transportation and distribution of goods. Iveco Irisbus offers a range of vehicles, from minibuses to touring coaches, from urban buses to interurban buses designed to provide a solution to a variety of transportation needs, whether intraurban or interurban.
Iveco Astra produces 2, 3 and 4-axle vehicles for mining and offers over 210 Extra Heavy-Duty models for dump bodies, water and fuel tanks, cement mixers and pumps, drills, mobile service. In addition, it provides rigid dumpers of 14, 28, 32 and 40 tons and articulated dumpers of 25, 30, 35 and 40 tons. Iveco Magirus offers s range of vehicles for situations like fire, floods, earthquakes and explosions. It offers them under the Iveco Magirus, Lohr Magirus, Iveco Special Vehicles and Camiva brands.
Components and Production Systems
The Company�� products under the Components and Production Systems include FPT Powertrain Technologies, Magneti Marelli, Teksid and Comau. FPT Powertrain Technologies provides engines and transmissions. Magneti Marelli designs and produces automotive systems and components: from lighting to engine control systems, from suspensions to electronic systems, from exhaust system! s to comp! onents to the aftermarket and motorsport. Teksid is the producer of grey and nodular iron castings. It manufactures approximately 600 thousand tons of engine blocks, cylinder heads, engine components, transmissions parts, gearboxes and suspensions. Comau makes body welding and assembly robots, and machining and assembly for mechanical systems. It delivers turnkey solution, which includes design, production, installation, production startup and maintenance to the customers.
Other Businesses
The Company�� other businesses includes the contribution from the Company�� publishing businesses, service companies and holding companies.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Raymond Boisvert]
Ram Truck, a subsidiary of�Fiat� (NASDAQOTH: FIATY ) , is the first company to make this move. Beginning in model year 2014 the company will offer a diesel V-6 option for their Ram 1500 model.�While the impressive fuel economy and towing capabilities will undoubtedly attract more consumers to the truck market, it very well could cannibalize sales of the heavy duty 2500 and 3500 models which have had diesel options for years.
- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Does the dealer lose money on recalls? Generally, no.
Labor rates vary by dealer, but at $100 per hour, that would be $150, with another $89.68 for parts, he said, for a total $240. Dealers make a profit on the parts and technician labor, and the work helps pay for other service staff and overhead, Huffines said by email. A service manager at Raymond Chevrolet put the total cost of a Cobalt recall fix from his lot at $260 for GM. GM said the repair took 90 minutes and declined to comment on the cost. Huffines concluded, "Does the dealer lose money on recalls? Generally, no. Does the dealer make a very nice profit on recalls? Generally, no." The biggest cost to GM, Huffines said, was car rentals offered to ignition switch recall customers, which could be $1,000 to $2,500. GM said 83,000 cars had been loaned to customers. Dealers with their own fleets of service cars love the loaner car option. Mike Bowsher, co-chairman of the GM Dealers Executive Board and president of the Carl Black Automotive Group, based in the Atlanta area, said his four stores sold 10 cars in one week to people who came in for recall repairs. Some bought the loaner cars. Meanwhile, his parts and service business has set records three months running, thanks to the chance to upsell customers who might otherwise bypass the dealership for repair work. "I would have never had a shot at that," he said. Recalls, the 'New Normal' A massive recall by Toyota (TM) in 2009 and 2010 had an immediate effect on the Japanese automaker's U.S. sales, in contrast to GM this year. GM's recalls have come at a time when the economy is healthier, and the company has benefited from the fact that the recalls linked to fatalities are from discontinued models, said Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Karl Brauer. There may be a bigger issue, as well: recalls have become commonplace for almost every automaker, turning into "white noise" for consumer, say analysts and dealers alike. Ray Scarpelli said that with - [By John Rosevear]
The Fool's own senior auto analyst, John Rosevear, sits down with Richard Engdahl for an in-depth look at�Tesla�(NASDAQ: TSLA)�and the electric vehicle market, as well as Chrysler's unique situation with�Fiat�(NASDAQOTH: FIATY).
Top Sliver Stocks To Own Right Now: Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc.(CBST)
Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the research, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs in the acute care environment. The company markets CUBICIN (daptomycin for injection), a once-daily, bactericidal, intravenous, antibiotic with activity against gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Its clinical development product pipeline consists of CXA-201, which is in the phase III clinical trial for patients with complicated urinary tract infections; and in phase II clinical trial for patients with complicated abdominal infections. The company is also developing CXA-201 for the treatment of hospital acquired pneumonia. In addition, its product under development comprises CB-183,315, an oral, bactericidal lipopeptide with in vitro bactericidal activity against C. difficile, for the treatment of clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Further , the company?s pre-clinical programs include therapies to treat various bacterial infections and agents to treat acute pain. Additionally, it promotes MERREM I.V. (meropenem for injection), a carbapenem class intravenous antibiotic, in the United States under a commercial services agreement with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP; and DIFICID as the treatment for CDAD in adults under the co-promotion agreement with Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The company also has collaborations with Forma Therapeutics, Inc. to discover and develop antibacterial compounds; an agreement with the Broad Institute to transform natural products discovery; a collaboration with Hydra Biosciences, Inc., to develop ion channel drugs; and a collaboration agreement with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for the development and commercialization of Alnylam's RNAi therapeutics as a therapy for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Lexington, Mas sachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Lee Jackson]
Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CBST) is another top stock to buy making acquisitions. It recently received antitrust clearance for its�purchase of Trius Pharmaceutical. The acquisition strengthens its already strong antibiotic franchise. UBS has a $70 price target, and the consensus is placed at $65.
- [By Alyssa Oursler]
Another company with a megatrend in its corner is Cubist Pharmaceuticals (CBST) — the midcap stock that will replace Smithfield Foods in the S&P 400.
Top Sliver Stocks To Own Right Now: priceline.com Incorporated(PCLN)
priceline.com Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an online travel company. The company provides price-disclosed hotel reservation services on a worldwide basis primarily under the Booking.com, priceline.com, and Agoda brand names; and price-disclosed rental car reservation services in approximately 80 countries through TravelJigsaw brand name. It also offers its customers the ability to purchase other travel services, including retail airline tickets; rental car days; vacations packages consisting of airfare, hotel, and rental car components; cruise trips; and destination services, including parking, event tickets, ground transfers, and tours through its ?Name Your Own Price? demand-collection system in the United States. In addition, the company offers an optional travel insurance package that provides coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation, as well as for loss of baggage, property, and travel d ocuments for air, hotel, and vacation package customers; and collision damage waiver insurance for rental car customers in the United States. The company?s other brands include Lowestfare.com, rentalcars.com, Breezenet.com, MyTravelGuide.com, Travelweb, hotelroom.com, and Car Hire 3000. priceline.com Incorporated was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Bloomberg Businessweek]
Scott Olson/Getty ImagesTravelers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. American Airlines (AAL) has ended its bereavement fares, the discount offered to people who needed to fly immediately because of a loved one's death. That cold, callous, corporate decision -- which now aligns American's policy with that of its heartless merger partner, US Airways -- has unleashed the predictable gnashing of social media teeth. But it's not worth shedding a single tear for bereavement fares. Anyone shopping carefully -- a group that might not include mourners -- already knows that the "break" airlines offered the bereaved have been, at best, pathetic. A bereavement fare is typically just a small discount off the cost of a last-minute purchase, which are nearly always exorbitant. United (UAL) offers a 5 percent discount off a walk-up fare and wants to see a death certificate to ensure you're not lying. Delta's (DAL) price break varies -- which likely means it's influenced by seat inventory -- and applies only for immediate family members. (Delta, too, wants to verify the death.) Such paltry discounts mean little, especially when you're not debating whether to make the trip and just need a ticket procured quickly. "Five percent off a $900 fare isn't going to make that big of a difference to someone in an emotionally chaotic state," Rick Seaney, chief executive of FareCompare.com, told the Los Angeles Times. Exactly. I have a better idea: Go to the Internet. Many sites specialize in last-minute travel deals or fare bidding, such as Priceline (PCLN). If that's too much work at a fraught time, a travel agent can quickly handle the same chore. And one-way flights may make more sense, offering additional flexibility with an expensive purchase.
Top Sliver Stocks To Own Right Now: Apollo Group Inc.(APOL)
Apollo Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides online and on-campus educational programs and services at the undergraduate, master?s, and doctoral levels. The company offers various degree programs in arts and sciences, business and management, criminal justice and security, education, health care, human services, nursing, psychology, and technology through its campus locations and learning centers in 40 states and the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, as well as through its online education delivery system. It also provides various degree programs in Chile and Mexico, and through online; financial services education programs, including Master of Science in three majors, as well as certification programs in retirement, asset management, and other financial planning areas; and training and education to professionals in the legal and finance industries through its schools in the United Kingdom and a network of offices in Europe. In addition, the company offers p rogram development, administration, and management consulting services comprising degree program design, curriculum development, market research, student admissions, and accounting and administrative services to private colleges and universities for their working learners? programs; and sells books and other publications. Apollo Group, Inc. was founded in 1973 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Jesse Solomon]
Apollo Education (APOL) ticked up after the for-profit college operator beat earnings estimates. Still, the company said degree enrollment sank significantly at the University of Phoenix.
- [By Dan Newman]
In addition, graduation rates should also be reviewed. College Reality Check reports that only 13.2% of Ashford University students graduate in four years. Only 16% of Western Iowa Tech students graduate in two years. Many for-profit colleges, such as Ashford, have similar graduation rates below the national average. At�Apollo Group's (NASDAQ: APOL ) University of Phoenix, at its Phoenix campus, only 2.6% of students graduated within four years, according to information gathered by the Chronicle of Higher Education. In the University of Phoenix's online program, just 0.7% graduated within four years.
Top Sliver Stocks To Own Right Now: Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc. (ED)
Consolidated Edison, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides electric, gas, and steam utility services in the United States. It provides electric service to approximately 3.3 million customers and gas service to approximately 1.1 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, as well as provides steam service to office buildings and apartment houses in parts of Manhattan. The company also provides electric service to approximately 0.3 million customers in southeastern New York and in adjacent areas of northern New Jersey, and northeastern Pennsylvania; and gas service to approximately 0.1 million customers in southeastern New York and adjacent areas of northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition, Consolidated Edison involves in the sale and related hedging of electricity to wholesale and retail customers; operation of generating plants; participation in other infrastructure projects; and provision of energy-efficiency services, including the design and installation of lighting retrofits, high-efficiency heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, and other energy saving technologies to government and commercial customers. It serves residential, industrial, and large commercial customers. The company was founded in 1884 and is based in New York, New York.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dividends4Life]
This week a few companies answered the call and rewarded their shareholders with higher cash dividends:
Consolidated Edison Inc. (ED) engages in regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.4% to $0.63 per share. The dividend is payable March 15, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 12, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 4.7%.
Cousins Properties Incorporated (CUZ), a real estate investment trust (REIT), owns, develops, and manages real estate portfolio, as well as performs certain real estate-related services. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 66.7% to $0.075 per share. The dividend is payable February 24, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 10, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.
Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC) generates and distributes electric energy, as well as distributes natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Utility Energy and Non-Utility Energy. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.3900 per share. The dividend is payable March 1, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 14, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.
BlackRock Inc. (BLK) is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors. January 16th the company increased its quarterly dividend 14.9% to $1.93 per share. The dividend is payable March 24, 2014, to stockholders of record on March 7, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.4%.
ONEOK Inc. (OKE) operates as a diversified energy company in the United States. January 15th the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.3% to $0.40 per share. The dividend is payable February 18, 2014, to stockholders of record on February 10, 2014. The yield based on the new payout is 2.5%.
Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. (OHI) is a real es
- [By Dividends4Life]
Starting in 2013 the federal tax rates on qualified dividends are 0%, 15% and 20%. The 20% rate is for taxpayers in the 39.6% tax bracket. For those in the 10% and 15% brackets, there is no tax on qualified dividends. In contrast, ordinary income is taxed at rates up to up to 39.6%. Below are several stocks that have consistently paid dividends through depressions, recessions, world wars, and other political and economic upheavals:WGL Holdings Inc. (WGL) provides natural gas service in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and surrounding regions, including Maryland and Virginia. Yield: 4.1% | Paid Dividends Since: 1852Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), formed through the merger of Exxon and Mobil in late 1999, is the world's largest publicly owned integrated oil company. Yield: 2.7% | Paid Dividends Since: 1882Consolidated Edison, Inc. (ED) is an electric and gas utility holding company serves parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Yield: 4.4% | Paid Dividends Since: 1885The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is a leading consumer products company that markets household and personal care products in more than 180 countries. Yield: 3.2% | Paid Dividends Since: 1891The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is the world's largest soft drink company, KO also has a sizable fruit juice business. Yield: 2.9% | Paid Dividends Since: 1893General Mills, Inc. (GIS) is a major producer of packaged consumer food products, include cereal, yogurt and Betty Crocker desserts/baking mixes. Yield: 3.0% | Paid Dividends Since: 1898Avista Corp. (AVA) generates, transmits and distributes energy as well as engages in energy-related businesses in the United States and Canada. Yield: 3.0% | Paid Dividends Since: 1899MGE Energy Inc. (MGEE) is a public utility holding company that supplies electric service to apx. 140,000 customers; and natural gas service to apx. 145,000 customers in Wisconsin (as of December 2012). Yield: 2.8% | Paid Dividends Since: 1909Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) offers energy-related prod
Top Sliver Stocks To Own Right Now: Hillshire Brands Co (HSH)
The Hillshire Brands Company, incorporated on September 4, 1941, is a manufacturer and marketer of food products. The Company�� portfolio includes brands, such as Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, State Fair, Sara Lee frozen bakery and Chef Pierre pies, as well as artisanal brands Aidells and Gallo Salame. The Company operates in two segments: Retail and Foodservice/Other. Retail sells a variety of packaged meat and frozen bakery products to retail customers in North America. Foodservice/other sells a variety of meat and bakery products to foodservice customers in North America. On February 4, 2013, the Company completed the sale of its Australian bakery business.
Retail
Products in the retail segments include hot dogs and corn dogs, breakfast sausages, breakfast convenience items, including breakfast sandwiches and bowls, dinner sausages, deli and luncheon meats and cooked hams, as well as frozen pies, cakes, cheesecakes and other desserts. The Company�� brands include Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, State Fair and Sara Lee, as well as artisanal brands Aidells and Gallo Salame. The sales of the Retail business are generated in the United States Sales are made in the retail channel to supermarkets, warehouse clubs and national chains. Retail�� business accounted for 74% of the Company�� sales during the fiscal year ended June 29, 2013 (fiscal 2013).
Foodservice/Other
Products in the foodservice/other segment include hot dogs and corn dogs, breakfast sausages and sandwiches, dinner sausages, deli and luncheon meats, ham, beef and turkey, as well as a variety of bakery products, including pastries, muffins, frozen pies, cakes and cheesecakes. Sales are made in the foodservice channel to distributors, restaurants, hospitals and other large institutions. Foodservice/Other�� business accounted for 26% of the Company�� sales in fiscal 2013.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Caplinger]
Although the Hostess acquisition was high profile, Flowers has made many similar though smaller acquisitions in recent years, taking advantage of the fragmented bakery industry to pick off targets individually with attractive buyout offers. Moreover, late last year, the company bought licensing rights for the Sara Lee brand in California, after Sara Lee changed its name to Hillshire Brands (NYSE: HSH ) and shifted its focus toward meat products. The move helped Sara Lee reap more money from its brand while giving Flowers more market share in the important California market.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Top Headline
Hillshire Brands Co (NYSE: HSH) announced its plans to buy Pinnacle Foods (NYSE: PF) for around $6.6 billion including debt. Hillshire will offer $18.00 in cash and 0.50 shares of its common stock for each Pinnacle share.
