Best Stocks To Own For 2014

Stocks have just put in their best first-half performance since 1998, with the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) and the narrower, price-weighted Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) adding 12.6% and 13.8% (price return), respectively.

Let's take a quick look at this week's two most popular stocks. When I say "popular," I don't mean the ones that performed best, but those that popped up on investors' radars -- for good or bad reasons. Here, then, is who made a splash.

Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS  )
Thursday evening, on the eve of the initial public offering of fast-casual dining chain Noodles & Company, I wrote:

Foolish investors know that IPOs are a beauty contest and are, as a result, skeptical of the "value proposition." At the $16 midpoint of the new pricing range, shares of Noodles & Company would be valued at 52 times trailing normalized earnings per share, or 31 times tangible book value per share. In this case, that skepticism looks richly deserved.

5 Best Prefered Stocks To Invest In Right Now: China Precision Steel Inc.(CPSL)

China Precision Steel, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of high precision cold-rolled steel products primarily in the People?s Republic of China. Its products include high strength and ultra-thin cold-rolled precision steel coils and sheets with reduced thickness ranging from 7.5 mm to 0.03 mm comprising low carbon steel used in steel roofing, food packaging, dry batteries, electronic devices, and kitchen tools; and high carbon steel for automobile parts and components, grinding pieces, saw blades, and weaving needles, as well as for use in microelectronics. The company also provides steel processing for tailor made cold rolled steel products; and heat treatment, and cutting and slitting of medium and high-carbon hot-rolled steel strips not exceeding 7.5 mm thickness. It sells its products to components manufactures and directly to the end-users in China; and exports to Indonesia, Thailand, the Caribbean, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. China Precision Steel, Inc. is headq uartered in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  These reports have put several other steel companies in play.

  Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ: STLD) shares are up 0.44 percent Commercial Metals (NYSE: CMC) shares are up 0.34 percent ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) shares are up 1.77 percent China Precision Steel (OTC: CPSL) shares were up 2.7 percent

  Posted-In: Earnings Commodities Markets Trading Ideas

Best Stocks To Own For 2014: Lee Enterprises Incorporated (LEE)

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated provides local news, information, and advertising services primarily in midsize or small markets in the United States. The company publishes 50 daily and 39 Sunday newspapers, 300 weekly newspapers and classified, and niche publications in 22 states; and provides retail, classified, digital, and national advertising services. It also provides digital infrastructure and digital publishing services for approximately 1,500 daily and weekly newspapers and shoppers. The company was founded in 1890 and is based in Davenport, Iowa.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mike Arnold]

  I look at Glacier as one part Lee Enterprises (LEE) (community newspapers), one part Daily Journal Corp. (DJCO) (business/trade publications) with a splash of web start up. If Glacier were a drink, it would make for a delectable cocktail. Instead, its shares make for compelling investment aperitif at current prices.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  Another newspaper publishing player that looks ready to trigger a major breakout trade is Lee Enterprises (LEE), which is a provider of local news and information and a platform for advertising, in primarily midsize markets. This stock has been on fire so far in 2013, with shares up big by 154%.

  >>Hack Earnings Season With These Serial Surprisers

  If you take a look at the chart for Lee Enterprises, you'll notice that this stock is just starting to spike higher back above its 50-day moving average of $2.89 a share with strong upside volume. Volume already today has registered over 360,000 shares, which is quickly approaching its three-month average action of 399,735 shares. This move is quickly pushing shares of LEE within range of triggering a major breakout trade.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in LEE if it manages to break out above some near-term overhead resistance levels at $3.14 a share to its 52-week high at $3.20 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 399,735 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then LEE will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $4 to $5 a share.

  Traders can look to buy LEE off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some key near-term support levels at $2.71 or at $2.60 a share. One could also buy LEE off strength once it takes out those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By George Putnam]

  Lee Enterprises (LEE) is a publisher of regional newspapers. Like many in its sector, the company struggled with competition from the Internet, and it went through a short bankruptcy at the end of 2011.

Best Stocks To Own For 2014: Pixelworks Inc.(PXLW)

Pixelworks, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, and marketing of video and pixel processing semiconductors and software for digital video applications. Its products include ImageProcessor integrated circuits (ICs), which comprise embedded microprocessors, digital signal processing technology, and software that control the operations and signal processing within high-end display systems, such as projectors and high-resolution flat panels; Video Co-Processor ICs that work in conjunction with an image processor to post-process video signals to enhance the performance or feature set of the overall video solution; and Networked Display ICs, which allow the same video stream to be networked across multiple displays. The company serves the manufacturers of digital display and projection devices, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) large-screen televisions and 3LCD, and digital light processing digital front projectors, as well as the flat pa nel display market, including digital signage. Pixelworks, Inc. sells its products through its direct sales force, distributors, and manufacturers? representatives in Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea, the United States, Europe, and southeast Asia. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in San Jose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Another heavily traded Nasdaq stock today is Pixelworks Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW). The maker of of video processing chips said that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) contributed more than 10% to the company�� revenues last year. Analysts expect more upside for the company this year and next as a result. Pixelworks��shares are looking to close up 84.37% at $8.88 in a 52-week range of $2.11 to $9.05 (a new 52-week high today). Share volume was approaching 15-times more than the daily average of around 500,000 shares traded.

• [By John Udovich]

  We have recently added small cap video chip stock Pixelworks, Inc (NASDAQ: PXLW) to our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO)�as it stands to benefit from the growth in connecting HD quality video across all mobile device platforms, as well as Smart TVs; but Silicon Image, Inc (NASDAQ: SIMG) and Sigma Designs, Inc (NASDAQ: SIGM) are also providing chips for the video or entertainment markets. Moreover, all three of these small cap stocks have recently reported earnings that might leave you feeling even more bullish.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  A semiconductor stock that looks poised for higher prices is Pixelworks (PXLW), which designs, develops and markets video and pixel processing semiconductors and software for high-end digital video applications. This stock has been in play with the bulls so far in 2013, with shares up by 104%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Pixelworks, you'll notice that this stock has been uptrending for the last month and change, with shares moving higher from its low of $3.63 to its intraday high of $4.74 a share. During that uptrend, shares of PXLW have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now started to push shares of PXLW into breakout territory above $4.58 a share with strong upside volume flows. Volume so far today has already surpassed 1 million shares, which is well above its three-month average action of 334,348 shares.

  Market players should now look for long-biased trades in PXLW if it manages to break out above Thursday's intraday high of $4.74 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above that level with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 334,348 shares. If we get that move soon, then PXLW will set up to re-test or possibly take out its 52-week high at $5.30 a share. Any high-volume move above $5.30 will then give PXLW a chance to tag $6 a share.

  Traders can look to buy PXLW off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below its 50-day moving average of $3.92 a share, or below some more support at $3.80 a share. One can also buy PXLW off strength once it clears $4.74 a share with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  Pixelworks Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW) showed that its second-quarter revenue rose by 15.5% due to increased sales of chips for both projectors and TVs. Shares were up 26% at $4.50 in the Tuesday after-hours session, but we would warn that volume is not as active and a wide spread may have amped the gain. Now we have shares up a whopping 44% at $5.15, and volume has become active as a result.

Best Stocks To Own For 2014: Standard Motor Products Inc (SMP)

Standard Motor Products, Inc. (Standard Motor Products) is an independent manufacturer and distributor of replacement parts for motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry, with a focus on the original equipment service market. The Company operates in two segments: Engine Management Segment and Temperature Control Segment. The Engine Management Segment manufactures ignition and emission parts, ignition wires, battery cables and fuel system parts. The Temperature Control Segment manufactures and remanufactures air conditioning compressors, air conditioning and heating parts, engine cooling system parts, power window accessories, and windshield washer system parts. In January 2014, the Company acquired the assets of Pensacola Fuel Injection, a privately-held company.

The Company�� customers consist of warehouse distributors, such as CARQUEST Corporation and NAPA Auto Parts, as well as auto parts retail chains, such as Advance Auto Parts, Inc., AutoZone, Inc., O��eilly Automotive, Inc., Canadian Tire Corporation and Pep Boys. Its customers also include national program distribution groups, such as Federated Auto Parts, Inc., All Pro/Bumper to Bumper (Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.), Automotive Distribution Network and The National Pronto Association, and specialty market distributors. The Company distributes parts under its own brand names, such as Standard, BWD, Intermotor, GP Sorensen, TechSmart, OEM, Four Seasons, Factory Air, EVERCO, ACi, Imperial and Hayden and through private labels, such as CARQUEST, O��eilly Import Direct and Master Pro, NAPA Echlin, NAPA Temp Products and NAPA Belden.

Engine Management Segment

The Company manufacture a line of engine management replacement parts including, electronic ignition control modules, fuel injectors, ignition wires, voltage regulators, coils, switches, emission sensors, EGR valves, distributor caps and rotors and other engine management components primarily under its brand names Standard, BWD! , Intermotor, OEM, TechSmart and GP Sorensen, and through private labels, such as CARQUEST, O��eilly Import Direct and Master Pro, NAPA Echlin and NAPA Belden. In its Engine Management Segment, replacement parts for ignition, emission control and fuel systems accounted for approximately 60% of the Company�� revenues during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Vehicles are factory-equipped with computer-controlled engine management systems to control ignition, emission and fuel injection systems. The on-board computers monitor inputs from many types of sensors located throughout the vehicle, and control a myriad of valves, injectors, switches and motors to manage engine and vehicle performance. Electronic ignition systems enable the engine to operate with improved fuel efficiency and reduced level of hazardous fumes in exhaust gases. Wire and cable parts accounted for approximately 12% of the Company�� revenues during 2011. These products include ignition (spark plug) wires, battery cables and a range of electrical wire, terminals, connectors and tools for servicing an automobile�� electrical system. The component of this product line is the sale of ignition wire sets.

Temperature Control Segment

The Company manufactures, remanufactures and markets a line of replacement parts for automotive temperature control (air conditioning (AC) and heating) systems, engine cooling systems, power window accessories and windshield washer systems, primarily under its brand names of Four Seasons, EVERCO, ACi, Hayden, Factory Air and Imperial, and through private labels, such as CARQUEST, NAPA Temp Products and Murray.

The product groups sold by its Temperature Control Segment are new and remanufactured compressors, clutch assemblies, blower and radiator fan motors, filter dryers, evaporators, accumulators, hose assemblies, expansion valves, heater valves, AC service tools and chemicals, fan assemblies, fan clutches, engine oil coolers, transmission coolers, wind! ow lift m! otors, motor/regulator assemblies and windshield washer pumps. The Company�� temperature control products accounted for approximately 27% of the Company�� revenues during 2011.''

The Company competes with ACDelco, Delphi Automotive PLC, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch Corporation, Visteon Corporation, NGK/NTK, General Cable, Prestolite, United Components, Inc, ACDelco, Delphi Automotive PLC, Denso Corporation, Sanden International, Inc., Continental AG and Vista-Pro Automotive, LLC.

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 Standard Motor Products (NYSE: SMP  ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

• [By , Zacks Investment Research]

  Standard Motor Products (SMP) makes�replacement parts for motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry with an increasing focus on the original equipment service market. It has a market cap of $959 million.

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  What: Shares of Standard Motor Products (NYSE: SMP  ) weren't looking up to snuff today, falling as much as 10% today after Goldman Sachs downgraded the entire U.S. auto sector and lowered its rating on Standard form "neutral" to "sell."

Best Stocks To Own For 2014: Molex Incorporated(MOLX)

Molex Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of electronic components worldwide. It offers micro-miniature connectors, B-to-B connectors, SIM and SD card sockets, keypads, electromechanical subassemblies, internal and on-ground antennas, standard antennas, magnetic jacks, and subsystems for the telecommunications market; and power, optical, and signal connectors and cables for end-to-end data transfer, linking disk drives, controllers, servers, switches, and storage enclosures for the info-tech market. The company also designs and manufactures connectors for home and portable audio, digital still and video cameras, DVD players, and recorders, as well as devices that combine multiple functions in the consumer market, earphones, jumpers, and components for gaming machines. In addition, it provides network interface cards, software for industrial networks, cord sets, electrical solutions, and I/O connectors for industrial pr oduction equipment, as well as portable lighting to power distribution solutions for commercial construction, utility, petrochemical, and food and beverage industries; and cable assemblies, sealed and panel mount connectors, and other products for use in the infotainment and navigation, powertrain, safety and chassis, and body electronics in the automotive market. Further, the company offers connectors and custom integrated systems for diagnostic and therapeutic equipment used in hospitals, including x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and dialysis machines; and solid-state lighting products. Additionally, it provides manufacturing services to integrate specific components into a customer?s product. The company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers, and distributors. It markets its products through direct sales force and a network of distributors. Molex Incorporated was founded in 1938 and is based in Lisle, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Diane Alter]

  Koch Industries, one of the largest private companies in the United States, announced Monday it will buy electronic components manufacturer Molex Inc. (Nasdaq: MOLX) for $7.2 billion.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Competitor AVX Corp. (AVX) has gained 1.1% to $12.96, while Molex (MOLX) has dropped 0.2% to $29.28 and Amphenol (APH) has ticked up 0.3% to $76.32.

Best Stocks To Own For 2014: CCR SA (CCRO3)

CCR SA is a Brazil-based holding company primarily engaged in the operation of highways. The Company's businesses are divided into five main operating segments: Highway which includes concessions such as AutoBAn, ViaOeste, NovaDutra, RodoNorte, SPVias, Ponte, ViaLagos, RodoAnel Oeste, Transolimpica and Renovias; Subway which includes ViaQuatro, Sea Transportation which includes Barcas concession; Airport Concessions which include Quiport, Aeris and CAP, and all companies related to these concessions; and Services/Holdings which is related to sub-holdings CPC and CCR Espana, among others. It is involved in the collection of toll fees on highways and is responsible for repairing, conserving, maintaining and operating of these highways. It is responsible for national highways network in Brazilian states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Parana. Additionally, it is active in automotive inspection services, automatic toll payment and automatic vehicle identification systems operation. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ney Hayashi]

  Toll-road operator CCR SA (CCRO3) added 3.1 percent to 16.75 reais, snapping a five-day rout that drove shares 11 percent lower. Competitor EcoRodovias Infraestrutura e Logistica SA gained 1.7 percent to 14.75 reais today.