10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now

Jeffrey Gundlach, manager of the top-performing DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund, said the Federal Reserve won't reduce its monthly asset purchases, known as quantitative easing, until a new chairman takes over at the central bank at the end of January.

The Fed has indicated that a reduction of asset purchases will depend on economic data, and it's unlikely that those numbers will improve sufficiently by next month to warrant a reduction in the purchases by October, Gundlach said Thursday on a conference call with investors.

“It's hard to believe the data will have such a monumental change in the next couple of weeks,” said Gundlach, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Los Angeles- based DoubleLine Capital LP.

Top Asian Stocks To Watch Right Now: Norfolk Souther Corporation(NSC)

Norfolk Southern Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods primarily in the United States. The company transports coal products, such as coal, coke, and iron ore; automotive products, including finished vehicles and auto parts; chemicals products consisting of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, and municipal wastes; metals and construction products comprising steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, bricks, and minerals; and paper, clay, and forest products, including lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, scrap paper, and clay. It also transports agriculture, consumer, and government products, such as soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizer, animal and poultry feed, food oils, flour, beverages, canned goods, swee teners, consumer products, ethanol, and items for the military. In addition, it engages in the intermodal operations that include moving of shipments in trailers, the United States and international containers, and roadrailer equipment. Further, the company transports overseas freight through various Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports, as well as provides a range of logistics services; and operates passenger and commuter trains. Additionally, it involves in the acquisition, leasing, and management of coal, oil, gas, and minerals; the development of commercial real estate; telecommunications; and the leasing or sale of rail property and equipment. As of December 31, 2010, the company operated approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in 1883 and is based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  For instance, fourth-quarter coal volumes at CSX (NYSE: CSX  ) and Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC  ) declined 19% and 13.2%, respectively, from year-ago levels, dragging coal revenues down 18% at CSX and 23% at Norfolk Southern.

• [By Steven Russolillo]

  WATCH FOR: MBA Weekly Purchase Applications (7:00 a.m. Eastern Time). EIA Petroleum Status Report (10:30). Angie’s List, AT&T (T), Boeing (BA), Cheesecake Factory, Delta, Dow Chemical (DOW), Facebook (FB) Freeport McMoRan (FCX), Hanesbrands, Norfolk Southern (NSC), Northrop Grumman (NOC), Pepsi (PEP), Qualcomm (QCOM), Weatherford and Whirlpool (WHR) are among companies scheduled to report quarterly results.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  But CSX has responded to the coal crisis in a couple of ways. First, both it and fellow coal-focused railroad Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC  ) have ramped up their efforts to export coal, as countries such as China and India remain hungry for low-cost-energy alternatives. Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU  ) has a natural advantage in supplying Asia because of its deposits in Australia, allowing it to send coal to India and China more cheaply than its peers, especially those with extensive deposits in the eastern half of the U.S. But even eastern producers have managed to boost their exports considerably, and that's helping the railroads that serve coal companies.

• [By Mani]

  Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) is well positioned for a pickup in truckload rates, and an improvement in truckload rates should be positive for intermodal pricing.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: WellPoint Inc.(WLP)

WellPoint, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company offers various network-based managed care plans to large and small employer, individual, Medicaid, and senior markets. Its managed care plans include preferred provider organizations; health maintenance organizations; point-of-service plans; traditional indemnity plans; and other hybrid plans, including consumer-driven health plans, hospital only, and limited benefit products. The company also provides various managed care services comprising claims processing, underwriting, stop loss insurance, actuarial services, provider network access, medical cost management, disease management, wellness programs, and other administrative services to self-funded customers. In addition, it offers specialty and other products and services, including life and disability insurance benefits; dental, vision, and behavioral health benefit services; radiology benefit management; personal health care guidance; and long-term care insurance. Further, the company serves as an intermediary providing administrative service for the Medicare program that offers coverage for persons, who are 65 or older and for persons who are disabled or with end-stage renal disease. WellPoint, Inc. markets its products through a network of independent agents and brokers, consultants, in-house sales force, or Internet. The company, formerly known as Anthem, Inc., was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Todd Campbell]

  UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH  ) is the nation's largest insurer and the company just put up solid second-quarter results that may suggest good news is coming from competitors, including WellPoint (NYSE: WLP  ) .

• [By Keith Speights]

  Florida already announced contracts with seven managed-care organizations, including UnitedHealth Group� (NYSE: UNH  ) and Amerigroup, which was acquired in 2012 by WellPoint (NYSE: WLP  ) . �Medicaid managed care is a big business for both large insurers. UnitedHealth reported $16.4 billion in 2012 revenue from its business unit that handles Medicaid programs.�WellPoint doesn't break out its Medicaid revenue separately, but Amerigroup reported more than $6.4 billion in revenue during the first three quarters of 2012, of which a high percentage stemmed from Medicaid.

• [By Susan J. Aluise]

  What’s worse: HHS is eying far tougher regulations next year against health plans with narrow provider networks. That means healthcare stocks like Humana (HUM), Cigna (CI), Aetna (AET) and WellPoint (WLP), which have gained more than 50% in the past year, could face headwinds as they try to expand provider networks while keeping premiums low.

• [By Daniel Jennings]

  The White House was planning a massive Obamacare marketing effort with the help of unions and nonprofit groups. That effort has apparently been put on the backburner.
  The Obamacare news didn't help UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). Its share price fell by .017 percent in mid-day trading on Wednesday. Yet it seemed to help WellPoint (NYSE: WLP). The operator of the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans saw its share price rise by .01% on Wednesday . A smaller operator of healthcare plans, Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH) saw its share price fall.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: Professional Diversity Network Inc (IPDN)

Professional Diversity Network, Inc, formerly Professional Diversity Network, LLC, incorporated on October 23, 2003, develops and operates online networks serving diverse professionals in the United States. As of February 28, 2013, the Company focused on Hispanic-American and African-American professionals and launched additional Websites to other diverse segments, including women, Asian-American, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), differently-abled and military professionals. As of February 28, 2013, it had two million members and more than 3,000 companies and organizations, including 60% of the companies, have listed job postings on its Websites. The Company�� major assets include iHispano.com, which has over 1.2 million members in its network and AMightyRiver.com, which has over 600,000 members in its network. As of September 30, 2012, iHispano.com had over 3.7 million visitors and over 4.3 million visits, while AMightyRiver.com had over one million visitors and over 1.2 million visits. In June 2013, Professional Diversity Network announced that it has acquired Resunate Recruiting Technology Platform. In September 2013, Professional Diversity Network Inc acquired the assets of Personnel Strategies Inc.

The Company launched additional online professional networking Websites that serve other diverse communities, including women (WomensCareerChannel.com), Asian Americans (ACareers.net), LGBT (OutProNet.com), enlisted and veteran military personnel (Military2Career.com) and differently-abled (ProAble.net) professionals. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, this Website had over 700,000 visits and over 600,000 visitors. As of September 30, 2012, WomensCareerChannel.com had over 75,000 members. On November 12, 2012, the Company entered into a diversity recruitment partnership agreement with LinkedIn, which became effective on January 1, 2013. Pursuant to its agreement, LinkedIn may resell to its customer diversity-based job postings and recruitment advertising on the Co! mpany�� Websites.

Solutions for Members

The Company offers a variety online professional networking and career placement solutions. The solutions include talent recruitment communities, job postings and company information search capability, identity and contact management, networking tools, mentoring program, career tools and skill-based content , and E-newsletter and national event information.

Solutions for Employers and Recruiters

The Company posts job listings of employers through its strategic partnership with LinkedIn. These employers include large corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations and other enterprises. The hiring solutions the Company offers include talent recruitment communities, single and multiple job postings, resume database, hiring campaign marketing and advertising, research on products and services, and employment recruitment intelligence compliance assistance (ERICA).

Solutions for Advertisers

The Company�� platform also enables advertisers to target and reach large audiences of diverse professionals and connect them to relevant services. It assists advertisers in building campaigns and provides additional creative services. The Company�� branding and marketing platform employs email marketing, social media, search engines, traffic aggregators and strategic partnerships.

The Company competes with LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter, Monster Worldwide, Taleo, Career Builder, Black Planet and MiGente.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Wallace Witkowski]

  Shares of Professional Diversity Network LLC (IPDN) �dropped 26% to $3.50 on light volume after hours Friday. The company said in an SEC filing that LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD) �will no longer resell the company�� postings or recruitment advertising on LinkedIn after March 30.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: Integrated Electrical Services Inc.(IESC)

Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. provides electrical infrastructure services in the United States. The company?s Communications segment offers various services, including the design, installation, and maintenance of network infrastructure for the financial, medical, hospitality, government, manufacturing, educational, and information technology industries; design and installation of audio/visual, telephone, fire, wireless, and intrusion alarm systems, as well as design/build, servicing, and maintenance of data network systems. Its Residential segment offers electrical installation services for single-family housing and multi-family apartment complexes, and CATV cabling installations for residential and commercial applications. This segment also installs residential solar power, smart meters, electric car charging stations, and stand-by generators. The company?s Commercial and Industrial segment provides electrical contracting services, which include the design of ele ctrical systems in a building or complex; procurement and installation of wiring and connection to power sources; end-use equipment and fixtures; and contract maintenance services. It also provides service, maintenance, and renovation and upgrade work services; and services for various projects, including high-rise residential and office buildings, power plants, manufacturing facilities, data centers, chemical plants, refineries, wind farms, solar facilities, municipal infrastructure, and health care facilities, as well as residential developments. In addition, this segment offers utility services consisting of overhead and underground installation and maintenance of electrical and other utilities transmission and distribution networks; installation and splicing of high-voltage transmission and distribution lines; substation construction; and substation and right-of-way maintenance. Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GuruFocus]

  Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (IESC): President and CEO James M. Lindstrom Bought 1,901 Shares
  
  President and CEO of Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (IESC) James M. Lindstrom bought 1,901 shares on 09/25/2013 at an average price of $4.08. Integrated Electrical Services Inc. has a market cap of $73.0559 million; its shares were traded at around $4.08 with and P/S ratio of 0.13.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc.(FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. engages in the exploration, mining, and production of mineral resources. The company primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and cobalt. It holds interests in various properties, located in North and South America; the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; and the Tenke Fungurume minerals district in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of December 31, 2010, the company?s consolidated recoverable proven and probable reserves totaled 120.5 billion pounds of copper, 35.5 million ounces of gold, 3.39 billion pounds of molybdenum, 325.0 million ounces of silver, and 0.75 billion pounds of cobalt. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  In the video below, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses the pros and cons of four specific miners. Where Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX  ) and Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX  ) each offer a different type of investment opportunity, they share a solid dividend yield. Likewise, both Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM  ) and Kinross (NYSE: KGC  ) have different overall profiles, but still are worth considering from an income perspective. Ultimately, finding investment opportunities that combine yield and a solid risk-return profile is critical, and these four stocks may fit your needs.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Cliffs Natural Resources have dropped 0.4% to $18.39 today, even as Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX) has gained 1.1% to $33.34, BHP Billiton (BHP) has advanced 0.6% to $71.27 and Rio Tinto (RIO) has ticked up 0.2% to $54.94.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  No corporate merger valued at more than $5 billion occurred in 2013, while there were several deals valued at more than $10 billion in 2012. Two of 2012�� biggest deals were Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc.�� (NYSE: FCX) acquisition of McMoRan Exploration and Plains Exploration & Production for a total of about $20 billion. Another big acquisition in 2012 was Cnooc Ltd.�� (NYSE: CEO) $15 billion deal for Nexen Energy.

• [By Jayson Derrick]

  Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) reported its third quarter results this morning. The company earned $0.64 per share, beating the consensus estimate of $0.62. Revenue of $5.70 billion was in line with the consensus estimate. Shares hit new 52-week lows of $28.64 before closing the day at $29.03, down 4.16 percent.

10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: ITT Industries Inc.(ITT)

ITT Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells a range of engineered products, and provides related services worldwide. Its Defense & Information Solutions segment develops tactical communications equipment, electronic warfare and force protection equipment, radar systems, integrated structures equipment, and imaging and sensor equipment, including night vision goggles, as well as weather, location, surveillance, and other related technologies for military and government agencies. It also provides services comprising air traffic management, information and cyber solutions, large-scale systems engineering, and integration and defense technologies; satellite-based imaging payloads for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions; and high-resolution commercial imaging systems with earth and space science applications, climate and environmental monitoring sensors and systems, and GPS navigation and software applications designed for image and data processing and dissemination. The company?s Fluid Technology segment provides water transport and wastewater treatment systems, pumps and related technologies, and other water and fluid control products with municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Its Motion & Flow Control segment manufactures shock absorbers and brake friction materials for the transportation industry; switch applications for the industrial and aerospace industries; electrical connectors used in telecommunications, computers, aerospace, medical, and industrial applications; and a range of pumps and tailored products for marine, food and beverage, and general industrial markets. The company was formerly known as ITT Industries, Inc. and changed its name to ITT Corporation in July 2006. ITT Corporation was founded in 1920 and is based in White Plains, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Stephen Simpson, CFA]

  This is a logical deal for SKF on multiple fronts. For starters, Kaydon will meaningfully expand the company's U.S. presence - something it could have done on its own eventually, but certainly not without spending money. With that, there is the possibility of using Kaydon's existing U.S. footprint to sell more SKF products and further trouble rivals like RBC Bearings (ROLL) and ITT (ITT).

• [By Will Ashworth]

  As for the other stocks in the portfolio, you can’t ignore the performance of both Apollo (APO) and ITT Corp. (ITT).

  It’s been a busy year for private equity firm Apollo Global Management, which got the Twinkie back on grocery store shelves in July. Carried interest income more than doubled in the first six months of the year to $1.4 billion.

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  Spun-off from industrial giant ITT (ITT) a few years ago, Xylem (XYL) could be a great starting point for investors looking at water stocks. Aside from its cool and appropriate name, XYL provides host of equipment — pumps, controllers and filtration devices — for wastewater treatment plants across the globe.

• [By MONEYMORNING]

  This 85-year-old forest products company operates as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) after being first acquired, then later spun off, by ITT Corp. (NYSE: ITT).

10 Best Performing Stocks To Watch Right Now: Teekay Corporation(TK)

Teekay Corporation engages in the marine transportation of crude oil and gas in Bermuda and internationally. Its Shuttle Tanker and FSO segment operates shuttle tankers, and floating storage and off-take (FSO) units for offloading and transportation of cargo from oil field installations to onshore terminals; and provides floating storage services for oil field installations. The company?s FPSO segment provides floating production, processing, and storage services through floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units. Its Liquefied Gas segment comprises liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas carriers. The company?s Conventional Tanker segment operates conventional crude oil and product tankers that are employed on long-term fixed-rate time-charter contracts. As of December 31, 2010, its fleet consisted of 151 vessels, including 11 vessels under construction. The company serves energy and utility companies, oil traders, oil and LNG consumers, p etroleum product producers, government agencies, and various other entities that depend upon marine transportation. Teekay Corporation was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Teekay (NYSE: TK) shares rose 13.26% to reach a new 52-week high of $66.10 after the company adopted a new dividend policy and announced its plans to increase dividend by 75%-80%.

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Teekay (NYSE: TK) surged 14.67% to $66.92. The volume of Teekay shares traded 1390% higher than normal. Teekay adopted a new dividend policy and announced its plans to increase dividend by 75%-80%.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Teekay (TK) have surged more than 15% this morning after the shipping company announced a new dividend policy after yesterday’s close. Deutsche Bank’s Amit Mehrotra think the news is good enough to be worthy of an upgrade for Teekay:

  Reuters

  We are upgrading our recommendation on shares of Teekay Corp. to Buy from Hold, and raising our 12-month price target to $90 from $68. The revision reflects the company’s bold new dividend strategy outlined after today’s market close and ahead of its analyst day tomorrow. The new plan includes an 80% increase in its annual dividend effective 1Q15 (to $2.25 at the midpoint vs. $1.265 today), and a policy aimed at linking future div increases to cash flow growth at its two MLP subsidiaries [Teekay LNG Partners (TGP) & Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO)]. The result should be 20%/year grow in Teekay’s dividend for the foreseeable future, which together with today’s increase, easily justify a $90+ share price in the relatively near-term.

  Investors clearly like the news. Shares of Teekay have soared 15% to $67.40 at 10:56 a.m., while Teekay LNG Partners has tricked up 0.3% to $43.56 and Teekay Offshore Partners is off 1.3% at $33.48.