Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now

With shares of Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) trading around $73, is SBUX an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Starbucks is a roaster, marketer and retailer of coffee operating worldwide. The company purchases and roasts coffees that it sells, along with handcrafted coffee, tea and other beverages and a variety of fresh food items, through its stores. It also sells a variety of coffee and tea products and licenses its trademarks through other channels, such as licensed stores and national food service accounts. In addition to its flagship Starbucks brand, the Company�� portfolio also includes Tazo Tea, Seattle�� Best Coffee, Starbucks VIA Ready Brew, Starbucks Refreshers beverages and the Verismo System by Starbucks. Starbucks has developed an amazing reputation over the last several years which has generated a lot of buzz for its products. Consumers continue to enjoy Starbucks branded products around the world which will surely lead to rising profits.

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: Lazard LTD. (LAZ)

Lazard Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a financial advisory and asset management firm. The company�s Financial Advisory segment offers various advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic matters, as well as on restructurings, capital structure, capital raising, and other financial matters. Its Asset Management segment provides investment solutions and investment management services in equity and fixed income strategies; and alternative investments and private equity funds. The company serves corporations, governments, institutions, partnerships, and individual clients. It operates from 42 cities across 27 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Central and South Americas. Lazard Ltd. was founded in 1848 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MONEYMORNING]

  Through his Trian Partners fund, Nelson Peltz also owns large stakes in Pepsico Inc. (NYSE: PEP), Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE: FDO), Du Pont E I De Nemours & Co. (NYSE: DD), and Lazard Ltd. (NYSE: LAZ).

• [By EXPstocktrader]

  1) Lazard (LAZ): Management meetings highlight under-appreciated earnings drivers; raising PT to $85; BUY

  2) Bank of America/Merrill Lynch (BAC): Questcor Pharmaceuticals is upgraded from "neutral" to "buy." The target price has been raised from $58 to $80.

• [By David Hanson and Matt Koppenheffer]

  In this segment from Thursday's episode of The Motley Fool's everything-financials show,�Where the Money Is, banking analysts Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson go through a rapid-fire round of three top headlines. The newsmakers included�KKR (NYSE: KKR  ) ,�Bank of America (NYSE: BAC  ) ,�Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS  ) ,�Lazard (NYSE: LAZ  ) , and�Evercore (NYSE: EVR  ) .

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: Omnicom Group Inc.(OMC)

Omnicom Group Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides advertising, marketing, and corporate communications services. It offers services in traditional media advertising, customer relationship management, public relations, and specialty communications groups. The company?s services include advertising, brand consultancy, corporate social responsibility consulting, crisis communications, custom publishing, database management, digital and interactive marketing, direct marketing, directory advertising, entertainment marketing, environmental design, experiential marketing, field marketing, financial/corporate business-to-business advertising, graphic arts, healthcare communications, and instore design. Omnicom Group also offers investor relations, marketing research, media planning and buying, mobile marketing services, multi-cultural marketing, non-profit marketing, organizational communications, package design, product placement, promotional marketing, public affairs, public relations, recruitment communications, reputation consulting, retail marketing, search engine marketing, and sports and event marketing services. It offers its services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The company was founded in 1944 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Hill]

  Hertz (NYSE: HTZ  ) dips on good-not-great earnings. Candian retailer Hudson's Bay buys Saks (NYSE: SKS  ) for $2.4 billion. Wynn Resorts' (NASDAQ: WYNN  ) second-quarter profit gets hit with one-time charges. Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC  ) merges with Publicis Group to form the world's largest advertising and marketing firm. In this segment from Investor Beat, Motley Fool analysts Bill Barker and Andy Cross discuss four stocks making moves on Tuesday.

• [By Mariko Yasu]

  Dentsu paid 3.16 billion pounds ($4.8 billion) for Aegis as Japan�� biggest agency competes with global firms including WPP Plc (WPP) and Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC) With Japan�� benchmark Topix index on pace for its best result since 2005, the 112-year-old company is tapping an equities boom to fund the deal that added the largest independent buyer of advertising space and reduced its reliance on the domestic market.

• [By Geoff Gannon]

  I suppose I could lay out the same sorts of iffy arguments for stocks I��e bought. Omnicom (OMC) and IMS Health were bought during a stock market panic. And a panic can explain anything. Advertising was going to be weak for a couple years in a global recession. People thought this wasn�� the time to buy an advertising company. IMS Health was a healthcare company while healthcare reform was being discussed. Some Senators brought up things they didn�� like about IMS Health in regards to patient privacy. And one state actually passed legislation that could��e harmed IMS Health. But none of this seemed all that material to the stock. And it�� kind of hard to see how people would actually believe it was material to the company�� business. It�� not like they were debating the fees IMS Health could charge (the way credit card companies, banks, etc., were being discussed).

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $0.80 per share on revenue of $3.48 billion.

  Interactive Brokers Group (NASDAQ: IBKR) is projected to post its Q3 earnings at $0.34 per share on revenue of $336.48 million.

5 Best Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: Global X China Energy ETF (CHIE)

Global X China Energy ETF (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S-BOX China Energy Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index is a free float adjusted, liquidity tested and market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure performance of the investable universe of companies in the Energy sector of the Chinese economy, as defined by Structured Solutions AG. Global X Management Company, LLC serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By pamatlarge]

  Investors looking to short a particular sector can choose from several Global X long ETFs. The Global X China Consumer ETF (CHIQ) concentrates its investments in consumer cyclical goods and consumer defense goods. The Global X China Energy ETF (CHIE) primarily holds stocks in coal, oil and utility companies. The Global X China Financials ETF (CHIX) only invests in financial services companies and real estate companies. The Global X China Industrials ETF (CHII) holds stocks in industrial companies and basic materials companies. The Global X China Materials ETF (CHIM) invests in basic materials stocks. The Global X China Technology ETF (CHIB) holds technology stocks as the core of its investments. All of these ETFs are particularly sensitive to sector downturns and general economic contractions.

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: The Advisory Board Company(ABCO)

The Advisory Board Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of best practices research and analysis, business intelligence and software tools, and management and advisory services primarily in the United States. The company offers various programs and services, including best practices research services that focus on identifying best-demonstrated management practices, critiquing widely-followed but ineffective practices, and analyzing emerging trends in the health care and education industries; business intelligence and software tools, which allow members to pair their own operational data with the best practices insights; and management and advisory services programs for assisting member institutions to adopt and implement best practices to enhance performance. As of June 30, 2011, it provided 51 distinct membership programs to hospitals, health systems, colleges, universities, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, health care insurers, medical de vice and supply companies, and other educational institutions. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  What: Shares of The Advisory Board Company (NASDAQ: ABCO  ) were up as much as 12% today, after the consulting firm beat top and bottom-line estimates in its quarterly report.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Advisory Board (Nasdaq: ABCO  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on May 9. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

  The 10-second takeaway
  Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Advisory Board's revenues will grow 17.4% and EPS will grow 21.7%.

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: Inchcape PLC (INCH)

Inchcape plc is a global premium automotive distributor and retailer. The Company provides a professional and financed route to market for automotive manufacturers across five continents. Inchcape acts as a vehicle and parts distributor in 22 of its 26 markets. In these markets, the Company has responsibility for managing the value chain on behalf of a focused portfolio of premium and luxury brand partners. The Company�� responsibilities as a distributor include specifying vehicles to meet local market requirements, organizing logistics from the factory gate through to the retail center, appointing and performance managing the retail network and acting as the national marketer of the brand. The Company derives over two third of its profit from Asia Pacific and emerging markets. Its markets include Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, Chile, Ethiopia, Australia and the United Kingdom. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  Inchcape Plc (INCH) surged 9.9 percent to 645 pence, the highest level since June 2008. The largest publicly traded U.K. car retailer and wholesaler reported first-half adjusted pretax earnings increased 11 percent. The company also announced share buybacks of 100 million pounds in the next year.

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: GNC Acquisition Holdings Inc. (GNC)

GNC Holdings, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of health and wellness products. It operates through three segments: Retail, Franchise, and Manufacturing/Wholesale. The company�s products include vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, as well as sports nutrition products, diet products, and other wellness products. It also manufactures its branded products for various third parties. The company sells its products under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men, Ultra Mega, Total Lean, Pro Performance, and Pro Performance AMP, as well as under third-party brands. As of March 31, 2013, it had approximately 8,200 locations, including 6,200 retail locations in the United States; and franchise operations in 55 countries. The company sells its products through company-owned domestic retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third-party contract manufacturing, e-commerce, and corporate partnerships. It also offers its products at GNC.com, LuckyVitamin.com, and drugstore.com. GNC Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1935 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Fundamentally, the company is in the middle of an industry that's gaining in importance, as people pay more attention to the obesity epidemic. Weight-specialists Weight Watchers�and NutriSystem�come at the industry from a slightly different angle, with more specialization on weight specifically, without the diverse personal-care and other products that Herbalife offers, and they've faced some challenges in producing growth. GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC  ) , which is arguably a more direct competitor that resembles Herbalife more closely, reported earnings earlier today that rose by 18% from the previous year, sending its stock up nearly 11% in today's trading.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Analysts at Credit Suisse downgraded GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC) from ��uy��to ��eutral.��The target price for GNC Holdings has been lowered from $65 to $51.

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, health and wellness products retailer GNC Holdings (NYSE: GNC  ) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM)

Kimco Realty Corporation is a publicly owned real estate investment trust. The firm engages in acquisitions, development, and management of neighborhood and community shopping centers. It also provides property management services relating to the management, leasing, operation, and maintenance of real estate properties. The firm primarily invests in real estate markets across the globe with a focus in North America. It also invests in operating properties. The firm also provides equity and mezzanine debt to developers and owners of commercial properties. It also makes secondary market investments including under performing mortgage loans, secured bank debt, and corporate securities. Kimco was formed in 1960 and is based in New Hyde Park, New York with additional office in Mesa, Arizona; Daly City, California; Granite Bay, California; Irvine, California; Carmichael, California; Vista, California; Walnut Creek, California; West Hartford, Connecticut; Largo, Florida; Margate, Florida; Sanford, Florida; Lisle, Illinois; Rosemont, Illinois; Columbia, Maryland; Lutherville, Maryland; Bellevue, Washington; Mesquite, Texas; Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Austin, Texas; Ardmore, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; Kettering, Ohio; Canfield, Ohio; Raleigh, North Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; New York, New York; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brad Thomas]

  REITs mentioned: (VTR), (OHI), (O), (DLR), (HCP), (HTA), (KIM), (FRT), (SPG), and (SKT).

  Note: This article is intended to provide information to interested parties. As I have no knowledge of individual investor circumstances, goals, and/or portfolio concentration or diversification, readers are expected to complete their own due diligence before purchasing any stocks mentioned or recommended.

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: Lorillard Inc(LO)

Lorillard, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. The company offers 43 different product offerings under the Newport, Kent, True, Maverick, and Old Gold brand names. Lorillard, Inc. sells its products primarily to wholesale distributors, who in turn service retail outlets, chain store organizations, and government agencies, including the United States? Armed Forces. The company was founded in 1760 and is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Ever since its spinoff from Altria (NYSE: MO  ) , Philip Morris has benefited from higher growth prospects from its international sales. At the same time that Altria, Lorillard, and (NYSE: LO  ) other U.S. tobacco companies have struggled to keep their revenues moving higher, the argument is that other countries with less regulation offer better environments to foster sales growth for Philip Morris. That's true to an extent, although the edge that Philip Morris has had over its peers has narrowed considerably in recent years and is slated to continue to shrink in the future.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  How bad has performance of Phillip Morris been? Its shares have dropped 1.9% during the past 12 months, while American-focused Altria Group (MO) has gained 15%. British American Tobacco (BTI) has gained 3%, Reynolds American (RAI) has advanced 14%, and Lorillard (LO) has jumped 26%.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Reynolds American has been under attack from regulators, health agencies, and other government bodies for a long time, but tobacco opponents have redoubled their efforts. After Reynolds and peer Lorillard (NYSE: LO  ) fought back against an FDA attempt to force them to modify their cigarette packaging to include warnings with graphic images, the Centers for Disease Control have launched ad campaigns highlighting the health risks of smoking. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made a proposal last month to force stores to get rid of tobacco displays, as a follow-up with the 10th anniversary of his then-controversial smoking ban.

• [By Shauna O'Brien]

  Shares of Lorillard Inc. (LO) dipped on Wednesday morning after the company reported earnings below analysts’ estimates.�

  LO’s Earnings in Brief�

  LO posted Q4 earnings of�$293 million, down from $309 million a year ago. On a per share basis, earnings remained flat at 80 cents due to less shares outstanding in the most recent quarter. Excluding special items, earnings were 82 cents per share, up from 79 cents per share last year. On average, analysts expected LO to report earnings of 86 cents per share. Sales for the quarter rose to�$1.74 billion from $1.70 billion in the same quarter last year. Analysts expected to see sales of $1.31 billion.

  CEO Commentary

  LO’s chairman, president, and CEO, Murray S. Kessler, said in a statement:�”Lorillard delivered industry leading double digit EPS growth and its eleventh consecutive year of market share growth in 2013 while the Company concurrently made investments in electronic cigarettes, new cigarette products, and made process changes to smooth wholesale inventory fluctuations in the fourth quarter.�These investments, combined with the remarkable strength and loyalty of the core Newport brand, give us confidence in our ability to deliver on our stated goal of a double digit total shareholder return as measured by EPS growth and the dividend yield once again in 2014 and for many years to come.”

  LO’s Dividend

  LO did not mention its next quarterly dividend, but we expect the company to make a dividend announcement sometime in February. The company made its last dividend payment of 55 cents on December 10.

  Stock Performance�

  Lorillard shares were down 94 cents, or 1.88%, during pre-market trading Wednesday. The stock is down 1.44% YTD.

Best Prefered Stocks To Watch Right Now: Sibling Group Holdings Inc (SIBE)

Sibling Group Holdings Inc., incorporated on December 28, 1988, is a development-stage company. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company was not engaged in any business operations.

The Company has entered into an Agreement of Acquisition and Plan of Reorganization with Sibling Entertainment Group, Inc. (Sibling) to acquire Sibling�� four wholly owned subsidiaries: Sibling Theatricals, Inc., Sibling Pictures, Inc., Sibling Music Corp., and Sibling Properties, Inc. and their subsidiaries, including Dick Foster Productions, Inc., Adrenaline MMA, Inc., Hats Holdings, Inc. amongst others. The Company was organized primarily for the purpose of importing fruits and vegetables from Latin America.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter Graham]

  Small cap holding companies Sibling Group Holdings Inc (OTCMKTS: SIBE), Tranzbyte Corp (OTCMKTS: ERBB) and Readen Holding Corp (OTCMKTS: RHCO) are in the business of holding or acquiring other companies. They have also been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters and not necessarily because of acquisitions or other news but rather because of a few recent paid promotions. With that in mind, here is a quick look and a reality check about all three:

  Sibling Group Holdings Inc (OTCMKTS: SIBE) Has Been Quiet Lately

  Small cap Sibling Group Holdings intends to acquire, on a global basis, advanced technology and education management operations in order to enhance and accelerate the delivery of 21st century learning. On Friday, Sibling Group Holdings closed at $0.05 for a market cap of $39,342 plus SIBE is down 96.7% over the past year and down 80% over the past five years according to Google Finance.