February New Car Sales on Pace for Record

While the weather in much of the country has been weighing down new car sales since the beginning of the year, analysts at J.D. Power and LMC Automotive expect the spell to break in the second half of February and lead to record sales for the month. Light vehicle sales at retail are forecast to reach 972,400, up 5% from February 2013 and up nearly 18% over January sales.

Even as sales are forecast to improve, prices too are expected to reach their highest-ever level for the month. The average retail transaction in February is forecast at $29,000, more than $400 higher than the record high posted last February. J.D. Power expects consumer spending on new vehicles to exceed a total of $28.3 billion in February, an increase of $1.7 billion from February a year ago and another all-time record for the month.

Including fleet sales, the total number of light vehicles sold in February is expected to reach 1.2 million units, up 3% from February a year ago. February’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales for the full year is 15.7 million units. LMC Automotive expects sales to total 16.2 million units in 2014, with 13.3 million of those sales at retail. The research firm’s head of forecasting said:

With the likelihood of fleet sales holding below 18 percent and modest retail sales increases, the absolute rate of growth could be lower than initially expected. The auto industry needs to be prepared for slower but stable growth and increased competitive intensity, which will put pressure on the successful execution of launches this year.

Top Bank Stocks To Own Right Now

New car production has been hit by the unseasonably cold weather in the South. Production has been lower in both January and February, but inventory levels began the month with 88 days of supply, up from 24 days of supply at the beginning of January. Another LMC manager noted:

While inventory levels are excessive at this point, demand during the spring selling season will help resolve the situation. However, if inventory is not cleared out by June, production levels in the second half of the year are at risk.

LMC has lowered its 2014 North American production forecast by about 100,000 units to 16.5 million. Even with the reduction, new car production is still forecast at its highest level since 2000.

America's most content states have good jobs,…

The well-being of Americans hasn't improved in the past six years, and it even declined slightly in 2013, according to a Gallup study. While national figures remained flat overall, the ranks of the states with the highest well-being scores changed considerably. North Dakota topped the well-being list in 2013 after failing to crack the top 10 in 2012. Hawaii, 2012's top state, fell to No. 8 in 2013. West Virginia, on the other hand, remained at the bottom of the list for the fifth consecutive year.

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, based on interviews with more than 176,000 people from all 50 states last year, measures the physical and emotional health of Americans across the country. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the more than 50 metrics comprising the six broad categories Gallup used to identify well-being.

Well-being matters because it effectively reflects health, employment, education and the local environment, Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, told 24/7 Wall St. Witters suggested that this means that a strong economy and a healthy, educated workforce can improve well-being, just as high well-being may also influence further development.

Because these relationships appear to exist, "there's a lot of things that employers or communities can do structurally, culturally, legislatively, that can positively affect change around well-being," Witters added.

In states with high well-being scores, residents were less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise regularly and learn new things every day. These states also enjoyed the positive outcomes of such behaviors, including lower obesity rates and other common health problems.

The opposite was generally true for states with low well-being, where residents were more likely to have unhealthy lifestyles or limited access to basic necessities. As a result, they tended to feel physically and emotionally unhealthy. In those states, residents were among the most likely in the nation to suffer f! rom health problems such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as obesity. Broadly, residents in these states did not feel they were thriving.

Other factors considered by 24/7 Wall St., in addition to data from the Well-Being Index, may also influence a state's score. The states with the lowest well-being typically had very low median household incomes. Having a stable income is important because it enables people to access basic needs such as healthy food, clean water, medicine and health care. However, the opposite was not the case for the highest ranking states, a number of which were not especially well-off.

"For the most part, well-being goes up with income," according to Witters. While a low income can definitely impair well-being, as incomes rise, factors such as emotional health tend to level out, Witters explained. For individuals, "emotional health scores kind of hit their peak at about $75,000 a year. And after that point, they really don't get any better."

However, while states with high well-being scores did not have necessarily high incomes, they often had other advantages, such as high educational attainment and low unemployment. In each of the top-rated states more than 90% of residents had a high school diploma, vs. just 86.4% of Americans nationwide. Educational outcomes in low well-being states were generally poor. Also, many states with high scores had low unemployment.

Although a number of the states with the highest, and lowest, well-being scores have remained the same, the well-being of a number of states significantly improved in the most recent year. Perceived improvement in the work environment, especially in the supervisor's treatment, was often behind these gains, according to Witters. He cited workplace evaluations as a major reason Hawaii fell in the rankings, as well as a major reason North and South Dakota, the two states with the highest well-being scores, entered the top 10 in 2013.

Regional patterns were also evident, as states ! in some p! arts of the country continued to do better than others in 2013. In particular, the Plains states were disproportionately well-represented among the states with the highest well-being. North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa were all among the top 10 states. States in the Southeast accounted for seven of the 10 states with the lowest well-being score in the nation. This has been the case in previous years, as well.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed all 50 U.S. states based on their scores in the Gallup-Healthways 2013 Well-Being Index. Gallup-Healthways calculated a national well-being score as well as one for each state, assigning scores from 0 to 100, with 100 representing ideal well-being. In generating the rank, Gallup combined six separate indices, measuring access to basic needs, healthy behavior, work environment, physical health, life evaluation and optimism, and emotional health. In addition to the index, 24/7 Wall St. considered data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2012 American Community Survey, including median income, poverty levels, and the percentage of adults with a high school diploma or higher. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we reviewed state unemployment rates as of December 2013. We also reviewed 2010 statistics for life expectancy at birth and deaths from heart disease, as well as 2011 data on prescription drugs, published by The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. We also considered state violent crime rates in 2012 from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report Program.

Nationally, the well-being index dipped slightly in 2013 to 66.2, down from 66.7 in 2012.

These are America's most content (and miserable) states.

America's Most Content States

Maeve Giafagleone and Becca Schumacher of Dubuque, Iowa, swing at Allison-Henderso! n Park on! Jan. 30..(Photo11: Jessica Reilly, AP)

Top Casino Companies To Buy Right Now

10. Iowa

• Well-being index score: 68.2

• Life expectancy: 79.7 years (16th highest)

• Percentage obese: 28.1% (tied-20th highest)

• Median household income: $50,957 (23rd highest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 91.6% (8th highest)

Iowa residents were among the most likely in the nation to report having access to basic necessities in 2013. This included among the best scores for access to healthy food, health care and safe neighborhoods. More than 82% of residents felt safe walking alone at night, and 87% felt they had enough money for health care and medicine, both among the highest proportions nationwide. Iowans were in relatively good physical health, with 77% of residents saying their health did not prevent them from going about their daily lives, more than those in any other state except for North Dakota and Nebraska. Working conditions were also quite good, with more than 90% of residents reporting they were satisfied with their jobs last year.

MORE: The most dangerous states in America

9. Washington

• Well-being index score: 68.3

• Life expectancy: 79.9 years (13th highest)

• Percentage obese: 25% (18th lowest)

• Median household income: $57,573 (12th highest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 90.4% (tied-15th highest)

Washington residents had some of the nation's best outlook for their future. They were also among the happiest Americans at work. Washington's relatively strong economy likely helped to boost residents' opinions about their future and their work. The state's economy grew by 3.6% in 2012, outpacing the rest of the nation. Economic confidence, too, was among the highest in Washington when compared with the rest of the USA. Respondents from the state were especially likely to indicate they p! racticed h! ealthy behavior. Nearly 62% said their regular diet included fruits and vegetables, and nearly 83% said they did not smoke, both among the highest proportions of any state.

MORE: America's most hated companies

A paddle boarder looks out over the Pacific Ocean as the sun sets at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu Dec. 31.(Photo11: Carolyn Kaster, AP)

8. Hawaii

• Well-being index score: 68.4

• Life expectancy: 81.3 years (the highest)

• Percentage obese: 23.7% (9th lowest)

• Median household income: $66,259 (5th highest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 90.4% (tied-15th highest)

Hawaiians were more likely than most Americans to practice healthy behaviors. More than 62% of residents in the state exercised regularly last year, more than in any state except for Vermont. Also, 59.6% of residents regularly ate fruits and vegetables, higher than a majority of states. Residents were among the most emotionally healthy Americans, leading the nation in the percentage of respondents who smiled or laughed, or learned something new within the last day. While more than a dozen states ranked higher in physical health, life expectancy at birth in Hawaii was 81.3 years as of 2010, the highest in the nation. Incomes in Hawaii were largely higher than the rest of the USA, and the state's 4.5% unemployment rate in December was among the nation's lowest. However, many Hawaiians were unhappy with their work environment. Just 47.8% of respondents felt treated like a partner at work, the second-worst rate in the USA.

7. Colorado

• Well-being index score: 68.9

• Life expectancy: 80 years (11th highest)

• Percentage obese: 20.4% (2nd lowest)

• Median household income: $56,765 (14th highest)

�! � Percent! age with high school diploma: 90.6% (12th highest)

Physical health was among the most important factors contributing to Colorado's high well-being score. Colorado had the second lowest obesity rate in the nation in 2013. Additionally, just 7% of the state's population had been diagnosed with diabetes as of last year, less than in any other state. State residents were also among the least likely to have had a heart attack. The high marks for good health may have something to do with the population's healthy behaviors. Less than 18% of Colorado residents smoked last year, and almost 60% exercised regularly, both among the best marks in the nation. Respondents from the state were also generally upbeat about their future, giving strong evaluations of both their present lives and their expectations for the next five years.

MORE: Cities where violent crimes are soaring

6. Vermont

• Well-being index score: 69.1

• Life expectancy: 80.5 years (5th highest)

• Percentage obese: 24.8% (12th lowest)

• Median household income: $52,977 (20th highest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 91.7% (tied-5th highest)

Nowhere in the USA were residents more likely to practice healthy behaviors than in Vermont. Almost 72% of respondents in the state ate healthfully all day within the past day, and more than 65% of residents stated they exercised regularly — both higher than any other state. Additionally, 67.8% of residents had eaten five servings of fruits and vegetables at least four times a week, also more than any other state. Unsurprisingly, Vermont residents surveyed were among the most likely to report being physically healthy. As for the state's labor market, despite slow economic growth in 2012, the state's unemployment rate was just 4.2% last December, among the lowest in the USA. Residents were also more likely than most Americans to enjoy the environment in which they worked. Nearly 92% of adults age 25 and up had a high school diploma in 2012, amon! g the top! figures nationwide.

5. Montana

• Well-being index score: 69.3

• Life expectancy: 78.5 years (21st lowest)

• Percent obese: 19.6% (the lowest)

• Median household income: $45,076 (12th lowest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 92.8% (the highest)

Economic confidence in Montana was exceptionally bad in 2013, among the 10 worst states. Despite that, residents gave high ratings to their work environment. Nearly 94% of adults said they were satisfied with their job, the highest percentage nationally. This was likely due, in part, to feeling fully utilized at work — 89% of respondents said they used their strengths during the work day, more than all but one other state. Montana residents also practiced healthy behavior more than residents of most other states. A majority of the population reported healthy eating habits, weekly exercise routines, and lower-than-average smoking rates in 2013. Montana residents were also the least likely to be obese last year.

4. Minnesota

• Well-being index score: 69.7

• Life expectancy: 81.1 years (2nd highest)

• Percentage obese: 22.0% (4th lowest)

• Median household income: $58,906 (9th highest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 92.5% (2nd highest)

Minnesotans reported exceptional physical health in 2013. More than 81% of respondents were able to partake in age-appropriate activities, tied for the highest percentage in the USA. Residents were also among the least likely Americans to report being obese. No state had fewer heart disease-related deaths per 100,000 residents than Minnesota in 2010. People surveyed in the state were also exceptionally likely to report having basic access to critical necessities, including medicine, and fruits and vegetables. Residents were also among the most likely Americans to report they had adequate money for food, shelter and health care. Minnesota's median income of $58,906 in 2012 was one of the highest in the USA. Also, 92.5! % of adul! ts 25 and over had a high school diploma — among the best in the nation. The state's economy, too, grew at a rapid 3.5% clip in 2012, greatly outpacing the nation as a whole.

MORE: America's richest presidents

3. Nebraska

• Well-being index score: 69.7

• Life expectancy: 79.8 years (15th highest)

• Percentage obese: 27.1% (25th highest)

• Median household income: $50,723 (25th highest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 90.5% (tied-13th highest)

Nebraska had some of the nation's highest scores for both emotional and physical health. Residents were among the least likely to be depressed last year, trailing only North Dakota and New Jersey. More than 81% of residents did not have any health problems preventing them from age-appropriate activities, tied with Minnesota for the best nationwide in 2013. One factor improving Nebraskans' well-being was likely their high-quality living conditions. More residents were satisfied with their city than those in any other state, and most believed their city was improving overall. People in Nebraska were more confident about the future of the U.S. economy than residents of nearly all other states.

MORE: Strange things thieves steal

2. South Dakota

• Well-being index score: 70.

• Life expectancy: 79.5 years (tied-18th highest)

• Percentage obese: 28.3% (17th highest)

• Median household income: $48,362 (22nd lowest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 90.5% (tied-13th highest)

Respondents from South Dakota were among the most likely people in the USA to report good emotional health. More than 86% of those surveyed reported smiling or laughing within the past 24 hours, second-highest in the USA. Meanwhile, 90% reported enjoying a large portion of their day, and more than 93% felt happy during the previous 24 hours, both more than any other state. The state's 3.6% unemployment rate in December tied for the second lowest in the USA. Not only did much ! of the wo! rkforce have a job, but also people in the state were more likely to enjoy their work environment than residents of any other state except for neighboring North Dakota.

MORE: Cities with the highest and lowest taxes

1. North Dakota

• Well-being index score: 70.4

• Life expectancy: 79.5 years (tied-18th highest)

• Percentage obese: 26.0% (24th lowest)

• Median household income: $53,585 (19th highest)

• Percentage with high school diploma: 91.7% (tied-5th highest)

Due in large part to profitable oil discoveries in the region, North Dakota's economy grew by more than 13% in 2012, by far the fastest growth nationwide. The state's unemployment rate has also been very low in recent years, clocking in at 2.6% in December compared with 6.7% nationally. With such low unemployment, it's perhaps not surprising that economic confidence levels in the state were among the highest 10 in the country. More than nine in 10 adults were satisfied with their jobs in 2013, one of several reasons the state's residents rated their work environment best in the nation. Supervisors in the state were more likely to treat their subordinates as partners than in any other state. With good wages and plenty of jobs, the vast majority of residents had enough money for adequate shelter, food and medicine. The proportion of respondents that were satisfied with their city and believed it was improving, however, was less than the national average.

Click here to see America's most miserable states

Are There Greenbacks in These Small Cap Green Stocks? ECDP, ECOB & PFIE

Small cap green stocks Eco Depot Inc (OTCMKTS: ECDP), Eco Building Products Inc (OTCMKTS: ECOB) and Profire Energy, Inc (OTCBB: PFIE) has been getting some extra attention lately in various investment newsletters thanks to paid promotions or investor relation campaigns. Of course, there is nothing wrong with properly disclosed promotions and investor relations campaigns, but small cap green stocks tend to be extra volatile when compared with other stocks. So how in greenbacks will these three small cap green stocks produce for investors? Here is a quick reality check:

Eco Depot Inc (OTCMKTS: ECDP) Has the Swiss Army Knife of Water Purifiers

Small cap Eco Depot Inc was formerly an "eco lighting" distributor under new management as the company is in the development stage of transitioning into a manufacturer and distributor of eco friendly consumer brand products. On Friday, Eco Depot Inc fell 6.06% to $0.0930 for a market cap of $4.54 million plus ECDP is up 210% over the past year and down 79.8% over the past five years according to Google Finance.

What's the Catch With Eco Depot Inc? According to various disclosures, transaction of $3k, $5k, $7k, $10k, $20k and $65k have or will occur to mention Eco Depot Inc in various investment newsletters. Last Wednesday, Eco Depot Inc announced that it had signed a Letter Of Intent with Water Technologies Development, Inc (WTDI) to distribute a new multi-patented portable water purification device named the "WaterGizzi™." Eco Depot aims to market the WaterGizzi as part of its Eco-Friendly product line that includes the Click & Pour™ and the recently acquired WaterGeeks™ Filtration Brand via infomercials) and through potential major Retailers by means of its recent agreement with HotTVBrands.com™. Apparently, the WaterGizzi weighs only a few ounces, fits in the palm of your hand and is the "Swiss Army Knife" of water purifiers as its able to function as an in-line filter for Sports Water Bottles or Hydration bladders or can be used on its own to drink directly from any freshwater source. Moreover, it requires no "pumping" or mechanical power to remove chlorine, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, bi-products, microbial cysts, bacteria, virus and other potential freshwater pathogens. A quick look on Google Finance reveals no revenues; net losses of $0.01M (most recent reported quarter), $0.05M, $0.01M and zero for the past four quarters; and no cash to cover $0.28M in current liabilities at the end of last September. So perhaps investors will want to wait for the infomercials to start in the hopes that the WaterGizzi flies off the shelves.

Eco Building Products Inc (OTCMKTS: ECOB) Extends a Supplier Agreement With The Home Depot

Small cap Eco Building Products is a manufacturer of Eco friendly treated wood products that is protected against fire, mold/mycotoxins, fungus, rot-decay, wood ingesting insects and termites by our proprietary eco-friendly chemistry utilizing ECOB WoodSurfaceFilm™ and FRC™ technology (Fire Retardant Coating). On Friday, Eco Building Products sank 38.46% to $0.0056 for a market cap of $2.58 million plus ECOB is down 77.6% over the past year and down 98.9% since August 2009 according to Google Finance.

What's the Catch With Eco Building Products Inc? According to various disclosures, one promoter owns 500k of Eco Building Products that was purchased on the open market and they reserve the right to sell the shares at any time. Last Thursday, Eco Building Products filed a Form 8-K to announce it had entered into a second amendment to supplement the terms in the most recent Supplier Buying Agreement with The Home Depot, Inc (NYSE: HD). Prior to this Amendment, Eco Building Products and Home Depot agreed to an initial 90 day pilot test to sell the company's products 10 Home Depot retail stores located in the Northeast United States. Pursuant to this Amendment, Eco Building Products and Home Depot agreed to expand the sale of the company's products 104 Home Depot retail stores located in the Northeast United States with the second pilot not being limited to 90 days, but for an indefinite period. Home Depot will also have the exclusive right in the United States and its territories and possessions to sell the company's products. That's really good news and helps take the sting off a filing from earlier in the week to announce that Eco Building Products issued an aggregate of 11,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to Mr. Steve Conboy in consideration for services rendered to the company. A quick look at Eco Building Products' financials on Yahoo! Finance reveals revenues of $408k (most recent reported quarter), $1,080k, $1,717k and $1,363k for the past four quarters along with net losses of $1,879k (most recent reported quarter), $13,549k, $2,213k and $3,972k. At the end of September, Eco Building Products had $15k in cash to cover $18,645k in current liabilities – meaning the deal with Home Depot could be a game changer.

Profire Energy, Inc (OTCBB: PFIE) Reports Record Results and Guidance

Small cap Profire Energy assists energy production companies in the safe and efficient transportation, refinement and production of oil and natural gas. As energy companies seek greater safety for their employees, compliance with more stringent EPA standards and enhanced margins with their energy production processes, Profire Energy's burner management systems are increasingly becoming part of their solution. On Friday, Profire Energy closed at $3.80 for a market cap of $181.75 million plus PFIE is up 214% over the past year and up 276.2% over the past five years according to Google Finance.

What's the Catch With Profire Energy, Inc? According to various disclosures, one promoter has been hired by Profire Energy for investor relations type work. Last Friday, Profire Energy announced that it has filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2013 and the company updated its guidance for the 2014 fiscal year. Profire Energy reported an 169% increase in revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2013 for a record $9,530,837 along with a 470% increase in net income to $1,206,306. In addition, Profire Energy raised its revenue guidance from $22.5 million in revenue to between $34.0 and $35.0 million in revenue plus raised its net income guidance from $4.2 million to between $5.3 and $5.8 million. Profire Energy is also debt free. Otherwise and earlier in February, Profire Energy was featured on the "The RedChip Money Report: Small Stocks Big Money" television program thanks to the ongoing investor relations campaign, but the small cap does look good thanks to its healthy financials.

Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL): Visible Signs Of Recovery Bodes Well For The Stock

Cruise and vacation company Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) should have a good year in 2014 on improved bookings and ticket prices. Further, the company's brand-building efforts and other promotional moves are expected to bear fruit this year.

The company's portfolio of cruise brands includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in North America; P&O Cruises (UK), and Cunard in the United Kingdom; AIDA Cruises in Germany; Costa Cruises in Southern Europe; Iberocruceros in Spain; and P&O Cruises (Australia) in Australia.

Shares of CCL gained about 6 percent since reporting solid results for its fourth quarter when the company reported better-than-expected numbers despite declining year over year.

[Related -Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) Q4 Earnings Preview: Rough Seas Ahead]

The biggest upside should come from the Costa brand, which saw its first quarter of positive pricing since the Concordia in January 2012, and saw yields increase double-digits.

Why is that relevant? The most important thing here is that if Costa can recover to a double-digit degree, then CCL should also be able to recover from Carnival brand's image issues from a far less serious issue.

UBS analyst Robin Farley said Costa was comping against a yield decline of more than 20 percent in the second half of 2012, but it is still encouraging to see price recovery for the first time.

Farley believes the price may have been half of the Costa yield increase in the fourth quarter and occupancy was also half, so he views mid to high single digit price recovery in the fourth quarter positively.

[Related -Bullish Activity Detected In Staples, Inc. (SPLS) Options and Bearish in Carnival Corporation (CCL)]

The "holding price" strategy for the Carnival brand seems to be working as close-in fourth quarter booking for the brand is what drove yield upside to expectations in the quarter.

Given the positive impact that has had on bookings, investors shouldn't be surprised to see it continue in the first quarter. The "hold price" strategy also benefits competitors in the sector since Carnival, as the largest brand in the Caribbean, can significantly affect the overall price environment.

Cumulative 2014 bookings are behind last year with prices in line with 2013. But booking volume since September is well ahead year-over-year; although, at lower prices. So, CCL has made up a couple hundred basis points of load factor in the last few weeks.

Hot Insurance Stocks To Buy Right Now

For the third quarter, cumulative fleetwide occupancy is similar to last year while pricing is flat, which should mean higher yields year over year even with the increase in Caribbean capacity in the market that will begin in the second quarter.

Farley noted that comparing bookings today to the same time last year won't yet have the negative impact of Triumph in the base yet, so even if booking price stays flat, the base for 2013 will start to move lower as CCL moves through the second quarter and anniversary those issues

The company expects net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD for the full year 2014 to be slightly higher than the prior year on a constant dollar basis. Taking the above factors into consideration, the company forecasts full year 2014 non-GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $1.40 to $1.80, compared to 2013 non-GAAP earnings of $1.58 per share. This higher 2014 base of EPS underpins 2015 outlook as the market has been looking past 2014 as a year of recovery.

Yield guidance for "down slightly" for 2014 is below flat expectations for guidance with the consensus estimate of 1 percent growth. Guidance is for first quarter yields to be down 3-4 percent, with overall first half down 3-4 percent. The company sees yields turning positive in the second half, but up less than the 3-4 percent decline in the first half, to get to just below flat.

There is likely upside to CCL's guidance and yields could be just above flat rather than just below. With fiscal 2013 yields down 2.6 percent, CCL is now cumulatively 10 percentage points below peak 2008 yields in constant currency.

The real upside versus 2014 expectations is on the expense side, with net cruise costs ex fuel to be "slightly higher" versus Street's 3.1 percent, and management's previous suggestion of something in the 3-4 percent range for an increase.

Farley said lower fuel prices and better fuel efficiency, with 4 percent lower fuel consumption next year, will help expenses.

The company is catching up on booking volumes and gaining momentum as it enters 2014. The compelling value in the marketplace will continue to stimulate strong demand leading to a solid wave period. With over 100 ships and more than 10 million guests, CCL does have a scale advantage that cannot be replicated in this industry.

CCL stock trades 17.6 times its forward earnings. They have gained 8 percent in the last year and traded between $31.44 and $40.47 during the past 52-weeks.

Amazon to hire 2,500 across U.S.

SEATTLE — Amazon says it is hiring more than 2,500 full-time workers at shipment centers around the U.S.

However, investors on Wednesday were thinking more about UBS' lowering of Amazon stock to "neutral" from "buy" -- so shares fell, down 3.6% in afternoon trading to $348.85.

Amazon.com announced that the jobs are available in Chester, Va., and Petersburg, Va.; Coffeyville, Kan.; Columbia, S.C.; Dupont, Wash.; Murfreesboro, Tenn.

"Today, we're excited to announce 2,500 full-time jobs, bringing new employment opportunities to local communities across the country," said Mike Roth, vice president of North America operations, in a company statement.

The world's largest online retailer says last year it hired more than 20,000 people at its fulfillment centers, with more than half starting out as seasonal workers. Amazon says the median income for people working at its order-fulfillment facilities is higher than at traditional retailers.

Top 5 China Companies For 2014

The Seattle-based company had 117,300 full-time and part-time employees at the end of 2013, according to a regulatory filing.

UBS lowered its rating on Amazon stock on concern about revenue from the company's "Prime" customers, who are eligible for pricing deals and extra services.

Contributing: The Associated Press.

Sallie Krawcheck: Why Women on Wall St. Are Going ‘Backwards’

With Janet Yellen now at the helm of the Federal Reserve, former Bank of America and Citigroup executive Sallie Krawcheck has plenty to say about women in the largest banks — and it’s not very optimistic.

Sallie Krawcheck, the owner of women’s network 85 Broads, appeared on Bloomberg Television early Wednesday. When asked why, with Yellen at the Fed and CEO Mary Barra running GM, there is no similar figure in banking, Krawcheck replied, “Well it's not that we have even gone sideways as we have in corporate America, we've gone backwards.”

The reason? The crisis mentality on Wall Street.

“What I saw when I was on Wall Street is it's not, well, let's get rid of people who are different from us because they've got cooties. It's more, yeah, I know the numbers around diversity and the diversity adds to business results in theory — but we are in a crisis mode, and I need that person who I can trust today.”

In other words, what “research shows [is that] when we're under periods of stress, that person who you feel like, I see how that person can do the job, is typically someone who looks like you,” Krawcheck explained.

It’s worth noting that off-Wall Street banks like Wells Fargo (WFC) have women in high-level positions. Wells Fargo Advisors and the bank’s overall wealth management operation are led by Mary Mack. And Patricia Callahan serves as Wells’ chief administrative officer.

Krawcheck also points out that female clients “are unhappy with the financial services industry.”

They express this displeasure by leaving their financial advisors 70% of the time, she notes, often after her spouse dies or a divorce.

Best Electric Utility Companies To Own In Right Now

“And what we've found when I've done a ton of research on this, is that she will feel like the two of them [the male spouse and advisor] are talking to each other, and she feels that she's outside that circle,” Krawcheck said. “So there's an enormous opportunity in financial services, speaking to and solving problems for women.”

If she were an advisor, what would her top tips be?

“For men, please stop trading so much,” she explained. “For women, are you really taking on enough risk in order to get the types of returns you are going to need, because you’re likely to live about six to eight years after the guys do.”

Yellen’s Remarks

Krawcheck was somewhat neutral about Yellen’s first appearance before Congress, noting that her presentation was lengthy.

“I think the new style here is to do as long a testimony or press conference as you can," she said. "And I think it boils down almost to, nothing to see here, move along, nothing to see here, because the comments were steady as she goes. There's going to be continuity. And even this comment, which is worth noting, is along the lines of, geez we have to continue to be creative and think creatively because we're at extremes.” 

Krawcheck did give Yellen credit for trying to push politicians for new approaches to U.S. economic issues. “She did encourage Congress to do something. I think we would probably all agree the chances of that are slim.”

Speaking of slim, Krawcheck’s Bloomberg interview touched on other, lighter topics concerning women, such as Sports Illustrated magazine and the 50th anniversary of its swimsuit issue, which featured a cover image of Barbie.

Krawcheck’s reaction? “I don’t know what to say. What year are we [in]? “The idea of perfection, of having a look that no one in the world can ever have. It is a terrible message for young ladies.” 

In the IP World, Size Doesn't Matter (VHC, VRNG, IDCC, ENIP)

When traders think of an IP (intellectual property) company, they tend to conjure up names like InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDCC), VirnetX Holding Corporation (NYSEMKT:VHC), or of course, the well-known Vringo, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRNG). And, investors see these patent-enforcement names as such for good reason.... between VRNG, IDCC, and VHC, the three organizations own well over 20,000 technology patents, and their efforts to enforce them have been well-documented, and well publicized. Thing is, as the patent-protection industry matures, companies like Vringo, InterDigital, or VirnetX Holding may well find that it's the quality of the patent portfolio rather than the quantity of patents that makes an IP owner a potent investment. Enter Endeavor IP Inc. (OTCBB:ENIP).

Most traders won't have heard of Endeavor IP. That may be because its market cap is a mere $30.5 million, and it hasn't actually posted any quarterly revenue yet. Oh yeah... something else about ENIP - its patent portfolio only consists of three patents, only two of which have actually been issued. The third one is only "allowed" at this point (though Endeavor IP Inc. does believe it will be issued by the USPTO in the foreseeable future).

Three patents? How in the world can ENIP expect to stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Vringo, InterDigital, or VirnetX Holding in the IP arena with only three patents? Answer(s): (1) Endeavor IP Inc. can and likely will add to its patent portfolio in the future, and (2) it only takes one really good and highly enforceable patent to make a small fortune in the patent protection game, and Endeavor IP Inc. has such a patent in its arsenal.

That patent is U.S. Patent No. 7,379,981 (aka the '981 patent), entitled "Wireless Communication Enabled Meter and Network." The patent covers, just as it describes, a means with which a smart meter (like a water meter or electricity consumption meter) remotely communicates with a utility company and/or that home's owner's home-management system.

For those not familiar with them, smart meters are the proverbial "next big thing." Now that mobile broadband and cellular networks are established and wireless networking is commonplace,  the ability to more effectively manage the monitoring and consumption of basic services like water or power is within grasp. Your utility providers no longer need to send a meter-reader out to your house. That job can be done over the airwaves from miles away with the push of a button. That same technology can record your daily patterns of electricity usage, and adjust the availability of electricity to suit your needs, this creating the so-called "smart grid" that eliminates the creation of electricity that isn't actually needed at the time it's created. The smart meters that facilitate the idea are a multi-billion dollar opportunity few people actually see, even though many of us are using these meters right now (perhaps without even knowing it).

What's that got to do with  Endeavor IP? Well, there's not a lot of ambiguity with the answer to the question. ENIP owns a patent called "Wireless Communication Enabled Meter and Network." It has a right to collect a royalty on many smart meters being made today.

The litmus test of the power of a patent, of course, isn't on paper. It's proven in the courtroom, and ideally, proven before a court case becomes necessary. This is where things get really fun for Endeavor IP Inc. shareholders.

While ENIP is preparing four patent-infringement cases at this time based on the '981 patent, know that it's already secured four royalty/licensing deals stemming from that patent, without needing to go to court. Aside from the immediate revenue those four agreements will offer, the fact that the companies using said technology didn't even argue the point bodes well for a successful outcome with the company's approaching litigation effort.

Luck? No, it's skill and tenacity. Rather than buy patents by the hundreds (if not thousands) and hope that some of them have merit in the eyes of a jury - the approach often taken by Vringo, InterDigital, or VirnetX Holding - Endeavor IP realizes it and its shareholders are better served by limiting its efforts to working with patents that are cost-effective and decidedly enforceable.

It's a young company, and relatively unknown.... and that may be the most exciting aspect of all for new investors. The metaphorical cat isn't out of the bag, so shares can be purchased at a good value before the rest of the market puts two and two together, and before the company finds and acquires any more brilliant but overlooked IP. It's likely to only be a matter of time before the patent portfolio grows, however, and given ENIP's penchant for quality over quantity, that portfolio expansion could be a real mover and shaker for the stock.

For more on the company, visit the Endeavor IP website here, or review the SmallCap Network research report here.

Why This 3M Buyback Is So Impressive

Dow component 3M Corp. (NYSE: MMM) is confident enough about its future that it announced late Tuesday a new $12 billion stock buyback plan.

This buyback is open-ended, so it has no expiration date, nor any formal guidance on how it will be enacted. It is just not clear how long it would take to buy in $12 billion in stock. The history shows that 3M spent $5.2 billion on buybacks in 2013, up from $2.2 billion in 2012. At the same pace as before, it could take as little as two years or as many as six years.

That assumes the dividend remains steady. 3M boosted its dividend to $0.855 per share starting in January from $0.635. Paying at the new dividend rate would mean spending an extra $145 million a quarter.

A second issue is how the buyback will be financed. 3M’s announcement did not say. The conglomerate had roughly $8 billion in cash and equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter. 3M reported free cash flow of $4.1 billion. 3M defines free cash flow as cash from operating activities less purchases of plant, property and equipment. The company also invested $1.6 billion in new plant, property and equipment in 2013.

So buying the shares at a rate of, say, $2 billion a year could easily by financed from existing funds — if all the cash for the buyback is domiciled in the United States. Large companies like 3M keep large amounts of foreign-earned cash outside the United States to avoid extra taxes.

What makes this buyback impressive is that the $84 billion market implies that almost 15% of its float will be acquired. Institutions own close to 71% of the float.

The announcement of the open-ended plan pushed the stock up after hours Tuesday to as high as $130.20. On Wednesday, however, the stock was down 79 cents to $125.92 early in the day with a weak stock market. The stock has suffered this year, falling more than 10%. In 2013, the shares soared 51%.

It is worth noting that 3M shares have also now pulled back 10% from its high of $140.43.

Radio Shack vs. General Mills: Which Would You Rather - Super Bowl Edition

5 Best Blue Chip Stocks To Own Right Now

Usually our Which Would You Rather piece looks at two companies in the same industry or sector, and compares them based on their previous 12 months’ stock prices.

However, in honor of the recently-concluded Super Bowl, we will look at a couple of the companies which were voted to have produced the best commercials during the big game.

Considering the ads reportedly cost up to $4 million for a 30-second spot, these companies doubtlessly expect to get a healthy return on their investments. Let's take a look at RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) – which won over viewers with its commercial “The Phone Call” and General Mills (NYSE: GIS), which produced fan favorite “Gracie”.

RadioShack has had a rough go of it over the past several years. The same market forces which caused competitor Circuit City to go out of business, and rival Best Buy to nearly fold, have born down on RadioShack as well. The stock began 2013 at a noticeably dismal $2.15. Due to its extremely low per share stock price, volatility meant plenty of opportunities for investors to make significant gains.

Related: Ford vs. General Motors - Who's In The Driver Seat?

For example, the stock popped over $4.20 in May, giving investors the opportunity to cash out at a nearly 100% percent return. Though the stock did pull back, a similar buying opportunity was reached in September. Investors who did not take advantage of either of these opportunities would not get another chance to do so. The stock finished the year at just $2.60 – which represented a gain of 20 percent. Though respectable, this gain was well below market averages. General Mills stock entered 2013 on a bit of an upswing at $41. The stock made significant gains early in the year, climbing over $50 by mid-May. On Aug. 1st the stock topped $53 for the first and only time in 2013. Though the stock stayed relatively strong for the year, it was not able to finish 2013 above $50. Its $49.91 closing price on December 31st equaled a 21.7 percent return.

Both Radio Shack and General Mills spent a small fortune on advertising during the Super Bowl. It is certainly too soon to tell how their respective well-received commercials will help sales, and ultimately their respective stock prices.

What is interesting is that these companies both posted similar increases, in terms of percentage gains to their stock prices, in 2013. What remains to be seen is how they will fare for 2014.

Loading...

Posted-In: Economics Markets Tech Media Best of Benzinga

(c) 2014 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

  Most Popular What Companies Accept Bitcoin? Earnings Expectations For The Week Of February 3: GM, Twitter, Disney And More iOS 8 Rumors: Apple To Revamp Mobile HealthCare Industry With New Features Market Wrap For February 3: Bears In Complete and Absolute Control Barron's Recap: The 2014 Roundtable, Part 3 6 Top Rated Commercials From Super Bowl Sunday Related Articles (GIS + RSH) Market Wrap For February 4: Investors And Traders Go Bargain Hunting Radio Shack vs. General Mills: Which Would You Rather - Super Bowl Edition 6 Top Rated Commercials From Super Bowl Sunday Market Wrap For January 14: Markets Rebound On Earnings Season Kickoff UPDATE: Morgan Stanley Downgrades General Mills, Says Company Sales Are Lagging Peers Benzinga's Top Downgrades Around the Web, We're Loving... Lightspeed Trading Presents: Thunder and Tubleweeds: Trading Techniques for the New Market Enviroment Pope Francis Rips 'Trickle-Down' Economics Come See How the Pro's Trade in this Exclusive Webinar Wynn, MGM, Other Casino Giants Vying For U.S. Turf

Rich Americans Bid Ben Bernanke a Tearful Goodbye

Susan Walsh/APBen Bernanke on Friday as he left the Federal Reserve for the last time as chairman. After eight years in office, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has left the building. Over the past eight years, Bernanke has overseen a topsy-turvy economy. It's an economy that saw General Motors (GM) threaten to declare bankruptcy if it didn't get a government loan ... then it got that loan, went bankrupt anyway and eventually returned to health. It's an economy in which dozens of banks went bust during the financial crisis, while scores more survived -- saved by a "quantitative easing" program that's sunk interest rates to historically low levels, while simultaneously quadrupling the size of the Fed's balance sheet. Fast-forward to Jan. 31 -- the last workday for "Helicopter Ben," so nicknamed for his half-joking 2002 threat to print dollars and drop them into the economy by helicopter, if that's what it took to fight deflation. Many Americans will hate to see him go -- none more so than the nation's wealthiest citizens. Polling the Masses In honor of his departure, the Gallup research organization conducted a poll asking Americans what opinion they have of Chairman Bernanke. What Gallup found is that while he didn't exactly escape the financial crisis unscathed, a plurality of Americans (40 percent) nonetheless approve of the job he did. A plurality rather than a majority? That's not exactly a ringing endorsement. But one subgroup of Americans is much more enthusiastic in its appreciation of what Helicopter Ben did for them: the rich. Breaking down its polling data by annual household income, Gallup found that at most income levels, Americans split evenly in their opinions of Bernanke. What differences there are between those who "approve" or "disapprove" of his performance fall within the poll's plus-or-minus 4 percent margin of error. This holds true for groups with household income of anywhere from $0 to $90,000. In contrast, the one stratum of society that unabashedly approved of the chairman's handling of the economy -- the eased lending standards, the bailouts, and of course the creation of $85 billion a month in new money dropped from the air -- was Americans with incomes of $90,000 and up. Why is this? Aside from the likelihood that folks earning $90,000 and up are probably pretty happy with life in general and inclined to approve of how things are going -- is there any reason in particular that they should be particularly fond of Ben Bernanke? Actually, there is. If you recall, the first two years of Bernanke's term of office saw the Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) post double-digit gains -- up 30 percent in total to a high north of 14,000 before the financial crisis struck. The market suffered (ahem) of a hiccup during the crisis, of course. But thanks to the Fed's infusion of cash in 2009 and thereafter -- and the accompanying low interest rates that turned savings accounts into a losing proposition -- the stock market has come roaring back. It's more than doubled off its lows to reach 15,848, returning an average of about 19 percent profits annually since March 2009. Well, Of Course! According to The New York Times, only about half of American households own stocks -- whether through stakes in mutual funds and pension funds, or through direct ownership. Households in the top 10 percent earnings bracket (which the IRS puts at $114,000 and up, and so within the highest strata of earners polled by Gallup) own 90 percent of this stock. They are thus disproportionately likely to have benefited from Ben Bernanke's reign. If you were wondering why these folks are the ones who will miss Bernanke most, and why the stock market is throwing a hissy fit over his departure this week, well ... now you know.

Driver in celebrity death crash was Merrill Lynch adviser

Many of the best financial advisers hope not just for proximity, but also lifelong kinship with the boldface names on their client lists.

There may be no more striking example of how close those bonds can be than the circumstances that brought the actor Paul Walker and his adviser together this past weekend.

Mr. Walker, 40, known most for his roles in the blockbuster “The Fast and the Furious” movie franchise, had been raising money for his disaster-relief organization and went out for a spin in a prized sports car with his close friend and broker, Roger W. Rodas.

The drive ended in a fiery car crash that killed both men Saturday, law enforcement officials told the media.

Mr. Rodas, 38, was a nearly-two-decade Bank of America Corp. employee who had become one of Merrill Lynch's most successful brokers in Southern California. The automobile aficionado and exotic-car shop owner also headed a team of advisers in Glendale, Calif.

Mr. Walker met Mr. Rodas at a race club, and the two talked about one of Mr. Rodas' Porsches. The two raced cars together even before Mr. Rodas developed Mr. Walker as a formal client in 2007, according to an article published two years ago by Merrill Lynch.

The article said that Mr. Rodas reorganized Mr. Walker's portfolio, “a hodgepodge of personal investments,” meeting with the actor to readjust financial strategies after each movie he made, suggesting he incorporate his race shop to make his hobby financially self-sustaining and working with an accountant to set up the actor's foundation, Reach Out Worldwide.

Authorities said the two died in a car crash in a Porsche that Mr. Rodas was driving after a Reach Out fundraising event, several news outlets reported.

The relationship between Mr. Walker and Mr. Rodas was unusual, said Jeffrey B. Wheeler, a Westlake Village, Calif.-based adviser who has celebrity clients.

Advisers who manage money for the tabloid set more commonly deal with handlers and gatekeepers, such as business managers, than their clients, he said.

“People who are a