Hot Stocks To Watch For 2014

Catastrophically speaking, property and casualty insurer Allstate (NYSE: ALL  ) had an easier time of it in the first quarter of 2013 than it did in the year-ago period. It recorded only nine catastrophic events at an estimated cost of $391 million in the first three months of this year,�the company announced today, as opposed to 15 events�at an estimated cost of $420 million in the Q1 numbers it reported last March.

The estimated realized costs for Q1 2013 are expected to be only $359 million because the total was�partially offset by favorable reserve re-estimates of prior-year catastrophe losses.�One severe weather event accounted for over half of the estimated loss for the quarter. In March it suffered�estimated catastrophe pre-tax losses of�$198 million�(or�$129 million�after-tax). While it didn't identify the event in the press release, in early March a massive snowstorm socked the East Coast.

Hot Stocks To Watch For 2014: The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund(SRV)

Cushing MLP Total Return Fund is a closed-end mutual fund launched by Swank Capital, LLC. The fund is managed by Swank Energy Income Advisors L.P. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the globe with a focus in United States. The fund typically invests in MLPs, Other Natural Resource Companies, and global commodities. It primarily invests in the securities of MLPs, other equity securities, debt securities, and securities of non-U.S. issuers employing a fundamental analysis. Cushing MLP Total Return Fund was formed on May 23, 2007 and is domiciled in Dallas.

Hot Stocks To Watch For 2014: SMS Management & Technology Ltd(SMX.AX)

SMS Management & Technology Limited operates as a consulting, technology, and systems integration company in Australia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore. It offers various value added management and technology related business services under the SMS brand, including business performance improvement and management, operational learning and change, program and project services, application development, systems integration, information and data management, enterprise content management, and customer relationship management. The company also offers permanent recruitment and contract labor services primarily for the information technology sector under the M&T Resources brand. It serves the financial services, information and communications technology, government, health and human sciences, defense and national security, mining and resources, gaming, transport, and utility industries. SMS Management & Technology Limited was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Aus tralia.

Hot Penny Companies To Invest In 2014: Amsurg Corp.(AMSG)

AmSurg Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, engages in the development, acquisition, and operation of ambulatory surgery centers in partnership with physicians in the United States. The company?s surgery centers perform colonoscopy and other endoscopy procedures in the area of gastroenterology; cataracts and retinal laser surgery in the area of ophthalmology; and knee and shoulder arthroscopy and carpal tunnel repair in the area of orthopedics. As of December 31, 2010, it owned interest in 204 surgery centers in 33 states and the District of Columbia, including 140 centers performed gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures, 37 centers performed ophthalmology surgery procedures, 19 centers were multiple specialties, and 8 centers performed orthopaedic procedures. AmSurg Corp. markets its surgery centers directly to patients; and referring physicians and third-party payors, such as health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, other managed care o rganizations, and employers. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tom Lydon]

  Top holdings based on the index include Acadia Healthcare Companies (ACHC), Amsurg Corporation (AMSG), Brookdale Senior Living (BKD), Clarcor (CLC) and Community Health Systems (CYH).

Hot Stocks To Watch For 2014: Primary Health Properties PLC (PHP)

Primary Health Properties PLC (PHP) is a healthcare real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company is engaged in the generation of rental income and capital growth through investment in primary healthcare property in the United Kingdom. The Company had invested in 183 properties. The Company specialises in the ownership of freehold or long leasehold interests in modern purposebuilt healthcare facilities, the majority of which are leased to general practitioners and other associated healthcare users. In June 2013, Primary Health Properties PLC announced the acquisition of two standing let medical centre investments. In August 2013, it acquired two medical center investments. In August 2013, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary has completed the acquisition of three modern, purpose built medical centres.

Hot Stocks To Watch For 2014: Phoenix Oilfield Hauling Inc (PHN.V)

Aveda Transportation and Energy Services Inc. engages in the transportation of products, materials, and equipment for the drilling, exploration, development, and production of petroleum resources in western Canada and the United States. The company�s services include rig moving, general oilfield hauling, and specialized hauling. It is also involved in the rental of tanks, mats, pickers, light towers manifolds, storage tanks, and other equipments for oilfield operations. The company was formerly known as Phoenix Oilfield Hauling Inc. and changed its name to Aveda Transportation & Energy Services Inc. in June 2012. Aveda Transportation & Energy Services Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.