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Herbalife Raises Guidance After Strong Q1, Declares Dividend
Safeway Appoints New CEO
Banco Santander Names New CEO
KMG Buying OM Group's Ultra Pure Chemicals
Mexico Seeks New Security, Economic Agenda With U.S.
Eurozone Inflation Falls to 3-Year Low in April
J.C. Penney Borrows $1.75 Billion
Best Buy Selling Its Europe Business
Sirius XM Radio Names New CEO
Yahoo! Embeds Ads in Article Newsfeed
Nam Tai Doubles Revenue, Faces Uphill Battle
Italian PM Urges EU to Focus on Fostering Growth
Wheat Price Increases on Worsening Crop Conditions
Cyprus Parliament Approves Bailout
Consumer Confidence Up 10% for April
Macy's Loses Appeal on Martha Stewart Goods
Employment Costs Up 0.3% for Q1
Report: Apple Selling Record Amount in Bonds
Cereplast, Inc. (Cereplast), incorporated on September 29, 2001, is engaged in developing and commercializing bio-based resins through two product families: Cereplast Compostables Resins, which are compostable, renewable, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics, and Cereplast Sustainables resins (including the Cereplast Hybrid Resins product line), which replaces up to 90% of the petroleum-based content of traditional plastics with materials from renewable resources. The Company primarily conducts its operations through product families, such as Cereplast Compostables resins, Cereplast Hybrid Resins and Cereplast Algae Plastic resins. In October 2011, the Company purchased a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara).
Cereplast Compostables resins are compostable and bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily compostable bags, single-use food service products and packaging applications. The Company offers 13 commercial grades of Compostable resins in this product line. Cereplast Sustainables resins are partially or fully bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for fully petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily durable goods, packaging applications. The Company offers six commercial grades of Sustainable resins in this product line. Cereplast Hybrid Resins products replace up to 55% of the petroleum content in conventional plastics with bio-based materials, such as industrial starches sourced from plants. The Hybrid resins line is designed to offer similar properties to traditional polyolefins, such as impact strength and heat deflection temperature, and is compatible with existing converter processes and equipment. The first commercial product with Cereplast Algae Plastic resin is being produced and sold as part of the Company's Sustainables resin family.
The Company's Compostable resins are renewable substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily single-use disposables. The Company's Compost! able Resins have been used to produce foodservice ware, including the first line of fully biodegradable and compostable foodservice ware. Cereplast Hybrid Resins uses renewable materials such as starches from corn and tapioca.
Cereplast competes with BASF, Dow Chemical, Lyondell Basell, DuPont, SABIC, Novamont, NatureWorks and Telles.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Bryan Murphy]
The whole thing may seem a little "out there" at first glance, but truth be told, what Metabolix, Inc. does isn't terribly unusual anymore. It's just a little less sexy than what traders and stock speculators usually want to see and hear with their picks. Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. (NYSE:KRA) and the now-bankrupt Cereplast Inc. (OTCMKTS:CERPQ) are/were in the same business, along with several others. [Don't let the Cereplast bankruptcy filing deter you - it wasn't a lack of opportunity that up-ended CERP.]
Top Chemical Stocks To Own For 2014: Basf SE (BASFY)
BASF SE is a chemical company. The Company operates in six segments: Chemicals, Plastics, Performance Products, Functional Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. Chemicals segment offers products in the chemical, electronic, construction, textile, automotive, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Plastics segment offers a range of products, system solutions and services. Performance Products help its customers to improve their products and processes. Functional Solutions segment bundles system solutions and products for customers and industries. The Company�� Agricultural Solutions segment includes crop protection products, which guard against fungal diseases, insects and weeds. Its Oil & gas segment is a producer of oil and gas. On April 9, 2009, the Company acquired Ciba Holding AG. In April 2010, Intertek Group plc acquired the Regulatory and Safety Testing businesses of Ciba Expert Services (Ciba ES) from the Company. In December 2010, the Company completed its acquisition of Cognis Holding GmbH from Cognis Holding Luxembourg S.a r.l.
Chemicals
The Company�� Chemicals segment portfolio ranges from basic chemicals, glues and electronic chemicals for the semiconductor and flat panel display industry, to solvents and plasticizers, as well as starting materials for detergents, plastics, textile fibers, paints, coatings and pharmaceuticals. This segment is organized into three divisions: Inorganics, Petrochemicals and Intermediates. The important basic products of the Inorganics division are ammonia, methanol, sodium hydroxide, chlorine, as well as sulfuric and nitric acid. The Petrochemicals division produces products, such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene and benzene, which are produced in steam crackers from naphtha or natural gas. In further processing stages, it produces alcohols, solvents and plasticizers for the chemicals and plastics industries. BASF SE�� Intermediates division develops, produces and markets a range of intermediates of all produc! ers worldwide. The product lines include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. They serve as starting materials for products, such as coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, crop protection products, as well as detergents and cleaners.
Plastics
BASF�� Plastics segment is organized into two divisions: Performance Polymers and Polyurethanes. The Performance Polymers division is a supplier of engineering plastics, polyamides and polyamide intermediates, foams and specialty plastics. The Company offers its customers a portfolio of engineering plastics based on polyamide 6 and polyamide 6,6. This is complemented by products Ultradur, Ultraform and Ultrason. For the packaging, textile and food industries, it offers Ultramid, a base product for the manufacturing of fibers and foils. BASF SE�� product range also includes Ecoflex and Ecovio, biodegradable specialty plastics for the packaging industry. Styropor and its refinement Neopor are styrene-based precursors for foams used in insulating material for construction and packaging. The Polyurethanes division is a supplier of basic products, systems and specialties. The Company offers polyurethane products for numerous customer applications. Under brand names, such as Elastoflex and Elastopor, polyurethanes are used, as rigid or flexible foams in construction for furniture and household appliances.
Performance Products
The Performance Products segment consists of the Acrylics & Dispersions, Care Chemicals and Performance Chemicals divisions. Acrylics & Dispersions produces acrylic acid, as well as its derivatives superabsorbents and polymer dispersions. Superabsorbents are used particularly in diapers. Polymer dispersions are used in the production of glues, coatings, nonwoven materials and construction chemicals. The Company�� product portfolio for the paper industry consists of binders, process chemicals and kaolin pigments. Its Care Chemicals portfolio consists of products f! or cleani! ng, care, cosmetics and hygiene. Performance Chemicals pools specialties for various customer industries. The product portfolio consists of antioxidants, pigments, light stabilizers and specialty additives. The division also makes chemicals for the production and finishing of leather and textiles.
Functional Solutions
The Functional Solutions segment consists of the Catalysts, Construction Chemicals and Coatings divisions. The Catalysts division develops catalysts and adsorbents. It produces catalysts that transform pollutants in the exhaust flows of vehicles into harmless chemical and plastics. The Construction Chemicals division is engaged in development of concrete admixtures, such as concrete plasticizers, deferrers and curing agents. It also produces and markets construction systems. The Coatings division is a provider of coatings solutions for automotive and industrial applications. Its brands Glasurit and R-M are for the car refinish business.
Agricultural Solutions
The Agricultural Solutions segment consists of the Crop Protection division. The Company develops and produces active ingredients and formulations for the improvement of crop health and yields, and markets them worldwide. Its portfolio includes fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and seed treatments. Its product Headline contains the active ingredient F500, which is not only used for corn and soybean, but also for numerous other crops.
Oil & Gas
BASF�� oil and gas activities are bundled in the Wintershall Group. Wintershall and its subsidiaries operate in the business sectors exploration and production, and natural gas trading. In the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, the Company focuses on oil and gas regions in Europe, North Africa and South America, as well as Russia and the Caspian Sea region. The Mittelplate oil field in the North Sea tidal flats is the cornerstone of the Company�� oil production in Germany. Wintershall and RWE-D! EA each h! old a 50% interest in this field. During the year ended December 31, 2009, it acquired 25% interest in Cuxhaven concession. It operates 26 offshore platforms in Mittelplate region, of which 19 are actually controlled. In Libya, Wintershall operates eight onshore oil fields in the concessions 96 and 97 and exploits the associated gas released during crude oil production in a gas utilization plant for the local demand. In Mauritania, it operates two onshore exploration blocks. In 2008, Wintershall acquired stakes of 50% each in two exploration areas in the Canadon Asfalto Basin. It supplies Germany and several other European countries. The gas pipeline network operated by WINGAS TRANSPORT connects the markets in Western Europe with a natural gas infrastructure that runs through Eastern Europe and the Russian Federation all the way to the gas fields in Siberia. Other components portfolio include natural gas storage facility in Western Europe, in Rehdn, Germany, and the natural gas storage facility in Haidach, Austria.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Carroll]
Firms across Germany's DAX have caught on. BASF (NASDAQOTH: BASFY ) shares haven't had a great year so far, but the world's largest chemicals firm is looking around the world for growth. The company seeks to double its customer base in the Asia-Pacific region by 2020 in its chemicals and materials business, projecting sales in Asia to double from last year's 12.5 million euros to 25 million euros by that year. That kind of global growth will benefit investors, and the less BASF and other German stocks rely on Europe for sales, the better shareholders will do.
- [By Maxx Chatsko]
It was only a matter of time. Last month BASF (NASDAQOTH: BASFY ) , the world's largest chemical company, announced three separate developments that will thrust it from being a mediocre player in industrial enzymes to a dominant force. BASF acquired Henkel's detergent enzyme technology, licensed the C1 biotechnology platform from Dyadic, and befriended Direvo Industrial Biotechnology from Germany for a next-generation animal feed enzyme.
Top Chemical Stocks To Own For 2014: Rockwood Holdings Inc (ROC)
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (Rockwood), incorporated in September 19, 2000, is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals and advanced materials used for industrial and commercial purposes. Rockwood is focused on surface treatment and lithium chemicals, advanced ceramics, titanium dioxide pigments, iron-oxide pigments, timber-treatment chemicals and clay-based additives. Its products consist primarily of inorganic chemicals and solutions and engineered materials. As of December 31, 2012, it manufactured its products in 80 facilities in more than twenty countries and sold its products and services to more than 60,000 customers. The Company operates in five segments: Lithium, Surface Treatment, Performance Additives, Titanium Dioxide Pigments, and Advanced Ceramics. In September 2012, its subsidiary, Chemetall GmbH, completed the formal legal split of its operations into two independent legal entities. In September 2013, Rockwood Holdings, Inc completed the sale of CeramTec, its advanced ceramics business to Cinven. In October 2013, Rockwood Holdings Inc announced that the specialty chemicals group ALTANA completed the acquisition of the rheology business of Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Lithium
The Company�� Lithium segment operates under the Rockwood Lithium brand name and develops lithium chemicals for a range of industries and end markets. It develops and manufactures a broad range of basic lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, and lithium specialties and reagents, including butyllithium and lithium aluminum hydride. The Company operates its lithium business along five business divisions: Lithium Salts, Special Salts, Butyllithium/Lithium Metal, Battery Products and Lithium Specialties.
The Company develops and manufactures basic lithium compounds, which serve a range of industries and applications, and potash. Its products include lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium nitrate, lithium chloride ! and potash. The Company develops and manufactures products which include lithium phosphate, lithium bromide and lithium carbonate pharmaceutical grade. It develops and manufactures lithium products for electronic applications, mainly for the primary (disposable) and secondary (rechargeable) battery industries. It develop and manufacture lithium compounds and other products for life science applications, such as special reagents for the synthesis of drug intermediates as well as for the flavor and fragrances industry. The Company develops and manufactures a range of products based on special metal compounds derived from cesium, zirconium, titanium, barium and rubidium.
The Company competes with FMC Corporation, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., Cabot Corporation, Sigma Aldrich Corporation.
Surface Treatment
The Company�� Surface Treatment segment operates under the Chemetall brand name and develops and manufactures metal surface treatment products and services for a range of industries and end markets. This segment supplies surface treatment products and solutions for metal processing industries. It develops and supplies products and solutions for the chemical pre-treatment of metals and other substrates, some of which are customized for individual customers and applications. The Company provides surface treatment products and solutions for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including an entire range of products and services for use in the paint shop step of car-body and automotive component manufacture. It provides products and services used to facilitate the cold forming of tubes, wire drawing and cold extrusion of metal.
The Company competes with Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd., PPG Industries, Inc. and Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
Performance Additives
The Company�� Performance Additives segment consists of business lines which develop and manufacture a range of specialty chemicals us! ed indust! rial and consumer products and processes. The Company produces synthetic iron-oxide and other inorganic pigments in a range of yellow, red, orange, ultramarine blue, black, manganese violet or blended shades, and serves the construction, paints and coatings, plastics, and specialty application markets with powder, granular and liquid grades. The Company develops and manufactures principally iron-oxide pigments for manufacturers of construction products for use in the coloring of concrete products, including paving stones, bricks, concrete blocks, roofing tiles, stucco and mortar.
It also develops and manufactures color pigments for the paints, coatings, plastics, paper and rubber end-use markets including its brands Ferroxide, Trans-oxide, Solaplex, Solarox and Colourplex. It produces a wide variety of pigments that include synthetic iron-oxides, corrosion inhibitor pigments, complex inorganic color pigments and process natural pigments such as burnt umbers and siennas. Its iron-oxide pigments are also used in a variety of specialty applications such as toner for printers and copiers, security inks used to print bank notes, catalysts for styrene production and cosmetics.
The Company�� Timber Treatment Chemicals business line manufactures food protection products primarily in North America and Europe. Its Timber Treatment Chemicals business also manufactures inorganic chemicals such as nitrates and chlorides for various industrial applications including chemicals that are added to concrete as curing accelerants and corrosion inhibitors, chemicals that are used for odor control in water treatment, galvanizing fluxes, micronutrients, pesticides and catalysts used in the manufacture of textile resins. The Company also develops and manufacture inorganic metallic chemicals for certain specialty markets. Its Clay-based Additives business develops and manufactures a range of specialty rheology modifiers and additives.
The Company competes with Lanxess AG, Cathay Pigment! s Group, ! Interstar Materials Inc. and Shanghai Yipin Pigments Co., Ltd., Lonza Group Ltd, Osmose, Inc., BASF Group, Kurt Obermeier GmbH & Co. KG, Rutgers AG, Elementis plc, Laviosa Chimica Mineraria S.p.A., R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc., Amcol, and Feralco AB.
Titanium Dioxide Pigments
The Company�� Titanium Dioxide Pigments segment operates under the Sachtleben brand name. Titanium Dioxide Pigments consists of two business lines: Titanium Dioxide and Functional Additives. It produces specialty grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) serving a variety of customers in the synthetic fibers, plastics, paints, packaging inks, coatings, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and paper industries. The Company also develops TiO2 pigments, which are mainly used in special applications such as selected coatings, paints, packaging inks, plastics and laminated paper production processes. Its Functional Additives business line is a global manufacturer of barium-based and zinc-based inorganic fine white pigments and additives.
The Company competes with Fuji Titanium Industry Co., Ltd, Kronos Worldwide, Inc, DuPont Titanium Technologies, Cristal Global, Tronox Incorporated, Huntsman LLC, Tayca Corporation, Ishihara Corporation and Evonik Degussa., Solvay S.A., Gruppo Chimico Dalton S.p.A., Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Advanced Ceramics
The Company�� Advanced Ceramics segment operates under the CeramTec brand name. The Company produces ceramic components for hip joint prostheses, such as ball heads and inserts and ceramic glove formers latex gloves. The Company develops and manufacture products used in cutting tools, other tools and tooling systems. The Company develops and manufactures ceramic components that are used in mechanical applications and systems. Its products in mechanical applications include cutting blades, drawing and forming tools, drawing cones and capstans, guide elements, precision parts, pre-forms and friction discs. It also produces products used for app! lications! in certain niche markets, such as electrical/thermal and ceramic metal connections, pre-forms for the casting process of piston engines, mainly for diesel engines, and wear and corrosion protection in industrial plants and armor components used in vehicle protection.
The Company competes with Kyocera Corporation, CoorsTek, Inc., The Morgan Crucible Company plc and 3M.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Monica Gerson]
Huntsman (NYSE: HUN) surged 8.05% to $20.68 in the pre-market session after the company announced its plans to buy Rockwood Holdings' (NYSE: ROC) Performance Additives and Titanium Dioxide businesses for $1.1 billion in cash.
- [By Myra Ramdenbourg]
Rockwood Holdings Inc. (ROC): Sen VP and CFO Robert J Zetta sold 32,500 Shares
On 8/07/2013, Sen VP and CFO Robert J Zatta sold 32,500 shares at the average price of $64.92. The price of the stock has increased by 10.32% since. Rockwood Holdings Inc. has a market cap of $5.24 billion. The company�� shares were traded at around $71.62; it has a P/E ratio of 4.60 and P/S ratio of 1.24. The dividend yield of Rockwood Holdings Inc. stocks is 2.37%.
Top Chemical Stocks To Own For 2014: Koninklijke DSM NV (RDSMY.PK)
Koninklijke DSM N.V. (DSM), incorporated on December 28, 1966, is engaged in creating products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences. DSM�� products and services are used in a range of markets and applications. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. The activities of DSM are grouped into five clusters: Nutrition, Pharma, Performance Materials, Polymer Intermediates, and Base Chemicals and Materials. In May 2010, Orascom Construction Industries announced that the acquisition of the Company�� agro and melamine businesses has been finalized. DSM completed the disposal of DSM Energie Holding B.V. (DSM Energy) to TAQA Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC on September 30, 2009. In September 2010, the Company acquired Microbia, Inc. from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In December 2010, the Company completed the sale of DSM Special Products B.V. to Emerald Performance Materials. In February 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Martek Biosciences Corporation. In May 2011, the Company sold DSM Elastomers to Lanxess AG. In June 2012, the Company acquired Kensey Nash Corporation (Kensey Nash).
Nutrition
The Nutrition cluster comprises DSM Nutritional Products and DSM Food Specialties. The nutrition and food ingredients businesses serve the food, feed, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. DSM holds positions in the markets for ingredients for human and animal nutrition and health. DSM Nutritional Products is the supplier of vitamins, carotenoids, nutritional ingredients, ultra-violet (UV) filters and premixes for human and animal nutrition and health. DSM Nutritional Products is organized around two entities: Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH) and Human Nutrition and Health (HNH). DSM Food Specialties is a global manufacturer of food enzymes, cultures, yeast extracts and other specialty ingredients for the food and b! everage industries.
DSM Food Specialties comprises two business units and an Ingredients Development Unit. Enzymes & Dairy Ingredients supplies a range of food enzymes for applications such as dairy, baking, fruit processing, brewing and wine, starter cultures for cheese and yogurt, preservation solutions for cheese and meat, and tests for the detection of residues of antibiotics in milk. Savoury Ingredients is a major supplier of ingredients for flavorings and flavor enhancers (such as yeast extracts) used in products, such as soups, instant meals, sauces and savory snacks.
Pharma
The Pharma cluster comprises the business groups DSM Pharmaceutical Products (DPP) and DSM Anti-Infectives. DSM is an independent supplier to the pharmaceutical industry. DSM Pharmaceutical Products is a provider of custom contract manufacturing and development services to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.
DSM Pharmaceutical Products consists of three business units: DSM Pharma Chemicals (custom chemical manufacturing services for complex registered intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including DSM Exclusive Synthesis (custom manufacturing services for the crop protection industry), DSM Biologics (biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology and services) and DSM Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (finished-dose-form manufacturing services). DSM BioSolutions focuses on custom manufacturing services based on microbial fermentation. DSM Anti-Infectives holds global leadership positions in penicillin G, penicillin intermediates (6-APA and 7-ADCA), active pharmaceutical ingredients such as semi-synthetic penicillins and semi-synthetic cefalosporins (beta-lactams), and other active ingredients, such as nystatin.
Performance Materials
The Performance Materials cluster comprises the business groups DSM Engineering Plastics, DSM Dyneema and DSM Resins. The products are used in a variety of end-use markets: the au! tomotive ! industry, the aviation industry, the electrical and electronics industry, the sports and leisure industries, the paint and coatings industry and the construction industry.
DSM Engineering Plastics is a global player in polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates and adhesive resins. These materials are used in components for the electrical and electronics, automotive, engineering and packaging industries. DSM produces Dyneema fiber and UD (unidirectional textile sheets) in Heerlen (Netherlands) and in Greenville (North Carolina, United States) through its gel-spinning process. DSM Resins consists of four business units: DSM NeoResins+, DSM Powder Coating Resins, DSM Desotech and DSM Composite Resins.
Polymer Intermediates
The Polymer Intermediates cluster consists of DSM Fiber Intermediates. DSM Fibre Intermediates produces caprolactam and acrylonitrile, which are raw materials for synthetic fibers and engineering plastics. Other products include ammonium sulfate (a fertilizer), diaminobutane, sodium cyanide and cyclohexanone. DSM�� caprolactam production capacity is more than 600,000 tons per annum.
Base Chemicals and Materials
The Base Chemicals and Materials cluster consists of DSM Agro, DSM Melamine, DSM Elastomers and a number of activities that have been carved out from other clusters. DSM Agro produces fertilizers and is active in Northwestern Europe. DSM Melamine is a producer of melamine, used in wood-based panels and laminates for furniture and flooring. DSM Elastomers manufactures synthetic rubbers (EPDM) for use in cars and other transportation vehicles, white goods, various industrial products and construction materials and as motor-oil additives.
DSM Agro is a producer of ammonia and high-nitrogen fertilizers for grasslands and agricultural crops; products and services for responsible fertilization. DSM Agro sells about 2.4 million tons of fertilizers per year. The Base Chemicals and Materials cluster also includes! several ! activities that have been carved out from other clusters. These include Citric Acid, DSM Special Products and the Maleic Anhydride and derivatives business.
Other activities
Other activities comprise various activities and businesses that do not belong to any of the five reporting clusters. It consists of both operating and service activities and also includes a number of costs that cannot be logically allocated to the clusters. Other activities includes the DSM Innovation Center, DSM Venturing and a number of other activities, such as Sitech Services, EdeA, DSM Insurances and part of the costs of corporate activities. Sitech Services provides technological consultancy, expertise in energy and auxiliary materials, the supply of utilities and human resources.
EdeA VoF owns, operates and maintains most of the production and distribution facilities for utilities (for example steam, power and water) at the Chemelot site in Sittard-Geleen (Netherlands). EdeA VoF is a joint venture with Essent, an energy production and distribution company. DSM�� stake is 50%. DSM retains a limited part of its Property Damage and Business Interruption and Product Liability risks via a captive insurance company. DSM has a share in a limited number of associates.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Markus Aarnio]
BioAmber expects its advanced bio-based specialty chemicals to compete with petrochemical equivalents that are proven in the market and manufactured by established companies, such as Gadiv Petrochemical Industries, Kawasaki Kasei, DSM (RDSMY.PK) and numerous small Chinese producers including Anqing Hexing Chemical, and Anhui Sunsing Chemicals. In addition, BioAmber's products will compete against other companies in the bio-based specialty chemical industry, both early stage companies, such as Genomatica (for bio-based 1,4 BDO) and Myriant Corporation (for bio-succinic acid), and established companies, such as a collaborative venture between DSM and Roquette Frères S.A. and a collaborative venture between BASF (BASFY.PK) and Purac (both for bio-succinic acid).
Top Chemical Stocks To Own For 2014: Passport Potash Inc (PPI)
Passport Potash Inc. is a Canada-based exploration-stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties. The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of potash properties. The Company has an interest in or has the right to earn an interest in six properties, Southwest Exploration Property, Twin Buttes Ranch, Sweetwater/American Potash, Mesa Uranium, Ringbolt Property and Fitzgerald Ranch (the Holbrook Basin properties), which are all located in Arizona. The Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral property interests. The Company's Holbrook Basin project is located seven miles east of Holbrook, Arizona.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By JulieYoung789]
On Friday, June 13 the Commerce Department released its monthly report on producer prices which is one measure used to gauge the direction of price inflation in the U.S. The May Producer Price Index (PPI) reading showed a decrease of 0.2% seasonally adjusted. The Producer Price Index is a significant market moving news release and the worse than expected results likely had an effect on the market�� downward turn for the week.
- [By Arrow Analysis]
The merger between the two companies had been in the works since September, but hit many a bump on the road. The two major obstacles in the path were the Chinese regulations and the ongoing tax investigation regarding Nokia�� Indian plant, operating in Chennai. While China green-lighted the deal easily, the Indian authorities were less obliging. The end result is that the Indian facility was not a part of the acquisitions and will be retained by Nokia. Although Nokia has not announced any conclusive plans, the fact that it offered its 7500+ Indian workers early retirement scheme suggests that the plant may soon be shut down. Also, noticeably absent from the terms of the merger was the ��tate of the art��South Korean plant in Masan. The deal closed for $7.5 billion. As previously decided, Nokia�� former CEO Stephen Elop will be reporting to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella and will be appointed executive vice president of Microsoft Devices Group. He will be overseeing the division that, from hence on, will be in charge of expanding the business of Lumia smartphones and tablets, Xbox hardware, Perceptive Pixel (PPI) products and accessories. Microsoft also plans to export more than 25,000 of Nokia�� former 90,000 employees.What does it mean for Microsoft�� future?
Top Chemical Stocks To Own For 2014: HB Fuller Co (FUL)
H.B. Fuller Company, incorporated on December 16, 1915, is formulator, manufacturer and marketer of adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products. The Company operates in five segments: North America Adhesives, Construction Products, Europe, India, Middle East and Africa (EIMEA), Latin America Adhesives and Asia Pacific. Sales operations span 40 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, India, the Middle East and Africa. Industrial adhesives represent the Company's core product offering. The Company also provides its customers with technical support and solutions designed to address their specific needs. The Company has a variety of product offerings for residential construction markets, such as tile-setting adhesives, grouts, sealants and related products. These products are sold primarily in the Company's Construction Products operating segment. On September 10, 2012, the Company acquired Engent, Inc. On August 6, 2012, the Company sold its Central America Paints business. In June 2013, HB Fuller Co announced that it has finalized the purchase of Plexbond Quimica S/A.
The Company's North America Adhesives, EIMEA, Latin America Adhesives and Asia Pacific operating segments produce and supply industrial adhesives products for applications in various markets, including assembly (appliances, filters, construction), packaging (food and beverage containers, flexible packaging, consumer goods, package integrity and re-enforcement, durable and non-durable goods, etc.), converting (corrugation, tape and label, paper converting, envelopes, books, multi-wall bags and sacks), nonwoven and hygiene (disposable diapers, feminine care, medical garments, tissue and towel), performance wood (windows, doors, wood flooring) and textile (footwear and sportswear). The North America Adhesives operating segment includes a range of specialty adhesives, such as thermoplastic, thermoset, reactive, water-based and solvent-based products. Sales are made primarily throug! h a direct sales force with a smaller portion of sales through distributors.
The Construction Products operating segment includes products used for tile setting (adhesives, grouts, mortars, sealers, levelers, etc.), heating, ventilation and air conditioning and insulation applications (duct sealants, weather barriers and fungicidal coatings, block fillers). Construction Product sales are made primarily through distributors and to a lesser extent big box retailers and a direct sales force. The EIMEA operating segment is comprised of an adhesives component with the same range of products as the North America Adhesives operating segment. EIMEA adhesives sales are made through both a direct sales force and distributors. The Latin America Adhesives operating segment is similar to that of the North America Adhesives operating segment and sales are made primarily through a direct sales force. The Asia Pacific operating segment is similar to that of the North America Adhesives operating segment, with one exception. The Asia Pacific operating segment also includes caulks and sealants for the consumer market and professional trade, sold through retailers. Other adhesives sales are made through a direct sales force and distributors.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Michael Flannelly]
Because shares of H.B. Fuller Co. (FUL) have rallied over 50% in the past year, analysts at Deutsche Bank downgraded the chemical products maker early on Friday on a valuation call.
The analysts downgraded FUL from “Buy” to “Hold” and see shares reaching $50. This price target suggests a 10% upside to the stock’s Thursday closing price of $45.44.
H.B. Fuller shares were down 84 cents, or 1.85%, during pre-market trading on Friday. The stock is up 30.5% year-to-date.
- [By Rich Duprey]
Adhesives maker�H.B. Fuller (NYSE: FUL ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.10 per share, the same rate it paid last quarter after raising the payout almost 18% from $0.085 per share.