LONDON -- There are things to love and loathe about most companies. Today, I'm going to tell you about three things to love about�British American Tobacco� (LSE: BATS ) (NYSEMKT: BTI ) .
I'll also be asking whether these positive factors make the FTSE 100's biggest tobacco company a good investment today.
Long-term outperformance
British American Tobacco (BAT) has been a top FTSE 100 long-term performer. The company has delivered shareholders an annualized return of 21% over the last 10 years compared with 9% for the market as a whole. The five-year figures are 17% and 6%, respectively.
The company, which counts�Dunhill,�Kent,�Lucky Strike, and�Pall Mall�among its top-selling brands, has continued to thrive through litigation and regulation scares, rewarding shareholders year after year.
Defensive
The�manner�in which BAT has rewarded shareholders is as impressive as the magnitude of the returns.
Companies in so-called "defensive" sectors generally cope better than companies in "cyclical" sectors in a recessionary environment, because they supply things people can't do without. Tobacco is a defensive company�par excellence.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Anglo-eastern Plants(AEP.L)
Anglo Eastern Plantations Plc engages in owning, operating, and developing plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia. The company involves in the cultivation of oil palm and rubber plantations. As of December 31, 2010, it operated a planted area of approximately 52,322 hectares. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Anglo Eastern Plantations Plc is a subsidiary of Genton International Limited.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Anchor Bancorp(ANCB)
Anchor Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Anchor Bank that provides various banking products and services in western Washington. It generates deposit products comprising checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. The company offers a range of loan products consisting of one- to four-family residential real estate loans, real estate construction loans, land acquisition and development loans, commercial real estate loans, multi-family real estate loans, commercial business loans, and consumer loans. As of June 30, 2011, it had 1 administrative office, 14 full service banking offices, and 1 loan center. Anchor Bancorp was incorporated in 2008 and is based in Lacey, Washington.
Top 5 Growth Stocks To Buy Right Now: Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O)
Cisco Systems, Inc., incorporated on December 10, 1984, designs, manufactures, and sells Internet protocol (IP)-based networking and other products related to the communications and information technology (IT) industry and provide services associated with these products and their use. The Company provides a line of products for transporting data, voice, and video within buildings, across campuses, and around the world. Its products are designed to transform how people connect, communicate, and collaborate. Its products are installed at enterprise businesses, public institutions, telecommunications companies, commercial businesses, and personal residences. The Company has five segments: United States and Canada, European Markets, Emerging Markets, Asia Pacific, and Japan. The Emerging Markets theater consists of Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. In July 30, 2012, it acquired NDS Group Ltd. In October 2012, it acquired virtual networking company, vCider. In August 2011, the Company acquired Versly. In November 2011, it acquired BNI Video. In March 2012, the Company acquired Lightwire, Inc. In May 2012, the Company acquired ClearAccess. In December 2012, the Company acquired Cloupia. In December 2012, the Company acquired Cariden Technologies Inc. In December 2012, the Company acquired Meraki, Inc.
The Company�� product offerings fall into three categories: its core technologies, routing and switching; advanced technologies, and other products. In addition to its product offerings, the Company provides a range of service offerings, technical support services and advanced services. The advanced services program supports networking devices, applications, solutions, and complete infrastructures.
Routing
The Company offers a range of routers, from core network infrastructure for service providers and enterprises to access route rs for branch offices and for telecommuters and consumers a! t! home. Key products within its routing category are the Cisco ASR 901/903, Cisco 1000, 5000, and 9000 Cisco Aggregation Services Routers (ASR), as well as the Cisco ASR 800, 1900, 2900 and 3900 Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISR):; Cisco CRS-1, 7600 and Cisco CRS-3 Cisco Carrier Routing Systems (CRS). During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2010 (fiscal 2010), Cisco introduced the Cisco CRS-3 Carrier Routing System (CRS-3) and Cisco 7600 Series Routers.
Service Provider Video
The Company�� end-to-end, digital video distribution systems and digital interactive set-top boxes enable service providers and content originators to deliver entertainment, information, and communication services to consumers and businesses around the world. Key product areas within its Service Provider Video category are: Set-Top Boxes, IP set-top boxes (both High-Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD)); Digital cable set-top boxes (both HD and SD); Cable Modem CP E (Data, EMTA, and Gateways); Videoscape Software Products and Headend Equipment (Encoders, Decoders, and Transcoders).
Switching
The Company�� switching products offer many forms of connectivity to end users, workstations, IP phones, access points, and servers, and also function as aggregators on local-area networks (LANs), metropolitan-area networks (MANs), and wide-area networks (WANs). Its switching systems employ several widely used technologies, including Ethernet, Power over Ethernet, Fibre Channel over Ethernet, Packet over Synchronous Optical Network, and Multiprotocol Label Switching. Many of its switches are designed to support an integrated set of advanced services, allowing organizations to be more efficient by using one switch for multiple networking functions rather than multiple switches to accomplish the same functions.
Cisco offers a family of Ethernet switching solutions from fixed-configuration switches for small and medium-sized businesses to modular switches for ente! rpr! ises! and ! service providers. Its fixed-configuration switches are designed to provide a foundation for converged data, voice, and video services. Key products within its switching category are the Cisco Catalyst 2960, 3560, 3750, 4500 and 6500 Series; the Cisco Nexus 2000, 3000, 5000 and 7000 Series switches; and MDS Series: MDS 9000.
Fixed-configuration switches are designed to cover a range of deployments in small and medium-sized businesses. It fixed-configuration switches are designed to provide a foundation for converged data, voice, and video services. They range from small, standalone switches to stackable models that function as a single, scalable switching unit. Modular switches are typically utilized by enterprise and service provider customers. Fixed-configuration and modular switches also include products such as optics modules which are shared across multiple product platforms.
NGN Routing
Routing technology is fundamental to the Internet, and this technology interconnects public and private IP networks for mobile, data, voice, and video applications. The Company's NGN Routing products are designed to enhance the intelligence, security, reliability, scalability, and level of performance in the transmission of information and media-rich applications. It offers a broad range of routers, from core network infrastructure and mobile Internet network for service providers and enterprises to access routers for branch offices and for telecommuters and consumers at home. Key product areas within its NGN Routing category are, Cisco Aggregation Services Routers: Cisco ASR 901/903, Cisco ASR 1000, Cisco ASR 5000 and Cisco ASR 9000. Cisco Integrated Services Routers: Cisco ISR 800, Cisco ISR 1900, Cisco ISR 2900 and Cisco ISR 3900. Cisco Carrier Routing Systems: Cisco CRS-1, Cisco CRS-3 and Cisco 7600 Series Routers.
Security
Cisco security solutions deliver identity, network and content security solutions designed to enable customers to r! educe t! ! he impact! of threats and realize the benefits of a mobile, collaborative, and cloud-enabled business. The products in this category span firewall, intrusion prevention, remote access, virtual private networks (VPNs), unified clients, network admission control, Web gateways, and email gateways. Its AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client solution enables users to access networks with their mobile device of choice, including laptops and smartphone-based mobile devices, while allowing organizations to manage the security risks of networks. Its cloud-based Web security service is designed to provide real-time threat protection and to prevent malware from reaching corporate networks, including roaming or mobile users. It focuses on a proactive, layered approach to counter both existing and emerging security threats. During the fiscal year ended July 28, 2012, it introduced the Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Midrange Security Appliance, Cisco Security Manager 4.3, the IPS 4500 Series, and Prime Securit y Manager.
Wireless
The Cisco Unified Wireless Network aims to harness the network to solve business problems, uniting high-performance wireless access across campus, branch, remote and outdoor environments. Its offerings include wireless access points (including the Cisco Aironet product family), controllers, antennas, and integrated management. The Company�� offerings provide users with simplified management and mobile device troubleshooting features which are designed to reduce operational cost and maximize flexibility and reliability. It is also investing in custom chipsets to deliver functions such as CleanAir proactive spectrum intelligence, ClientLink acceleration for mobile devices and VideoStream multicast optimization technology.
Data Center
The Company�� data center product category has been its major product category for the past two fiscal years. Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and Server Access Vi rtualization form the core of the Data Center pr! oduct cat! ego! ry. Key p! roduct areas within its Data Center product category are: Cisco UCS B-Series Blade Servers, Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers and Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects.
Other Products
The Company�� other products category primarily consists of Linksys home networking products, certain emerging technologies, and other networking products. In addition to its product offerings, it provide a range of service offerings, including technical support services and advanced services.
The Company competes with Alcatel-Lucent; ARRIS Group, Inc.; Aruba Networks, Inc.; Avaya Inc.; Belden Inc.; Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.; Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; Citrix Systems, Inc.; D-Link Corporation; LM Ericsson Telephone Company; Extreme Networks, Inc.; F5 Networks, Inc.; Force10 Networks, Inc.; Fortinet, Inc.; Hewlett-Packard Company; Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; International Business Machines Corporation; Juniper Networks, Inc.; LogMeIn, Inc.; Meru Networks, Inc.; Microsoft Corporation; Motorola, Inc.; NETGEAR, Inc.; Polycom, Inc.; Riverbed Technology, Inc.; and Symantec Corporation.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Symmetry Medical Inc (SMA)
Symmetry Medical Inc. designs, develops, and produces implants and related surgical instruments and cases to orthopedic device manufacturers worldwide. It offers orthopedic implants that are used in reconstructive surgeries to replace or repair hips, knees, and other joints, such as shoulders, ankles, and elbows; trauma implant systems, which are used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone or tissue while the body heals; and spinal implant systems, including plates and screws used by orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in the treatment of degenerative diseases, deformities, and injuries in various regions of the spine. The company also provides surgical instruments, such as knee cutting blocks, osteotome revision systems, reamers, and retractors used in hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction procedures, as well as in spinal, trauma, and other implant procedures. In addition, it produces a range of plastic, metal, and hybrid orthopedic cases to store, transport, and arrange surgical instruments and related implant systems, and other medical devices for orthopedic device manufacturers; endoscopy cases for endoscope sterilization; dental cases used in dental implant and general dental procedures; sterilization containers for the sterilization of various surgical instruments; and other cases for arthroscopy, osteobiologic, cardiovascular, ophthalmology, and diagnostic imaging, as well as ear, nose, and throat procedures. Further, the company engages in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of aerospace products comprising net shaped aerofoils and non-rotating aircraft engine forgings produced for the aerospace customers; and offers aerospace machining capabilities. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Sean Williams]
What: Shares of Symmetry Medical (NYSE: SMA ) , a medical device and surgical instruments maker, fell as much as 19% following a double miss in its first-quarter earnings results.
- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Symmetry Medical (NYSE: SMA ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Symmetry Medical (NYSE: SMA ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Solar Capital Ltd.(SLRC)
Solar Capital Ltd. is a business development company specializing in investments in leveraged companies, including middle market companies. The firm invests in aerospace and defense; automotive; beverage, food and tobacco; broadcasting and entertainment; business services; cable television; cargo transport; chemicals, plastics and rubber; consumer finance; consumer services; containers, packaging and glass; direct marketing; distribution; diversified/conglomerate manufacturing; diversified/conglomerate services; education; electronics; energy, utilities; equipment rental; farming and agriculture; finance; healthcare, education and childcare; home and office furnishing, consumer products; hotels, motels, inns and gaming; industrial; infrastructure; insurance; leisure, motion pictures and entertainment; logistics; machinery; media; mining, steel and non precious metals; oil and gas; personal, food and miscellaneous services; printing, publishing and broadcasting; real estate ; retail stores; specialty finance; technology; telecommunications; and utilities. It invests in the form of senior secured loans, mezzanine loans, and equity securities. It also invests in equity securities, such as preferred stock, common stock, warrants and other equity interests received in connection with its debt investments or through direct investments. The firm also invests in United States government securities, high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, high-yield bonds, distressed debt, non-United States investments, or securities of public companies that are not thinly traded. Solar Capital Ltd. was founded in November 2007 and is based in New York, New York.
Top Heal Care Stocks To Own Right Now: Passport Metals Inc (PPI.V)
Passport Potash Inc., an early stage natural resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in the United States. The company focuses on the exploration of potash. It primarily holds 100% interest in the Holbrook basin property that covers an area of 81,000 acres in the Holbrook basin located in Navajo county, Arizona. The company was formerly known as Passport Metals Inc. and changed its name to Passport Potash Inc. in November 2009. Passport Potash Inc was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
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