Best US Stocks To Own For 2015

Thanks to two huge product rollouts in November, this holiday season will be one of the hottest ever for this massive slice of the high-tech sector.

That's because three giant companies are fighting it out - to the death - for the biggest piece of a $93 billion windfall.

And investors who identify the winner of this battle stand to pull down a hefty profit.

Today, I'm going to show you which firm will come out on top.

We Won't Be Playing Games Because it gets so hot during the holiday shopping season, folks tend to think of videogaming as a consumer product. But it's actually one of the backbones of the high-tech sector, driving development of semiconductors, displays, software, sensors, controllers, and other key elements of technology devices.

But this year is shaping up to be special.

Consider that the respected market researcher Gartner says the global videogame market will hit $93 billion this year, up nearly 18% from the $79 billion last year.

Top 5 Canadian Stocks To Invest In Right Now: iShares Mortgage Real Estate Capped ETF (REM)

iShares FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the residential and commercial mortgage real estate sector of the United States equity market.

The Fund will concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the Index is so concentrated. The Fund�� investment advisor is Barclays Global Fund Advisors.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Peter F. Way]

  An ETF of the mREITs exists, the iShares Mortgage Real Estate Capped (REM). For comparison, its past two-year price history is contrasted with the general market (SPY) and another income alternative the iShares US Preferred Stock ETF (PFF).

• [By Donald van Deventer]

  The latest implied forward rate forecast from Kamakura Corporation shows projected 10-year U.S. Treasury yields differing -0.07% to 0.03% from last week while fixed rate mortgage yields varied by -0.01% to 0.08%. Mortgage yields, determined by the Monday through Wednesday weekly survey of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, lag Treasury movements simply because of the 3-day yield calculation used in the Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield is projected to rise from 2.92% at Thursday's close (down 0.06% from last week) to 3.374% (down 0.06% from last week) in one year. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield in ten years is forecast to reach 4.639%, 1 basis point lower than last week. The 15-year fixed rate mortgage rate is forecast to rise from the effective yield of 3.69% on Thursday (down 0.001% from last week) to 4.222% (down 0.006% from last week) in one year and 6.29% in 10 years, up 0.038% from last week. We explain the background for these calculations in the rest of this note, along with some mortgage servicing rights metrics. The forecast allows investors in exchange traded U.S. Treasury funds (TLT) (TBT), total return bond funds (BOND), municipal bonds (NUV) and exchange traded mortgage funds (REM) to assess likely total returns over the next 120 months. Treasury-related exchange traded funds affected by the forward rates include:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  But you can see in several places the consequences of the stampede toward high yield. Here are just a few:

  Closed-end funds Cornerstone Progressive (NYSEMKT: CFP  ) and Pimco High Income (NYSE: PHK  ) both make fixed payments back to fund shareholders on a monthly basis, and their distribution yields are truly extraordinary, at about 17% and 12%, respectively. Those dividends have enticed shareholders to pay $1.30 to $1.40 or more for each $1 of assets in the funds. Yet during most months, a substantial portion of those distribution payments has simply been a return of investor capital rather than true income from the funds' investments. A recent study discussed in The Wall Street Journal found that returns on a portfolio with a combined value and dividend-income strategy outperformed a strategy focused more exclusively on maximizing dividends by an average of 1.7 percentage points per year, a huge edge in long-run returns. In the dividend ETF arena, most funds tend to focus on maximizing yield. Although the popular Vanguard Dividend Appreciation (NYSEMKT: VIG  ) ETF bucks the trend by screening first for consistent dividend growth and only then looking at yield as a factor, many rival ETFs start with high-yielding stocks as their baseline and only then consider other desirable traits. Others focus solely on high-dividend niches of the market, such as iShares FTSE NAREIT Mortgage-Plus (NYSEMKT: REM  ) and its concentration on high-yield mortgage REITs.

  When dividend stocks get too popular, their prices get out of line with both their dividend income and the fundamentals of the businesses that underlie those stocks. In simpler terms, when dividend stocks become bad values, it's time to consider looking elsewhere for a margin of safety.

Best US Stocks To Own For 2015: MGM Resorts International(MGM)

MGM Resorts International, through its subsidiaries, primarily owns and operates casino resorts in the United States. The company?s resorts offer gaming, hotel, dining, entertainment, retail, and other resort amenities. It also owns and operates golf courses and a golf club. As of December 31, 2010, the company owned and operated 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi, and Michigan; and has 50% investments in 4 other casino resorts in Nevada, Illinois, and Macau. In addition, MGM Resorts International has an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates a casino resort in Connecticut, to carry the ?MGM Grand? brand name. The company was formerly known as MGM MIRAGE and changed its name to MGM Resorts International in June 2010. MGM Resorts International was founded in 1986 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt Thalman]

  While all the major casino operators will benefit from a recovering Las Vegas, this market probably won't produce any massive growth for the industry anytime soon. Double-digit growth rates will still probably only be seen in Macau, but since MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM  ) and Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR  ) control such a large portion of the hotel rooms and casino floor space in Las Vegas, news that the city is recovering should help.

• [By Paul Ausick]

  U.S.-based casino operators Las Vegas Sands Inc. (NYSE: LVS), Wynn Resorts Ltd. (NASDAQ: WYNN), and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) already operate resorts and casinos in Macau and these companies would be much smaller without them.

• [By Sean Williams]

  The other knock against the sector is merely that it's cyclical and prone to downswings ��especially for the casino operators relying heavily on the currently stagnant U.S. market. MGM Grand (NYSE: MGM  ) is an example of a casino operator that's expanded into Macau but still derives the majority of its business from the United States. Unsurprisingly, it hasn't turned an annual profit since 2007 and isn't expected to until at least 2015.

Best US Stocks To Own For 2015: Global X China Financials ETF (CHIX)

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

• [By pamatlarge]

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

Best US Stocks To Own For 2015: Libbey Inc (LBY)

Libbey Inc. (Libbey), incorporated in 1987, is a producer of glass tableware products in the Western Hemisphere, in addition to supplying to key markets throughout the world. The Company produces glass tableware in five countries and sells to over 100 countries. It operates in two segments: Glass Operations and Other Operations. Glass Operations includes worldwide sales of manufactured and sourced glass tableware and other glass products from domestic and international subsidiaries. Other Operations includes worldwide sales of sourced ceramic dinnerware, metal tableware, hollowware and serveware and plastic items. It design and market, under its Libbey, Crisa, Royal Leerdam, World Tableware, Syracuse China and Crisal Glass brand names. The Company�� import and market ceramic dinnerware under the Syracuse China brand name through its subsidiary Syracuse China Company (Syracuse China).

Through its subsidiary B.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Glasfabriek Leerdam (Royal Leerdam), the Company manufactures glass stemware under the Royal Leerdam brand name. Through its subsidiary Crisal-Cristalaria Automatica S.A. (Crisal), the Company manufactures glass tableware in Portugal for its worldwide customer base. Through its World Tableware Inc. (World Tableware) subsidiary, the Company imports metal flatware, hollowware, serveware and ceramic dinnerware for resale.

The Company�� glass tableware includes tumblers, stemware, including wine glasses, mugs, bowls, ashtrays, bud vases, salt and pepper shakers, shot glasses, canisters, candleholders and various other items. Libbey Holland produces stemware. Libbey Portugal produces glass tableware, mainly tumblers, stemware and glassware accessories. Libbey Mexico's glass tableware product assortment also includes glass bakeware and handmade glass tableware. In addition, Libbey Mexico's products include blender jars, washing machine windows and other glass products sold principally to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Through its Syrac! use China and World Tableware subsidiaries, the Company offers a range of ceramic dinnerware products. These include plates, bowls, platters, cups, saucers and other tableware accessories. Its World Tableware subsidiary provides an selection of metal flatware, including knives, forks, spoons and serving utensils. In addition, World Tableware sells metal hollowware, including serving trays, pitchers and other metal tableware accessories, as well as a line of dinnerware.

The customers for Libbey�� tableware products include approximately 500 foodservice distributors in the United States and Canada. In the retail channel, the Company sells to mass merchants, department stores, retail distributors, national retail chains and specialty housewares stores. In addition, the Company�� business-to-business channel primarily includes customers that use glass containers for candle and floral applications, gourmet food packaging companies, and various OEM applications. In Mexico, it sells to retail mass merchants and wholesale distributors, as well as candle and food packers, and various OEM users of custom molded glass. In Europe, it market glassware to retailers, distributors and decorators that service the retail, foodservice and developed business-to-business channel, which includes breweries and distilleries. In China, Libbey sells to distributors and wholesalers.

The Company competes with Arc International, Pasabahce, Anchor Hocking Company, Bormioli Rocco Group, Homer Laughlin, Oneida Ltd., Steelite and Walco, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Everyone is familiar with�the Tupperware brand from�consumer products stock Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) and you are probably familiar with the brands�of mid cap stock Jarden Corp (NYSE: JAH) along with small cap stocks Libbey Inc (NYSEMKT: LBY) and Lifetime Brands Inc (NASDAQ: LCUT); but what about the stocks themselves? Chances are, their brands or products are right under your nose at home and you probably don�� know anything about the mid cap or small cap stock behind them.

• [By John Udovich]

  On Wednesday, small cap kitchen stock Everyware Global Inc (NASDAQ: EVRY) surged 52.94% after announcing an amendment to extend its forbearance agreement with lenders until July 15 that could give the company�time to find a long-term financing solution���meanings its worth taking as closer look at the stock along with potential peers Libbey Inc (NYSEMKT: LBY) and Lifetime Brands Inc (NASDAQ: LCUT).

Best US Stocks To Own For 2015: HD Supply Holdings Inc (HDS)

HD Supply Holdings, Inc., incorporated on June 18, 2007, is an industrial distributor in North America. It operates in four segments: Facilities Maintenance, Waterworks, Power Solutions and White Cap. Facilities Maintenance distributes maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products, provides value-add services and fabricates custom products to multifamily, hospitality, healthcare and institutional facilities. Waterworks distributes complete lines of water and wastewater transmission products, serving contractors and municipalities in the water and wastewater industries for non-residential and residential uses. Power Solutions distributes electrical transmission and distribution products, power plant MRO supplies and smart-grid products, and arranges materials management and procurement outsourcing for the power generation and distribution industries. White Cap distributes specialized hardware, tools, engineered materials and safety products to non-residential and residential contractors.

Maintenance, Repair & Operations

In the Maintenance, Repair & Operations market sector, the Company�� Facilities Maintenance, Crown Bolt and Repair & Remodel business units serve customers across multiple industries by primarily delivering supplies and services needed to maintain and upgrade multifamily, hospitality, healthcare and institutional facilities. Facilities Maintenance and Crown Bolt are distribution center based models, while Repair & Remodel operates through retail outlets primarily serving cash and carry customers.

Infrastructure & Power and Specialty Construction

In the Infrastructure & Power market sector, Waterworks and Power Solutions support both established infrastructure and new projects by meeting demand for critical supplies and services used to build and maintain water systems and electrical power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. In the Specialty Construction market sector, White Cap and Creative Touch Interiors (! CTI) serve professional contractors and trades by meeting their distinct and customized supply needs in non-residential, residential and industrial applications. White Cap is its primary business unit serving this sector through the broad national presence of its regionally organized branch distribution network.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mani]

  The long-term set up for HD Supply Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:HDS) appears to be favorable, primarily driven by prospective U.S. non-residential construction recovery and rapid balance sheet deleveraging in the future.

Best US Stocks To Own For 2015: Powershares DB Us Dollar Index Bearish Fund (UDN)

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish Fund (the Fund) is a separate series of PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Trust (the Trust). The Fund�� subsidiary is DB US Dollar Index Bearish Master Fund (the Master Fund), which is a separate series of DB US Dollar Index Bearish Master Trust (the Master Trust). The Fund offers common units of beneficial interest (the Shares) only to certain eligible financial institutions (the Authorized Participants) in one or more blocks of 200,000 Shares, called a Basket. The proceeds from the offering of Shares are invested in the Master Fund.

The Master Fund invests in futures contracts (the DX Contracts) with a view to tracking the changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the Deutsche Bank US Dollar Index (USDX) Futures Index - Excess Return (Short Index) (referred to as the Short Index or the Index) over time. The Fund earns interest income from the United States Treasury obligations and other high credit quality short-term, fixed-income securities. The Index is calculated to reflect the changes in market value over time, whether positive or negative, of short positions in DX Contracts. DX Contracts are traded through the currency markets of ICE Futures U.S. under the symbol DX. The changes in market value over time, whether positive or negative, of the DX Contracts are related to the changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the U.S. Dollar Index (the USDX). The Index provides a general indication of the international value of the United States dollar relative to the six major world currencies (the Index Currencies), which comprise the USDX, including Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc.

The Fund, through its Master Fund, establishes short positions in DX Contracts with a view to tracking the changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the Index. The performance of the Fund also is intended to reflect the excess, if any, of its Master Fund�� interest income f! rom its holdings of the United States Treasury obligations and other high credit quality short-term, fixed-income securities over the expenses of the Fund and the Master Fund. DB Commodity Services LLC serves as the managing owner, commodity pool operator and commodity trading advisor of the Fund and the Master Fund. DB Commodity Services LLC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the administrator of the Fund and the Master Fund.v

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian O'Connell]

  To make a contrarian play, the PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bearish (UDN) works the opposite way: When the dollar declines, the fund fares better.