Best Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014

When's the last time you walked into a store and were talked out of a purchase by a sales rep?

"Just wait," you're told. "It's going to get a lot cheaper soon."

Well, that's pretty much what Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) CEO Paul Otellini said during his company's earnings call on Tuesday afternoon.

"If you look at touch-enabled Intel based notebooks that are ultra-thin and light using non-core processors, those prices are going to be down to as low as $200 probably," he said.

In other words, what are you doing even considering a Windows 8 touch device now? As Intel gets ready to roll out its Bay Trail chip during the latter half of this year -- a quad-core chip that's more powerful than the current Atom processor being used in portable devices -- are prices really going to be heading as low as entry-level Android tablets?

Is a $200 Windows 8 device even possible given Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) steep licensing ransom when pitted against the freely available Android? What about Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) ? Margins have been contracting at the consumer tech titan, but is Apple ready for this kind of price war?

Top 5 Valued Stocks To Buy For 2015: Tredegar Corporation(TG)

Tredegar Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells plastic films and aluminum extrusions worldwide. The company offers apertured film and nonwoven materials for use in feminine hygiene products, baby diapers, and adult incontinence products under the SoftQuilt, ComfortAire, SoftAire, and FreshFeel names; breathable, embossed, and elastic materials for use as components for baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products under the ExtraFlex, FabriFlex, StretchTab, FlexAire, and FlexFeel names; and absorbent transfer layers for baby diapers and adult incontinence products under the AquiDry and AquiSoft names. It also provides single and multi-layer surface protection films under the UltraMask and ForceField names for protecting components of flat panel displays; a line of packaging films for food packaging and industrial applications; and apertured films, breathable barrier films, and laminates that regulate fluid or vapor transmi ssion. In addition, the company offers soft-alloy aluminum extrusions primarily for building and construction, distribution, transportation, electrical, consumer durables, and machinery and equipment markets; and manufactures mill, anodized, and painted aluminum extrusions for fabricators and distributors to produce curtain walls, storefronts, windows and doors, hurricane shutters, tub and shower enclosures, heatsinks and components for light emitting diode (LED) lighting, and automotive and light truck aftermarket parts. Further, it develops and produces microstructure-based optical films for the LED and fluorescent lighting markets; and develops, owns, and operates mitigation banks. Tredegar Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  It's certainly not as big as Berry Plastics Group Inc. (NYSE:BERY). It's not even as big as Tredegar Corporation (NYSE:TG). There's one big way AEP Industries (NASDAQ:AEPI) can certainly compete head-on with BERY and TG right now, however... as an investment opportunity. Thanks to the bullish bump AEPI gave us last week, a long-standing selloff has been revered, and there's a whole lot of ground to make up.

Best Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Cal-Maine Foods Inc (CALM)

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., incorporated on September 10, 1969, is a producer and marketer of shell eggs in the United States. During the fiscal year ended June 1, 2013 (fiscal 2013), the Company sold approximately 948.5 million dozen shell eggs. Its primary business is the production, grading, packaging, marketing and distribution of shell eggs. It sells most of its shell eggs in the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The Company markets its shell eggs through its distribution network to a group of customers, including national and regional grocery store chains, club stores, foodservice distributors and egg product manufacturers. It sells shell eggs to a majority of the food retailers in the United States. It is also a producers and marketers of specialty shell eggs in the United States. Specialty shell eggs include cage free and organic eggs. The Company owns 100% of Benton County Foods, LLC. In March 2014, the Company acquired 50% interests of Delta Egg Farm, LLC from Sunbest Foods of Iowa, Inc., a Moark, LLC affiliate, as result Delta Egg Farm, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

The Company markets its specialty shell eggs under various brands, such as Egg-Land�� Best, Land O��Lake, Farmhouse, and 4-Grain. It also produces specialty eggs, such as Egg-Land�� Best, Land O��Lake, Farmhouse, and 4-Grain. It has exclusive license agreements to market and distribute Egg-Land�� Best specialty shell eggs in major metropolitan areas, including New York City, and a number of states in the southeast and southwest. It markets cage free eggs under its trademarked Farmhouse brand and distribute those shell eggs across the southeast and southwest regions of the United States. It markets organic, all natural, cage-free, vegetarian, and omega-3 eggs under its 4-Grain trademark. It also produces market and distributes private label specialty shell eggs to several customers. Sales of specialty shell eggs accounted for approximately ! 16.4% of its total shell egg dozen volumes during fiscal 2013.

The Company�� operations are integrated. At its facilities, it hatches chicks, grows pullets, manufactures feed, and produces and distributes shell eggs. It produces approximately 95% of its chicks in its own hatcheries. It owns breeder facilities producing 18.5 million pullet chicks per year. These pullets are distributed to 42 laying operations around the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The facilities produce an average of 1.9 million dozen shell eggs per day and process the shell eggs through grading and packaging without handling by human hands.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Cal-Maine Foods (Nasdaq: CALM  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on July 29. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

  The 10-second takeaway
  Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Cal-Maine Foods's revenues will grow 16.0% and EPS will wither -50.6%.

Best Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Helen of Troy Limited(HELE)

Helen of Troy Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, import, marketing, and distribution of brand-name consumer products primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It operates in three segments: Personal Care, Housewares, and Healthcare/Home Environment. The Personal Care segment offers hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, hair setters, shavers, mirrors, hot air brushes, home hair clippers and trimmers, paraffin baths, massage cushions, footbaths, body massagers, brushes, combs, hair accessories, liquid and aerosol hair styling products, men?s fragrances, men?s and women?s antiperspirants and deodorants, liquid and bar soaps, shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, foot powder, body powder, and skin care products. The Housewares segment provides kitchen tools, cutlery, bar and wine accessories, household cleaning tools, food storage containers, tea kettles, trash cans, storage an d organization products, hand tools, gardening tools, kitchen mitts and trivets, barbeque tools, and rechargeable lighting products, as well as baby and toddler care products, including convertible high chair. The Healthcare/Home Environment segment offers humidifiers, de-humidifiers, vaporizers, thermometers, air purifiers, fans, portable heaters, heating pads, and electronic mosquito traps. The company sells its products primarily through mass merchandisers, drugstore chains, warehouse clubs, home improvement stores, catalogs, grocery stores, specialty stores, beauty supply retailers, e-commerce retailers, wholesalers, and various types of distributors, as well as directly online to end user consumers. Helen of Troy Limited was founded in 1968 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Canadian Value]

  NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sachem Head Capital Management today sent a letter to the Board of Directors of leading consumer goods company Helen of Troy Limited (HELE). In the letter, Sachem Head outlines its belief that Helen of Troy shares are materially undervalued, highlighting the Board's apparent unwillingness to respond to recent inquiries regarding potential strategic combinations, and recommending actions for the Board of Directors to undertake to maximize value for the shareholders, including a thorough and legitimate review of strategic alternatives.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Helen of Troy (NASDAQ: HELE) is estimated to post its Q2 earnings at $0.72 per share on revenue of $292.15 million.

  Posted-In: Earnings scheduleEarnings News Pre-Market Outlook Markets

Best Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Hellenic Sugar Industry SA (HSI)

Hellenic Sugar Industry SA is a Greece-based company engaged in the production and trade of white crystal sugar and its by-products, such as molasses and sugar beet seed. Its principal activities include the manufacture of all types of sweetener products and general kneading products; the production and processing of sugar beet and other plants; the production of raw materials for sugar production; the establishment, equipping and exploitation of sugar producing factories; conducting scientific research in all fields of activity of the Company; the trade and standardization of sugar products, by-products, raw materials, multiple materials, agricultural products and machinery, and carrying out agro-industrial activities in Greece and abroad. The Company has five sugar factories and one seed processing factory in Greece. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonathan Burgos]

  Hong Kong�� Hang Seng Index (HSI) slipped 1.4 percent, dragged lower by banks and raw-material producers. South Korea�� Kospi index slid 0.2 percent and Taiwan�� Taiex Index fell 0.7 percent. Australia�� S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 0.9 percent and New Zealand�� NZX 50 Index added 0.4 percent, the only benchmark measure in the Asia Pacific to rise outside India.

• [By Yoshiaki Nohara]

  Hong Kong�� Hang Seng Index (HSI) climbed 1 percent and China�� Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.9 percent. Taiwan�� Taiex Index was little changed.

• [By Jim Jubak]

  In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng (HSI) closed down 1.35% and Japan's Nikkei 225 (NKY) was off by 1.94%.

  Among other emerging markets, Turkey's BIST 30 index (IND:XU030) was lower by 1.74% and South Africa had dropped by 1.36%.

• [By Yoshiaki Nohara]

  Taiwan�� Taiex Index rose 0.6 percent as markets reopened following a holiday. Singapore�� Straits Times Index added 0.5 percent. Hong Kong�� Hang Seng Index (HSI) gained 1.5 percent. China�� Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.1 percent.

Best Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Perry Ellis International Inc.(PERY)

Perry Ellis International, Inc. engages in designing, sourcing, marketing, and licensing apparel products for men and women in the United States and internationally. The company?s men?s wear offerings include casual sportswear and bottoms, dress shirts and pants, jeans wear, golf apparel, sweaters, sports apparel, swimwear and swim accessories, active wear, outerwear and leather accessories. Its women?s wear offerings comprise dresses, sportswear, and swimwear and swim accessories. The company offers its products under the brand names of Perry Ellis, Axis, Tricots St. Raphael, Jantzen, John Henry, Cubavera, the Havanera Co., Centro, Solero, Natural Issue, Munsingwear, Grand Slam, Original Penguin, Mondo di Marco, Redsand, Pro Player, Manhattan, Axist, Savane, Farah, Gotcha, Girl Star, MCD, Laundry by Shelli Segal, C&C California, Ben Hogan, and Rafaella. It also licenses the Nike brand for swimwear and swimwear accessories; the JAG brand for men?s and women?s swimwear and cover-ups; the Callaway Golf brand and Top-Flite for golf apparel; the PGA TOUR brand, including Champions Tour for golf apparel; and Pierre Cardin for men?s sportswear. The company distributes its products primarily to wholesale customers, including department stores, national and regional chain stores, mass merchants, specialty stores, sporting goods stores, the corporate wear market, and e-commerce, as well as clubs and independent retailers. As of March 2, 2011, it operated 38 Perry Ellis and 3 Original Penguin retail outlet stores primarily in upscale retail outlet malls across the United States and Puerto Rico; 1 Perry Ellis and 1 Cubavera retail store in Miami, Florida; and 7 Original Penguin retail stores in upscale demographic markets in the United States. The company was formerly known as Supreme International Corporation and changed its name to Perry Ellis International, Inc. in June 1999. Perry Ellis International, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is headquarte red in Miami, Florida.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Perry Ellis International Inc.(PERY) cut its outlook for the fiscal year, citing weakness in its third quarter. The clothing company said revenue was hurt by reduced shipments, primarily due to the reduction of private-label business for the mid-tier channel, as well as reduced sales through its direct retail channel. Shares fell.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Perry Ellis International�(PERY) has dropped 20% to $12.60 in pre-open trading after the apparel company blamed bad weather for slashing its full year guidance in less than half.

• [By Adem Tahiri]

  Perry Ellis International (NASDAQ: PERY  ) is an apparel company that designs, markets, and licenses its brand-name products. The stock has dropped by nearly half this year, and it has sparked the interest of many value investors. Last Thursday, fourth-quarter earnings results beat lowered expectations and gave the stock a small bump.�

• [By , Zacks Investment Research]

  Estimates have come down after disappointing fourth quarter preliminary results for Perry Ellis (PERY), sending this apparel maker to a Zacks Rank # 5 (Strong Sell) last month.

Best Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Nestle SA (NESN)

Nestle SA is a Swiss Company engaged in the nutrition, health and wellness sectors. It is the holding company of the Nestle Group, which comprises subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures throughout the world. It has such business units as Food and Beverage, Nestle Waters and Nestle Nutrition. It is also active in the pharmaceutical sector. It divides its products into Powdered and liquid beverages, Water, Milk products and Ice cream, Nutrition, Prepared dishes and cooking aids, Confectionery, PetCare and Pharmaceutical products. In February 2011, the Company acquired CM&D Pharma Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chad Fraser]

  These are the first significant moves made by the Caira, a former executive at Nestle SA (NYSE: NESN) who helped expand that company’s hot and cold beverage division.

• [By Celeste Perri]

  Nestle SA (NESN) is selling Givaudan (GIVN) SA shares worth $1.27 billion at yesterday�� closing price to institutional investors, winding down its stake in the world�� largest flavorings maker.

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  Swiss stocks fell for a second day, their first back-to-back losses this month, as Nestle (NESN) SA retreated after reporting slower growth in sales.

Best Consumer Stocks To Invest In 2014: Miller Industries Inc. (MLR)

Miller Industries, Inc. manufactures and sells vehicle towing and recovery equipment. The company offers wreckers, such as conventional tow trucks and recovery vehicles used to recover and tow disabled vehicles and other equipment; and car carriers, which are specialized flat-bed vehicles with hydraulic tilt mechanisms used to transport new or disabled vehicles and other equipment. It also provides transport trailers for moving multiple vehicles, auto auctions, car dealerships, leasing companies, and other similar applications. The company sells its products under the brand names of Century, Vulcan, Challenger, Holmes, Champion, Chevron, Eagle, Titan, Jige, and Boniface. Miller Industries offers its products through independent distributors and prime contractors in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. The company was founded in 1994 and is based in Ooltewah, Tennessee.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Vehicle towing and recovery equipment manufacturer Miller Industries (MLR) raised its quarterly dividend 7.1% to 15 cents per share, payable March 24 to shareholders of record as of March 17.
  MLR Dividend Yield: 3.11%

• [By Seth Jayson]

  There's no foolproof way to know the future for Miller Industries (NYSE: MLR  ) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result.