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Michael Ugulini

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  • Mattel Singing Hello Dolly

    By Michael Ugulini - April 18, 2013 | Tickers: HAS, LF, MAT

    ...well, hello, dolly. It's so nice to have you back where you belong.

                            (Hello, Dolly lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.)

                                                            ~

    That must be the sentiment at the corporate offices of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) this month as the Company reported their First Quarter 2013 financials. Their American Girl® brand (dolls, books, eBooks, clothes, accessories) led the way for Mattel, amidst weaker performance from some of their other brands.

    American more »

  • A Copper Stock to Burnish Your Portfolio

    By Michael Ugulini - April 15, 2013 | Tickers: FCX, RIO, SCCO

    Better your own copper than another man's gold.

                                                      -Georgian Proverb

    Investing in companies with significant interests in copper can be a road to shareholder returns. However, the caveats are what's going on in the global economy and what future economic trends signify. Consider that copper prices rise when the overall global economy expands and new construction is robust. But when the overall global economy takes a nose dive more »

  • All Aboard and on Track with the Major Railroad Players

    By Michael Ugulini - April 12, 2013 | Tickers: CNI, CP, KSU, UNP

    Most men who have really lived have had, in some share, their great adventure. This railway is mine. - James J. Hill (1838-1916) (Railroad Executive-Great Northern Railway builder)

    James J. Hill was a railroad tycoon whose railroads spanned from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Northwest, from Canada to the South, and eventually across the Pacific to the Orient. His life's work certainly was a railroad adventure. Today, an investing more »

  • Food for Thought

    By Michael Ugulini - April 10, 2013 | Tickers: AGU, MON, POT

    A recent statement by Mr. Mike Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Agrium (NYSE: AGU), had me thinking of the potential that exists concerning investments in the agricultural chemicals industry in the basic materials sector.

    In February, he said:  

    The unrelenting global demand for food has continued to pressure global grain supplies, leading to continued strength in crop prices. We believe there is a compelling economic incentive for growers more »

  • Coffee with Ronald

    By Michael Ugulini - April 5, 2013 | Tickers: BKW, JACK, MCD, THI

    Sitting down with Ronald McDonald at a McCafé® recently, we talked about what's on the horizon for McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) and others, as well as the good and not so good of recent performance.

    Michael: I see McDonald's is being particularly aggressive concerning these McCafés.

    Ronald: Yes, we launched them in 2009, and next to the U.S. market, our second biggest market is the coffee more »

  • Juicing for Growth

    By Michael Ugulini - April 4, 2013 | Tickers: CPB, KO, PEP, SBUX

    Today, while looking at a few cold hard numbers, I'm also taking a more contemplative look at what some major companies are doing to drive growth. More specifically, I'm looking at how Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX), PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP), The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), and even the Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) are juicing for growth.

    Starbucks Corporation acquired the Evolution Fresh juice brand in 2011. The more »

  • Food for Thought

    By Michael Ugulini - April 3, 2013 | Tickers: AGU, MON, POT

    A recent statement by Mr. Mike Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Agrium Inc. (NYSE: AGU), had me thinking of the potential that exists concerning investments in the Agricultural Chemicals industry in the Basic Materials sector.

    In February of this year, he said, "The unrelenting global demand for food has continued to pressure global grain supplies, leading to continued strength in crop prices. We believe there is a compelling more »

  • 7 Things Your Mother Never Told You About Beverage Companies

    By Michael Ugulini - April 2, 2013 | Tickers: COT, MNST, SODA, SBUX

    Among ample advice concerning healthy eating and drinking habits, mothers typically trumpet that too much of anything sweet is something to avoid. Soda pop is the usual target; mothers advocate for drinks they view as more nutritious, such as milk and pure juices.

    From an investing standpoint, however, mothers should also consider the income opportunities available through investing in companies that delve in an array of drinks. The following are more »

  • "Bunge" Jumping to Diversify a Stock Portfolio?

    By Michael Ugulini - April 1, 2013 | Tickers: ADM, BG, CQB

    Trying something new is what makes life - and investing - interesting, and hopefully worthwhile. While I'm not into jumping off bridges and whatnot with a huge elastic band tied to my leg, I'm more apt to try new adventures (of the conservative sort) on the markets.

    With that in mind, my focus today is Bunge (NYSE: BG), a foremost international, integrated agribusiness and food enterprise. As part of the more »

  • Tinker, Tailor and Soldier Stocks

    By Michael Ugulini - March 28, 2013 | Tickers: ANF, ITW, LMT

    When tracking down investment opportunities, it sometimes takes the perseverance and perceptiveness of an undercover agent, especially with the chill winds that sometimes blow across the major indices. Consider the following trio that could have you coming in from the cold and right back at your computer for further due diligence.

    Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) makes it possible for businesses to tinker effectively, via their product offerings. The company more »

  • 2 Precious Metal Stocks That Could Drive Your Portfolio Higher

    By Michael Ugulini - March 26, 2013 | Tickers: ABX, PAAS, SLW

    Investors may want to consider making new friends with a couple of companies in the Basic Materials sector who have some history of rewarding shareholders. Of course, like making friends in your personal life, doing so as part of an investing strategy requires the same trust element.

    The following are two precious metals companies to consider. One is silver and the other is gold. One is Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLWmore »)

  • Here's the Beef

    By Michael Ugulini - March 21, 2013 | Tickers: BKW, JACK, MCD

    Some people like to bash fast-food chains – or more specifically, what they offer. It seems these people believe they're the arbiters of what everyone should eat. They have a beef with companies such as McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD), Burger King Worldwide, Inc. (BKW), Jack in the Box, Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK), and others of their ilk.

    Despite all the negativity, most people will make their own choices of what more »

  • Show Biz Kids

    By Michael Ugulini - March 20, 2013 | Tickers: SNE, TWX, DIS

    … While the poor people sleepin'

    All the stars come out at night

                       Steely Dan (Show Biz Kids: Countdown to Ecstasy)

    With sarcasm firmly planted, Steely Dan was in fact stating a fact that even today has investors researching successful conglomerates who operate in the entertainment industry. They're generating significant sales and gobbling up and dispensing of divisions as fast as the movie popcorn consumers munch as they watch creative more »

  • All They're Trying to Do is Act Naturally

    By Michael Ugulini - March 15, 2013 | Tickers: GIS, HAIN, K

    Today I'm focusing on The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN) – a major player in the natural and organic products category. They participate in several natural categories with well-recognized brands that include Celestial Seasonings, Spectrum Naturals, Spectrum Essentials, Almond Dream, and a host of others.

    In February, the company reported their second quarter Fiscal Year 2013 (ended Dec. 31, 2012) results. What is significant for investors concerning The Hain Celestial more »

  • Painting the Town Red… and More

    By Michael Ugulini - March 12, 2013 | Tickers: PPG, SHW, VAL

    The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) is certainly enjoying their time out and about, conducting business profitably as concerns paints and coatings. Researching and analyzing the particulars of the Company can provide you the information you need to make an informed investment decision for adding some color to your portfolio.

    The Sherwin-Williams Company is a worldwide leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of coatings and related products (e.g more »

  • 3 Stocks for a Silver-Studded Portfolio

    By Michael Ugulini - March 11, 2013 | Tickers: CDE, AG, SSRI

    "Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold."

                                                                              -Maurice Setter

    Silver often plays a secondary role to its more illuminating sibling – gold – in the precious metals family. However, the potential for returns for investors exists with companies aggressively advancing their silver programs in diverse regions of the globe. The following are some silver expectations to examine from three enterprises operating in this industry:

    First Majestic Silver more »

  • A "Quick Service" Investing Trio…To-Go

    By Michael Ugulini - March 7, 2013 | Tickers: DPZ, DNKN, YUM

    Pizza, Fried Chicken, Coffee, Ice Cream, and Donuts – sounds like the kind of diet that would have Dr. Oz in a royal conniption, should he be your family doctor. Certainly some people – strike that – many, are engaging in these menu items and on a consistent basis, judging by the recent financials from Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), Dunkin' Brands Group (NASDAQ: DNKN), and Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM).

    Domino's Pizza more »

  • A Missing Ingredient in Your Investment Portfolio?

    By Michael Ugulini - March 6, 2013 | Tickers: CAG, INGR, MKC

    Ingredion (NYSE: INGR) concerns itself with missing ingredients. The company supplies ingredients that a host of businesses require for formulating an array of products for their specific markets.

    What They Do

    Ingredion is one of the world's foremost ingredient solutions providers, providing sweeteners, starches, texturants and nutritionals. They convert corn, tapioca, wheat, potatoes, and other raw materials into numerous ingredients for many sectors.

    The company operates in the Processed more »

  • A Fine Investing Afternoon: Flowers & Chocolates in a Treehouse

    By Michael Ugulini - March 6, 2013 | Tickers: FLO, HSY, THS

    It may be well past Valentine's Day, but flowers and chocolates are doing their best to woo investors their own way. The recent financial releases of Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE: FLO) and The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) should make investors stop and consider what these companies have to offer as part of an investment portfolio.

    Rosy Sales

    Operating 44 bakeries, Flowers Foods is the second-largest producer and marketer of more »

  • A Tale of Two Cities

    By Michael Ugulini - March 5, 2013 | Tickers: KSU | Editor's Choice

    "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…"

    A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens

    ~

    Mr. Dickens could have been writing about today's current investing climate judging by the opening lines of his novel. Today, the stock markets include the best and worst of times - with wisdom and foolishness abounding side by more »

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