Top Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2014

Even in the world of commodities, brand can mean a lot. Since oil is part of our everyday lives, companies like ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM  ) and Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) have become two of the most recognized brands around the world. With natural gas looking to have its day in the sun, perhaps there are a few companies that could become household names as well.�

Exporting liquefied natural gas, or LNG, certainly has become one of the most talked about topics in the United States. One company that is leading the LNG export charge is Cheniere Energy (NYSEMKT: LNG  ) . As the first mover in this space for the U.S., it has the best chance of any other company to make a big splash in this market.

If you are looking for brand recognition, though, then look no further than Exxon's and Chevron's gas stations to see why everyone knows their name. For this reason, perhaps Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ: CLNE  ) has a shot at being a company we recognize from seeing its stations all over the place. Tune in to the video below where Fool.com contributor Tyler Crowe takes a look at a couple other natural gas companies that could become part of the everyday energy conversation.�

Best Consumer Stocks To Watch Right Now: Newcastle Investment Corp (NCT)

Newcastle Investment Corp. (Newcastle) is a real estate investment and finance company. Newcastle invests in, and actively manages, a portfolio of, real estate securities, loans, excess mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) and other real estate related assets. The Company segments include unlevered CDOs, which include unlevered investments in deconsolidated Newcastle CDO debt; unlevered excess MSRs; non-recourse other, which includes investments financed with other non-recourse debt; recourse, which includes investments and debt repurchases financed with recourse debt; unlevered other, which includes other unlevered investments, and corporate. In April 2011, Newcastle sold its retained interests in Newcastle CDO VII, a non-consolidated VIE of Newcastle. On May 15, 2013, the Company announced the spin-off of New Residential Investment Corp. In June 2013, Newcastle Investment Corp completed the sale of 100% of the assets in Newcastle CDO IV.

Real Estate Securities

Newcastle underwrite, acquire and manage a portfolio of credit sensitive real estate securities, including commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS), senior unsecured real estate investment trust (REIT) debt issued by REITs, real estate related asset backed securities (ABS), including subprime securities, and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA)/ Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) securities. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� real estate securities represented 47.4% of its assets.

Real Estate Related Loans

Newcastle acquires and originates loans to real estate owners, including B-notes, mezzanine loans, corporate bank loans, and whole loans. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� real estate related loans represented 22.3% of its assets.

Residential Mortgage Loans

Newcastle acquires residential mortgage loans, including manufactured housing loans and subprime mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� residential mortgage loans rep! resented 9.1% of its assets.

Operating Real Estate

Newcastle acquires and manages direct and indirect interests in operating real estate. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� operating real estate represented 0.9% of its assets.

Excess Mortgage Servicing Rights

Newcastle invested in excess MSRs in December 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the Company�� interests in these rights represented 1.2% of its assets.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Newcastle Investment (NYSE: NCT  ) shareholders will find a little less money in their pockets following a reduction in the company's common stock dividend. A fresh quarterly payout of $0.17 per share will be handed out on July 31 to shareholders of record as of June 13. That amount is a nickel lower than the firm's previous distribution of $0.22 per share. The upcoming payout, however, will be the first one since Newcastle completed the divestment of onetime subsidiary New Residential Investment.

• [By Amanda Alix]

  This turn of events worked in favor of Fortress Investment Group's (NYSE: FIG  ) portfolio, which held the former Centex Corp, the subprime mortgage lending unit of a Texas homebuilder. That company is now Nationstar, which is definitely doing its fair share to add to its parent's bottom line. Also owned by Fortress is Newcastle Investment (NYSE: NCT  ) , the diversified REIT with an involvement in almost anything to do with real estate, whether residential or commercial.

• [By Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson]

  After an incredible run-up this year, the broader market trend was downward this week, to the tune of 1.6%, but some of the stocks out there were hit particularly hard. In this video, Motley Fool financial analysts Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson take a look at what was behind three big dives this week:�National Bank of Greece� (NYSE: NBG  ) ,�Newcastle Investment� (NYSE: NCT  ) , and�American Capital Mortgage Investment� (NASDAQ: MTGE  ) .�

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2014: Stratasys Inc.(SSYS)

Stratasys, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of three-dimensional (3D) printers, rapid prototyping (RP) systems, and related consumable materials for office-based RP and direct digital manufacturing (DDM) markets. The company offers its products as integrated systems consisting of an RP machine and the software to convert the CAD designs into a machine compatible format, and modeling and support materials. Its products enable engineers and designers to create physical models, tooling, jigs, fixtures, prototypes, and end use parts out of production grade thermoplastic directly from a CAD workstation. The company also offers rapid prototyping and production part manufacturing services; and maintenance, leasing/renting, training, and contract engineering services for 3D production systems and 3D printers. Its products are used by design and manufacturing organizations in aerospace, architecture, automotive, business machines, consumer products, defense, direct digital manufacturing of custom parts, educational institutions, electronics, fixtures, jewelry, heavy equipment, medical systems, tooling, medical analysis, mold making, and dental markets. The company markets its products through a network of value-added resellers and distributors in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and China. Stratasys, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Blake Bos]

  Motley Fool analyst Blake Bos shares insights from the latest Wohler Report on the state of the 3-D printing industry. �The current market shares of 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD  ) , Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS  ) , and The ExOne Company (NASDAQ: XONE  ) are discussed in the video below.

• [By Brian Stoffel]

  Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS  )
  Though there are more than just two players in the game, the emerging 3-D printing industry is dominated by heavyweights Stratasys and 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD  ) . While Stratasys has focused primarily on making printers for industrial use -- and bolstered that focus with its earlier merger with Objet -- it is 3D Systems that has focused on consumer products.

• [By ICRAOnline]

  In order to capitalize on the opportunity, Stratasys (SSYS), the second biggest player in the industry, acquired three companies last month. On the other hand, computing giant Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) is also attempting to pounce in the market with its years of rich experience in the 2D printing market. This suggests that 3D Systems is not the only one looking for meaningful acquisitions; other players are also preparing their arms to make the most of the 3D printing market.

• [By John Udovich]

  We are two trading weeks into the new year and the 3D printing sector along with 3D printer stocks like ExOne Co (NASDAQ: XONE), Stratasys, Ltd (NASDAQ: SSYS),�3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD) and Makism 3D Corp (OTCBB: MDDD) have been printing their share of red ink for investors���despite the fact that 3D printing got� plenty of attention at�last week's�Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas while the�broader stock market rally has largely held up. With that in mind, here is the latest 3D printer stock or sector news you need to be aware of:

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2014: Bk Of Nova Scotia Com Npv (BNS.TO)

The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various personal, commercial, corporate, and investment banking services in Canada and internationally. It operates in four segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth & Insurance, and Global Banking & Markets. The Canadian Banking segment provides retail and small business banking products and services, including deposit accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, debit cards, credit cards, and related creditor insurance products to individuals and small businesses; and commercial banking solutions comprising deposit, lending, and cash management solutions to medium and large businesses. This segment offers its products through a network of 1,038 branches and 3,800 automated banking machines, and specialized sales teams, as well as through Internet, mobile, and telephone banking in Canada. The International Banking segment provides retail and commercial banking services to customers located in the Caribbean, Latin America , Central America, and Asia through a network of approximately 3,000 branches and offices, 7,500 automated banking machines, in-store banking kiosks, and specialized sales forces, as well as through mobile, Internet, and telephone banking. The Global Wealth & Insurance segment provides wealth management services, comprising asset management and client-facing services; and insurance products and services, such as creditor, life and health, home, and auto and travel insurance products. The Global Banking & Markets segment offers corporate lending, equity and debt underwriting, and mergers and acquisitions advisory services, as well as fixed income, derivatives, prime brokerage, securitization, foreign exchange, equity sales, trading and research, energy and agricultural commodities, and precious and base metals to corporate, government, and institutional investor clients. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roadmap2Retire]

  Monthly Contributions: I add to my positions in the following stock and funds on a monthly basis:

  Claymore S&P US Dividend Growers ETF (CUD.TO) is an ETF of 83 dividend growers and provides me with exposure to excellent corporations across all sectors. The ETF has a 1.8% yield and pays distributions monthly. iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income Fund (FIE.A.TO) is an ETF of 24 Canadian financial equities (70%) and bonds (30%). The fund yields 6.5% and pays distributions monthly. Scotia Canadian Balanced Fund (mutual fund) is an index fund tracking the Canadian S&P/TSX Composite Index and the DEX Universe Bond Index. The fund yields 0.52% and pays distributions quarterly. The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) is the third largest of the Canadian banks by deposits and market cap. BNS is also the most international of the Canadian banks with exposure in 55 countries outside Canada. BNS saw a pause in its dividend growth during the financial crisis. However, BNS has started raising dividends after the crisis with a 5-yr DGR of 5.15%. I have a DRIP plan in BNS and invest monthly to this holding. My Watchlist

  I am also considering various stocks that are not currently in my portfolio, but the current high valuations do not provide many options.

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2014: Integrated Electrical Services Inc.(IESC)

Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. provides electrical infrastructure services in the United States. The company?s Communications segment offers various services, including the design, installation, and maintenance of network infrastructure for the financial, medical, hospitality, government, manufacturing, educational, and information technology industries; design and installation of audio/visual, telephone, fire, wireless, and intrusion alarm systems, as well as design/build, servicing, and maintenance of data network systems. Its Residential segment offers electrical installation services for single-family housing and multi-family apartment complexes, and CATV cabling installations for residential and commercial applications. This segment also installs residential solar power, smart meters, electric car charging stations, and stand-by generators. The company?s Commercial and Industrial segment provides electrical contracting services, which include the design of ele ctrical systems in a building or complex; procurement and installation of wiring and connection to power sources; end-use equipment and fixtures; and contract maintenance services. It also provides service, maintenance, and renovation and upgrade work services; and services for various projects, including high-rise residential and office buildings, power plants, manufacturing facilities, data centers, chemical plants, refineries, wind farms, solar facilities, municipal infrastructure, and health care facilities, as well as residential developments. In addition, this segment offers utility services consisting of overhead and underground installation and maintenance of electrical and other utilities transmission and distribution networks; installation and splicing of high-voltage transmission and distribution lines; substation construction; and substation and right-of-way maintenance. Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By GuruFocus]

  Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (IESC): President and CEO James M. Lindstrom Bought 1,901 Shares
  
  President and CEO of Integrated Electrical Services Inc. (IESC) James M. Lindstrom bought 1,901 shares on 09/25/2013 at an average price of $4.08. Integrated Electrical Services Inc. has a market cap of $73.0559 million; its shares were traded at around $4.08 with and P/S ratio of 0.13.

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2014: OCI Partners LP (OCIP)

OCI Partners LP, incorporated on February 07, 2013, owns and operates an integrated methanol and ammonia production facility that is strategically located on the Texas Gulf Coast near Beaumont. The Company is a methanol producer in the United States with an annual methanol production capacity of approximately 730,000 metric tons and an annual ammonia production capacity of approximately 265,000 metric tons, and it is in the early stages of a debottlenecking project that increases its annual methanol production capacity by 25% to approximately 912,500 metric tons and its annual ammonia production capacity by 15% to approximately 305,000 metric tons.

Both methanol and ammonia are global commodities that are essential building blocks for numerous end-use products. Methanol is a liquid petrochemical that is used in a variety of industrial and energy-related applications. Methanol is used in industrial applications to produce adhesives used in manufacturing wood products, such as plywood, particle board and laminates, resins to treat paper and plastic products, paint and varnish removers, solvents for the textile industry and polyester fibers for clothing and carpeting. Methanol is also used outside of the United States as a direct fuel for automobile engines, as a fuel blended with gasoline and as an octane booster in reformulated gasoline. In the United States, ammonia is primarily used as a feedstock to produce nitrogen fertilizers, such as urea and ammonium sulfate, and is also directly applied to soil as a fertilizer. In addition, ammonia is widely used in industrial applications, particularly in the Texas Gulf Coast market, including in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, resins and numerous other chemical compounds.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  OCI Partners (Nasdaq: OCIP) owns and operates OCI Beaumont, an integrated methanol and ammonia production facility on the Texas Gulf Coast. OCI Beaumont has a methanol production capacity of 730,000 metric tons (MT) per year and an ammonia production capacity of 265,000 MT per year. The facility is in the middle of a debottlenecking project that will increase its annual methanol production capacity by 25 percent and its annual ammonia production capacity by 15 percent.

• [By Robert Rapier]

  Also speaking will be the leaders of some of the world�� leading methanol producers. Among them will be Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris, the CEO of Orascom Construction Industries (OCI N.V.), a Netherlands-listed chemicals, fertilizer and construction conglomerate. OCI also happens to be the sponsor of OCI Partners (NYSE: OCIP), a master limited partnership (MLP) producing methanol and ammonia at a single plant on the Texas Gulf coast. The facility was mothballed in 2004 amid high natural gas prices, and restarted in 2012 by OCI N.V.

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2014: Semgroup Corporation(SEMG)

SemGroup Corporation provides gathering, transportation, storage, distribution, blending, marketing, and other midstream services primarily to independent producers, refiners of petroleum products, and other market participants in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States, Canada, and the West Coast of the United Kingdom. It also purchases, stores, and sells natural gas liquids in the United States; provides natural gas gathering and processing services in Canada and the United States; offers refined products and crude oil storage services in the United Kingdom; and purchases, produces, stores, and distributes liquid asphalt cement products in Mexico. The company owns, contracts, and leases various pipelines, gathering systems, storage facilities, terminals, processing plants, blending facilities, and other distribution assets. It operates approximately 1,400 miles of natural gas transportation, gathering, and distribution pipelines in Kansas, Oklahoma, T exas and Alberta, Canada. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  Rose Rock Midstream (NYSE: RRMS) isn’t a name we have discussed much here. RRMS is an MLP that owns oil-gathering, storage and transportation assets in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas. The MLP was formed by midstream energy giant SemGroup (NYSE: SEMG), which acts as the general partner. RRMS had its IPO in December 2011 with an initial EV of $1.2 billion and a minimum yield of 4.7 percent.

• [By Aimee Duffy]

  At this point, it's not really news when Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK  ) reports that it's selling assets to anyone who will buy them. The company's quest to scrape together $4 billion to $7 billion to cover its budget shortfall this year has it in the news seemingly every other week. In this video, Fool.com contributor Aimee Duffy discusses Chesapeake's most recent divestiture, and why the real winner in this $300 million deal is the buyer: Tulsa's SemGroup (NYSE: SEMG  ) .

• [By Holly LaFon]

  In early August SemGroup (SEMG), an owner and operator of oil and gas midstream assets, including pipelines and storage and blending facilities, closed on an opportunistic purchase of assets from Chesapeake Energy. The assets nicely complement SemGroup's existing core assets that stretch from Colorado to Oklahoma. While SemGroup will have to spend money to complete the assets��oney that financially distressed Chesapeake likely could not justify��e view the expenditures favorably given their high return characteristics.From Third Avenue Management's fourth quarter 2013 commentary.

Top Clean Energy Stocks To Own For 2014: Emera Inc (EMRAF.PK)

Emera Incorporated (Emera) is an energy and services company. The Company invests in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, gas transmission and utility energy services. As of December 31, 2011, its subsidiaries include Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI), an integrated electric utility and the primary electricity supplier in Nova Scotia; Bangor Hydro Electric Company (Bangor Hydro) and Maine Public Service Company (MPS), (a wholly owned subsidiary of Maine and Maritimes Corporation (MAM)), which together provide transmission and distribution services, and Emera Brunswick Pipeline Company Limited (Brunswick Pipeline). In December 2011, its subsidiary, Emera Utility Services Inc. acquired utility line and communications construction, installation and maintenance business of Green's Service Station Ltd. In November 2013, the Company purchased three combined-cycle natural gas-fired electricity generating facilities in New England from Capital Power Corporation. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Markus Aarnio]

  3. Emera Incorporated (EMRAF.PK) engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity to various customers. Emera's strategic energy services and infrastructure include electric utilities in the Northeastern US, Atlantic Canada, St. Lucia, Grand Bahama and Barbados, a pumped storage hydro-electric facility, natural gas pipelines, a gas-fired power plant, an energy services company and a renewable tidal energy company.