Top Blue Chip Stocks To Own Right Now

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) broke through to new record highs today on some strong earnings reports, and good news from the Fed. The blue chips finished the day at 15,549, gaining 76 points, or 0.5%. Earlier in the day, the Dow also set a new intraday-trading record, hitting 15,589.40, while the S&P 500 nearly reached 1,700, setting a new record of its own.

Speaking before the Senate Banking committee today, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke again shored up concerns that the Fed would act hastily, and put the onus on Congress to do more to focus on reviving the economy rather than cutting the debt.� Investors interpreted his remarks, which followed his comment yesterday that the Fed had no "preset course" in its stimulus taper as evidence that the central bank would not pull the trigger ahead of time.

Meanwhile, initial unemployment claims from last week beat expectations, coming in at 334,000 versus estimates of 348,000, though continuing unemployment claims spiked. The Philadelphia Fed's manufacturing report also hit its highest mark in over two years, soaring to 19.8, indicating a robust expansion in manufacturing activity. Economists had projected a figure of just 5.3. Morgan Stanley also beat estimates this morning, sending the financial sector higher, as every big bank has outperformed this earnings season.

Top 5 Stocks To Invest In Right Now: International Business Machines Corporation(IBM)

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) provides information technology (IT) products and services worldwide. Its Global Technology Services segment provides IT infrastructure and business process services, including strategic outsourcing, process, integrated technology, and maintenance services, as well as technology-based support services. The company?s Global Business Services segment offers consulting and systems integration, and application management services. Its Software segment offers middleware and operating systems software, such as WebSphere software to integrate and manage business processes; information management software for database and enterprise content management, information integration, data warehousing, business analytics and intelligence, performance management, and predictive analytics; Tivoli software for identity management, data security, storage management, and datacenter automation; Lotus software for collaboration, messaging, and so cial networking; rational software to support software development for IT and embedded systems; business intelligence software, which provides querying and forecasting tools; SPSS predictive analytics software to predict outcomes and act on that insight; and operating systems software. Its Systems and Technology segment provides computing and storage solutions, including servers, disk and tape storage systems and software, point-of-sale retail systems, and microelectronics. The company?s Global Financing segment provides lease and loan financing to end users and internal clients; commercial financing to dealers and remarketers of IT products; and remanufacturing and remarketing services. It serves financial services, public, industrial, distribution, communications, and general business sectors. The company was formerly known as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. and changed its name to International Business Machines Corporation in 1924. IBM was founded in 1910 and is based in Armonk, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Radovsky]

  But GE was not the first industrial giant to become interested in the Industrial Internet. IBM (NYSE: IBM  ) is the Big Kahuna of Big Data. Its five-year old Smarter Planet division has led the way.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  The Dow Jones Industrials (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) had a strong week to finish the month of May, with the average emerging at an all-time record closing high on Friday. Gains in the Dow have been broad-based, with the vast majority of Dow component stocks rising for the week. But the Dow did leave a few lagging stocks behind, with Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT  ) , IBM (NYSE: IBM  ) , and ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM  ) among the stocks that posted declines on an otherwise positive day for the market.

• [By Sue Chang]

  IBM (IBM) , also on the Dow, is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of $5.99 a share. ��e maintain our neutral on IBM ahead of their upcoming earnings results. The risk/reward is more balanced at present stock price levels, but ultimately IBM will need to return to growth to drive stock price appreciation,��Joseph Foresi, an analyst at Janney Capital Markets, said in a note.

• [By John Divine]

  An internal companywide motivational mantra may have started to aid IBM's (NYSE: IBM  ) stock price already. IBM added 1.2% today as Wall Street got word of CEO Virginia Rometty's message to employees after last week's earnings dud. That message: Think fast. Move faster. Though it's tough to move faster than the stock did last Friday, when it took more than an 8% haircut, IBM shareholders are hoping future moves will be in the profitable direction.�

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Own Right Now: Chevron Corporation(CVX)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. It operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment involves in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as holds interest in a gas-to-liquids project. The Downstream segment engages in the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil and refined products primarily under the Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex brand names; transportation of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufacture and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. It a lso produces and markets coal and molybdenum; and holds interests in 13 power assets with a total operating capacity of approximately 3,100 megawatts, as well as involves in cash management and debt financing activities, insurance operations, real estate activities, energy services, and alternative fuels and technology business. Chevron Corporation has a joint venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corp. and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in May 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is based in San Ramon, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tyler Crowe]

  Whenever shareholders see that their company is taking on debt, pitchforks and torches can be seen at the front door of corporate headquarters. Despite our investor aversion to debt, it isn't always a bad idea. Chevron (NYSE: CVX  ) �is in a position to show just that. The company just completed a $6 billlion bond issuance that will be used to refinance some of its current debt structure. Chevron isn't alone, either, Rio Tonto (NYSE: RIO  ) just did a similar bond move last week, and several other major American companies have done some big debt issuances in 2013.

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Top Headline
  Chevron (NYSE: CVX) reported a 5.8 percent drop in its third-quarter earnings.

  Chevron's quarterly profit fell to $4.95 billion, or $2.57 per share, from a year-ago profit of $5.25 billion, or $2.69 per share.

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Own Right Now: Apple Inc.(AAPL)

Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Brugger]

  But Google CEO Larry Page wasn't fooling anyone; buying Motorola Mobility was a direct means to go after Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) and Samsung in the lucrative U.S. smartphone OEM market. Google's partnership with LG has already produced a Nexus smartphone, and Motorola has some, too, but that's so un-Google. If we've learned anything over the past couple of years, it's that Google isn't afraid to aggressively enter new markets with guns blazing: Google Fiber, the use of white space for wireless connectivity, self-driving cars, Glass -- the list goes on and on.

• [By Holly LaFon]

  Our worst performers during the third quarter were Cummins (CMI) (-颅14.5%), Schlumberger (SLB) (-颅13.8%) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) (-颅8.5%). Our best performers during the quarter were EMC (EMC) (+11.1%), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (+9.2%) and Apple (AAPL) (+8.4%). During the quarter we trimmed positions in Apple as it approached our maximum position weighting of 10%. We added to existing positions in Qualcomm (QCOM), LKQ (LKQ) and Cognizant Technology (CTSH) ��all on improved prospective risk-颅reward on respective share-price declines. The Great Bull Market of 2009-2014 started on March 9, 2009 when the S&P 500 Index stood at 667. The S&P 500�� relentless bull market advance over the course of the next 2,000 days would reach a record high index level of 2000 in late August. Relentless indeed, according to Bespoke, the S&P 500 Index has been up seven quarters in a row ��the best streak since 1998 and the fourth best since 1950.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT  ) will release its quarterly report on Thursday, and investors have built up increasingly high hopes for the tech giant, sending shares to their highest levels in more than a decade recently. Yet as competition from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG  ) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) in the smartphone arena and Sony (NYSE: SNE  ) in the game-console business heats up, Microsoft needs to demonstrate that it can produce the earnings growth that investors want to see.

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  Who's Zabitsky?
  Zabitsky was the first real Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) bear at a time when the Street was nearly unanimous in its bullishness. His "sell" rating on the Mac maker dates back to as early as 2009. Over the years, he's maintained his stance, while his bearish thesis has evolved. He also subsequently moved his rating to a more aggressive "sell short."

Top Blue Chip Stocks To Own Right Now: McDonald's Corporation(MCD)

McDonald?s Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a worldwide foodservice retailer. It franchises and operates McDonald?s restaurants that offer various food items, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages. As of December 31, 2009, the company operated 32,478 restaurants in 117 countries, of which 26,216 were operated by franchisees; and 6,262 were operated by the company. McDonald?s Corporation was founded in 1948 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Yet even if the economy is poised for a slowdown, certain stocks will likely benefit. McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) is up more than 1% this morning, climbing above the $100 mark and approaching all-time highs. Even as the company faces a strike in New York City by workers who want better pay, McDonald's attracts defensively minded investors because of its record of holding up well in past downturns. The fast-food giant was one of the few stocks that actually rose during 2008's bear market, and with stocks teetering at current high levels, investors want that kind of protection again.

• [By Travis Hoium]

  McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) was the big loser on the Dow, falling 1.4% today. The company reported a 0.6% decline in global same-store sales in April as Europe and China offset improvements in the U.S. The Asia/Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region posted a 2.9% drop in same-store sales as Avian influenza scared off customer. The good news was a 0.7% increase in U.S. sales, which shows continued steady growth here at home. �

• [By WALLSTCHEATSHEET]

  McDonald�� is a well-recognized company that fulfills cravings and demand for quick and delicious food choices that many consumers across the globe enjoy. The stock has been steadily chugging higher but is now pulling-back a bit from all-time high prices. Over most of the last four quarters, earnings and revenue figures have been on the rise, however, investors have grown to expect a little more from the company. Relative to its peers and sector, McDonald’s has been an average performer, year-to-date. Look for McDonald’s to stabilize and OUTPERFORM.

• [By Jack Kramer and Nick Martell]

  While we're still aggressively waiting for a cupcake ATM to finally open up near us, investors are getting pumped up for new Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen's big first official speech on Tuesday -- And the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) inched up 8 points Monday in eager anticipation.

  1. Winter freezes McDonald's sales
  Ronald is frowning, because McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) monthly report showed that U.S. sales fell 3.3% in January and restaurant traffic is down 1.6% over the last year. McD's is blaming two culprits: (1) Americans are still being frugal as the economy only slowly improves, and (2) the unhealthy servings of polar vortexes this past winter are keeping warm-blooded customers out of cold plastic seats at McDonald's restaurants.
  
  It's all about the Dollar Menu. Or is it? McDonald's reintroduced its famed Dollar Menu just three months ago in the U.S. as the fancy new "Dollar Menu and More," but the publicity stunt hasn't had any impact on sales. In fact, the McDouble and small fries both now cost more than a dollar, resulting in some unhappy and confused McDonald's patrons walking into stores with four quarters in their pocket.
  
  The takeaway is that investors didn't freak out like someone stole their Happy Meal toy. That's because McDonald's overall global sales were pretty greasy (in a good way) -- Europe has overtaken America as the chain restaurant's largest market and Asian sales rose nearly 6%. Although Ronald warned investors in its recent earnings report that January would be a tough month, the growing foreign appetite for Big Macs saved the Golden Arches Monday.
  
  2. Carl Icahn gives up fight with Apple
  Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) battle with famous superinvestor Carl Icahn is over. The stock titan who is known and feared by all on Wall Street wrote an open letter to Apple shareholders Monday, indicating he will stop fighting for Apple to give shareholders more o