Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own For 2014

Free checking? A 24-hour grace period on overdraft fees? Products actually designed to help the consumer better manage their finances? It seems like this sort of customer-centric banking would only exist in a dream world, but at Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ: HBAN  ) , it's reality.

Huntington, and other regional banks like KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY  ) and Regions Financial (NYSE: RF  ) , are staying out of the headlines, bringing strong products to the market, and as a result, winning new business. In the video below, Motley Fool contributor Jay Jenkins highlights Huntington as an industry leader in customer-focused banking.

Many investors are terrified about investing in big banking stocks after the crash, but the sector has one notable stand-out. In a sea of mismanaged and dangerous peers, it rises above as "The Only Big Bank Built to Last." You can uncover the top pick that Warren Buffett loves in The Motley Fool's�new report. It's free, so click here to access it now.

10 Best Healthcare Technology Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Targacept Inc.(TRGT)

Targacept, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, design, and development of neuronal nicotinic receptors (NNR) therapeutics for the treatment of diseases and disorders of the nervous system. Its products include TC-5214, a nicotinic channel modulator, which is in Phase III clinical trials as an adjunct treatment for depressive disorder; and in Phase IIb clinical trial for switch monotherapy in patients with depressive disorder. The company?s small molecule products include TC-5619, which is under two separate Phase II clinical trials to treat negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, inattentive-predominant attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer?s disease; AZD3480, a product under Phase IIb clinical trials for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer?s disease; AZD1446 for treatment of Alzheimer?s disease; TC-6987 under Phase II clinical trials to treat asthma and type 2 diabetes; and TC-6499 for the treatm ent for gastrointestinal disorders. It has a collaborative research and license agreement with AstraZeneca AB for the development and commercialization of AZD3480, TC-5214, and TC-5619; and a product development and commercialization agreement with SmithKline Beecham Corporation and Glaxo Group Limited to discover, develop, and market product candidates that selectively target specified NNR subtypes in specified therapeutic focus areas. Targacept, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By DailyFinance Staff]

  Investors took a wait-and-see attitude Tuesday, but airline stocks lost altitude. The market is in a holding pattern until 2 p.m. Wednesday, when the Fed reveals details of this week's FOMC policy meetings, and whether it's ready to begin cutting back on its main economic stimulus program. If it does begin to taper, the next debate will begin immediately: Is that good or bad for investors? On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) edged down 9 points, the Nasdaq composite (^IXIC) fell nearly 6, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) lost 5 points. The Dow's gainers were led by a pair of companies hiking their dividends. 3M (MMM), which makes everything from Post-It notes to medical equipment, rose 3 percent after increasing its payout by 35 percent. And Boeing (BA) rose 1 percent. It boosted the dividend by 50 percent and announced a big stock buyback. The other big blue chip winner was Visa (V), which gained another 2.5 percent. Its stock is now up 43 percent from a year ago. On the downside, Verizon (VZ), IBM (IBM), McDonald's (MCD) and Microsoft (MSFT) all lost about one percent. Microsoft says it will not name a new CEO until next year. And airline stocks were broadly lower. United (UAL) and Delta (DAL) both fell 3 percent. American Airlines (AAL), which completed its merger with U.S. Airways last week, fell 2 percent. And Southwest (V) also lost 2 percent. Brokerage recommendations gave a boost to several issues. Data storage companies Seagate (STX), up 3 percent, and Western Digital (WDC), up 2.5 percent, following JP Morgan upgrades. And iRobot (IRBT) surged 17 percent after Raymond James gave it a 'strong buy.' Shares of Facebook (FB) rose 2 percent, hitting an all-time high. The social media giant is rolling out new video ads this week. That's expected to boost revenue. The question is, will it alienate users? On the downside, Targacept (TRGT) lost more than a third of its value. A clinical trial of its schizophreni

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Targacept Inc.'s(TRGT) investigational secondary treatment for schizophrenia didn’t show significant improvement in negative symptoms or cognitive function in a Phase 2b trial after 24 weeks. The biopharmaceutical company said it wouldn’t pursue further development of the therapy for the mental illness or for Alzheimer’s Disease. Shares fell 31% to $4.09 premarket.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Vermilion Energy Inc (VET)

Vermilion Energy Inc. (Vermilion), is engaged in the business of oil and natural gas exploitation, development, acquisition and production in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland and the Netherlands. As of December 31, 2011, Vermilion holds an average working interest of 68.5% in 395,616 (271,067 net) acres of developed land, 582 (396 net) producing natural gas wells and 319 (198 net) producing oil wells in Canada. Vermilion holds an 83.6% working interest in 193,017 acres of developed land in the Aquitaine and Paris Basins. Vermilion's Netherlands assets consist of eight onshore concessions and one offshore concession located in the northern part of the country. In October 2013, Vermilion Energy Inc, through its wholly owned subsidiary acquired Northern Petroleum Nederland B.V. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Oil exploration and production company Vermillion Energy (VET) raised its monthly dividend 7.5% to 21.50 cents (Canadian) per share, and is expected to be payable on February 17.
  VTE Dividend Yield: 1.52%
  

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Dno International ASA (DTNOF.PK)

DNO International ASA is a Norway-based oil and gas exploration and production company. It is engaged in the acquisition, development and operation of oil and gas properties. Its activities are primarily undertaken in the Middle East and the North African (MENA) region. It holds stakes in oil and gas blocks in various stages of exploration, development and production both onshore and offshore in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the Republic of Yemen, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Tunisian Republic and Somaliland. The Company operates through its head office in Oslo, and a network of offices throughout the MENA region. Its subsidiaries include DNO Yemen AS, DNO UK Ltd, DNO Invest AS, DNO Tunisia AS, DNO Iraq AS and DNO Mena AS. In January 2014, it completed the the farm-in by its subsidiary DNO Tunisia AS to the Sfax Offshore Exploration Permit and the Ras El Besh Concession in Tunisia, in which DNO Tunisia AS now holds 87.5% participating (100% paying) interest. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Street Smart Investor]

  DNO International (DTNOF.PK), an independent exploration and production company, has surged by 43% in 2013. The upside trend is not over for the stock with potential triggers for further upside over the next one year. This research presents the reasons for the bullish outlook and the stock's upside potential considering the best case and worst case scenario for the company. The scenario analysis concludes on a 25-42% upside in the given time horizon.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Nuvilex Inc (NVLX.PK)

Nuvilex, Inc., incorporated on October 28, 1996, operates independently and through wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company is a biotechnology and life technology company with a specialty in living-cell encapsulation. It is focused on preparations for a new pancreatic cancer clinical trial through live-cell encapsulation of chemotherapeutic-converting cells. It has created the hardware and operating platform to envelop or encapsulate its own or other company's software products, or cells. These cells are then packaged in its live cell encapsulation operating system. Its products include Cinnechol, Cinnergen, Cinnsational, Citroxin, Cyclosurface, Cosmetics, Infinitink, Talsyn, Oraphyte and PurEffect. On July 10, 2013, the Company acquired Bio Blue Bird AG. In November 2013, the Company announced that it has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to use the cellulose-based live-cell encapsulation technology for the development of treatments for diabetes from SG Austria Pt e. Ltd.

Cinnechol

Cinnechol is a gluten free/wheat free all-natural supplement designed to help maintain normal cholesterol levels and support normal cardiovascular function through a healthy diet and regular exercise and to help individuals manage cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Cinnechol may provide a natural alternative for those with high cholesterol and intolerant of, or elect not to take statins.

Cinnergen

Cinnergen is a gluten free/wheat free all-natural liquid whole food nutritional supplement that provides nutrients to help the body efficiently process glucose, is made from natural ingredients. Clinical studies using Cinnergen, as well as peer reviewed research suggest constituents of Cinnergen may help to reduce glucose absorption in the small intestine, limit glucose synthesis and increase its metabolism and prevent conditions associated with pre-diabetes or diabetes types one and two by delivering amin o acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and pl! an! t based extracts to the body thus helping control glucose levels.

Cinnsational

Cinnsational is a gluten free/wheat free all-natural calorie-free, liquid nutritional supplement contains concentrated blend vitamins, essential amino acids, and other beneficial ingredients to help the body combat symptoms associated with alcohol sensitivity, including nausea, fatigue and headaches.

Citroxin

Citroxin is an all-natural, eco-friendly surface cleaner. Citroxin is protected by patents in the United States and Thailand.

Cyclosurface Cosmetics

Nuvilex�� Cyclosurface color enhancement technology provides formulators and manufacturers of cosmetics and other consumer products the ability to use less wax and other potentially detrimental additives in their products through a lipophilic surface treatment. It improves pigment dispersion enabling products that feel lighter on the skin and make the skin look radia nt while maintaining or enhancing the color and durability of the cosmetic product.

I-Boost Immune Bar

I-Boost Immune Bar is a gluten free/wheat free all-natural nutritional bar designed to protect, stimulate, and boost the immune system. It was reformulated and contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients designed to enhance the body's natural ability to defend itself.

Infinitink

Infinitink is a permanent, yet removable tattoo ink, was engineered specifically for removal in fewer laser treatments than standard tattoo ink. Typically, lasers used for removal of tattoos use 532 and 1064 nanometer wavelengths which closely match the Infinitink tattoo pigments, enabling more easily removed tattoos.

Oraphyte

Oraphyte is the Company�� all-natural nematocide, is a non-toxic, biodegradable formulation that damages a nematode's skin surface, compromising its immune system, enabling it to be killed by the environment. In field tests, Oraphyte! redu! ce! d probl! ematic nematodes, parasitic plant worms found in soil, compared to non-treated controls.

purEffect

PurEffect is a three part, all-in-one acne treatment designed to cleanse, tone, and heal skin combining ingredients to help maintain a radiant, blemish-free complexion. Benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in purEffect is the safest, recommended ingredient used to treat acne. This line of products completed pre-marketing testing by CK41.

Specialty, Private Label Inks

The Company has the potential to manufacture specialty inks for private label customers derived from the Company's Virgin and Infinitink product lines and are formulated to specific customer needs. The Company's specialty inks are formulated to be all natural, heavy metal and toxin-free.

Talsyn Scar Cream

Talsyn Scar Cream is a cream that delivers lipids, peptides, and botanical extracts to the skin. It was clinically proven to impro ve appearance of keloids, surgical incisions, and scars through decreasing their width, length, depth, and redness for both old and new scars. Talsyn Scar Cream has been endorsed and used by plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Alan Brochstein]

  I actually spoke with Mr. Tim Matula, who is a former director and also handled investor relations for Diamond Ranch Foods (the predecessor company). Mr. Matula is also a long-time director at Nuvilex (NVLX.PK), which I recently suggested is an overly promoted stock exhibiting several of the signs about which FINRA has been warning investors (more on this later). Matula answered the phone number included on recent press releases by PLPL - I was expecting to hear an answering machine, as my call was in the late evening. He explained that he was no longer involved with the company due to having too many time-constraints. He also explained his sale of 4.9mm shares back to the company at $0.025 on February 7th, suggesting an open market sale would have been impossible. Note that PLPL has never traded below $0.04, so I found this curious. It was Matula who passed me along to Shane Traveller. He also told me that he is the brother of Tom Matula, the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board (more later).

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: MoneyGram International Inc (MGI)

MoneyGram International, Inc. (MoneyGram) incorporated on December 18, 2003, is a global payment services company. The Company�� products include global money transfers, bill payment solutions and financial paper products. MoneyGram conducts its business through its wholly owned subsidiary MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. (MPSI). The Company operates in two segments: Global Funds Transfer and Financial Paper Products. The Company�� global money transfer and bill payment services are its primary revenue drivers. The Company offers its money transfer services on the Internet via its MoneyGram Online service in the United States, United Kingdom and through agent Websites in Italy, Saudi Arabia and Japan. It also offers money transfer services via mobile phone, kiosks, ATM, receive cards and direct-to-bank account products in various markets worldwide. Effective July 8, 2013, MoneyGram International Inc acquired Latino Services, an Atlanta-based provider of money transfer services.

Global Funds Transfer

The Company�� Global Funds Transfer segment provides money transfer and bill payment services to consumers, who are often unbanked or underbanked. Unbanked consumers are those consumers who do not have a traditional relationship with a financial institution. Other consumers who use its services are convenience users and emergency users who may have a checking account with a financial institution, but prefer to use the Company�� services on the basis of convenience or to make emergency payments. MoneyGram offers services to consumers through third-party agents, including retail chains, independent retailers and financial institutions.

The Company provides Global Funds Transfer products and services utilizing a range of point-of-sale platforms. Its platforms include AgentConnect, which is integrated into an agent�� point-of-sale system, and DeltaWorks and Delta T3, which are separate software and stand-alone device platforms. Through its FormFree service, cust! omers may contact its call center and a representative will collect transaction information over the telephone, entering it directly into its central data processing system.

The Company offers money transfers to consumers in a choice of local currency, United States dollars or euros, in certain countries. MoneyGram�� bill payment services allow consumers to make urgent bill payments, pay routine bills, or load and reload prepaid debit cards. These industries include the credit card, mortgage, auto finance, telecommunications, corrections, satellite, property management, prepaid card and collections industries.

Financial Paper Products

The Company�� Financial Paper Products segment provides money orders to consumers through its retail and financial institution agent locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, and provides official check services for financial institutions in the United States. It sells money orders under the MoneyGram brand and on a private label or co-branded basis with certain of its retail and financial institution agents in the United States. During the year ended December 31, 2012, MoneyGram issued money orders through its network of 54,000 agent and financial institution locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Company generates revenue from its official check outsourcing services by charging per item and other fees, as well as from the investment of funds underlying outstanding official checks. As of December 31, 2012, the Company also provided official check outsourcing services at approximately 7,300 branch locations of more than 1,200 financial institutions.

The Company competes with The Western Union Company.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

  "Today, people speculate on the potential," Alex Hoffmann, executive vice president of global product management and emerging channels at MoneyGram International Inc. (NYSE: MGI), told Bloomberg News. "But today you do not have it."

• [By Teresa Rivas]

  As The Wall Street Journal reports, Wal-Mart�� prices do appear to undercut rivals. The market certainly seems to be nervous, sending Western Union (WU) 5% lower on Thursday, while MoneyGram International (MGI) suffered a 17.7% drop.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  It’s not easy to operate in a business where competition is fierce and pricing power is nonexistent. Just ask Moneygram International (MGI), whose shares are in freefall this morning after it was downgraded by Piper Jaffray.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: NetSol Technologies Inc.(NTWK)

Netsol Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, and markets software products for the automobile finance and leasing, banking, healthcare, and financial services industries worldwide. It offers NetSol Financial Suite, which is an end-to-end solution that covers the leasing and finance cycle. The NetSol Financial Suite consist of software applications comprising Point of Sale, a front office processing system for the finance sector; Credit Application Processing System to handle the incoming credit applications from dealers, agents, brokers, and the direct sales force; Contract Management System to manage and maintain a contract; Wholesale Finance System to automate and manage the floor plan/bailment activities of dealerships; and Fleet Management System to handle fleet management needs. The NetSol Financial Suite also includes LeasePak that develops Web-enabled and Web-based tools for the leasing technology industry. In addition, the company offers LeaseSoft Portals and Modul es; enterprise wide information systems, such as LRMIS, MTMIS, and Hospital Management Systems; accounting outsourcing services; and career and technology programs. Further, it provides portfolio management systems for the financial services industry; and consulting, custom development, systems integration, and technical services for the healthcare, insurance, real estate, and technology markets. Additionally, the company offers business intelligence, independent system review, information security, and software process improvement consulting services; maintenance and support, and project management services; and solutions for the defense and military forces. It serves Fortune 500 manufacturers, automakers, financial institutions, utilities, technology providers, and government agencies. The company was formerly known as NetSol International, Inc. and changed its name to NetSol Technologies, Inc. in March 2002. NetSol Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in Ca labasas, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  NetSol Technologies (Nasdaq:NTWK), a provider of global IT and enterprise application solutions, reported that Mercedes-Benz Leasing Company Ltd. (China), went live with the NetSol Financial Suite (NFS(tm)).

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own For 2014: Martin Midstream Partners L.P.(MMLP)

Martin Midstream Partners L.P. collects, transports, stores, and markets petroleum products and by-products in the United States Gulf Coast region. The company?s Terminalling and Storage segment owns or operates 27 marine shore based terminal facilities and 12 specialty terminal facilities that provide storage, processing, and handling services for producers and suppliers of petroleum products and by-products, lubricants, and other liquids, including the refining of various grades and quantities of naphthenic lubricants and related products. This segment also offers land rental services to oil and gas companies, and storage and handling services for lubricants and fuel oil. The Natural Gas Services segment is involved in the gathering and processing of natural gas, and distribution of natural gas liquids (NGLs). This segment owns 1 NGL pipeline; and 3 NGL supply and storage facilities, as well as has ownership interests in approximately 719 miles of gathering and transmis sion pipelines located in the natural gas producing regions of east Texas, Northwest Louisiana, the Texas Gulf Coast and offshore Texas and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. The Sulfur Services segment processes and distributes sulfur produced by oil refineries that is primarily used in the production of fertilizers and industrial chemicals. This segment own and operates 6 sulfur-based fertilizer production plants, and 1 emulsified sulfur blending plant that manufacture sulfur-based fertilizer products for wholesale distributors and industrial users; 1 sulfuric acid production plant that processes molten sulfur into sulfuric acid; and 1 ammonium sulfate production plant that processes sulfuric acid into ammonium sulfate. The Marine Transportation segment utilizes a fleet of 41 inland marine tank barges, 20 inland push boats, and 4 offshore tug barge units that transport petroleum products and by-products. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Kilgore, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  The index includes everything from behemoths like Enterprise Product Partners (NYSE: EPD) and Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP) down to a pair with market capitalizations under $1 billion in Martin Midstream Partners (NASDAQ: MMLP) and Navios Maritime Partners (NYSE: NMM). The total market cap of the index is $328 billion, and its one-, three- and five-year total returns are 20 percent, 48 percent and 194 percent. The index yield is 6 percent.