Hot Gas Utility Stocks To Watch Right Now

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ  ) jumped as much as 16% today after announcing a major project development.

So what: The company has been hired by Samsung Renewable Energy to design and build a 130 MW utility-scale project called Grand Renewable Solar. The project will generate $301.1 million in revenue for Canadian Solar and will begin construction in the third quarter of this year. �

Now what: Canadian Solar has been slowly turning itself into a project developer, a good move considering the competition in the module business. What's surprising about this project is its cost of just $2.32 per watt, one of the lowest I've ever seen in solar. This project will create a source of demand for the company's products, but at that low cost per watt it won't generate much profit. This is one of the better stocks in Chinese solar but it's still not a stock this Fool is buying today.

Interested in more info on Canadian Solar? Add it to your watchlist by clicking here.

Top Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: National Bank of Canada (NBC)

National Bank of Canada (the Bank) is a bank. The Bank provides integrated financial services to retail, commercial and corporate/institutional clients. The Bank's offerings include securities brokerage, insurance, wealth management, mutual and pension-fund management as well as banking and investment solutions across three business segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, and Financial Markets. The Personal and Commercial segment meets the financial needs of some 2.4 million retail banking clients and approximately 130,000 business clients throughout Canada. The Wealth Management segment includes National Bank Financial Wealth Management and National Bank Direct Brokerage Inc. The Financial Markets segment provides banking and investment banking services. On August 1, 2012, Maple Group Acquisition Corporation (Maple) acquired Alpha Trading Systems Inc., Alpha Trading Systems Limited Partnership and The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Damian Illia]

  The company owns Kaplan, a leading global provider of educational services to individuals, schools and businesses, across more than 30 countries, Post-Newsweek Stations in Detroit (NBC), Houston (NBC), Miami (ABC), Orlando (CBS), San Antonio (ABC) and Jacksonville, Cable ONE, digital video, Internet and phone services provider to homes and businesses, the Slate Group, a daily online magazine, Trove, a digital team focused on innovation and experimentation with new technologies, Social Code, leading social marketing solutions partner, Celtic Healthcare, and Forney Corporation. The company has recently sold most of its newspaper operations.

• [By Rhonda Abrams]

  A woman may be the brains behind an organization, but having a handsome guy like Pierce Brosnan, with Stephanie Zimbalist in a 1982 photo for 'Remington Steele,' attracts the cash, a study shows.(Photo: NBC)

• [By USATODAY 2:27 p.m. EST February 4]

  NBC's Winter Olympics app.(Photo: NBC)

  You can follow the Sochi games digitally on NBCOlympics.com or on the NBC Sports Live Extra app ��available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices. The Live Extra app is free and getting a refresh in time for the Olympics. It also covers other sports NBC is involved in, including the NHL, PGA Tour and Triple Crown Horse Racing.

Hot Gas Utility Stocks To Watch Right Now: PPL Corporation(PPL)

PPL Corporation, an energy and utility holding company, generates and sells electricity; and delivers natural gas to approximately 5.3 million utility customers primarily in the northeastern and northwestern U.S. The company operates in four segments: Kentucky Regulated, International Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Supply. The Kentucky Regulated segment engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity; and the distribution and sale of natural gas to approximately 1.3 million customers in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. The International Regulated segment owns and operates electricity distribution businesses in the United Kingdom that deliver electricity to 7.7 million customers. The Pennsylvania Regulated segment delivers electricity to approximately 1.4 million customers in eastern and central Pennsylvania. The Supply segment owns and operates power plants to generate electricity using coal, uranium, natural gas, oil, and water res ources; markets and trades electricity and other purchased power to wholesale and retail markets; and acquires and develops domestic generation projects. It controls or owns a portfolio of generation assets of approximately 11,000 megawatts in Montana and Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2010, the company?s distribution system included 649 substations with a capacity of 25 million kVA, 28,838 circuit miles of overhead lines, and 24,131 cable miles of underground conductors in the United Kingdom. It also operated 377 substations with a capacity of 31 million kVA, 33,122 circuit miles of overhead lines, and 7,368 cable miles of underground conductors in Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By David Dittman]

  PPL Corp (NYSE: PPL) announced on June 9, 2014, an agreement with Riverstone Holdings LLC to combine their merchant power generation assets to form stand-alone independent power producer Talen Energy Corp.

• [By Justin Loiseau]

  3. Power to the people
  If the current royal regime is any evidence, George is going to be around for a long time to come. Although it's not as fun as a toy or as fast as a car, the prince needs to consider long-term income earners as well. British-American utility PP&L (NYSE: PPL  ) puts electricity in the homes of his subjects, while offering a delectable 4.7% dividend on the side. With share prices still wobbling around recession-level lows, you and George could benefit from a long-term value grab as economies (eventually) pick up in the years to come.

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Pennsylvania-based electric utility PPL (NYSE: PPL  ) found itself in the path of one of the most devastating storms in history last year, as Hurricane Sandy barreled into the mid-Atlantic and left billions of dollars in damage in its wake. Although PPL stock didn't suffer a long-term hit from the storm, the utility now faces a much different threat from rising interest rates that could eventually have a major impact on its financing costs. Let's take a look at what's been happening with PPL in the recent past and how it's responding to this new threat.

• [By Maria Armental and Anna Prior]

  Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings downgraded PPL Energy (PPL) after parent company PPL Corp. said it would spin off the power-generation business to its shareholders.

Hot Gas Utility Stocks To Watch Right Now: Globecomm Systems Inc. (GCOM)

Globecomm Systems Inc. engages in the provision of satellite-based network solutions to government, communications service providers, commercial enterprises, and media and content broadcasters in the United States, Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It offers access products for providing data, voice, and video transport services; hosted application products for back office applications services; and professional services, including advisory and consulting services. The company also provides life cycle support services comprising installation, network monitoring, help desk, maintenance, and professional engineering services that supports access and hosted products; and infrastructure solutions, such as design, engineering, and installation of ground segment systems and networks, which are used in communications and media delivery networks. In addition, it offers fixed satellite terminals under the Summit brand; transportable satellite terminals under the Explorer brand; and network management systems to manage, monitor, and control networks under the AxxSys brand name, as well as systems design and integration products. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Instead, the winners who will compete among themselves to fulfill the $45 million firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract include privately held Bluewater Communications Group LLC, small-cap Globecomm Systems (NASDAQ: GCOM  ) , and TVC Communications LLC, of Annville, Penn., a small subsidiary of larger electronics distributor WESCO International (NYSE: WCC  ) . All three will now be competing against each other to win the Pentagon's business on individual task orders for the Cisco and other HD equipment on order.

Hot Gas Utility Stocks To Watch Right Now: Century Peak Metals Holdings Corp (CPM)

Century Peak Metals Holdings Corporation is engaged in promoting, operating, managing, holding, acquiring or investing in corporations or entities that are engaged in mining activities or mining-related activities. It also invests in real estate development and energy. Its subsidiaries include Century Peak Corporation (CPC), Century Hua Guang Smelting Incorporated (CHGSI), Century Sidewide Smelting Inc. (CSSI) and Century Summit Carrier, Inc. (CSCI). The principal activities of CPC is to invest in and engage in the business of operating and mining of mineral resources in the Philippines, such as iron ore, copper, gold, silver, lead, manganese, chromites, nickel etc. and prospecting, exploring, milling, concentrating, converting, smelting, treating, refining and manufacturing, and preparing for the market. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By kcpl]

  Corning is focusing on its growth strategies. Management had already discussed in the previous quarter that it plans to quickly integrate Corning Precision Materials (CPM) in Korea in order to realize synergies, gain further cost advantages, and increase its flexibility of glass supply. The company completed its acquisition of CPM in the first quarter. As a result of this acquisition, its display sales improved 55% to $1 billion.

Hot Gas Utility Stocks To Watch Right Now: Express Inc. (EXPR)

Express, Inc. operates specialty retail stores in the United States. The company?s stores offer apparel and accessories for women and men between 20 and 30 years old across various aspects of the lifestyles comprising work, casual, jeanswear, and going-out occasions. It also sells gift cards. As of January 29, 2011, the company operated 591 stores, including 547 dual-gender stores, 25 women?s stores, and 19 men?s stores located primarily in high-traffic shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and street locations in 47 states throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In addition, it operates seven Express stores in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates through its Development Agreement with Alshaya Trading Co.; and sells its products through e-commerce Website, express.com. The company was formerly known as Express Parent LLC and changed its name to Express, Inc. in May 2010. Express, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in C olumbus, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By ANUP SINGH]

  Bucking the trend
  The apparel & accessories retail sector, despite macroeconomic headwinds, includes retailers that are successfully bucking the trend. Express (NYSE: EXPR  ) has beaten analyst expectations in 12 of the last 13 quarters. It is poised to grow going forward with the back-to-school shopping season finishing and the holiday season fast approaching.

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Notable earnings releases expected on Wednesday include:

  Williams-Sonoma, Inc (NYSE: WSM) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $1.36 on revenue of $1.43 billion, compared to last year�� EPS of $1.34 on revenue of $1.41 billion. Express, Inc (NYSE: EXPR) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.59 on revenue of $722.02 million, compared to last year�� EPS of $0.75 on revenue of $728.71 million. Vail Resorts, Inc.�(NYSE: MTN) is expected to report second quarter EPS of $1.87 on revenue of $471.16 million, compared to last year�� EPS of $1.65 on revenue of $422.45 million. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.�(NYSE: KKD) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.13 on revenue of $119.59 million, compared to last year�� EPS of $0.09 on revenue of $118.14 million.

  Economics

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Justin Sullivan/Getty Images NEW YORK and DETROIT -- U.S. banks looking to get in on a booming market for financing new-car sales have run into a formidable competitor: the auto manufacturers themselves. Financing arms of car companies, including Toyota Motor (TM), Honda Motor (HMC) and Ford Motor (F), made half of all new U.S. car loans in the first quarter, up from 37 percent a year earlier and the largest percentage of the market in four years, according to credit data firm Experian (EXPR). These companies also write the vast majority of leases, which contributed a record 26 percent of new car sales in the quarter, up from 23 percent last year and 20 percent in 2012. The financing arms are providing subsidies from the manufacturers, lowering monthly payments and extending loan terms to make it easier for buyers to drive away in a shiny, new vehicle. As a result, major banks are increasingly moving into riskier parts of the market to make loans. U.S. Bancorp (USB), for example, for the first time ever decided to start financing used cars, an area of the market that the automakers' finance companies have little interest in. It also started offering loans to less creditworthy borrowers. And Wells Fargo (WFC) has been leveraging off a nationwide deal with General Motors (GM) to provide loans subsidized by the No. 1 U.S. automaker. Wells sees this as a way to gain more of the used car loan business at GM dealerships. The aggressive push by car companies is beginning to raise questions among industry analysts and consultants about whether it is sustainable. If interest rates rise, the automakers could find the incentives too costly unless they are prepared to take a hit to profits -- with any pullback in the deals being offered customers running the risk of hurting demand. And, if used car prices weaken, the financing units could be hit with losses on vehicles coming back from leases and repossessions. The automakers' financing companies are doing sub

• [By Jeremy Bowman]

  Retail stocks continued to take it on the chin as concerns about weak holiday sales persisted. Wal-Mart fell 1.2% to make it the Dow's worst performer, while Express (NYSE: EXPR  ) shares finished down 23% as the fashion label issued downbeat guidance in its quarterly report. Management lowered its full-year EPS outlook from $1.52-$1.60 to $1.46-$1.51, below the consensus as it sees an increasingly competitive promotional environment this holiday season. Management also said Thanksgiving week sales did not meet its expectations, and that same-store sales will be in the low single digits for the current quarter.

Hot Gas Utility Stocks To Watch Right Now: Heineken NV (HEINY)

Heineken N.V. (Heineken), incorporated on January 27, 1873, is a beer brewer with brands available in 178 countries worldwide with operations in 71 countries. Heineken owns, markets and sells more than 250 of the brands. The Company�� principal global brand is Heineken is the international premium beer brand. Other international premium, regional, local and specialty beers include Amstel, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Desperados, Dos Equis, Foster��, Newcastle Brown Ale, Ochota, Primus, Sagres, Sol, Star, Tecate, Zlaty Bazant and Zywiec. Its joint venture brands include Anchor, Cristal, Kingfisher and Tiger. In addition, its global portfolio include Heineken is the cider maker with brands, such as Strongbow Gold and Bulmer��. It has a global network of distributors and 140 breweries. Heineken operates in six segments: Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, The Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Head Office and Other/eliminations. On December 2, 2011, Heineken acquired the Galaxy Pub Estate (Galaxy) in the United Kingdom from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). In January 2013, it acquired remaining 18.4% interest in Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd.

During year ended 31 December 2011, Heineken disposed of 25% of its 100% interest in Commonwealth Brewery Limited (CBL). In January 2011, the Company acquired two Nigerian holding companies from the Sona Group. The two acquired businesses have controlling interests in each of the Sona, IBBI, Benue, Life and Champion breweries in Nigeria. The acquisition provided the Company with an additional technical capacity of 3.7 million hectoliters. During 2011, HEINEKEN acquired five new breweries in Nigeria and two new breweries in Ethiopia. On January 12, 2011, Heineken acquired two holding companies, which together own the Sona brewery group from Lewiston Investments SA. On August 11, 2011, Heineken acquired two breweries named Bedele and Harar from the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Wester! n Europe

Heineken has operating companies in 10 countries, which include Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The Company owns and operates 25 breweries, five non-brewing production sites and two malteries. In Belgium its brands include Maes, Grimbergen, Cristal, Mort Subite, Ciney, Affligem, Judas, Hapkin, Brugs, Postel, Desperados and Heineken. In Finland, its brands include Lapin Kulta, Karjala, Foster��, Heineken, 1836 Classic Gourmet, Jaffa, Pepsi, Novelle, Original Long Drink and Upcider. In France its brands include Heineken, Pelforth, Desperados, Affligem, Fischer tradition, ��3��Export, Panach�� Adelscott, Amstel, Georges Killians and Murphy�� Irish Stout. In Ireland its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Coors Light, Desperados, Tiger, Sol, Murphy�� Irish Stout, Beamish Stout, Foster��, Paulaner, Birra Moretti, Z.ywiec and Affligem.

In Italy the Company�� brands include Birra Moretti, Heineken, Dreher, Ichnusa, Classica von Wunster, Birra Messina, Prinz Brau, Sans Souci, Amstel, Fischer and Strongbow. In Netherlands its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Wieckse Witte, Jillz, Strongbow, Desperados, Lingen�� Blond, Murphy�� Irish Red Brand Crystal Clear, Royal Club, Sisi, Sourcy, Vitamin Water, Pepsi, 7-Up and Rivella. In Portugal, its brands Sagres, Luso, Cruzeiro, Cergal, Imperial, Heineken, Foster��, Jansen, Sao Jorge and Bulmer. In Spain its brands include Cruzcampo, Amstel, Heineken, Shandy, Paulaner, Guinness, Latino, Foster��, Legado de Yuste, Maes, John Smith, Judas, Mort Subite and Newcastle. In Switzerland its brands include Heineken, Eichhof, Calanda, Desperados, Ittinger, Haldengut, Ziegelhof, Erdinger, Clausthaler and Amstel. In the United Kingdom its brands Foster��, Strongbow, John Smith��, Kronenbourg, Bulmers, Heineken, Newcastle Brown Ale, Amstel, Sol, Woodpecker, Tiger, Jacques and Deuchars IPA.

Central and Eastern Europe

Heineken! has a pr! oduct portfolio of over 180 brands. The Company owns more than 60 breweries and has operating companies in 14 countries, which include Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Slovakia. In Austria its brands include Heineken, Zipfer, Gosser, Puntigamer, Desperados, Edelweiss, Schlossgold, Kaiser, Schwechater, Wieselburger, Reininghaus and Schladminger. In Belarus its brands include Heineken, Zlaty Bazant, Rechitskoe, Bobrov, Gosser, Doctor Diesel and Dneprovska. In Bulgaria its brands include Heineken, Zagorka, Desperados, Ariana, Amstel, Stolichno, Starobrno and Kaiser. In Croatia its brands include Heineken, Karlovacko, Desperados and Edelweiss. In Czech Republic its brands include Heineken, Krusovice, Starobrno, Zlatopramen, Breznak, Frij, Zlaty Bazant, Hostan, Cerveny Dark and Baron Trenck.

In Germany the Company�� brands include Paulaner Weissbier, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Thurn & Taxis, Auer, Hopf Weisse, Kulmbacher, Monchshof, EKU, Kapuziner, Sternquell, Braustolz, Scherdel, Wurzburger Hofbrau, Keiler, Furstenberg, Riegeler, Hoepfner, Grape, Schmucker. In Greece its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Alfa, Fischer, Sol, Buckler, McFarland, Murphy�� Irish Stout, BIOS 5 and IOLI. In Hungary its brands include Heineken, Gosser, Soproni Aszok, Amstel, Kaiser, Zlaty Bazant, Edelweiss, Schlossgold, Steffl, Adambrau and Buckler. In Kazakhstan its brands include Heineken, Tian Shan, Efes, Beliy Medved, Stary Melnik, Sokol and Gold Mine. In Macedonia its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Skopsko and Gorsko.

In Poland the Company�� brands include Heineken, Desperados, Z ywiec, Warka, Tatra, Strong, Special, Krolewskie and Lezajsk. In Romania its brands include Heineken, Ciuc, GoldenBrau, Silva, Bucegi, Neumarkt, Gambrinus, Horgita, Hatigana, Desperados and Edelweiss. In Russia its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Bochkarev, Ochota, Zlaty Bazant, Guinness, Buckler, Stepan Razin, PI! T, Edelwe! iss, Doctor Diesel, Tri Medvedya, Gosser, Amur-Pivo, Zhigulevskoye, Patra, Strelets, Bereg Baikala, Okskoye, Rusich, Volnaya Sibir, Sedoy Ural, Shikhan, Ostmark and Kenigsberg. In Serbia its brands include Heineken, MB, Master, Amstel PilsPlus, Efes and Zajecarsko. In Slovakia its brands include Heineken, Zlaty Bazant, Corgon, Kelt, Starobrno, Gemer and Martiner.

Africa and the Middle East

Heineken operations include 20 countries, 34 breweries (consolidated), 12 breweries (managed), three soft drink plants, three malteries, two packaging plants, two wineries, one distillery and one extract plant. The Company exports to more than 50 countries, including its operating companies and joint ventures. In Algeria its brands include Tango, Samba, Fiesta, Heineken and Amstel. In Burundi its brands include Amstel, Primus and Heineken. In Cameroon its brands include Amstel, Mutzig and Heineken. In Congo its brands include Guinness, Maltina, Mutzig, Ngok, Primus, Turbo King and Heineken. In Democratic Republic of Congo its brands include Maltina, Mutzig, Primus, Turbo King, Legend, Heineken and Amstel. In Egypt its brands include Heineken, Birell, Fayrouz, Meister Max, Sakara, Stella, Amstel Zero and Luxor. In Ethiopia its brands include Bedele and Harar. In Ghana its brands include Amstel Malta, Guinness, Gulder, Star, Malta and Heineken.

In Israel the Company�� brands include Heineken, GoldStar, Maccabi, Nesher Malt and Newcastle Brown Ale. In Jordan its brands include Amstel and Heineken. In Lebanon its brands include Almaza, Laziza, Amstel and Heineken. In Morocco its brands include Heineken and Fayro. In Namibia its brands include Heineken, Guinness, Windhoek, Amstel and Tafel. In Nigeria its brands include Heineken, Amstel Malta, Gulder, Legend, Maltina, Star, Fayrouz, Life Continental Lager, Goldberg Lager, Malta Gold ��3��Export, Hi-malt, Maltex, Turbo King, More Lager, Williams and Champion Lager. In Reunion its brands include Bourbon, Dynamalt and Heineken. In! Rwanda i! ts brands include Amstel, Guinness, Mutzig, Primus, Turbo King and Heineken. In Sierra Leone its brands include Heineken, Guinness, Maltina and Star. In South Africa its brands include Heineken, Amstel, Windhoek, Strongbow and Guinness. In Tunisia its brands include Heineken, Golden Brau, Fayrouz, Bravo and Sahara.

The Americas

Heineken Americas operates 20 majority-owned breweries and seven joint venture breweries, a maltery and a distillery in the region, as well as producing soft drinks in some markets. In Argentina its brands include Heineken, Budweiser, Paulaner, Birra Moretti, Guinness, Corona, Negra Modelo, Salta, Santa Fe, Cordoba, Kunstmann, Palermo, Biecker, Schneider, Imperial and Otro Mundo. In Bahamas its brands include Heineken, Guinness, Kalik and Vitamalt. In Brazil its brands include Kaiser, Bavaria, Sol, Summer Draft, Gold, Heineken, Kaiser Bock, Xingu, Dos Equis, Amstel Pulse, Birra Moretti, Edelweiss, Murphy�� and Santa Cerva. In Chile its brands include Heineken, Cristal, Escudo, Royal and Kunstmann. In Costa Rica its brands include Heineken, Bavaria, Imperial, Pilsen and Rock Ice. In Dominican Republic its brands include Presidente. In Haiti its brands include Guinness, Malta and Prestige.

In Jamaica the Company�� brands include Heineken, Dragon Stout, Guinness and Red Stripe. In Martinique its brands include Heineken, Lorraine, Malta and Porter. In Mexico its brands include Tecate, Sol, Dos Equis, Bohemia and Coors. Light, Indio, Carta Blanca, Superior, Kloster, Noche Buena and Soul Citric. In Nicaragua its brands include Heineken, Bufalo, Tona and Victoria. In Panama its brands include Heineken, Crystal, Guinness, Panama, Soberana and Budweiser. In St. Lucia its brands include Heineken, Guinness and Piton. In Suriname its brands include Heineken and Parbo. In Trinidad its brands include Carib, Stag and Guinness.

Asia Pacific

Heineken operates a part of the region through joint ventures. These include S! ingapore-! listed Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) and India-listed United Breweries Limited (UBL). APB is the Company�� primary investment vehicle in Asia Pacific with 23 breweries in 14 countries. UBL is in India and has 18 breweries. In Cambodia its brands include ABC Extra Stout, Anchor, Gold Crown and Tiger. In China its brands include Heineken, Reeb, Tiger, Anchor, Aoke, Tiger Crystal, Sol, Strongbow and Murphy�� Irish Red. In India its brands include Heineken, Cannon 10000, Arlem, Baron�� Strong Brew, Kingfisher, Kalyani and UB. In Indonesia its brands include Heineken, Bintang, Guinness, Bintang Zero and Green Sands. In Laos its brands include Tiger, Namkong, ABC Stout and Heineken. In Malaysia its brands include Heineken, Anchor, Baron��, Guinness, Strongbow, Kilkenny, Tiger, Lion, Malta and Angli. In Mongolia its brands include Tiger and Sengur. In New Caledonia its brands include Heineken, Number One, Desperados, Havannah and Hinano.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Charles Sizemore]

  I��e never been a big fan of STZ stock, as the economics of the wine business are much less attractive than those of beer and spirits. Wineries have far less brand value than beer brewers and liquor distillers and tend to have lower margins. In February of last year, I recommended that readers steer clear of STZ stock and instead focus on Dutch megabrewer Heineken (HEINY).

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Who knew that consolidation speculation in the beer industry could be sung to the tune of the Butthole Surfers’ “Pepper.” SABMiller (SBMRY) wants to buy Heineken (HEINY). Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) might want to buy SABMiller. And Molson Coors Brewing (TAP) might scoop up the leftovers.