Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Buy Right Now

Quick: If asked to name "the most profitable food producers in America," who would you think would win the title?

Based on the prices at Whole Foods Market -- where a recent shopping expedition revealed that a pound of nuts can easily cost you as much as buying a pound of Angus steak -- you you'd probably guess that organic foods are the most profitable. Or if you don't shop there, you might guess it's the companies that grow the expensive fruits and vegetables in your supermarket grocery section.

But a new report out of industry research firm IBISWorld shows that's not the case at all.

Turns out, many of the most profitable food producers in America are candy companies.

Sweetening the pot
We won't keep you in suspense. Here are IBISWorld's findings, showing that out of the top 10 food producers in America, four of the top five are industries that produce sweets:

Now admittedly, this isn't the fact that IBISWorld focuses on in its report. Rather, the researcher emphasizes a growing trend of Americans who are becoming "increasingly concerned about the negative health effects of certain foods," growing more "health conscious," and "seeking out new and healthier versions from their favorite brands."

Top 5 Safest Companies To Buy Right Now: Tandem Diabetes Care Inc (TNDM)

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., incorporated on July 1, 2008, is a medical device company with an approach to the design, development and commercialization of products for people with insulin-dependent diabetes. The Company designed and commercialized its flagship product, the t:slim Insulin Delivery System, or t:slim, based on its technology platform and consumer-focused approach. Its technology platform features Micro-Delivery Technology, a miniaturized pumping mechanism, which draws insulin from a flexible bag within the pump�� cartridge rather than relying on a syringe and plunger mechanism. The Company also applies the science of human factors to its design and development process, which seeks to optimize its devices to the intended users, allowing users to successfully operate the devices in their intended environment.

The Company developed t:slim to offer the specific features that people with insulin-dependent diabetes seek in a next-generation insulin pump. The Company designed it to have the look and feel of a modern consumer electronic device, such as a smartphone. It is the insulin pump to feature a high resolution, color touchscreen. It is also the slimmest and smallest durable insulin pump on the market, and can easily and discreetly fit into a pocket, while still carrying a cartridge with 300 units of insulin.

The Company designed its flagship product, t:slim, to have the look and feel of a modern consumer electronic device, such as a smartphone. t:slim is the slimmest and smallest durable insulin pump on the market. With its narrow profile, which is similar to many smartphones, t:slim can easily and discreetly fit into a pocket. Its technology platform allows for the use of a vivid touchscreen and easy-to-navigate software architecture, which provide users simple access to the key functions of t:slim directly from the Home Screen. Insulin pump users can quickly learn how to efficiently navigate t:slim�� software, thereby enabling healthcare providers to spend! less time teaching a person how to use the pump and more time improving management of their diabetes. Its software also features numerous shortcuts, including a simple way to return to the Home Screen and view critical information for therapy management. Its technology is specifically designed to help prevent the unintentional delivery of insulin and reduce fear associated with using a pump.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Insulin pump maker Tandem Diabetes Care Inc. (NASDAQ: TNDM) sold 8 million shares on Thursday at an IPO price of $15. The stock began trading at around $19 before closing about flat to the opening bid and then shooting up more than 13% on Friday to close at $21.84.

Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Buy Right Now: Green Automotive Co (GACR)

Green Automotive Company, incorporated on November 15, 1996, is a vehicle design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution company. The Company also provides after sales program. It possesses a portfolio of businesses and is active in three main market segments: Cutting edge technology development, engineering and design with a focus on zero and low emission vehicle solutions; Manufacturing and customization of vehicles for markets with the potential to be converted into low emission or electric vehicles, such as shuttle buses, taxis, commercial vehicles, and After sales services for electric or low emission vehicles, including servicing and repair. On December 14, 2012, the Company closed its merger with Matter of Time I Co. As per the merger agreement, Matter of Time I Co. dissolved into and became a part of Green Automotive Company, with Green Automotive Company being the surviving corporation. In January 2014, Green Automotive Co Inc acquired a 21.63% interest in Viridian Motor Corp Inc.

The Company's two divisions servicing the three segments are Liberty Electric Cars Ltd and Newport Coachworks Inc. Liberty Electric Cars Ltd designs and develops EV technologies for use in its own converted vehicles and for sale to original equipment manufacturers (OEM��) for incorporation into its production. In addition, it provides an aftermarket program for electric vehicle users to ensure the longevity of their vehicles. Newport Coachworks Inc. specializes in building shuttle buses, running on a variety of energy sources from petrol and diesel though to compressed natural gas (CNG).

The Company competes with Zytec, AMPD, Siemens, Tiffany, Krystal, Ford, and General Motors, Cummins and Freightliner.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Electric vehicle industry along with related stocks like Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA), Kandi Technologies Group Inc (NASDAQ: KNDI), HydroPhi Technologies Group, Inc (OTCMKTS: HPTG) and Green Automotive Co (OTCMKTS: GACR) continue to produce a steady flow of interesting news for investors or would be electric car owners alike:

Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Buy Right Now: Penn Virginia Corporation(PVA)

Penn Virginia Corporation, an independent oil and gas company, primarily engages in the exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties in various onshore regions of the United States. The company is involved in the production and sale of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquid products. It primarily focuses on developing the Eagle Ford Shale play in south Texas; and the horizontal Granite Wash play in the Mid-Continent region. The company also drills exploratory wells in the Marcellus Shale play in Pennsylvania; and has interests in the natural gas properties in the Haynesville Shale and Cotton Valley Sands in east Texas, and Selma Chalk in Mississippi. As of December 31, 2011, it had proved natural gas and oil reserves of approximately 883 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent; and owned approximately 1.1 million net acres of leasehold and royalty interests. The company sells its products using short-term floating price physical and spot marke t contracts. Penn Virginia Corporation was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Wednesday proved to be another example of the resiliency of the bull market in stocks, as major market benchmarks bounced back from yesterday's losses to regain a substantial chunk of their lost ground. Even though U.S. GDP figures for the first quarter got revised downward to an ugly drop of 2.9%, few investors believe that the decline is anything but a one-time seasonal aberration. Helping to lead the market higher today were stocks from a number of different industries, including Penn Virginia (NYSE: PVA  ) , Hanesbrands (NYSE: HBI  ) , and zulily (NASDAQ: ZU  ) .

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Penn Virgina (PVA) have surged today after the oil & gas explorer had its target price raised to $12 at Howard Weil.

  Penn Virginia’s stock has been on the move during the last few weeks, but that’s no reason to bet against it, note Howard Weil’s Brian Corales and David Amoss. They write:

  Despite the ~38% move in the stock over the last couple of weeks, PVA has tremendous upside with current assets. The compelling acreage position in the Eagle Ford, where PVA has ~66,000 net acres, should fuel the necessary growth over the next decade. The Company has delineated the acreage block and has 10 years of engineered locations with the potential to almost double that via ~50-acre downspacing, which is the current development plan by both PVA and neighboring Eagle Ford peers. The underlying valuation remains one of the most compelling for onshore operators at just 55% of our NAV and just 3.7x 2014 EBITDA.

  Penn Virginia has gained 6.9% to $7.15 at 11:56 p.m. today, while Sanchez Energy (SN) has advanced 5.2% to $29.10, Abraxas Petroleum (AXAS) has risen 2.4% to $2.97 and Gulfport Energy (GPOR) is up 1.3% at $67.31.

Top 5 Supermarket Companies To Buy Right Now: Hawaiian Holdings Inc.(HA)

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., engages in the scheduled air transportation of passengers and cargo. It offers daily service on transpacific routes between Hawaii and Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington, as well as daily service on its inter island routes among the four islands of the State of Hawaii. The company also provides scheduled service on its Pacific routes between Hawaii and Pago Pago, American Samoa; Papeete, Tahiti; Sydney, Australia; Manila, Philippines; Tokyo, Japan; and Seoul, South Korea, as well as other ad hoc charters. As of December 31, 2010, its fleet consisted of 15 Boeing 717-200 aircraft for its interisland routes; 18 Boeing 767-300; and 3 Airbus A330-200 aircrafts for its transpacific, Pacific, and charter routes. Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michele Lerner, The Motley Fool]

  Alan Diaz/APAmerican Airlines did better at staying on schedule last year than it did in 2012, when it accused pilots of a work slowdown. DALLAS -- A big drop in customer complaints helped U.S. airlines post their best ratings ever even though more flights were late and more bags were mishandled, according to a report released Monday by university researchers. Virgin America topped the ratings, and three regional airlines scored at the bottom. Among the four biggest airlines, Delta Air Lines (DAL) ranked best followed by Southwest (LUV), American (AAL) and United (UAL), according to researchers from Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The researchers have graded airlines since 1991 on government figures for on-time performance, mishandled bags, bumping passengers, and complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Their key findings: On-Time Performance: Airlines operated 78.4 percent of their flights on time in 2013, down from 81.8 percent in 2012. Best: Hawaiian Airlines (HA); worst: American Eagle. Only two airlines improved: American Airlines and United. Bag Handling: The rate of lost, stolen or delayed bags rose 5 percent. Best: Virgin America; worst: American Eagle. Bumping: The rate of bumping passengers from flights fell 8 percent. Best: JetBlue Airways (JBLU); worst: SkyWest (SKYW). Complaints: Consumer complaints to the government dropped 15 percent in 2013 after rising 20 percent the year before. Best: Southwest Airlines; worst: Frontier (RJET). One of the report's authors, Wichita State business professor Dean Headley, credited the drop in complaints partly to United Airlines. The company suffered several computer-network outages and grounded hundreds of flights in 2012 when it combined the United and Continental computer networks after a merger, but "got their act together" in 2013, he said. Headley said the drop in complaints might also reflect "a certain amount of resignation" that "it's neve

• [By Adam Levine-Weinberg]

  Earlier this month, Allegiant announced a new route that marks a significant shift in the company's philosophy. Beginning in late October, Allegiant will serve the busy Los Angeles-Honolulu route twice a week. This route is already served by all three major network carriers, as well as Hawaiian Airlines (NASDAQ: HA  ) , with each carrier offering multiple daily flights. What is Allegiant up to? More importantly, will it work?

• [By Rich Smith]

  Following up on January's announcement that Hawaiian Airlines (NASDAQ: HA  ) is buying 16 new A321neo airliners from Airbus -- and optioning nine more -- airplane engine maker United Technologies (NYSE: UTX  ) said Thursday that it will be supplying the engines for all 25 airplanes.

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  DeNardi also rates Alaska Air (ALK), Spirit Airlines (SAVE) and Allegiant Travel (ALGT) as Buys and Southwest, JetBlue Airways (JBLU) and Hawaiian Holdings (HA) as holds.