Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now

1.�Since Warren Buffett took the helm in 1964, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B  ) has�never�underperformed the S&P 500 over any five-year interval.�

2. If you had taken $10,000 back then and achieved the same rate of return as Berkshire's growth in per share book value, at the end of 2012, you would have had $58,681,700.

3.�Under Buffett, Berkshire shareholders have collected just one dividend: a $0.10 per share payout in 1967. Buffett jokes he "must have been in the bathroom when that decision was made."

4.�Berkshire's roots go back more than 174 years to the founding of textile manufacturer Valley Falls Company, which itself merged with Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company in 1929. The resulting company merged with Hathaway Manufacturing to create Berkshire Hathaway in 1955.

5.�In 2010, Warren Buffett said he considered Berkshire the "dumbest" stock he ever bought. Why? Because in 1962 he acquired his controlling stake in anger when one of its managers short-changed him in a tender offer to the tune of $0.125 per share. After he fired the manager, Buffett realized he had committed too much of his money to a "terrible" textiles business, which he fought to save for 20 years before giving up. By Buffett's estimation, that mistake cost him more $200 billion in compounded returns.�

Top 10 Construction Stocks For 2015: Steinway Musical Instruments Inc. (LVB)

Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes musical instruments in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Pianos and Band & Orchestral Instruments. The Pianos segment offers pianos under Steinway & Sons, Boston, and Essex brands; and engages in online music retailing business. This segment sells its products to professional artists and amateur pianists, and institutions through independent dealers primarily in the United States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. It operates six retail showrooms in the United States and five retail showrooms in Europe. The Band & Orchestral Instruments segment manufactures and sells piccolos, flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, trumpets, French horns, tubas, and trombones, as well as intermediate and professional level woodwind and brass instruments under Bach, Selmer, Selmer Paris, C.G. Conn, Leblanc, King, Armstrong, Holton, Yanagisawa, Vito, Emerson, Avanti, Noblet, Artley, and Benge brands; distributes saxophones and clarinets; manufactures and distributes acoustical and tuned percussion instruments, including outfit drums, marching drums, concert drums, marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, orchestra bells, and chimes; distributes violins, violas, cellos, and basses under Glaesel, Scherl & Roth, and William Lewis & Son brands; and manufactures mouthpieces and distributes accessories, such as music stands, batons, mallets, straps, mutes, reeds, pads, chin rests, strings, bows, cases, and instrument care products. This segment sells its products to students, amateur and professional musicians, and institutions through independent musical instrument dealers and distributors primarily in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The company, formerly known as Selmer Industries, Inc., was founded in 1993 and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Steinway Musical Instruments (NYSE: LVB  ) has ceased to be the owner of its iconic Steinway Hall in New York City. The company formally closed a deal to sell the building to a partnership headed by real estate concern JDS Development Group. Steinway received $46.3 million in the acquisition, and will recognize a taxable gain of roughly $22 million.

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: F5 Networks Inc.(FFIV)

F5 Networks, Inc. provides application delivery networking technology that optimizes the delivery of network-based applications, and the security, performance, and availability of servers, data storage devices, and other network resources in the Americas, EMEA, Japan, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers BIG-IP, an application delivery controller; VIPRION, a chassis-based application delivery controller; and FirePass, an appliance that provides SSL VPN access for remote users of Internet protocol networks, and applications connected to the networks from Web browser on any device. It also offers Application Security Manager, an application firewall; WebAccelerator that speeds Web transactions by optimizing individual network object requests, connections, and end-to-end transactions from browser to databases; WAN Optimization Manager, which integrates application delivery with WAN optimization technologies; Access Policy Manager that provides secure, granular, and contex t-aware control of access to applications; Edge Gateway, a remote access product, which offers context-aware, policy controlled, and remote access to applications at LAN speed; Enterprise Manager that allows customers to discover and view company?s products in a single window; and ARX product family, a series of high performance and enterprise-class intelligent file virtualization devices. In addition, F5 Networks provides Data Manager, a software product, which interfaces with file storage devices; iControl, an application programming interface that allows customers to control their products in the network; iRules, a programming language embedded in TMOS architecture; and consulting, training, maintenance, and other technical support services. The company sells its products to enterprise customers and service providers through various channels, including distributors, value-added resellers, and systems integrators. F5 Networks, Inc. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Beyers]

  Finally, in yet another sign of weakness in the telecom sector, F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV  ) on Thursday night lowered second quarter-guidance because of sharp declines in sales to carriers to federal agencies. Revenue is now expected to fall sequentially and grow just 3% year over year. The stock fell more than 17% in Friday morning trading.

• [By Evan Niu, CFA]

  Shares of networking giant Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO  ) are particularly weak today, having lost as much as 5% today and lagging the broader market. The reason for the pessimism is that networking peer F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV  ) announced preliminary figures last night that left a lot to be desired and have negative implications for the broader sector.

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: Altisource Residential Corp (RESI)

Altisource Residential Corporation is a development-stage company engaged in the acquisition and ownership of single-family rental assets. The Company�� primary sourcing strategy to acquire these assets includes purchase of sub-performing and non-performing mortgages, as well as single-family homes at or following the foreclosure sale (REO Properties (REO)).

The Company intends to pursue opportunities to acquire its single-family rental assets throughout the United States. The Company is managed by Altisource Asset Management Corporation (AAMC). On December 21, 2012, Altisource Residential Corporation�� spin-off from Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (Altisource) was completed.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Mark Holder]

  Altisource Residential (NYSE: RESI  ) (NYSE: RESI  ) (NYSE: RESI  ) purchases distressed mortgage loan portfolios with a strategy to work with borrowers to modify and refinance loans to either keep them in their homes or convert the unmodified loans into renovated rental properties.

• [By Amanda Alix]

  For Wall Street types, single-family foreclosures can be bought cheaply and in bulk, then fixed up and rented. Companies like the Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX  ) and Colony Financial (NYSE: CLNY  ) have been very active in this market, with the former purchasing 16,000 homes just last year, and the latter ramping up its own portfolio to approximately 7,000. This new industry has also spawned fresh entrants from the REIT field, Silver Bay Realty (NYSE: SBY  ) and Altisource Residential, (NYSE: RESI  ) two trusts that were spun off earlier this year from parent companies Two Harbors Investment (NYSE: TWO  ) and Altisource Portfolio Solutions (NASDAQ: ASPS  ) , specifically to take advantage of the boom in the foreclosure-to-rental market.

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: Rentrak Corporation(RENT)

Rentrak Corporation, an information management company, provides content measurement and analytical services to companies in the entertainment industry. The company delivers content performance data for various entertainment platforms and media technologies, including television, theatrical, home entertainment, mobile, and broadband video. It operates in two divisions, Home Entertainment, and Advanced Media and Information. The Home Entertainment division delivers home entertainment content products, such as DVDs and blue-ray discs; and offers related rental and sales information for the content to home video specialty stores and other retailers in the United States and Canada. It leases products from various suppliers, including motion picture studios; and retailers sublease and rent these products to consumers. This division also includes direct revenue sharing (DRS) services, which encompasses the collection, tracking, auditing, and reporting of transaction and revenue data generated by DRS retailers to its respective DRS clients. The AMI division offers Essentials Suite of business information services. This division?s Essentials Suite software and services provide data collection, management, analysis, and reporting functions. It also collects and process data from across 26 countries. This division has operations in California, New York, Florida, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and Russia. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon with additional offices in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James Oberweis]

  Rentrak (RENT) offers technology that merges television viewership, advanced demographics, and actual consumer behavior information across multiple platforms, devices, and distribution channels.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Rentrak (Nasdaq: RENT  ) reported earnings on June 13. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q4), Rentrak beat expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: China XD Plastics Company Ltd (CXDC)

China XD Plastics Company Limited (China XD), incorporated on November 16, 1999, is a specialty chemical companies engaged in the research, development, manufacture and sale of modified plastics primarily for automotive applications in China. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Harbin Xinda Macromolecule Material Co., Ltd. (Harbin Xinda), the Company manufactures and sells modified plastics, primarily for use in the fabrication of automobiles parts and components. China XD develops its products using its technology through its wholly owned research laboratory, Harbin Xinda Macromolecule Material Research Center Co., Ltd. (Xinda Macromolecule Research Center). Xinda Macromolecule Research Center is a macromolecular material research and development institution. On March 31, 2011, Harbin Xinda established a wholly owned subsidiary, Harbin Xinda Macromolecule Material Testing Technical Co., Ltd. (Testing Technical), to develop a testing laboratory and provide testing services of macromolecule materials, engineering plastics and other products.

The Company's modified plastics are used by its customers to fabricate the auto components, such as exteriors (automobile bumpers, rearview and sideview mirrors, license plate parts), interiors (door panels, dashboard, steering wheel, glove compartment and safety belt components), and functional components (air conditioner casing, heating and ventilation casing, engine covers, and air ducts). The Company's specialized plastics are utilized in more than 23 automobile brands manufactured in China, including brands, such as AUDI, BMW, Toyota, Buick, Mazda, Volkswagen, Cherry, Geely, and Hafei new energy vehicles. The Company operates three manufacturing bases in Harbin, Heilongjiang in the People's Republic of China (PRC). As of December 31, 2011, the Company had approximately 165,000 metric tons of annual production capacity across 38 automatic production lines utilizing German twin-screw extruding systems, automatic weighing systems and Taiwan conveyer! systems. In December 2011, the Company launched its third production base in Harbin, which has 90,000 metric tons of annual production capacity across 20 new production lines installed in two completed factories.

The Company�� products are organized into seven categories, based on their physical characteristics: Modified PP, Modified ABS, Modified PA, Engineering Plastics, Alloy Plastic, Environmentally friendly plastics and Modified Plastic for Special Engineering. Modified PP includes brands, such as COMPNIPER, COMPWIPER and COMPGOPER. COMPNIPER products are primarily used for the interior parts, such as inner panels, instrument panels and box lids. COMPWIPER products are primarily used for external parts, such as the front and back bumpers and mudguards. COMPGOPER products are used for functional components, such as the unit heater shells and air conditioner shells. Modified ABS includes the MOALLOLY brand, which is used in functional components, such as heat dissipating grids and wheel covers. Modified PA�� brand is POLGPAMR, which is used in parts requiring high flame and heat resistance.

The Company�� Engineering Plastics product group includes the MOAMIOLY brand, which is used in engine hoods, intake manifold and bearings. BRBSPCL is Alloy Plastic�� brand, which is used in rearview mirrors, grilles, automotive electronics and other components. Products can also be used in computers, plasma televisions and mobile phones. POLGBSMR is the brand under the Company�� Environmentally friendly plastics product group. Modified Plastic for Special Engineering�� brand is PEEK, which is used in communications and transport, electronics and electrical appliances, machinery, medical and analytical equipment.

The Company competes with Guangzhou Kingfa Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Pret Composites Co., Ltd.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  China XD Plastics Company (NASDAQ: CXDC) shares rose 6.34% to touch a new 52-week high of $8.39 after the company reported its Q1 earnings of $0.34 per share.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  China XD Plastics Company (NASDAQ: CXDC) shares gained 4.17% to touch a new 52-week high of $6.01. China XD Plastics' trailing-twelve-month revenue is $1.05 billion.

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: Perfumania Holdings Inc(PERF)

Perfumania Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a wholesale distributor and specialty retailer of perfumes and fragrances in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company distributes designer fragrances to mass market retailers, drug and other chain stores, retail wholesale clubs, traditional wholesalers, and other distributors. It also owns and licenses designer and other fragrance brands. The company sells its products in retail stores on a consignment basis; and online through perfumania.com, an Internet retailer of fragrances and other specialty items. As of July 30, 2011, it operated a chain of 343 retail stores specializing in the sale of fragrances and related products. The company is based in Bellport, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Vitamin Shoppe Inc (NYSE: VSI), Books-A-Million, Inc (NASDAQ: BAMM) and Perfumania Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: PERF) have the dubious distinction of being�the worst performing small cap�specialty retail stocks for this year (according to Finviz.com) with losses of 4.85% and�3% and a gain of 0.61%, respectively, since the start of the year (See my previous article: This Year�� Best Performing Small Cap Specialty Retail Stocks? UNTD, TA & HZO). I should mention that the definition of specialty retail stocks might vary from one stock screener to another, but what�� clear is that these three small cap retail stocks have been heading in the wrong direction for investors for much of this year. �With that in mind, what sort of performance should investors expect from these small cap specialty retail stocks on Black Friday and for the all important holiday season? Here is what you need to be aware of:

Top Warren Buffett Companies To Watch In Right Now: L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (LLL)

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary, L-3 Communications Corporation, provides command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C3ISR) systems; aircraft modernization and maintenance; and government services in the United States and internationally. Its C3ISR segment offers fleet management sustainment and support, such as procurement, systems integration, sensor development, modifications, and periodic depot maintenance for signals intelligence and communications intelligence systems; strategic and tactical signals intelligence systems; secure data links; secure terminal and communication network equipment and encryption management; and communication systems. The company?s Government Services segment provides communication software support, information technology services, and various engineering development services and integration support; engineering and information systems support services; teaching and training; h uman intelligence support services; command and control systems and software services; and technical and management services. Its Aircraft Modernization and Maintenance segment offers modernization and refurbishments, upgrades and sustainment, maintenance, and logistics support services, as well as turnkey aviation life cycle management services for military and various government and commercial customers. The company?s Electronic Systems segment provides components, products, subsystems, systems, and related services across various business areas, including power and control systems, electro-optic/infrared, microwave, simulation and training, precision engagement, warrior systems, security and detection, propulsion systems, avionics and displays, telemetry and advanced technology, undersea warfare, and marine services. L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Starting the week off slow, the U.S. Department of Defense announced only a half-dozen new contracts Monday, worth a bit over $345 million in aggregate value. Raytheon scored the big win of the day -- a monster $279 million deal to develop a new electronic warfare product for the Navy. But it wasn't the day's only winner:

• [By Rich Smith]

  The Department of Defense issued $1.3 billion worth of new contract awards Friday. However, a single, $950 million award for engineering services accounted for the bulk of the spending -- and that one went to a series of privately held companies. Publicly traded names fared less well. Among the few winners: