Top 5 Rising Companies For 2015

Many developed equities generally have higher dividend yields than U.S. stocks. For example, the dividend yield on the S&P 500 has remained around a low 2.0% for many years now. However, it is possible to earn much higher yields by investing in companies in other developed markets such as Germany, Australia, Singapore, etc.

In countries such as Singapore or Australia, the dividend culture is deeply-rooted. Companies there return a good chunk of their profits as dividends to shareholders. This is vastly different from the U.S. where most companies retain a major portion of their profits for expanding operations, increasing R&D expenditures, share buybacks, acquisitions, etc. Many decades ago, U.S. investors bought stocks in order to earn a steady income in the form of dividends. However, that expectation changed in the past few decades when investors focused more on capital appreciation than income. As a result, companies are more than happy to hold on to earnings and spend them as they wish. Though corporate profits have soared in the years since the financial crisis and only limited growth opportunities exist, most firms continue to have low payout ratios. Some firms have artificially boosted their earnings and stock prices by implementing share buyback programs. Since short-term mentality drives how U.S. public companies operate on a daily basis and management's compensation is mostly tied to rising stock prices, accounting gimmicks such as share buybacks are unlikely to go away anytime soon.

Top 5 Rising Companies For 2015: Altria Group(MO)

Altria Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, smokeless products, and wine in the United States and internationally. It offers cigarettes under the Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Parliament, Benson & Hedges, Basic, and L&M brands; smokeless tobacco products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, Husky brands, and Marlboro snus brands; and machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco. The company also produces and sells blended table wines under the Chateau Ste Michelle and Columbia Crest names; and distributes Antinori and Villa Maria Estate wines and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the United States. In addition, it maintains a portfolio of leveraged and direct finance leases in rail and surface transport, aircraft, electric power, real estate, and manufacturing. The company sells its tobacco products to wholesalers, including distributors; large retail organizations, such as chain stores; and the armed services. Altria Group, Inc. markets its wine products to restaurants, wholesale clubs, supermarkets, wine shops, and mass merchandisers. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dividend Growth Investor]

  Altria Group (MO) was able to spin-off its Kraft Foods division in 2007. Shareholders in Altria received shares in Kraft for each share of Altria stock they held. In 2008, this was followed by the spin-off of Phillip Morris International (PM), which represented the international tobacco business of Altria Group.

Top 5 Rising Companies For 2015: Boston Scientific Corp (BSX)

Boston Scientific Corporation is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a range of interventional medical specialties. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its products were offered for sale by seven core businesses: Interventional Cardiology, CRM, Endoscopy, Peripheral Interventions, Urology/Women�� Health, Neuromodulation, and Electrophysiology. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Intelect Medical, Inc. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Sadra Medical, Inc. In March 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Atritech, Inc. In February 2011, it announced the acquisitions of S.I. Therapies and ReVascular Therapeutics, Inc. In January 2011, the Company sold its Neurovascular business to Stryker Corporation. In June 2012, the Company acquired Cameron Health, Inc. of San Clemente, California and, as a result, added to its product portfolio subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, called the S-ICD System.

Interventional Cardiology

The Company offers coronary stent product. Coronary stents are tiny, mesh tubes used in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which are implanted in patients to prop open arteries and facilitate blood flow to and from the heart. The Company offers a two-drug platform strategy with its paclitaxel-eluting and everolimus-eluting stent system offerings, and it offers a range of stent sizes. The Company markets its next-generation internally-developed and self-manufactured PROMUS Element stent system in the United States, its Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) region and certain Inter-Continental countries, including China and India. It markets the PROMUS everolimus-eluting stent system, supplied to the Company by Abbott Laboratories, in Japan. It also markets its TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stent line, including its third-generation TAXUS Element paclitaxel-eluting stent system in the U.nited States, Japan, EMEA and certain Inter-Continental countries.

The Compa! ny markets a line of products used to treat patients with atherosclerosis, a principal cause of coronary artery obstructive disease. Its product offerings include balloon catheters, rotational atherectomy systems, guide wires, guide catheters, embolic protection devices, and diagnostic catheters used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The Company markets a family of intraluminal catheter-directed ultrasound imaging catheters and systems for use in coronary arteries and heart chambers, as well as certain peripheral vessels. The iLab Ultrasound Imaging System continues as its flagship console and is compatible with its line of imaging catheters. The system is designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of blocked vessels and heart disorders. Sadra is developing a repositionable and retrievable device for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis. The Lotus Valve System consists of a stent-mounted tissue valve prosthesis and catheter delivery system for guidance and placement of the valve. Atritech has developed a device designed to close the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk for ischemic stroke. The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology, developed by Atritech, is the first device proven in a randomized clinical trial to offer an alternative to anticoagulant drugs, and is approved for use in CE Mark countries.

Cardiac Rhythm Management

The Company develops, manufactures and markets a variety of implantable devices that monitor the heart and deliver electricity to treat cardiac abnormalities, including Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) systems used to detect and treat abnormally fast heart rhythms (tachycardia) that could result in sudden cardiac death, including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) systems used to treat heart failure, and implantable pacemaker systems used to manage slow or irregular heart rhyth! ms (brady! cardia), including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) systems used to treat heart failure. Its product offerings include its COGNIS cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D), its TELIGEN ICD systems and its ALTRUA family of pacemaker systems. During 2011, it began the United States launch of its next-generation line of defibrillators, INCEPTA, ENERGEN and PUNCTUA.

Endoscopy

The Company markets a range of products to diagnose, treat and ease a variety of digestive diseases, including those affecting the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, and colon. Common disease states include esophagitis, portal hypertension, peptic ulcers as well as esophageal, biliary, pancreatic and colonic cancer. The Company offers the Radial Jaw 4 Single-Use Biopsy Forceps, which are designed to enable collection of large high-quality tissue specimens without the need to use large channel therapeutic endoscopes. Its exclusive line of RX Biliary System devices are designed to provide greater access and control for physicians to diagnose and treat challenging conditions of the bile ducts, such as removing gallstones, opening obstructed bile ducts and obtaining biopsies in suspected tumors. The Company also markets the Spyglass Direct Visualization System for direct imaging of the pancreatico-biliary system. The Spyglass System is a single-operator cholangioscopy device that offers clinicians a direct visualization of the pancreatico-biliary system and includes supporting devices for tissue acquisition, stone management and lithotripsy. Its products also include the WallFlex family of stents, in particular, the WallFlex Biliary line and WallFlex Esophageal line; and in 2011, the Company launched its Advanix Biliary Plastic Stent System and the Expect Endoscopic Ultrasound Aspiration Needle in the United States and certain international markets. Its Resolution Clip Device is an endoscopic mechanical clip designed to treat gastrointestinal bleeding.

T! he Company markets devices to diagnose, treat and ease pulmonary disease systems within the airway and lungs. Its products are designed to help perform biopsies, retrieve foreign bodies from the airway, open narrowings of an airway, stop internal bleeding, and ease symptoms of some types of airway cancers. Its product line includes pulmonary biopsy forceps, transbronchial aspiration needles, cytology brushes and tracheobronchial stents used to dilate narrowed airway passages or for tumor management. Asthmatx, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets a less-invasive, catheter-based bronchial thermoplasty procedure for the treatment of severe persistent asthma. The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System, developed by Asthmatx, has both CE Mark and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and is the first device-based asthma treatment approved by the FDA.

Peripheral Interventions

The Company sells various products designed to treat patients with peripheral disease, including a line of medical devices used in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and peripheral vascular stenting. Its peripheral product offerings include stents, balloon catheters, wires, peripheral embolization devices and vena cava filters. In 2010 and 2011, it launched several of its products internationally, including the EPIC self-expanding nitinol stent system in certain international markets, and the Carotid WALLSTENT stent system in Japan. The Company launched three new peripheral angioplasty balloons in 2011, including its next-generation Mustang percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon, its Coyote balloon catheter, a highly deliverable and ultra-low profile balloon dilatation catheter designed for a range of peripheral angioplasty procedures and its Charger PTA Balloon Catheter, a 0.035 inch percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon catheter designed for post-stent dilatation, as well as conventional balloon angioplasty to open blocked peripheral arteries. The Company has commenced a limited ma! rket rele! ase of its OFFROAD re-entry catheter system in certain international markets, and in February 2012, it launched its TRUEPATH intraluminal CTO device in the United States.

The Company sells products designed to treat patients with non-vascular disease. Its non-vascular suite of products include biliary stents, drainage catheters and micro-puncture sets designed to treat, diagnose and ease various forms of benign and malignant tumors. The Company continues to market its extensive line of Interventional Oncology product solutions, including the Renegade HI-FLO Fathom microcatheter and guidewire system and Interlock - 35 Fibered IDC Occlusion System for peripheral embolization. The Company�� FilterWire EZ Embolic Protection System is a filter designed to capture embolic material that may become dislodged during a procedure, which could otherwise travel into the microvasculature where it could cause a heart attack or stroke. It is commercially available in the United States, its EMEA region and certain Inter-Continental countries for multiple indications, including the treatment of disease in peripheral, coronary and carotid vessels. It is also available in the United States for the treatment of saphenous vein grafts and carotid artery stenting procedures.

Urology/Women�� Health

The Company�� Urology/Women�� Health division develops, manufactures and sells devices to treat various urological and gynecological disorders. The Company sells a variety of products designed to treat patients with urinary stone disease, stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and excessive uterine bleeding. The Company offers a line of stone management products, including ureteral stents, wires, lithotripsy devices, stone retrieval devices, sheaths, balloons and catheters.

The Company markets a range of devices for the treatment of conditions, such as female urinary incontinence, pelvic floor reconstruction (rebuilding of the anatomy to its original state), and ! menorrhag! ia (excessive menstrual bleeding). It offers a breadth of mid-urethral sling products, sling materials, graft materials, pelvic floor reconstruction kits, and suturing devices. The Company markets its Genesys Hydro ThermAblator (HTA) system, a next-generation endometrial ablation system designed to ablate the endometrial lining of the uterus in premenopausal women with menorrhagia. The Genesys HTA System features a smaller and lighter console, simplified set-up requirements, and an enhanced graphic user interface and is designed to improve operating performance.

Neuromodulation

The Company within its Neuromodulation business markets the Precision Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system, used for the management of chronic pain. In 2011, the Company launched its Clik Anchor for its Precision Plus SCS System, a rechargeable SCS device for chronic pain management. During 2011, it received FDA approval for and launched the Infinion 16 Percutaneous Lead, a 16-contact percutaneous lead. The Company also markets the Linear 3-4 and Linear 3-6 Percutaneous Leads for use with its SCS systems, which are designed to provide physicians more treatment options for their chronic pain patients. Intelect Medical, Inc. is a development-stage company developing advanced visualization and programming for the Vercise system.

Electrophysiology

The Company within its Electrophysiology business develops less-invasive medical technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of rate and rhythm disorders of the heart. Included in its product offerings are radio frequency (RF) generators, steerable RF ablation catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, diagnostic catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories. Its products include the Blazer and Blazer Prime line of temperature ablation catheters, designed to deliver enhanced performance, responsiveness, and durability. Its cooled ablation portfolio includes the closed-loop irrigated catheter on the market, the Chilli II cooled! ablation! catheter, and the newly launched Blazer Open-Irrigated ablation catheter with a Total Tip Cooling Design.

The Company competes with Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dimitra DeFotis]

  Colleague Dave Englander recommended taking profits in another medical device maker, Boston Scientific (BSX) in mid-August. At the time, he noted that stock was up 107% since his favorable recommendation had appeared, outpacing the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index by 80 points. He noted Boston Scientific faces competition from St. Jude and Medtronic (MDC), and he said that the market for stents and defibrillators has stabilized but is “not likely to grow meaningfully.” �(See “Time to Sell These Winners,” Aug. 14, subscription required.)

• [By Dan Carroll]

  Why is this important? Medtronic's battling with Edwards Lifesciences's (NYSE: EW  ) Sapien heart valve for market share in Europe, and upstarts Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX  ) and St. Jude Medical (NYSE: STJ  ) are looking to punch into the European industry with their Lotus and Portico valves, respectively. Medtronic's valve-in-valve approval gives the company a leg up on its competition, but is it enough to entrench this firm as a leader in the industry? Motley Fool contributor Dan Carroll and health-care analyst Max Macaluso discuss what you need to know below.

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX  ) has made a strong move deeper into the business of electrophysiology -- the study of electrical phemomena, and how they are related to the functions of the body. The company announced�that it inked an agreement to purchase Bard EP, the electrophysiology division of C.R. Bard (NYSE: BCR  ) . The price is $275 million in cash.

5 Best Quality Stocks To Invest In 2015: Digital Ally Inc.(DGLY)

Digital Ally, Inc. engages in the production and sale of digital video imaging, audio/video recording, storage, and other products for use in law enforcement and security applications. Its digital audio/video recording and storage product line comprises an in-car digital audio/video system that is integrated into a rear view mirror; an all-weather mobile digital audio/video system designed for motorcycle, ATV, and boat uses; a miniature body-worn digital audio/video camera; a hand-held speed detection system based on light detection and ranging (LIDAR); a hand-held thermal imaging camera used for improved night vision; and a digital audio/video system, which is integrated into a law-enforcement style flashlight. The company?s products make self-contained video and audio recordings onto flash memory cards that are incorporated in the body of the digital video rear view mirror, officer-worn video, and audio system and flashlight. Digital Ally, Inc. sells its products to law enforcement agencies and other security organizations, as well as for consumer and commercial applications through direct sales and third-party distributors. The company is based in Overland Park, Kansas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  There's no denying Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has been one of year's top investment stories, with shares running up from less than $40 to more than $194 in just a few short months. But, as one might imagine, that 385% runup from TSLA creates something of a disconnect between the company and its share price. Time to head for the exit. Instead, a better use of that now-considerably-greater capital is a position in Digital Ally, Inc. (NASDAQ:DGLY) ... a stock that's also had a pretty good 2014, but has suffered more than a small setback since mid-September. Specifically, DGLY has pulled back from a peak price of $17.47 to a low of $9.88 as of Friday. But, it looks like that correction may have already come to an end.

Top 5 Rising Companies For 2015: 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 Alyssa Oursler]

  This mega-trend is hardly news, and it can be played from all angles. One especially promising option: Martin Midstream Partners (MMLP).

  This master limited partnership�cleans up, stores and transports gas — essentially collecting a “toll” on the gas that passes through its pipelines, then passing most of that toll along to shareholders per its MLP status. The current result of that setup: a mouth-watering 6.7% yield.

• [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.

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

  Today, we're starting small with Martin Midstream Partners (MMLP), a $1.2 billion firm that transports and stores natural gas and sulfur. Shares of MMLP have had a stellar year in 2013, rallying more than 47% since the calendar flipped over to January -- and this stock's technicals point to even higher ground in the second half.

  That's because MMLP is currently forming an ascending triangle pattern, a technical setup that's formed by horizontal resistance above shares at $46 and uptrending support to the downside. Basically, as MMLP bounces in between those two technical price levels, it's getting squeezed closer and closer to a breakout above that $46 resistance level. When that breakout happens, we've got a buy signal for shares.

  Confirmation is going to be important to watch in MMLP. This stock has popped above $46 intraday in the past, only to fall back down to close within the pattern. Waiting for a close above $46 followed by a consecutive open above it greatly reduces the possibility of a bull trap in this stock.

• [By Aimee Duffy]

  The role of the barge can't be underestimated. Barge receipts increased more than two percentage points year over year, and this is a great place for investors to look for opportunity. Companies with maritime resources benefit from this trend, as well as growth in exports. Three such companies that are worth a look are:

  Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX  ) , which operates 30% of the coastal tank barges in the U.S.� Oiltanking Partners (NYSE: OILT  ) , which has storage capacity of 12.1 million barrels and six deepwater docks on the Houston Ship Channel Martin Midstream Partners (NASDAQ: MMLP  ) , which operates a large fleet of inland barges and controls 31 marine terminals�

  These companies won't be the only winners, but they are a good place to start your research.

Top 5 Rising Companies For 2015: GOFF, CORP. (GOFF)

Goff Corporation, incorporated on July 12, 2010, is a development-stage company. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Glory Resources S.A., is engaged in mineral exploration. The Company's primary project is the La Frontera Gold Project located in the Aguadas Department, in Caldas, Colombia. The Project is being pursued as a potential bulk-tonnage, gold-silver target. Golden Glory acquired its leases on the La Frontera through a transaction with a Colombian company and holds a 100% working interest in the property. The Company through its subsidiary Golden Glory Resources, focuses on the La Frontera Gold Project covers prospective ground and merits continued gold exploration, including exploration diamond drilling. In April 2013, the Company has established a new, wholly owned subsidiary Golden Glory Resources Colombia SAS.

The La Frontera Project is in the Aguadas, Department Of Caldera, which is located approximately 60 kilometers south of Medellin, Colombia. A NI43-101 report is completed on the La Frontera Property, which identifies the potential for gold in both veins and a porphyry structure on the leases. The LGC-15011 Project (La Frontera Project) is located in the northern department of Caldas, Colombia (LGC-15011 has 30% in Antioquia), in the village of Puente Piedra, in the municipality of Aguadas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Richards]

  Goff (NASDAQOTCBB: GOFF  ) , a social recruiting-company-turned-Colombian-gold miner, did not exist as an incorporated business before the summer of 2010 and did not trade as a public company until March 2013. Yet since its debut on the over-the-counter market, on average it has traded more shares each day than Apple or ExxonMobil.