***Breaking News***
Oil Benchmarks Move Closer Together, Even As They Fall
Operators of a pipeline that will transport crude from its U.S. Midwest storage hub to the Gulf Coast’s refinery complex announced it will open the spigots this weekend. The move will reduce a vast glut of oil that has pooled in the middle of the country and narrowed the difference between the oil market’s two benchmark contracts.
The spread between the contracts for West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, and Brent, the European standard, contracted nearly $2 Thursday, to $14.93.
The flow of crude through the reversed Seaway pipeline, running from Cushing, Okla., to the Gulf, is expected to bring the two benchmarks closer to parity. The difference between the two contracts was more than $19 early last month.
Historically, the contracts usually traded within pennies of each other, but a large gap opened up in the last two years. WTI was weighed down by the excess supply bottled up in the Midwest; Brent was pushed up as Middle East tensions raised supply concerns.
Though the news was generally bullish for U.S. crude prices, the West Texas contract still fell on Thursday, settling down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $92.56 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Brent contract fell by an even larger $2.26, or 2.1%, to $107.49.
Both contracts were beset by the continued move against risk assets in the markets and a sour economic outlook, weighed down by European financial woes and weak U.S. readings on employment and regional business activity.
Still, supply-demand fundamentals have been deteriorating in the oil markets, with U.S. government data showing inventories at a 22-year high, rising more than 10% in the last eight weeks on a combination of weakening demand and growing supply.
Though the Seaway pipeline is expected to carry 150,000 barrels a day to the Gulf, some analysts and traders say it won’t be enough to reduce the growing U.S. supply glut at Cushing anytime soon--and maybe not even after its capacity is expanded to 400,000 barrels per day early next year.
"There are certainly those that believe even if you get to 350,000 or 400,000, it still won’t alleviate oversupply," said Tom Bentz, director of BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage. "Right now, 150,0000 is not going to do it."
Nymex oil futures have fallen 16.3% from their highs earlier this year amid geopolitical tensions between Iran and the West, and 12.8% since the start of the month as financial conditions in Europe have turned south once again. Thursday’s loss marked the fifth consecutive new low settlement for 2012, and analysts and traders say they see little upside to the market anytime soon.
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| Today's
Issue Sponsored By: |
CTD Holdings, Inc.
OTCBB/OTCQB:CTDH
CTD Holdings, Inc. companies provide Trappsol® brand cyclodextrins and Aquaplex® brand cyclodextrin complexes to researchers, R&D labs and industrial users in the medical, pharmaceutical, food, and nutritional industries.
Click
here to obtain additional information... |
| Recent
Companies of Interest: |
Companies of Interest included in
this publication are derived from the numerous sources and screens we use
on a routine basis to select our focus companies featured in our monthly
newsletter the Emerging Growth News. While we have only
briefly reviewed these companies, something caught our attention and in
our opinion the company warrants further inspection.
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Flotek Industries Inc. (FTK:NYSE) $13.29 5/10/2012
The company develops and supplies drilling and production related products and services to the energy and mining industries in the United States and internationally. Sales were up 50% and earnings were up 100% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 23.73 times trailing earnings, 11.46 times forward earnings, 0.83 PEG ratio, 2.53 times sales, 8.34 times book, $0.95 per share in cash, $655 million market cap., $710 million enterprise value.
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FutureFuel Corp. (FF:NYSE) $9.70 5/10/2012
The company engages in the manufacture and sale of specialty chemicals and bio-based products primarily in the United States. Sales were up 55% and earnings were up 143% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 11.55 times trailing earnings, 9.7 times forward earnings, 1.29 times sales, 1.39 times book, $3.53 per share in cash, $401 million market cap., $254 million enterprise value.
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Span-America Medical Systems Inc. (SPAN:NASDAQ) $16.65 5/8/2012
The company manufactures and distributes therapeutic support surfaces and related products for the medical, consumer, and industrial markets in the United States and Canada. Sales were up 56% and earnings were up 68% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 11.69 times trailing earnings, 10.66 times forward earnings, 0.80 times sales, 1.84 times book, $0.39 per share in cash, $49 million market cap., $49 million enterprise value.
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Argan, Inc. (AGX:AMEX) $15.88 4/13/2012
The company provides development, consulting, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance services to the power generation and renewable energy markets for public utilities, independent power project owners, municipalities, public institutions, and private industry. Sales were up 76% and earnings were up 156% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 39.21 times trailing earnings, 12.03 times forward earnings, 1.84 times sales, 2.25 times book, $10.12 per share in cash, $216 million market cap., $78 million enterprise value.
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Mitcham Industries Inc. (MIND:NASDAQ) $24.32 4/4/2012
The company engages in the leasing, manufacture, and sale of seismic equipment to the oil and gas industry worldwide. Sales were up 88% and earnings were up 353% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 17.38 times trailing earnings, 10.05 times forward earnings, 0.69 PEG ratio, 3.15 times sales, 2.11 times book, $1.29 per share in cash, $301 million market cap., $291 million enterprise value.
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Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (PTX:AMEX) $9.48 3/29/2012
The company engages in the development, marketing, and sale of branded and generic pharmaceutical products primarily for the pediatric market. Sales were up 74% and earnings were up 129% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 36.6 times trailing earnings, 18.59 times forward earnings, 0.61 PEG ratio, 4.74 times sales, 5.56 times book, $1.07 per share in cash, $244 million market cap., $222 million enterprise value.
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CVD Equipment Corporation (CVV:NASDAQ) $13.26 3/28/2012
The company designs, develops, and manufactures equipment and process solutions used to develop and manufacture advanced solar, nano electronic components, materials, and coatings for research and industrial applications in the United States and internationally. Sales were up 65% and earnings were up 125% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 23.1 times trailing earnings, 0.66 PEG ratio, 2.82 times sales, 2.71 times book, $3.16 per share in cash, $78 million market cap., $63 million enterprise value.
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Avalon Holdings Corporation (AWX:AMEX) $4.29 3/19/2012
The company provides hazardous and nonhazardous waste brokerage and management services to industrial, commercial, municipal, and governmental customers primarily in certain northeastern and mid western United States markets. Sales were up 50% and earnings were up 1,800% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 178.75 times trailing earnings, 0.34 times sales, 0.42 times book, $1.58 per share in cash, $16 million market cap., $10 million enterprise value.
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ADA-ES, Inc. (ADES:NASDAQ) $25.95 3/14/2012
The company provides environmental technologies and specialty chemicals to the coal-burning electric power generation industry primarily in the United States. Sales were up 174% and earnings were up 178% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 9.54 times forward earnings, 0.58 PEG ratio, 6.66 times sales, $1.04 per share in cash, $251 million market cap., $249 million enterprise value.
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Credo Petroleum Corporation (CRED:NASDAQ) $11.25 3/14/2012
The company engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas properties in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. Sales were up 79% and earnings were up 100% over the same period last year (as reported in the most recent quarter), trading at 32.14 times trailing earnings, 6.74 times sales, 2.26 times book, $0.48 per share in cash, $113 million market cap., $108 million enterprise value.
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| Stocks
Under $5.00 Hitting 12 Month Highs: |
| Date |
Name |
Symbol |
Price |
| 5/17/2012 | Trans World Entertainment | TWMC | $2.95 |
| 5/16/2012 | Waterstone Financial Inc. | WSBF | $4.03 |
| 5/16/2012 | PGT, Inc. | PGTI | $2.89 |
| 5/15/2012 | Security National Financial Corporation | SNFCA | $2.00 |
| 5/14/2012 | American DG Energy, Inc. | ADGE | $3.04 |
| 5/10/2012 | Hudson Technologies Inc. | HDSN | $4.18 |
| 5/9/2012 | Linktone Ltd. | LTON | $1.70 |
| 5/9/2012 | Homeowners Choice, Inc. | HCIIW | $3.39 |
| 5/9/2012 | Kingold Jewelry Inc. | KGJI | $2.75 |
| 5/9/2012 | Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. | ROICW | $1.17 |
| 5/7/2012 | InfoSonics Corp. | IFON | $1.49 |
| 5/7/2012 | Reeds Inc. | REED | $2.35 |
| 5/3/2012 | Gold Reserve Inc | GRZ | $4.53 |
| 5/3/2012 | MHI Hospitality Corporation | MDH | $3.78 |
| 5/2/2012 | Openwave Systems, Inc. | OPWV | $3.10 |
| 5/2/2012 | Entertainment Gaming Asia Incorporated | EGT | $1.12 |
| 5/2/2012 | Aerosonic Corp. | AIM | $4.21 |
| 5/1/2012 | Tucows Inc. | TCX | $1.49 |
| 5/1/2012 | Community Bankers Trust Corporation | BTC | $2.40 |
| 5/1/2012 | Emmis Communications | EMMS | $1.31 |
| View More Stocks Hitting 12 Month Highs |
|
| Stocks
Under $5.00 With Significant Insider Buying: |
| Date |
Name |
Symbol |
Price |
Transaction Value |
| 5/17/2012 | Ambassadors Group Inc. | EPAX | $5.00 | $309,100 |
| 5/17/2012 | Lantronix Inc. | LTRX | $2.08 | $265,633 |
| 5/17/2012 | Quigley Corp. | PRPH | $1.01 | $247,132 |
| 5/17/2012 | CIBER, Inc. | CBR | $3.82 | $114,502 |
| 5/17/2012 | GSE Systems Inc. | GVP | $2.50 | $498,393 |
| 5/17/2012 | Myrexis Inc. | MYRX | $2.74 | $100,235 |
| 5/16/2012 | Dune Energy Inc. | DUNR.OB | $2.98 | $67,925 |
| 5/16/2012 | Hyperdynamics Corp. | HDY | $0.61 | $61,200 |
| 5/16/2012 | Houston American Energy Corp. | HUSA | $1.63 | $74,905 |
| 5/16/2012 | Primo Water Corp. | PRMW | $1.40 | $58,090 |
| 5/16/2012 | Park Sterling Bank Inc. | PSTB | $4.15 | $103,862 |
| 5/16/2012 | Star Gas Partners LP | SGU | $3.88 | $832,580 |
| 5/16/2012 | Phoenix Companies | PNX | $1.84 | $298,027 |
| 5/16/2012 | Novavax, Inc. | NVAX | $1.34 | $73,650 |
| 5/16/2012 | Cenveo Inc. | CVO | $1.99 | $348,773 |
| 5/15/2012 | Tandy Leather Factory Inc. | TLF | $4.99 | $117,837 |
| 5/15/2012 | Durect Corp. | DRRX | $0.78 | $167,295 |
| 5/15/2012 | Hutchinson Technology Inc. | HTCH | $2.25 | $67,600 |
| 5/15/2012 | Bacterin International Holdings | BONE | $1.57 | $120,055 |
| 5/15/2012 | Overland Storage Inc. | OVRL | $2.02 | $713,507 |
| View More Stocks With Significant Insider Buying |
|
| Additions/Deletions
to Focus List Companies: |
| Companies included in WSR's Focus List are
a compilation of WSR's Featured Companies and the companies included in
its model Microcap Portfolio. |
| Date |
Name |
Symbol |
Price |
Notes |
| 5/2/2012 | CD International Enterprises, Inc. | CDII | $0.30 | Removed from Florida Top 30 Portfolio |
| 4/30/2012 | HS3 technologies, Inc. | HSTH | $0.01 | Added to Speculator Portfolio |
| 4/13/2012 | HS3 Technologies, Inc. | HSTH | $0.08 | Removed from Speculator Portfolio |
| 3/6/2012 | CTD Holdings, Inc. | CTDH | $0.19 | Added to Florida Top 30 Portfolio |
| 3/6/2012 | Ocean Bio-Chem, Inc. | OBCI | $2.54 | Added to Florida Top 30 Portfolio |
| 3/6/2012 | International Baler Corporation | IBAL | $1.59 | Added to Florida Top 30 Portfolio |
| 3/6/2012 | One Bio, Corp. | ONBI | $4.10 | Added to Florida Top 30 Portfolio |
| 3/5/2012 | Water Technologies International, Inc | WTII | $0.08 | Added to Speculator Portfolio |
| 12/7/2011 | AutoInfo, Inc. | AUTO | $0.67 | Removed from Florida Top 30 Portfolio |
| 12/7/2011 | Metropolitan Health Networks Inc. | MDF | $7.61 | Removed from Florida Top 30 Portfolio |
|
| Corporate
Sponsors or Featured Companies: |
 Arete Industries, Inc.
OTCQB:ARET
Arête is the operator of a gas gathering system and is in the process of buying oil and gas properties in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States.
The Company is pursuing projects that have significant upside potential and can produce significant revenue. As the projects are developed, Arête, or entities created by Arête, will have ownership interests in the revenue streams, which can be securitized and collateralized either equity or private debt holders. Enabling the company to continue to grow, fulfill its ongoing financing requirements, and create value for its shareholders.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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 Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc.
OTCQB/OTCBB:ANFC
Black Ridge Oil & Gas is an oil and gas exploration and production company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Black Ridge’s focus is the Williston Basin Bakken and Three Forks trend in North Dakota and Montana. Black Ridge Oil & Gas currently controls over 10,000 net Bakken and/or Three Forks acres.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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CTD Holdings, Inc.
OTCBB/OTCQB:CTDH
CTD Holdings, Inc. companies provide Trappsol® brand cyclodextrins and Aquaplex® brand cyclodextrin complexes to researchers, R&D labs and industrial users in the medical, pharmaceutical, food, and nutritional industries.
Click here to obtain additional information...
|
 Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
OTCBB:ESPH
Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. is a diversified water engineering and services company primarily focused on the natural gas industry. The Company provides water-recycling services at the well site to provide clean water for energy companies to extract natural gas from unconventional shale plays. Ecosphere’s mission is to identify, create and produce clean technologies that solve a significant industry challenge, improve the quality of life and the environment, and are economically viable. Ecosphere has an extensive portfolio of patented clean technologies that can be purchased and licensed for use in large-scale and sustainable applications across industries, nations and ecosystems.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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 Information Systems Associates, Inc.
OTCBB:IOSA
ISA is a leading provider of data center optimization software, services and solutions based out of Palm City, FL. Its core technology OSPI (On Site Physical Inventory®) provides a toolset allowing customers to create a highly accurate data set of their current IT assets. This information can be utilized to enable businesses to make meaningful decisions on Data Center Management that lead to optimization of resources, cost reductions and significant ROI.
All organizations regardless of size need an accurate data set for their existing IT asset infrastructure. This in turn enables them to take advantage of the considerable cost reductions and efficiency gains that can be achieved by Data Center Optimization methodologies. Our team of dedicated professionals provides the technology and expertise that can help your organization to get this job done quickly, precisely and cost-effectively.
Current “by hand” data collection practices are both slow and prone to large margins of error. We have developed a unique proprietary software application, OSPI (On Site Physical Inventory®), to eliminate these problems.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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 Liberator Medical Holdings, Inc.
OTCBB:LBMH
Liberator is recognized for offering a simple, reliable way to purchase medical supplies needed on a regular, ongoing, repeat-order basis, with the convenience of direct billing to Medicare and private insurance. Approximately 85% of its revenue comes from supplying products to meet the rapidly growing requirements of general medical supplies, personal mobility aids, diabetes, urological, ostomy and mastectomy patients. Liberator communicates with patients and their doctors on a regular basis regarding prescriptions and supplies. Customers may purchase by phone, mail or internet, with repeat orders confirmed with the customer and shipped when needed.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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 Mimvi, Inc.
OTCQB: MIMV
Mimvi is a pure-play search engine and recommendation technology company for Mobile Apps. It’s (patent pending) proprietary search and "intelligent" recommendation algorithms enable the search and discovery of Mobile Apps, Mobile Content and Mobile Products across multiple devices and platforms, including: the Iphone,k Google Android, BlackBerry and Web Apps.
Click here to obtain additional information...
|
 Panache Beverages, Inc.
OTCQB:WDKA
Panache Beverage, Inc. is an alcoholic beverage company specializing in the development and global sales and marketing of spirits brands. The Panache
portfolio contains three brands, Wodka Vodka, Alchemia Vodka and Alibi Bourbon.
Panache holds a "build and exit" mentality - its expertise lies in the strategic development and early growth of its brands establishing the Company’s assets as viable acquisition candidates for the major global spirits companies including Diageo, Bacardi, Future Brands, Pernod Ricard and Moet Hennessey. The goal is to sell brands individually as they mature while continuing to pipeline new brands in to the Panache portfolio.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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 Voyager Oil & Gas
AMEX:VOG
Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. is an exploration and production company based in Billings, Montana. Voyager’s primary focus is oil shale resource prospects in the continental United States. Voyager currently controls approximately 147,000 net acres in five primary prospect areas.
This acreage includes, 24,000 core net acres targeting the Bakken/Three Forks in North Dakota and Montana; 24,000 net acres targeting the Niobrara formation in Colorado and Wyoming; 640 net acres targeting a specific Red River prospect in Montana; 33,500 net acres in a joint venture targeting the Heath Shale formation in Musselshell, Petroleum, Garfield and Fergus Counties of Montana; and 65,000 net acres in a joint venture in the Tiger Ridge gas field in Blaine, Hill and Chouteau Counties of Montana.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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 Water Technologies Intl., Inc.
OTC:WTII
Water Technologies International, Inc., (WTII) is in the business of designing, manufacturing and distributing Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) and related products through its subsidiaries Aqua Pure International, Inc. and GR8 Water, Inc. The Company has patent pending products in water generation, air filtration, water filtration and dehumidification. WTII sells and distributes home, office and commercial AWGs units that produce drinking water, ranging from seven gallons to several thousands of gallons per day by extracting water from the air.
Click here to obtain additional information...
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