Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall are getting into the logistics business in an effort to reach more customers and save them money.
Last week, China's largest shopping websites, Taobao and Tmall, announced they had partnered with eight Chinese logistics companies to launch the International Parcel Forwarding Service. Aimed at simplifying and lowering the cost of shipping online purchases from mainland China to�Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, shoppers in those areas can now save up to 50% in shipping and handling fees, the companies said.�
Alibaba's new service consolidates multiple purchases into packages bound for the same region. Once they reach the region, the packages are forwarded to the specific address.�
After trying to increase their sales to Asian countries with large Chinese-speaking populations, Alibaba has seen shipping difficulties and rising costs, a natural part, the company says, of cross-border delivery and operations. For example, Alibaba says, most Taobao and Tmall merchants don't offer international shipping or do so at a premium. In instances where they do offer international shipping, customers have sometimes�had to wait weeks, only to find out that their merchandise was lost. The Alibaba shipping service hopes to prevent its customers such headaches.�
Top Japanese Companies To Buy For 2015: NCR Corp (NCR)
NCR Corporation (NCR), incorporated on January 02, 1926, is a technology company, which provides products and services, which enable businesses to connect, interact and transact with their customers and enhance their customer relationships by addressing consumer demand for convenience, value and individual service. NCR�� portfolio of self-service and assisted-service solutions serve customers in the financial services, retail, hospitality, travel and gaming and entertainment industries and include automated teller machines (ATMs), self-service kiosks and point of sale (POS) devices, as well as software applications, which can be used by consumers to enable them to interact with businesses from their computer or mobile device. NCR complements these product solutions by offering a portfolio of services to help customers design, deploy and support its technology tools. NCR also resells third-party networking products and provides related service offerings in the telecommunications and technology sectors. The Company operates in four segments: Financial Services, Retail Solutions, Hospitality (formerly Hospitality and Specialty Retail), and Emerging Industries. Its product and service offerings include ATMs and Other Financial Products, Self-Service Kiosks, Point of Sale, Check and Document Imaging, Services, and Consumables. In June 2012, the Company acquired POS Integrated Solutions, a reseller of the NCR Aloha solution for restaurants; Wyse Sistemas de Informatica Ltda., a provider of software solutions, including the Colibri suite of hospitality software, and Radiant Distribution Solutions (RDS), a NCR Hospitality hardware distribution partner. In June 2012, Coinstar, Inc.�� wholly owned subsidiary, Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, acquired certain assets of the Company�� self-service entertainment DVD kiosk business. In November 2012, NCR acquired Retalix Ltd. In January 2013, the Company purchased uGenius Technology, Inc. In February 2013, the Company acquired Retalix Ltd. In January 2014, NCR Co! rp completed the acquisition of Digital Insight Corporation.
ATMs and Other Financial Products
The Company provides financial institutions, retailers and independent deployers with financial-oriented self-service technologies, such as ATMs, cash dispensers, and software solutions, including the APTRA application suite as well as consulting services related to ATM security, software and bank branch optimization. ATM and other financial product solutions are designed to quickly and reliably process consumer transactions and incorporate advanced features such as automated check cashing/deposit, automated cash deposit, Web-enablement and bill payment (including mobile bill payment).
Point of Sale
The Company provides retail and hospitality oriented technologies such as point of sale terminals, bar-code scanners, software and services to companies and venues worldwide. Combining its retail and hospitality industry, software and hardware technologies, and consulting services, its solutions are designed to enable cost reductions and improve operational efficiency while increasing customer satisfaction.
Self-Service Kiosks
The Company provides self-service kiosks to the retail, hospitality, travel and gaming, and entertainment industries and also owns and operates self-service kiosks in the entertainment industry. Its versatile kiosk solutions can support retail self-service functions, including self-checkout, wayfinding, bill payment and gift registries. It provides self check in/out kiosk solutions to airlines, hotels and casinos, which allows guests to check-in/out without assistance. These solutions create pleasant and convenient experiences for consumers and enable its customers to reduce costs. Its kiosks for the hospitality industry provide consumers the ability to order and pay at restaurants while enabling its customers to streamline order processing and reduce operating costs.
Check and Document Imaging
The ! Company�� check and document imaging offerings provide end-to-end solutions for both traditional paper-based and image-based check and item processing. These solutions utilize advanced image recognition and workflow technologies to automate item processing, helping financial institutions efficiency and reduce operating costs. Consisting of hardware, software, consulting and support services, its comprehensive check and document imaging solutions enable check and item-based transactions to be digitally captured, processed and retained within a flexible, scalable environment.
Consumables
The Company develop, produce and market a complete line of printer consumables for various print technologies. These products include two-sided thermal paper (2ST), paper rolls for receipts in ATMs and POS solutions, inkjet and laser printer supplies, thermal transfer and ink ribbons, labels, laser documents, business forms, and specialty media items such as photo and presentation papers. Consumables are designed to optimize operations and improve transaction accuracy, while reducing overall costs.
Services
The Company provides maintenance and support services for its product offerings and also provides other services, including site assessment and preparation, staging, installation and implementation, systems management and complete managed services. It also offers a range of software and services, such as Software-as-a-Service, hosted services, and online, mobile and transactional services and applications, such as bill pay and digital signage. In addition, it is also focused on expanding the resale of third party networking products and related service offerings to a base of customers in the telecommunications and technology sectors and servicing third-party computer hardware from select manufacturers.
The Company competes with Diebold, Inc., Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co., Hyosung, IBM, Wincor, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, ToshibaTec, Dell, Honeywell, Micros Syste! ms, Verif! one, Datalogic, SITA and IER.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Suravi Thacker]
One of its strongest rivals, NCR Corporation (NCR), has been getting some great contracts to deliver its technology. Its expansion in China looks interesting with China Eastern Airlines expanding NCR check-in kiosks for its domestic airports.
- [By Jake L'Ecuyer]
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of NCR Corp (NYSE: NCR) fell on Friday's session, dropping 8.40 percent to $32.04 despite beating on earnings Thursday after the company guided its fiscal year 2014 EPS guidance below street expectations.
Best Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: USANA Health Sciences Inc.(USNA)
USANA Health Sciences, Inc. develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells nutritional and personal care products worldwide. It offers the USANA Nutritionals product line, which consists of essentials, which include vitamin and mineral supplements that provide a foundation of nutrition for various age groups; optimizers that are targeted supplements supporting needs, such as cardiovascular health, skeletal/structural health, and digestive health; and foods comprising low-glycemic meal replacement shakes, snack bars, and other related products that offer optimal macro-nutrition. Its Sense product line comprises personal care products that support healthy skin and hair. The company also offers materials and online tools, such as associate starter kit and product brochures that are designed to assist associates in building their businesses and in marketing our products. USANA Health Sciences, Inc. primarily distributes its products through a network marketing system of indepe ndent distributors. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
Nu Skin has plunged 12% to $73.59 at 2:55 p.m., far more than Herblife�(HLF), which has dropped 1.9% to $65.37, and�Usana Health Sciences�(USNA), which has fallen 1.5% to $72.11.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Nu Skin has plunged 20% to $92.52 today at 10:51 a.m., and has dragged down other multi-level marketers with it. Herbalife (HLF) has dropped 5.9% to $74.74, while Usana Health Sciences (USNA) has fallen 9.1% to $59.77.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Shares of Herbalife have dropped 3.5% to $66.53 at 2:44 p.m., while Nu Skin Enterprises (NUS) has dipped 0.1% to $79.99, Usana Health Sciences (USNA) has fallen 0.4% to $75.84, Avon Products (AVP) has gained 0.9% to $15.22 and Weight Watchers (WTW) has advanced 0.2% to $20.95.
Best Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ)
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) provides a range of banking and financial products and services to retail, small business, corporate and institutional clients. The Company conducts its operations in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. It also operates in a range of other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company operates on a divisional structure with Australia, International and Institutional Banking (IIB), New Zealand, and Global Wealth and Private Banking. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had 1,337 branches and other points of representation worldwide, excluding automatic teller machines (ATMs). In September 2012, it sold its remaining shareholding in Visa Inc. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Adam Haigh]
Komatsu Ltd. tumbled 8 percent in Tokyo after the world�� second-largest maker of construction equipment cut its full-year profit forecast by 26 percent. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. gained 1.4 percent in Hong Kong, pacing an advance among Chinese lenders, after China�� central bank added funds to the financial system for the first time in two weeks. Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ) climbed 1.4 percent to a record in Sydney after posting its highest profit and raising its dividend more than forecast.
Best Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: ExactTarget Inc (ET)
ExactTarget, Inc. is a global provider of cross-channel, interactive marketing software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. The Company�� solutions provide marketers with a suite of integrated applications. The Company�� suite of cross-channel, interactive marketing applications include e-mail, mobile, social media and sites, is built on its flexible multi-tenant SaaS platform. These channel applications are integrated with its campaign management, calendaring, dashboard, integrated reporting, marketing automation and data management tools. The Company also provides open application programming interfaces (APIs) and developer tools that allow third parties to embed its technology into their solutions and build applications on its platform. The Company generates revenue through the sale of subscriptions to its suite of cross-channel, interactive marketing SaaS solutions and the delivery of professional services. It serves a range of clients across many industries and sizes. Professional services revenue consists primarily of fees associated with training, implementation, integration, deliverability, campaign services and strategic consulting. In October 2012, it acquired iGoDigital.
The Company�� direct client base consisted of over 4,700 organizations as of June 30, 2012, ranging from enterprises to small businesses in numerous industries, including retail and e-commerce, media and entertainment, travel and hospitality, financial services and insurance, technology, daily-deal and flash-sale and marketing service providers. Among its direct clients are the United States-based companies, such as Ally Financial, Inc., Angie�� List, Inc., CareerBuilder, LLC, Groupon, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Oakley, Inc., OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc., One King�� Lane, Inc., Papa John�� International, Inc., priceline.com Incorporated, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Tommy Hilfiger Group, WellPoint, Inc. and Zappos.com, Inc. Companies also include Abril Gro! up (Brazil), Fairfax Media Limited (Australia), Icelandair Group (Iceland) and Telegraph Media Group Limited (United Kingdom).
Interactive Marketing Hub
The Interactive Marketing Hub provides marketers with a solution to engage in cross-channel marketing. The Interactive Marketing Hub integrates its e-mail, mobile, social media and sites Channel Applications with data management and marketing automation Hub Applications. Built on its cloud-based FUEL platform, these applications integrate with Hub Tools, which include a calendar, campaigns, dashboards and integrated reporting. Channel Applications provide interactive marketing engagement solutions to plan, automate, deliver and optimize messages across e-mail, mobile, social media and sites. The Company�� core edition is designed for small and medium-sized organizations, as well as departments within enterprises and provides content management tools, segmentation tools and reporting, such as opens, clicks, bounces and other performance metrics.
The Advanced Edition includes content syndication, dynamic content, relational data, advanced marketing automation, triggered and transactional communications for e-statements, alerts and order confirmations and advanced reporting. The Advanced Edition also provides full access to its FUEL platform�� open integration framework and developer tools that facilitates integration with other business systems and applications. Enterprise Edition is built for large, distributed enterprises that need centralized control and compliance for e-mail marketing communications. The Enterprise Edition includes international sending, advanced role and permission administration, content locking and sharing, and enterprise analytics and reporting. The Enterprise Edition can also include its Xpress Sending interface that enables non-technical users within distributed marketing organizations to create and send e-mails using pre-approved content via defined templates.
The Company� �s mobil! e applications enable marketers to create, automate, deliver personalized inbound and outbound short message service (SMS) mobile messages and support messaging in more than 80 countries worldwide. Through these applications, clients can easily create polls, quizzes, surveys, contests, mobile tickets, coupon redemption, SMS alerts and mobile opt-in for e-mail campaigns. Its social media applications provide solutions to manage engagement on social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook and integrate social data and interactions into cross-channel campaigns. SocialEngage (powered by CoTweet) provides a social media management application that enables teams to manage multiple social media accounts with administrator-defined user permissions and roles.
SocialPages provides a drag and drop interface that allows marketers to create, publish and manage branded Facebook pages and tabs that display content and incorporate engaging features, such as forms, YouTube videos, Flickr galleries and the Facebook Like button. The Company�� sites application provides a solution to drag and drop interface microsites into cross-channel marketing campaigns. Hub Applications provide capabilities for advanced cross-channel marketing automation, data management, customer data segmentation and analysis. Audience Builder provides a drag-and-drop interface that enables marketers to explore multiple data scenarios through filtering and segmentation to create target audiences in for any campaign or automated messaging series.
Automation Studio provides a drag and drop interface to plan, create and execute complex, multi-stage, recurring cross-channel campaigns based on consumer behavior, time or custom attributes. Automated communications can be triggered by events, such as product purchases, online registrations or Website browsing behavior. The Company�� Hub Tools enable integrated planning, cross-channel campaign management and reporting. Calendar provides a single view of planned and completed camp! aigns, ev! ents and interactions across e-mail, mobile, Facebook, Twitter and Websites. Campaigns enables marketers to define interactive marketing campaigns and associated content and interactions across e-mail, mobile, Facebook, Twitter and Websites.
Pulse provides dashboards that display information, such as the number of Facebook fans, Twitter followers, e-mail subscribers and current status of automated programs and engagement metrics, such as opens, clicks and conversions. Integrated Reporting provides contextual and reporting throughout its Interactive Marketing Hub. The Company�� applications are built and delivered on its cloud-based FUEL platform. FUEL provides an open integration framework, enabling clients and third-party application providers to integrate data from systems, such as customer relationship management (CRM), Web analytics, and e-commerce through its partner ecosystem of productized integrations with providers, such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM, salesforce.com, inc., SAP, and Adobe Omniture.
Common Data Model creates a cross-channel view of each consumer by aggregating online behavioral data, channel engagement history, communication preferences and other online or offline data. Security provides a single sign-on environment for all Interactive Marketing Hub applications secured by multiple technologies, including but not limited to two-factor authentication, Internet protocol (IP) whitelisting and IP blocking, and enables monitoring and alerting of system activity.
Developer Tools provide a library of user interface controls and APIs that enable developers to build applications with a common look and feel on its cloud-based platform. Integration Framework provides a suite of integration capabilities that include its open APIs, CRM and Web analytics integrations, Embedded/Xpress Marketing and HubExchange. Its Embedded/Xpress Marketing solution enables independent software vendors and developers to embed the functionality of its e-mail and mobile applic! ations di! rectly into their technology offerings. The Company�� HubExchange enables marketing technology providers to develop and sell applications built on its platform.
Services
The Company complements its suite of cross-channel, interactive marketing SaaS solutions with a range of professional services. Its collaborative and full-service offerings include Training, Implementation, Integration, Deliverability, Campaign Services and Strategic Consulting. The Company offers a variety of methods of introduction to its products, including self-help resources, Web-based and on-site training, enterprise workshops and train the trainer programs. Clients who purchase implementation services are assigned an implementation consultant who works with them to adopt and deployment its solutions. Through its platform�� integration framework, the Company�� applications can be integrated with CRM, Web analytics, e-commerce and other business systems. It provides consulting and program management to help clients define, develop and implement interactive communication strategies.
The Company competes with Aprimo, Inc., CheetahMail Inc., e-Dialog Inc., Eloqua Limited, Epsilon Data Management, LLC, Marketo, Inc., Responsys, Inc., Silverpop Systems Inc., StrongMail Systems, Inc., Unica Corporation, Yesmail, Buddy Media, Inc. and Radian6 Technologies, Inc.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tim Brugger]
At a premium of slightly more than 50%, it's not surprising that salesforce.com's (NYSE: CRM ) decision to acquire cloud marketing specialist ExactTarget (NYSE: ET ) wasn't greeted with cheers from investors. The aggressive move by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff to drop $2.5 billion on a company that has issued revenue guidance of just $376 million to $379 million for the year seems a bit much, and based on Salesforce's share price drop at the open, the market agrees. But don't be too hasty to abandon Salesforce shares -- there may be a method to Benioff's madness.
- [By Chris Hill]
Dollar General's (NYSE: DG ) first-quarter profits rose rose 3%, but the retailer cut guidance for the full year. Business market software maker ExactTarget (NYSE: ET ) rose more than 50% after Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM ) agreed to buy the company for more than $2.3 billion. Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA ) held firm after shares tanked on Monday in the wake of the company announcing it's cutting 18% of its staff. And IBM (NYSE: IBM ) buys a company to better compete in the cloud computing space. In this installment of Investor Beat, our analysts discuss four stocks making big moves.
- [By The GeoTeam]
Our recent 2013 articles on SaaS companies Selectica (SLTC), E2open (EOPN), Responsys (MKTG), Vocus (VOCS), and ExactTarget (ET) highlighted such opportunities. The average return since the inception of our coverage currently stands at around 34% (55% at their highs).
- [By Tim Brugger]
Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM ) has made an offer to acquire cloud marketing firm ExactTarget (NYSE: ET ) in a deal valued at approximately $2.5 billion, salesforce.com announced today.
Best Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: ProLogis(PLD)
Prologis Inc. is an independent equity real estate investment trust. It invests in the real estate markets across the globe. The firm engages in the ownership, development, management, and leasing of industrial distribution and retail properties. It was previously known as Security Capital Investment Trust. Prologis Inc. was formed in 1991 and is based in San Francisco, California with an additional office in Denver, Colorado.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Oliver Pursche]
As the real-estate crisis unfolded in 2008, Mr. Moghadam acted boldly and intelligently, taking advantage of opportunities around the world and eventually merging AMB with ProLogis (PLD) �in 2011 to create the current, a company who�� stock, since the bottom of the crisis in 2009, has outperformed the S&P 500.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
But the S&P 500′s biggest losers show the kind of carnage long predicted by those fearful of higher yields. How’s this for evidence: Real-estate investment trusts,�whose yields look more paltry with every tick higher in the 10-year Treasury, made up half of the top-10 losers. Prologis (PLD) fell 8.4% to $35.08, the Macerich Co. (MAC) dropped 8.2% to $56.72 and Health Care REIT (HCN) was off 8.1% at $58.57.
- [By Dimitra DeFotis]
Among real estate trusts:
American Tower��(AMT),�the diversified �REIT, is the best performer in the index.�It was�up 4.6% after saying�Friday it will buy the parent of tower operator Global Tower Partners for $4.8 billion. HCP (HCP), a healthcare REIT, was�up 3.3%. Prologis (PLD) an industrial REIT, was�up 2.8%. Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) was�up 2.7%. Boston Properties (BXP), the office REIT, was�up 2.3%. Equity Residential (EQR), a residential REIT, was�up 2.4%. Ventas (VTR), a healthcare REIT, was�up 2%.
Best Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: National Retail Properties (NNN)
National Retail Properties, Inc. is a publicly owned equity real estate investment trust. The firm acquires, owns, manages, and develops retail properties in the United States. It provides complete turn-key and built-to-suit development services including market analysis, site selection and acquisition, entitlements, permitting, and construction management. The firm also focuses on purchasing and financing net-leased retail properties. It was formerly known as Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. National Retail Properties was founded in August 1984 and is based in Orlando, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Charles Sizemore]
ARCP has a shorter trading history than some of its peers, such as Realty Income (O) and National Retail Properties (NNN), which largely explains why its yield is higher. As a relatively new REIT, ARCP stock is largely unfollowed by investors. But once its merger with Cole Properties (COLE) is completed, ARCP will be the largest trip-net REIT by market cap and total square footage, and it will no longer be flying under Wall Street�� radar.
- [By Patrick Morris]
Although ARCP is heavily tied to Red Lobster, it's important to note it still has a wide range of diverse tenants who rent from it. In fact, despite the fact its top tenant -- Red Lobster -- accounts for 11% of its revenue, the top 10 in total represent 31%. By comparison, National Retail Properties (NYSE: NNN ) has nearly 39% of its revenue concentrated in its top 10 tenants.
- [By Brad Thomas]
Other REITs mentioned: (O), (NNN), (STAG), (DCT), (EGP), (PDM), (DRE), (LRY)
Source: Chambers Street: More Liquidity Magic On The Way In REIT-DomDisclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)
- [By Dan Burrows]
Here are the three dependable dividend stocks that are up at least 10% year-to-date, as of Feb. 11:
Dependable Dividend Stocks: National Retail Properties (NNN)Dividend Yield: 4.9%
YTD Gain: 10%
No comments:
Post a Comment