Top 5 Asian Companies To Invest In 2014

The ultra-luxury market has been a strong performer in recent years. As companies such as Michael Kors (NYSE: KORS  ) and Coach have expanded their product lines and focused on Asian operations, the stocks have attracted a plethora of investors, with the former up more than 130% in two years. One segment that tends to be neglected among analysts, though, is the art world. There are two major players in big art auctions -- Sotheby's (NYSE: BID  ) and Christie's. Let's look at the publicly traded option to see how it compares with other luxury stocks.

Soft art
Investors seemingly haven't been too interested in the big auction houses since the financial crisis because the art market has been relatively weak. Whether the market is coming back or not is up for debate, with some analysts saying we are at a natural turnaround point, while others forecast remaining tepidity. I am inclined to agree with the former, as the economy picks up overall and ultra-high-net-worth individuals increase their big spending. Additionally, the rapid ascent of wealthy Chinese will continue to spur the art market in the next several years.

Hot India Companies To Buy Right Now: Obagi Medical Products Inc.(OMPI)

Obagi Medical Products, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, develops, markets, and sells topical aesthetic and therapeutic prescription skin care systems. It offers Obagi Nu-Derm System, including prescription and OTC drugs that are used for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, photo damage, hyperpigmentation, melasma, laxity, and skin sallowness; Obagi Condition and Enhance Systems that are used before and after surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures; Obagi-C Rx System comprises Vitamin C with 4% hydroquinone system to treat skin conditions resulting from sun damage and the oxidative damage of free radicals; and Professional-C products consisting of Vitamin C serums for the treatment of antioxidant protection, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. The company also provides ELASTIderm Eye and D�olletage, which increases the elasticity and skin tone of eyes, face, neckline, and chest; ELASTILash Eyelash Solution that enhances the appearance of thickness and fullness of eyelashes; CLENZIderm M.D. Systems and Tretinoin for treating acne; and Obagi Rosaclear System used for the treatment of rosacea. In addition, it offers Refissa and Blue Peel RADIANCE used for the treatment of fine facial lines, hyperpigmentation, and tactile roughness; Metronidazole used for the treatment of rosacea; Obagi Blue Peel Essential Kit used for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Further, the company licenses non-prescription product concepts under the Obagi trademark to a Japanese-based pharmaceutical company for sale through consumer distribution channels in Japan. Obagi Medical Products, Inc. sells its products through sales force and distribution partners in the United States, North and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other physicians that are focused on aesthetic and therapeutic skin care. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Lon g Beach, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Keith Speights]

  "Bidness" is good
  Last week, Obagi Medical Products (NASDAQ: OMPI  ) made our list of humongous performers after Valeant Pharmaceuticals� (NYSE: VRX  ) announced a $344 million bid for the company. This week saw a bidding frenzy, with Obagi shares jumping another 29%.

• [By David Williamson]

  Though many excited traders had hoped to see the bidding war continue between Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: VRX  ) and Merz over Obagi Medical Products (NASDAQ: OMPI  ) and a subsequent run-up in the stock price of the smaller dermatological products maker, Merz has now walked away from the table, leaving the highly acquisitive Valeant the victor. In this video, Motley Fool health care analyst David Williamson gives us some background on these companies and tells us how Valeant plans to profit from the deal, and describes for investors why this is a win both for Obagi and for Valeant.

Top 5 Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Nortech Systems Incorporated(NSYS)

Nortech Systems Incorporated operates as a contract manufacturing company. It manufactures wire harness cable and printed circuit board assemblies, electronic sub-assemblies, higher level assemblies, and complete devices. The company also provides value added services and technical support, including design, testing, prototyping, and supply chain management; and repair services on circuit boards used in machines in the medical industry. In addition, it engages in the design, manufacture, and post-production service of electronic and electromechanical medical devices for diagnostic, analytical, and other life-science applications. Nortech Systems Incorporated serves various industries that include aerospace and defense; medical; and the industrial markets, which include industrial equipment, transportation, vision, agriculture, and oil and gas. The company markets its products through sales force and independent manufacturers? representatives. Nortech Systems Incorporated was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Wayzata, Minnesota.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  In a perfect world stocks would move in predictable, manageable ways. We don't live - nor do we trade in - a perfect world. In the real world we have to adapt to and deal with the curve balls the market throws us, and there are no two stocks that illustrate that point better than Document Security Systems, Inc. (NYSEMKT:DSS) and Nortech Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:NSYS) to today. While both NSYS and DSS are up today, one's overbought and ripe for a pullback, while the other is likely at the beginning of a trade-worthy rally.

Top 5 Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (GARAN)

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (the Bank) is a Turkey-based financial services company. The Bank provides retail, commercial, corporate and small and medium size enterprises (SME) banking, leasing, insurance, asset management and factoring services. Other operation heading under the banking segment include mainly treasury and investment banking activities as well as unallocated income and expense items. It has a network of 822 domestic branches, seven foreign branches, three representative offices abroad and 104 offices. In addition to its branches, the Bank has 100% ownership in three banks each of which is located in Amsterdam, Bucharest and Moscow. The Bank and its affiliates operate principally in Turkey, but also have operations in the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Malta, Luxembourg and Germany. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Halia Pavliva]

  Turkiye Garanti (GARAN) Bankasi AS, the largest Turkish lender by market value, led gains on the Borsa Istanbul National 100 Index, which rose 1.5 percent. Garanti climbed 1.3 percent after slumping 4.1 percent to the lowest level since Sept. 13 yesterday. The government is selling $1.25 billion of five-year Islamic bonds today, according to a person with direct knowledge of the transaction, who asked not to be identified because the information is private.

• [By Julia Leite]

  The Borsa Istanbul Stock Exchange National 100 Index climbed from a six-month low. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was ready to listen to the demands of anti-government protesters. The lira strengthened for the first time in three days and bonds gained. Lenders Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (GARAN) and Akbank T.A.S. added at least 3.2 percent.

• [By Ian Sayson]

  Russia�� Micex Index declined, trimming its weekly gain to 2.5 percent. OAO Mechel, the nation�� biggest producer of coal for steelmakers, slumped 1.7 percent. The Borsa Istanbul National 100 Index sank 2 percent as Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (GARAN) led losses in lenders. Benchmark gauges in the Czech Republic and Hungary declined at least 1.2 percent.

Top 5 Asian Companies To Invest In 2014: The Finish Line Inc.(FINL)

The Finish Line, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mall-based specialty retailer in the United States. It operates Finish Line stores that offer performance and athletic casual footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids. The company also sells merchandise through its Web site, finishline.com. As of September 22, 2011, it operated 646 stores in the United States. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Big Earnings Movers: Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) is up 4.7% at $73.64 after setting a new 52-week high of $75.25. BlackBerry Ltd. (NASDAQ: BBRY) is up 1% at $8.03, but who knows why. Finish Line Inc. (NASDAQ: FINL) is up 9.2% at $24.45 after setting a new 52-week high of $24.70. Vail Resorts Inc. (NYSE: MTN) is up 0.7% at $69.48.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Finish Line (NASDAQ: FINL) is projected to report its Q2 earnings at $0.45 per share on revenue of $426.39 million.

  BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY) is estimated to post a Q2 loss at $0.49 per share on revenue of $1.61 billion.

• [By Mike Deane]

  Before the opening bell on Friday morning, Finish Line Inc. (FINL)�reported its second quarter earnings, posting higher revenues and flat�earnings compared to last year’s Q2 results.

  FINL’s�Earnings in Brief

  Finish Line�reported second quarter revenues of $466.88 million, up from last year’s Q2 revenues of $436.03 million. Net income�for the quarter came in at $26.16 million, or 54 cents per diluted share, which is essentially flat with last year’s Q2 figures of $26.5 million, or 54 cents per share. FINL’s Q2 results missed analysts’ estimates of 60 cents EPS on revenues of $477.61 million. For FY2015, Finish Line expects comparable store sales to be up mid single digits and earnings per share to increase in the high single to low double digit range.

  CEO Commentary

  FINL chairman and CEO�Glenn Lyon�had the following comments:���ur second quarter results fell short of our expectations due to softness within elements of our basketball offering while our running business was up mid single digits driven by casual and performance styles. We are confident that we can reaccelerate sales trends in basketball by working closely with our brand partners to improve our assortments. In combination with our market leadership position in running, advanced omnichannel capabilities and growing business relationship with Macy��, this will fuel sustainable sales and earnings growth over the long-term.��/p>

  FINL’s�Dividend

  Finish Line most recently paid a dividend on September 15. We expect the company to declare its next quarterly dividend of 8 cents in the coming month.

  Stock Performance

  FINL stock was down $2.41, or 8.19%, in pre-market trading. YTD, the stock is up 4.48%.

  FINL�Dividend Snapshot

  As of Market Close on September 25, 2014

  Click here to see the complete history of FINL dividends.

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  Finish Line (NASDAQ: FINL) got a boost, shooting up 9.02 percent to $24.41 after the company reported a 6.1 percent rise in its fiscal second-quarter earnings.