Top Stocks To Buy

Stocks continue their slide today as the government shutdown continues and politicians appear set to drag the debt ceiling into the debate.

Associated Press

The S&P 500 has dropped 0.7% to 1,682.30, while the Dow Jones Industrials have fallen 100 points, to 0.7% to 15,033.21.

Nomura’s Alastair Newton explains the risks:

Following the impasse over the continuing resolution, we now see a non-negligible possibility that Congress and the Administration will fail to reach agreement on the debt ceiling without there being a technical default first.

The main risk, as we see it, is that moderate Republicans will hold out beyond 17 October to try to head off possible de-selection by the Tea Party in upcoming primaries, even though related attempts to roll back ��bamacare��are doomed.

Nevertheless, even if the deadline (which may now be later than 17 October) for a deal passes, we see only a very low probability of a default on Treasuries.

Top 10 Insurance Companies To Invest In Right Now: Brookfield Office Properties Inc. (BPO)

Brookfield Properties Corporation is a publicly owned real estate investment firm. The firm engages in the ownership, development, and management of premier commercial properties. It also provides ancillary real estate service businesses, such as tenant service and amenities. The firm invests in the real estate markets of the United States with a focus on North American cities, including New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Calgary, Denver, and Minneapolis. It primarily invests in properties and development sites predominantly office buildings. The firm operates as a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. It was formerly known as Carena-Bancorp Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Le Holding Carena-Bancorp Inc. in 1978. The company further changed its name to Carena-Bancorp, Inc. in 1985; to Carena Developments Limited in 1989; and to Brookfield Properties Corporation in 1996. Brookfield Properties was founded in 1923 and is based in New York, New York wi th an additional office in Toronto, Canada

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  Brookfield Office Properties (NYSE: BPO) got a boost, closing up 13.71 percent to $19.07 after Brookfield Property Partners (NYSE: BPY) proposed to acquire Brookfield Office Properties for $19.34 per share.

• [By gurujx]

  Brookfield Office Properties Inc (BPO) Reached the 52-Week High of $20.52

  Brookfield Office Properties Inc. was formed under the Canada Business Corporations Act on September 5, 1978 to continue the business of Canadian Arena Corporation which was incorporated in 1923 under the Quebec Companies Act, 1920. Brookfield Office Properties Inc has a market cap of $10.41 billion; its shares were traded at around $20.52 with a P/E ratio of 19.50 and P/S ratio of 4.56. The dividend yield of Brookfield Office Properties Inc stocks is 2.73%. Brookfield Office Properties Inc had an annual average earnings growth of 16.70% over the past 10 years.

Top Stocks To Buy: Washington Banking Company(WBCO)

Washington Banking Company operates as the bank holding company for Whidbey Island Bank that provides community commercial banking services in northwestern Washington. Its deposit products include interest-bearing demand and money market accounts, saving deposits, time deposits, NOW accounts, and noninterest-bearing demand deposits. The company?s portfolio of loans comprises secured and unsecured commercial loans for working capital and expansion; real estate mortgage loans, including one-to-four family residential and commercial real estate loans; and real estate construction loans, such as commercial real estate, one-to-four family residential construction, and speculative construction loans. Its consumer loan portfolio include automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, home equity and home improvement loans, and other secured and unsecured personal loans, as well as SBA guaranteed loans for small and medium sized businesses. In addition, the company pro vides non-deposit managed investment products and services, and sweep investment options. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 30 branches in 6 counties located in northwestern Washington. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Eric Volkman]

  Washington Banking (NASDAQ: WBCO  ) is diverting some of its capital to repurchase its own stock. The company announced that its board has authorized a buyback program for up to 775,000 shares. The program is expected to continue through the end of 2014, although the firm stressed that it "is under no obligation to repurchase a specific number or dollar amount of shares and the repurchase program may be discontinued at any time."

Top Stocks To Buy: Iliad SA (ILD)

Iliad SA is a France-based holding company active in the integrated telecommunications sector. The Company provides Internet access services, hosting services and others. Iliad SA is also focused on fixed-line telephony services and the provision of wireless fidelity (WiFi) cards, among several others. In addition, Iliad SA sells via Internet a range of insurance policies. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had a number of subsidiaries, which include Free SAS, Centrapel SAS, Freebox SAS, Telecom Academy SARL, Free Frequences SAS, Iliad 1 SAS, Iliad 2 SAS, Protelco SAS, IFW SAS, IRE SAS, Management Centre De Relation Abonne (MCRA), F Distribution SAS, and Centrapel SAS, among others. Its Fixe subsidiary is a landline business-provider of broadband Internet services. As of year-end 2012, the Company was active as a operator in more than 35 countries. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Patricio Kehoe]

  In order to counter the aggressive pricing strategy from wireless new entrant Iliad SA (ILD) in France, Orange was forced to reduce prices. Thus, the firm has continued to add wireless subscribers but at a lower average revenue per user, mainly through its low-end Sosh brand.

• [By Marie Mawad]

  Sales and earnings at Orange are falling as domestic competition with rivals including discounter Iliad SA (ILD) weighs on prices. The carrier, which has diversified into countries from Poland to Egypt, is also trying to keep a lid on debt.

Top Stocks To Buy: United Utilities Group PLC (UUGRY)

United Utilities Group PLC, incorporated on April 08, 2008, is the holding company of a group which owns and operates water and wastewater assets in the North West of England. The Company provides water and wastewater services to around seven million people and businesses in the North West of England, through its wholly owned subsidiary United Utilities Water PLC (UUW). UUW holds licenses to provide water and wastewater services to a population of approximately seven million people in the North West of England.

The Company had approximately 56,000 hectares of catchment land, approximately 189 reservoirs, approximately 94 water treatment works, over 42,000 kilometers of water pipes, over 77,000 kilometers of sewer pipes, and approximately 570 wastewater treatment works. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiaries include United Utilities Water PLC and United Utilities Property Services Limited.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Harvey Jones]

  Severn Trent's share price has had a flat 12 months, aside from a bout of takeover excitement in May, which pushed the stock to a 12-month high of 20.90p. But management rejected the bid, claiming it failed to recognize the value in the business, and the excitement trickled away. Now it trades at 7.20p. That still represents of rise of 23% over three years and 29% over five years, against 18% and 26% for the FTSE 100 respectively. So there is growth to be had, although being a utility, most investors will focus on the income. Right now, Severn Trent yields 4.41%. That is less than fellow water company United Utilities Group (UUGRY), which yields 5.05%, but still comfortably above the FTSE 100 average of 3.54%.