5 Best Electric Utility Stocks To Own For 2014

Stock markets have fallen modestly today after reaching record highs over the past few days. The Dow Jones Industrial Index (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) is down 0.13% in late trading, and the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC  ) has dropped 0.38%. But the real fireworks were in the commodities market, where gold fell 4.2% and oil dropped 2.5% by 3:15 p.m. EDT.

The Fed is discussing the end of quantitative easing, and the stock market continues to rise, so the "safe haven" that gold bugs find comforting is getting a little less attractive by the day. A commodity like gold can quickly plummet when traders decide to sell: There's little fundamental use for gold, so it trades based more on sentiment and fear than on fundamental supply and demand, unlike other commodities.

Oil fell after the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading for April dropped to 72.3 in April from 78.6 in March. This is just a preliminary reading, but it's the lowest since last July, and it shows that the economy could be weakening.

5 Best Electric Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Bioanalytical Systems Inc.(BASI)

Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. provides drug discovery and development services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and government organizations primarily in North America, the Pacific Rim, and Europe. The company operates in two segments, Contract Research Services and Research Products. The Contract Research Services segment offers various services, including product characterization, method development, and validation; bioanalytical testing to measure drug and metabolite concentrations in complex biological matrices; stability testing to establish and confirm product purity, potency, and shelf life; in vivo sampling services for the continuous monitoring of chemical changes in life; and pharmacokinetic and safety testing services, as well as provides screening and pharmacological testing, preclinical safety testing, formulation development, regulatory compliance, and quality control testing services. The Research Products segment offers analytical products compris ing liquid chromatographic and electrochemical instruments with associated accessories; in vivo sampling products, such as Culex family of automated in vivo sampling and dosing instruments; and Vetronics? products consisting of instruments and related software to monitor and diagnose cardiac function, and measure other vital physiological parameters in cats and dogs. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tom Bishop]

  Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. offers one of the top rated biotechnology stocks found on the NASDAQ market. This stock now stands close to three hundred percent over the recent fifty two week low.

5 Best Electric Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Ratti(RATI.MI)

Ratti S.p.A. engages in the production and sale of printed and dyed-in-the-yarn silk, wool, cotton, linen, and other fabrics for apparel, neckwear, furnishings, and other accessories. It also produces apparel fabrics for the wholesale and retail sectors, as well as for tailoring work shops. In addition, the company designs and creates foulards, scarves, shawls, and stoles, as well as manufactures printed and plain fabrics for furniture. It has operations primarily in Europe, the United States, and Japan The company, formerly known as Antonio Ratti Silk Weaving, was founded by Antonio Ratti in 1945. Ratti S.p.A. is headquartered in Guanzate, Italy.

Hot Casino Companies For 2014: Westmoreland Coal Company(WLB)

Westmoreland Coal Company operates as an energy company in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of sub-bituminous coal and lignite to electricity generating plants; and the ownership of power plants in North Carolina. It owns 5 surface coal mines in Montana, North Dakota, and Texas; and 2 coal-fired power generating units with a capacity of approximately 230 megawatts in Weldon, North Carolina. As of December 31, 2010, Westmoreland Coal Company had estimated proven and probable coal reserves of 389.9 million tons. The company was founded in 1854 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

5 Best Electric Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Honey Badger Exploration Inc (TUF.V)

Honey Badger Exploration Inc., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition and exploration of copper, gold, and base metal properties in Nevada, and British Columbia, Canada. The company was formerly known as Telkwa Gold Corp. and changed its name to Honey Badger Exploration Inc. in June 2008. Honey Badger Exploration Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

5 Best Electric Utility Stocks To Own For 2014: Oasis Petroleum Inc.(OAS)

Oasis Petroleum Inc., an independent exploration and production company, engages in the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas resources in the Montana and North Dakota regions of the Williston Basin. The company?s primary project areas include West Williston, East Nesson, and Sanish. As of December 31, 2011, it had approximately 78.7 million barrels of oil equivalent of estimated net proved reserves. Oasis Petroleum Inc. was founded in 2007 and is based in Houston, Texas.