Asia Time Corporation, a Chinese timepiece manufacturer, was featured in a trade alert issued today by Beacon Equity. The stock has traded from $4.50 to over $5.00 in just a few sessions, with indicators pointing toward a continuation of momentum.

The company’s first quarter financial results were impressive, showing a marked improvement across the board, as compared to those of a year ago. Revenues hit $36.8 million, with a net income of $2.4 million, greatly superseding last year’s Q1 revenues of $21.1 million, and net loss of $193,000.

With a market cap of a mere $126.8 million, Asia Time Corporation is a subject of intrigue for many investors, and appears to be building strength as a company at an alarming rate. According to the Beacon Equity report, “The company attributes the increases to a portfolio of diversified products with higher selling prices, flexible and extended credit terms, and a targeted

...

Insurance is a durable business. No professional enterprise can do without it, in good times and bad. Insurance is also a vital form of security for stock investors. There are abundant and compelling reasons to favor stocks in the insurance business when markets are depressed, under cost pressures, or with uncertain demand trends.

Insurance spawns other enterprises, just like most industries. The entities from which retail customers buy insurance are reluctant to take full risks on their own shoulders. There are other financial benefits in reinsurance as well. However, the reinsurance industry is subject to the kinds of derivative risks from which the stock exchange world has suffered since September 2007.

The insurance business also requires the management of claims. This service, unlike reinsurance, costs little to run, is isolated from risk, and adds significant values. The business model of this small capital member of the Insurance (Miscellaneous) Industry from Atlanta, GA,

...

When you finally payoff that loan it is a huge accomplishment, don’t change your budget and continue to make the payments to yourself.

We purchased our first car back in October 2003 with a 5 year (60 month) loan at 0% APR. This was a great deal and looking forward to paying the loan off in the next few months. We also decided to enter into a 2-year lease for our second car due to our work commutes. Just recently, we made our final lease payment and decided to turn the car in, going from a 2-car to a single car household.

Since we no longer need a second car, we have decided to continue to save our monthly payments into a new account to be used as a down payment for the next car …

I continue to knock on every piece of wood, artificial or otherwise, as we continue to stake through this earnings period without a major blowup. With so many positions this is a bit uncanny - and my assumption will be this only means next earnings period we'll be taking some body blows as what the market gives, she takes away soon enough. But for now we enjoy. Deep sea oil driller Atwood Oceanics (ATW) reports a serious beat on the bottom line and a solid beat on the top line tonight. This continues the pattern in the sector and it only gets better from here as old contracts disappear and new contracts get signed at much higher rates. Analysts have estimated $6.71 for 2008 profits and $10.49 for 2009... I continue to believe this entire group is sadly undervalued as it's been treated as a CYCLICAL ...

Hansen Natural (HANS), which makes Monster energy drink, reported lower-than-expected quarterly results as cost increases drove down profitability, sending its shares down 13 percent after hours. The company posted a first-quarter net income of $28.8 million, or 29 cents a share, compared with $20.2 million, or 21 cents a share, a year earlier. Analysts expected the company to earn 35 cents a share. Hansen lost sales as customers made early purchases in the fourth quarter to beat price increases. It also demonstrates the short attention span suffered by most investors, as this was all discussed on the conference call three months ago. At the time, I said “Hansen Natural is giving back the last month’s gains today after reporting higher than expected sales and lower than expected margins. Both were explained by customers stocking up ahead of a price increase.” Early this year I felt that growth was available on ...

Lots of Israeli companies reporting earnings. Here are some highlights: Perrigo (PRGO): Tightened up 2008 guidance higher and beat revenues projections. Earnings release here. Early look at the stock is that investors aren’t impressed. See our recent commentary on PRGO’s generic nicotine gum. Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA): Earnings report here. Quarter over quarter growth looks to be 24% and profit down from CoGenesys charge. RRSat (RRST): Smacked yesterday after an earnings release. The 20% drop came after putting up pretty good top lines numbers. Margins came down quite a bit. Alvarion (ALVR): Stock popped after the wireless backhaul firm put up pretty good revenue numbers and a narrower loss. The stock jumped 15%. Earnings report here. See our analysis of the recent turbulence in the wireless market. Ness Technologies (NSTC): Revenues up 27% year-over-year and ...