5 Best Tech Stocks For 2014

Blue-chip stocks are broadly higher today after government statistics showed that the unemployment situation is improving faster than expected. With roughly an hour left in the trading session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) is up by 86 points, or 0.58%.

This morning, the Labor Department released its weekly estimate of jobless claims -- click here to see the official press release. According to the report, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week fell to a near five-year low. The figure declined by 16,000, to a seasonally adjusted 339,000. Meanwhile, economists surveyed by MarketWatch.com had expected the figure to come in at 351,000.

According to an economist quoted by The Wall Street Journal, "The drop in claims reinforces our view that the sudden weakening in the data in March was more technical than fundamental, likely due in part at least to the swing in the weather to colder-than-usual from milder-than-usual earlier."

5 Best Tech Stocks For 2014: Intel Corporation(INTC)

Intel Corporation engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of integrated circuits for computing and communications industries worldwide. It offers microprocessor products used in notebooks, netbooks, desktops, servers, workstations, storage products, embedded applications, communications products, consumer electronics devices, and handhelds. The company also provides system on chip products that integrate its core processing functionalities with other system components, such as graphics, audio, and video, onto a single chip. In addition, it offers chipset products that send data between the microprocessor and input, display, and storage devices, including keyboard, mouse, monitor, hard drive, and CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drives; motherboards designed for desktop, server, and workstation platforms, and that has connectors for attaching devices to the bus; and wired and wireless connectivity products consisting of network adapters and embedded wireless cards used to translate and transmit data across networks. Further, the company provides NAND flash memory products primarily used in portable memory storage devices, digital camera memory cards, and solid-state drives; software products comprising operating systems, middleware, and tools used to develop, run, and manage various enterprise, consumer, embedded, and handheld devices; and software development tools that enable the creation of applications. Additionally, it develops computing platforms, which are integrated hardware and software computing technologies designed to offer an optimized solution. The company sells its products principally to original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, PC components and other products users, and other manufacturers of industrial and communications equipment. It has a strategic alliance with Scientific Conservation Inc. Intel Corporation was founded in 1968 and is based in Santa Clara, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Travis Hoium]

  PC stocks helped drive those gains after IDC said global PC sales fell 11.4% in the second quarter. That was slightly better than expectations and a 13.9% decline in the first quarter. This doesn't mean PC sales are booming, but it may be a sign that the PC market is starting to stabilize. Shares of Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) were the biggest beneficiary of the news, jumping 3.1% today on hope that this will give the company more time to execute its plan to get into the mobile-chip business.�

• [By John Udovich]

  On Tuesday after the market closes, chip maker�Advanced Micro Devices, Inc (NYSE: AMD) is scheduled to report earnings and shares are already up 15.5% since the start of the year. However, it should be mentioned that shares also had good run ups ahead of previous earnings reports���only to sink when those earnings reports did not live up to expectations. Incidentally, we have had AMD in our SmallCap Network Elite Opportunity (SCN EO) portfolio since last summer and we are also up 15.50% since that time. With that and next week�� earnings report in mind, here is the latest news about AMD:

  Kaveri is Launched as AMD and Intel Move in Different Directions. On Tuesday, Advanced Micro Devices officially began shipping its Kaveri chip architecture (meant for games and other high-performance applications) with the company pricing�both the new 3.7GHz�A10-7850K and the 3.4GHz A10-7700K for less than $200��173 and $153, respectively; plus a�third, lower-power variant, the 3.1GHz and 3.3GHz A8-7600, will ship later in the first quarter for about $119.�PCWorld noted that these prices are roughly equal to the Core i5 chips that Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) released in the second quarter of 2013. In addition,�VentureBeat�has pointed out that the�new chips show that AMD is moving in a very different direction from Intel, who last week�� Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas put a lot of emphasis on ��erceptual computing,��or using gestures and other new kinds of interfaces to control computers. Instead of interfaces, AMD is focusing on powerful graphics capabilities. Bullish Options Trading. On Tuesday, AVAFIN reported trading of Advanced Micro Devices options resulted in a new 90-day call volume record. Specifically,�a total of 11,011 put and 73,089 call contracts was traded�for a 0.15 put/call ratio on shares of AMD while Wednesday saw triple the normal share trading volume as investors and traders alike no doubt jockey for position ahead of ear
• [By Dan Dzombak]

  Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) stock has been on a tear this week on news that its chips will launch with HP's Moonshot servers. While Intel dominates the PC chip market, it faces a tougher fight in the server and mobile markets against rival ARM, whose chips are known for their efficiency. The news from IDC has pushed Intel's stock down 2.7% today.

5 Best Tech Stocks For 2014: Computer Task Group Inc (CTG)

Computer Task Group, Incorporated (CTG), incorporated on March 11, 1966, is an information technology (IT) solutions and staffing company with operations in North America and Europe. CTG provides IT services to its clients, which includes IT Solutions and IT Staffing. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company had six operating subsidiaries: Computer Task Group of Canada, Inc., providing services in Canada; and Computer Task Group Belgium N.V., CTG ITS S.A., Computer Task Group IT Solutions, S.A., Computer Task Group Luxembourg PSF, and Computer Task Group (U.K.) Ltd., each were providing services in Europe. Services provided in North America are performed by CTG. It provides services to all of the markets, which it serves. The services provided encompass the IT business solution life cycle, including phases for planning, developing, implementing, managing, and maintaining the IT solution. In February 2013, it acquired etrinity from i-Cros Nv of Antwerp, Belgium.

The Company promotes its services through four vertical market focus areas: technology service providers; healthcare, which includes services provided to healthcare providers, health insurers (payers), and life sciences companies; energy, and financial services. At December 31, 2011, CTG provided IT services to approximately 300 clients in North America and Europe. In North America, the Company operates in the United States and Canada. In Europe, the Company operates in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.

IT Solutions

CTG�� services in IT solution area include helping clients assess their business needs and identifying the IT solutions. The services delivered by the Company include the selection and implementation of packaged software and the design, development, testing, and integration of new systems, and the development and implementation of customized software and solutions designed to fit the needs of a specific client or vertical market. Also included in IT Solutions is Trans! itional Application Management (TAM).

In 2011, the healthcare market accounted for most of CTG�� TAM business. In 2011, CTG continued to invest in new IT solutions development, primarily targeted to the healthcare market, which support cost reductions and productivity improvements. In 2011, several healthcare solutions under development moved from the pilot stage of testing using live data into the sales process as completed tools. These solutions include medical fraud, waste, and abuse detection and reduction, medical care and disease management, and group insurance underwriting risk assessment. The Company has developed software to support these offerings. These solutions support both the healthcare provider and payer markets.

IT Staffing

The Company recruits, retains, and manages IT talent for its clients, which are technology service providers and companies with multiple locations and need for external IT resources. The Company also supports companies and organizations that need to augment their own IT staff on a flexible basis. It provides IT talent services on a temporary or long-term basis. CTG�� recruiting organization works with customers to define their staffing requirements. The primary focus of the Company�� staffing business is a managed services model that provides clients with support through supply models customized to client needs, resource management support, vendor management programs, and a automated recruiting process and system. During 2011, its IT staffing service generated 63% of its total revenue.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Computer Task Group (Nasdaq: CTG  ) reported earnings on July 22. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended June 28 (Q2), Computer Task Group missed estimates on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Hot Small Cap Stocks To Buy For 2014: Prima BioMed Ltd (PBMD)

Prima BioMed Ltd is a biotechnology company is engaged in the development and commercialization of medical therapies with a focus on oncology. Its product candidates in development include Cvac, an autologous dendritic cell vaccine for ovarian cancer, monoclonal antibodies for multiple tumour types, and an oral formulation for the human papilloma virus (HPV), vaccine. Its product candidate Cvac is a dendritic cell therapy, for which it is conducting a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Cvac is designed to target the tumour antigen mucin-1, which is expressed at high levels on different tumour types. It also has two preclinical product development programs. In May 2011, Prima BioMed GmbH, a 100 % owned subsidiary of Prima BioMed Ltd, was incorporated in Germany. In May 2011, Prima BioMed Middle East FZLLC, a 100 % owned subsidiary of Prima BioMed Ltd, was incorporated in the United Arab Emirates. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Prima Biomed (NASDAQ: PBMD) dropped 38.17% to $1.45 after the company reported top-line analysis of CVac Phase 2 trial.

  Tower Group International (NASDAQ: TWGP) plummeted 24.31% to $10.49. Tower Group announced its plans to release its Q2 results during the week of October 7, 2013. FBR Capital downgraded the stock from Outperform to Market Perform.

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Prima Biomed (NASDAQ: PBMD) shares dipped 38.59% to touch a new 52-week low of $1.44 after the company reported top-line analysis of CVac Phase 2 trial.

• [By Bryan Murphy]

  Were it the first time, or even the second time, it happened, it might be dismissible. A third time though? As they say, the third time is the charm. If the old saying applies in the worlds of small cap stocks (and it usually does), then Prima Biomed Ltd. (NASDAQ:PBMD) just kick-started what could be a trade-worthy rally.

5 Best Tech Stocks For 2014: Alcobra Ltd (ADHD)

Alcobra Ltd is an Israel-based Biopharmaceutical company. It focuses on the development and commercialization of a proprietary drug, MG01CI, to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a common and morbid neuropsychiatric condition in children and adults. Adult ADHD is associated with increased health risks and healthcare costs, higher divorce rates, lower levels of socioeconomic attainment, lower academic achievement, unemployment and work place deficits, increased risks for motor vehicle accidents, greater likelihood of additional psychiatric disorders, increased criminal activity and incarceration, and higher rates of substance use and abuse. MG01CI product has completed phase two studies. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

  A biopharmaceutical stock that's starting to trend within range of triggering a big breakout trade is Alcobra (ADHD), which is engaged in the development and commercialization of its proprietary drug, MG01CI, to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This stock has been on fire so far in 2013, with shares up huge by 126%.

  If you take a look at the chart for Alcobra, you'll notice that this stock has been trending sideways and consolidating over the last month and change, with shares moving between $14.78 on the downside and $18.75 on the upside. Shares of ADHD have now started to uptrend a bit over the last few weeks, with shares moving higher from its low of $15.05 to its recent high of $18.45 share. That move has started to push shares of ADHD within range of triggering a big breakout trade above the upper-end of its recent sideways trading chart pattern.

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in ADHD if it manages to break out above its 50-day moving average of $17.79 a share, and then once it takes out some more key overhead resistance levels at $18.45 to $18.75 a share with high volume. Look for a sustained move or close above those levels with volume that hits near or above its three-month average action of 74,869 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then ADHD will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $22 to $24 a share. Any high-volume move above those levels will then give ADHD a chance to re-test or possibly take out its all-time high at $26.96 a share.

  Traders can look to buy ADHD off any weakness to anticipate that breakout and simply use a stop that sits right below some near-term support levels at $16.17 to $15.05 a share, or around $14.78 a share. One could also buy ADHD off strength once it starts to clear those breakout levels with volume and then simply use a stop that sits a comfortable percentage from your entry point.

5 Best Tech Stocks For 2014: Ancestry.com Inc.(ACOM)

Ancestry.com Inc. operates as an online family history resource for subscribers worldwide. The company?s subscribers use Web-based services and content collection to research their family histories, build their family trees, collaborate with other subscribers, upload their own records, and publish and share their stories. Its subscribers can search through its collection of various records that cover birth records, marriage and death records, census records, immigration documents, photographs, maps, military records, personal narratives, and newspapers. As of December 31, 2011, the company had 1.7 million paying subscribers. Ancestry.com Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Provo, Utah.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Ancestry.com Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOM) will release financial results for its third quarter 2012 on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at approximately 2:00 p.m. MT (4:00 p.m. ET). Following the release, the Company will host a conference call with analysts and investors at 3:00 p.m. MT (5:00 p.m. ET).