Best Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2014

Droughts made headlines throughout 2012�due to their harmful affects on our nation's food supply, but privation wasn't the only drag on our fresh water sources. A recent study shows that oil and natural gas fracking has placed great stress on available fresh water�in areas around the country by taking up measurable amounts of the resource. In some instances in Texas, fracking staked its claim to 20% of total water usage in the regions surrounding production areas.�

Reading that astonishing fact clears up any doubt as to why Texas now mandates the recycling of water used in the fracking process. If we plan on becoming more energy independent through increased production of domestic oil and natural gas, then something will most likely be done at the federal level as well. Which companies stand to benefit? Check out Motley Fool analyst Taylor Muckerman's video below.

Despite this, natural gas still has a great chance at revolutionizing the clean energy movement. This trend toward alternative energy is gaining momentum. One potential opportunity in this field is Clean Energy Fuels, which focuses its natural gas efforts primarily on trucking and fleets. It's poised to make a big impact on an essential industry. Learn everything you need to know about Clean Energy Fuels in The Motley Fool's premium research report on the company. Just click here now to claim your copy today.

Hot Supermarket Stocks To Watch Right Now: NTELOS Holdings Corp.(NTLS)

NTELOS Holdings Corp., through its subsidiaries, provides wireless communications services to consumers and businesses primarily in Virginia and West Virginia, as well as parts of Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky. It primarily offers wireless digital personal communications services, such as wireless voice and data products and services, and roaming/travel services under the NTELOS Wireless brand name. The company also provides wholesale network services to Sprint Nextel in the western Virginia and West Virginia area for various Sprint CDMA wireless customers. As of March 6, 2012, its wireless retail business had approximately 415,000 postpay and prepaid subscribers. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Ntelos Holdings Corp.(NTLS) said it had settled disputes with Sprint Corp.(S) related to the companies’ strategic network alliance. The settlement resolves a dispute over the reset of data rates that began in the fourth quarter of 2011, as well as unrelated billing disputes raised in the third quarter of 2012. Shares of Ntelos were up 9.7% at $17.50 in after-hours trading.

Best Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2014: Alliance Resource Partners L.P.(ARLP)

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. engages in the production and marketing of coal for utilities and industrial users in the United States. It operates nine underground mining complexes, which offer low, medium, and high-sulfur coal. The company also leases land and operates a coal loading terminal on the Ohio River at Mt. Vernon, Indiana; and purchases and resells coal. In addition, the company provides mine products and services comprising design and installation of underground mine hoists for transporting employees and materials in and out of mines; design of systems for automating and controlling various aspects of industrial and mining environments; and design and sale of mine safety equipment, such as its miner and equipment tracking, and proximity detection systems. Further, it offers ash and scrubber sludge removal, coal yard maintenance, and arranging alternate transportation services. As of December 31, 2010, the company had approximately 697.4 million tons of coal reserves in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Alliance Resource Management GP, LLC serves as the general partner of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. The company was founded in 1971 and is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Rapier]

  The National Association of Publicly Traded Partnerships (NAPTP) lists five MLPs in the category ��atural Resources – Coal,��although two of the five are Alliance Holdings (NYSE: AHGP) and its operating affiliate, Alliance Resource Partners (NYSE: ARLP). The other three are Natural Resource Partners (NYSE: NRP), Rhino Resource Partners (NYSE: RNO), and Oxford Resource Partners (NYSE: OXF).

• [By Vinay Singh]

  Natural gas isn't as cheap as it was a year ago and that's leading to big changes in the energy market. That will be a good thing for Ultra Petroleum (UPL), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.B) and Alliance Natural Resource Partners (ARLP).

• [By Sean Williams]

  Keep in mind that some companies�deserve�their current valuations. Coal miner Alliance Resource Partners (NASDAQ: ARLP  ) , which is run as a master limited partnership, reported yet another record profit in the first quarter and boosted its quarterly payout yet again. By locking in long-term contracts, Alliance Resource has nearly eliminated its exposure to currently weak coal prices and is able to count on steady and growing cash flow.

• [By Holly LaFon] nce Resources Partners is a coal producer and marketer primarily in the eastern U.S. Its ROA has been increasing since 2008 and increased to 22.5% in 2011 from 21.4% in 2010. The average return on assets for the oil, gas & consumable fuels industry in the trailing 12 months is 24.47%.

  In 2011, its total assets increased to $1.7 billion from $1.1 billion in 2010. Its net income increased to $389 million from $321 million.

  Factset Research Systems Inc. (FDS)

  Factset researches global market trends and develops analytical tools for investors. Of all of GuruFocus��5-star predictable companies, it has the highest return on assets at 27%. ROA has been increasing over the past several years. The average return on assets for the software industry for the trailing 12 months is 13.07%.

  In 2011, the company�� total assets increased to $657 million from $645 the prior year. Its net income increased to $171 million from $150.

  The All-in-One Screener is a fully customizable stock-searching tool just introduced by GuruFocus. Search for stocks according to your own set of requirements here.

Best Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2014: Midway Gold Corporation(MDW)

Midway Gold Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. Its principal properties include the Spring Valley, Midway, Pan, and Gold Rock gold and silver mineral properties located in Nevada; and the Golden Eagle gold mineral property located in Washington. The company was formerly known as Red Emerald Resource Corp. and changed its name to Midway Gold Corp. in July 2002. Midway Gold Corp. was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Midway Gold (NYSE: MDW) shares fell 3.90% to reach a new 52-week low of $0.74. Midway Gold's trailing-twelve-month ROA is -11.16%.

  Posted-In: 52-Week LowsNews Movers & Shakers Intraday Update Markets

Best Clean Energy Stocks To Buy For 2014: Novartis AG (NVS)

Novartis AG, incorporated on February 29, 1996, provides healthcare solutions. The Company is a multinational group of companies specializing in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of a range of healthcare products led by pharmaceuticals. Its portfolio includes medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. The Company has five segments: Pharmaceuticals, which include patent-protected prescription medicines; Alcon, which include surgical, ophthalmic pharmaceutical and vision care products; Sandoz, which include generic pharmaceuticals; vaccines and diagnostics, which include human vaccines and blood-testing diagnostics, and consumer health, which include over-the-counter medicines (OTC) and Animal Health. On April 8, 2011, the Company acquired the remaining non-controlling interest in Alcon, Inc. In December 2013, Alliance Pharma plc announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, acquired all the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (ROI) rights to Lypsyl from Novartis AG.

In April 2011, Novartis sells global rights to Elidel, a medicine to treat atopic dermatitis to Meda. In March 2011, Novartis completes acquisition of majority stake in Zhejiang Tianyuan vaccines company in China. In March 2011, the Company acquired Genoptix, Inc. In October 2011, Novartis discontinues development of AGO178 for depressive disorder. In December 2011, the Company discontinues development of PRT128 for acute coronary syndrome and chronic coronary heart disease, and SMC021 for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In April 2011, Alcon's portfolio of generic ophthalmic medicines sold through its Falcon business unit primarily in the United States.

Pharmaceuticals Division

The Company�� Pharmaceuticals Division researches, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells patented prescription medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as Oncol! ogy; Primary Care, consisting of Primary Care medicines and Established Medicines, and Specialty Care, consisting of Ophthalmology, Neuroscience, Integrated Hospital Care, and Critical Care medicines. The Pharmaceuticals Division is organized into global business franchises responsible for the commercialization of various products, as well as Novartis Oncology, a business unit responsible for the global development and commercialization of oncology products, and Novartis Molecular Diagnostics, a business responsible for the development and commercialization of diagnostic tests and services related to its pharmaceuticals portfolio and therapeutic areas.

The Company�� Oncology products include Afinitor/Votubia, Exjade, Sandostatin SC/Sandostatin LAR , Femara , Zometa, Tasigna and Gleevec/Glivec. Gleevec/Glivec, which is a signal transduction inhibitor approved to treat patients with certain forms of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Tasigna is a signal transduction inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of Bcr-Abl, KIT+ and the PDGF-receptor. Zometa is a treatment to reduce or delay skeletal-related events (SREs), including pathologic fracture, spinal cord compression, and/or requirement of radiation therapy or surgery to bone, in patients with bone metastases (cancer that has spread to the bones) from solid tumors and multiple myeloma. Femara is a once-daily oral aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of early stage or advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Sandostatin SC/Sandostatin LAR is indicated for the treatment of patients with acromegaly, a chronic disease caused by over-secretion of pituitary growth hormone in adults. Sandostatin is also indicated for the treatment of patients with certain symptoms associated with carcinoid tumors and other types of gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Exjade is an oral iron chelator approved for the treatment of chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions in patients over ! two years! of age who have a range of underlying anemias. Patients with congenital and acquired chronic anemia, such as thalassemia, sickle cell disease and myelodysplastic syndromes, require transfusions, which puts them at risk of iron overload. Afinitor/Votubia is an oral inhibitor of the mTOR pathway.

The Company�� Primary Care products include Arcapta Neohaler/Onbrez Breezhaler, Diovan, Exforge, Tekturna/Rasilez, Galvus, Reclast/Aclasta, Voltaren/Cataflam, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Focalin and Focalin XR. Its Specialty Care products include Lucentis, Gilenya, Exelon, Extavia and Comtan, and Stalevo. Its Integrated Hospital Care include Zortress/Certican, Ilaris, Neoral and Myfortic.The Company�� Critical Care products include Xolair and Tobi Podhaler. As of December 31, 2011, the products under development includes ACZ885, which is being investigated for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus; AEB071 (sotrastaurin) is a low molecular weight, selective inhibitor of protein kinase-C (PKC); AFQ056 (mavoglurant) is a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist in Phase II development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia; AIN457 (secukinumab) is a human monoclonal antibody neutralizing interleukin-17A, a key pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed by TH17 cells and other types of white blood cells; BAF312 is an oral, second-generation sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator in Phase II development for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; DEB025 (alisporivir) is a cyclophilin inhibitor for the treatment of Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV); Gileny a line treatment for relapsing forms of MS; Exjade (deferasirox) is an oral iron chelator in development for use in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT); INC424 (ruxolitinib) is an investigational Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, and Zortress/Certican (everolimus) is an mTOR inhibitor with immune/non-immune cell proliferation inhibition being d! eveloped ! for prevention of solid organ transplant rejection.

Alcon Division

The Company�� Alcon Division discovers, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells eye care products. Alcon is engaged in eye care with product offerings in Surgical, Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals and Vision Care. In Surgical, Alcon develops, manufactures, distributes and sells ophthalmic surgical equipment, instruments, disposable products and intraocular lenses. In Pharmaceutical, Alcon discovers, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells medicines to treat chronic and acute diseases of the eye, as well as over-the-counter medicines for the eye. In Vision Care, Alcon develops, manufactures, distributes and sells contact lenses and lens care products.

Alcon's Surgical portfolio includes the Infiniti vision system for cataract procedures, the Constellation vision system for retinal operations, and the AcrySof family of intraocular lenses (IOLs), including the AcrySof IQ, AcrySof IQ ReSTOR, AcrySof IQ Toric and AcrySof IQ ReSTOR Toric IOLs. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its Alcon Division launched the LenSx femtosecond laser, a technology in cataract surgery, which increases the precision and reproductibility for corneal incisions, capsulorhexis and lens fragmentation steps of the procedure. In addition, Alcon provides advanced viscoelastics, surgical solutions, surgical packs and other disposable products for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery.

Alcon Division's Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals business combines Alcon's range of pharmaceuticals with selected ophthalmic products (excluding Lucentis) previously marketed by the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Division. The products treat chronic and acute diseases of the eye including glaucoma and allergies, as well as anti-infective/anti-inflammatory and dry eye treatments. our Alcon Division's Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals portfolio include Travatan Z solution and DuoTrav solution for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure associ! ated with! glaucoma; Vigamox solution for bacterial conjunctivitis; Pataday solution for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis; and Nevanac suspension for eye inflammation following cataract surgery. Alcon launched a number of products during 2011, including Dailies Total 1 lenses, Opti-Free EverMoist Multi Purpose Disinfecting Solution, LenSx laser, AcrySof IQ ReSTOR Toric lens, AcrySof IQ Toric T6-T9 lens, Travatan BAK-free solution, DuoTrav BAK-free solution, Moxeza solution and Systane Balance eye drops.

Sandoz Division

The Company�� Sandoz Division is a global generic pharmaceuticals company that develops, manufactures, distributes and sells prescription medicines, as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances, which are not protected by valid and enforceable third-party patents. The Sandoz Division has activities in Retail Generics, Anti-Infectives, and Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology Injectables. In Retail Generics, Sandoz develops, manufactures and markets active ingredients and finished dosage forms of pharmaceuticals, as well as supplying active ingredients to third parties. In Anti-Infectives, Sandoz develops and manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates, mainly antibiotics, for internal use by retail generics and for sale to third-party customers. In Biopharmaceuticals, Sandoz develops, manufactures and markets protein- or other biotechnology-based products (biosimilars or follow-on biologics) and sells biotech manufacturing services to other companies.

In Oncology Injectables, Sandoz develops, manufactures and markets primarily cytotoxic products for the hospital market. During 2011, the Company launched generic docetaxel (Taxotere), higher-strength generic amlodipine-benazepril (Lotrel), generic meropenem (Merem) injection, and the formation of a women's health portfolio with generic Seasonale, Nordette, Yaz and Yasmin. The product launched in various European countries included generic docetaxel, ge! neric ana! strazole (Arimidex), and valsartan/covalsartan (an early entry generic version of Novartis Pharmaceuticals' Diovan/Co-Diovan).

Vaccines and Diagnostics Division

The Company�� Vaccines and Diagnostics Division researches, develops, manufactures, distributes and sells preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis Vaccines is a global developer and manufacturer of human vaccines. Novartis Diagnostics is a blood testing and molecular diagnostics business dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through blood-screening tools that protect the world's blood supply. Novartis Vaccines' products include influenza, meningococcal, pediatric, adult and travel vaccines.

The Company�� influenza vaccines include Agrippal, Fluad, Fluvirin and Optaflu. Its Meningococcal Vaccines includes Menjugate and Menveo. Its travel vaccines include Encepur Children, Encepur Adults, Ixiaro and Rabipur/Rabavert. Its Pediatric Vaccines include Polioral and Quinvaxem.

Consumer Health

Consumer Health consists of two Divisions: OTC (over-the-counter medicines) and Animal Health. Each has its own research, development, manufacturing, distribution and selling capabilities. OTC offers readily available consumer medicine. Animal Health provides veterinary products for farm and companion animals.

OTC (over-the-counter medicines) offers products for the treatment and prevention of common medical conditions and ailments. OTC business focuses on a group of global brands in product categories that include treatments for cough/cold/respiratory (Triaminic, Otrivin, TheraFlu/NeoCitran), pain relief (Excedrin, Voltaren), digestive health (Benefiber, Prevacid24HR, Pantoloc Control), dermatology (Lamisil, Fenistil), and smoking cessation (Habitrol/Nicotinell).

Animal Health offers products and services focusing on both companion and farm animals (including cultivated fish). Key products for companion animals include Atopica (atopic dermatitis manageme! nt), Dera! maxx and Onsior (pain relief), Fortekor (heart failure in dogs, chronic renal insufficiency in cats), and Sentinel/Milbemax/Interceptor (intestinal parasite control and heartworm prevention), while farm animal products include the therapeutic anti-infective Denagard, an antimicrobial used to treat and control bacteria in swine, CLiK, an insect growth regulator used to control blowfly strike in sheep, cattle vaccines used to prevent respiratory and reproductive diseases in beef and dairy cattle, and Zolvix, a sheep drench representing the new sheep anthelmintic class. Aquaculture products include vaccines and treatments mainly used in salmon farming.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Orelli]

  Shares of the biotech have been on a bit of a roller coaster over the last year as investors went from having high hopes for Ariad Pharmaceutical's leukemia drug Iclusig to seeing the drug getting pulled from the market because the drug is linked to blood clots. After returning to the market, Ariad's shares have more than doubled off their lows, but are still well off of where they were when investors thought Iclusig could compete with Novartis' (NYSE: NVS  ) Gleevec and Bristol-Myers Squibb's (NYSE: BMY  ) Sprycel as first-line treatments.

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  Another option is the iShares Europe ETF (IEV). It owns BP (BP) and pharmaceutical powerhouse Novartis (NVS). Both this ETF and the Vanguard fund have nearly all their assets invested in European stocks.

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  Pfizer will turn its immediate focus to Xeljanz, a novel JAK3 inhibitor, as it awaits phase 3 data from ertugliflozin several years from now. The drug class has swept the pharmaceutical industry by storm. Novartis (NYSE: NVS  ) and Eli Lilly are developing JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitors for several applications with Incyte (NASDAQ: INCY  ) , while a handful of other companies have molecules of their own. While companies have high hopes for the cancer-fighting potential of JAK inhibitors, such as Jakafi from Novartis and Incyte, the biggest opportunities may lie in the immunology market.

• [By Keith Speights]

  Why try to beat 'em if you can just buy 'em? That's the approach that Questcor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: QCOR  ) is taking. The biotech announced today that it has acquired rights to develop Syncathen and�Synacthen Depot in the U.S. from�Novartis (NYSE: NVS  ) . Questcor is paying $60 million up front and at least $75 million over the next few years, plus potential milestone payments. Shares were up nearly 25% in early trading.