Top 5 Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Universal Truckload Services (NASDAQ: UACL  ) , a North American provider of trucking and logistics solutions, jumped as much as 12% after receiving an upgrade from BB&T�Capital Markets.

So what: According to BB&T Capital Markets, Universal Truckload's product offerings should broaden and its gross margins should improve following its $335 million purchase of privately held LINC Logistics, announced last year. BB&T upgraded Universal Trucking to a buy from a hold and set its price target at $33, implying 32% upside based on Friday's closing price.

Now what: As usual, the first thing you need to do is not allow the extremely short-term movements of analysts to cloud your long-term investing thesis. In the case of Universal Truckload, it's going to be a bumpy ride but management seems to have the steering wheel pointed in the right direction. The purchase of LINC adversely affected the company's bottom line because of a change in tax code last quarter and Universal could suffer as it sheds lower margin and unprofitable operations. However, I do see value in the LINC purchase and feel, after a moderate pullback, that this could be a name worth keeping an eye on in the trucking sector.

Top 5 Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: Rentcash Inc (CSF.TO)

The Cash Store Financial Services Inc. provides alternative financial products and services under Cash Store Financial and Instaloans names in Canada and the United Kingdom. The company primarily offers short-term advances and other financial services. Its financial products and services include payday loans, signature loans, line of credit, injury claims, standard and premium bank accounts, cheque cashing, prepaid credit and debit cards, money transfer services, and payment insurance services. The company was formerly known as Rentcash Inc. and changed its name to The Cash Store Financial Services Inc. in March 2008. The Cash Store Financial Services Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada.

Top 5 Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: Telus Corporation Com Npv (T.TO)

TELUS Corporation provides telecommunications products and services primarily in Canada. Its telecommunications products and services include wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, and television. The company operates through two segments, Wireless and Wireline. The Wireless segment provides digital personal communications, equipment sales, and wireless Internet services. The Wireline segment offers voice local and voice long distance services; data services, which include television, and managed and legacy data services, as well as Internet, enhanced data, and hosting services; and other telecommunications services. As of December 4, 2012, it has 13 million customer connections, including 7.6 million wireless subscribers, 3.5 million wireline network access lines, 1.3 million Internet subscribers, and 635,000 TELUS TV customers. TELUS Corporation was founded in 1993 and is based in Burnaby, Canada.

Top Financial Companies To Watch For 2014: Russel Metals Inc Com Npv (RUS.TO)

Russel Metals Inc. engages in the processing and distribution of metals in Canada and the United States. The company operates in three segments: Metals Service Centers, Energy Tubular Products, and Steel Distributors. The Metals Service Centers segment sells plates, and flat rolled carbon and other general line carbon steel products comprising structurals, bars, sheet, pipe, tubing, and hollow structural steel tubing, as well as stainless steel, aluminum, and other non-ferrous specialty metal products in various sizes, shapes, and specifications. It also provides customized processing services. This segment serves end users in various industries, including machinery and equipment manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, and natural resources, such as mining and petroleum. The Energy Tubular Products segment distributes oil country tubular goods, pipe piling, line pipes, tubes, valves, fluid handling products, and fittings; and processes and distributes steel pipe product s for the construction, oil and gas, and ski industries in the western United States. This segment serves energy, construction, manufacturing, pulp and paper, and mining industries. The Steel Distributors segment distributes steel in large volumes to other steel service centers and large equipment manufacturers. This segment sources carbon steel, plate, beams, channel, flat rolled products, and rail and pipe products. Russel Metals Inc. was founded in 1929 and is based in Mississauga, Canada.

Top 5 Logistics Stocks To Watch 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.

Top 5 Logistics Stocks To Watch For 2014: MECOM GROUP ORD GBP0.00608588(MEC.L)

Mecom Group plc engages in content and consumer business activities in Europe. It publishes regional daily newspapers, free door-to-door newspapers, and magazines. The company operates approximately 70 newspaper Websites and standalone niche Websites, 165 hyper-local Websites, and 4 print plants for printing publications, as well as owns 9 paid-for dailies and approximately 200 free-sheet titles in the Netherlands. It also has a portfolio of 2 national daily paid-for titles; 1 national daily free-sheet; a weekly national paid-for newspaper; 1 national business magazine; 7 local daily news and 47 local weekly newspapers under the name of Berlingske Lokale Medier; and 1 partly owned regional newspaper operating under the name of JydskeVestkysten, as well as operates 38 Websites, 39 hyper-local Websites, 9 mobile sites, 11 online TV channels, 5 print plants, and 1 national and 3 local radio stations in Denmark. In addition, the company has 30 newspapers, such as dailies, week lies, and free-sheets; 46 Websites; and 3 print plants in Norway; and operates Rzeczpospolita, a national daily newspaper; business daily Parkiet; and 10 regional newspapers in Poland, as well as owns 17 titles; and operates 30 Websites, 37 hyper-local Websites, and 7 small print plants. Mecom Group plc is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.