Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks To Own For 2014

A day after the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI  ) fell more than 100 points on jobs concerns, the blue chips bounced right back on a different jobs report, today gaining 131 points, or 0.9%. Investors reacted to news that last week's toll of initial unemployment claims came in at just 324,000, the lowest single-week total since 2007. Continuing unemployment claims also fell to nearly 3 million, another encouraging sign. The all-important Department of Labor jobs numbers will come out tomorrow morning with an addition of 155,000 jobs expected in April.

Strong earnings reports from companies including General Motors, Facebook, and AIG also helped push stocks higher today, as well as the European Central Bank's decision to drop its benchmark rate 25 basis points, to 0.5%, which came a day after the Federal Reserve said it would keep its current stimulus program in place.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC  ) shares were up 0.5% today as the struggling chip maker named Brian Krzanich, a longtime executive with the company, as its new CEO. The move is a reversal from Intel's initial claims that it would bring in a new head from outside the company, as it seeks to reignite falling sales. Some analysts were disappointed at the message the choice sends, having hoped for a new direction from the company. Krzanich will assume the position on May 16 as Paul Otellini steps down.

10 Best Oil Service Stocks To Watch For 2015: McDonald's Corporation(MCD)

McDonald?s Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a worldwide foodservice retailer. It franchises and operates McDonald?s restaurants that offer various food items, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages. As of December 31, 2009, the company operated 32,478 restaurants in 117 countries, of which 26,216 were operated by franchisees; and 6,262 were operated by the company. McDonald?s Corporation was founded in 1948 and is based in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos]

  If you want to take your investing a step further into individual stocks, start by looking at large, successful companies with understandable business models. For example, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) dominates the fast-food industry, serving 69 million people every day. Mickey D's has had a tough few quarters�as rising food costs pinched profits, and consumers have become even more value-minded. But the company still expects to grow sales faster than the industry this year by improving its menu, and by spending $3.2 billion adding locations and renovating existing restaurants.

• [By Jonas Elmerraji]

  Fast food giant McDonald's (MCD) has been a laggard in 2013. While its 10% rally would look impressive almost any other year, it's been anemic this year, as the big indexes have churned out more than twice the performance since the calendar flipped over to January. But the golden arches could be getting ready to make up some lost ground.

  McDonald's is the biggest name in fast food, with more than 34,900 restaurants spread across 120 countries. MCD isn't a typical restaurant business -- the vast majority of its locations are franchised, and the firm even owns the land underneath many of those franchised locations. Those factors give McDonald's more in common with a REIT than with the diner down the street. In recent years, the firm has made efforts to move its menus upmarket with more healthy options and amenities like in-store WiFi.

  While those efforts have helped move McDonald's up the food chain a bit, the firm's real growth potential comes from emerging markets, where the chain enjoys a much more appealing image with a growing population of middle class consumers. MCD's unique business model should keep shoveling income to investors in 2014 -- at present, this Dow Dog's quarterly dividend payout works out to a 3.34% yield.

• [By Ravagadus]

  The breakfast wars are heating up nicely in the form of a three-way challenge between McDonald's (MCD), Yum Brands (YUM) Taco Bell and Starbucks (SBUX). The fight is on to lure unsuspecting customers from One Breakfast table to another.

• [By Fast Weekly]

  I am however certain that I have cash I need to put to work, and I am very happy with my recent investments in Coca-Cola (KO), McDonalds (MCD), General Mills (GIS), Unilever (UL), and VWO. �Those purchases were sized such that I'm not yet to my target allocation, and I will continue buying as the stock prices go lower.

Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks To Own For 2014: Apple Inc.(AAPL)

Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Doug Ehrman]

  Sure, it's an iPod Touch, which isn't the most exciting new product�Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL  ) , could release. A new, cheaper iPod may not seem of particular importance in the grand scheme of Apple's product mix, but the lower price tag may be the sign of a growing trend in Cupertino. If this proves true, it has particular ramifications for Apple's future.

Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks To Own For 2014: Visa Inc.(V)

Visa Inc., a payments technology company, engages in the operation of retail electronic payments network worldwide. It facilitates commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company owns and operates VisaNet, a global processing platform that provides transaction processing services. It also offers a range of payments platforms, which enable credit, charge, deferred debit, debit, and prepaid payments, as well as cash access for consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company provides its payment platforms under the Visa, Visa Electron, PLUS, and Interlink brand names. In addition, it offers value-added services, including risk management, issuer processing, loyalty, dispute management, value-added information, and CyberSource-branded services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Paul Ausick]

  Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) slipped 2.41% for the day, likely on the coattails of an earnings miss by rival MasterCard In. (NYSE: MA). Consumer finance stocks were near the top of today�� sector losers. Shares closed at $215.56 in a 52-week range of $154.14 to $235.50. Volume was about 70% above the daily average of around 3 million shares.

• [By Associated Press]

  NEW YORK (AP) -- The National Retail Federation on Tuesday urged a federal judge to reject a proposed $7.2 billion settlement with Visa (NYSE: V  ) and MasterCard (NYSE: MA  ) over alleged fee-fixing.

• [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]

  Crazybboy When you sign up for those two-year mobile service contracts in exchange for a lower price on the latest high-tech phone, you're generally counting on that phone to last as long as your deal. But what if it gets dropped, is stepped on or just won't turn on? Is Your Phone Less Than a Year Old? If you're within the manufacturer's warranty period, you're probably OK. In the U.S., Apple (AAPL) will repair or replace its products if they fail within the first year. In my experience (two dead iPhones and one laptop with a damaged hard drive), a short visit to the Apple Store generally results in either a same-day repair or a brand-new replacement. However, Apple's warranty won't cover cosmetic damage (such as a cracked screen), normal wear and tear, or damage clearly caused by "misuse" (say, dropping the phone in water). Other popular phones, such as Samsung's (SSNLF) Galaxy line, have a similar warranty policy. Older Than a Year? If you're outside the warranty period or the damage is not covered by the manufacturer, but you still have months left on your contract, what to do? You could shell out for a brand-new phone... or check your credit card statement. That's right: If you originally purchased the phone with a credit card, you may very well be covered for an additional year on top of the manufacturer's warranty. American Express (AXP) and Visa (V) Signature cards even cover wear and tear and refurbished items, which are excluded by some cards' policies. Many of these credit card warranties even add a year on to some warranties. Sounds Too Good to Be True... Of course, as with any type of warranty claim, you'll have to provide documentation -- an original receipt, proof of the card you used to purchase the item, a copy of the manufacturer's warranty and a repair estimate are common requirements. If your claim is approved, the company can choose to cover the repair cost or reimburse your original purchase cost. What If the Damage Still Isn't Co

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  International Business Machines climbed 2.9% to $186.62, making it the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s biggest winner, followed by Visa (V) and its 1.7% rise to $214.25 after Russia postponed a decision that would have forced them to deposit a large chunk of cash in the country.

Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks To Own For 2014: Philip Morris International Inc(PM)

Philip Morris International Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in markets outside of the United States. Its international product brand line comprises Marlboro, Merit, Parliament, Virginia Slims, L&M, Chesterfield, Bond Street, Lark, Muratti, Next, Philip Morris, and Red & White. The company also offers its products under the A Mild, Dji Sam Soe, and A Hijau in Indonesia; Diana in Italy; Optima and Apollo-Soyuz in the Russian Federation; Morven Gold in Pakistan; Boston in Colombia; Belmont, Canadian Classics, and Number 7 in Canada; Best and Classic in Serbia; f6 in Germany; Delicados in Mexico; Assos in Greece; and Petra in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It operates primarily in the European Union, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. The company is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Editor , Dividend Growth Investor]

  Philip Morris� (PM), through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarettes and other tobacco products. This dividend machine has rewarded shareholders with a dividend increase since being spun-offs from Altria Group (MO) in 2008.

• [By Efficient Alpha]

  Philip Morris International (PM) is a favorite of mine, not only for its 4% dividend but also for its protection against global inflationary pressures. The company can pass through higher commodity prices and smokers will keep coming back for more. The company has 16% of the international market and is making strong progress in China. Asia accounts for 36% of sales, followed by the EMEA region (27%), the EU (26%) and Latin America/Canada (11%). Shares have posted an annual return of 15% since its spinoff in 2008.

• [By GuruFocus]

  Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) Reached the 52-Week Low of $85.37

  The prices of Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) shares have declined to close to the 52-week low of $85.37, which is 15.1% off the 52-week high of $96.73. Philip Morris International Inc. is owned by 31 Gurus we are tracking. Among them, 14 have added to their positions during the past quarter. Ten reduced their positions.

• [By GuruFocus]

  The decade low yield of tobacco stocks can be clearly seen from our new interactive charts, which are embedded below. The chart shows the dividend yield of three tobacco stocks: Reynolds American (RAI), Philip Morris International (PM) and British American Tobacco (BTI).