Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015

With shares of Safeway (NYSE:SWY) trading around $33, is SWY an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:

T = Trends for a Stock’s Movement

Safeway is a food and drug retailer in North America that operates over 1600 stores. The company�� United States retail operations are located principally in California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Mid-Atlantic region. In support of its retail operations, Safeway has a network of distribution, manufacturing, and food processing facilities. Safeway also owns and operates GroceryWorks.com, an online grocery channel doing business under the names Safeway.com and Vons.com. Safeway also has a 49 percent interest in Casa Ley, S.A. de C.V., which operates 195 food and general merchandise stores in Western Mexico.

Safeway shares are up despite the fact that the grocery store chain reported a 59 percent drop in profit for the third quarter. The reason for the Safeway optimism is that the company announced it�� leaving Chicago by the beginning of next year. The 72 Domenick�� supermarkets it owns in the city will give Safeway a $400 to $450 million cash tax benefit. Revenue grew 1.1 percent to $8.6 billion, but earnings fell short of estimates at 10 cents a share.

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: Diamondcorp PLC (DCP)

DiamondCorp plc is a United Kingdom-based diamond producer. The Company�� 74%-owned Lace diamond mine is located 200 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg in the Free State Province of South Africa. The project comprises the Lace kimberlite. Approximately 33 million tons of kimberlite have been outlined in the main Lace pipe between the 240 meter and the 855 meter level, containing an estimated 13.3 million carats of diamonds at an average estimated grade of 40 carats per hundred tons (cpht). Its subsidiaries include Diamondcorp Holdings Limited, Botswana Diamondcorp Limited, Lace Diamond Mine (Pty) Limited, which is engaged in diamond exploration, Soapstone Investments (Pty) Limited and DCP Exploration (Pty) Ltd. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tyler Crowe]

  Perhaps bigger players like Occidental were able to hog the limited takeaway capacity, but this won't be a good reason for slowed production very soon. Magellan Midstream Partners (NYSE: MMP  ) and DCP Midstream (NYSE: DCP  ) both have pipelines coming on line within the next couple of months that will have takeaway capacity of 225,000 and 350,000 barrels per day, respectively. Once these pipelines come on line, there should be much more room for LINN's production.�

• [By Aimee Duffy]

  Winners
  Given the current state of U.S. energy production, most midstream companies are winners these days. Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP  ) got things started off on the right foot, reporting in mid-April and beating expectations on revenue and EPS. Here are some highlights from around the industry:

  Buckeye Partners (NYSE: BPL  ) �trounced analyst expectations on the top and bottom lines, and recorded a distribution coverage ratio of 1.21 times payouts, allowing the partnership to boost its distribution. DCP Midstream Partners' (NYSE: DCP  ) �distributable cash flow popped 40% year over year, and the partnership completed its Eagle Ford dropdown transaction with parent company DCP Midstream, boosting its stake in the lucrative South Texas shale play. Boardwalk Energy Partners' (NYSE: BWP  ) �operating revenue and net income increased 5% and 10% year over year. More importantly, distributable cash flow popped 24%, though the partnership elected to hold the distribution flat quarter over quarter. Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETP  ) �had no distribution increase either, but things are looking better than they have in a while. Production in the Eagle Ford Shale is driving growth at ETP, and the partnership is reorganizing into an operation that is stronger and more diverse than ever before.

  Very strong results here, now let's take a look at some midstream companies that didn't perform as well.

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: Parametric Sound Corp (PAMT)

Parametric Sound Corporation (Parametric Sound), incorporated on June 2, 2010, is a technology company focused on delivering audio solutions through its HyperSound (HSS(r)) technology platform, which consists of the practical application of parametric acoustic technology for generating sound along a directional ultrasonic column. In addition to its commercial product business, the Company is targeting its technology for new uses in consumer markets including computers, video gaming, televisions and home audio along with other commercial markets including casino gaming and cinema. The Company is also researching and developing health applications for persons with hearing loss. The Company's principal markets for its products are North America, Europe and Asia. In October 2012, the Company formed HyperSound Health, Inc. (HHI) as wholly owned subsidiary. In January 2014, Parametric Sound Corp completed its merger with privately-held Turtle Beach.

Its commercial product line, HSS-3000, delivers directed audio solutions to customers primarily for digital signage, point-of-purchase, in-store network and related applications. Its commercial HSS-3000 HyperSound Audio System consists of a HSS-3000 Amplifier and one or more HSS-3000 Emitters. The HSS-3000 Emitter features a 5-inch by 10-inch emitter surface and is separate from the amplifier, offering varied installation options. It offers a variety of supporting installation hardware for customers.

The Company competes with Harmon International Industries, Bose, Klipsch, Polk Audio, Pioneer, Sony, Boston Acoustics, LG, Samsung, Brown Innovations, Inc. Panphonics and Holosonic Research Labs, Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Yesterday after the market closed, small cap audio stock Skullcandy Inc (NASDAQ: SKUL) reported earnings and began rising in after hours trading, meaning its worth taking a closer look at the stock along with the performance of other audio stocks like mid cap Harman International Industries Inc (NYSE: HAR) and small caps Koss Corporation (NASDAQ: KOSS) and Parametric Sound Corp (NASDAQ: PAMT). I should mention that in�late 2012, Skullcandy had the dubious distinction of being the market�� most shorted stock (see: Long Live the Shorts or the Short Squeeze? SKUL, AM & UBNT) with short�interest of 86.47% and there would still be a lot of shorts out there who might start feeling the squeeze (Note: SKUL is at least no longer on the HighShortInterest.com list)

• [By Jason Shubnell]

  Leading and Lagging Sectors
  Technology stocks gained Friday, with Parametric Sound (NASDAQ: PAMT) leading advancers after the company provided post merger update and outlook. Among the leading sector stocks, gains came from 21Vianet Group (NASDAQ: VNET), BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY), Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ), and Veeco Instruments (NASDAQ: VECO).
  In trading on Friday, utilities shares rose by just 0.06 percent. Among the sector stocks, Exterran Partners LP (NASDAQ: EXLP) was down more than 4.8 percent, while PG&E (NYSE: PCG) tumbled around 3.75 percent.
  Top Headline
  BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY) posted a narrower-than-expected fourth-quarter loss.
  BlackBerry posted a quarterly net loss of $423 million, or $0.80 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $98 million, or $0.19 per share. Its loss from continuing operations came in at $423 million, or $0.80 per share, compared to a year-ago profit of $94 million, or $0.18 per share. BlackBerry�� adjusted loss from continuing operations came in at $0.08 per share.
  Its revenue slipped 64% to $976 million. However, analysts were estimating a loss of $0.56 per share on revenue of $1.17 billion. BlackBerry sold around 3.4 million smartphones in the quarter.
  Equities Trading UP
  Finish Line (NASDAQ: FINL) shares shot up 3.64 percent to $27.44 after the company posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings.

Top 10 Freight Stocks To Own Right Now: Full Circle Capital Corporation (FULL)

Full Circle Capital Corporation is a business development company and operates as an externally managed non-diversified closed-end management investment company. It invests in debt and equity securities of smaller and lower middle-market companies with annual revenues between $3 million and $75 million. The company primarily invests in various categories of debt comprising asset-based senior secured loans, subordinated or unsecured loans, and mezzanine loans. It seeks to invest in a range of industries with a focus on media, communications, and business services. The company primarily seeks to invest between $3 million and $10 million. However, it can also make larger investments.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Wolfe]

  Full Circle Capital Corp (FULL)

  Over the past week there were two insiders making four buys into Full Circle Capital.� These buys come as the company�� price has hit its lowest price since Nov. 2011.

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: MedAssets Inc.(MDAS)

MedAssets, Inc. provides technology enabled products and services for hospitals, health systems, and other non-acute healthcare providers in the United States. It operates in two segments, Spend and Clinical Resource Management, and Revenue Cycle Management. The Spend and Clinical Resource Management offers a suite of cost management services, supply chain analytics, and data capabilities; medical device and clinical resource consulting, which includes implantable physician preference items, utilization management, and service line consulting; supply chain outsourcing and procurement services; capital equipment lifecycle management; lean process and workforce optimization solutions; process improvement consulting; business intelligence tools; and performance analytics and data management tools, such as service line analytics, spend analytics and strategic information services, e-commerce, client master item file services, electronic contract portfolio catalog, and decision support services. The Revenue Cycle Management segment provides a suite of products and services spanning the revenue cycle workflow from patient access and financial responsibility; case management, coding, and documentation; charge capture and revenue integrity; strategic pricing; claims processing; denials management and reimbursement integrity; revenue cycle and supply chain integration; revenue recovery and accounts receivable management; and outsourced services. It delivers technology-enabled solutions primarily through the company-hosted software, software-as-a-service, or Web-based applications. As of December 31, 2011, the company served approximately 4,200 acute care hospitals and 100,000 ancillary or non-acute provider locations. MedAssets, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Javier Hasse, Insider Monkey]

  Fundamentally, ADT looks appealing. Its stock trades at 16.5 times the company�� earnings, versus an industry average of 29.4x, while it boasts industry leading margins and above average returns on equity and assets. However, above-average debt levels are concerning, so its financial standing must be further analyzed.

  MedAssets (MDAS)

  The second company in this list is MedAssets (MDAS), a $1.37 billion market cap provider of technology-enabled products and services.

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: Trimble Navigation Limited(TRMB)

Trimble Navigation Limited provides positioning, wireless, and software technology solutions. The company?s Engineering and Construction segment offers site positioning systems, construction asset management services, software, and wireless and Internet-based site communications infrastructure solutions that improve productivity, accuracy, safety, and environmental impact in the entire construction process; and productivity solutions for the building construction sectors, as well as designs and markets handheld data collectors, productivity survey and mapping equipment, and data collection software for field use. Its Field Solutions segment provides guidance and positioning systems, automated application systems, and information management solutions to improve crop performance, profitability, and environmental quality; and handheld data collectors that gather information in the field. The company?s Mobile Solutions segment offers vehicle solutions, such as GPS receivers, business logic, sensor interfaces, and wireless modems; mobile worker solutions to automate service technician work in the field; and scheduling and dispatch solution, an enterprise software program to optimize scheduling and routing of field service technicians. Its Advanced Devices segment supplies global navigation satellite system modules (GNSS), licensing and complementary technologies, and GNSS-integrated sub-system solutions; supplies global positioning system receivers and embedded modules for aircraft navigation and timing applications; provides GPS-enabled cell phones for outdoor recreational activities; precision products that combine GNSS with inertial sensors; and ultra high frequency radio frequency identification reader modules, radio frequency identification readers, and design services. The company markets its products through dealers, distributors, and authorized representatives worldwide. Trimble Navigation Limited was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Smith]

  Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB  ) needs a new CFO.

  On Monday after close of trading, the maker of GPS products for industrial use announced that Chief Financial Officer Rajat Bahri has decided to take a job with a private equity firm, and will be leaving Trimble effective June 3.

• [By Seth Jayson]

  Trimble Navigation (Nasdaq: TRMB  ) reported earnings on April 30. Here are the numbers you need to know.

  The 10-second takeaway
  For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Trimble Navigation missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

• [By Lee Jackson]

  Trimble Navigation Ltd. (NASDAQ: TRMB) applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location — including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. The J.P. Morgan price target is $43, and consensus target is at $39.29. Trimble closed Tuesday at $38.87.

• [By cody56]

  The top contributors to performance during the period were Trimble Navigation (TRMB), Sensata Technologies�(ST) and Cadence Design Systems (CDS).

  Trimble Navigation provides location-based solutions to its customers that enhance their productivity and profitability. The recovery in construction end markets and continued strong demand from the farm economy resulted in strong overall financial results for the company and a strong stock price. We trimmed the position as it began to exceed the upper end of the market cap range that we invest in. Sensata Technologies develops, manufactures and sells sensors and controls. We are attracted to the company�� large growth opportunity, which is driven by increased sensor penetration in industries such as automobiles and general industrial opportunities. We find Sensata�� business model to be attractive given the stability of its revenues, strong operating leverage and excellent management team. During the period, the company benefited from a rebound in European automobile sales and deployed capital in several small accretive acquisitions. We have been trimming the position modestly as the stock approaches our price target.

  Meridian Growth Fund performance

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: TTM Technologies Inc.(TTMI)

TTM Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides printed circuit board (PCB) products and backplane assemblies worldwide. Its PCB products include conventional, high density interconnect, flexible, and rigid-flex PCBs, as well as backplane assemblies and IC substrates. The company also offers various services, such as design for manufacturability support during new product introduction stages, PCB layout design, simulation and testing services, quick turnaround production, and drilling and routing services. Its customers include original equipment manufacturers and electronic manufacturing service companies that primarily serve the networking/communications, aerospace/defense, high-end computing, cell phone, and medical/industrial/instrumentation end markets of the electronics industry. TTM Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of printed circuit board specialist TTM Technologies (NASDAQ: TTMI  ) soared 17% today after its quarterly results topped Wall Street expectations.

• [By Luke Jacobi]

  Shares of Viasystems Group (NASDAQ: VIAS) got a boost, shooting up 35 percent to $15.80 after TTM Technologies (NASDAQ: TTMI) announced its plans to buy Viasystems for a total value of $16.46 per share.

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: CST Brands Inc (CST)

CST Brands, Inc., incorporated on November 7, 2012 , is a retailer of transportation fuels and convenience goods in North America. As of April 30, 2013, the Company operated 1,032 Corner Stores throughout the United States, including Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and California. Its stores also provide prepared foods. In May 2013, the Company announced that the Company which includes Corner Store and Depanneur du Coin, spun off from Valero Energy Corporation.

The Company offers a range of products, such as snack foods, tobacco products, beverages and fresh foods, including its own brands: Fresh Choices sandwiches, salads and packaged goods; U Force energy drinks; Cibolo Mountain coffees (the United States); Transit Cafe coffee and bakery (Canada); FC bottled sodas, and Flavors 2 Go fountain sodas. Its Corner Store locations also provide in-store Subway sandwich shops.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Monica Gerson]

  Analysts expect CST Brands (NYSE: CST) to report its Q1 earnings at $0.19 per share on revenue of $3.07 billion. CST Brands shares climbed 0.66% to $33.50 in after-hours trading.

• [By David Sterman]

   

  3. CST Brands (NYSE: CST) The gas station operator was spun away from parent Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO) in May, and though shares eventually moved up above $33, they've been backsliding recently. A company director thought he spotted value by the time shares fell to $31.55 a share (where he picked up $142,000 in stock). But shares have continued to fall below $30.

  CST's newly independent management team aims to spruce up the company's 1,900 gas stations. It has the resources to make that happen: Valero left CST with more than $400 million in cash to work with. 

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: Integrated Device Technology Inc. (IDTI)

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a range of integrated circuits for communications, computing, and consumer industries worldwide. It operates in two segments, Communications, and Computing and Consumer. The Communications segment offers communication clocks, digital logic products, first in and first out memories, serial RapidIO solutions for wireless base station infrastructure applications, integrated communications processors, static random access memory products, radio frequency products, and telecommunications semiconductor products. This segment markets its products to the enterprise, data center, and wireless markets. The Computing and Consumer segment provides timing products, PCI Express switching and bridging solutions, high-performance server memory interfaces, multi-port products, touch controllers, signal integrity products, and PC audio and video products. This segment?s computing products are designed for deskto p, notebook, sub-notebook, storage, and server applications; and consumer products are optimized primarily for gaming consoles, set-top boxes, digital TV, and smart phones. The company markets its products primarily to original equipment manufacturers through various channels, including a direct sales force, distributors, electronic manufacturing suppliers, and independent sales representatives. Integrated Device Technology, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Garrett Cook]

  Integrated Device Technology (NASDAQ: IDTI) shares were also up, gaining 19.09 percent to $16.72 after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings.

• [By GuruFocus]

  
  Integrated Device Technology (IDTI): Interim President and CEO Jeffrey Stephen McCreary Bought 60,000 Shares

  Interim President and CEO of Integrated Device Technology (IDTI) Jeffrey Stephen McCreary bought 60,000 shares during the past week at an average price of $8.72. Integrated Device Technology was incorporated in California in 1980 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1987. Integrated Device Technology has a market cap of $1.31 billion; its shares were traded at around $8.72 with a P/E ratio of 39.00 and P/S ratio of 2.66.

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: Himax Technologies Inc.(HIMX)

Himax Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, and markets semiconductors for flat panel displays. Its products include display drivers and timing controllers for various thin film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCD) panels, which are used in desktop monitors, notebook computers, televisions, and mobile handsets, as well as consumer electronics products comprising netbook computers, digital cameras, mobile gaming devices, portable DVD players, digital photo frame, and car navigation displays; and TFT-LCD television and monitor semiconductor solutions. The company also provides liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) products for palm-size mobile projectors; power management integrated circuits, which include drivers, amplifiers, DC to DC converters and other semiconductors; complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensors for camera-equipped mobile devices, such as mobile phones and notebook computers with a focus on lowlight image and video quality; and wafer level optics products. It serves TFT-LCD panel manufacturers, mobile device module manufacturers, and television makers. Himax Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Tainan, Taiwan.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ant贸nio Costa]

  Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: HIMX) seems to be forming here a possible cup and handle formation ( The bigger white arc is the cup and the smaller white arc indicates the possible handle ). This is a typical bullish pattern and the stock price potential is on the upside. The stock must close above the neckline at 11.5 (White horizontal line ) on heavy volume in order to confirm the pattern.

• [By Roberto Pedone]

   

  Himax Technologies (HIMX), a fabless semiconductor company, provides display imaging processing technologies to consumer electronics worldwide. This stock closed up 5.2% to $9.02 in Tuesday's trading session.

   

  Tuesday's Range: $8.40-$9.05
  
  52-Week Range: $5.70-$16.15
  
  Tuesday's Volume: 5.88 million
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 4.83 million

   

  From a technical perspective, HIMX ripped sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $8.26 with above-average volume. This jump to the upside on Tuesday is quickly pushing shares of HIMX within range of triggering a big breakout trade. That trade will hit if HIMX manages to take out Tuesday's intraday high of $9.05 to more near-term resistance at $9.57 and then above its 200-day moving average of $9.66 with high volume.

   

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in HIMX as long as it's trending above that key near-term support at $8.26 and then once it sustains a move or close above those breakout levels with volume that hits near or above 4.83 million shares. If that breakout hits soon, then HIMX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $11.18 to $11.69.

   

Top Supermarket Companies To Buy For 2015: DineEquity Inc (DIN)

DineEquity, Inc., incorporated on May 07, 1976, owns franchise and operate two restaurant concepts: Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, (Applebee's), in the bar and grill segment of the casual dining category of the restaurant industry, and International House of Pancakes (IHOP), in the family dining category of the restaurant industry. As of December 31, 2012, the franchise operations segment consisted of 2,011 restaurants operated by Applebee's franchisees in the United States, one United States territory and 15 foreign countries and 1,569 restaurants operated by IHOP franchisees and area licensees in the United States, two United States territories and five foreign countries. As of December 31, 2012, the Company restaurant operations segment consisted of 23 Applebee's Company-operated restaurants, 10 IHOP Company-operated restaurants and two IHOP restaurants reacquired from franchisees and operated by IHOP on a temporary basis until refranchised. Financing operations revenue primarily consists of interest income from the financing of franchise fees and equipment leases, as well as sales of equipment associated with refranchised IHOP restaurants and a portion of franchise fees for restaurants taken back from franchisees not allocated to IHOP intellectual property. In October 2012, it completed the refranchising program and completed the transitioning to a 99% franchised restaurant system.

Applebee's

The Company develops, franchises and operates restaurants in the bar and grill segment of the casual dining category of the restaurant industry under the name Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar. As of December 31, 2012, 68 franchise groups operated 2,011 of these restaurants and 23 restaurants were Company-operated. The restaurants were located in 49 states, one United States territory and 15 countries outside of the United States. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 20 domestic franchise restaurants opened, six domestic franchise restaurants closed. 154 Company-operated! restaurants were franchised. The number of restaurants held by an individual franchisee ranges from one to 438 restaurants. As of December 31, 2012, it is focusing on international franchising primarily in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Mediterranean/Middle East. As of December 31, 2012, there were 149 international Applebee's franchise restaurants. During 2012, 14 international franchise restaurants opened and 13 international franchise restaurants closed.

IHOP

The Company develops franchises and operates restaurants in the family dining category of the restaurant industry under the names IHOP and International House of Pancakes. As of December 31, 2012 there were a total of 1,581 IHOP restaurants of which 1,404 were subject to franchise agreements, 165 were subject to area license agreements, 10 were Company-operated restaurants and two restaurants were reacquired from franchisees and operated by IHOP on a temporary basis. The Company owns and operates 10 IHOP restaurants in the Cincinnati market area primarily to test new remodel programs, operating procedures, products, technology, cooking platforms and service models. IHOP restaurants are located in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands and internationally in Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. As of December 31, 2012, the area licensee for the state of Florida and certain counties in Georgia operated or sub-franchised a total of 152 IHOP restaurants, and the area licensees for the province of British Columbia, Canada operated or sub-franchised a total of 13 IHOP restaurants. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had signed commitments and options from franchisees to build 245 IHOP restaurants over the next 17 years, comprised of 5 restaurants under single-restaurant or non-traditional development agreements, 120 restaurants under multi-restaurant development agreements and 63 restaurants! under in! ternational development agreements. As of December 31, 2012, there were 1,525 domestic IHOP franchise and area license restaurants. During 2012, its franchisees and area licensees opened 40 domestic franchise restaurants and 17 domestic franchise and area license restaurants were closed. As of December 31, 2012, there were 44 international IHOP franchise and area license restaurants. During 2012, its franchisees opened eight international franchise restaurants and no restaurants were closed.

The Company competes with Chili's, T.G.I. Friday's, Ruby Tuesday's, Denny's, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Bob Evans Restaurants.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]

  Alamy Companies can make brilliant moves, but there are also times when things don't work out quite as planned. From an automaker committing to add thousands of high-paying jobs in the new year to a home craft icon's payroll going the other way, here's a rundown of the week's most interesting moves in the business world. Sysco (SYY) -- Winner Leave it to a food company to eat the competition. Sysco is the country's largest food service company, providing restaurants, schools, and other institutions with their edibles. It's about to get bigger. Sysco kicked off the week by announcing a deal valued at $3.5 billion in cash and stock for its nearest competitor, US Foods. There isn't likely to be a lot of regulatory hassle over the combination. This is a highly fragmented sector, with Sysco commanding just 18 percent of the overall market. It will be 27 percent after completing the deal. Given the nature of the business, there are advantages of being big, and Sysco is about to get substantially bigger at a reasonable price relative to its own valuation. lululemon athletica (LULU) -- Loser Shares of Lululemon stumbled 12 percent on Thursday after the retailer of high-end yoga apparel offered up a gloomy outlook for the holiday quarter. The Canadian chain spooked investors by forecasting flat comparable-store sales for the period. Its profit guidance also fell short of expectations. For a hot growth stock like Lululemon, proving ordinary after years of heady store-level sales growth isn't enough. Ford (F) -- Winner Things have been going well for automakers, and things are about to get even better for Ford. The popular automaker revealed in a presentation on Thursday that it plans to hire 3,000 salaried workers in 2014 -- and we're not talking about low-paying jobs here. Most of these new jobs will be in engineering and product development. Ford is also opening three plants overseas, but the stateside job creation will be significant. Martha Stewart Living Om

• [By Rick Aristotle Munarriz]

  Brinker International Casual dining stocks aren't dead as an investment category. Investors just need to know where the tasty treats can be found on the menu. Chili's Grill & Bar parent Brinker International (EAT) moved higher on Wednesday after reporting better than expected quarterly results. Company sales climbed higher, fueled by a 0.3 percent increase in comparable-restaurant sales. Its international locations fared even better. Some casual dining chains that are bucking the general downward trend and posting positive comps are doing so by discounting aggressively to keep patrons coming. But that's not Chili's game at all. Net margins actually expanded nicely at Brinker, with adjusted earnings per share climbing 18 percent during its fiscal second quarter. The 1,557-unit Chili's chain is doing just fine. But the same can't be said about its competition. Red Ink, Ruby Ink Seeing shares of Brinker open 8 percent higher after posting better than expected quarterly results may be painful for investors in Ruby Tuesday (RT) or Red Lobster parent Darden Restaurants (DRI). Those two stocks took a hit the last time they offered up fresh financials. Ruby Tuesday and Red Lobster are falling out of favor with the hungry, with comps plunging 7.8 percent and 4.5 percent respectively in their latest quarters. Both companies have fallen short of Wall Street profit targets in each of their past three quarters. Brinker, on the other hand, has now surpassed bottom-line expectations in three of the past four quarters. With Ruby Tuesday's profits turning to losses and Darden so disillusioned with Red Lobster that it's looking to sell it or spin it off, it's easy to see why savvy investors looking at the casual dining sector are turning to Brinker. The stock hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday, and this could be just the beginning. Tech is the Secret Ingredient Why is Chili's succeeding at a time when profits at many of its peers are receding? Barron's argued earl

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Shares of Ruby Tuesday have gained 4.8% to $7.59 this morning, making it the third-best performer in the S&P 1500 and outpacing other restaurant stocks. Jack in the Box (JACK) has dropped 0.8% to $38.76, DineEquity (DIN), which operates Applebee’s and IHOP, has gained 0.1%% to 66.12, Denny’s (DENN) has fallen 0.2% to $6.06 and recent-IPO Potbelly (PBPB) has gained 1.7% to $30.73.